Free Rally Cry by William R. Forstchen

declaring him heretic. Most likely some of the boyars would not turn on him because of the church and it would still leave him with many of his own landholders feeling nervous. Rasnar had been strangely quiet since their return, and that was cause enough for worry right there.
    Walking over to the narrow window of his feasting room, Ivor looked across the great square to the cathedral of the Blessed Light of Perm. Most likely that bastard was looking over here at him, pondering the same questions, he thought darkly.
    This problem with the bluecoats had to be settled. He could already sense they were near impossible to destroy, and that was part of the reason Rasnar was pushing him on to try it. Many of his warriors, knights, and peasant levies would die in the attempt, leaving him the weaker. As the most powerful of the boyars, he would suffer, leaving him vulnerable against the others, and still there would be no guarantee that he would know their secrets.
    There was the other problem as well. Thousands of peasants and many of his nobility were still out there, watching the bluecoat camp, leaving his marches with Novrod the weaker. And finally there was the simple question of his prestige. If he did not come out of this looking as if he had won, more than one noble would be willing to ally with Rasnar in a bid for power.
    Picking up a half-filled tankard, he drained off the contents, then, leaning back, emitted a long sonorous belch.
    "Ah, that's better, damn me. Now let's hear what this peasant has to say. Bring him to me."
    Kalencka was ushered into the room, with Mikhail at his side.
    "Oh mighty Ivor, I come back with important news," Kalencka said, bowing low.
    "Have you learned their magic, then?" Ivor ventured.
    "That I have done, most noble one," Kalencka replied.
    "And?"
    "It is a magic they alone can wield," the peasant replied, keeping his features in a grim countenance. "They have a secret powder that they only can use. If anyone else dares to touch it, he is burned, if he has not permission."
    Ivor pulled on his beard.
    "But they are in awe of your power as well, my lord Ivor," Kalencka continued, looking straight at his lord with unblinking eyes. "They wish an alliance under your power, to serve you in return for the right to live here and acknowledge you as their boyar."
    Kal still held Ivor with his gaze.
    "Perhaps we could lull them and then surprise and annihilate them," Mikhail ventured.
    "A laudable plan, my worthy noble," Kal said evenly, "but there is still the powder."
    Mikhail looked at Kalencka darkly.
    "It is a good plan," Ivor said out loud, wishing to show his warlike spirit.
    "A good plan, of course," Kal agreed, "but, my lord Ivor, they could add to your power against the Novrodians. Already they've indicated a desire to help you in such matters."
    "Will they do this?" Ivor asked.
    "Of course, my lord. But it'll take some time, my lord. They are weak from their great journey and desire first to build homes for themselves, and then they will serve."
    "Weak, eh?" Ivor mumbled.
    "But even weak they still have the magic powder."
    Ivor turned away. Damn it all, this required too much thinking. Why couldn't these blue devils simply be armed like other men? Then he could charge in with lance and ax, smash some heads, and give his nobles a good time. Instead there'd have to be thinking done on this one, and Ivor dreaded the prospect.
    "Tell their boyar to come to Suzdal to meet with me. In the city he will be more awed by my power." And perhaps I can take him prisoner alone, Ivor thought, a smile lighting his features.
    "My lord, their boyar, Cane, has already expressed that desire, but said he wishes to bring the guards that his honor demands."
    "Oh, all right then, damn him," Ivor replied.
    "As a token of their friendship their healer sent this present," and approaching Ivor, Kal reached into his tunic and pulled out the pair of glasses.
    Ivor took the spectacles and gazed at them with open