Leslie Moore - Griffin's Shadow

“My steward also reports that there’ve been some isolated attacks,” Sakehera continued. “Crops destroyed, livestock slaughtered or stolen… but so far, nothing more organized.” He paced around the room, pausing at last to gaze out of a window. “The duke’s been a good neighbor up ‘til now,” he said, “but, when all’s said and done, he’s a Soldaran nobleman and must obey his empress. Our peaceful coexistence is over, I s’pose.”

“I see no other alternative but to send your own troops back to Kerala, augmented with a contingent from the regular army. Kerala and its people must be protected,” Keizo said. “Unfortunately, I simply can’t spare you, Sen. Your son will to have to lead the troops in your place.”

“Sadaiyo may be my Heir, but he was not trained as an army officer. Leading a unit of Kerala guardsmen is one thing, but…” Sakehera spread wide his hands, as if offering an apology for his son’s perceived shortcomings.

“Then I’ll put my son-in-law in charge,” Keizo said. “He is a trained officer with years of experience.”

“No, Brother,” Raidan interjected. “Sen’s Heir should lead the force back to Kerala. It wouldn’t be proper to give command to his younger brother, even if he is more qualified. Let them both go, but send your son-in-law as his brother’s second. That way, rank is maintained and you have an experienced officer to keep an eye on things.”

“Yes, of course. A sensible solution,” the king agreed. He turned a rueful face toward Sakehera. “My daughter will not be at all pleased when she learns that she’s to be separated from her husband,” he sighed.

“No. Neither will my son, especially now, with his first child on the way,” Sakehera agreed. “But they both realize what’s at stake here. They know their duty.” The Commanding General came away from the window and sat down at the table where a servant had just finished laying out the morning meal. “My sons have never had anything other than enmity between them, much to my sorrow,” he said, rubbing his chin pensively. “It’s entirely my own fault. Truth is, I’ve always loved Ashinji best. Of all my children, he’s the one that comes closest to the person I wish I could be. I just pray Sadaiyo can put aside his bitterness…” He shook his head. “No, no. Both my sons will do what’s required of them.”

“Of course they will. They both have my complete trust, old friend,” Keizo assured. Sakehera nodded in gratitude. “With any luck, this operation should take only about two months time, three at the most,” the king continued. “The first snowfall will put an end to it, if we don’t succeed in driving the Soldarans back before then.”

Raidan drummed his fingertips on the dark, polished wood of the table. “There’s another pressing matter, I’m afraid,” he said. “I’ve gotten several more reports from Tono about the human plague. There’s been an increase in the number of cases of the disease striking elves, and what’s worse, Odata thinks some of her troops have come down with it.”

“Damn!” Keizo exclaimed. “If this plague takes hold in a serious way among Odata’s people, we are in very deep trouble. I don’t need to tell you what devastation an unchecked illness can wreak on an army.”

“I’m researching a preventative,” Raidan stated. “I’ve been studying the writings of a certain human physician who has come up with a very interesting theory, which I intend to test… on myself if I have to.”

“That sounds too dangerous. I can’t allow you to risk your life in such a manner. I rely on you too much!” Keizo replied forcefully.

Raidan raised his hands in a gesture of appeasement. “I promise I won’t take any foolish risks, Brother, and I swear I’ll do nothing until I have learned more about Nazarius’ theory.”

“What does this theory say?” Sakehera asked. “How can the disease be prevented?”

“Nazarius proposed that the essence of the disease itself can be utilized in producing a kind of natural blockage,” Raidan answered. “Unfortunately, Nazarius himself died before he could test his theory.”

The king shook his head. “This all sounds so fantastical. How can a sickness prevent itself from afflicting a body?”

“Your question reveals just how little we know about the workings of illnesses. It’s why I’ve devoted myself to science…to find out the answers.”

The king appeared unconvinced, but Raidan knew the futility of arguing any longer. His brother remained firmly mired in the traditional view that magic and science existed as separate entities, rather than the more rational view that each stood as two different aspects of the same discipline. To Keizo, magic would always be the superior path.

“We need to have our force on the road to Kerala as soon as possible,” Keizo said.

“They can leave by the end of the week,” Sakehera answered.

A heavy silence fell over the room. Raidan knew that each of them shared the same dire thoughts which no one wished to speak aloud.

A shout, followed by the sound of a young woman’s laughter- lighthearted and joyful-floated up from the yard below.

“Our children are down in your private sparring yard, hitting each other with practice swords,” Sakehera commented. “I wonder how wise that is, given Jelena’s condition.” Raidan noted the fatherly concern in his voice.

“I’ve known my daughter barely two months,” Keizo said, “but I’ve come to learn that she is very much an Onjara. When she sets her mind to something, nothing will deter her. She has insisted on serious weapons training…to aid in the defense of Alasiri, she says.”

“Keizo, we need to formulate plans for what we might do if…if it looks like the Soldarans will prevail.” Sakehera’s voice was grave.

“Don’t you think that is a little premature?” the king shot back. “We haven’t even had so much as a skirmish yet! You’re selling us short if you’re already talking of defeat before the war’s even begun!”

“Sen’s right, Brother. Our forces are outnumbered at least three to one. The Soldarans have the most formidable army in the known world. He’s just trying to be realistic. We need a backup plan should the unthinkable happen and the Imperial Army succeed in breaking through our lines at Tono.” Raidan paused, then added, “I also believe we should plan to utilize magic as part of our overall defense plan.”

Keizo cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you were a man of science, Brother. Now, you advocate using magic?”

“I believe we need to use every weapon at our disposal. The humans have no magic; therefore, they will be unable to mount any defense against ours. It could give us the advantage we need to counter their superior numbers.”

“Yes, yes, that’s true!” Sakehera agreed.

Keizo laid his hands flat against the table and looked up with troubled eyes. “The amount of skill and energy required to conjure the kind of powerful workings we are going to need will be enormous. It will take several high level sorcerers, and even then, the risks to each of them of death or insanity will be significant…Still, I agree with you.”

“We should consult my wife,” Raidan replied. “She, better than anyone else at court, will know exactly what needs to be done.”

“I will hear from Taya tomorrow, then, during the council meeting.” Keizo paused, then added, “I plan to allow Jelena to attend as well. It’s high time she started learning the skills of statecraft. The future has become too uncertain. I want her to have at least a basic knowledge, in case…” Keizo frowned and would not meet Raidan’s eyes.

“In case…what? What are you trying to say, Keizo?” The unspoken part of the question hung like a dark shadow between them. The king stood and went over to the window. He stared out over the sunswept rooftops for awhile, hands folded behind him, rocking back and forth on his heels. A stray breeze lifted a tendril of silver hair and blew it back over his shoulder.