by J J Moriarty
Hyzou of Nuyin was the first man to hold his Servants in reserve and use only normal humans in his infantry. The tutor would remind his pupil therefore that the Pharaoh likely didn’t order a retreat until too late because he couldn’t understand what was happening before his eyes. That is, until the damage became such that it was too late in any case.
***
Though neither side counted, because why waste now valuable men on such a pointless exercise, the death tolls were incomprehensible. More than ninety-thousand dead men, all within a space no bigger than four square miles.
After that day the edge of the Khemmis would be the most fertile patch of soil in the world for more than a hundred years.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I’m hoping this meeting can be brief, I’m exhausted”, Hyzou said.
“As we all are, Your Majesty”, Vorska said. “But you should meet this messenger from the east.”
“And I’m worried about disease”, Yan said.
“And I’m worried about our soldiers”, Tsy said.
“Ok, ok, it’s going to be a long afternoon. Tsy, speak”, Hyzou said.
“The men are exhausted. We lost a thousand soldiers from our phalanxes, and the Servants are injured and fatigued”, Tsy said. “You can’t ask them to march soon. Please delay, sir.”
“I’m tired too, and we’ve emergencies to deal with. So yes, I’ll allow at least a week before we travel next. That can change, obviously, but for the moment everyone will be given a week off”, Hyzou said.
“Thank you, sir”, Tsy said.
“Now, Yan”, Hyzou said.
“Those bodies are already beginning to rot in the heat. How long until their diseases spread through the water?” Yan asked.
“How long will it take to quarantine the edge of the Khemmis from the surrounding water? I don’t want the diseases to spread to the Gahis or a plague could run through Piquea”, Hyzou said.
“It could be done in a few days, sir, if you gave me enough men”, Yan said.
“Take what you need. Digging will be tough but we have slaves left over from constructing our defences. Will you use a trench?” Hyzou asked.
“Yes, a giant trench around the area should be enough”, Yan said.
“Good, take whatever men you need”, Hyzou said.
Yan arose.
“I’ll begin now, if you don’t mind”, Yan said.
“Go. The sooner the better”, Hyzou said.
Yan left the council room.
“That was surprisingly painless”, Hyzou said.
“Wasn’t it?” Safia said.
“Now Vorska, you have a visitor you want me to see”, Hyzou said.
“I’ll go get him”, Vorska said.
She left the room. Hyzou leaned back in his chair and tried not to sleep. He’d been up all night.
His army had killed so many Lamyblans that when the Pharaoh called retreat, there weren’t enough Lamyblan soldiers left to bring all his equipment back with him to Aheb. Thousands of chariots and carts were left behind, and Hyzou spent all night overseeing that it was all brought back to Piquea.
He asked Phatmose how many of the Piquean soldiers could drive a chariot and had been pleasantly to surprise that almost all could. When Phatmose had been the leader of South Piquea, he had made sure all his men were well trained for war and that included driving a war chariot. Hyzou set Phatmose the task of training him up five thousand chariot drivers, making sure they could use the Lamyblan chariots and were ready for battle.
The guest walked in. He was a regal looking man, but Hyzou couldn’t really see his face. He wore a lace veil over his face, and Hyzou could only see the silhouette within. He wore a flowing red dress, gilded in places, with jewels strategically placed at his collar and cuffs.
Hyzou stood, and the envoy bowed. Hyzou clapped aloud.
“Gemenfkon”, Hyzou said.
The old man came in from the room next door.
“Yes, Your Majesty”, Gemenfkon said.
“Please, could you see to it that everyone has something to drink and something simple to eat?” Hyzou said. “We have a guest.”
“Certainly, sir”, Gemenfkon said. “I’ll return in a few moments.”
Gemenfkon bowed, then left.
“I’m sorry, I don’t speak Drascian”, Hyzou said.
“That’s fine, Your Majesty. I speak Lamyblan”, the envoy said. “Would it offend you if I were to speak to you in Lamyblan? Otherwise your nice Vizier could translate for me.”
“You come speaking our enemy’s tongue. You’re lucky I’m a kind man”, Hyzou said.
The envoy laughed.
“What’s your name?” Hyzou asked.
“Ugyek”, the envoy said. “I’m pleased to meet you. I’ve come here to give you this.”
Ugyek reached into his dress and took out a very small box. He turned to Vorska and said something to her in Drascian, to which she replied. The language was strange, very guttural and not musical at all. Vorska took the box and returned to her chair. She leaned over and gave the box to Hyzou.
“Thank you”, Hyzou said.
“You’re welcome”, Ugyek said.
Hyzou opened the box. Inside was a beautiful brooch, made of a piece of polished iron with a ruby set within.
“I’m sure you have heard of our mines, the only place in Sira Su where you can find rubies”, Ugyek said.
“The stone is beautiful”, Safia said.
“It’s for you”, Hyzou said.
He handed the box over to her.
“Ow, thank you”, she said.
Safia kissed his cheek. She closed the box and left it on the table before her.
“A brooch fit for a Queen”, Ugyek said.
“Please, take a seat”, Hyzou said.
Ugyek did so.
“I assume you’re not here just to exchange pleasantries and gifts”, Hyzou said.
“No sir, I am here on behalf of Anchev, the King of Drascia”, Ugyek said.
“I know Anchev, he’s the one whose soldiers have been attacking mine”, Hyzou said.
“That’s true, we’ve been at war lately. But I do not think we are enemies”, Ugyek said.
“You just lost a lot of men to my slingers in battle, am I supposed to believe that the Drascians bear me no ill-will?” Hyzou asked.
“None at all. The majority of Drascians had yet to charge when the Pharaoh shouted his retreat”, Ugyek said.
“How big is your army?” Hyzou said.
“Forty thousand men”, Ugyek said.
“Forty thousand?” Hyzou asked.
“Yes, sir”, Ugyek said.
“So nearly half of all the soldiers the Pharaoh has left are Drascians?” Hyzou asked. “Why would the Pharaoh do that? He should have sent Drascian and Yoboan soldiers in as the vanguard.”
“He should have, but he didn’t. His Nobles were eager to take your head. They thought victory was certain and didn’t want King Anchev to achieve the glory”, Ugyek said.
“These forty-thousand men, who’s leading them?” Hyzou said.
“King Anchev the Third, sir. He was merely a Prince when he set out to the River Cities but his father died several months ago, and so he was named the King while he was here fighting”, Ugyek said.
“Why did the King send you?” Hyzou said. “You’re speaking very frankly for someone who is supposed to be an enemy.”
“The old King, may he rest well, made a difficult decision to support the Pharaoh. He wanted to see Drascia be independent more than anything, but the city was falling apart. The decline began long before he took over, but the Kingdom fell apart under his reign. We cannot protect our borders from the tribes in the east, let alone against the Servants of Qi. The old king thought the only way to win this fight was by teaming up with the Pharaoh and crushing you before you began. He thought it was the only way to protect Drascia against you”, Ugyek said.
“I have no desire to conquer Drascia”, Hyzou said.
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“I’m sure, sir. But Empires have a habit of growing once they’ve started, and Drascia is likely the next one to be on your list. So, the dead King thought, at least”, Ugyek said.
“Does the new King agree?” Hyzou said.
“He believes that the winner of this Kheme civil war will invade Drascia”, Ugyek said.
“The Pharaoh is the only one interested in that”, Hyzou said.
“King Anchev would like to enter into an agreement with you. An alliance between Drascia and Piquea. You will give him hostages and most of the land currently ruled by Yobo. In return he will give you forty thousand men”, Ugyek said.
His advisors looked at him. Hyzou could sense they wanted this. The Piqueans were still outnumbered five to one by the Lamyblans. How many more brutal and bloody victories would be required before Piquea could be said to be winning? Two of the greatest military victories in living history, in the Battle of the West Country and the Battle of the Khemmis, but still, Hyzou and his men were surrounded, outnumbered, hungry, and holding only to their city and nearby territory.
They wanted him to say yes.
“No”, Hyzou said.
“Your Majesty?” Ugyek asked.
“Hyzou”, Safia whispered.
“No. There will be no alliance between Drascia and Piquea”, Hyzou said.
“Sir, you haven’t heard the terms…” Ugyek began.
“The Drascian army can fight with Pharaoh Ganymedes, maintain that alliance, and die en masse on Kheme soil. Or you can go home and wait for this war to end. Those are the terms”, Hyzou said.
“And what about you, whether you’ll invade upon winning the war in the River Cities?” Ugyek said.
“You have my word that I won’t”, Hyzou said.
“Your word, sir”, Ugyek said.
“Is there a problem?” Hyzou said.
“Well, in return for abandoning our alliance with the Pharaoh we would require solid reassurances, hostages, and control over territories that once belonged to Yobo”, Ugyek said.
“I’ll give you none of that. Either go, or don’t go. But there won’t be an alliance between our nations. Forty thousand men is a cheap price”, Hyzou said.
“We’ll still fight you then, we still outnumber you”, Ugyek said.
“If you still thought that outnumbering me was a sure way to beat me you wouldn’t be here speaking to me”, Hyzou said. “But go ahead, I’ll see you on the battlefield. And I thank you for the brooch.”
Ugyek rose. Just as he was doing so, the door to the room opened, and Gemenfkon entered with a line of children behind him. They were carrying trays, on each of which were nuts and fish and flasks full of beer. Gemenfkon poured everyone a cup. Ugyek stayed standing while the table was set with the food and the drink. He didn’t move.
Finally, when Gemenfkon and the slaves left, Ugyek sat back down.
“What if different terms were offered?” Ugyek said.
“Different terms?” Hyzou asked.
“Different terms. Tell me what would achieve peace between our two nations, and I’ll do my best to make sure the King agrees with it”, Ugyek said.
“This empire is not one country. No, we are an amalgamation of two Crown Cities, Piquea and Uqing. The only thing both those nations have in common is that they are ruled by the House of Nuyin”, Hyzou said.
Ugyek kept listening. Finally, he realised that Hyzou had finished.
“Sorry sir, I don’t understand what you’re saying”, Ugyek said.
“Under my rule Piqueans are Piqueans. They worship whatever gods they may choose and speak whatever language they wish to speak. The same is true of Uqing. I am not the Pharaoh, I do not wish to see my subjects created in my own image. Drascia may join”, Hyzou said.
“Join your Empire?” Ugyek asked.
“Yes. King Anchev will abdicate and I will assume his throne. In return I’ll name him my Viceroy, and he’ll rule Drascia in all but name. Nothing in Drascia will change, but for the requirement to give me a tribute regularly. In return, your borders will be secure and your peoples will be safe”, Hyzou said.
Ugyek looked shocked. He wasn’t the only one.
“If you’re to choose between Pharaoh Ganymedes and me, know that I am the much better choice”, Hyzou said.
“I… I don’t know what to say”, Ugyek said.
“Do you not think your King would accept?” Hyzou asked.
“You don’t even speak Drascian”, Ugyek said.
“Vorska does. And King Anchev does”, Hyzou said.
Ugyek ran his fingers through his hair.
“There’s only one way this can work”, Ugyek said.
“Really?” Hyzou asked.
“King Anchev has many brothers. He has only one sister, a girl that has seen eleven summers. She will have to marry you”, Ugyek said.
Hyzou chuckled.
“I’m afraid I’m already married”, Hyzou said.
He looked at Safia. She wasn’t smiling back at him.
“Only once though, correct?” Ugyek said.
“I’ll only ever take one wife”, Hyzou said.
Ugyek looked confused.
“But why?” Ugyek said.
“Oh nonsense”, Safia said.
Hyzou could hear her voice quaking with anger.
“He’ll marry the Drascian, if that’s what it takes for Drascia to accept his rule”, Safia said.
“Excellent”, Ugyek said. “I will return to propose this to the King.”
Safia got up and left the room.
“Wait”, Hyzou said after her.
She didn’t wait. Hyzou sighed.
“How will the King take it?” Hyzou asked.
“The more I think about it the more likely I think it’ll be a yes”, Ugyek said.
Hyzou sighed.
“Very well. You return to your King with that proposal and make sure he says yes. Stay, eat, the rest of the council would love to entertain you I’m sure”, Hyzou said.
He got out of his chair.
“But I must go to my sleep”, Hyzou said. “I haven’t slept enough lately. Not at all.”
They all rose and bowed while he left. Ugyek called after him how happy he was to have met him. Hyzou ignored them all.
He found Safia in the twins’ room, sobbing on the floor.
“Hello”, Hyzou said.
Safia didn’t turn around to face him before she spoke.
“You know, if you don’t want me anymore maybe we should just end it. If it would make you happy”, Safia said.
“End what?” Hyzou said.
“Us. This marriage”, Safia said.
“Safia, what?” Hyzou said.
“You heard me”, Safia said.
“I don’t want to marry some child who doesn’t even speak a language I speak. I want to marry you”, Hyzou said. “Only you.”
“We’re married”, Safia said.
“And it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me”, Hyzou said.
Safia remained silent.
“I’m not going to marry this girl. I’m not. I told you, I’d marry you, and only you. Only one wife, only one mother to my children”, Hyzou said.
Safia scoffed.
“Do you think I’m going to stand in the way of winning this war? Fuck you Hyzou of Nuyin. You know I’d never agree to that”, Safia said.
“You’re not in the way. I don’t want to share my bed with anyone else”, Hyzou said.
“Really? I’m sure once you meet her you might change your mind. Drascian women are quite pretty”, Safia said.
“Safia could you turn around?” Hyzou said.
She did so, staying seated on the floor. Her eyes were alight with anger.
“Do you think I’m that shallow?” Hyzou asked.
Safia glared at him.
“If they’re not you, I don’t want to sleep with them”, Hyzou said.
Safia got up and left the room. Hyzou followed her, grabbed her arm to
stop her getting away from him.
“This does seem very convenient for you”, Safia said.
“What do you mean?” Hyzou said.
“You promise me you’ll marry no one else”, Safia said. “Then you make a peace treaty that’s conditional on you marrying someone else. You play the martyr and pretend you won’t sign the treaty because of my feelings. That leaves me having to give you permission to marry someone else.”
“That’s not what’s happening”, Hyzou said.
“It’s exactly what’s happening”, Safia said.
She pushed him.
“It’s exactly what’s happening, and I’m going to have to instruct you to marry someone else, to fuck someone else. I’ll do it, but know that I’m not happy about it. I’m not going to smile while you turn me into another piece of furniture in your harem”, Safia said.
“Safia”, Hyzou said.
“I’m heartbroken Hyzou, can’t you see that? Things have changed between us, you know. I don’t think they can ever go back to how they were”, Safia said.
“Safia”, Hyzou said.
He grabbed her, but she was too lithe and she slipped from his grasp. She began to leave the hallway.
“Don’t you understand, I have to do this”, Hyzou said.
Safia stopped walking away. She turned to him, her face livid again.
“Let’s talk about that then”, Safia said, in a tone that indicated she wanted nothing less than to talk about it.
“I mean, you were there. You saw it, he even said the only way the deal would pass is if I marry her. I didn’t come up with the idea”, Hyzou said. “I don’t know why you’re blaming me.”
“The deal? The deal? You mean your deal. The Drascians were happy to fight with you if you would guarantee their peace. Why didn’t you take that then?” Safia said.
“It was a terrible deal. They would have wanted to take one of our children and some other important people as hostages. They would have demanded Yoboan territory”, Hyzou said.