The Pinnacle Of Empire (Book 6), page 24
part #6 of Neuyokkasinian Arc Of Empire Seroes Series
“Diversion, Majesty?” Boktorian asked.
“If we pull our legions from Shinnadda and the Abysmal Pass in a forced march south to counter the rebellion and invasion, it would leave the northwest open to a much larger invasion. If this is a diversion, and the majority of the Senoshesvasian forces are waiting in the north just beyond Shinnadda, we’d be caught between two pincers with our army worn out from marching before we ever engaged their troops.”
Boktorian gasped. “I’d not thought of that.”
“Summon Memlatec,” Saxthor said.
“Majesty, High Court Wizard Memlatec is away on an unexplained excursion to the Abysmal Pass if you will remember.”
The agitated general stepped forward, “Majesty, the road from Mendenow is open to the capital. We’ve no substantial fortifications between here and there and few natural defensive points. We have only raw recruits here to defend the capital.”
“Perhaps we could induce a diversion of our own,” Saxthor said.
Boktorian and the general looked at each other and then at Saxthor, who said no more.
* * *
“How delightful,” Helgamyr chattered, dancing around her reception room when Tottiana told her of Hedrak’s rebellion and the enemy troops landing. “Don’t you see, my dear? Emperor Nindax is coming to depose that upstart and restore me to the throne as his empress. Of course, I’m sorry about the loss of your position, but then, you did turn your back on your family and marry your barbarian king. You may have to accept exile with him if he even survives this conflict.”
“Mother, the empire is being torn apart by war. How can you be so gleeful at the prospects of so much devastation for your own personal gain?” Tottiana asked.
Helgamyr turned and stood erect, facing her daughter; she pinched and hardened her features. Her cheerful face transformed to glare at her daughter. “I’ve born the devastation of grief and humiliation at the loss of your father. I’ve suffered the contempt of the court and even your own abandonment. Now it’s my turn again to reign supreme over this court. The empire will survive and be greater than ever when Nindax takes the throne and makes me empress to guide him in its administration.” She stared angrily at Tottiana for a moment.
“You’re delusional, Mother.”
Helgamyr projected a slight smile. “Perhaps Nindax will allow you to remain at court. For the moment, he has no heir. If we’re married, you would again be princess imperial, at least until I give His Imperial Majesty an heir of his own.”
“How can you champion Nindax who tricked and humiliated grandfather in subduing Velstorbokkin?”
“How can you defend Saxthor, who murdered your father?”
“You disappoint me, Mother. I don’t know how you can be so happy at the loss of life in the empire to advance your own position.”
“It’s a matter of political survival. I intend to survive and prosper at whatever the cost,” Helgamyr said bluntly. “Nindax offers me that opportunity, and I’ll never have another to return to the throne.”
“What do you know of this army building at Mendenow?” Tottiana asked.
Helgamyr turned away from her daughter and went to her mirror. “How do you like my hair, my dear? You haven’t even noticed, I’ve now swept it up more loosely and allow these lovely curls on each side to frame my face. Don’t you think it’s elegant? The court will now follow my lead again, don’t you see.” She twisted the large curls, watching Tottiana in her mirror.
“You didn’t answer my question. What do you know of this army building at Mendenow?”
Helgamyr swung around, frowning at Tottiana. “Who are you to demand answers from your mother, the real empress. I don’t answer to you anymore than I answer to your husband.”
“Saxthor has been here?”
“That traitor Boktorian came in his name demanding to know what I know of Emperor Nindax’s plans. I told him nothing either. Soon I shall be in charge in Ossenkosk, and perhaps I shall decide your husband’s fate. You had better watch your tongue; I may decide your fate as well. As for Boktorian, that traitor’s head is soon to be spiked on the city gate.”
“And Hedrak, what do you know of his involvement?”
“Hedrak is an incompetent, but he is your cousin. He’s proving to be the means through which Nindax will seize the throne. I don’t think the poor fool will have much of a future, no matter who rules in Ossenkosk. He cast his lot with Nindax and proclaims his imperial connection for the moment. But enough said about that. You may withdraw.”
Tottiana left. As the door closed behind her, Helgamyr drew a letter tucked in a secret pocket hidden in her gown. She was about to reread it when she noticed Endaquac and Engwan come out from behind a curtain. A chill ran through Helgamyr seeing Engwan’s cold stare. She stuffed the letter back in its hiding place and rushed to embrace Engwan, but he squirmed out of her grasp.
“There now, my precious, you’ve nothing to worry about. Helgamyr will look out for and protect you,” Helgamyr said to the boy walking away from her toward the door.
Engwan turned back to her. “You might restore your place as empress under Nindax’s rule, but he’ll have no love for me, both son and grandson of his enemies. What happens to me if your Nindax crushes Saxthor? Just last week Endaquac was teaching me about lions and how a new male taking over a pride kills the offspring of the former, defeated male.”
Helgamyr stared at the boy but had no response. Engwan’s mouth twisted in a sinister smirk beneath his cold, dark eyes. The door closed behind the crown prince with a bang, contrasting the room’s deathly silence where Helgamyr and Endaquac looked at each other.
* * *
In the emperor’s private sitting room, Saxthor sat listening to Tottiana as she paced the floor, wringing her hands, discoursing her fears about Hedrak, his disgrace, and the danger to Saxthor.
“I’m so sorry, Saxthor; I should have told you,” Tottiana moaned. “I just never thought that fool cousin would endanger the throne and empire for his own hopeless aspirations. Hedrak is a distant cousin, you see. No one considered him seriously in line for the throne. Most dismissed him as an arrogant fool. Certainly, no one could have anticipated he would commit treason and rebel against the empire that has nurtured him. His whining wore down Engwan until Father finally gave him the governorship of Mendenow to get him out of Engwaniria. Who would have suspected his ambitions could reach to the throne itself. To have turned his back on his own dynasty, well, it’s unimaginable. His greed and lust for power will destroy him.”
“Yes, indeed, his treason will be his death,” Saxthor said, but he didn’t stir from his chair.
“Saxthor, I’m not involved in any way with this treachery.” Tottiana stopped and looked at her husband. “Mother conspires, but she’s harmless. You must believe me; neither Mother nor I had anything to do with this.”
Saxthor rose from his seat and embraced Tottiana. She pushed away slightly to protest her innocence further, but Saxthor pulled her to him and smoothed her hair with his hand. Feeling his steady, calm heartbeat, Tottiana relaxed a bit and, in his strong arms, finally succumbed to his reassurance.
“I never thought for a moment that you were conspiring against me, my dear. It would be against your own interest as well as those of our children should Nindax defeat me and seize the throne. Now, your mother, yes, I’m sure she knew of the plot. She’s done her best to harm me, but as you say, she’s harmless. You mustn’t trouble yourself further about this.”
“What will you do, Saxthor? Senoshesvasian troops are pouring into Mendenow unimpeded. They’ll soon be able to march north on Engwaniria itself. All that stands between us and that barbarian army is a few legions of untrained boys. Engwaniria has never been besieged, never.”
“Nindax is impetuous. He’s based his invasion solely on Hedrak’s information and promises of an easy victory. His overconfidence and greed have suppressed his caution. That will soon destroy him.”
“But Saxthor…”
“Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll handle Hedrak and Nindax, though I can’t pardon your cousin. You go look after the children. I’m sure they are beginning to hear rumors around the court. They’ll become frightened if you don’t reassure them. Try to keep your mother from poisoning Engwan’s mind any more than she has already.”
“Very well, Saxthor, but hurry back safe and sound to me.”
“One more thing, Tottiana, I’m going to leave Delia with you this time. She’s been with me through all the rough times, but she’s too old to go running to battles with me. Please, take good care of her in my absence.”
“I shall take the best of care of your baby, my love. Sometimes I get jealous of her being with you all the time.”
Saxthor laughed and patted Delia on the head beside him. Tottiana smiled and turned to leave. “Do send in Bodrin; I think he has arrived from Konnotan and may be waiting outside.”
*
Bodrin entered the reception room and closed the door firmly behind him. Saxthor returned to his desk and unrolled the maps of the western continent.
“How was your journey here?” Saxthor asked.
“Never mind the journey; what’s happened since we last talked?” Bodrin asked. “Things must be going well. I left the southern fleet just east of Mendenow, as you requested. It should be attacking the Velstorbokkin fleet at Mendenow by now.”
“It would seem our plan is succeeding; there must have been no leaks, well, other than the planned ones. Everyone, even Chatra Boktorian, is certain the bulk of the army is at Castilyernov Shinnadda, the rest at the Abysmal Pass, and the southern imperial fleet is at Zenobia. When Memlatec saw Hedrak at Nindax’s coronation in his visionary pool, I knew there would be a revolt soon enough. I knew Nindax was humoring that vain fool Hedrak for some reason, and the likely reason would be for revolt. Hedrak’s use could only be to open the door for an invasion as we discussed earlier.”
Bodrin lifted a goblet, saw it empty and returned it to the table. “Apparently, Hedrak didn’t suspect anything when you ordered the southern fleet to sail en mass east to pay an official state visit to your ally, King Zirkin. The unexpected opportunity must have raised his hopes and repressed his suspicions. They never suspected the generous notice, to be sure, Nindax was aware of it.”
Saxthor rang for refreshments. “They jumped at the chance to adjust Nindax’s plans to take advantage of the opportunity.”
“I anticipated Hedrak’s lust for power would suppress his suspicions and advance his actions by promoting the opportunity for invasion. That way, I controlled when and where Senoshesvas would attack,” Saxthor said.
Belnik entered with a tray laden with Bodrin’s favorite treats and withdrew. Saxthor filled two goblets and raised his in a toast. The two old friends tapped the silver goblets, savored the bouquet, and drank the excellent vintage.
“So, Nindax still suspects nothing?”
“He’s committed his army to the invasion through Mendenow. As you noted, right about now, the southern imperial fleet should be surprising the Velstorbokkin fleet. If the surprise is as anticipated, Nindax has used the Velstorbokkin war fleet as transports. They won’t be manned or armed to ward off our attack. Some of the enemy fleet has disgorged their troops. Our triremes should be able to overwhelm the transports, and with them, half the Senoshesvasian army. Cutting off retreat for those troops that have landed will demoralize them. I hope it doesn’t backfire and make them fight harder, knowing they have no means of escape.”
“Won’t it be a surprise to the Senoshesvasian troops, when they discover our imperial army they think is at Shinnadda is secretly encamped in the remote valley, half way between Engwaniria and Mendenow?”
“If all goes as planned, I’ll now lead the southern army to Mendenow and defeat Nindax’s army, leaving them with nowhere to go. Seeing their hopeless situation, they’ll surrender, freeing our legions for any intrusion from the north. Then I hope to capture Hedrak before he can escape to Varnakak and Nindax. His trial for treason and execution should end rebellion, at least for the time being. I can concentrate on obliterating the remaining Senoshesvasian army, rendering Nindax powerless.”
* * *
Dressed in his finest uniform, with metals dangling and glittering, Emperor Nindax paced the floor of the officer’s hall in the palace barracks with several senior generals.
“Where can the bumbling spy be? That sniveling worm Hedrak had better be right. Neuyokkasin’s southern fleet based at Mendenow had better be at Zenobia. If we’ve committed the southern army and the Velstorbokkin fleet to the invasion, and they’re caught in a sea battle, we’re in serious trouble.”
“Majesty, Hedrak knows he’s a dead man should his information be incorrect. Even the spy you finally got into Saxthor’s audience hall confirmed his legions are at this moment massing at Shinnadda.”
“How many times must we tell you? Imperial Majesty!”
“A thousand pardons, Imperial Majesty,” the general said, holding his deep bow as he retreated to the back of the hall.
“We must soon receive news of the invasion one way or the other. Where could that spy be? Bumbling fool, he’d better be dead rather than captured. We’re committed to this war now. It’s going to be the annihilation of the Powterosian Empire or our own.” Nindax turned to the general in charge of the northern operation. “The northern army… are the legions in the mountains just beyond Shinnadda ready for the invasion there when Saxthor recalls his legions to confront our southern army marching from Mendenow?”
“The northern army is in place, Majesty, Imperial Majesty,” the general said.
“And we have spies in the forests observing the enemy troops who will notify us when the Powterosian legions withdraw?”
“We do, Imperial Majesty,” the chatra confirmed.
“Perhaps we shall be lucky and have the southern army seize Engwaniria before that fool Saxthor can collect his troops to defend it. What say you to that, chatra?”
“Your Imperial Majesty’s wisdom and brilliance in military strategy are without limit.”
* * *
In his tower workroom, Xthilleon closed the dusty book he’d been reading since finding it in the abandoned royal library. Dust rolled out when the dry leather cover clapped shut. Morphenius watched his master from the shadows at the far end of the room. Xthilleon flicked the dust from his fingers then his robes.
“What’s that there book about?” Morphenius asked, unable to restrain his curiosity. He propped himself on his broom, watching Xthilleon for signs of attack for intruding on his deep thoughts.
“It was written by a Senoshesvasian grand duke, a royal understudy if you will, who had nothing else to do while waiting in line for the throne. He undertook the study of the flinik and the foodoo. It seems he uncovered the story of a much earlier court wizard, who at the king’s directive under took to develop monstrous creatures for an attack on the ancient Occintoc Empire. The attack failed, the creatures were mostly eradicated, and the king again retreated back behind these mountains. The flinik and the foodoo, two of the fiercest of the creatures the wizard developed, survived the war and escaped into the mountains where they’ve increased in considerable numbers since. They hate and fear wizards. That fear alone has kept them from attacking Senoshesvas ever since.”
“So that’s why only folks that has a wizard with ‘-em to scare off them things can get through the pass.”
“Exactly,” Xthilleon said. “I remember hearing about the wizard developing an army of bizarre creatures. The king even succeeded in routing the Occintoc army at the initial engagement. The bizarre army was eventually defeated, but they were quite the terror in their day. The people of Senoshesvas and Velstorbokkin used to make their children behave by telling them the flinik and the foodoo would snatch them in the night if they misbehaved.” Xthilleon chuckled.
“When was that?”
“Long… long time ago, back before I was employed at the Velstorbokkin court.”
“You was at the Velstorbokkin court?”
“Get back to work, you shiftless vagabond. You have me rattling on like a school girl just to avoid your chores.”
Morphenius jumped and began sweeping with such brush strokes as to raise a cloud of dust. Xthilleon read another scroll and looked up, ruminating over what he’d read. Morphenius noted the sorcerer’s pause.
“Them odd beasts… what was they like?” Xthilleon looked at the oaf. Morphenius felt a chill run down his spine at the cold gaze. He looked away and started dusting off ingredient jars on a shelf behind him.
“Mostly, they originated from insects. “Insects, yes… like the camel crickets I experimented with in the north. Insects grow, breed, and die fast, so I developed them faster than other creatures. They’re stupid, of course, no way to communicate with them, but they can be trained on an elementary level.”
“Camel crickets up north?”
“Never mind that.”
“But them flinik and foodoo, them things ain’t stupid like me. They hunts in packs and talks to each other from what I hears.”
“Yes, well, most of the creatures the sorcerer experimented with lacked intelligence and had to be driven with whips or lured with food to do the wizard’s will. Somehow, the flinik and the foodoo developed intelligence along with their extraordinary physical growth. They don’t have the ability to speak, but they do communicate… most likely through telepathy. I do know they communicate over long distances. When one creature spots men going through the pass, those monsters come suddenly in vast numbers to lie in wait for an opening to attack. It’s more than just food; they hate men, and wizards even worse.”
“Thought you said they was just bugs?”
“Never underestimate the enemy. That was the mistake the wizard that developed them made. He never saw the intelligence developing until it was too late. We must capture some of these things and see just what they are and how they might be of service to me.”
“You wants us to catch some of them bugs?” Morphenius asked. “Ain’t nobody ever caught one of them things that I’ve heard of.”
