Nights of Villjamur - Mark Charan Newton [105]
“Commander, do step inside and close the door. Hell of a draft coming in.”
Brynd shut the door and approached, his steps clicking in the awkward silence. “What’s the problem, chancellor?”
“War, commander,” Chancellor Urtica sighed. “I fear it’s war.”
“And why so? I’ve been away for less than a month, so what can have arisen? Surely we should be looking for peace at all costs in these distressing times?”
“Of course, but our experts have now analyzed the arrow that you retrieved from Dalúk Point. It was indeed a Varltung shaft.”
“Really?” Brynd said, his eyes narrowing. “But I still don’t see why the Varltungs would make a raid on us.”
“Yes, well, these are strange days. Furthermore I’ve intelligence from our garudas suggesting that the Varltungs have planned more raids—now that our city is at its weakest. So I was forced to put some defensive plans in motion after you left. Troops are moving across the Empire as we speak.”
“What intelligence exactly?” Brynd said. Were the city’s forces already marching to war without his knowledge?
“Not only from garudas, but rumors from various outposts. So I have initiated troop movements for a coastal raid on the Varltung nation. I’ll be using cultists from the Order of Dawnir to help, too, as I want to stop any chance of our outlying islands being assaulted after our city closes its doors. It is a purely defensive tactic, and we aim to minimize casualties, and work with them once they submit.”
“And you’re absolutely certain of this strategy? Surely, as commander of the armies, I should be allowed some say in this decision. Surely I should have some role in this?” It appeared that Urtica had already made up his mind even before Brynd had left to fetch Jamur Rika. Now it wouldn’t surprise Brynd to learn that soldiers were already dying.
“That’s certainly true, and I will need your agreement. The Council felt constrained to pass an urgent order of war in your absence. The Empress must be briefed immediately. More Dragoons and Regiments of Foot are currently being readied, but there’s now another threat, for which I think your personal attention is more essential.”
Brynd analyzed every word that Urtica uttered, scanning for the gaps in what he said to find the real story. Being chief commander of military operations appeared to mean little to these politicians, these articulate men who had no direct experience of combat. They just rolled the dice from a safe distance, not understanding the real costs in terms of resources and emotion.
Urtica said, “You were aware of your next task, I think, even before you returned here. Those killings on our islands further north—on Tineag’l to be precise.”
“The mining island?”
“We’ve now had two reports of largescale massacres there. Towns have been wiped out, and so far hundreds have died—possibly thousands. I sent a garuda to investigate and he hasn’t returned yet—that was some time ago now.” Urtica reached across the table for a parchment, passed it to Brynd. “This however came through to us.”
Brynd read the message.
To Emperor Johynn, and the Council of Villjamur
I must alert you to a potential crisis as we’ve had reports of terrible events occurring on Tineag’l. Many have been fleeing atrocities of an unknown nature, that quite frankly leaves me to be astounded. There have been severe numbers of disappearances on Tineag’l, and interviews have been held with those who have fled. There is something killing whole communities, cleansing entire cities and towns. I estimate from listening to those escapees, and by studying old maps, that tens of thousands may no longer exist. It is rumored, that a host of many thousand refugees are fleeing from the north on foot, and it will take them some weeks to reach the south tip of Tineag’l. But when they reach it they will sail to Villiren. And good sirs, we can’t cope with such quantities in our city. Already we’ve local people seeking shelter from the ice, so what is Lutto Fendor to do? I request you send aid, in whatever