Chapter V
Jin
The Lord of the Mandrake, whose name was ‘Jin’ had arrived in Findolin just days after the siege had begun. Raised standards indicated his presence, the two crests were ominous indeed; the first was his personal banner, a Wolfs head inset a full moon with a black background. The second was even more threatening, and symbolised the Mandrake Imperium, a black pentagram, each point of the star curving round like a talon; inset a white circle with a red background. The two flags quivered excitedly in the wind and were proudly hoisted in front of a long colonnade holding aloft a dark canopy, which was to the fore of a rather large austere looking marquee, held aloft by a mixture of thick wooden poles, interwoven with sturdy squared off leathered skins. Jin a tall, powerful individual, his armour was a covering of burnished metal plates; his eyes were burning voids of unknown depth. His hair was black with strands of silver, and flowed straight and long descending down his back, like the mane of some wild beast, this was the only indication that he was aged, he was old beyond that which is normal for a man, but then of course he was no normal man. His skin was so pale it was as though it had never been touched or blemished by the sun. He was standing over a large wooden table; on it was a map of the city of Findolin, provided by one of his many spies. In one hand he held a dagger which he waved threateningly over the city, in the other was a wine filled golden jewelled encrusted chalice, by his side and gathered round the table were his generals with their associated attendants all stood by ready to do his every command. They were surrounded by unflinching poles that had lanterns hanging from them, which gave off an eerie half light that was barely needed. As he spoke people entered the tent carrying dispatches and left with the same; orders for the captains of each detachment in the encampment. The Herald was waiting at the doorway of the tent. Jin, Lord of the Mandrake ignored him for the moment and continued talking with his generals; he struck the map repeatedly with his dagger.
“Here, here and here,” he said belligerently his eyes gleaming with disdain for the enemy.
Then looking over at the Herald, he beckoned him forward. The man immediately obeyed and knelt before Jin before rising.
“Well Din, and what news from our host," said Jin, with an almost expectant sneer on his face.
“My Lord,” said Din. “They have given the news that you expected.”
Jin shrugged, “It is of no consequence.”
He immediately turned his attention back to the chart on the table.
”We have devised a plan to enter the City,” said Jin. “But before we do so, we’ll let fear; starvation and pestilence do its utmost to weaken their resolve. It is hoped that the special gifts that were previously prepared for them are already at work. Findolin and the western realms must be pacified before we resolve the issue that vexes us on our distant border with Baronia; before the real battle for Suberia commences we must make sure that these heathen lands are properly secured. Our chief threat has always been the Witch King, whose kingdom lies beyond the Barren Lands. And I understand why some of you have expressed certain reservations in our campaigning at this time in the west at all, especially against an enemy that we have all but nullified. A foe so mortally wounded at the Battle of the Durnham Hills that they cannot hope to resist us. Well, firstly we must inflict upon the Finns a final decisive blow to render them incapable of ever again crossing into the lands of Mead. Secondly; and more importantly we can never allow any to enter a Protectorate of ours with such intent, without an appropriate reply, it sends out the wrong message and encourages descent from other more belligerent forces. Thirdly; we cannot allow while we are campaigning against our most dread enemy, to have on our border a kingdom that holds us in deep enmity. We don‘t want the Empire as it were, to be undone by a stab in the back. It is for these reasons we are here.”
He looked over to Marshal Ti, who looked impassively back at him. Marshal Ti stood head and shoulders above every one assembled. His long dark hair hung loosely down his back, his eyes, were the colour of tar. A man truly moulded for war, he carried his armour as though it were part of him. His presence was an ominous statement of intent by Jin. His heavy mace hung comfortably at his side, a further indication of the strength of the man that he carried such a weapon without effort.
“Once all legions are assembled,” said Jin. “And our siege engines and towers made ready, I want the Wrath to lead the assault against Findolin. Also while the Finns are being defeated, we are resolved to strike against the Dragon People so that we might swiftly bring Osgaroth to its knees.”
“Permission to speak plainly," said Din.
Jin nodded his assent, Din was one of his oldest and most loyal servants, and though he valued his opinion, he often kept his own counsel. An Empire the size of the Mandrake Imperium could not operate without the willing or even unwilling cooperation of its peoples, and by allowing them their views he made them all the more compliant to do his will.
“To strike at Osgaroth seems a waste of resources and time,” said Din. “I do not wish to contradict you Lord, but the Dragon People did not invade Mead nor are they a threat to the border with Mead.”
“As you are aware,” replied Jin, wishing to allay any unfounded fears. “From the information we have gathered from our spies there is an alliance between the Dragon People and Findolin. Therefore to strike at one means we are forced to strike at the other. You would have known this had you taken time to read the dispatches sent to you when you were in the lands of Quinn.”
Din shuffled awkwardly where he stood. Jin gazed upon him with genuine amusement before returning to the matter at hand.
“Tell me Marshal Ti,” asked Jin. “What news of the Orochi?”
The Orochi was a beast with four heads and one tail it was covered in thick solid scales that even sword, spear and arrow would find difficult to penetrate. Its feet had huge thick curved talons, the size of javelins. Jin had managed to trap the creature's soul in a magic sphere, which held it captive to his commands. The Orochi once a majestic proud fearless creature was now nothing more than a slave that did the bidding of its master.
Marshal Ti looked back at Jin, his eyes lit up with a passionate flame.
“It is for this reason that we were late, moving such a beast in secret was no easy task,” said Marshal Ti, with a deep powerful voice. “As you commanded the Orochi is here, I have also brought with me legions of Wrath and Vendigo warriors, who after putting the rebels to flight are ready once more for battle. We also have with us the Coven of the Loki, the four Sacred Elementals, who are masters of Flame, Air, Water and Earth.”
“Good, good it appears things are moving according to plan,” replied Jin. “Time remember is our enemy, the longer we tarry here the greater the Merchants Guilds, those old wizened men with their young apprentices, who owe their wealth not to courage on the battlefield nor to hard labours off it, but to a cunning unsurpassed in history, will clamour for a return on their investments and monies spent. They are like insects that buzz around my head that I cannot be free of. It is for this reason that I want you to send five legions of the Wrath, and any others from our ranks you feel necessary, and get them to meet up with the Marauders and Mead Cavaliers who are currently creating havoc in the outlying settlements of this land, also send a legion at least of the Vendigo, and once they are met, they are to assail Osgaroth and leave that place in ruin, but tell them to be mindful not to enter the area between the Crystal Mountains. Let us hope that with the sacking of cities of Hecata, Dragon City, and Findolin, the Guilders will be sated. They can then leave us to the business of dealing with the Witch King without their interference as to the cost of such a war.”
Jin looked over disdainfully at the representative of the Merchants Guilds, who seemed to ignore the slight given to the people whose interests he represented; although his blue eyes sparkled with amusement at the Jin’s outburst. He sat in the corner sipping from a goblet of wine, next to him was a table laid out with all types of
food stuffs on it. His flowing silken robes a testimony to the opulence of the Guilders. A blue turban rested awkwardly on his head. He pulled a fig from a bowl and ate it heartily, drowning his mouth in fresh red wine that bled over his small beard, before giving out a loud belch, that announced his presence in the tent. He looked up at all those that had bothered to turn to stare at him, and shrugged apologetically with more than a mischievous grin on his face.
Jin tolerated such people for the time being, they were the ones after all who paid for his many campaigns, but there would come a time when he would tolerate them no more.
Marshal Ti ignoring the small man seated in the corner gazed across at the Generals standing stoically in front of him. Choosing one from among them, a tall barrel chested Wrath General, who he knew would lead the campaign to vanquish the Dragon People with great zeal. Marshal Ti gave the command for him to proceed at once. The Wrath warrior, with a glint of delight at being given such a task, turned to his lieutenant and quickly barked out orders.
“Make ready the Wrath,” he said ominously. “They are to leave at once taking with them a detachment of Shadow Warriors under Captain Grimweld. I do not wish to miss the final overthrow of this city. So let us be like a whirlwind against the Dragon people.”
The Wrath General turned his attention back to Marshal Ti, “We shall carry back news of our victories soon enough. Nothing can be more certain. Let us then hope you do not devour all the spoils here before my return.”
"We cannot promise that General, so you had better make haste, or they'll be nothing left here to ravage except dust," laughed Marshal Ti.
With that he left, Jin gazed back at his plans, with the Orochi under his influence and with such a vast army at his disposal; it would not take long before final victory was secured. The Generals gathered close around him as he spoke of the next phase of the plan.
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 8
