Chapter XIX
Rise of the Mandrake
Jin sat in his tent, his brooding mantle an indication of the strain he had been under. Trying to control the Elemental had been difficult; his hand imperceptibly trembled from the struggle and the grim look on his face told its own story. Even with its difficulties it had been a useful exercise. Now he knew there was a lot more to consider before he gave the order for the final assault on the city. He better understood the mind of his enemy. Once he had got his strength back he would try again. A cool breeze effortlessly brushed aside the light drapes that covered the entrance to his marquee, forcing candle light to flicker and forming shadow puppets that danced across the walls. Jin leant forward in his chair staring at the strange shapes acting out in front of him, his head casually resting on his strong calloused hands; two of the shapes merged into one, giving him an idea. As he sat back with a satisfied smile, Marshal Ti's heavy footstep announced his arrival.
“My Lord I bring you tidings of some import,” said the Marshal. “We have broken through into the tunnels below, and the timing could not be better, as the ramp is almost complete, I believe within less than a week it will be finished and then…”
Jin stood up, “And then my dear Marshal, Findolin will be ours and not only Findolin but Askalon and Osgaroth too. Have you noticed that our patrols have found no indication of any mustering of armies from the outlying realms? It is my firm belief that no further help will come from Osgaroth. We have swallowed up their reserves, all we need do is kick the door in, and the entire keep will come tumbling down. Further more I believe their alliances to be as fragile as a house built on sand, you only need to throw a little water onto it, and the whole thing will collapse. I have therefore decided that with victory assured; we must think to our policy after the war. I know our doctrine is that we should have no mercy, but with all of our birds in one nest I wish to set a different type of example. As before we used the punishment of one state to neutralise the threat of another, but that will not work here as such an action would be redundant. We shall simply replace all the figures in authority with others of a more cooperative and suitable nature. Our capture of the city is long overdue but once we take it. Then all the little kingdoms will fall into line. Indeed this will be a more decisive campaign than first thought.”
“I see,” said Marshal Ti. “In that case since your policy has altered from one of partial absorption to that of total, how should we proceed? Shall we set in motion Operation Hawk which was adopted in Mead, we‘ll set up the slave camps as a matter of course; to deal with any rebellious elements. By experience we know that a people divided cannot flourish, so we'll find those elements that are sympathetic to our cause and encourage them to denounce those that are not. Then once they have been truly integrated into the Empire by becoming provinces of the Mandrake Imperium, we’ll give all those that are worthy, citizenship. We can then move to the next phase; Operation Dove. And while all this is going on we can train the men properly so they cease to fight like enthusiastic militia and more like professional soldiers. And with the extra man power at our disposal we can then once and for all turn our attention to the Witch King of Baronia.”
Jin smiled and handed Marshal Ti a goblet whilst lifting his own.
“Let it be done so,” He said sitting back down. “So tell me Marshal I know the barrage was delayed, but have you had time to hang the slaves out.”
“Not as yet,” said Marshal Ti. “And since the destruction caused by the Orochi all our resources have been used to restore the lost catapults and siege engines.”
Jin contemplated this a moment.
“Right,” said Jin, tapping his hand lightly. “We’ll do what we’ve done in the Central Kingdoms: threaten people with slavery and use the Mandrake legislature to keep them in line, our other more draconian methods will not be necessary. I understand that after the fall of Hecata, the Merchant Guilds have been reimbursed for their investment in this campaign, in the form of plunder, grain and manpower. And since we have received word from one of their couriers that they are satisfied with events; things are certainly looking up: of course we have not sent them news yet of the defeat of the Wrath army and we will have to take Findolin before they discover the truth of it. Once the city has fallen I will issue my personal decrees, only those breaking them will be punished, severely punished of course.”
“It is ironic indeed,” said Marshal Ti lifting his goblet and drinking down the drought. “That you can send an army against someone and they will fight tooth and nail against it. But issue a few decrees and laws that can subjugate those same people in exactly the same way, and they won’t lift a finger against you. How easily people become docile and submissive.”
“Ah yes,” replied Jin. “You see people are not intimidated by a piece of parchment even though it is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal. It keeps the masses in line, even though it is the unknown, unseen, ignored enemy, which we know by experience people will follow like sheep. After all the man ploughing in the field, or the small trader in the street, does not really care for the worries of this world, just as long as he has enough to pay his taxes, have a roof over his head, and food in his stomach, and to be given enough dignity and pride to make him feel important, that’s all the masses care for, it‘s all they‘ve ever cared for. And such things are easy to provide. After that, as long as we appropriately reward them, they will fight the wars we give them to fight, climb whatever social ladder we give them to climb, and in the main do our bidding.”
The Marshal naturally grinned at the Jin’s words, he had known him for a very long time and he had rarely been wrong in anything.
“My Lord,” said the Marshal, becoming more serious. “What of our army defeated in the west. You said you wished to set an example. We cannot let that defeat go unpunished.”
“Umm, we will tell the men that the destruction of Findolin's second city was ample punishment,” said Jin thoughtfully. “Also when we take Findolin I will give the men the customary three days leave, to do with as they will, though they don‘t need it, perhaps such an incentive will spur them on. And let's be honest we've had ample compensation for our losses, and only the guilders who count everything in terms of the gold in their vaults will see the balance of the loss of those legions as an expense too far, rather than a necessary cost that war often brings.”
Marshal Ti pensively set his goblet down, “You're right, three days will pacify the men, but the only thing that will pacify the Guilders is what lines their pockets.”
Jin sat back down and gestured for the Marshal to sit also. He pulled out the crystal from beneath his shirt.
“I have seen our enemy's defences,” said Jin.
Marshal Ti leaned forward, his eyes widening at such a revelation. “You’ve what!”
“I managed to gain control over one of the Elementals,” continued Jin. “And discovered that though their battlements are strong; there is a weakness one we might exploit; you see they do not suspect an attack from within, and why should they, I perceive even a small force, if properly disguised will, beneath the cover of night, be able to make it to the gates and force them open. They have plenty of men on the battlements and along the walls, but the gate itself has only a few guards defending it. There’s one other thing, they have stored many large clay pots on the wall.”
Marshal Ti considered this, “It must be oil.”
"That’s what I thought,” replied Jin.
“When the time comes,” said the Marshal. “We will use the catapults to smash the pots and then we will fire them, if there are a lot together it could create an explosion which may even blast a hole in the wall, enough for an army to get through; should our forces not open the gate.”
Jin smiled menacingly, he twisted the Crystal in his fingers, “I will soon make another attempt to control the Elemental again. He seems particularly susceptible to my will, can you think of anything else I should be looking for?”
“W
ell,” said the Marshal. “You already realise what we need to know. Have you enough influence to attempt to eliminate that King of theirs? Such a thing would spread discord and disunity among them. In the mean time, I will go pass round your new orders as to what is to happen here, and in the outlying realms.”
Marshal Ti stood back up, saluted and left. Jin sat quietly contemplating his next move. He would need something extra to be able to better control the Elemental. On the table in front of him was a lantern, reaching out he unscrewed its base which hid a secret compartment, wherein he had hidden the sphere. After the intrusion into his personal quarters and the destruction of the Orb containing the essence of the Orochi, Jin had taken the other sphere and placed it where he was sure no one would find it. Drawing it out, he held it next to his crystal. If he could fuse the two together he should have enough power to be able to better control the Elemental. Jin began to concentrate hard. The sphere appeared to shine, the light throbbing rhythmically as it was being called upon, as it did so the texture of it seemed to soften. The Crystal then slid inside it. The Sphere then hardened again around the crystal.
Jin’s eyes blazed with power, as his mind began searching out Kranz, travelling to where he had last been walking the streets, in the great library and out again. His mind began tracing his steps, he could feel himself moving towards Kranz’s room; and there was Kranz leaning over a chest. A painting hung from his wall portraying a mans face, behind which was the shadow of a wolfs head. The man in the frame had a grim sad expression, his eyes shone out fatefully. There were words stamped onto a gold plate at the bottom of the frame ’Know one self.’
Jin’s essence hovered over Kranz a moment, and then took him. Kranz’s head jerked up, arms outstretched before his body was flung back violently onto the bed, he turned on his side and then on his back, which arched viciously. Finally he was still. After Jin had full control he sat up. He looked down at his alien hands; he could move them, but still it was like watching somebody else through a foggy glass. He got up off the bed and went over to the table where there was a small mirror. The face staring back at him reacted to his commands, to a raised eyebrow, or shutting an eye. There were also certain facial traits of his own, that only he could recognise. Perhaps this was a sign that no disguise was infallible. But this one was as close to it as could be. He opened the draws and found a pouch with a few coins in it, there was also a small dagger in a holster which he attached to his belt whilst placing the pouch in his pocket.
He opened his door and stepped out, the narrow corridor was well lit; a young woman walked passed him and smiled. He nodded his acknowledgement and continued down the corridor to where there were some stairs; he took these to the next level. He stopped someone on the way and asked where the other Elementals were.
The man gave him a quizzical look. “You mean Agoran, Victor and the Seer. They’re in the great hall.”
The stranger pointed in the general direction of where the great hall was to be found. Jin nodded his thanks and made his way slowly at first toward it, steadying himself against the wall so as not to lose his footing. As his control of the body became more confident, he walked more freely. On the way to the hall, he stopped off at a smithy, and had his small dagger sharpened. Looking round the streets he could see from the statues and the design of the buildings how proud the people were; they would make a fine addition to his Empire. It also reminded him a bit of his youth in Askalon, the time before his banishment. He shook off the image, there was too much residual sympathetic energy in his vessel that was hard to control. Part of the person he had possessed was manifesting itself. He would have to be careful, perhaps this was the reason why he was feeling something he had never felt before toward a people he intended to conquer, understanding.
He found his way to the great hall, he would soon discover the plans that were laid out against him, and if he could kill one of their leaders all the better. People were hemmed together around a large table discussing the question of how best to deal with the Mandrake. As he passed the Queen of Askalon, she turned her head sensing something familiar about him but unable to place it. She was about to say something to Kranz when one of the men at her side drew her attention away.
He recognised Victor and the Seer; the two who had been in his tent, proof if any were needed that they were the ones to have taken the Elemental powers. They all greeted him. The subterfuge was working well, soon he would know of their plans. He remained with them through out the day. During the evening hours they were joined by Achil who began discussing The Grimmer and the capture of the Valkyrie.
As they stood round the table reviewing their plans and the new weapon they had almost finished. Jin began to appraise the valour of each person and their worth to the Empire. The man named Achil was someone of significant standing. He could tell that the Queen and the Alchemist of the Dragon people had a deep respect for him. It was unmistakeable he was the one, who, if given the opportunity, to dispatch. As Jin lingered there, he unexpectedly felt Kranz within him, struggling to take back control of his body. Feeling his strength ebbing away, he strained to keep hold of Kranz, beads of sweat dripped down his brow. He needed to act now, or it would be too late, so he edged his way round the table toward Achil, as he did so his hand slowly slipped to the hilt of his dagger.
He felt a surge of anger and rage on seeing the Queen of all the Askalons treat with someone who was no better than a peasant in his eyes. He stood now directly behind Achil, council members had gathered to the side of him and behind him. He slowly drew his dagger and was about to plunge it into the back of Achil, but he could not do it. Kranz was preventing him. The Queen looked down saw what was happening and pushed Achil out of the way but she was too late Jin struck. The dagger went into the midriff of the Queen who slumped to the floor. Achil and the others looked aghast, as Kranz collapsed to the ground staring blankly up at the ceiling.
Jin was back in his shelter, the sphere crushed in his hands from the strain of trying to keep control of the Elemental, all that was left was the crystal.
He slammed his fist down hard on the table knocking his goblet to the floor. There was a question running through his mind, had he fatally wounded the Queen or not. He was about to stand up and leave, but slumped forward across the table and onto the floor. The strain had been too much, Jin lay there motionless.
When he finally woke he could not be sure how much time had passed, he reached out and used the table to haul himself up. His mind was unsteady, so he carefully righted his chair and sunk into it. Once he had regained his composure he would send for Marshal Ti and tell him the most important news since they had arrived in the west, that he had wounded or maybe even had killed the Queen of Askalon and more importantly his enemy would be blamed for it. But for now his mind needed to rest, his eyes closed, his wearied body slouched down on the table in front of him.
After a time, when he had finally recovered from the ordeal and stress of using such dark magic, he sought out Marshal Ti. He walked purposefully through the camp his cloak dragging along the floor behind him. Warriors from all parts of the Empire would stop what they were doing and salute him as he passed them by. Eventually he caught up to Marshal Ti, who was overseeing the movement of the Rams Head.
“Marshal Ti,” said Jin. “I have just seen the plans of the enemy. I want to begin our attack.”
“My Lord we still need more time,” said Marshal Ti. “In a few days all preparations will be ready, why the urgency?”
Jin took him by the arm and moved him out of ear shot of the men.
“They have developed some new weapon that could turn the tide of war,” replied Jin. “A few days might be too late, we must act now. I want men in the tunnels immediately, we must begin the advance. We will take advantage of the confusion I’ve just caused.”
Jin quickly explained what had occurred while he was in Findolin. The Marshal listened with ever growing interest as the story unravelled.
"You killed the Qu
een, that breaks our sacred oath under pain of death: no Askalon shall harm another."
"They broke the oath at the Battle of Mount Rok. Since they have done that, what we did was more dispensing justice than oath breaking."
“You are right of course they have brought this on themselves. We will begin the first engagement,” said the Marshal.
“Remember, with the Queen out of the way, this serves our purpose better,” Jin said coldly. “Our enemies will be fighting among themselves, as the Askalons will think that one of the Finns killed her; it will cause division in their ranks. The Askalons will want an investigation into what has gone on and may not fight. This is the perfect time to strike. Use what ever means are at our disposal to complete the ramp and ready the men.”
“The ramp won’t be a problem to finish,” said the Marshal. “We’ve constructed a small sturdy wooden bridge to cross the gap onto the hard verge in front of the castle gate, so we can send in the Rams head.”
Marshal Ti shouted to the nearest Wrath soldier to give the order to assail the castle. The Warrior picked up a horn and gave out a loud blast. Echoing around the camp could be heard the sound of horns in reply. Each was a signal that their wait was finally over. They were to finally begin the long anticipated attack.
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 32
