Black Rim

by B A Fleming

  Lapse spat at him and Thargus looked at her in shock. He didn’t think that she had it in her, and she hadn’t until a summer before when a girl, not much younger than her, spat at Lapse as she walked through the Vasa markets with Morean guards. The same guard that had raped the girl. He had denied everything, and the girl was punished for her accusation.

  Thargus smiled at her again and then climbed on her, easily holding her down as he had his way with her.

  Lapse cried as she struggled on the floor of the wagon. The men stood outside talking and laughing as if nothing was happening. Eventually Thargus exited the wagon.

  “Cheinjus and Tethys, take the girl to Corone for me. She will await my pleasure there after this unsavory business has been done,” Tethys nodded to Thargus.

  “Lentulus, the Morean army seems a bit short on commanders after todays’ battle. I will need your skills. I have a legion for you,” Thargus didn’t bother to notice his glum look as he walked back into the tent.

  *****

  The Hardular regrouped for dinner in the dwarven headquarters. Servants provided a feast of goods as Temar was introduced to the rest of the party. He and his sister had picked up the boy thief, Carey, in Amadghor.

  The boy wore a shapeless tunic, dirty trousers and no shoes, and had refused any clothes that had been presented to him. He smiled at them like someone summing up their next conquest.

  Arzon was dressed like more of a warrior, similarly dressed in the type of clothes that Thais enjoyed before the death of her mother.

  Temar had watched the dwarves searching for him, and managed to avoid them in several close encounters throughout the day. He was also aware of a Morean warrior, dressed as a mercenary that was asking questions about him as well. He described the man to the Hardular.

  “Zador,” finally said Birger. They all nodded.

  “Ready to use your skills after dinner then Birger?” offered Casperi.

  “Always.”

  Birger and Arzon worked well together, firstly spotting Zador then following him until the moment was right. Canute finally took him from behind, holding a knife to the Morean’s throat. The three, along with Aryz Coun led him back to Casperi.

  “Let me just kill him now,” protested Canute, manhandling the Salararius through the back door.

  “It’s not what you think, Lord Casperi,” protested Zador, looking around the room, spotting Temar in addition to the Hardular he had come to know.

  “Perception is the main part of reality.”

  “Trajunus needs your help. He asked me to find Temar Bolyl, to rescue him.” Temar and Aryz Coun exchanged glances.

  “Why would the Despotate need my help? He’s the one that jailed me,” questioned Temar.

  “and tortured you. Let’s not forget that lovely episode,” added Aryz Coun.

  “We need to find Lapse,” interfered Casperi.

  ”Your Osoosi should be able to help with that,” indicated Temar to Aryz Coun.

  Zador looked at him and Canute. “She has been taken to Corone.”

  Both considered him.

  “My Lords, I am happy to help you to rescue her, and our Despotate as well.”

  “To save your own neck. Casperi, let me kill him now!” reinforced Canute. Birger smiled.

  “In good time Canute,” assured Casperi. “Zador, then. Who of the Salararius can we trust?”

  Zador looked at him.

  “Not many, my lord. They have shown themselves. I fear Trajunus is the only one that is yet to deceive you.”

  “So, your whole nice fellas’ occupation was a ruse?”

  Zador considered the question. He knew that the deception was gone now.

  “We were only told what we needed to be, Prince Canute, and I believe your analysis of the situation to be correct. It was all about power and resources for the senate.”

  “And taking over our kingdom?” sneered Canute.

  “I don’t believe so, sire.”

  “Then when those have been all used, then what?”

  “Then we leave, sire. It was never about claiming your lands as our own. Our senate is run by merchants. We care more about trade than any other.”

  They looked at each other.

  “Why take Lapse?”

  “I can’t tell, my Lord.”

  “Can’t tell or don’t want to?”

  “I really don’t know, my Lord. I was only responsible for preparations in Waterfall.”

  “Let’s just kill him.”

  “Not just yet, Canute.”

  Chapter 25

  The Hardular group now numbered thirteen, including Zador. They made their way along the road towards Banias. Zador sat inside the wagon with Thais, Birger, Jotnar, Arzon and Carey. He knew better than to try to escape. Those on horses we outfitted as mercenaries, helping to mostly disguise the likes of Temar and Aryz Coun; Soze, Daak and Canute perfectly suiting the role. The dark forests of Elvem still held mystery for Casperi, although Thais indicated that she could feel strong magical energy from the forest kingdom.

  The party made quick time although they wouldn’t arrive in Banias until the following day. More than once the four past travelers made reference to their prison cage ride along the same stretch of road.

  Jotnar especially reminding Casperi of the discomfort of his wagon.

  Sedna, the great Green Dragon, flew nearby briefly at one stage in their journey. Thais leaned out of the wagon to take in a better view. She reported that Eren was able to see through her eyes as the dragon flew above. He was obviously scanning the landscape, as if searching for something, glancing north on more than one occasion.

  Each considered various aspects of their plan as Zador explained in detail as much as he knew about the movements of the various Salararius. He was also updated as to the battle of Bhagshau. Zador discussed his own perspective of the Narthal invasion, telling whoever would listen that it would work in their favor in terms of slipping into Corone.

  Jotnar and Thais were interested to understand the various roles of each of the Salararius. Zador genuinely knew less than they had presumed, corralled in a role based around the Hardular Pass. He was sent messages whenever a ‘special’ shipment was sent up the hill, and worked with his secret squad of soldiers to ensure that no questioned were asked. Men in Waterfall also managed the Morean side of the process for him.

  Jotnar laughed. He didn’t see the role of a warrior as managing cargo. The key was Zador’s position as a Salararius, as it allowed him to do things that some even in the role of a Principle wouldn’t be allowed to do. He had helped keep a certain number of merchants happy, who in turn influenced the senator to ensure that they continued to support the occupation.

  *****

  Dralan flew across the Angry Teeth, catching updrafts, feeling his strength gradually starting to return. He mostly followed the road that ran from one capital to the other, circling as he arrived above Mountay to land in a field not far from the command tent. The rain has stopped for now and blue sky covered most of the region. Ten minutes later he stood as a human in front of Shigeru.

  Wudi arrived back from battle and walked in to the tent.

  “We have taken half a mile this morning,” reported the warrior.

  “With the help of my brother here, we should able to push them back over the river by sunset,” indicated Shigeru, who had done little more than nod to Dralan as he entered. The young dragon warrior seemed restrained, nothing like the brash young soldier of the Battle of Bhagshau.

  “How do you fair, brother?” enquired Shigeru.

  “In some pain, but adequate to fly into battle.” A hole covered a large portion of the left side of Dralans’ face. He had chosen not to cover it. He stood like a demon in the command tent, various soldiers balking in surprise as they entered.

  Eji was currently leading his men on several fronts. An hour later Dralan undertook several runs of the main lines, to support him. The Moreans had only a few catapults and tried several different te
chniques to minimize his damage. He had learnt a lot from his role within the Battle of Bhagshau, and now worked with the Narthal commanders to strategy target Morean positions, either destroying resources, and altering the potential outcome of strategic attacks. The Morean’s eventually retreated across the river to the town of Nain.

  That evening the Moreans moved their camp back along the road towards Zoar, ten leagues to the south. Legati Thannon’s command tent was based there, although Mimas did use it as his own on his bi-weekly visits to the front, otherwise the commander remained north of Agrippa, organizing battalions to head north into the battle.

  The Moreans were surprised by the two dragons they now had to contend with. Legati Thannon, being the most senior of the remaining commanders, looked out across the fields. This role enabled him to stand back and watch, and as much as he enjoyed the cut and thrust of battle, his arm ached after a day in the muddy fields as he knew he had more chance of living in this position, then by making any physical sacrifice of battle.

  *****

  Aggelos wandered the corridors of the Corone Palace with the Chancellor.

  They saw the almost deserted senate as a perfect opportunity to rearrange a few aspects, checking and rechecking all of the secret tunnels.

  They posted trusted guards at ideal points to monitor any movements of would be usurpers.

  This is not how he had visualized the first few weeks of his reign, as those that remained were either senators who had already lost their lands to the Narthal in the north, or who saw very little concern for the oncoming battles, both internal to the Palace or externally in the northern fields. Some of the most favorable crop lands in Morea would be destroyed, which would possibly affect food supplies in the coming winter. Only fish supplies could be assured with the villages of Corpea and Veii safe from invasion.

  Stores in Corone had increased in size during the past few weeks, as smart traders had sent men out to buy up early wheat and other crops from all corners of the realm. They doubled the security at their granaries, many of the Empires’ soldiers having more employment choices now than they had in their whole careers. Private contracting had become rife since the death of Emperor Lethos.

  Aggelos had assigned several of the remaining senators to keep track of the grains coming into the capital.

  Their peers and sometimes friends had quickly devised ways and means of hiding wagon loads that constantly arrived during the night, to avoid paying the imperial taxes.

  The new Emperor had setup his own secret service. These men were hand picked from those he knew he could trust, calling back several them from Agrippa, much to the displeasure of Mimas, who was quickly running out of senior officers. These men undertook raids as directed by the Chancellor and Emperor. The Corone prison had started to fill with merchants who had managed questionable undertakings for too long. To prove his resolve, Aggelos arranged the execution of one of the more well known, if less favored, of his merchant prisoners in a public display of power.

  *****

  Ocolan slipped through the shadows and took out a pair of guards silently from behind. He lowered each in turn, making sure that they made little sound as he placed each corpse gently down.

  Ocolan poured a small amount of water onto the soles of his shoes and balanced momentarily on one left as he cleaned the water off before entering the side flap.

  Looking about the command tent, he checked for more guard and then he made his way to the map. He studied it, moving two pieces and swapping two others. He slipped out with three other waiting Warang into the darkness.

  Chapter 26

  Thargus had returned from Agrippa with Mimas. Legati Thannon had been able to hold the Narthal, but proved not agile enough in his strategy to inflict any meaningful success.

  Almost immediately, Mimas requested that he lead his troops into battle. Thargus tried to argue against the decision, as both men had developed a stronger bond with their various interactions with the Hardular ex-royalty, but the Morean Commander of Armies wanted nothing to do with it.

  Several battalions had already tried to sneak into the field and had both been ambushed by the Narthal. Mimas was losing patience as his plans seemed to have been corrupted, and after the first attack of the morning had failed, he knew that the three guards that had vanished had been a sign of betrayal, either from inside his own ranks, or the black agents of Narthal.

  Thargus was assigned a small farmers’ track three leagues to the west of the main road. Apart from several sections of wild brush, most of the landscape consisted of flat farmland interspersed with small seasonal creeks and gullies.

  The two parties stood facing each other upon the solid road, fewer of the men from each militia in the muddier fields either side. They charged at each other, Thannon delivering a killing blow in one strike to each of his first three opponents.

  Shigeru similarly dispatched Morean soldiers with ease. An hour into the battle Thannon stood toe to toe with Shigeru. The Narthal were starting to gain the upper hand.

  Thannon slashed, stepping forward and Shigeru caught him on the left shoulder. He felt his arm turn sour, unable to keep up the intensity of the push…another inch. The tip of the blade slowly passed through his armor, he felt the tip of a dagger put pressure on him — the first puncture of broken skin, as the dagger drew blood.

  His mind yelled out, he had no power, no breath left to actually shout for help. This was it, he would die in this rotten field, after all of this time, unable to change anything…… unable to be an influence in the world…unable to survive.

  Shigeru pushed the dagger in deeper. The edge of the blade dug into his armor, pinching a small part of his right breast. It was just enough and Shigeru stepped back and slashed his knee, delivering the death blow as he fell.

  Around the same time, the Hardular mercenaries and their wagon rolled into Banias. The town, like others near the capital, was in turmoil as groups swarmed the streets.

  Within fifteen minutes an off-duty guard had been grabbed and was now held down in a small room.

  He had not seen the Salararius that they described, although another group had passed through four or five days before, on their way to Corone. He pleaded for his life before they tied him up, leaving him under the bed of their room before continuing to Corone. Zador had come around to the idea of at least getting to Corone to release Trajunus with them. They moved him onto the front of the wagon, dressed in his armor, directing guard posts to allow them through on a special mission for the Emperor. None challenged him, recognizing the awarded Legati.

  *****

  The Narthal and Moreans had come to a stalemate, a day north of Agrippa. The farmers were unbiased to either party. Their lands had been raped by the Moreans to feed their forces up on Hardular Pass, and now their new crops were mostly run over by both armies.

  The opposing forces clashed from the swamps in the east, all the way across to the deep troll forests on the Green Deep and the mountainous Har-Koln in the west.

  Mountay had become an Narthal staging point. The trapped Hardular merchants and farmers of the north had quickly become all too willing to service their new masters through the now near empty Waterfall, moving their produce down to a large, makeshift market on the outskirts of Mountay. For a second summer in succession their produce was emptied into the hands of an invading army.

  Later in the morning, Zenath and Arthung worked together, pushing the Moreans back to the next town of Zoar. With the intel from Ocolan, the Narthal had managed to allow the Moreans to unwittingly make moves that led to ambushes. Several battalions of the black clad warriors had also bypassed the defensive forces, causing havoc in their forward camp.

  Zenath and Arthung returned to Kogu castle mid-afternoon. Dralan was struggling and needed to rest. Koguryo knew that his soldiers had the battle well in their keeping.

  Their forward lines approached the outer edges of Agrippa. Mimas was confused. He tried to countermove several more times during the aftern
oon without success.

  They had watched the dragons leave but the beasts had achieved their goal. Zoar quickly fell before the end of the day. As the Moreans scattered into full retreat, the Narthal purposefully marched forward. They didn’t try to storm the fleeing troops, but moved carefully, foot by foot, reviewing the landscape as they moved to ensure that they could both defend and retreat from key topographical points. Small ridges, deeper gullies, and more undulating landscape evolved the further south they travelled.

  Thargus had received the body of Legati Thannon mid-afternoon of the following day. A squad of Narthal leading a horse with a wagon and white flag crossed the battle line in open ground. A Salararius had fallen. Lentulus still held his men on one of the eastern fronts, although all lines seemed to experience heavy casualties.

  Some of the Morean soldiers now scoured the backstreets and dungeons of Daya Basti, a poorer section of the city of Agrippa. Within hours they would push street urchins and drunken homeless into battle lines armed with little more than spears or hammers. Most blindly swung for a few minutes until they were cut down by their opponents.

  This served two purposes, to clean out the streets, and wear down the opponents, so that trained soldiers could step up behind each conscripted man to finish off the invader. The ruse worked more than half the time, and moreso when prisoners were thrown into battle, dissecting several Narthal before they died themselves. The Narthal were on the edge of the city, as the fortifications held, everyone was expected to fight.

  As the sun began to set, the Narthal reached the northern fields of Agrippa. The scene had been one of an epic full-scale battle of carnage for both sides. No more than fifteen thousand Moreans now defended Agrippa. The remaining ten thousand Narthal fought an even contest where most of the soldiers of both sides battled from dawn until darkness.