Part 63

For the next two weeks, the Combined Army camped within sight of two Imperial armies. Niether side moved while they waited on the temporary truce. By the eighth day Verin’s own spies were sending word of an army from the west poring into the Empire’s territory. No one knew what to make of it.

Barilus returned two weeks later with a larger delegation with men and women in more elaborate robes than his. Some wore decorative armor with swords on their hips that had never been used in anger.

“Looks like they brought us some counts and barons, maybe a few generals,” Verin said. He didn’t sound impressed.

“They come to beg surrender, I imagine,” Greza said.

Verin chuckled.

“If only, Grez. If only.” Then the smile vanished from his face. “No, I got enough of an idea on what they want to talk about. And it won’t be very pleasant.”

This time the meeting place was a cleared out circle with cushioned benches. The soldiers were to remain out of hearing range.

Verin stood in front of his simple chair. Tempest and Alethia were on either side and Onata and her were behind them. Decaron and the other mercenary generals were also there.

The Imperial delegation made their way through the camp. Their progress was easy to track because they carried tall banners and the Imperial symbol of the Golden Lion.

It was all so hypocritical. They spent so much time and effort to make themselves seem so important. Yet all they did was sit around trying to think of new ways to entertain themselves. They made their peasants and slaves do all the work while they sat on couches fanning themselves. How long could society withstand supporting such useless people?

She tried not to show her disdain as the delegation entered the circle. Barilus was at the head but he was no longer the leader. A man with a bigger staff and taller cylindrical hat was the one everyone circled around.

“Duke Trimalius, the Emperor’s brother,” Decaron whispered to Verin.

“Moron?”

“Quite intelligent. More so than his brother.”

The procession came to a halt and Barilus stepped forward. This time he did all the formalities Greza remembered from the nobles and then some. He introduced everyone in the procession and went on to explain that they were sent by the Emperor himself.

That got her attention. Only the most important issues received the condensation of the Emperor. The large delegation and the Emperor’s authority told that this wasn’t an ordinary meeting.

She saw that the others felt it as well. Something was different.

“I’m Duke Verin and these are my people.” He waved his hand around to indicate everyone on his side. “Please have a seat and let’s talk.”

The delegation took their seats in a half circle with Duke Trimalius at the center. The Duke cleared his throat.

“Duke Verin of the Combined Army, I have been authorized by the Emperor himself to treat with you,” Trimalius said. “I bring a matter of the urgency to you that we must discuss.”

“I’m listening,” Verin said.

“We request that you cease all hostile action against the Empire.”

“Why should I do that?”

Greza noticed the lack of disrespectful tone from the emissary. Usually the Empire loved to talk down to everyone, but they were treating him as an equal. Things must be more desperate than they realized.

“As you have heard, there is a vast army from the west. They crossed the wastelands and arrived at our borders and are currently causing untold devastation in our western provinces.”

“Why should I care? Isn’t that good news for me?”

She knew Verin. He was playing a game with them, pretending he wasn’t worried about this new army.

The Duke cleared his throat and for the first time looked uncomfortable.

“I’m sure, Duke Verin, that you’ve heard details of this army. As of yet, all reports have been vague and from a distance. We received our news from a carrier two hours ago. This army from the west is a race we’ve never encountered before. They are not an army of riders as we previously thought. They are a race of half man-half horse. They wear heavy armor, are well practiced with the bow and will slaughter everyone they see.”

Verin shot quick glances to his companions and Greza shot one to Onata whose mouth was hanging open.

The Duke continued.

“That is not all. They use another previously unknown race as scouts: a race of half woman-half bird. They ride as one vast horde, far more numerous than all our armies combined. They charge in fast and hit with the power of a lightning bolt. Our Western Territories Army has been annihilated in our first encounter two days ago.”

A burst of murmuring came from the mercenary generals. Even Decaron seemed unsettled.

“You are being uncharacteristically forthcoming with me,” Verin said.

“Indeed. It is because we have no other choice. I don’t need to insult your intelligence but you see that the Empire is on the threshold of destruction. Your army from the east and this unheard of enemy from the west. As our recent battles have embarrassingly proven, we are not in a position to defend from one, let alone two.”

“Why tell me this? A truce won’t save you from them if they’re as bloodthirsty as they seem.”

“There is no dealing with them. They kill every messenger we send.”

“So then, why tell me?”

The Duke looked to his fellow officials and they gave him their nodding permission.  Then the Duke stood up and banged his staff on the ground five times.

“The Empire is in dire need now more than ever in its entire five thousand year history. We need someone who can lead our armies to victory against this unknown enemy. The Empire is prepared to grant you land and titles in exchange for leading yours and our armies against these western foes.”

The mercenaries again burst into conversation but Verin held up his hand.

“I have no use for land or titles.”

Then Berilus stood up.

“Duke Verin, you claim to fight for the people, the same people that are being slaughtered by the thousands. They’re my countrymen. If you truly came to help them, then save them.”

Duke Trimalius patiently waved for Berilus to sit back down.

“Very well. The Emperor did not believe you would be swayed so easily. We know why you have come. You may not believe it, but we do understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t believe it. I know this army is slaughtering people and I will cease further hostilities against the Empire until you can deal with this enemy yourselves. Once that is over, then we will so.”

“No!” Berilus shouted. “You still don’t see, Verin. This isn’t an army like yours. They cover the horizon. They shake the earth beneath their hooves. Our scouts have estimated that their forces number at least tw million.”

“Two million!” Verin blurted out. “Impossible.”

“Not impossible. True. If you stand aside now and let them destroy the Empire, there will be nothing left for you to claim and then this savage horde will descend on you and destroy everything you hold dear. If we don’t work together now to stop them, we are all dead.”

Trimalius stepped forward.

“As reward for your service to the Empire and leading our armies against this enemy, the Emperor will crown you heir to the Empire and give you his daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Then, this is how Verin finds the Princess.  She was watching the prophecy unfold before her eyes. She didn’t feel nearly as surprised as most everyone appeared to be. The details were certainly horrifying and the number of enemies seemed impossible to overcome, yet she knew this was all meant to be. There was a way to defeat them and Verin would find the way.

Still, being proclaimed heir was surprising. That would explain how Verin could start a dynasty. She would never have thought the Empire willing to give a mercenary such honors.

“Think about it, Verin,” Barilus said. “Once you are Emperor, you can make whatever laws you deem just. You can free the slaves and make the world how you wish, all you need to do is defeat this enemy.”

Verin scratched his head and looked over to her. Greza nodded for him to accept it. His shoulders sank.

“Tell me what else you know of this enemy,” he said.

“They seem to be organized into twenty separate hordes. At times these hordes will split up to forage for food and scout. They strip the land of anything edible. In battle they are unstoppable.”

Verin stood up and began pacing around.

“What think you, gentlemen?” Verin whispered to his generals.

“You think it’s as terrible as they say it is?” Tempest asked.

“They are telling the truth,” Alethia said.

“You don’t need magic to see how desperate they are,” Decaron said. “I’ve never seen Imperial officials act so…frightened. They’re not telling us all, but I think the part they aren’t telling is the gory details.”

“A million horsemen?” one of the generals said. “How are we supposed to face a million fully armored horsemen?”

“We have our Combined Army, the rebel provinces, and the five remaining Imperial armies,” Verin said.

“Which aren’t worth a damn,” Decaron said.

“Not yet, but we can make them,” Verin said.

“You have a plan already,” Greza said. She could see it plainly on his face.

He smiled.

“I do, Grez.”

Verin then turned around to face the Imperial delegation.

“Tell your Emperor that I accept his conditions. I will lead your armies to victory against this savage enemy. I will need to consult with your generals immediately. We need a war council.”

Within the hour they had Verin’s generals and five Imperial generals gathered around a table arguing over maps. Word was being sent back to the Imperial Capital by carrier hawk.

“I’ve been doing some math in my head,” Onata said.

“I hate math.”

“So do I, especially after this. Our Combined Army with the Imperial armies come out to about two hundred thousand. At most.”

“Ten to one?”

“And we’ve seen the quality of the Imperial forces.”

Greza cracked her knuckles and tried not to let worry cloud her face.

“This won’t be an easy fight.”

It wasn’t just the war. It was what came after the Victory.