- Day 17 into Day 18 -

Father and Daughter

I leave the warm magistrates building for the chilly high-moon lit outdoors, and doorstep of manor de Armstrong. It’s definitely past midnight as I firmly knock, what with the moon being so high in the sky, seemingly falling slowly south-west while shining it’s pale blue light down upon me.

After a minute or two of blowing on my hands for heat, and with no response coming from Katharine’s home, I bang the door again, louder this time and with more force, but still to the same result. Nothing, not even the slightest hint of life coming from behind the imposing double red doors of the manor.

Banging a third time so quickly would just be rude... I should give them a few minutes, it’s the middle of the night after all.

I decide to be patient and instead just stand on the step, looking up at the massively blue and silver full-moon. With my body stilled, my pent up thoughts begin to flow free. Midnight reflections have sort of become a thing…

It’s clear to me that Rus must be working for a prince in the Edis faction, most likely as their strategist, the dying horse information was too specific to hint else-wise after all.

From what little interaction I’ve had with strategist Ruslant Taylor to date, I can already tell he’s likely to be my biggest obstacle while continuing to work with Graham. Highly intelligent and quite clearly capable. Someone who clearly understands that knowledge can make or break a strategy. Every move against Graham has clearly been planned by him quite meticulously. It’s not an easy feat to remove a well-respected Duke who holds a high seat of power with the King's ear and yet he’s nearly wholly achieved in doing so.

...But why is Graham stepping down though?

Something about the whole thing doesn’t quite add up for me. Graham hinted that I was the reason he’s been forced to retire, but the facts don’t add up. I mean, my results speak for themselves, and the King clearly knew of my existence from the very beginning... I’m not one-hundred per cent convinced he’s been honest with me, so I guess the question is, what is trying to hide from me?

Slightly concerned at my dwindling list of allies, I return to the door and knock a third time. Sure enough, after only a few moments, a pissed off Helen finally pulls the heavy doors ajar with a facial expression of pure annoyance upon realising it’s me whose woke her up.

“Sorry Helen, I know it’s late, but it’s urgent. I need to speak to both General Alexander and Lady Katharine. Could you wake them for me?”

Although still half asleep, it seems she recognises I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t essential and opens the door widely, gesturing me in without a word, and a now plain expression.

“Wait there. I’ll wake the Master and young Miss.”

And so I stand, as told, in the darkness of the manors entrance hall. Alone again, my thoughts resume flooding to me once more.

I guess once the troops leave, Rus will quickly realise I was behind it, and he’ll probably just accept that he was outplayed. He surely won’t take it lying down, but he’ll likely chalk it up to merely underestimating me and adjust for the next move. My victory at getting the knights out the gate is hardly a crushing blow for him, though it likely complicates his overall vision, and does give me a chance to undo everything he’s worked towards so far.

If I’m right, Ruslant’s achievements to date are considerable. Just the ones I know of were challenging to achieve. Crushing the Rayford political faction that’s had the King’s ear for years, amassing political support through unification, though granted, I cannot be sure that was him alone. But Rus was definitely behind the recruiting of Babel, the Capitals best mage. Putting two and two together, it’s pretty clear he was behind the ambush on General Alexander at the same time. The goal of eliminating the Kings chosen General is understandable for ensuring total dominance over Sinki policy for their planned war and although Rus failed at that time; he successfully led everyone to believe General Syvian was the culprit. He’s also brazen enough to try again so quickly with a real winner this time, a mission that Alexander is seriously unlikely to win without any need for a grand plan.

When you look at all he’s managed to do from behind the curtain, it’s really quite scary to think we’re now opponents…

I guess it’s not all doom and gloom though. By oversight or perhaps underestimating Graham, he’s failed to prevent me gaining support with the King and the expedition is all but unstoppable now. While not a crushing blow, it does give me the advantage, and a chance to undo all his hard work so far. After all, if I succeed with Aslogia, Graham gets more than just his power back. Those that argued against his plan, immediately have to back down and openly support him for a time, as the size of the feat is too grand. This will result in a rebirth of the Rayford faction with a power to rival the Edis faction. If the resurgence can be capitalised on to drag a Prince over to us… Game set, and match.

Unfortunately, with my plan now in play, the next move goes to Rus. I may have the advantage, but it worries me, as the number of counters I see open to him is vast and few of them I can easily block or counter myself…

That said though, thinking about it, there are only really three likely options that would impact significantly enough to be called moves; leak, turn or mislead.

I’ll need to put plans in motion to counter all three of these and the counters to those counters before leaving the Capital. I’ll probably need to go beyond that, but four moves to the power of four is about as far as my little head can handle without paper and a lot of time… Though ‘that’ gives me an idea… An ingenious insurance plan if I say so but also bit dangerous--

“Aburi?”

Katharine appears to snap my mind back from it’s deep thought as I see her atop the stairs. Her golden-brown hair, lose and thrown over one shoulder - an exposed belly button by a short loose top. Flawless freckled skin accentuated by direct blue-silver coloured moon-light…

"Helen said you were here, what's wrong?"

"I..."

I seem to have lost the ability to speak, captivated by her beauty. Flashes of what I said to Graham echo in my mind as my heart seems to start beating faster. I need to calm myself lest I say something I shouldn’t. Focus.

“S-Sorry. It’s best we wait for your father as well.”

“Has something happened?”

“You could say that, but let’s wait on your father before discussing it. It’s not something that can be spoken of outside a barrier.”

The expression on Katharine’s face is of both concern and confusion. She’s clearly worried about what could possibly have me out here at this time of the night, but she’s obviously confused why it concerns both her and her father. I was confident she would press with more questions, but she doesn’t, instead choosing to stand in front of me, arms held behind her, awkwardly maintaining her deep blue gaze on me without expression. I feel my own slightly firm expression continuously softening, becoming mirrored by Katharine until we’re both smilingly widely like Cheshire cats, bordering on laughing.

“Would you quit staring at me. You’re making me laugh!”

She giggles at me, raising her index finger to her lip and tilting her head.

“Mmm. I didn’t know you had a bashful side Aburi… It’s kind of cute.”

I feel my head involuntarily shake with a smile as I fail to think of a snappy comeback to her taunt. My eyes seemingly instinctively drawn to her exposed navel as I scratch my cheek. The perverted thoughts of how I would like to handle this situation, running rampant in my mind.

“Bashful huh...”

She lets out a laugh upon seeing my smile squish up. I guess it’s only fair to let this slide, I’m usually the one teasing her after all. I’ll give her have this small victory--

“Aburi, this had better well be important, given the time!”

Alexander comes slowly down the stairs in nothing but a red silk robe with golden trim. His hairy, toned chest on full display.

“Sorry Alex, it couldn’t wait. Can we go to your study? This isn’t a conversation for outside of a barrier.”

“Fine, Fine… Please.”

Having reached the last step, he pauses and gestures before following behind as Katharine takes the lead and we head into her father's study. I don’t wait for us all to take our seats before raising the barrier and getting to the heart of the matter.

[Vacuum Barrier] (50 MP + (2PI * Radius MP) | 10 MP every 5 minutes)

“I’ve just come from talking with Graham, and you could say we’ve had a busy night.”

“Oh?”

Alex responds while gesturing to the seat around his desk, taking his seat behind it at the same time.

“Graham’s been forced to retire, our seriously reduced expedition force will be leaving tonight, you’re being sent to Amaki once again, and we leave at first light Katharine… As I said, busy night.”

Katharine gives me a blank, serious look as she takes the seat beside me. From Alexander’s expression though, it’s clear he’s yet to receive his orders about Amaki, nor was he aware that Graham had lost his job.

“Graham’s been retired?”

Alexander asks, having seemingly fully processed my words and perhaps now grasping the urgency of my visit.

“Apparently it’s to do with his plans and my being at the centre of them. Prince Edis delivered the news tonight, shortly before I arrived hoping to speak with Graham.”

“Prince Edis himself delivered the news, you say…”

Alexander raises his brow, almost as if surprised.

“Is that strange?”

“N-no… Amaki, you mentioned my deployment. Tell me.”

So there’s something more to the history of Graham and Prince Edis. Perhaps the real reason to Graham’s forced retirement lays there. Regardless, it’s clear Alexander isn’t going to give me that answer, even if I outright ask for it. Guess I’ll look into that later.

“...Yes. The Edis faction, for lack of a better name at this point, look to be behind it as they’re moving to dismantle Graham’s faction. You’re being sent to Amaki again on what amounts to a suicide mission.”

“Suicide?!”

Katharine exclaims with evident concern.

The deployment Alexander’s being given isn’t impossible but, to put it just, Alexander is a hammer, and hammers think everything is a nail. When you’re a hammer, everything becomes a question of how much force you need apply to solve a situation. Alexander has shown this to me over and over, in chess, how he handled the ambush and his general dealings with his allies. I’ve only known Alexander for a short time, and I’d say I’ve got a perfect handle on him, so it’s all but assured Rus knows Alexander’s traits inside out, having known him for years.

“It’s the best way to describe it, yes. Most likely you’ll have three to five-thousand Knights as your company and fifty to a hundred essence stones with the assumed objective being getting the defences at Amaki back online… I’ll be completely blunt with you Alex, the task has been designed specifically around your strategic weaknesses by Ruslant Taylor. I don’t know how to point this out more delicately but, with your usual tactics, this deployment is all but guaranteed suicide for you. You’ll need a very different set of tactics to complete the task.”

I had prepared myself for a temper tantrum from Alexander as the words past my lips, what with the barrier being up and certainty of no one hearing us, but in an unusual turn, Alexander cupped his chin instead, seemingly deep in thought. I turn to Katharine, having expected her to be in a panic with worry, but again, my expectations are wrong. Katharine has just leant back in her chair, quietly observing her father.

...Ah. So that’s how it is.

It took me a minute, as the three of us sat in the silence, but it came to me. This is obviously not the first political plot that the Armstrong’s have faced up against and came out the other side. They both understand the need for calm and rational thought at times like this--

“I assume to retake Amaki with what I am to be given is possible, lest the King would never sign off on it... On that, and taking my pride and ego away from this conversation Aburi, I take it you see a way out?”

Alexander broke the silence in a calm and collected voice… I honestly didn’t think he would be so open to the idea of changing his tried and tested tactics, let alone look to me for advice.

“...In my opinion, you’ll need to create a distraction at a highly defensible position, drawing as many creatures to you as possible and have small elite units get the defences back online while you keep the majority of the monsters engaged. Your casualties will be severe, and it’ll be anything but easy...but it is possible to beat Ruslant’s game. I’ll give you most of my potion supplies for support, including my combat enhances. The enhancers are a bit of a double edge sword so keep that in mind. You’re going to need them more than we will.”

He takes and releases a deep breath before looking to his daughter, letting out a slight smile.

“I see. You have my thanks Aburi, I’ll graciously accept them--”

“The key to your victory Alex will be the pacing of your losses. You need to be in a position to draw your fighting out as long as possible with the terrain to your advantage and a clear exit strategy. You’ll likely continue to lose multiple teams that head for the defences and moral is going to be circling the drain pretty much all the time. The longer you can keep fighting a drawn-out battle, the higher the chance of your success. Extreme losses are inevitable in this battle, please remember that going in and choose your position carefully.”

“I understand Aburi, it’s a sound plan. Using small numbers to fight a larger force, splintering off tasks as needed to individuals… It’s not unlike the strategy employed by Ralgum.”

Ralgum…? Oh, the ‘Helon – Battle of Gods’ book I gave him.

“Well, let’s hope for a better ending, but I guess so.”

Having not really read it before gifting it, I’m not really sure which part of the book he’s referencing, but it looks like it’s a good thing I gave it to him at the dinner party. Seems it’s partly the reason he’s so open to my strategy.

“Ha indeed… So, you’ll be leaving before dawn?”

“That’s correct yes. Graham’s pulling a fast one before he’s forced to hand in his resignation. Colonel West is being assigned to the remaining thousand troops, and they’ll set off before dawn as well, taking supplies from William Trove by force if necessary. Once they get out the gates, it’ll be complicated to recall them without the Kings direct order--”

“Aburi, that’s a very dangerous--”

“I know Alex, but it won’t matter, I don’t plan on failing. You’ve trusted me so far and Graham’s on board--”

“I don’t understand?”

Katharine interrupts. Seems she can’t read between the lines but Alexander wastes no time in explaining to her.

“Aburi is staking all our lives on the Kings humour, daughter. Should the King decide to recall the troops, we’ll all be sentenced to death as traitors, along with likely four generations of our family lines--”

“W-What!?”

“It’s nothing to worry about Katharine, I have a writ from the King stating my reward. I’m taking this to mean I have the Kings favour right now. He won’t recall the troops as it appears he doesn’t want this country joining hands with Requis and going to war with the elves.”

“I… don’t understand? War with the elves?”

Wow, seems Katharine was blind as well--

“Dear me daughter, you really need to pay attention. Requis is a close ally, they’ve been supplying us with essence stones for the past fifty years in exchange for cheap steel and secure trade routes, but recently they’ve been pushing for us to join the war effort… I guess that means Graham has laid out our concerns?”

Secure trade routes...

“...That I’m of this 'Elvian' clan and here to get Sinki to attack Requis? Yes, he did mention that. Until tonight though, I’d never heard of the Elvian clan, so I assure you that you both had it wrong. As the plan’s proceeding, you’ll have to trust that Graham believes me.”

“So you’re here purely for the reward then…? I must say that displeases me, I didn’t think you the mercenary type Aburi--”

“There’s another reason than just the reward Alex, but… Well, talk to Graham if you need to, but he trusts me enough to risk it all on me. If you trust him, you should too.”

The room goes quiet for a moment, and I can feel Katharine’s gaze fixed on me. Worried that if I look at her, I might give away that she’s become my only reason for sticking this out, I renew the conversation.

“I’ll have a carriage deliver the majority of my rejuvenation tonics supply to here at first light. Don’t let those out of your sight as there your only chance of pulling this off Alex. Katharine, you’ll… Y-you’ll need to be ready to leave by dawn.”

Now facing her, I had expected a firm expression of doubt in my character after her father's mercenary comparison, but she's looking at me with a sort of earnest faith and odd smile to match. I was slightly taken aback by it.

“I’ll be ready. Shall I meet you at the house?”

“No, the stables where the horses are kept. I plan to leave as little indication of departure as possible to keep those watching me in the dark for as long as possible.”

“Very well… Aburi, I trust you.”

She says with apparent sincerity, pausing a moment to let it echo out before placing her hand atop of mine and continuing.

“I know you, I don’t doubt you… I just needed to say that.”

For some reason, I felt a well of emotion creep in as I watch Katharine’s lips mouth out her words. The heat emanating from the palm of her hand that lays on mine, seemingly creeping up my arm until I feel hot all over.

“T-thanks.”

She pulls her hand back and smiles before turning to her father, whose brow is raised in confusion… That’s probably the look I should have too.

“W-well. With everything explained and plans announced, I should head home. I've a lot to put into place and little time to do it.”

“Hmm. Very well… Good luck Aburi--”

“You too Alex. Let us both next meet with stories of amassed victories.”

He laughs out, just nodding as a reply while I lower the barrier.

*Zip*