Unlike the jinn, the duke accepted the muddled information with an inward and outward calm. He understood the scouts were running on emotional highs generated from fear. The duke was superior to the jinn in separating fact from fearful conjecture.
Chapter 75
Jinn Meets Mage
After the scouts had finished their reports, the jinn observed that the duke was now focused on discussions with his captains. Using this moment, the jinn slowly approached the duke. As it neared the large man the jinn noted a much older man in a robe standing next to the duke. From the guard’s memory it knew this man was called their mage, and was an advisor of many years.
The jinn also knew the mage was well known and respected by the soldiers due to his past advice. This advice was frequently described as being prescient or involving magic. Both explanations were acceptable to seasoned combat veterans who simply said, “Listen to the mage.” As the creature studied this mage it was clear that he had no true power.
The discussions were now over and the duke was being outfitted for the coming battle. Young men, called squires, were suddenly surrounding their leader to begin the placement of battle armor. The jinn was forced to stand back.
First on was a doubly thick coat of tough leather, this was the last line of defense. Over the leather was placed his iron chain mailed hauberk. The hauberk offered a flexible iron dress and reached below the duke’s knees. The outer wall of protection from the thick iron skin would deflect the strongest bow shot. The duke would stand as an iron giant on the battlefield inflicting woe on any who approached his long reach.
The mage followed the duke’s lead and put on his ceremonial robe. The robe was a Roman red with gold threads woven through the fabric. Standing in the sunlight the robe cast a glittering glow that suggested a magical shield surrounded the mage.
The jinn observed the other guards and captains as they watched the dressing ceremony. Their faces declared their acceptance of the coming battle, and the inevitable outcome. One veteran captain announced their collective thoughts, “My lord, we will fight with valor beside you. Our families will tell tales for many years of our bravery at this place.”
The duke smiled for the first time, “Well said, captain.”
Chapter 76
Mage and Duke Meet Attila the Hun
With the duke fitted for battle the jinn walked confidently to him. Standing beside the duke, the jinn prepared to enter his body. Transfers of control were always instantaneous upon contact. The jinn felt the transfer begin, then it unexpectedly stopped. This level of resistance was not possible.
The jinn paused to consider whether the iron contained in the layers of protective armor was impeding its entry. The jinn had secured partial control but had not fully entered the duke’s body. Its control was effective but only at close quarters. The jinn made an immediate decision to revisit the duke later and establish absolute control.
Now it shifted from leaning against the duke to leaning against the adjacent mage. This transfer was immediate with complete control established over the mage’s body.
The mage’s eyes lost their normal twinkle and took on the dead look of a shark’s eye. The mage’s head made a few small jerks as his mind fought the takeover, then it became still. The battle for the neuro-network was over. The mage was in lost in the dark void. Perhaps he heard the echo of screams from the guard beside him, perhaps he only heard his own screams.
Simultaneous with the transfer from the guard into the mage, the guard’s nervous system shut down. The brain stem stopped its efforts and the guard collapsed. The duke, startled by the falling body, instinctively moved away. Guards immediately surrounded their fallen comrade, then looked to the mage for medical help.
The jinn understood that as the mage he was the medical advisor and immediately knelt down by the fallen guard. He made a pretense of studying the guard before declaring, “Sadly our friend and comrade has passed from this life. His passing appears due to the stress we are all under. I know he is in a better place now. His spirit will be with us as we confront the invaders.”
The mental haze was lifted for a moment as the duke said, “Place these coins on his eyes.” The guards saw a hand holding two gold coins and thought how generous the duke was. Then they realized that none of them, living or dead, would have any use for gold by the end of the day.
Chapter 77
Mage Sends a Message
The mage turned to the duke and said, “Sire, may I suggest this is a time to make a final effort to escape the barbarian’s trap. Although we are surrounded, there is still a possible move on the chessboard, we are not yet checkmated.”
The duke could barely nod his head as he replied, “Continue your recommendation.”
“I suggest you request a formal parley. This Attila is considered to have a keen mind. I suggest we try to test his mind with a parley.”
The duke hesitated as he replied, “He does not negotiate. I only see checkmate on the battle board.”
The jinn knew it could force the duke to follow his parley suggestion; however, he needed the attending captains to believe their duke was still the leader.
While the jinn was impatient with the fog-brained man’s resistance to his words, he knew the listening captains were his true audience. They were desperate for any possible escape plan and they wanted to hear the mage out.
The mage continued, “Attila may decide it is in his best interest to negotiate. He is aware of your reputation for battle and the valor of your men. He has never faced an opponent of your stature and he knows a serious loss of men will result. This Hun’s pride will want to avoid calling for reinforcements after a draining battle. Asking for reinforcements would be viewed by other Hun leaders as a call for their help.
“Finally, this parley request will boost morale among our soldiers. They will appreciate that you are willing to place your own pride behind their lives.”
The duke understood the mage’s advice was, in fact, a hidden command and he replied, “You are wise, my mage, and have proven right many times in the past. I will request a parley.”
The mage watched relief pass over the captains’ faces. The duke was following the proven adage, “Listen to the mage.” As the mage, the jinn was quickly increasing his influence over these important humans. They would follow his future instructions without question.
The jinn permitted the duke to select the contact person. Even in a fog the duke knew the likely fate of the messenger and chose the oldest and least capable in battle. “Josef, the honor of carrying our flag and message to the Hun leader is yours. May God speed and protect you.”
“An excellent choice, my liege. Please permit me to draft a formal parley request.” The mage walked to the table covered with maps, extracted a blank parchment and prepared a short, written message which he handed to the duke for approval.
The duke made a cursory look at the document then slid it into a leather cylinder. Finally he pressed his seal across the lid’s opening and gave it to Josef. Accepting the cylinder, Josef looked briefly at each man in the tent. Each gave him a simple nod of both respect and farewell. None expected to see Josef again.
Unexpectedly, the duke asked, “What did you write?”
The jinn was surprised at a question. This large human should not have the capacity for questioning him. The jinn reaffirmed that it needed to increase its control once the Hun threat was removed.
The jinn realized the captains were listening for his answer. “It is as you read it, sire. A parley request, but written in his own language. This Attila may find it intriguing coming in his own script, his curiosity may give us the parley.” The duke was already lost in his mind fog. The question that had come to him when the fog had been eased to select Josef was already forgotten.
Bowing slightly to the duke the mage said, “My lord, let us go outside and watch Josef’s fate from a lookout tower.”
The two men walked to the barricade line, then climbed the recently const
ructed tower. The duke had no memory of what the purpose of this tower was. He had no idea of why he was climbing up.
As they ascended the mage noted there were multiple landings offering firing platforms for archers. As they passed each landing the mage acknowledged the standing archers. Once on the highest platform they joined six resting archers.
To lessen the somber mood of the archers the mage said to them, “You have the advantage of being stationary, as well as being protected by walls up to your waists. Shoot down on them with all your skill.”
The archers considered the mage’s insight and acknowledged his suggestion with faint smiles. They knew their elevated position would not last long. The Hun horsemen would quickly tie ropes to their tower and pull it over. The archers would soon be lying on the ground and easy targets for Hun arrows.
The mage raised his robed hand and pointed out Josef as he approached the Hun camp. Josef held the parley flag high in the air. This initial contact was the telling moment. The Hun guards would follow Attila’s orders. They would either cut Josef down or permit him to approach. Both sides watched with interest the fate of this lone rider as it mirrored their own.
The group standing on this high tower had the best view. They were the first to see a Hun guard step forward and motion for Josef to approach slowly. The guard immediately took the reins assuming control of Josef’s horse while another guard seized the parley flag. The flag was the first of many spoils of war. The surrounding guards expected Josef’s head would be the second trophy.
The guard holding the reins motioned for Josef to dismount, kneel, and extend the leather cylinder upward. Josef quickly obeyed.
A powerful warrior emerged from the largest tent and strode toward Josef. The surrounding horsemen quickly backed their mounts to clear a wide path. This was Attila himself.
Attila reached Josef and barely glanced down at him. Josef wisely kept his head bowed and his eyes lowered. Attila took the leather cylinder, broke the seal and removed the parchment from the inside.
Josef noticed that when Attila first grasped the cylinder the Hun leader’s body seemed to stiffen. Glancing cautiously upward Josef saw Attila’s hand had a subtle tremble in it. Strange, thought Josef.
Attila looked at the message, then lifted his head to stare across the field at the tower holding the duke and the mage. He read the message a second time. Twice he shook his head as if chasing bothersome flies away.
He then acknowledged the parley request with a few short sentences. He spoke in Latin to the kneeling Josef, “I accept the parley but with conditions.” Continuing in Latin he gave the conditions. The conditions were clear, there was no diplomatic subtlety in his words.
Josef was stunned at the barbarian’s use of Latin. Apparently, Attila had an education beyond horses and battles. With his head still bowed Josef confirmed Attila’s return message.
When the Hun leader turned and went back into his tent, the guard holding the reins motioned for Josef to mount. As he rose in the stirrup, he felt his legs and hands trembling. He was barely able to mount without falling. The stress he had controlled was now beginning to take its toll.
Once mounted, he moved past the Hun horsemen at a walking pace. He felt the Huns’ eyes boring into his back, they had expected his head as a second trophy and were clearly confused and disappointed.
Both the Hun guards and the duke’s army were captivated by this exchange. The Hun had never seen their leader accept or honor any message to parley. Both sides had expected to see Josef pulled down, then made sport of. The duke’s army felt a tremor of hope. Could the mage have worked his magic?
Chapter 78
Attila Responds
The mage quickly descended from the tower and waited for the slower duke to join him. The two proceeded back to the duke’s tent where they met up with the returning Josef. Josef dismounted, waiting for the duke to question him. Instead the mage engaged him, “I assume you have a message, other than we will all die?”
A still shaking Josef answered, “Indeed, my mage. Their leader seemed both puzzled and intrigued by your message, he read it several times. Your message led him to focus on our camp and tower.
“Fortunately for me he seemed oblivious to my presence until he spoke to me. I was shocked that he spoke in Latin. The man is more than he appears.”
The creature was annoyed at Josef’s failure to simply deliver the Hun leader’s message, “We are all pleased you survived, now give us the message!”
“He has agreed to the parley, however, there is a condition attached.” Josef was now visibly trembling, he was uncomfortable passing the message.
Annoyed at the continued delay the mage commanded, “Speak up man! Deliver the message.”
Josef quietly answered, “While he accepts a parley, the message is an insult. His condition is an insult.”
The duke felt the fog lift slightly as the mage was now intently staring at Josef. Whatever his mage had written had created a miracle. The duke began to ask again about the message but found questions could not come out of his throat.
“What is this condition?”
“Sir, perhaps it would be best shared without an audience,” Josef stammered.
The mage’s eyes briefly flared then he quietly said, “Tell us right now.”
“He will accept our unconditional surrender but expects an immediate, visible display of the duke’s fealty to him.”
“Continue. How will this test of fealty be demonstrated?” Josef realized the mage was looking at him with cold, hard, flickering red eyes. He felt like a confused dog being reprimanded by its master.
“The duke must run hard without armor or weapon across the field to Attila’s camp. He must run holding his personal flag high in his left hand. Upon reaching the camp he must kneel and wait for Attila to accept his flag.”
“Did this barbarian demand our lord come alone, or can he be accompanied by his advisor?” asked the mage.
“Sir, he did not say. I was not in a position to ask him questions, I was a simple messenger. Any question from me could have been considered an insult and the last thing I wanted to do was cause an insult to alter the parley.”
The mage nodded and Josef noted the eyes had lost their red flicker, “Wise of you, messenger, I understand why our lord chose you.”
The mage turned to the duke and said, “Sire, with your permission I will accompany you. I have knowledge of the barbarian’s language and customs and will be an asset. In any case, your fate is my fate and I always choose to stand by your side. Should we enter your tent and inform the captains of the next step?” The duke simply nodded.
Inside the tent the captains had been listening and were speculating on the parley role the mage was taking. The captains greatly respected the mage’s commitment to enter the lion’s den with his lord. They knew they were all bound for the lion’s den, but possibly their mage could once again outmaneuver a stronger opponent. The captains softly clapped their fists together to applaud the mage’s bravery.
Chapter 79
Into the Lion’s Den
The squires prepared the duke for the run. He was rid of the armor and stood wearing only the protective leather coat. Even dressed in only the coat, he projected a massive size and power.
The mage gave another suggestion, “Sire, I suggest we sit and build our energy back up. Stress drains energy and you must project confidence and power when you engage this Attila. We should also drink much water. Water, more than wine, is the true friend of physical and mental power.” Again the captains nodded their heads at the mage’s wise advice.
The duke nodded and immediately chairs and filled cups were brought. Once seated both men lifted their cups and drained them. Looking at the duke the mage said, “My final advice is to drink another cup. This Attila will likely keep us waiting in the hot sun to study how we control our bodies. If he finds you wanting in any way, he will end the parley with our heads on a pike.”
The cups were quickly re
filled and drained a second time. Prepared as best they could, the two proceeded toward the tower and the barricade of overturned wagons. Looking across the field they saw a long line of mounted Hun horsemen elevated in their stirrups. Clearly these were senior officers having the best view of the giant running like a scared field rabbit. They would enjoy the giant’s run, his likely trips on overturned clumps and pot holes and possible collapse. The morning promised great entertainment.
The duke’s subdued army watched the relaxed Hun horsemen. They were clearly enjoying the morning’s entertainment. They passed leather bags of the mild alcoholic drink kumis among themselves, toasted their past bravery, and made bets. After their assumed battle victory, they would consume large amounts of arkhi, a much stronger drink.
The duke was now standing outside his defensive barricade. He raised his personal battle flag high in the air, then he appeared to shake it. Several Hun captains read this as an insult and a challenge. A look from Attila stopped their desire to charge forward.
Attila watched as the two men began their long field run. He had become a battle master by maintaining control of his emotions and he demanded the same control from his captains. He had seen many younger warriors rush forward to attack, become outflanked and isolated, then cut down.
Attila watched the massive warrior running across the wide field. The man was a true giant, broad-shouldered and heavily muscled. Big, strong, and quick to slow. We easily cut these men down in battle, he thought.
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