Blade and blood

chapter 2c

“Rajana arrives.” The proclaimer announced. “The king is coming.”

Everyone went silent. They looked at the mighty door to the throne room. The king, accompanied by his ten king’s guard and his two sons, came through the door into the hall. Three of them walked in the front, lead by Calsux, the leader of the king’s guard. Behind him, Mayr and Kunr marched with sharp eyes. Four of the guards were on either side of the king and the princes. Prys and Blenr watched the left and Vila and Ocrel guarded the right side. Three guards, Macriar, Shuv, and Embrestin protected the rear.

The king, Nakhameromon, was three dashas and six years old. He was in his first year of ruling. A man who fought a couple of battles before he took the throne knew the art of war.

His two sons were quite young. Two teenagers with no battle experience yet trained to be tough men. Rokkena himself trained the princes. He knew they were battle-ready and were eager to prove themselves.

The great hall was filled with full-sized sculptures of the previous kings who ruled Nakha. Nakhameromon could see his father and forebears among them. One day, his statuette will also be placed among them once he will be passed to spirit life, a life where he would live as a spirit, as everyone believed.

Pradhan sachiv and three Mukhya sachivs were present in the hall. Rokkena and two of his second officers along with twenty men stood in the room awaiting the king’s orders.

“How many days do you need to select and prepare your men?” the king was straight to the point.

“Half a month,” Rokkena replied.

Fifteen days would be a long time for preparation. There lies a long journey ahead. Nakhameromon looked at Gorandale. He was standing closer to Rokkena. The king took a deep breath. “What are your thoughts on this, Mukhya?”

“Rajana, time is what, I am afraid, we don’t have. As we speak, Viyora will be under attack. We don’t know how they strike and how fast they battle. If we are to help, we should move fast. This is what my mind opines.” Gorandale sniffed gently as he finished his words.

The king knew Gorandale spoke his own thoughts. The soldiers couldn’t be delayed in their departure. Their presence must be felt in the upcoming battle.

Nakhameromon looked at his pradhanya. You heard the man. “Have you decided your men?”

“I seek apologies rajana. I haven’t. We have hardly a thousand soldiers closer to the palace. I have sent words to all the dwaithas. They will send their best men as soon as they receive the messages.” Rokkena replied in a cold tone.

The dwaithas were scattered and weren’t available for the moment. One of the second commanders was in the east to settle the civil fights in the east and to see none, no man or creature enter their kingdom from the valley of Doom. Another one was in the west with his army guarding the western region.

“There is no need to gather all the soldiers. Sent word to Yaura to select three hundred men. Let them march ahead in five days.” The king commanded.

Rokkena was covered by a veil of thought. One of his dwaitha, Yaura, was guarding the west. He has five thousand men under his command. Does the king want to split his army? If those three hundred men marched ahead, Rokkena would command the remaining seven hundred. Their journey was sure to be delayed, and they would never catch up with the men ahead. Yaura’s men would be vulnerable if they were to engage in battle without proper strength.

“I know your thoughts, pradhanya,” Nakhameromon said calmly. “But, we can’t lose time. The trip from Three Bridges to the capital and back itself would cost us a delay of half a month. If they are to move in five days, they could be in the Perasa capital in another ten days. There, they will join the Persara army and march with them if they are willing to send an army to aid Magandry.”

The king has thought about it very well. Rokkena couldn’t grasp how he would and his men catch up with the first troops.

“You are to cross Meya at mid-sun when she is calm.” The king continued.

Rokkena was surprised. Along with him, the ministers too. Nobody expected the king would intend to do such a thing.

Crossing Meya would save them many days.

“Find all the boats we can get.” Nakhameromon looked at Prashyona. “The soldiers must cross Meya in two days.

“Rajana, the boats could hardly carry fifty men.” He responded politely. “I fear we have only five boats.”

“There is a ship which requires attention. If the ship could be refurbished, we could accommodate two hundred soldiers.”

“I will soon see to it, rajana.” Prashyona was ready to attend to the need.

“Good.” the king was calm. “We can carry horses and weapons and grain and other things necessary by ship.” He commanded to Prashyona.

Prashyona turned and raised his hand towards the group of ministers who were standing away from him. “Sabr, you are summoned.” He called out.

Sabr was the minister of water. The transportation through Meya was his responsibility.

Sabr paced towards the king and Pradhan sachiv. As he was close, Prashyona instructed him about the ship and the boats.

“My king,” he replied, “two more boats need attention. I will send the men to see them attended too as well.”

“Seven days is all you have.” Nakhameromon’s voice became hard and serious.

“Yes, rajana.” Sabr bent his head and took his leave.

“The horses should be in perfect condition. They should neither be too old nor too young. They should be healthy and fast to ride.”

“As you command, rajana,” Prashyona respectfully shook his head.

“Let the minister of weapons see to the arsenal. Every blade, spear, arrow, ax, and bipennis should be sharpened. If needed, let the forges run day and night. We need new weapons.”

“Yes, rajana.”

“See the work done.” Nakhameromon signaled the man to leave. “

Prashyona and Gorandale walked towards the group of ministers to instruct them. They have to send messages beforehand.

After they left, Nakhameromon turned towards Rokkena. “You will lead our army. Group our men into four battalions. One of them will be under you and one of the others will be commanded by Nakhakantan.”

Rokkena was waiting to hear those words. He feared that none of the princes would go to battle. He recalled the battle that happened eighteen years ago.

It was his blade that saved Nakhameromon. Not the blade, his face. If not for his helmet, he would have been dead saving the prince. Rokkena moved his hand along his battle scar.

Nakhakantan’s heart filled with pride. He didn’t want to command but fight like a mere soldier. But his father, the king, honored him with the status of a commander.

Nakhapadman was sad. He wished he would also be a part of the war, commanding another battalion. He was no less than his brother in warfare. He has defeated Rokkena in straight combat once. Yet, he was denied the opportunity of serving the kingdom in times of war.

“It would be an honor to be commanded by the young prince,” Rokkena responded.

“You are mistaken, pradhanya; Nakhakantan will be commanded by you. The prince will have authority over only a single battalion.” Nakhameromon made his words clear.

Rokkena was his teacher, but how could he command the prince? He was to be commanded, not the prince. He was only a servant to the kingdom and the royal family. Rokkena looked at the face of the prince. He saw the innocent smile of the prince. There was no shade of jealousy. It seemed the prince was happy to give Rokkena the command of the army.

He said nothing but bent his head politely.

“You are to select your men before the sun sinks under the sea. Sent words to Ovr and Mesr to gather with their men. With their opinion, you can choose the men of your liking.”

Ovr and Mesr were two of the dwaithas under Rokkena. They were already informed to send their best five hundred men each to the capital. The second commanders would already be on their way. Rokkena wished they would arrive faster and earlier.

The king turned to return to his chamber. But he stopped in his tracks and looked back at Rokkena. “I wish to see you in my command center after the mid-sun meal.”

The king started walking and behind him, the princes. But a voice stopped Nakhameromon. It came from behind. “I am apologizing to you rajana upfront, but I would have a humble request.”

The king halted to see the holder of the voice.

It came from a young man who stood closer to Rokkena and Shoombreyar. He recognized the man, Shoombreyar’s great-grandson.

“How could you stop the king, you dumb fool?” Shoombreyar scolded his great-grandson. He bends his head in front of the king. “I ask repentance for his mistake. He is a fool and acts without conscience.”

Nakhameromon looked at the old man kindly. “Oh wise one, he has not done any grave crimes.” To Shimiyil he asked, “Tell me, young man, what do you seek?”

“Rajana” Shimiyil started saying in a low but firm voice. “I am a warrior. It would be an honor to fight for the Nakha kingdom. I seek your permission and word to join the army.”

“Rokkena will see to it. He is the pradhanya. If he sees you fit, you will be part of the battalion.”

Having said that, the king started walking away.

“As you command, rajana.” Shimiyil tried to hide his disappointment.

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