Kingdom River

companies of their West-bank army are already skirmishing.'

'No surprises there. Anything else?'

'Yes.'

'Eric,' Charles said, 'it can wait.'

'No, it can't.'

'Rumors, Sam.'

'Not rumors, Charles,' Eric said. 'First informationals.'

'Alright.' Sam felt sick to his stomach – from being so tired, he supposed. 'Let's hear it.'

'Pigeon news from Texas, Twelve-mile,' Eric said, almost whispering. 'Our Secret-person there tells us a regiment, under Vladimir Crusan, rode out of Map-Fort Stockton yesterday. Riding south to Map-Alpine, then probably down to the Bravo. Also indications that another regiment is coming south to join him.'

Sam sat up straighter, rubbed the back of his neck to stay alert. 'That's interesting. You'd think they'd be too busy to trouble us. He has Seventh Tuman?'

'The Ninth,' Eric said. 'And I think the idea is to remind us to keep out of their business.'

'What do we know of Crusan?'

'Only half-Kipchak,' Charles said. 'A good, steady commander, but not the independent type.'

'Crusan is a good cavalryman.' Eric frowned, considering. 'But we don't think – my people don't think – he's up to commanding more than the Ninth.'

'Coming down at full strength?'

'Apparently, Sam. One regiment… so, Warm-time's give-or-take, a thousand horse archers. And if, as seems likely, he joins with another detached regiment on the border, that would make about two thousand men.'

''Maneuvers? Blooding recruits for the campaign against Middle Kingdom?'

'That's possible, Sam.' Charles stood, stooping slightly under the tent's canvas. 'But more likely just to keep us out of it, since we flank them to the south.'

'Which' – Eric smiled – 'makes them a little nervous. Pigeons have been coming in from my people, Map- California on east. The Kipchaks are being careful to stay well north of our border while they move their supplies through Map-Texas, mule and wagon-freight from the coast… They're having some difficulty getting goods out of South Map-California – we don't know why – but they're still gathering remounts at Map-Fort Stockton, Map-Big Spring, Map-Abilene.'

'Supplies for more than a year's campaigning, Eric?'

'No, Sam. Not for more than a year.'

'So, the Khan expects to beat the Boxcars, take their whole river kingdom, in Lord Winter's season.'

'That's right,' Eric said. 'And I'd say he can do it.'

'Not easily.' Charles shook his head. He looked tired as Sam felt. Looked his age, stooped, graying. 'He'll have to whip their West-bank army, then campaign up and down the Map-Mississippi once it's frozen to easy going for cavalry. And even if he destroys their fleet, he still has to deal with the East-bank army.'

'Alright, not easily,' Eric said. 'It's a big mouthful, but the Khan has a big appetite. And in any case, these regiments coming south are a different matter. They're just for us – a little reminder.'

'If they're coming down, yes.' Sam could smell himself in the tent's closeness. Horse sweat and his sweat. 'But when – and if – the Kipchaks break the Kingdom, control the river, it will give the Khan all the West, give him the Gulf Entire… Then we come next.'

'He might not be able to do it at all.' Charles pursed his lips, considering the Khan's difficulties. 'Kingdom's West-bank army is what, now, fifteen thousand regulars? All heavy infantry. And they're only the first Boxcars he'll meet.'

Sam saw Charles trying to talk things better, take some of the decision-weight from him. It didn't help. The conversation, repeating the heart of many conversations, seemed dream talk, difficult to stay awake for. 'Charles, the Kipchaks can do it, if Lord Winter helps them and freezes the river fast. I think I could do it with the Khan's forces – and if I could do it, it's damn sure Toghrul can… Now, Eric, this attack on our border.

You believe those people are coming down – or you know?'

'I know they rode south. And I'd say they'll cross the Bravo above Map-Chihuahua.'

'Coming down west of the Bend. Alright, I accept that – and on your head be it.'

Lauder smiled. 'Sam… what an unpleasant phrase.'

'Two thousand wouldn't do to come against us seriously, and Crusan apparently not the commander to try it. Still, it makes sense, if only as an exercise, to act as if it were a serious threat.' Sam thought a moment longer. 'Charles, see to it all border towns and posts in the area are notified of possible trouble. They're to prepare their people to leave and march south up into the hills if the order comes, or considerable forces of Khanate cavalry are scouted. And by 'considerable,' I mean horsetails maneuvering in more than one area, in near-regimental strength. Then – and only then – they are to burn any standing crops, destroy any animals they can't take with them.'

'Good.' Lauder struck a fist into his other palm.

'Sam, it's premature,' Charles said, 'even as a preliminary order. The Khan's people are not even near the border.'

'Better too early than too late. And if Eric's wrong about this, we'll cut his pay.'

'If I'm wrong, you can keep my pay.' Lauder stood up. 'Well, keep a month of it, anyway.'

' – Also, Charles…' Sam lost the thought for a moment from weariness, then recalled it. 'Also, all militia captains in Chihuahua are to be prepared to act against light-cavalry raiders. By harassing only, cutting off straggling small units, then retreating to broken or high ground. They are not to engage in any considerable battle – and if that order is disregarded, I will hang the captain responsible, win or lose.'

'Alright, Sam.' Charles sighed, resigned. His sighs, it seemed to Sam, more and more frequent. 'But even this – if it proves to be for nothing – is going to cost us tax money we can't afford to lose. Crops burned, sheep and cattle killed or taken.'

'If it proves to be for nothing, Charles, we've at least got Eric's pay. These orders are to be sent without delay. Riders tonight, birds in the morning.'

'Yes, sir.' Definitely displeased.

'And, Sam,' Lauder said, 'while you're still awake…'

'I'm not awake.'

'Do we have an answer for the merchant Philip Golvin?'

'Oh, shit.' Sam lay back down, felt sore muscles settle in relief.

'Unavoidable. I'm sorry.'

'Eric, is there any question he speaks for the Queen?'

'None. Golvin factors goods for Island, for river traffic generally, and acts as an unofficial emissary. Queen Joan has used him before. Sent him all the way to Boston, once – apparently he didn't care for the journey. Went by ship across the Gulf, then up into the Map-Atlantic, sea-sick all the way.'

'Sam,' Charles said, 'she definitely wants a visit from you.'

'Wants more than that,' Lauder said. 'Queen Joan's getting old, has only a daughter – and ruling those barely- reformed cannibals can't be a pleasure. Two armies, for Weather's sake! West-bank and East-bank, and the men and officers of each kept absolutely separate!'

'Good reason for that,' Sam said. What sort of hint did it need to be, when a man lay stretched on his cot, to leave him alone to sleep?

'But only a king's reason, Sam, to hold power balanced between them. And there's the Fleet.'

'Still, Eric,' Charles said, 'the lady manages, keeps the throne. And with the King dead, now, for seven years.'

'Charles, I don't say she isn't formidable – Middle Kingdom's formidable – I'm just saying she's looking for someone to hold the throne for her daughter, when she's gone… Looking for someone, Sam, who isn't one of their river lords, isn't a general in either army. Queen Joan has a bookish daughter, and no sons. She needs a son-in-law who won't cut her throat – or force her to cut his.'