Chapter 8.3: Meeting the Band
Joan agreed readily enough to your proposal, that you would provide information on the Yellowstreaks to her. You told her that depending on the circumstances, you might also be able to convince them to throw in with her side. The Lady of the Martyrs now considered you an ally. She told you that she had found out that the Yellowstreaks were planning to revive the First Emperor, information she had gathered from an Imperial spy one of her associates captured. You widen your eyes in disbelief that the First Emperor could still be around, and express your great surprise to Joan. After your conversation was over, she sent you on your way with a travelling pack, but no money. It seems that both the Martyrs and the ones who woke you tend to overlook some things. As it turns out, you had to pick some pockets to buy your way on the carriage to your destination.
***
The hideout was an unassuming house, and when you were let in, you saw that it was crowded within. There were about twenty of them, all of them having been granted powers from your body. They looked to be in their twenties or thirties.
“You made it, Your Majesty.” Dario was standing at your side, a smile on his face. “Well, of course you would.”
“Of course I would,” you agreed. “You needn’t have bothered waking me if I couldn’t manage to get to a meeting.”
“So this is our progenitor, Dario?” A bearish man with a face full of beard had spoken gruffly. He reminded you of Gudersu, except he was much hairier.
“That’s right, Dalton. The First Emperor, Ean. Your Majesty, this is Malton. Now that Meyes is… gone, he’s the one nominally in charge.”
“Pleased to meet you, Ean. I’m the leader of our little band here.” He held out one big furry hand – you stare at it for a while before realizing you were supposed to shake it, and you did so. “Meyes wanted to wake you up so you could stop all this fighting that’s been going on. What are you going to do about it?”
He was distrustful of you, his tone harsh. You refuse to let yourself be intimidated, however, and give him a confident look in return. The ride here had given you some time to digest the situation. It had been unfortunately interrupted by a troll while crossing a bridge.
That had been a pretty tough fight – you decided their skin could almost be as tough as the Minotaur itself.
“I plan to gather information before I act. Hastiness has led to the downfall of many men. I have Meyes’s memories within me, but I would seek other opinions. What is your opinion of the current situation?” you ask Dalton. He turns his head from side to side, looking at the men and women of his band. It seems that he was unsure. “Well…” he started. “Things are really bad. I mean, we help out people, warn them of incoming attacks, help them evacuate. That sort of thing. If I knew how to solve it, we wouldn’t need to trouble you now would we, Your Highness?”
“If I may?” Dario interjected, sensing that Dalton was getting agitated. You nod at him.
“What we have here are many little conflicts, but no real war. Bands of armed men raid and pillage across the borders with impunity, and the soldiers posture threateningly while it all goes on. This situation could go on almost indefinitely with no devastating loss of life, but the effect on the kingdoms would still be substantial. Our band has operated thus far as a neutral party, helping out the citizens affected by the fighting, but our resources are limited.”
“Yeah, that’s it.” muttered Dalton.
“To help more people, we need more resources. We cannot rely on just twenty Successors to save the world. My Emperor, you changed the world by establishing an empire of many peoples. We do not aspire to such heights, but we do need to obtain support from the common folk to do so.”
Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the room. Dario looked around the room, making sure to make eye contact with each of his comrades.
“Now that you have awoken, and are on our side, I have a proposal to make. It is now time for us to make a stand. Too long have we been called cowards for not picking a side and shying away from a fight. Our detractors know not our courage in rescuing the people from their power struggles, and think that just because we do not fight, we cannot fight. We can. The soldiers that loot the land are nothing more than glorified bandits. Instead of leading people away from them, leaving most of their possessions behind to be stolen, why should we not fight them off?”
“We are all here because we don’t want to be on any side. This is idiocy.” Tenebrae spoke up, unhappy with Dario’s words. He shook his head and sighed.
“We won’t be on anyone’s side. This is my proposal; that we form a mercenary troop.”
“That just makes us on the side of the highest bidder, no?” you say.
“True, but who is to say what bid we deem the most valuable to us? This way, we can intervene wherever we wish. None of us may have any experience, but your military exploits are legendary, my Emperor. I believe your guidance will elevate us to the heights necessary to succeed.” He paused for a while, and then continued. “Furthermore, should war actually break out… we will at least be able to make a difference.”
You fix your eyes on his. “How sure are you that war will happen?”
“It is but a matter of time. Each of the three powers has built up their military forces to such a great extent that the people are already calling for them to use those soldiers to their full potential and secure their borders, or to bring those secessionists and traitors back into the fold. Once they decide that the situation at the border is untenable, they will invade… and I would not bet on King Dagrun of Skane being sane enough to wait until then. It is practically a miracle that he has not tried anything for so many years.”
You turn to Dalton, whose face seemed even grimmer than before, scrunched up in a frown. “What do you think, then? You’re the leader.”
“I think Dario is right, we have to prepare ourselves for the coming storm. Besides I got a score that needs settling with someone in the Empire.”
You look around the room again. “Anyone has a differing opinion?”
Again, Tenebrae spoke up. “I still disagree, father. Meyes did not form this group to fight. We’re to help people, not to take up swords. Not all of us have the stomach for fighting, nor do we have the skill to fight. I agree with the sentiment that we should no longer champion our cause alone, and to rope in others to help us, but battle is out of the question.”
You glance at the people who were nodding their heads, agreeing with Tenebrae. There were about seven of them, a slight minority in the group.
“I would have you decide, my Emperor,” murmured Dario. “I believe Meyes would have wanted the same. Your word will be law, as it once was.”
***
Make-your-own-plan.
The proposal must be worded in a way that can be conveyed clearly in a single, short speech given by Ean.
Not enough Knightly Orders around.
