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higher taxes that Sithas had decreed, in order to pay for the war, had been collected with
only a few minor incidents.
"There has been some violence along the waterfront. The city guard has confronted
Than-Kar's escorts on more than one occasion. We've had several elves badly injured and
one killed during these brawls."
"The Theiwar?" guessed Sithas.
"Indeed. The primary troublemakers can be found among the officers of Than-Kar's
guard, as if they want to create an incident." Quimant's disgust with the dwarves was
apparent in his sarcastic tone.
We'll deal with them . . . when the time is right. We'll wait till Kith-Kanan forms his
cavalry and departs for the west."
"I'm certain he'll have no shortage of volunteers. There are many noble elves who
had resisted the call to arms, as it applies to the infantry," said Lord Quimant. "They'll
leap at the chance to form an elite unit, especially with the threat of conscription hanging
over their heads!"
"We'll keep news of Thorbardin's commitment secret," Sithas added. "Not a word of
it is to leave this room. In the meantime, tell me about the additional troops for the infantry.
How fares the training of the new regiments?"
"We have five thousand elves under arms, ready to march when you give the
command."
"I had hoped for more."
Quimant hemmed and hawed. "The sentiment in the city is not wholly in favor of the
war. Our people do not seem to grasp the stakes here."
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"We'll make them understand," growled Sithas, looking to the lord as if he expected
Quimant to challenge him. His wife's cousin remained silent on that point, however.
Instead, Quimant hesitantly offered another suggestion. "We do have another source
of troops," he ventured. "However, they may not meet with the Speaker's satisfaction."
"Another source? Where?" Sithas demanded.
"Humans mercenaries. There are great bands of them in the plains north of here and
over to the west. Many of them bear no great love for the emperor of Ergoth and would
be willing to join our service for a price, of course."
"Never!" Sithas leaped to his feet, livid. "How can you even suggest such an
abomination! If we cannot preserve our nation with our own troops, we do not deserve
victory!"
His voice rang from the walls of the small chamber, and he glared at Quimant and
Ambrodel, as if daring a challenge. None was forthcoming, and slowly the Speaker of the
Stars relaxed.
"Forgive my outburst," he said, with a nod to Quimant. "You were merely making a
suggestion. That I understand."
"Consider the suggestion withdrawn." The lord bowed to his ruler.
* * * * *
The recruits for the griffon-mounted cavalry were sworn in during a sunny ceremony
a week after the brothers had arrived in the city. The event was held on the gaming fields
beyond the gardens, for no place else in the city provided enough open space for the great
steeds and their proud, newly appointed riders to assemble.
Thousands of elves turned out to watch, overflowing the large grandstands and lining
the perimeter of the fields. Others gathered in the nearby towers, many of which rose a
hundred feet or more into the air, providing splendid vantage.
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"I welcome you, brave elves, to the ranks of an elite and decisive force, unique in our
grand history!" Kith-Kanan addressed the recruits while the onlookers strained to hear his
words.
"We shall take to the sky under a name that bespeaks our speed henceforth we shall
be known as the Windriders!"
A great cheer arose from the warriors and the spectators.
As Quimant had predicted, many scions of noble families had flocked to the call to
arms once they learned of the nature of the elite unit. Kith-Kanan had disappointed and
angered a great number of them by selecting his troops only after extensive combat tests
and rigorous training procedures. Sons of masons, carpenters, and laborers were offered
the same opportunities as the proud heirs of the noble houses. Those who were not truly
desirous of the honor, or were unwilling or incapable of meeting the high standards
established by Kith-Kanan, quickly fell away, consigned to the infantry. At the end of the
brutal week of tests, the elven commander had been left with more than a thousand elves
of proven courage, dedication, and skill.
"You will train in the use of the light lance, the elven longbow, and the steel-edged
longsword. Lances will be wielded in the air or on the ground!"
He looked over the assembled elves. They stood, a pair flanking each griffon,
wearing shiny steel helms with long plumes of horsehair. The Windriders wore supple
leather boots and smooth torso armor of black leather. They were a formidable force, and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]