A murmur swept the crowd and a few braves souls called out, ‘Here! Here!’
‘Silence!’ shouted Macin. ‘Brelg, you’re far to valuable to the defense of this land and its people to throw into my dungeons for your arrogance and insubordination. You will, however, be confined to your quarters in the Hold for two months time. Upon which, your unit will return to his majesty’s defense of the borderlands.’
The Duke of Ymril, whose nephew was a guard in Brelg’s unit, immediately stood and interrupted.
‘But your highness, that is far short of the usual furlough for returning guardsmen. These young men spent twice the time of any other unit at the front. Perhaps your highness might reconsider,’ said Ymril.
‘Two months time, Brelg!’ shouted Macin flashing an icy glare at Ymril. ‘And my dear duke, please return to your properties in the South on the morrow. Your quarters in the palace are dearly in need of repair and I cannot spare the room to accommodate you and your family!’
The Duke clenched his teeth and bowed to the king.
‘With your majesty’s permission, I’ll take my leave to prepare the journey. Under such time constraints it will prove a difficult undertaking,’ said Ymril.
‘Permission granted!’ snapped Macin. ‘I grow weary. That will conclude the court’s business for the day. Guards, you may escort Sergeant Brelg back to his quarters in the Hold and see that he complies with my wishes. The rest of you are dismissed.’
A close watch was kept over Brelg during his confinement. He was unable to leave his quarters and strictly forbidden from receiving visitors. His troops were allowed to return to their homes for several weeks. Cefiz remained at the Hold. He was allowed to meet with Brelg daily, often to bring him meals and consult concerning the troops’ training. Unbeknownst to Macin or the guards, Cefiz also carried a steady correspondence between the sergeant and Princess Yanwin.
After two months time, Brelg’s unit was ordered to the Pass of Hrafnu. More Ulrog than usual were traveling along the mountains through Keltaran held territory. Hunting Ulrog in Keltaran land was the most dangerous assignment a troop of Guardians had ever undertaken.
Macin ordered the unit to depart the Hold before sunrise on the morning of their sixtieth day in Zodra. The streets were empty as the unit’s horses trotted toward the gates of the city. The only sound heard in the crisp morning air was the clink of their armor and weapons. A lone, hooded figure stood next to the empty guard post.
Brelg halted and dismounted. Yanwin threw back her hood and warmly embraced him. Soft words were spoken, and the soldier dropped to his knees. The princess bent low and cradled his head in her arms, whispering in his ear. Brelg took her hand and rising he kissed it. With a nod from Yanwin, he bowed, spun on his heels and mounted his steed. Smiling to her, he ordered the troop to move out.
Three years the unit roamed the borderlands protecting the villages and towns speckling the countryside. Their legend grew. The king constantly ordered Brelg’s unit into harm’s way. The General Staff didn’t countermand his orders, but they revolted in other ways. Brelg’s units were replenished with the best recruits when their ranks thinned. Brelg was never without supplies of food and weaponry. Every village they passed took them into their homes and sat the troops at their tables. Often villages low on supplies shared the best of what they possessed with the unit. Blacksmiths and their apprentices put aside their plowshares and horseshoes and worked through the night repairing armor and short sword.
Macin never recognized the service or accomplishments of Brelg’s unit. The heralds of Zodra never spoke of them, often reporting the happenings of other’s lesser accomplishments. But in the pubs and marketplaces, stories of Brelg’s unit circulated daily. The people referred to the unit as ‘The Orphans.’
Yanwin wrote to Brelg when she was able. A training sergeant at the Hold was a comrade with Brelg. This sergeant made sure Yanwin received the names of recruits being sent to join the Orphans. These recruits never left the Hold without a packet of orders for Brelg and a letter from Yanwin.
After three years of constant battle, ‘The Orphans’ lost three quarters of its original members to injury or death, but Brelg and Cefiz held on, pulling victory from defeat on a daily basis. Yanwin grew in the favor of the people and when she traveled through the city a throng appeared around her coach. The princess tried to keep her life private, but the citizens of Zodra followed her every move. She took to wearing veils in order to protect her identity. The people referred to her as ‘The Orphan’s Widow.’
King Macin believed he squashed his daughter’s interest in Brelg. He grew out of touch with the people. His confidants were unwilling to present stories about the people’s love for his daughter and Brelg’s unit.
However, one sly young colonel focused his eye on a seat amongst the General Staff. Colonel Ellow looked hard to find leverage with the king. He took charge of the supply line to the fighting troops and proved adept at confiscating food and supplies from the citizens of Zodra. Often, more supplies were confiscated than made it to the troops. Rumors surfaced surrounding a black market in goods and weapons.
Ellow’s chance came one day when a young recruit was being prepped to join Brelg’s unit. A change was to be made in the location of the supply wagons bound for ‘The Orphans.’ Ellow demanded to see the recruit’s orders so he could change the rendezvous location. The colonel found a letter from Yanwin to Brelg bundled within the orders. Upon reading the letter, Ellow concocted his scheme.
Normally, Macin only met with members of the General Staff. Ellow knew this, but was desperate to present the letter to Macin himself. Ellow was clever and a student of the human mind. He spent his entire career intimidating and seducing. He knew the king would be in a rage. People were most open to the power of suggestion when they were at emotional extremes. Colonel Ellow sent a messenger to the king requesting a private audience, in order to ‘protect the honor and reputation of the king and his illustrious family.’
After King Macin held court the following day, he sent a runner to Ellow’s offices in the rundown river wharf area of the city. Ellow arrived at the court and was led before the king. Macin sat alone in his chambers.
‘Colonel Ellow is it?’ asked the king.
‘Yes, your Royal Highness. At your service,’ stated Ellow bowing deeply.
‘Why is it I have never heard of you, Ellow? I’m aware of most of the officers under my command,’ questioned Macin.
‘I reside in what is commonly referred to as the “underbelly” of the city, your Highness,’ snarled Ellow. ‘The wharves.’
Macin’s expression grew grave. Ellow quickly realized his mistake and his voice became like honey.
‘A position as crucial as any in the defense of our great land, your highness. A position I possessed the honor of filling for seven years now. I toil long hours making sure the troops on the front lines receive the best, my lord. After all, it is they who put their lives on the line everyday to protect us from the beast and his bloodthirsty servants.’
‘Yes. The troops are the backbone of this great land. Without their sacrifice there is no nation, no people and no king,’ stated Macin.
There was a pause as Macin reflected on his troops and their sacrifice. Ellow sensed uneasiness in the king and a profound sorrow. This was not the emotion he desired. Snap decisions were never made by the depressed. He needed to ignite this prideful man.
‘Of course, no nation or people amounts to anything without a powerful man of purpose at the helm. A man willing to force his people to make sacrifices for the good of their land. A king willing to make hard choices,’ said Ellow.
‘Quite true, Ellow. Quite true,’ stated Macin snapping out of his reflection.
‘Surely your highness is aware that his troops, those men sacrificing for his kingdom, don’t always receive the best of these lands,’ queried Ellow.
‘Yes, these rumors filter back to me from the front. The General Staff hear complaints about the
rations and armaments the front-line obtains. The Staff theorize that unscrupulous haulers create a black market for these goods. They have yet to act on their speculation.’
‘Your Majesty, I’m involved deeply in the heart of these matters and duty compels me to break the news to your royal highness,’ Ellow paused. ‘The people are to blame. They lose faith. They no longer support our defense freely. They must be coerced, nay begged for the supplies of that defense.’
‘What are you saying?’ demanded Macin. ‘The people aren’t ignorant. They understand the import of their cooperation with the king’s collectors. To shun the troops is tantamount to treason!’
‘It’s my duty to my brothers-in-arms that I reveal this devastating news to your highness. My commanders in your General Staff shun admitting the weakness of the people. They wish you to believe they will stamp out this so-called “black market”. Meanwhile our troops go hungry in the field. I don’t blame the Staff your highness. They’re soldiers, unused to dealing with matters such as this. War is their game, but wars are lost in the farm fields and warehouses of a great nation. A little waste here, a little hoarding there and a weak soldier with an empty belly dies from the chop of an Ulrog cleaver.
‘Your Highness must create a new position on the General Staff. Someone must be commissioned to rally the people to the cause of the nation’s defense. Someone must be given even greater power to commandeer the goods and services required for our troops needs. Someone must be able to contract trustworthy haulers and draftsmen to bring this lifeblood to our fighting force,‘ Ellow’s voice grew. ‘Someone with the unique knowledge to handle it properly.’
Macin sat quietly contemplating Ellow’s words as the colonel constructed his plan. However, upon the last statement the king flashed a wicked smile.
‘Colonel, your attempts to beguile your king for your own benefit, although quite bold, were also severely ill-advised. When my guards relieve you of your duty and throw you in...’
‘Your highness, I beg you forgive me for the interruption,’ stammered Ellow. ‘As proof of my loyalty and trustworthiness, I present you with this document.’
Ellow held Yanwin’s letter before him and bowed low. Macin was enraged by the interruption but paused to stare at the letter.
‘Others continue the masquerade. Others let you believe what you will and continue to feed you lies. I must do their bidding. I’m a mere colonel serving generals. But when the honor of my king and his family is at stake, I can be silent no longer.’ continued Ellow.
Macin slid the letter from the colonel’s hand and slowly opened it. His hands shook as he read the contents. His eyes filled with rage as he read words of encouragement, loyalty and love. As he read, Ellow talked on.
‘Brelg’s unit is funneled the best and the brightest. Other troops go hungry while his unit feasts. Others make due with staff or bow, while his unit gleams with sword and armor. He boasts that he’s subject to no king’s laws or power by naming his unit “The Orphans”, no authority binds him. The people pick up this name and chant it in the streets.
‘He lays claim to your daughter by dubbing her “The Orphan’s Widow”, and the people chant that as well. Have you seen her? She hides her face behind a veil for the shame of it. Yet all along there are these letters. Letters that enthrall her to this man. Your General Staff knew of and sanctioned these activities. They care not for the honor of my king and his family.’
Macin’s face boiled red. He crushed the letter, writhing in spastic contortions. Spinning around he foamed and spit as he shouted into the hallway.
‘Summon the General Staff!’
Macin turned wild eyed to Ellow.
“You shall have your post on the General Staff,’ he whispered. “And I shall have Brelg’s head.’
Brelg’s unit was recalled from the field. Messengers were sent to demand their return to Zodra within the month. The General Staff was subject to massive changes. Many of the top generals lost their positions and were imprisoned in the dungeons of the Hold. Others swore their loyalty to King Macin but lost his favor and their advice was shunned. Ellow became one of the king’s most trusted advisors and he spread his lies about the faith of the people. The black market flourished as Ellow put greater and greater demands upon the people to produce. Crooked draftsmen drove their wagons out of the city in groups of ten or twenty bound for the troops in the North. Often, half of that group arrived, as the remainder filtered back into towns and villages, reselling goods to the people at inflated prices. Ellow's power and wealth grew.
Macin’s anger smoldered as he awaited the return of Brelg. He opened his eyes to his city and didn’t like what he saw. The people were jubilant with the news of the imminent return of their heroes. For weeks the women of the city gathered flowers and garland to decorate the gates. As the return of Brelg and his unit approached, an air of celebration swept the city.
On the thirtieth day since the decree went out for the return of ‘The Orphans’, Macin sat on his throne surrounded by his personal guard and the General Staff.
‘Disobeyed,’ shouted Macin, ‘by my own soldiers. An example must be made of this unit!’
‘Most assuredly, your highness. This type of thing will only spread,’ commented General Ellow.
‘Your highness,’ said General Harnax. ‘It’s a long journey from the foothills around Tar Hdjmir to the halls of mighty Zodra. Scouts report heavy fighting in that area. A journey of that kind might take a good deal of time.’
Harnax was one of the few generals to retain his seat upon the General Staff. He commanded the Guard’s cavalry units and was considered a brilliant tactician. Harnax was also renown as an honest man. If he believed a fight was unwinnable, he said so. However, if pressed to join that fight he complied immediately. His loyalty to king and country went unquestioned.
‘Brelg’s unit rides the best horse flesh I could find for them,’ whined Ellow. ‘He should’ve been here days ago!’
‘My colleague has never joined the enemy in battle,’ stated Harnax as he shot Ellow a withering glare. ‘Therefore, I will forgive his ignorance on this matter. Brelg’s unit is most likely hampered by injury. Their casualty rate is the highest in the corp. A situation that dramatically slows any return to Zodra. Additionally, they may ride the best “horse flesh” when it arrives at the front, but malnutrition and battle fatigue affect horse and rider alike. Those horses are no better than farm nags at this point. I beg your majesty to allow the unit more time.’
‘Harnax, you have always counseled wisely. Therefore, I’ll take your theory to heart and provide you with the task of proving its validity. You will saddle two of your best cavalry units and depart Zodra in the morning. You will seek out Sergeant Brelg’s unit. If they deviate from orders or halt for worldly diversions in some town along the way, you’ll judge them treasonous and cut them down where they stand,’ declared Macin.
‘But your majesty...’ began Harnax.
‘Harnax! Your place in this assembly isn’t as secure as you think! Do not follow the lead of your former staff members and contradict me,’ shouted Macin.
‘Wise counsel, my lord. For treason and treachery are a disease that spreads,’ returned Ellow as he smiled at Harnax.
‘My lord,’ came a voice from the table.
‘Colonel Wynard, correct?’ Macin asked the broad shouldered Zodrian.
‘General Wynard, sire, due to your highnesses gracious promotion,’ the general corrected. ‘May I be so bold as to expound on General Harnax’s reservations with this course of action.’
‘Do you feel it necessary. Remember your predecessor, General Sturm, found it necessary to deceive me,’ Macin snarled.
‘I believe that General Harnax has your best interests in mind,’ said Wynard.
‘Go on,’ sighed Macin.
‘Your son, Prince Manfir, is a lieutenant in that unit,’ stated Wynard.
‘What?’ screamed Macin. ‘That cannot be! Manfir was to be assigned to the
best unit in the corp. To learn by the side of the greatest minds this army produces. Sturm swore to me a year ago that he placed Manfir with such a unit and that the prince progressed tremendously. Treachery abounds! Harnax, you were here during that meeting, yet said nothing!’
Ellow saw an opportunity. He jumped from his place and shook a finger in Harnax’s direction.
‘This is how deep it runs your highness! Your most trusted advisors and friends. They betray this country to its very core,’ he spun back to the king. ‘Your son, aligned with a troop of outlaws and brigands. Stealing the wealth of this nation and leaving it defenseless in its hour of need! A purge is needed, a purge....’
THWACK!
The hilt of Harnax’s sword slammed into the back of Ellow’s head. The supply general fell into a heap on the marble floor. The cavalryman stood at the table boiling in suppressed rage. He dropped the sword at his feet. With clenched fists he moved to within a foot of Macin. The king’s personal guard drew their weapons but Macin waved them off. Harnax halted.
‘Macin you arrogant, blithering idiot, Manfir was posted to the best unit in the corp. Brelg and his lot are the greatest troop level tacticians we employ. “The Orphans” act as this nation’s savior while you provoke more damage to the corps than any of its enemie,.’ growled Harnax.
The general turned and pointed to four of the king’s personal guard.
‘You! Fall in beside me and escort me to my premises at the Hold. I’ll remain under guard there until his Majesty determines my punishment.’
The aging general marched from the hall, hastily followed by the four stunned guards. As Harnax strode down the marble corridors of the citadel, a scout pushed past him and addressed the king.
‘Your Highness, I bring you news,’ shouted the scout.
‘Out with it!’ demanded Macin as he scowled at the retreating form of Harnax.
‘Sergeant Brelg and his unit of Guardians approach the city. They will arrive within the hour.’
The Merchant and the Menace Page 18