The King's Knights

Chapter Thirty-Five: Mentor and Student

The halls of Antion's prison were made bearable by Duke Vanion and Lady Azgora. So thought Relma as Kiyora turned her gaze to that place.

Vanion had a gentlemanly flourish to him with his blue cloak and neat, long dark hair. He made anything seem civilized. Ironically, he was from Haldren, known for being wild and violent. As he talked to her, this place's dark and dank halls seemed to move on.

"In short, an army marches on its stomach," said Vanion. "Much of my time during the Khasmir Campaign was spent arranging logistics for my armies. Wheat is used to make bread, and wine is mixed with water, salt, and vinegar for preservation. You also needed a lot of hay and other food to feed pack animals.

"In addition, there was the matter of weapons.

"In theory, every warband supplies its equipment. In practice, however, the wise commander will ensure all his troops have shoes and clothes. As did many others, cobblers in Artarq made a fortune during the Khasmir Campaign. It was very expensive, although I don't regret fighting."

"I remember only a bit of that," said Kiyora as she appeared. She conjured two reports into her hands and put both in the hands of Vanion and Relma. "Here's an account of what I've seen out there with analysis.

"The Dreamer Empire will be getting the same report, just so you know."

"Thank you," said Relma, taking it. "This is quite heavy."

"Well, it jumps around a lot," said Kiyora. "I've been trying to figure out what is going on. From the looks of things, your enemies are done for.

"Most are either dangerously naive about your prospects or trying to cut and run."

"Well, that is the plan," said Relma. "We were just heading to meet with Mr. Artulkan. It is a long walk. This palace is immense. I see why Prince Bor hates it so much.

"So why did so many lose money, Duke Vanion."

"Because there was no plunder," said Vanion as they continued to walk. "Usually, when you have a full-scale war, the soldiers get a chance to rob enemy territory. They take slaves, jewelry, and whatever they can seize. Raynald and Rusara have organized systems of plunder. It was set up when they went raiding together. That was under your old mentor, Argath Marn.

"However, the satyrs were all our allies. We were in no position to rob them. Raynald had to hang several men who did so to keep order. Demons do not carry loot, so the soldiers who went home had only their wages.

"Ordinarily, when a war is finished, the soldiers all return and spend a great deal. Wine women, though the wiser, spend their money in ways that can ensure their future.

"Instead, only those who were supplying my army made much money. Many who had stockpiled and expanded businesses in expectation of profit were disappointed. Some were very unfortunate.

"I wonder if the destruction of so many malas reserves wasn't a kind of karmic backlash."

That was his way of bringing up Relma, throwing it all into the river. She didn't regret doing it, especially now with the reports on what the Sorcerer's Guild had been up to. But it was unfortunate people had suffered as a result. "Duke Vanion, that was something you had no control over.

"You were fighting a war. You can't blame yourself for every single little effect your actions had. If I did that, I'd consider myself a monster."

And Kiyora disappeared in a flash from their gaze. She had no intention of giving Relma her opinion on that subject.

"Yes, well, it was very expensive for me," said Vanion, neatly airing a grievance. Frankly, Kiyora thought he was being entirely too nice about it. "So I rather liked the idea I'd done something to deserve it.