It was on Eighthday when Gardric usually returned to relax at the palace, but he came on Seventhday that week— with more bad news. He brought Taréz into the library.
“Something big, Gardric?”
The Chief only nodded as he pulled out a map, and spread it across the table. Taréz recognized it as a closeup of their border with A’peine. It wasn’t long, but it was important.
“The crosses are confirmed enemy positions, and their color indicates nation of origin. Note how many red ones there are. Those are Varmacians.”
The King used his finger to count the red crosses, versus the green ones— A’peinese. The numbers were about equal, with a few scattered blue ones, which were the token Zvaljan force.
“Curious. It looks as though they intend to attack from there, but that’s foolishness. I’d attack a number of our valley positions first. If they attack there, we’ll have them surrounded.” Taréz paused. “Is it possible they’re just practicing together?”
“Not the way they’re getting so close to the border. They’ve got scouts who are obviously looking for the best routes through the mountains, and the best fallback positions. Especially ones on our side.”
“Hmm. So under no circumstances should we chase them into the mountains, but let them come at us.”
“Very astute, Your Highness. But that bothers me.”
“Why?”
“That’s not an offensive tactic, exactly. It’s an... occupation tactic, meant to keep us busy.”
“They intend an invasion from somewhere else?”
“Apparently.”
Taréz didn’t have to think too long about who. “The Pulinians and the Kamileans.”
“That was my thought, as well. But now, we have to rush a scouting expedition to try to figure out, on the sea, where the intended landing point is, and hope to have a detachment there in time.”
The King looked shocked. “By the Great Master! Make it so.”
“I cannot guarantee we’ll be there in time. We may lose a significant size territory before we can counter-attack.”
“I understand. Send pigeons to warn the lords on both of those fronts. They can be there sooner.”
“I’ve already taken that liberty, Sire.”
“Good. Let’s now just hope they’ll support me.”
Gardric looked surprised. “You have reason to believe they would not?”
“They boycotted the ball.”
“A social comment does not mean lack of military support.”
“Come now, Gardric, you know better than to count on something when there’s a chance you can’t.”
“Of course, Sire.”
“In the meantime, send everyone in the camp home. I’ll send apologies post haste by pigeon.”
“Sire! I will do nothing of the sort!”
“Burn it! Why not?!” Taréz admired his father’s reserve. Gardric had just refused an order! On second thought, the reserve was not a strong tactic in this case.
“Sire! Our... guests, as you call them, can be a barganing chip. We have their lives on their hands. If our neighbors attack, we can counter with deaths in the camp.”
“Chief, I have never heard something so cowardly in my life! Those are families we’ve got, not soldiers! By the Great Master!” Much better, Father, Taréz thought.
“Excuse me, Sire, I only thought—”
“No, you didn’t think. Remember I told you that my conscience is also yours? You would do well to remember that.”
“I would still suggest we keep them in camp.”
“For what reason?”
“Returnees can give valuable information to invading armies, as well as allow access to the homes of our own citizens.”
Burn it! The Chief of the Army was right again.
“Very well, they stay. But I do not want to hear of a single death, is that clear? Not from you, not from anyone else there!”
“Of course, Sire.”
“Good. Now... You’d better prepare us for war. Dismissed.”
The Chief stood, rolled up his map, and left the library just as Stecky came in. “Sire?”
“Yes, Stecky. Did you find anything?”
“No, Sire. The cupro is all green.”
“Worthless.”
“Yes, Sire. And there is nothing else of appreciable worth.”
“Very well. From this point onward, my fund is the camp fund. Make sure it is used for quick improvements.”
“Yes, Sire.”
“And, also, draft a letter to our northern neighbors. We may need their help badly, if we have to fight five nations all at once.”
“Of course.”
“Dismissed.”