Down Styphon! Read online

  Down Styphon!

  Kalvan Saga: Volume VIII

  JOHN F. CARR.

  A Pequod Press Adventure Novel

  All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2016 by John F. Carr

  First Edition

  ISBN: 978-0-937912-67-6

  On the cover: Alan Gutierrez, Down Styphon!

  Pequod Press P.O. Box 80 Boalsburg, PA 16827 www. PequodPress. com

  Kalvan Novels

  by John F. Carr

  Down Styphon!

  Gunpowder God

  The Fireseed Wars

  Siege of Tarr-Hostigos

  The Hos-Blethan Affair

  Kalvan Kingmaker

  Great Kings War

  Paratime Police Novels

  by John F. Carr

  Time Crime (H. Beam Piper & John F. Carr)

  The Lord Kalvan novels are based on H. Beam Piper’s Paratime series and his 1965 novel, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen.

  DEDICATION

  To my Russian Princess, Victoria

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Special thanks go to Pequod Press’s Editor Victoria Alexander for her hard work and efforts to make this book as professional as possible.

  I would be remiss, if I didn’t mention and give thanks to James Landau who has been my primary continuity editor for the past 30 years.

  I’d also like to give thanks to all the members of the Copyediting and Post-Proofing Team, Dwight Decker, Dennis Frank, Richard Oakley, Larry Hopkins, Wolfgang Diehr, and David Williams.

  Special mention goes to Dennis Frank for all his work on the maps. Dennis is also in charge of the John E Carr Archive at St. Bonaventure University where he serves as Archivist. Visit the John Carr Archives at:

  http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/carr/index.html

  Thanks go to Alan Gutierrez who came up with the cover design and executed it so well; he has been the cover artist for the entire Kalvan saga, starting with Great Kings’ War in 1985. He also drew the fine interior maps.

  Maps

  DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  HOS-HOSTIGOS & ALLIES

  Alkides—Artillery general in the Royal Army.

  Aspasthar—Son of Harmakros and false heir to the Hos-Agrys Throne.

  Chartiphon—Great King of Hos-Rathon.

  Demia—Princess, Kalvan and Rylla's daughter.

  Ermut—Rector of the University of Hostigos.

  Errock—Captain-General of the Thagnori Army.

  Hectides—Old wolf hunter and scout for the Royal Army.

  Herad—Admiral Herad, Supreme Admiral of the Royal Nos-Hostigos Navy.

  Hestophes—Captain-General of the Army of Hostigos.

  Kalvan—Former Penn. State Trooper and Great King of Hos-Hostigos.

  Klestreus—Head of Hostigos Security.

  Leukestros—Grand Constable of Thagnor and Colonel in the Royal Army.

  Mnestros—Prince of Eubros and Kalvan's ally.

  Mytron—Chancellor of Nos-Hostigos and Highpriest of Dralm.

  Nathros—General, Rector of Engineering College.

  Pheblon—Former Prince of Nostor.

  Phrames—Prince of Gytha and Captain-General of the Royal Army.

  Rylla—Former Great Queen of Nos-Hostigos, Kalvan's wife and co-ruler.

  Sarrask—Former of Prince of Sask.

  Skranga—Chief of Hos-Hostigos Intelligence now in Hos-Bletha.

  Tharses—Uncle Wolf Highpriest of Hos-Hostigos.

  Vanar Halgoth—Captain of Kalvan's Tymannian Guard.

  Vinaldos—Count, Acting Intelligence Chief.

  Uncle Wolf Xanthos—A Hostigi Uncle Wolf under Highpriest Tharses.

  Xykos—Grand-Captain of Great Queen Rylla's Own Horse Guard.

  PARATIMERS

  Aranth Sain—Kalvan Study Team Military Expert now undercover as Ranthos.

  Danthor Dras—University Professor and expert on Styphon's House Subsector.

  Danar Sirna—Former Member of Kalvan Study Team and Phidestros' mistress.

  Hadron Dalla—Verkan's wife and Paratime Police Chief's Special Assistant.

  Hadron Tharn—Dalla's power-mad brother.

  Hadron Zinganna—Dalla's adopted Prole sister. Undercover in Greffa as Zinna.

  Kostran Galth—Paratime Police Inspector, Head of the Greffan Study Team.

  Ranthar Jard—Paratime Police Inspector.

  Tortha Karf—Former Paratime Police Chief.

  Verkan Vail—Paratime Police Chief.

  STYPHON'S HOUSE

  Anaxthenes—New Supreme Priest and Styphon's Own Voice.

  Aristocles—Grand Commander and second in command of the Order.

  Baphocles—Archpriest, one of Anaxthenes supporters.

  Cimon—Inner Circle Archpriest called the "Peasant Priest."

  Danthor—Paratime Professor's undercover identity as Styphon's House Archpriest.

  Dimonestes—Archpriest, formerly one of Roxthar's followers.

  Dracar—Archpriest of Inner Circle, formerly Roxthar's puppet.

  Drayton—Styphon's House Treasurer.

  Euriphocles—Archpriest, one of Anaxthenes' co-conspirators.

  Grythos—Archpriest of the Inner Circle, Prince-Regent of Hos-Agrys and Military Advisor.

  Haltor—Highpriest of the Agrysi Great Temple.

  Heraclestros—Archpriest, former Highpriest of Agrys City.

  Lesthros—Archpriest of Bletha Town.

  Neamenestros—Archpriest and one of Anaxthenes allies.

  Phyllos—Highpriest of Harphax City Great Temple.

  Sarmoth—Knight Sergeant of the Order of Zarthani Knights. Soton's aide-de-camp.

  Soton—Grand Master of the Order of Zarthani Knights.

  Symnos—The High Marshal in charge of the Ktemnoi Sacred Squares.

  Timothanes—Archpriest, one of Archpriest Dracar's supporters.

  Yagos—Anaxthenes' Special Deputy and spy master.

  Xenophes—High Marshal of the Styphon's House Temple Guard.

  ALLIES OF STYPHON'S HOUSE

  Geblon—Great King of Hos-Harphax.

  Lavena—Baron Sthentros' daughter and Great Queen of Hos-Harphax.

  Lyphannes—Chancellor of Hos-Harphax.

  Lukthos—Great King of Hos-Ktemnos.

  Niclophon—Great King of Hos-Bletha.

  Sthentros—New Prince of Hostigos.

  HOS-BLETHA

  Archimanes—Chancellor of Hos-Bletha.

  Althaphon—Baron and old enemy of Gasphros.

  Basilron—Blethan Prince of Syragon.

  Carthames—Blethan Prince of Drathor.

  Kosklos—Blethan Prince of Artigos.

  Lykron—Captain-General of Hos-Bletha until sent to Balph.

  Mythros—Blethan Prince of Pytha.

  Niclophon—Great King of Hos-Bletha.

  Theodoros—Captain-General of the Hos-Blethan Royal Army.

  Vythron—Blethan Prince of Taurnos.

  NEUTRALS

  Arminta—Phidestros' wife and Great Queen of Hos-Zygros.

  Hyrum—King of Dorg.

  Kyblannos—General in the Hos-Zygros Army and Phidestros' chief military advisor.

  Olmnestes—Uncle Wolf Highpriest.

  Phidestros—Former mercenary, now Great King of Hos-Zygros.

  Ranjar Sargos—Var-Wannax, or Great Chief, of the Sastragath.

  Ranthos—Former Paratimer Aranth Sain who is undercover as a mercenary Captain.

  Roldolf—King of Xiphlon.

  Theovacar—King of Grefftscharr.

  PROLOGUE

  Styphon’s Voice Anaxthenes should have been filled with elation, since over the past two years all of his plans had come to fruition. With Archpriest Roxthar dead, he was now the most powerful priest in all the Five Kingdoms. Unfortunately, that no lo
nger meant what it had before the mysterious arrival of the Usurper Kalvan, and the revolt of the bastard mercenary Phidestros, who was now perched firmly on one of the Great Thrones.

  Once this hallowed hall had represented the apex of power in the Five Great Kingdoms, but that claim was now in doubt. Rats were nibbling at all sides of the Temple’s hegemony. True, the Usurper Kalvan had been exiled to the Middle Kingdoms, but he had created a new kingdom there that was as strong, if not stronger, than Hos-Hostigos had been at its peak. In the north Great King Phidestros ruled over Hos-Zygros, while his henchman, Geblon, ruled as the Great King of Hos-Harphax. Of all the northern kingdoms, only Hos-Agrys was still firmly in the Temple’s control. While to the south, Hos-Bletha was divided into two kingdoms, neither one great nor a true kingdom.

  The thirty-three archpriests seated at the Triangle Table were not the strongest reeds, either. However, they were an improvement over the previous crop, most of whom had been in the thrall of Roxthar and his Holy Investigation. Since every archpriest within five hundred marches had arrived, except the archpriest of Hos-Zygros, who was dead, the Archpriest of Hos-Harphax, who had not wanted to brave the weather, and Archpriest Grythos who was acting Prince-Regent of Hos-Agrys: it was time to begin.

  Anaxthenes rose to his feet, looking from side to side. “I have called this Council to discuss several important issues. First and most importantly, the Temple is faced with a grave threat. This morning a boat arrived from Zygros with a terrible cargo.”

  He could see that he had the full attention of all the seated archpriests. He had just received the news of the atrocity early this morning and put a lid on it. However, he knew by evening every priest in the holy city would know all about it.

  “Aboard the boat were the pickled heads of over four hundred Zygrosi Styphon’s House priests!” All the faces at the table paled at this grave news. “It appears that the bastard Phidestros has rejected our overtures and made himself our deadly enemy. To say nothing about the treasure he has looted from the Zygrosi temples.”

  Several of the archpriests began touching their throats, as if wondering when the headsman's ax would fall upon their own necks.

  “I, as Supreme Priest, declare the False Great King Phidestros anathema, a pretender and archfoe of the Temple. Any merchants, noblemen or soldiers who deal with him will be declared adversaries of Styphon’s House. Styphon's Will Be Done!”

  There was a round of “aye, aye” from the assembled archpriests.

  “It is long past time we talked frankly about the Temples future.” That got everyones attention, since frank talk was a rarity under the Golden Dome. “We are surrounded by enemies. The Pretender Phidestros and Great King Geblon to the north, the Usurper Kalvan and his minion, King Chartiphon, to our west and another pretender, Valthros, who calls himself Great King of Hos-Bletha, to the south. Since the war with Daemon Kalvan and the conquest of Hos-Agrys, we no longer have the military might and soldiers to impose Our will upon all the great kingdoms. Grand Master Soton has seated himself at Tarr-Ceros and refuses to leave until he has restored the Order of Zarthani Knights to their former power, which could take him more winters than he has left to live. Styphon’s Own Guard has lost close to half their number and are having a hard time finding new recruits. Our own Great King Lukthos is still trying to rebuild the Royal Army of Hos-Ktemnos, and is reluctant to commit his troops to another campaign—although he will do so if pressed.”

  Most of the archpriests looked shocked at the dire news he was presenting, although they should have figured it out on their own long ago.

  “There are few unattached free companies left in the Five Kingdoms: those not under long-term contract to us have either joined with Kalvan or Phidestros—or died in the Fireseed Wars. Furthermore, it appears the best captain-generals are all fighting for the opposition. To put it bluntly, the future does not bode well for the Temple’s continued dominance.”

  The room was as quiet as a tomb, none of the usual tittering or whispering.

  Anaxthenes knew he held their complete attention. “So, were going to expand our business.”

  “What do you mean by that, Your Divinity?” Archpriest Dimonestes asked.

  “First, we are going to move substantial assets to our new staging ground in the west. We have made groundbreaking progress with the Ros-Zarthani west coast city-states. I call on Archpriest Prythos to brief you on our progress and future plans there.”

  The broad archpriest rose to his feet. He no longer had the big belly he’d had when Anaxthenes had first met with him. Three trips, back and forth along the long Iron Trail, had put him in fighting trim. “My fellow archpriests, Supreme Priest Anaxthenes had the wisdom to suggest moving some of our operations to the west coast when I informed him of the Ros-Zarthani prowess as warriors in the war against the Usurper Kalvan. We both believed the situation there was ripe for exploitation. Few of you recognize me because I’ve spent most of my time negotiating and palavering with a few other select upperpriests who have been working on this project for the past three winters.

  “I recently accompanied the Ros-Zarthani force, after they left the Grand Host and returned to their city-state of Antiphon under Arch-Stratego Zarphu. The Ros-Zarthani soldiers impressed everyone in the Grand Host of Styphon’s House with their steadfastness and courage. I was very taken with the Arch-Stratego and got to know him very well on the return journey. He asked all manner of questions about fireseed and the various weapons that use it. Zarphu is the kind of man that could be a valued friend, or a dangerous foe.

  “On my previous visit to Antiphon, I had established a small temple with the priests who had accompanied me. Lord Tyrant Dyzar, a most ambitious and paranoid ruler, allowed us this in exchange for a wagonload of old calivers and arquebuses and our promise to build a fireseed mill. Before we left, I purchased enough slaves for a temple farm and sent scouts out to search for a local source of brimstone.

  “Meanwhile, while under the command of Grand Host of Styphon’s House, the Arch-Stratego Zarphu not only earned the respect of his fellow commanders, but had picked up as many discarded fireseed weapons as he could conceal. He returned to Antiphon to great acclaim from the populace. So much so that it threatened the Lord Tyrant and in response he sent some of his bodyguards, called the Eternals, to assassinate the Arch-Stratego. However, Zarphu was well protected by his men and the Eternals proved to be quite mortal. The people of Antiphon did not take the attempted assassination well. The next day a huge crowd stormed the palace and killed everyone who tried to stop them. They were led by the troopers who had accompanied the Arch-Stratego across the Sea of Grass and into the Five Kingdoms. The mob took the Tyrant out to their grand plazos where he was literally pulled apart.”

  The archpriests looked properly cowed and fearful. Anaxthenes knew that to a man they feared that someday a mob would sack their palaces and tear them to shreds. One of the reasons why Kalvan had become the most feared man in the great kingdoms.

  “The following day Zarphu was unanimously granted, by the Council of Nobles and the Merchants Guild, the title of Tyrant of Antiphon,” Archpriest Prythos continued. “I was granted an audience with Zarphu several days later and he agreed to allow Styphon’s House to build temples and introduce Styphon to the city. The Ros-Zarthani are fond of war gods and Styphon has proved to be quite popular with the commoners and nobility. Many of them are anxious to obtain fireseed arms for themselves. Supreme Priest Anaxthenes suggested we accelerate our expansion into the west coast in lieu of recent developments here in the Five Kingdoms.”

  Anaxthenes nodded, and Archpriest Prythos sat back down. “Well said, Prythos. My plan is to send a large party of archpriests and high-priests with proper attendants under Archpriest Prythos’ leadership to not only introduce Styphon’s House to Antiphon, but eventually to all the other west coast city-states.”

  None of the assembled archpriests looked happy with this new idea. Not that he expected them to welcome it, not this
band of prosperous and indolent priests. They had better get used to the idea quickly, he decided. “I’m going to send ten of you along with a hundred highpriests and two thousand lowerpriests to accompany Archpriest Prythos along the Iron Trail. I want this party to leave early in the season so as not to attract attention.”

  By that, he meant Kalvan’s notice. There were mutterings and heated whispers among the assembled archpriests, but no one dared raise his voice in objection. They're smarter than I thought, he concluded.

  “Archpriest Neamenestros, Prythos will head the delegation and you will be his Hand in all things as Highpriest of the new Antiphon Temple. I will let you pick those highpriests whom you would like to accompany you on this expedition.”

  “Yes, Your Divinity,” Neamenestros replied. He had been forewarned and, although unhappy about his new post, he had understood its necessity. Nor was Neamenestros pleased to find himself subordinate to Archpriest Prythos, but Prythos knew the Archstratagi and the lay of the land.

  Anaxthenes knew his final proposition was not going to go over well. “Next, we are going to start selling guns and fireseed to the Mexicotal.”

  Archpriest Dracar, his naked head sticking out of his cowl like a baby bird’s, cried, “You can’t, Your Divinity! They’re flesh eaters! Cannibals!”

  Anaxthenes nodded to one of his guardsmen at the door. The man moved quickly over to the table and swung his halberd at the Archpriest, taking Dracar’s head off his shoulders, severing the carotid arteries. The head flew to one side, landing on an archpriest’s lap, while the red arterial fountain splattered blood over the nearby archpriests.

  “Any more complaints?” he asked. He fought to suppress the smile that threatened to break out upon his face. Dracar had long been a thorn in his posterior and he welcomed this opportunity to pull it out.

  The chamber was as silent as a tomb. Many of the archpriests were looking down at their blood-splattered robes with distaste and fear.