“Damn the traitorous Shinzen. This war with the Syriots isn’t over. We will need time to recover, but we will get our lands back. Time to recruit, bring in the crops, and create trouble in the occupied areas.”
The prince nodded. “And so we are to rest and refit during the rainy season.”
“No. I want you to crush the Shinzen Clan.”
Prince Sharnipur frowned as Emperor Banisu continued, his enthusiasm growing with each word.
“Don’t tell me you can’t fight in a monsoon. I have heard the legends about your Elephant Corps. You have fought in the frozen tundra, in the blinding sandstorms, through mountain passes, and in the deepest jungle. Fought and won. It’s why I hired you, after all.”
The prince shrugged, clearly torn between pride and the desire to rest his force.
“We could,” he said, “but it would not be pretty. Or cheap. And it goes against the treaty agreement.”
“You are a mercenary force,” Emperor Banisu pointed out. “You are not officially part of the Imperial Army. And as for a reward? You are aware the territory Clan Shinzen used to possess is the greatest of the three, yes?”
“I have heard that…”
“They have great wealth, both in gold, spices, and elephants. Deliver us their yields and submission and you can have half of the Shinzen nobility’s stock of elephants.”
“Ohoh,” the prince chuckled, stroking his beard. “More mouths to feed. You couldn’t imagine the effort it takes to take care of them and they leave dung heaps the size of small mountains. Still… half…” he seemed lost in thought. “And what’s to stop me taking them all?”
“Officially, I will release you from service to me,” Emperor Banisu continued, ignoring the question. “When you report back, I will present your force with three months’ salary. I will also send a man with you to assess the figures. If you take more than half, the deal is off. If he dies and cannot verify your account, the deal is off.”
“People die in my army all the time,” the prince snorted.
“See that he doesn’t.”
“Hmm.” Prince Sharnipur fell into silence for several long moments, lost in thought, as the circle of nobles emptied. “And if I refuse?”
“I will invade Shinzen territory with my own forces.”
“The Syriots wouldn’t like that one bit.”
Emperor Banisu shrugged. The light faded again as more clouds blocked out the sun above.
“They will see through this plan even if I claim to be an independent mercenary. They are not stupid, these Syriots.”
Emperor Banisu scowled as he felt the chill in the air.
The first rains will fall soon and there is still so much to do.
“I very much doubt they will stick to the exact terms of the treaty either. I may be young but I’m not an idiot.”
The Gutharan mercenary paced the ground back and forth. Emperor Banisu felt a tingle of fear inside of him. If Prince Sharnipur refused, Emperor Banisu’s position would be in grave danger. He would be completely surrounded by foes, facing dissent from within, and without the prince’s impressive army to rely on.
His forces saved us all. The nobility would hate to admit it, but Prince Sharnipur knows it’s true, and I need his elephant soldiers and the allegiance of Clan Shinzen if I am to have any hope of lasting out the year.
Prince Sharnipur came to a sudden halt and at his smile Banisu felt the weight of empire lift a fraction.
“I will do it. By the time the monsoon has ended, Clan Shinzen will be yours.”
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