Chapter XVIII
War between the Gods
During the ninth month inside the Ladonean Empire and less than two months from invading Sabathea, Melercertis rushes to Ryeland’s chambers. It is two hours before midnight and Ryeland had just finished his bath. He is clothed, dressed for bed. Melercertis enters the doorway and catches the Atlantean General off-guard. Ryeland does not flinch as he stares at Melercertis, knowing that this is not going to be an easy conversation.
Ryeland asks, “What can I do for you, my Lord?”
Melercertis pauses briefly before saying, “You and I must discuss a few things. In our culture, the Eastern world cannot see a woman being strong enough to rule an empire. Palexus is fierce enough to be the first, but another half century must pass before our culture will accept the idea. I am getting old and my health is failing. I don’t feel bad, but my physicians say I may only live another five years. No one knows of this except you and my physicians. I have little control of my body. My hands shake by themselves. I have to hold onto something to prevent their shaking in public. The ailment cannot be cured and will only progress. I need someone strong to take my place. Most of my generals are domineering enough, but don’t know how to play politics necessary to hold an empire together. I have watched you become a great leader to my people. You have a good military mind, and you’re strong enough to challenge my Senate. You have what it takes to replace me upon my death. I don’t expect you to take care of my daughter, unless you love her; if you do, take her hand.”
Ryeland cannot believe the offer. After a moment, he responds, “I feel very important in your empire, as I am making a positive difference. Everything I have learned in my life brought me to this point. I am in love with your daughter; I feel like you’re a father to me, but my religion is different than that of the Ladonean culture. If I take your place, everyone will say my politics are done in the name of my God, and not for your gods. I will not surrender to any other theology.”
Melercertis says, “I understand what you’re saying. If you marry my daughter, we can stage your conversion to our religion to become a Ladonean.”
Ryeland responds, “You see me as an honorable man. A mendacious act of religion is iniquitous. How could you ask me to lie?”
Melercertis says, “We have another problem… You know the Atlanteans are preparing to begin a war with Mantineia a month before our Sabathean Campaign. Borealeous, the Kyrenian Emperor, has learned from his spies about Atlantis’ conquest. Nextear has almost taken control of Mantineia, and his military is growing stronger. The two are forming a pact to destroy Atlantis.”
Ryeland says, “From our intelligence reports, the Mantineian armies are scattered. Aten is not expecting to fight the whole empire. Persephone and Laptos are preparing to attack Nextear’s forces of seven-hundred-fifty-thousand. They are only expecting to fight one army at a time. Our military stationed in Valtear does not have the manpower to take on Mantineians’ full military strength at once or another empire.”
Melercertis responds, “On the continent twenty-seven years ago, the Great War showed the Atlanteans to be a threat to humanity. We are allies with Kyrenia. I will have no choice but to back them. Their empire and ours are very close culturally. Kyrenia is also speaking with Sabathea to form an agreement to completely destroy your empire. This is becoming a chain reaction of hate toward your empire. Your empire has made too many enemies. Mantineia is trying to turn this into a Holy War, and they’re succeeding. Because your men are not safe here anymore, they must return to Atlantis. If I can’t resolve this with Kyrenia, I will have to do the unthinkable. Because we believe in the same religion as Kyrenia and Mantineia, our people will want to follow those empires. I can’t go against our gods, even though this has nothing to do with religion. Your division is honorable and should be able to fight for your land. I want each of them to die a soldier’s death. I will honor them as they have honored me. The war is becoming a war between the choices of gods. Atlantis can’t win. I am trapped. If I fight with your empire and we lose, my empire will be destroyed as well. If Kyrenia, Sabathea, and Mantineia unite after conquering your civilization, the empires will be in position to effortlessly finish my empire. Should I decide to remain neutral and not fight, it will make us look weak and others will try to take my land. My Northern states are still fragile. I can’t win against all three empires, even with Atlantis.”
Ryeland responds, “You asked me those questions about Palexus to see where I stand. We are allies now. Our two empires know how to fight with one another. Our two civilizations can take on anything that can come against us.”
Melercertis says, “All three empires combined have close to eight-million warriors against five-million if Aten and I came together. Our land is vast and we border all three empires. My armies will be destroyed one by one. If Ladonea fails to unite together with the three other empires, we will be known as a traitor to our own gods… I will convince Borealeous to delay the inevitable. I want your men to leave before anything occurs. Humanity is about to change, but not the way Aten and I prefer. I wanted to make peace with Atlantis. I think both civilizations could have benefited had we come together. Man is not ready for Atlantis. I’m coming to you honorably and I am expecting you to do the same. I need you here to help me care for my empire, but there is a possibility our alliance may not happen. I am telling you this because I respect you.”
Ryeland replies, “I don’t understand. Do you want me to fight against my own people? It doesn’t make sense. I cannot.”
Melercertis replies, “All is over for Atlantis, Ryeland; your empire will be destroyed. I have my gods to answer to and will not go against my own religion. Even though I don’t think this is a Holy War, it will be fought as such. I am giving you a choice. You can leave with your men to die honorably. I will delay this action against your empire so your division will be able to depart. The Kyrenian Empire will not strike until I talk with them. They have not yet declared war on Atlantis. Only a handful of people on the continent know about this idea. Please convey to Aten that I do respect him, but I may not have a choice. Six divisions will safely escort your men to the peninsula. You have my word that no harm will come to you and your men.”
Ryeland asks, “And if I stay?”
Melercertis replies, “You will be known as the prince and an heir to my thrown. If we must go against Atlantis, you will lead my men to battle. You must marry my daughter, or my men will not believe in you. To my generals, you are either an Atlantean or a Ladonean. If you marry my daughter, the union will help solidify my generals’ confidence in you. They will stand behind you, ready to die. The majority of Ladoneans believe in love. It is what makes us strong. Marrying Palexus will prove your love to her and to my people. I need your decision after my talk with the Kyrenian Empire. A messenger from Kyrenia came to me in secret an hour ago. My generals and advisors know nothing of this matter. I have not told Palexus. I will have no choice but to tell my generals tomorrow afternoon. My spies will be here early morning or mid-day tomorrow to tell me what is happening in Kyrenia.”
After Melercertis leaves, Ryeland is in shock. He sits on the edge of his bed, wondering what just happened. He can’t believe the offer he has received. In his mind, everything the Atlantean General has done to this point has been wasted, and his instructions via Atlantean military tactics can kill his own people.
Epic Unearthed Page 18