Working God's Mischief Read Online Free PDF Page A

al-Dhulquarnen. The Marshall was maneuvering west of the River Shirne, trying to initiate an encounter that would honor his particular advantages.
    That dance had been on for weeks. Indala would not be drawn. He meant to temporize till Gordimer’s forces melted away, an eventuality, Nassim suspected, that might hamstring Indala first. His followers were farther from home.
    Whoever else abandoned him, Gordimer would retain the finely honed professional Sha-lug.
    Nassim never stopped wrestling his conscience. He feared that he was in the wrong, now. Worse, he suspected that Indala wanted to make him a puppet Marshall.
    Why could not the kaifates join forces against the infidel without savaging one another first?
    *   *   *
    â€œWhat is it, Mohkam?” Nassim did not turn to see who had joined him. The night was afire with stars.
    â€œYou saw the rider arrive, General?”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œHe brought news from our friends in Vantrad. Black Rogert is moving.”
    â€œFinally. What do we have to look forward to?”
    â€œHis party numbers more than four hundred.”
    â€œAll armed men?”
    â€œTwenty-four knights, mostly Brotherhood of War. Their squires, their serjents, their servants, and so forth. The rest are mercenary foot recruited from pilgrims who came to see Unbeliever holy sites. There are some wives and children, too,” said Mohkam.
    â€œWhere would Rogert find money to hire mercenaries? They’d want their pay up front because he’s cheated hired swords and Gisela Frakier before. The Brotherhood of War wouldn’t finance him. They’re probably along to keep him in check, not to help him.”
    Gisela Frakier were Praman tribesmen allied with the Arnhander invaders, usually because their traditional tribal enemies were not.
    â€œThe money flows from the same spring as the nomination to return to Gherig. Queen Clothilde.”
    Clothilde, queen of Vantrad, related to Black Rogert and, possibly, his lover, was a woman as foul as he.
    King Beresmond of Vantrad was fourteen years younger than Clothilde, who held him in complete contempt. He suffered from several afflictions, not the least of which was his spouse. He was not a strong personality.
    Beresmond was nominal sovereign of the Crusader States. Very nominal, of late. Several counts and princes had taken advantage of his weakness even as du Tancret played the viper in his nest.
    Nassim considered the boy king’s great weaknesses his niceness and trusting nature.
    Any man less nice and trusting would have had some throats cut.
    â€œWhy did I ask? Who else would give him money? Dare I hope that she is coming with him?”
    â€œHer moral decline hasn’t reached that depth. But don’t be surprised to hear that the Queen will make a progress through the Crusader States, with a stop at Gherig.”
    â€œDo we know Rogert’s itinerary?”
    â€œNo,” Mohkam admitted. “But the road will define the way.”
    Before Nassim stopped trade countless caravans had moved between Lucidia and Dreanger, some so huge they required a thousand guards. Every year thousands of pilgrims took to the roads, and not just the Faithful. The Holy Lands had been Chaldarean, Devedian, and Dainshaukin before the Praman Conquest.
    When last he was lord of Gherig, Rogert du Tancret had shown no reluctance to attack the caravans. He had slain thousands, including diplomats and fellow Chaldareans. He took their goods and treasure and saved only those who could be ransomed or would fetch a good price on the slave block.
    On one occasion he had captured and mistreated females from Indala’s own household.
    Rogert bragged about having masterminded an expedition into the Peqaa wastes to profane the holiest holies associated with the Founding Family. He brayed that he would do so again and next time would expunge everything having to do with the origins of the Faith.
    Rogert du Tancret