Enlightened Empire

When the runner had come to inform him of the upcoming fight, Dedrick hadn’t been surprised. After all, the boss had told him to be prepared. Thus, he led his men into the city, eager to prove himself. His enthusiasm had ended the moment he stepped into the dark streets of Arguna. Dedrick had thought it would be time for him and his men to prove their mettle at last, yet he had to face hostilities before he could even see his enemy. With no lights to be found within any of the houses the so-called silver city was a dark and dreary place, with night stretched over the complex architecture all around. From within the darkness, he could feel something gnaw at the back of his neck. Someone was hidden there, and watched their every move. Since their move-out earlier, laughter had been ever-present within the troop, but now it had been extinguished like the lights around them. Their march slowed, as his men huddled together in preparation of an ambush.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Dedrick said.

"No worries, bandit. It’s just scare tactics. They won’t act, I can guarantee you that. As for the actual battle? Your worries are even more misplaced. We have our secret weapon, after all," the rude Fadelio gave a calm riposte to Dedrick’s reasonable concerns.

"Who’s worried, you mountain giant?" the mercenary barked back.

Really, Dedrick wanted to share the guys confidence, but the strange and unusual land he had been dragged into by his greed would not allow his nerves to calm. Maybe crossing the oceans for the vague promise of riches and honor hadn’t been the smartest move, even if that promise had come from a man he trusted. However, thinking back to that so-called secret weapon did help ease his mood, somewhat. At first he had been confused when Fadelio had brought those sheets of metal, but Dedrick had wizened up to the plan once the giant had begun to pull the fire seeds out of their wagons. Two days ago, Corco had ordered them to start collecting the spores from around the capital. Of course he hadn’t called them fire seeds, but as usual, Dedrick had tuned out of the prince’s lengthy explanation. Thus, the word ’fire seed’ stuck in his head after a spectacular first demonstration of their power. He looked forward to using them again.

__________________________

The mountain giant had been correct: Their journey ended without interruptions.

"You see? What did I say? Just scare tactics," Dedrick proclaimed with confidence. Always the wise leader, he decided to ignore Fadelio’s rude look from the side.

As soon as they had reached their destination, they were called into action. Just as they had settled into their formation, Dedrick could see movement from their opponents. Though he said opponents, all he could see were some shadows move around in the darkness. The boss had been right. The enemy really had come prepared. All lights around the mansion had been extinguished. Only their torches formed a sea of light within a black ocean.

"Right, you know what to do. I’ll go over to protect Laqhis in case they try anything funny. Good luck," Fadelio said.

"Don’t need it."

"Make sure the parabolic mirrors are pointed to the right spot and be sure the torches are close enough too. If the spores don’t pass through the flame-"

"I got it, I got it! Good Lords what is wrong with you? Get over and protect your boss. This here is my work. Let me show you how a real knight handles a war."

With his last word spoken, Dedrick saw Fadelio off. As the figure of the warrior got smaller and smaller, the former knight’s mouth formed into a grin all on its own. It was time to show these long-haired weirdos how they fought back in Arcavia. He organized his men to put up the two bronze mirrors and aimed them at around fifty feet away from his front line. The perfect distance for the matchlocks.

"All right, boys! You know the drill! Back four Rows! Matchlocks! Once you see the flash, open fire! Not any sooner! Can’t see anything? Too dark? Too bright? Too much smoke? Doesn’t matter! There’s a hundred of ’em in that dark soup over yonder, so you’re bound to hit something! And don’t forget to move back after your shot! Step forward! Fire! Step right! Move back! Reload! You can count to four?! Then don’t screw this up!"

From the distance he could hear someone recite a solemn speech in Yakua.

"Under the gaze of the stars, lay to rest the conflict between Princes Corcopaca Titu Pluritac and Pachacutec Titu Pluritac. Let honor and blood speak the final verdict and let peace return between the lords."

The war was about to start.

"First three rows! Halbardiers! Down on your knees and make sure not one of ’em gets through! When they scatter from the fire: Be ready to storm on my command! Torches! Position in front of the mirrors! You’re not only fuel for the fire seeds, you’re also our light as we march ahead, so hold steady! Bellows...iers! Push on my ’fire’!"

Soundless like ghosts, their opponents rushed forward to close the distance. Once they had spanned half the field, Dedrick could finally make out their front line from the torchlight within their own formation. Two mercenaries on each side held their torches in front of the massive mirrors to create a cone of light, focused in on an area about fifty steps away from them. They would provide the sparks to set the fire seeds alight.

Dedrick felt the tension of his men rise as he focused on the wave of darkness before him.

*A bit closer.*

He heard the man to his right try to swallow down his nerves.

*Just a bit more.*

Once the shadows charged into the cone of light, they turned back into humans. Those he knew how to kill.

"FIRE!"

As the bellowsiers pushed down on their bellows, they ignited an enormous flame in front of the mirrors. The light traveled down the cone of light and culminated in a flash which engulfed the entire enemy formation. Right after, Dedrick heard the whipping sound of the matchlocks go off, soon followed by heart-rending screams as the first salvo reached its intended target.

"Music to my ears," he grinned.

Everything went so well, Dedrick didn’t even have to do anything. After just a few salvos, the enemy had already lost all semblance of order. A second flash sealed their fate.

"Right flank, Scolo! Left flank Zelefries! Forward and encircle! Center after me! Box them in and wipe them out!"

In organized rows, the troops marched ahead. As they advanced, they stepped over dropped weapons and dead bodies. Any enemy they encountered, they would make fast work of. Held back by the spear and ax of the halberds, the thorn could cut off the life of even the armored foes. With every further step, their own torches would illuminate more of the battlefield. At last, they could see what destruction they had wrought. Pools of blood, shattered limbs and heads, men on their final breath looking up in search for salvation, as they tried to stem the tide of life which escaped their bodies through their bullet wounds, and in the center, surrounded on three sides, the last, pitiful remnants of their enemy, ripped out of the darkness. Now that he got a good look at them, they really weren’t much. One by one, the wraiths started to drop their weapons.

It was a flawless victory.

__________________________

When Corco turned back around, the brawl was already decided. Still, he was glad the darkness managed to shield most of the spectacle from his view. The prince had seen his fair share of blood over the years, far more than he had ever wanted, but he still wasn’t too keen on watching a massacre, even if his men were the ones to commit it.

At least the end came fast. By now Dedrick’s men had surrounded the last remnants of the wraith troop and began to disarm them. Corco turned his head to gloat and found his brother’s entire body tense like a pulled bowstring. His widened eyes swam around the darkness around them, in search of an answer to a question he didn’t understand. Corco decided to help his brother out.

"It isn’t really tigers versus wolves, brother. It’smore raven versus snake."

In a slow, mechanical motion, Pachacutec, the hero without an army, turned his head to face his brother.

"This doesn’t prove anything. it was a dirty TRICK!" His furious roar ran across the streets and sank into the stunned crowd.

"Yes, a trick," Corco confirmed with a harmless smile. "That’s what it was. Wisdom versus slyness. Raven versus snake. That’s what I said."

Once they had worked through just what had happened, the audience behind them came alive and soon turned the plaza in front of the mansion into a chaotic mess. Some Lords complained about Corco’s trickery, some laughed at his cleverness, but most chose the easy goal and simply mocked Pacha. Even though it had been his troop, they wouldn’t dare mock Lord Ichilia, of course.

Enraged and desperate, the hero’s head swung around to Elder Caelestis, who still had his eyes focused ahead, as he watched the two troops in stunned silence.

"Prince Corco broke the rules of the sacred duel! He must be punished!"

"You’re kidding. What are you, ten? Grandfather, I think it’s about time you declare the results."

While the two boys were squabbling over their granddad’s love and chaos reigned among the surrounding lords, no one had noticed the tumult on the battlefield.

Kaumoc, the leader of the wraiths, had retained his weapon and rushed through the open back of his remaining formation. He had been picked for this task by Lord Ichilia himself. Although he had done his best, the sudden light had caught him off guard and destroyed all hopes of victory. His unarmored leg had been hit and was spewing blood like a fountain. Yet even now he could not give in to trickery. The lives of his family were on the line. If he couldn’t bring victory, at least he would bring Prince Corco’s head, even if it meant his death.

"Assassin!"

A scream from behind made everyone aware of the wraith’s mad rush. As he closed the distance to his target, a giant of steel came forth to block his path. Quick on his feet, Kaumoc raised his short battle ax to throw at Prince Corco, but the metal mountain used his massive frame to act as a shield.

*No way past.*

He would have to deal with one obstacle at a time. Come one and come all, he would make his way through. In lieu of the original throw, Kaumoc put weight on his front foot to bring his ax down onto the giant’s neck. However, his injured leg buckled, and slowed his own attack. At the last second Kaumoc realized that he would be too slow, but was unable to change his fate. His ax was grabbed by the handle and he was yanked to the ground in one humorless motion by his opponent’s inhuman strength. His reflexes still intact, the wraith spun around to face the attacker, but his weapon was still in the other man’s hand as the giant stood above him axe at the ready, ready to split his head. It was over.

"NO!"

Once again a shout interrupted the proceedings. With large steps and bad intentions in mind, Prince Pacha came towards Fadelio. Before his idiot brother could do anything inexcusable, Corco moved between them.

"And where are you going, dear brother?" There was no way he would let his brother harm one of his men.

"Get out of the way, you dwarf!" Pacha was about to grab his brother when he was interrupted by a shout from the back.

"Prince Pacha!" This time, Lord Divitius Ichilia had intervened. With his uncle’s shout, Pacha returned to his senses. He couldn’t just attack his elder brother in front of an audience. It would spell doom for his reputation. Not even House Ichilia could make him emperor then. But even if he couldn’t hurt Corco, he wouldn’t let the matter lie.

"Southerner! Tell your dog to let my warrior go!"

"Are you talking about the assassin? The one who tried to kill me? Why would I do that?"

"You have no proof. My man did no such thing."

"Really." Corco gave his brother a dry look. "We’re not gonna play ’he said, she said’. Not today. Fadelio!"

"Yes, Master."

"Prince Corco, House Ichilia would show great appreciation if Prince could see past our servant’s mistake in the heat of battle." There was that uncomfortable grin from Divitius again. At this moment Corco knew that this man looked at him as nothing but prey.

"Fuck you. What can I gain exactly? A stay of execution until you’ve killed Amautu?"

"Southerner, let this hero warn you: If you do not release my men right now, you will shatter on the full brunt of my wrath!"

"Prince Corco should be aware that in accordance to proper etiquette, my men are to be released at the end of the brawl," Ichilia said with a coldness that made Corco shudder.

"Screw this. You’re not getting away with your political games. Not this time!" Fadelio had already been enraged by the proceedings long ago. It all seemed so oddly familiar. Pacha and Divitius exploited the rules in shameless fashion, safe in the knowledge that only they wouldn’t have to play by them. It was exactly how they had dealt with his father. He would be damned if he let the assassin go just to see him target anyone dear to him again! Before anyone could react to his declaration, he plunged down his axe and buried it deep within the wraith’s face.

All the surrounding lords could do was watch in shock! How dare this warrior kill a man just like that, in cold blood, and offend the most powerful house of the empire? Lord Ichilia was one of the first to be released from confusion. Although the evening had been wasted, at the very least he had to regain some face for his house.

"This was very unwise, Prince Corco. Today, Prince has made an enemy out of House Ichilia."

This was exactly why Corco had wanted Fadelio to stay away from the banquet. Keeping the assassin under lock-down was fine, but killing a disarmed warrior without a trial was a serious breech of etiquette. Of course, the prince would still side with his attendant. He knew that Fadelio had stepped over the line, but he would do everything to shield his friend. Now it was the time for damage control.

"So what are you gonna do in return? Send one of your assassins? I just killed all of them, so do what you want. Oh, and since we’re on the topic of killing: This whole affair just killed my mood. I’m going home." Before the volatile mood would swing against himself and his men, Corco decided to flee the premises. For now, the best move would be to gain some time and let matters blow over.

As the distraught Elder Caelestis watched on in silence, the lead actor of the evening banquet turned and disappeared into the darkness, his army in tow.

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