Chapter 3
Staying the Hand
AN 1217 (AZ 1454) - Late Winter
Castle Notos, Maximilion, Notos
Following the fall of Maximilion, the fortunes of the Alliance changed dramatically. When Duke Cronos assembled the Third Legion to retake the capital, the cities of the east all fell into the rebels' hands. When the attempt on Maximilion was repelled, the Legion fell back to Babophos for a time to reorganize before retaking Kordai. There it remained until the fleet from Zephyr arrived and Kordai was abandoned. Now only Kalonis, Babophos and Danton were held by the Zephyrians. With the full strength of her army, though, it would be no great challenge for Zephyr to march across the land and undo everything the Alliance had accomplished, but that was only if they meant to reclaim the ground that was lost.
More than a month had passed since the Zephyrian fleet landed on their shores, but besides strengthening their hold on the western cities, they had not made any move. Perhaps they were waiting for the spring and perhaps they had no intention of marching forth at all.
The Zephyrians claimed they were mounting an expedition to the Darklands and if that were true, fighting the Alliance here would be a waste of resources. Rowland was not wholly convinced, however, and permitted a two-pronged attack on the West to test the Zephyrians. Eight days had passed since the order was given.
Now that Scipio was free of his minders in the Legion, he could advise Rowland directly as he had always intended. He tried to be close at hand whenever councils were held and when news arrived. This was one such time.
Rowland was practicing with his sword, a simple strengthening exercise where he swung the heavy blade overhead over and over again. If he had been given an ax, he could have made the exercise useful by chopping wood. Scipio found it interesting to observe the training of the body. How different it was from the practice of the magical arts and yet not so different. Repetition was useful for committing something to memory, whether it be of mind or muscle.
A herald entered the training hall and saluted Rowland, saying, "Captain Rowland, news from the West."
Rowland rested his sword on his shoulder and turned to the herald.
"Out with it."
"Lord Garm and Lord Akasame were made to retreat at Kalonis and Prince Carpos was driven back at Babophos."
Rowland furrowed his brow and asked, "What blow did they deal to the enemy?"
"Nothing to boast of, Captain."
"Damn them," Rowland grumbled. "Why even bother if you can't even bloody 'em?"
"But, sir, at Kalonis there was a Dragon..."
"We know about the damn Dragon," Rowland snapped. "Garm's toys should've been able to take care of it. And what was the princeling's excuse?"
"The First Legion is best in all Zephyr, they say," Scipio noted.
"Well then, they should've had it try to hold Notos instead of that fool of a Duke."
There were scarce reports about the two legions from the mainland, but both the First and Second Legions had fearsome reputations. Prince Carpos must have thought that the legionaries would flock to him, grossly overestimating the loyalty he could claim from his countrymen. It was not the first time he had been disappointed in this manner, nor would it be the last.
"If those three have all been defeated," Rowland said to himself, "there go my plans of ending this quickly."
These plans were carried out contrary to Scipio's counsel. It was unwise to strengthen Carpos' hand, which could have happened if the First Legion defected to him, and to attempt to kill or capture the King and Queen of Zephyr was nothing short of madness. It was just as well that it failed, for had it succeeded, it could have spelled the doom of them all.
"Captain, might I make a suggestion?" Scipio asked.
"I have a feeling you're gonna tell me whether I want to hear it or not," Rowland replied.
"What if you left the Zephyrians be?"
"Let 'em be?"
"Supposedly they truly mean to set out on a campaign in the Darklands as they claim. If so, we should not impede them."
Rowland did not abandon his skepticism so easily, though, and told him, "What they claim and what they do are two different things."
It was a valid point, but Scipio was not so inclined to doubt the reports they had received.
"You have heard the secret intelligence about their plans," he said. "Why would they lie among themselves?"
"In case any unfriendly ears were listening."
"Surely they have not proven to be that cautious."
Rowland frowned as he considered Scipio's words. Headstrong as he was, one of his virtues was that he was not so set in his ways to ignore all alternatives.
"Let's say you're right about this," he said. "Why do I wanna let 'em go to the Darklands?"
This was precisely the opportunity the old mage had been waiting for.
"Firstly, there is no need to waste precious manpower fighting people who will be leaving anyway. Secondly, if you stir them up too much, instead of simply leaving, they may take the time to drive out the Alliance from its hard-fought land."
"What's third?" Rowland asked. "These things always come in threes."
Astute as ever.
"Thirdly," Scipio replied, "whatever happens in the Darklands is a victory for us."
"How so?"
"If there is truly a growing threat in the Darklands and the Zephyrians vanquish it, then we will not see the tragedy of three hundred years ago repeated and Zephyr will not escape the campaign unscathed. They will be too weakened to interfere with our affairs for years.
"On the other hand, should Zephyr be routed in the Darklands, it will not be without striking such a blow that the Darklanders will be unable to launch an attack anytime soon. That means precious time for us to build our own strength and prepare for the coming storm."
"We win either way," Rowland said.
"Precisely. One enemy is defeated and the other diminished. We can hope for little better."
Rowland scratched his chin while he thought over Scipio's proposal.
"You're more often right than wrong, it seems," he said. "Alright, we'll do it your way, but I warn you, old man, if Zephyr marches instead of setting sail when spring comes, I'll have your head."
Scipio bowed the selfsame head he was placing on the proverbial chopping block and replied, "If my counsel should ever lead you astray, I would expect nothing less."