by J J Moriarty
“What about weapons? Have we many in Piquea?” Hyzou asked.
They looked nonplussed. Finally, someone spoke.
“The armoury for the Lamyblans was raided last night. They’re the only weapons we have”, he said.
“The soldiers need to be trained to use whatever weapons we have available as soon as possible. I won’t be around to drill them, but I want as many of them using the same kind of weapons as is possible. In particular, I want to see them using spears”, Hyzou said.
“Yes, Your Majesty”, Kheti said.
“How far away are the Southern Piqueans?” Hyzou asked.
“About two weeks’ marching, but maybe longer because they were not aware that they were about to be summoned”, Gardem said.
“You need to tell them to hurry. The Pharaoh won’t delay”, Hyzou said.
“When do you expect him to strike?” Satiah asked.
“As soon as he can. He won’t even call on any of the men he has fighting in Drascia. He’ll have a Kyrios lead a force south because he thinks we’re weak. We are weak”, Hyzou said.
“How long do you think it’ll be?” Satiah asked.
“A month, at the latest. But likely to be even sooner. It may only take a week to gather some kind of military force together, and in three weeks he could gather more than ten thousand. I think that a month from today he’ll have his force ready to march. The rains are coming soon, and if we’re very lucky maybe they’ll be powerful enough to rescue us, but I think that’s unlikely. The Pharaoh will know what time of year it is, and he’ll send the fewest number of chariots he can”, Hyzou said.
“This is dangerous”, Gardem said.
Hyzou ignored him and spoke to Kheti.
“You can’t wait for them to attack you, nor will you be able to win if you meet the Lamyblan army in open battle, especially without our allies from the south”, Hyzou said.
“What do I do then?” Kheti said.
“Break your army of one or two or three thousand into six or eight different groups. Have them spread out along the Lamyblan line and follow some simple rules. Remember these”, Hyzou said.
“I’m listening, Your Majesty”, Kheti said.
“When the enemy is marching, you must retreat before him”, Hyzou said.
“I understand”, Kheti said.
“The enemy will camp”, Hyzou said.
“Then we attack”, Kheti said.
Hyzou shook his head.
“No. That’s not the answer. It’s like fighting a Colossus. You must frustrate your enemy however you can. The best way to do this is try your best to keep as many enemy soldiers awake as you can”, Hyzou said.
“How, Your Majesty?” Kheti said.
Hyzou shrugged.
“Noise, usually. But you can be creative on that front. Hassle them in other ways as well”, Hyzou said. “Disrupt their food supply, flood the roads they plan to walk over, leave the dead blocking their way. That kind of thing.”
“I understand”, Kheti said.
“Give it some time, spend several days frustrating your opponent, then, when they are tired and uncomfortable, you attack them. Spread the attack around as many points in their line as you can”, Hyzou said. “If they retreat or break, you pursue and kill as many as you can. If they stand up to your attack, you retreat.”
Kheti nodded.
“This will be done, Your Majesty”, Kheti said.
“I wish I were the one leading this attack, but I must go north, and leave as soon as I can”, Hyzou said.
“What will Uqing think?” Gardem said.
“The Archai will want to see me executed”, Hyzou said.
A gasp ran through the room.
“Your Majesty, you’re the key to everything. You’re our only hope”, Gardem said.
“An alliance with Uqing is your only hope. You can’t win this war alone”, Hyzou said.
“But without you…” Kheti began.
“With me, we won’t be able to do anything much. I’m one man, and one man can’t beat fifty thousand men, let alone the one hundred and fifty thousand troops the Pharaoh has fighting his cause in Drascia”, Hyzou said. “Our only hope is with Uqing.”
“What if they execute you?” Satiah asked.
“I’m sure King Hyzou has a plan”, Gardem said.
Hyzou shook his head.
“I don’t. My only hope lies in the trial. I will be tried by the Archai to find whether I’m guilty or not. During the trial I’ll plead for aid. I have to leave this afternoon though, to even be in a chance of succeeding and returning in time”, Hyzou said.
“You don’t sound confident”, Gardem said.
“Piquea needs us”, Hyzou said. “And while we all live still, the embers of hope still burn for our people. No matter what I think, remember this. I’ll die before I abandon Piquea.”
Gardem stood, bones creaking and fell to his knees. He began to whisper a creed over and over. He was followed by the other ten, all of whom fell to their knees and joined in the prayer.
“Gods bless the King. Gods Bless the King”, they chanted.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“You sure have some balls, returning again, Archaier”, the guard said.
Hyzou didn’t recognise him, the old Servant stationed to guard the road into Uqing, but the old Servant recognised Hyzou.
“Didn’t they sense me coming?” Hyzou asked.
“No one did, no”, the Servant said.
Sparrow is the only one who could have, but he chose not to. Hyzou thought.
“Well, you can ride with me into the Archai”, Hyzou said.
The Servant glowered.
“You’re not welcome there anymore”, he said.
“Seeing that they will want to try me, I think I’ll be very welcome there”, Hyzou said.
The Servant grunted.
“Fine, but you’re wearing this”, he said.
The Servant reached over and took a long noose from among the pile of things he had beside him.
Hyzou shook his head.
“You do! You broke your vows”, the Servant said.
Hyzou shook his head again. The Servant looked for a second like he’d try force Hyzou to wear it, but then he reconsidered.
“Your horse is half-dead”, the Servant said.
“I rode here quickly”, Hyzou said.
“I’ll say. All the sooner to see you executed”, the Servant said.
“Shouldn’t you be sending word ahead that I’ve arrived”, Hyzou said.
“I don’t take ekstasis around dangerous people”, he said.
Hyzou rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket.
“Very well, I’ll announce it myself”, Hyzou said.
“Wait!” The Servant said. “I’ll do it, just tie your hands down while I take it.”
“No”, Hyzou said.
The Servant was angry but there was little he could do.
Hyzou waited while this lonesome guard took ekstasis. He waited while the old man’s eyes went vacant. Finally, the eyes regained their focus.
“I’ve to take you straight to the Archai”, the Servant said.
“Lead the way”, Hyzou said.
They rode towards Uqing.
Something was different. Hyzou saw, as they climbed the mountain and approached Uqing, that the roads were packed with traffic.
“Why are there so many people heading into Uqing?” Hyzou asked.
“To see you, of course”, the Servant said.
“How many did you tell?” Hyzou asked.
“The entire Archai needs to be summoned. The word’s been spread through Uqing I’d guess”, the Servant said.
That made sense.
“You never gave me your name”, Hyzou said.
“I’m not friendly with murderers”, the Servant said.
“So dramatic. But suit yourself”, Hyzou said.
Hyzou pulled up his hood. Partially for the privacy, because the Servant had been right, the crowds were he
re to see him. As the two riders approached everyone stepped up to the road to get a glimpse of Hyzou’s face. Too, though, Hyzou had forgotten just how cold it was in Uqing. It was late spring, but every breeze made Hyzou feel like he was being skinned.
Some of those they passed on the road were aggressive, shouting names at Hyzou. Most though were silent, just trying to get a glimpse of his face. Hyzou kept his hood up along the three-mile road to the door of the Archai.
The Archai met in a small auditorium. When only half the Archai were in attendance it was far too full. Hyzou reached out with his Qi and sensed the souls inside. He counted five hundred and ninety souls inside.
The only people not inside are those who are abroad on missions. The whole of the Archai is present. Hyzou thought.
The first time since the Anarchy that that had happened. Hyzou knew that what he had done was reckless, but the entirety of the Archai being in attendance could only mean one thing.
“Has Uqing gone to war?” Hyzou asked, genuinely shocked.
“Ask him”, the Servant muttered, gruffly.
Hyzou looked ahead at where the Servant was pointing. Hyzou’s heart dropped.
Before him was a tall man, with a very strong jaw and pronounced cheekbones. His hair was receding at his scalp, and he wore what hair he had left in a ponytail.
“Archaier Sudgata. Kind of you to be here to welcome me”, Hyzou said.
Sudgata’s face showed his disgust.
“A joke. You threaten the ruin of Uqing and return only with a joke”, Sudgata said. “Get down off your horse and get over here.”
Though Hyzou was of equal rank to Sudgata, he didn’t feel this the appropriate time to remind Sudgata of that. Hyzou leaped from the back of his horse down into the snow below.
“I knew you were an arrogant fool, and even had the makings of a cruel man. But I never would have had you down as a butcher. How could you murder eighty men? Have you gone mad?” Sudgata said.
“Easily. Or, well, easily for me. You might have struggled a bit. I remember you were a bit clumsy with the sword, and you never could use your Qi on anything more than a mouse”, Hyzou said.
“Fuck you”, Sudgata said.
And even for him, the venom in his voice sounded the slightest bit overdone.
“I want a quick trial”, Hyzou said.
Sudgata smiled.
“Come with me”, Sudgata said.
He led Hyzou through the snow.
“You’ll be kept upstairs in this house here”, Sudgata said.
The crowd melted away around the two of them. Hyzou was surprised, it looked comfortable.
“And the Archai wanted you to know that your trial will begin in two hours”, Sudgata said.
There were eight Servants outside the house. Hyzou’s personal guard.
“Two hours?” Hyzou said.
“Yes, we have some pressing business to deal with”, Sudgata said.
“Do we?” Hyzou asked.
“Well, you won’t, because you’ll be dead by then. But this morning, in response to your massacre, a messenger arrived from Pharaoh Ganymedes. He declared war on Uqing, and four thousand troops were sent to seize the villages at the foothills”, Sudgata said.
“Fuck me”, Hyzou said.
“I know, you messed up everything. I hope you hang”, Sudgata said.
“No. Not that. I just didn’t think that the Pharaoh would be that stupid. He’s opened war on three fronts now. Uqing, Drascia, and South Piquea”, Hyzou said.
Sudgata’s face spasmed.
“Gods, you’re fucking happy about this”, Sudgata said. “Get into that house.”
Sudgata went to push Hyzou. Hyzou was quicker, and he grabbed Sudgata’s hand and stopped it mid-flight. Hyzou lowered his voice to a whisper.
“If the Archai see me executed, then you can be the one to tie the rope around my neck. But, until then, if you touch me, I’ll kill you”, Hyzou said.
“Madman”, Sudgata spat.
He stormed off.
“I’ll see you in two hours”, Hyzou shouted after him.
A guard was waiting by the door into Hyzou’s new house.
“Archaier”, the guard nodded.
“I’ll just step inside”, Hyzou said.
The guard indicated to let Hyzou through.
Hyzou stepped inside.
Inside it was cold, and two Servants were there to keep an eye on Hyzou. Hyzou didn’t mind though, he just found a nice spot on the icy floor and began to meditate.
He couldn’t believe his luck. He’d left Piquea with a madcap idea and a knot of anxiety in his stomach. Now, with one deft stroke, Pharaoh Ganymedes may just have saved his life.
Hyzou breathed as best he could. Anxiety was settling in his stomach, and despite the cold, sweat was gathering on his brow. Time seemed to pass like a scared puppy, afraid to come out and meet its master. Everything was as slow as it could go, and Hyzou found it hard to think of anything to do but sit and wait.
Eventually, the time for his trial came around. A Servant came to summon him, not Sudgata. Outside in the cold air six Servants formed a guard around him and began to walk him to the Archai.
She was too quick, a small slip of a thing, she ducked under the guards and landed a punch on Hyzou’s face. Hyzou sensed it coming, where the other guards could not, but he also sensed who the puncher was, so did nothing to intervene.
It was a solid blow, and it jarred his head backwards. The guards alarmed by how quickly Safia had slipped between them jumped to try and tackle her.
“Leave her. It’s fine, she’s my pupil”, Hyzou said, rubbing his jaw.
Safia looked at him and for a second seemed to be calm, then anger split her face and she went for him again. With each second word she landed a punch on him.
“All the times you told me about those vows and you go and break them and why and they’ll kill you you idiot and you’re a hypocrite and a terrible teacher”
By the end of the sentence Hyzou grabbed her shoulders to try and get her to stop. She was out of breath, but still she lunged at him. She grabbed his collar, tried to strike his face, kicked his legs. She lunged again and this time their heads butted together as she pulled him into her.
She forced her lips over his and stuck her tongue into his mouth.
The punches he’d expected, but this left him awestruck. He pulled away from her and looked at her. She was standing in the snow, her chest heaving in anger and face spasming in hate. But she had stopped hitting him.
Unsure of what to do, Hyzou just began to walk, and his guards forced her away from him. She didn’t say anything to him, and Hyzou didn’t look back at her.
The Archai was one giant auditorium, which had an antechamber attached. It had been built here generations ago because this exact spot never fell victim to avalanches. The guards brought him into the antechamber, then stepped away. A stooped old man was waiting at the door into the main chamber. He looked up at Hyzou and scowled.
“Hyzou of Nuyin, you’re late. Enter, and proceed to the pedestal in the centre. There to be tried by the Archai of Uqing”, he said.
Hyzou nodded. The heavy double doors opened and Hyzou walked in.
The chamber was far too full. This room was built to hold two hundred. The five hundred and ninety Archaiers were crushed into a warm press of people. They sat on a series of benches that wound around the circular room.
Just a foot from the edge of the benches, in the centre of the room, was a tiny pedestal. Hyzou walked over to it and stood on it. The Archaiers nearest the pedestal were just a foot away from Hyzou, seated just under his nose.
Jeers rang out through the hall. They were loud, and from where Hyzou was standing it seemed like everyone in the auditorium was booing him. Hyzou looked around for faces he might recognise. He saw Sudgata, booing loudly, but he didn’t see anyone else he knew; just a blur of faces.
Hyzou breathed deeply.
You’re doing this for Piquea. For Uqin
g. Your cities rest upon your oratory. Hyzou thought.
He went for it.
“WHAT KIND OF WELCOME IS THIS FOR ROYALTY?” Hyzou shouted at the top of his lungs.
Perhaps it was the shout, or maybe just the fact that the trial had started, but once where there were shouts and jeers, now, there was absolute silence.
In amongst the benches, there were two large chairs beside one another. A woman sat in each, and they looked like the only two here who were in any way comfortably. The one on the left, a Drascian, leaned forward to speak. She spoke in a bare whisper, but everyone in the auditorium still heard her regardless.
“Forgive me Hyzou, but I don’t understand. Who is the royalty we are welcoming?” She said.
Hyzou bowed.
“Protakyrios Vorska”, he said. “I am Hyzou of Nuyin, the first of my name and lineage. I am the King of Piquea by divine right.”
The silence was absolute. Even Protakyrios Vorska looked like she’d just been hit by a particularly large stone. No one had expected this.
Good. Push on. Hyzou thought.
“I heard the Archai of Uqing had wanted me to appear before them. I doubt Pharaoh Ganymedes would come north to answer your summons, but I did, didn’t I? Despite my royal duties, I abandoned all to come and stand before the Archai. Such is the respect I have for Uqing”, Hyzou said.
Still, no one could reply. Finally, it was Protakyrios Vorska who leaned forward to speak.
“Forgive me, Hyzou, but last I’d heard you were an Archaier”, Protakyrios Vorska said.
There were small laughs throughout the hall.
“A fortnight ago I was crowned the King of Piquea, uniting the city with South Piquea”, Hyzou said.
The woman on Protakyrios Vorska’s left leaned forward. She was Protakyrios Yan, a Xuan from the Lake Cities.
“I don’t believe it. We thought you had gone insane, but it’s much worse than that. You murdered all those people to seize power. It was a coup d’etat. You fool, now there’s no chance the Pharaoh will consider peace”, Protakyrios Yan said.
“I thought I was here to figure out whether I in fact did kill the Supreme Commander of Piquea and his staff”, Hyzou said. “All due respect, Protakyrios, but it doesn’t inspire confidence that the Archai can promote justice if the decision has already been made.”