The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(48)
And it was his lack of humility that made Maia realize she could not trust him with that authority. But if she did not, who would stand against her enemies?
He who is to be a good ruler must have first been ruled. Men must be trained to obey and obey absolutely. Fear is education. Peril is persuasion. We dreaded the return of the mastons from Assinica. As we look at the plunder we have harvested from their lands, we marvel at the strangeness of their creations. Musical instruments never before devised. Gears and pulleys and levers melded into new creations we do not yet know how to use. These people are geniuses. It will take a lifetime to unravel their mysteries after they have been destroyed.
—Corriveaux Tenir, Victus of Dahomey
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Counsel
There was no unity among her council members. Maia saw open distrust and hostility in Justin’s eyes as he glared at the Earl of Caspur. With such a threat looming against them, it was no wonder. And yet she would not allow herself to be bullied into giving Caspur his way. That would not bode well for the future.
“I have not heard from you yet, Lord Paget,” Maia said, turning to her old advisor from Bridgestow. He was the most quiet member of the council, and she had come to learn he rarely spoke unless addressed specifically. “What is your counsel?”
Lord Paget had gray-blond hair that receded up his hairline and a darker goatee sprinkled with white. Clearly surprised to be addressed so pointedly, he sat up and began to fidget. Caspur looked at the man with growing disdain, as if annoyed someone who lived on the borders of the realm had been allowed to join the Privy Council. But Maia knew that he had served on her grandfather’s council in the past.
He looked full of unease as he spoke. “Your Majesty, it is a difficult problem, to be sure.”
Caspur sniffed and cleared his throat, his expression growing more impatient by the moment.
“I would value your counsel,” Maia prodded.
The man looked a little flustered by Caspur’s impatience, but his voice grew strength as he spoke. “It is easy, in my opinion, to start a rebellion. And yet it takes fuel to feed it. When men grow hungry or are unpaid, they turn fractious. Kord Schuyler seems to be hoping for a quick victory. The longer you stay on the throne, my queen, the more his supporters will dwindle. He is risking much, to be sure, but his march on Comoros is an attempt to make you act rashly.” At these words, he gave Caspur a pointed look. “Two forces of unequal size can be mitigated across a battlefield, depending on who has the more favorable ground. I learned from my dealings with the Pry-rians that a smaller force can easily repel a larger force if sitting in a defensible position, be it a river at their back, a fenland on their flank. I cannot think of a more defensible position than a walled city.”
Justin flashed the man a smile, looking pleased at his assessment. Caspur just glowered, clearly more angry than ever.
“So you would suggest we let him come to us,” Maia said.
Paget nodded quickly. “Any delay benefits you, my lady. An army needs supplies. It runs out of food quickly. Hot passions begin to subside. Defend the heart of your realm, and you preserve the core.”
Caspur looked impatient to speak.
“Yes?” Maia asked, turning to him, thankful he had not interrupted.
“While I applaud Lord Paget’s words, I would challenge his experience. Have you ever led soldiers into battle, my lord? From whence comes this knowledge? There has not been war with Pry-Ree for centuries.”
Paget stiffened, his look darkening. “I have read a good deal . . .”
“Books,” Caspur snorted with derision.
“. . . and I assisted the chancellor’s office in outfitting and supplying the king’s armies.” He gave Richard Syon an imploring look.
“That experience may prove useful,” Richard said, nodding his head. “I may call on you.”
There was a sudden shift of tension, and Maia felt certain in that moment that her council was not behind Caspur’s ideas.
“I would hear from everyone,” Maia continued. “Suzenne?”
Her friend looked flustered. “I have no experience that would be helpful,” she said, her cheeks flushing.
Maia gave her an encouraging nod.
After wrestling with herself for a moment, Suzenne finally said, “What of the children? The families to be displaced? If there is to be a siege of the city, they will suffer. I agree that we must have a plan to evacuate the sick, the young, and those who cannot defend themselves.”
“Thank you,” Maia said. “Please work with the lord mayor and offer your suggestions to him. Consider where they may be moved and how to supply them with their needs.”
Caspur wrung his hands, clearly sensing he had lost the room. “Lady Maia, I insist that you hear me out. I have more experience than all the rest of these council members combined. Put me in charge of your army, and I swear to you, by Idumea’s hand, I will put down this rebellion and bring Schuyler before you in chains for punishment. Marching my army to defend the city would mean leaving my own lands unguarded. I know what Paget meant by choosing good ground. This realm is more familiar to me than it is to most, as I have holdings throughout. I would choose a battlefield that would give us a sure advantage. Why trouble the citizenry at all, Your Grace? Give me the command, I implore you!”