by J J Moriarty
“That’s right. It was hard to fight against”, Tsy said.
Hyzou tapped his fingers against his hip. He turned to the Servant who was representing Phatmose.
“Return to Phatmose, ask him if twenty-thousand men is enough for him to defend the Khemmis from any attacks for a while. Maybe he’ll set up a defensive line outside Aheb”, Hyzou said.
The Servant bowed and did so, leaving the dark room as he disengaged from his Qi.
The Khemmis were the miles and miles of fields between Piquea and Aheb. As there were no defensive outposts between Piquea and Aheb, once Aheb fell, the next spot the Piquean army would retreat to was Piquea itself. Aheb was the last stepping stone to conquering Piquea.
If Phatmose agreed, Hyzou was going to ask him to establish a large defensive line just ten miles north of Aheb. The area was short enough that the excessive numbers would take a time to tell, and hopefully Phatmose could hold it for a while with few men.
Finally, the Servant returned.
“Your Majesty, Phatmose says he could hold the line, yes”, the Servant said.
Hyzou nodded.
“I know what we’ll do, so”, Hyzou said.
Everyone was looking at him.
“Abandon our positions along the River Gahis and the Northern Road. Retreat both to the outskirts of Aheb”, Hyzou said. “Scorch the earth along the way and leave no resources for the Lamyblans to use.”
“Sir, we’ve just held them…” Tsy began.
Hyzou raised his hand to seek silence.
“That will all be done by Piquean troops. Every Servant of Qi will be mounted and head east. Fourteen thousand of us”, Hyzou said. “We’ll be split into sixteen divisions, each will then split into twenty groups of fifty Servants. We’ll use the same feint that just fooled Kyrios Nerikare, but in reverse.”
“I’m confused, sir”, Vorska said.
“Instead of pretending to rout, and then counter attacking, we’ll attack, then rout”, Hyzou said.
“Now I’m very confused”, Safia said.
“It’s brilliant”, Sparrow said.
“You just said that Prince Menes has trained his army to spread wide and break into small groups whenever they’re attacked. Presumably if the fourteen thousand Servants charge at his army, then Prince Menes will immediately form the same tactic”, Hyzou said.
“I’d imagine so”, Tsy said.
“And don’t you see? What better way for an army of Servants to win? When fighting man-to-man a trained Servant is worth twenty ordinary men. Prince Menes is going to split his army up until they’re basically fighting man-to-man”, Hyzou said.
“We can massacre them”, Tsy said.
“That’s the plan”, Hyzou said.
“That may just work”, Sparrow said.
“If this goes well we could kill three fifths of the Pharaoh’s army”, Hyzou said. “If enough Servants survive, and Phatmose holds the line, then we could win.”
“This is risky”, Yan said.
“Why? It’s brilliant”, Tsy said.
“Yan is right. We’ll be leaving the city of Piquea unguarded. Leaving twenty thousand normal men to defend against two hundred thousand under the control of Nerikare. They’ll struggle to defend it. Even for a short while”, Hyzou said.
“We’ve got no other option. Winning this war was always going to involve taking risks”, Sparrow said.
Hyzou nodded.
“We’ll do it then. This is our next move”, Hyzou said.
Nods across the group.
“Very well, prepare and get back to me with any problems”, Hyzou said.
“Yes, Your Majesty”, and “Yes, sir”, came the replies.
Hyzou left the ekstasis last and submerged in his tent. It was a simple construction. In the corner a simple feather and fur bed was lying on the ground. There was a large meeting table, and another table covered in stone tablets. The walls of the tent were bare, the inside of the tent only dimly lit by the light of the fire burning directly outside.
“I think Gemenfkon wants you to take on a handmaiden”, Safia said.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed. Her bump was beginning to show.
“Where did that come out of? I told him no”, Hyzou said.
“I have one”, Safia said.
“Back in Piquea you do”, Hyzou said.
“You’re the Emperor. Do you really need to make your own bed? Empty your own buckets?” Safia asked.
“I don’t think bed-making is what most people have handmaidens for”, Hyzou said.
“Tsy has one. Actually, I think all the men on the council have them”, Safia said.
“They do. So do the women”, Hyzou said.
“I don’t think Vorska and Yan use their handmaidens for the same purpose”, Safia said.
“Yan does”, Hyzou said.
“Really? How do you know?” Safia said.
“After we had beaten Kyrios Nuya’s army in Aheb, I walked in on her without letting her know. She was on the ground with another woman”, Hyzou said.
“Who? Another Servant?” Safia asked.
“No, I think she was a slave who belonged to Kyrios Nuya”, Hyzou said.
“That’s bizarre. And how were they doing it?” Safia asked.
“The slave was using her mouth”, Hyzou said.
“Oh. Shumur always used to do that…”
Safia caught herself just as she was saying it. Her face turned bright red and she began to shiver. She looked like she had just swallowed poison.
“Safia”, Hyzou said.
She turned her face away from him. She began to shake. Hyzou got up and walked over to her, kneeling right beside her.
“It’s fine, Safia”, Hyzou said.
Safia shook her head. Sweat was appearing on her brow.
Hyzou took her hand.
“He’s dead”, Hyzou said.
Safia snapped her hand out of his and recoiled from him, but she calmed down.
“Look at me Safia, you need to try and own your envy. He’s dead. I fucking butchered him”, Hyzou said.
Safia finally looked at him. Her eyes were wild, though the fear was lessoning in them with every second.
“I didn’t mean to. It’s so embarrassing”, Safia whispered.
“You never said it. I’ll forget you said it”, Hyzou said.
Safia sighed. She reached over and took his hand.
“So, what were we talking about?” Safia said.
“Whether I should get a handmaiden”, Hyzou said.
“Oh, and you said you didn’t want one”, Safia said.
Hyzou nodded.
“Gemenfkon does a lot of my day-to-day organising. And you’re the only woman I want to share my bed with”, Hyzou said.
Safia leaned over and kissed him. Then a frown crossed her face.
“Wait, as a part of the plan you just made”, Safia said. “The one with the council.”
“Yes?” Hyzou said.
His heart sunk. He was worried she had noticed some flaw in his idea.
“You said you were going to scorch the earth. That’s what you ordered Phatmose to do”, Safia said.
“Yes. He’ll scorch the earth as he retreats. Anything he can’t take with him he’ll destroy”, Hyzou said.
“No, Hyzou, you can’t do that”, Safia said.
Hyzou frowned.
“Why not?” Hyzou asked.
“So, what, he’ll sow the fields with lye?” Safia asked.
Hyzou nodded.
“He’ll also destroy chariots, kill and burn livestock, poison wells”, Hyzou said.
Safia looked horrified.
“Hyzou. These are your people”, Safia said.
“What do you mean?” Hyzou asked.
“The land he’s going to scorch. Your people need it. Piqueans you swore you’d protect. It’s your duty to protect them”, Safia said.
“This is done to protect the Piqueans”, Hyzou said.
“No. I
won’t have it. This can’t happen”, Safia said.
“Why not?” Hyzou asked.
“How many people will be left behind when Phatmose’s line withdraws? A hundred thousand? Three hundred thousand? Five? Have you even thought about them? What will they drink? What will they eat?” Safia asked.
“This is war Safia”, Hyzou said.
“You’ll starve them. You’ll starve them all”, Safia said.
“Safia, it’s not that simple”, Hyzou said.
“The Supreme Commander. You did all this, you entered into this war because of the Supreme Commander. You dragged me into this war because of the Supreme Commander”, Safia said.
“Dragged?” Hyzou said.
“Yes, dragged. I love you Hyzou, and I ignored that you massacred a hundred people, and started one of the most violent wars in history, because I love you. And because I know you did it for a reason. You did it because it was right”, Safia said.
“It was right. I had to act”, Hyzou said.
“But now you’re no different from the Supreme Commander. You’re just the same as he is”, Safia said.
Hyzou stepped away from Safia. He felt rage flow through him.
“What did you say? How dare you”, Hyzou said.
“How dare I? How dare I what, tell the truth? The Supreme Commander was starving masses of Piqueans so that he could feed an army so that he could win a war. What are you doing Hyzou?” Safia said.
“This is different!” Hyzou shouted.
“How?” Safia asked. “You’re starving a mass of Piqueans so you can win a war.”
“I’m doing it for the good of Piquea!” Hyzou said.
“I’m sure the starving and diseased children will be delighted to hear that”, Safia said.
“I’m not like him. He did a lot more than just starve the Piqueans. He was demented, a madman determined to exterminate the Piquean”, Hyzou said.
“Very well then. You’re neither insane nor inadequate. Apart from that, you’re just like him”, Safia said.
“Fuck you”, Hyzou said.
“Is that the only defence you can muster?” Safia asked.
Hyzou was about to snap his reply, but instead he breathed deeply and tried to centre himself.
“No”, Hyzou murmured.
“No what?” Safia asked.
“No. It’s not the only defence I can muster. I can explain it”, Hyzou said.
Safia crossed her legs.
“Go ahead”, Safia said.
“Kyrios Nerikare and Pharaoh Ganymedes are going to take control of all that land. They’ll have an invading army of nearly two hundred thousand to feed. Am I right?” Hyzou asked.
“That’s true”, Safia said.
“Sparrow has burned the rice stores in northern Lamybla, so the Pharaoh knows he’s low on food and supplies”, Hyzou said. “What will he do when he conquers the Piquean land?”
“Seize all the food”, Safia said.
“Everything. He’ll starve the whole populace and take anyone fit to work and work them to death. So you see, unless we burn every rice shed and leave every pig and cow to the vultures, it’ll all go to the Pharaoh. Anything left undestroyed will belong to the Pharaoh”, Hyzou said. “By not scorching the earth, we’re gifting it to Pharaoh Ganymedes.”
Hyzou waited for Safia to react. Finally, she rolled her eyes and groaned.
“What?” Hyzou asked.
“Silence. I don’t want to hear you talk about this anymore”, Safia said.
Hyzou laughed. He kissed Safia, then undid her grey cloak, throwing it to the floor.
CHAPTER SIX
They had another day of rest before the Servants set off for a long, hard ride. Hyzou rode beside Safia, and within hours the four thousand or so Servants of Qi under his control had left the Northern Road long behind them.
They rode in their four divisions. Hyzou wouldn’t divide them again until their attack on Prince Menes’ line. Before that, they had to travel about a hundred and fifty miles.
They took it only at a walk, three horses to each Servant. This meant that slowly, the Servants fighting in Phatmose’s army by the river bank could catch up with them. It only took two days. On the third day, they met up with Tsy’s five and a half thousand Servants, who were retreating before Prince Menes’ army.
Tsy looked broken and exhausted, all his men coated in dust, dirt and blood. The old Archai came to Hyzou and didn’t even bother dismounting before he spoke.
“Your Majesty”, he said.
Tsy bowed his head.
“Tsy. How far is the enemy from here?” Hyzou asked.
“It’s complicated”, Tsy said.
“What do you mean?” Safia asked.
She was at Hyzou’s side.
“You’re very pregnant for such harsh freeriding, Your Royal Highness”, Tsy said.
“I’ll be fine”, Safia said.
Tsy shrugged.
“You were about to explain how far the enemy are from here”, Hyzou said.
“It’s complicated. Prince Menes has fragmented his army. His scouts are just two hours away, and the vanguard is just a day away. The bulk of his army is nearly a week away though”, Tsy said.
Hyzou smiled.
“That’s perfect”, Hyzou said.
“Is it?” Tsy said.
“Yes. We prepare as if we’re about to launch a wedge attack right at the vanguard, and ride towards them, but slowly. Then, Prince Menes’ scouts will return to the main army as quickly as they can and tell him that we’re attacking. Prince Menes will fragment his army completely, and then we’ll be there”, Hyzou said.
“How do you want this done?” Tsy asked.
“How close to the vanguard can we get in our wedge formation and still be able to break and go entirely around them?” Hyzou asked.
Tsy smiled.
“The vanguard is designed as a spearhead. So pretty close, if you ask me”, Tsy said.
“How close”, Hyzou said.
“A mile, I think”, Tsy said. “Maybe less.”
“A mile?” Hyzou said. “You’re insane.”
“No. He’s not”, Safia said.
“A mile, to change formation, while both armies are moving at pace? That will give us a minute, at maximum”, Hyzou said.
“The horses can handle that easily. The question is whether the soldiers can be instructed correctly so they can manage that”, Safia said.
Tsy laughed.
“I can get the men ready for it”, Tsy said.
“This is madness”, Hyzou said.
“It’s not”, Tsy said. “It’s perfect.”
Hyzou stopped to think about it.
“A messenger has been sent to Prince Menes telling him we plan to engage with his army head on. By the time the vanguard realises what’s happening, they won’t be able to get a message to Prince Menes because we’re moving faster than any messenger they can provide”, Safia said.
“A complete surprise attack”, Hyzou said.
“You know you can only win this war by being bold, Hyzou”, Tsy said. “Imagine the damage we can do to Prince Menes if he doesn’t know we’re coming in time, if he doesn’t know we’ve spread out over miles”, Tsy said.
“If they’re spread out. Tiny squads of infantry, we could halve them within days”, Hyzou said.
“Then within weeks we could obliterate them”, Tsy said.
“This is madness”, Hyzou said. “It’s too close.”
“Do it”, Safia said. “You know it’s the answer.”
Hyzou sighed.
“Ok. Safia ready the horses now, you have a day. Tsy, same goes for you. Ready the men”, Hyzou said.
Both bowed and headed off to do their duty.
Hyzou slowed the horses to a walk, while messengers shot up and down the body of the force issuing instructions.
It took half the day, but Tsy and Safia managed to form all fourteen divisions into one gigantic wedge, with everyone ready to diverge
when the moment came.
They upped the pace to a trot.
As evening settled around them, the enemy finally appeared on the horizon. They were just a distant blur, but as the evening progressed, they came closer and closer. As they approached, Hyzou saw their formation, marching in the shape of a spearhead. At the very front were men clad in heavy armour.
They planned to clash with Hyzou’s army head on. This was the vanguard, infantrymen numbering thirty-five thousand. They were as compact as they could be, hoping to hold off the force of a future collision.
When they were no more than three miles away, Hyzou gave the order and sped up into a gallop. He was riding at the very point of the wedge, leading into battle. The others followed him.
The vanguard began to loosen javelins and stones at them, but they were too far away, and the missiles landed mutely on the grass before them. Hyzou crouched down on the back of his stallion. He needed to give the absolute impression that he was ready to charge into the vanguard.
Finally, he was a mile away from the front of the enemy’s force. Hyzou screamed his order into the air, then pulled hard on his horse’s reins. The stallion checked to the right, running parallel to the enemy’s line. Hyzou was turning right into the path of his own riders, except they were all checking too. In thirty seconds, the entirety of Hyzou’s army split in two, and both halves went in opposite directions. They kept their distance of a mile from the enemy, and just went around them. The enemy were confused, and some of the fighters began to chase after the riders. However, the enemy were on foot, and the best they could do was send missiles that fell hopelessly short.
Hyzou stayed on his horse and maintained the pace and his concentration. One mistake could’ve been the end of them, they were in such a vulnerable position. However, as it happened, the manoeuvre worked perfectly and by nightfall the fourteen thousand Servants had managed to leave Prince Menes’ vanguard long behind.
While still riding, the army split up. First into the divisions of a thousand riders, then those divisions were split in twenty each, to make the smallest forces of only fifty Servants. Hyzou’s fifty Servants set off directly east, hoping to meet one of the furthest wings of Prince Menes’ army.
For the following week Hyzou rode with his company of fifty. They slept for five hours a night, setting off each day long before the sun rose in the morning sky. They had a hundred and twenty horses in their company, meaning that they could switch animals every morning to prevent them getting tired. Among their horses were mares who were on milk, so they didn’t need to care about water sources. The company just survived off the dried jerky and horse milk.