The Darkness of Dawn

by Braden Michael

  “I’m pleased you arrived on time, your Majesty,” said Vai.

  “I’m pleased to have the honor of meeting you, your Majesty,” said Asher.

  “You can call me Vai, for sake of ease,” she replied with ever-so-subtle flirtation.

  “Okay, Vai,” Asher said, smiling back at her. His face became serious as he turned his gaze to the Colonel. “Who are you?”

  “Colonel Litou. Commander of the garrison.”

  “You gotta have, what, forty men at this point?” Asher taunted.

  The Colonel glared at the Firelord silently.

  “How many men are under your command, Colonel?” Asher asked.

  The Colonel remained silent, his glare unbroken.

  “If you don’t want to tell me, that doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you how many men are in the army outside your walls. My host has over forty thousand men. You can’t even see them all from where you stand. Not to mention her Imperial Majesty’s army, which already has a siege prepared for you. That makes our numbers even more impressive. Now, we both have experience crushing forces larger than our own, so even if you have one hundred thousand men under your command, you will not win. Surely you understand that?”

  “He understands it, he’s just stubborn and prideful,” Vai pointed out.

  Asher chuckled. “First time I saw one of those armored horses, I was greatly intimidated. I can only imagine how your men must feel, Colonel, seeing tens of thousands of them. Do you honestly think they’ll keep faith in you? You’re defending a city with an insignificant force from a highly significant threat. Sounds like a recipe for a mutiny to me,” he explained.

  “My men would never—”

  “Never? Betray? You? C’mon Colonel, we all know better than that. At the end of the day, your men want to go home. They won’t want to die needlessly. Soon as you walk back into those gates, they’ll take you out and replace you with someone smart enough to surrender.”

  The Colonel’s defiant look became one of resignation as he looked at his feet. “If I surrender, you’ll let my men live?”

  “You have my word.” Asher glanced at Vai. “And he has the word of the Empress?”

  “He does,” said Vai.

  “Good.” Asher looked back at the Colonel. “Kneel before us and lay down your sword, so your men can see.”

  “I won’t kneel before that traitor,” the Colonel seethed, glaring at Vai.

  Without hesitation, Asher struck the Colonel across the jaw with the back of his hand. “You don’t get to pick and choose, Colonel! There are two armies at your gate, and you will surrender to both!”

  The Colonel’s face shook with powerful rage, but he gulped shamefully, and slowly descended to one knee. He drew his sword slowly, placing it on the ground before Vai and Asher.

  “I, Colonel Litou, commander of the Sturgeon garrison, surrender the city to you, Emperor Asher Miller and Empress Vaishalla Ka—Robinson,” he said reluctantly.

  The Emberland and Rockland soldiers erupted cheering, dominating the air with their triumphant shouts. The Headlanders atop the wall began dropping their bows, meekly looking down at the joyful soldiers. While the cheering continued around them, Vai and Asher looked at one another, pleased.

  “We have much to discuss, your Majesty. Specifically, how we can secure our alliance,” said Vai.

  “I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Once the city is sorted out, I’ll send word for you,” Asher said, holding out his hand for a shake.

  Vai held Asher’s hand firmly and shook. She looked back at the soldiers, all of whom were celebrating, except for Adrian. He looked at Vai uncertainly, and she took note of his expression. I haven’t forgotten you, Adrian, she thought.

  CH 45 – Asher XII

  Vai was not what Asher had expected. He had heard tales of a fierce warrior who fought in the battle of Robinsport and shot an arrow into each of King Hiroshi’s legs, but she turned out much more beautiful and elegant than he’d expected. Although she wore a compact battledress instead of a typical silk dress, she carried herself more like a lady than most ladies he had ever met. She wants to “secure” the alliance. What did she mean by that? Asher reflected.

  Once the small Headland garrison in the city put down their arms, Asher ordered his army to build the necessary pens to keep them locked up in the camp. After the city was fully subjugated by the joint Emberland-Rockland patrols, Asher took up residence in the city’s main hall. He had sent a messenger to summon Vai, and he currently waited in the city’s council chamber with Andy. While Andy still wore his armor, Asher was now dressed in his gray tunic.

  “Tell me, Andy, what do you think of the Empress?”

  “What do I think?” Andy furrowed his brow.

  “What do you make of her?” Asher asked.

  “I don’t have enough experience knowing her, individually, and I’m not great at reading people anyway,” said Andy.

  “Me neither. I’m not sure what she wants,” said Asher.

  “She doesn’t want an alliance? To take down Howell?”

  “No, she wants an alliance. She told me herself.”

  “Then why are you doubtful?” Andy asked.

  “She said she wanted to figure out how to secure the alliance. I’d think what we needed for this alliance in the first place was our common enemy.”

  Andy perked his head up at the sound of approaching footsteps. “You can ask her yourself.”

  Asher looked up to see Vai herself walking into the council chamber with a Rockland guard at her side. She no longer wore her battledress, but a tan dress that complemented her skin tone in such a way that Asher could not help but admire. The amber gemstone necklace she wore accented her already-beautiful dress. She looked at him with a sly smile as she approached.

  “Greetings, your Majesty,” said Vai.

  Asher stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, cleared his throat, and tried to remember his courtesies. “Uh, Vai, your Majesty—I, uh, thank you for meeting with me. That, uh, that’s a lovely dress.”

  Vai’s bodyguard remained stoic and unamused, but she let out a hearty chuckle. “You’re too kind.”

  Asher smiled politely. “So, we have much to discuss…” He looked at her bodyguard’s blank face, then back to her. “Shall we talk in private?”

  Vai nodded. “Wait outside, Adrian.”

  The bodyguard’s scowl persisted as he slowly turned around then walked towards the door. Andy, after being gestured to by Asher, quickly went to the exit.

  “So, Asher, are the stories of your feats at the Furakuhold true?” Vai asked him.

  “Depends on the stories,” said Asher.

  Vai smiled. “The highly renowned General Nobunaga had 20,000 men garrisoned at the fortress, and you commanded only 700. Yet, you defeated his forces. How’d you manage to do that?”

  “We had seized a cannon and multiple barrels of firedust during our incursion into the Headlands. I sent fifty men atop the ridge with the barrels and flaming arrows to drop down on the castle. My 650 men on the ground lured Nobunaga out of the main castle to bring most of the soldiers outside. After the barrels dropped, we stormed the castle, and then Nobunaga yielded,” Asher explained.

  “So, the stories are true,” said Vai, impressed.

  “You know, I’ve heard stories about your feats as well. Are they true?” Asher asked.

  “Depends on the stories,” Vai said jokingly.

  Asher could not help but smile. “With an army of 25,000 men you defeated King Hiroshi’s army of 60,000 in an open field, and you fought in that battle, despite not having to?”

  “I only had 20,000 men,” said Vai, maintaining her playful attitude.

  Asher laughed, then regained his composure. “Then, you captured King Hiroshi, then went on to defeat his men at Arrowstone?”

  “Not without cost,” Vai said, her playful attitude diminishing into sorrow. “I lost most of my family.”

  “I—I’m sorry. I know how it feels,�
�� said Asher.

  “Prince Hideki took your father, right? I want to offer you my condolences. I hear he was a good man,” Vai said sympathetically. She lightly touched Asher’s shoulder.

  “Thank you. Hideki got what he deserved, though.”

  Vai took her hand away and her face became dutiful. “My sources’ accounts of that entire debacle are conflicted. First, I hear that he acted strangely while escorting an Emberland prisoner out of the Furakuhold, and then a different source tells me that Hideki was mutilated and captured by Bargemen?”

  “As it turns out, my br—” Asher’s words got caught in his throat as he closed his eyes in frustration. “Black Eyes impersonated the Prince and brought him eastward.”

  “And I thought our stories were hard to believe,” said Vai.

  “I didn’t believe it until I found Black Eyes being escorted by Bargemen, with Hideki as their prisoner at Kiruga.”

  “What happened then?” Vai asked, intrigued.

  “Black Eyes killed one of my men, one I’ve known for years…” Asher hesitated as anger and sadness returned to him. “He guarded my father, and Black Eyes murdered him. So, I made Black Eyes an Exile. Sent him off with the Bargemen. Hideki is in my custody in the cells at Steeltower.”

  “Based on what I’ve heard about this Black Eyes character, you did the right thing,” said Vai.

  “I should’ve had him Exiled years ago. I’m sure you’ve heard stories about him, but I guarantee the truth is even worse,” Asher said emphatically.

  “I don’t doubt that,” said Vai.

  Asher looked away, nodding in silence, spending a moment in contemplation before looking back up at Vai. “Back at the parley, right after Litou surrendered, you said you wanted to talk about securing our alliance…”

  “I did,” said Vai matter-of-factly.

  “What exactly did you have in mind?” Asher asked.

  “Given that we have no formal alliance, so to speak, we need to think about that.” Vai paused a moment, looking slightly hesitant. “The… best way to do that is if we, well, you know, were married…”

  “Married?” Asher said, surprised. “That is, uh, an idea…”

  Vai half-heartedly giggled. “It sure is an idea. And frankly, I see no better alternative, politically speaking.”

  “I just, uh, didn’t expect a proposal from you, Vai—or, uh, my Lady, I mean—your Majesty,” Asher stammered.

  Vai walked up to Asher, grabbing both his hands and holding them lightly. “I know this is a bit unorthodox, but we live in a desperate time. This war will consume all of Dawn if we don’t put an end to it and secure a better future, together.”

  “That’s, uh, a good point,” said Asher, staring deeply into her eyes.

  “But I’ll be honest with you. We’ve only just met, so the idea of us marrying straight away does give me pause. Not many know this, but my last husband was terrible to me. He… He would’ve had me killed for not bearing his children, despite his own sterility, and he raped me every day I was with him,” Vai said, starting to choke up a couple tears.

  “That’s horrible... I had no idea that he was….” Asher muttered.

  “I’m weary of marriage since my only experience with it has been so terrible. I wouldn’t have made the proposal to you if I weren’t so certain it was the right move, diplomatically,” said Vai.

  “I—I understand. And I promise that I would never display such brutality towards you. You’ve nothing to fear from me, Vai,” Asher reassured.

  Instinctively, Asher leaned forward and gently kissed Vai. Their lips shared in a tender, caring, brief embrace. They slowly pulled away from one another, looking into each other’s eyes for a moment, until they looked away embarrassed, giggling and blushing.

  “So far, so good,” said Vai.

  Asher again giggled. I’m being as giddy as a young girl right now, he reflected.

  “My hope is that this can be more than some diplomatic marriage,” said Asher.

  “I feel the same way, Asher,” Vai replied sweetly.

  “Then let’s have our wedding tonight!” Asher said excitedly.

  “It can be ready by tonight?” Vai asked.

  “I’m certain. The people of Sturgeon could use a distraction from the war. They’ll gladly yearn to be a part of a ceremony, and there’s plenty of food for a feast.”

  “We should make it as grand as possible, the most talked-about wedding in years. One that even Howell will get to hear about,” said Vai, smirking.

  Asher chuckled. “I can’t think of a better message to send to that bastard.”

  “I’m glad it’s decided then. Shall we both talk to the people to make this happen?” Vai said.

  “We shall,” said Asher, smiling.

  Over the next several hours, Asher summoned all the noble men and women in his ranks to the council chamber and updated them with the plan. They then bathed and dressed into much nicer clothes. Once they regrouped with the leadership in the Rockland Army, they spread word throughout the city to its people, offering them handsome payments to supply everything needed for the wedding. The city’s matrimonial minister, hundreds of cooks, twelve chefs, and countless tailors immediately offered their services. Many people offered their services to the armies encamped outside.

  The wedding was to take place in the largest courtyard the city could offer. It had space for well over a thousand people. A white marble platform in the center of the courtyard would be where Vai and Asher stood while seats were to surround them, allowing all the attendees looking up at the bride and groom.

  While the preparations were under way, Asher decided to spend time in his army’s camp. The Rockland and Emberland forces mingled all throughout. Their camps were technically separate, but they appeared as one entity when Asher laid eyes upon them. Dozens of Sturgeon residents dallied about the camp, preparing the soldiers’ feast tents, which were larger than most buildings, and could easily fit well over two thousand people at a time. Many fires were lit across the camp, soldiers gathered around from both Empires, sharing tales of their various battles. The men who had helped Asher seize the Furakuhold were heroes, along with the Rockmen who’d fought at Robinsport.

  Most of the men were already too drunk and involved in their activities to notice Asher and Andy walk by them. However, a group of dozens of Emberlanders and Rockmen were gathered around a firepit and cheered when they noticed him. One of them ran up to greet him: Lieutenant Francis.

  “Emperor! It’s great to see you again!” Francis was uncharacteristically enthusiastic and intoxicated.

  “Francis! I haven’t seen you since you went up the mountain with those barrels,” said Asher.

  “I wanted to tell you, that it was genius what you did. How you did your part a bit earlier, drawing out most of the enemy army. It got my ass riled up! The entire thing just went so perfectly, I can still barely believe it!” Francis briefly cheered into the air, and patted Asher on the shoulder.

  Asher stood silently and politely smiled. Perfectly, eh? I suppose it did for you.

  “Oh, hey! Congratulations on the wedding!” Francis said emphatically.

  “Thank you, Francis.”

  “Tell him about the tournament!” one of the soldiers cheerfully shouted from the fireside.

  “Oh, no, no, no….” Francis turned around and jokingly shook his head at the men.

  “Tournament?” Asher asked, genuinely curious.

  Francis turned back around to face Asher with a surprised look. “The, uh, men are having a, you know, tournament, Rockland versus Emberland.”

  “What kind of tournament?” Asher prodded.

  “The, uh, fighting kind?” Francis said, stumbling around, struggling to maintain his balance.

  “Sounds intriguing,” said Asher.

  “If you like, you can enter!” Francis said enthusiastically.

  Asher chuckled. “I gotta get married in a few hours.” He turned to Andy and gently pushed him forward. “But And
y here would love to enter on my behalf.”

  Andy gave Asher a quizzical look. “You serious?”

  “Dead serious,” Asher told Andy, smiling.

  Andy seemed to disapprove, but Francis and the campfire soldiers all howled with approval.

  “Right this way!” Francis roared, putting his arm around Andy and dragging him away.

  “Put on a show for ‘em, Andy!” Asher called.

  Francis and his men laughed and cheered while Andy remained somewhat stoic. With Asher following along, they took him past several other groups of men, Rockland or Emberland, who looked at the group curiously. After passing countless soldiers, tents, and hitched armored horses, Francis eventually led everyone to a makeshift tourney ground: a wooden fence encircled a grass patch. Dozens of men were gathered around the circle, cheering for the two contenders, an Emberlander and a Rockman. The men were fully encased in the armor of their respective Empires, carefully stepping around their opponent with their shields and sparring swords held at the ready. “Emberlands!” the Emberlanders shouted. “Rocklands!” the Rockmen shouted.

  The Emberlander charged the Rockman, who countered by side-stepping and swinging his sword at the charging Emberlander, who effortlessly blocked the attack with his shield. Their dance continued, with no apparent winner yet. After several moves and countermoves, the Emberlander noticed Asher, who looked back at him expectantly.

  Instantly, the Emberlander roared with the fury of ten men and initiated a barrage of attacks on the defensive Rockman. The crowd howled with excitement, their cheers becoming an excited and energetic flurry. Despite the Emberlander’s passion, the Rockman resisted the barrage of attacks, and countered the exhausted attacker by tackling him to the ground and poising his sword over the defeated Emberlander’s head.

  “I yield! You win, sir,” the Emberlander shouted.

  The Emberlanders in the crowd sighed in disappointment while the Rockmen cheered.

  “Our boy cannot be defeated!” a Rockman called out.

  Francis turned around to address Andy and Asher. “This dude has single-handedly defeated all our guys! Andy, you gotta do something about it!”