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."We were cheap at the price," Jultyr said dryly."Still, the men will appreciate it.They'll make sure to pay it before we get any replacements."Alucius couldn't help smiling at the veteran's assessment.The sun was low in the west, shining through a hazy sky and offering only slight warmth by the time the four lancers escorting Alucius and the three companies turned off the high road and then onto the Avenue of the Palace.Looking down the Avenue and through the space between the two green towers that dated back to the Duarchy, Alucius could see across the River Vedra to the southernmost part of the Westerhills.Unlike the northern Westerhills, where the trees were junipers and pines spread widely on rocky and sandy ground, the trees north of Tempre were mixed pine and softwoods growing far more closely together.As they neared the palace itself, with the stone-walled gardens of the Lord-Protector on their right, the lancers turned right on the avenue fronting both the palace and the headquarters complex of the Southern Guard.Behind both structures to the north was a long ridge that extended to the river in the west and well into the distance to the east.There were no structures on the top third of the ridge.Alucius, getting more sore by the moment, shifted his weight in the saddle as they neared the gray granite walls of the Southern Guard headquarters, modest in size against the low hills directly behind the gray buildings.As before, when he had been in Tempre, there were but four guards flanking the gateposts.The guards looked up briefly, possibly surprised to see such a long column of riders.Behind them, the main headquarters building rose four stories, with clean gray walls looming over the paving stones that covered the space inside the walls.The exception was the small walled garden set forward of the squared-off portico that was the main entrance.The four lancers rode around the east side of the building and into the rear courtyard, a space cut out of the hillside, with the stables to the right, and barracks and quarters behind, but forward of a stone wall that rose almost fifteen, yards.They continued turning, toward the portico that marked the rear entrance.Standing on the steps above the mounting blocks were several figures in Southern Guard uniforms.As they rode closer, Alucius recognized Marshal Frynkel, but not the captain with him, nor the lancers behind the two officers.The lancers reined up, and Alucius ordered, "Column, halt!"Frynkel stepped forward."Colonel Alucius, Overcaptain Feran, Captain Jultyr, Captain Deotyr, and all the lancers of the Fifth, Twenty-eighth, and Thirty-fifth Companies… welcome to Tempre and Southern Guard headquarters.Your efforts can truly be said to have been critical in saving Lanachrona, and for that you will be recognized and rewarded at an official ceremony on Duadi.Later, Captain Wasenyr will go over the details with you." Frynkel inclined his head to the dark-bearded young captain standing back and to his left."On behalf of the Lord-Protector, I wanted to welcome you all to Tempre." A nod from the marshal clearly ended the welcome.Alucius inclined his head."We thank you, Marshal, and the Lord-Protector.We are pleased that we have been of service."Frynkel stepped forward."Colonel, I would appreciate the honor of your company and that of Overcaptain Feran at supper this evening.""We would be pleased.""Good.Captain Wasenyr will fill you in." Frynkel's smile was pleasant, but Alucius could sense the tiredness behind the expression."I'll let you get your men and yourselves settled.""Thank you, sir."The lancer escorts urged their mounts into a slow walk."Forward," Alucius ordered.Once the three companies were drawn up outside the stables, Wasenyr and three squad leaders met them."Colonel," offered the bearded captain, "the squad leaders will show your companies what sections of the stables are assigned, and the barracks areas.Once you've taken care of what you need to here, I'd be pleased to escort you and your officers to your quarters." A lopsided smile followed."You may have noticed that we're somewhat understaffed here from the way things were in the past.""With so many companies in the southwest, I thought that might be the case." Alucius dismounted, somewhat stiffly."Do you need—""I'm just stiff from riding." Alucius was stiff from riding, but his ribs were also bothering him, and the brace on his forearm, under his sleeve and riding jacket, was chafing his skin."I should tell you that the ceremony will be one glass after morning muster on Duadi—at the rear portico.It won't take that long, and regular travel uniforms are appropriate, but your men won't need to saddle up.Just form on foot.If you'd be there a quarter glass before they form up, I'll let you know if there are any changes.""That's fine.Is there anything else?""Not right now, sir."Alucius nodded and led the chestnut into the stables.When he had finished with stabling and grooming the chestnut, more slowly than usual, he was the last to join Feran and Captain Wasenyr outside the stable."I took a moment to show the captains their quarters.I hope you—""That's fine," Alucius said.The walk back to the main building was even longer than Alucius recalled, especially carrying his own gear.Once inside the main building, Wasenyr led the way up a wide stone staircase."Both of your quarters are on the third level.Yours are on the east end, Overcaptain Feran, and yours are on the west end, Colonel.We'll get the colonel settled first, if you don't mind, sir," Wasenyr said to Feran."That would be best." Feran grinned at Alucius.Alucius wondered if he'd get the same quarters he'd had before.At the third level, they turned left, past a pair of Southern Guards with blue braid on their shoulders, similar to that worn by Wasenyr.Wasenyr stopped at the next-to-last set of double doors.He opened the door with a shining brass key and handed it to Alucius.The foyer inside was tiled in blue and gold.Through a square archway was a sitting room ten yards in width and fifteen in length, the long side containing three wide windows that opened on a view of the Lord-Protector's golden cream palace.In the sitting room were a dark blue upholstered settee, two matching armchairs, a carved cherry desk set against the north wall, with an equally imposing and matching carved desk chair.Five wall lamps were spaced around the chamber.In the center of the floor was a dark blue carpet bearing a design of intertwined eight-pointed green stars outlined in gold.Alucius could see that the quarters were a mirror image of those where he had stayed before, with few differences in furnishings or decor [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]