“Knowing me by sight. It wasn’t the best lit inn, and everything happened quickly after dark, sir,” Quint said.
“Quite so. We have an operation that you might be suited for.”
Quint looked at Colonel Gerocie. “The general is over what unit?”
“You can ask that question directly, soldier,” Obellia said. “I am over Racellian Military Intelligence Services. The colonel reports to me, Lieutenant.”
Quint had exposed a nerve, but since he wasn’t dismissed, he leaned forward for more information.
“Since Colleto knows you as a Level 3 wizard and a hubite, I want you to join a delegation to Nornotta, the Gussellian capital. We don’t have any Masters or Level 3 people to spare.”
“The wizard corps, sir?” Quint asked.
“Is not under my jurisdiction. I doubt if Baltacco would lend me any of his people for this operation.”
Quint sighed. That would let Amaria off the list. “I may still be in danger?”
The general chuckled. “You are always in danger, hubite.”
“But they speak willot exclusively in Gussellia,” Quint said.
The general smirked. “Colonel Gerocie has told me you have a working knowledge of the language.”
“I know a few words, sir.”
“Keep your language capability a secret. Being underestimated is a definite advantage for you, Tirolo.”
“What am I to do?” Quint looked at the general who nodded at Colonel Gerocie. Quint had run out of objections.
“Observe. Do exactly what you do every day. Observe and analyze, and when you return, report. You will be the military representative of the delegation. We are giving you a provisional promotion to Captain. It is the minimum rank for this kind of operation.”
Quint didn’t quite know what to do, so he stood and saluted the Colonel and the General and said, “I will perform whatever assignment you ask.”
“That’s music to my ears, Captain Tirolo. You’ll receive specific orders later today.” The general turned to the colonel. “Do you really think he’s up to it?” He spoke in willot.
“He does a remarkable job of analysis, General Obellia. He won’t disappoint, if he returns. We don’t know what is behind the Gussellian request for a delegation.” The colonel spoke in willot to the general and then turned to Quint, still standing. “You are dismissed, Captain.” Gerocie had the ghost of a smile on her face.
Quint saluted again and left for his office.
What did he get himself into? He couldn’t reject the assignment, or he would forever be stuck in the basement of Racellia’s military headquarters or worse. Perhaps a rejection would lead to a demotion. He remembered the willot recruit who refused to obey simple commands when he was first pressed into the army.
Was the willot discussion at the end of the meeting a test? Quint shook his head. He told himself that all he had to do was observe and then report. How much easier could an assignment be?
But then again, the general said the wizard corps wasn’t about to waste a Level 3 or a Master on the delegation. Did they assume the delegation would run afoul of the Gussellians?
Quint shook his head. He didn’t have a solution to his dilemma since he didn’t have enough information.
His orders were delivered to his office by one of the colonel’s orderlies, a sergeant. The man sneered.” You’re no captain, hubite.”
“End that with a ‘sir,’ soldier.”
“You’re no captain, hubite, sir,” the orderly sneered before leaving Quint’s office.
Quint shook his head at the anger the man must live with. He opened the sealed orders. The first page was a certificate promoting him to Captain in the Wizard Corps. Two sets of captain’s badges were pinned to the certificate.
He thought he’d be transferred to the regular army, but then he read further where it said he was permanently attached to the military diplomatic corps, a division of the Racellian Intelligence Services, whatever that was. All Quint knew is General Obellia was running it, and Quint’s life was now the General’s responsibility.
The orders were simple enough. A delegation to discuss a truce with Gussellia would be leaving in three days from the council palace courtyard. Quint, Captain Tirolo as Quint was referred to in the orders, would be assigned as a military advisor. He was to observe and report his findings to Colonel Gerocie upon return. Quint would be expected to protect the delegation along with the other military personnel should there be a need.
He was afraid there would be a need.
Quint showed up at the courtyard half an hour early. Coaches were already lined up. A few of the delegates had arrived before Quint. Quint had never met any of them, and they were speaking willot to each other.
Quint ignored the rude comments that were made about him, but he wasn’t the only point of complaint. The men spoke unkindly of Gussellian food, lodgings, and the people in general, even though they were willots like the Gussellians, Quint was surprised by the expressed hatred.
He knew all willots weren’t like that, but Quint wondered about the true percentage. Was it a willot thing? He stood looking in a different direction until he heard his name called.
Quint turned and looked at Amaria Baltacco.
“My father couldn’t stand General Obellia having a person on the delegation that wasn’t a true wizard corps officer.”
Quint didn’t fail to notice the senior lieutenant badge on her uniform. She probably thought she would be outranking him. He wasn’t happy she was going to Gussellia.
“I thought you had enough of the Gussellians,” Quint said.
“The greater good of Racellia is more important.”
