Oracle (Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

for them.”
    Joseph didn’t answer. After what had happened in Vorten, he had to admit that he couldn’t really fault Kalingland and Badera for blaming Valmingaard for the new outpouring of cultic uprisings and rebellions that were still raging across all Rothland. If Joseph had not seen what had happened in Vorten with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it.
    The return of the old gods, the Seteru, the incarnation of the goddess Indigoru…and now Vorten was a smoldering ruin. It would take years to return it to anything resembling its original splendor.
    “I’ll send out a company to scout the Crossing in force at first light,” Dutraad commented. “If the Kalinglanders want to come across, we’ll meet them.”
    Joseph didn’t doubt it. In the three months that he had been serving as a scout to Dutraad’s army, he had witnessed the Baron engage and defeat three small detachments of enemy regiments, two Baderan and one Kalinglander raiding force.
    It was ironic, really. When Joseph had first met the Baron he had thought the man was behind the planned Despair himself. Now he was coming to realize just how cunning a leader Dutraad really was, not to mention an able strategist.
    “Any word?” Joseph said quietly. “On the Despair?”
    Dutraad looked down at the table for a long moment. “Nothing as bad as Vorten,” he said at last. “We get occasional reports, though. There’s still trouble in the south of Merewith. The Emperor can’t get enough support from the nobles to take out the cultists once and for all. Frankly, I think it’s good for us . The last thing we need is the Merewithians united and invading Valmingaard from the south.”
    Joseph finished his biscuit. “What about Arbela?”
    Dutraad stood up from the chair. “Kelmar is still in cultist hands. Couldn’t tell you what god they’re following. Last I heard there was an Arbelan army surrounding the city. Llewyllan has staved off an invasion from the Dagger Hills. Apparently they’ve launched a counter-attack.”
    Joseph saw the Dagger Hills in his mind once again. It seemed like so long ago that he had been there, fighting alongside Kendril to restore the monarchy.
    “Haven’t heard how things are in Rella,” Dutraad continued. “Intelligence reports that Santaren is still a mess in the docks district, but no evil news from Wodlin.”
    “Then what are the Kalinglanders so worked up about?” Joseph said with a sigh. “Not that they need much of a justification for a war, I suppose.”
    Just the promise of plenty of plunder,” Dutraad said drily. He crossed over to the desk and picked up a sheaf of papers. “Think it’s about time for you to get paid, isn’t it?”
    Joseph smirked. “Wasn’t really expecting remuneration until the war was over. The men have been complaining about back wages for a few weeks now.”
    Dutraad nodded. “That’s true enough. You’re in luck, though. We got a convoy up from the southeast yesterday. Enough gold for the first month’s wages.”
    Joseph pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “Well, that just leaves a couple of months’ pay in arrears.”
    Dutraad smirked. “Don’t hold your breath.” He held out a piece of signed paper. “Anyway, see the purser before you go. Something’s better than nothing, right?”
    Joseph brushed the remaining biscuit crumbs off his damp greatcoat. “You sending me out again?”
    “Not to the front.” Dutraad sat down in the chair by the desk and picked up a packet of letters. “I have a bundle of dispatches that need to go south to Vorten.”
    Joseph felt a pang at the mention of the city. “I can work better here,” he said quickly. “I’ve learned the terrain pretty well, and—”
    Dutraad chuckled. “I’m not arguing that. Blazes, you're worth all the money the King hasn’t paid you and then some. But you’ve earned a break. Take some time in Vorten, see Maklavir and that girl of yours, what was her name?”
    Joseph took the