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and desires of the ancients? And if he had not, why had they not only spared
him when he d been in their power, but actually saved him?
He stifled another yawn.
Dearest... you need some sleep. It will all make more sense when you re
rested.
She was right about his needing sleep, but Dainyl had the feeling that what
the ancients had in mind would not be any clearer in the morning or, indeed,
at any time until it was too late for him to do anything about matters.
10
With all the details and difficulties involved in moving Third Battalion from
the old Hyalt garrison to the new compound north of the town, it was the
following Londi before Mykel felt matters were settled enough for him to take
Fabrytal and Fifteenth Company on an armed reconnaissance of the
half-destroyed regional alector s complex in Hyalt. He had wanted to get there
before the alectors returned, but not before he had the companies relocated in
a more defensible position. Still, as of Decdi evening, the squads maintaining
the security perimeter around the area had not reported any activity.
Mykel had not seen any reason to take the more circular patrol route to the
north. Instead, he had ordered the company along the main route to the
compound. For the first vingt away from the square in Hyalt, the way was
paved, but after that it deteriorated to a packed clay and gravel road that
circled around low hills covered with the brush and junipers that seemed
ubiquitous west of Hyalt. The road was wide enough for easy travel with two
mounts abreast, and hard-packed enough that where ruts existed they were
shallow.
Despite the haze that created an even greater silver sheen across the
otherwise cloudless green sky, the morning sun was warm on the back of Mykel s
gray and maroon Cadmian uniform tunic. He shifted his weight in the saddle,
gingerly, in order not to jolt his still-tender shoulder.
You think we ll see any strange creatures, Majer? Fabrytal rode to Mykel s
right.
These days, I m not certain what we ll see or where we ll encounter it. We
might see anything, and we might run into nothing. Mykel glanced ahead, his
eyes on the scouts a good half vingt out, moving out of sight where the road
curved south and then west again. He did not sense anything untoward, but he
had not forgotten there were some alectors and landers that he could not
sense.
His lips curled into a faint smile. One of those was Rachyla. That should not
have surprised him, but at the time he had discovered that it had. He felt
that there was so much more to her than he could sense.
Less than a glass later, a half squad of Cadmians appeared on the road, formed
up and apparently waiting for Mykel and Fifteenth Company. Once they neared
the patrol squad, Fab-rytal halted Fifteenth Company, and the two officers
rode forward to the Cadmian in charge.
Majer, sir, no intruders sighted this watch. The squad leader was from First
Hyalt Company, and Mykel did not recall the man s name.
Any sign of anyone in the compound?
No, sir.
We re going in to take a closer look. I d appreciate it if you d continue
your patrols. If you see anything strange, or any pteridons flying in, send a
messenger.
Yes, sir. The squad leader nodded emphatically.
Thank you. Mykel eased his mount westward.
Fifteenth Company! Forward! ordered Fabrytal.
Neither officer spoke as they rode away from the patrol and led Fifteenth
Company up the last section of the road, a long gentle slope, at the end of
which Mykel could see the red-stone cliffs that held part of the compound. The
packed dirt and clay of the road had turned a redder shade, and there was more
sand in the loose dust and dirt, and more space between the clumps of
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harvest-tan grass. The wind had picked up, hot and dry out of the south,
carrying fine dust that stuck to the sweat on the back of Mykel s neck.
Why do you think they haven t sent anyone to repair things here? asked
Fabrytal.
I imagine Tempre is a higher priority. It takes longer to transport men and
materials here. They ve all got to come by the high roads. It s close to seven
hundred vingts by road from Faitel to Hyalt. That s after they decide how they
want to rebuild.
If they want to.
They will, predicted Mykel. There had to be some reason why the alectors had
built in Hyalt in the first place. He just didn t know what it happened to be.
When Fifteenth Company reached the level section of ground that stretched
eastward from the line of cliffs, Mykel studied the area with both his eyes
and other senses. What remained of the outbuilding was a heap of redstone,
discolored by soot and ashes. A stone archway and recessed entry provided the
access to whatever chambers and passages had been cut into the redstone cliff.
Higher up, he could see scorched and blackened patches.
Burned it good, murmured Fabrytal.
I don t think they had much choice. How else do you get people out of a stone
redoubt without losing all sorts of men?
They don t mind losing our men.
Some don t, and some do. The submarshal doesn t like wasting men. He kept the
Cadmians here out of the direct fighting, and he ordered us not to deal with
the rebel alectors in Tempre directly unless absolutely necessary.
Majer ... sir ... he s about the only one I ever heard who thinks that way.
You may be right. We d better hope nothing happens to him.
As they drew nearer to the ruined outbuilding, Mykel could make out black
lines across the sandy soil, and there was still the faintest odor of smoke
and burned wood. Although he saw no bodies, and no crows or other carrion
eaters, a sense of death permeated everything.
Mykel reined up a good twenty yards from the stone archway that framed the
recessed entry into the cliff. Smoke had stained the stone, and a faint odor
of brimstone lingered. I ll want to inspect the tunnels.
Yes, sir. I ll send a squad out first, just in case. Fabrytal turned in the
saddle. First squad, dismount! Rifles ready! Second squad, take their
mounts!
Mykel did not protest. From what he could sense, there was no one present.
Even if there might be someone undetected by his Talent, that was infrequent,
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