Chapter 26: Invading Open Doors

Ahanu stared at the note. Kitchi spared no expense expediting the content to the Grand Duke’s grasp. The content pushed Ahanu to the brink of tears, but he just didn’t have it in him to cry.

“Listen Ahanu I…” started Luke as he entered the tent. “You alright?”

“My boy came through. The heartstone flies to our location as we speak. He… Powaw says he’ll make a full recovery. There’s nothing to hold us back now…”

Luke struggled with an emotional Ahanu. Normally, Ahanu stood stably as a support to all. “Listen, like I said, I’m willing to swear a blood debt—“

“Damn it Luke; I said no. I don’t blame you, and I don’t give a damn about the way of the nâpihkâsowiyiniwak now. All I care about is saving her. She’s alive, I can feel it.”

“I know little brother. I know. Then we ride to Antipater. I shove a Zweihänder up his ass, and you hold a dagger to his neck.”

“If only it were that easy. It’s under Antipater’s permission, not a decree from Vindar, that we are justified.”

“That slimy Lamian bastard. I still say we—“

Ahanu held up his hand for silence. “I know dear friend. I know your words, and I wish they were mine. Has your mâmâwi made it through decon?”

“Eh? …Oh… Right, all of the wounded and most of my brothers are through. Still have a way to go with the animals and women.”

“I still haven’t puzzled through the magical decay, but it was a nasty trick. How’s your side?” Ahanu afforded Luke some face and the organ damage went unmentioned.

“I’m fine. We can ride today.”

“Good, because that’s what I ask of you. This…rebellion calls for more nuance than…. Well, let’s just be honest. I think the front requires a more delicate hand than you can manage.”

“But little broth—“

“Please, let me finish. That’s why I want you to be my shield. Huritt… my boy needs a shield. I need you to be his shield. He bore the heartstone against Machayis.” A single tear formed in each man’s eye. “Did you know Alsoomose was teaching him the forms?”

“No brother, I never… wait… are you saying you need me to teach your young?” Luke began to smile ear to ear.

“No, now wait a minute. I—“

“You need me to protect your young. To pick up for sister in her absence, to be the voice—“

“Ah quit it already. I thought we were having something special.”

“Oh but brother it is special. The day you trusted me—“

“The day I told you to move your ass, and ride to my palace. Fine, you can teach him the forms, but I want your people to focus on defending the city. Antipater openly gave his blessing, so we don’t need the force here. I’m more worried about the gatehead. They already pulled one out of thin air, who’s to say they can’t do it again?”

“Surely you don’t think—“

“It doesn’t matter what we think. Neither of us would have said they could have pulled off the first one. If I have you covering our flank, I can focus on throttling those rats like they deserve.”

Luke truly felt his heart move. He always thought there was something keeping Ahanu at bay. A thin paper wall, but still one that caused a divide. He assumed the lingering duties and differences between the Axculi and GPA would keep them apart. Still, he rejoiced in being wrong.

“I’m going to teach him all the stories a young warrior should know… I wonder if he can ride? I’m going to—“

“You’re going to ride, damn it, like I already told you. Take my blessed seal and get it to Kitchi. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with it. Now go.”

Luke left the tent and stretched wide. He gazed over the landscape as he pondered what he would do. A smile crept on the face that soon became a wide grin. He called to his attendants, “Come, our duty sends us to Kanadario, and our orders authorize us to pitch tent in little brother’s fort.”

⁂

Ahanu meditated on his sorrows in solitude. His wife was captured by unknown agents, and his dear child suffered needlessly. He tried to console himself that Huritt was really a man in a boy’s body, but he couldn’t help of thinking the soft small hands that he once held. The Lamians burned through the precious hand of his boy, and he would make them pay.

Wallowing never brought me anywhere, he thought. “Amalek get in here,” Ahanu ordered.

“Reporting, my Grace.” Amalek never dealt with grieving superiors, so he wasn’t quite sure how to act. The Duke always presented a noble demeanor, but the last few days presented a man brooding alone despite everyone’s best efforts.

“We have full authority in the Lamian lands now,” stated Ahanu as he gestured with the heart stone. “Have all our forces crossed the Aroostook?”

“Yes, my Grace. The Fane is moving to dry dock for further investigation by the Service, but the Talix and Green Turtle are anchored off the northern shore awaiting further orders.”

“Good. Send word with the Landgrave that the Talix is to help escort his entourage with all haste to Valencia. The use of reserve crystals is authorized. The Green Turtle is to resume an expanded patrol to cover as much of the Lamian border as she can. Send a war commission to the captain and at least 10 barrels of my rum.”

“Very good, my Grace. Will the GPA be parting with us then?”

“No. Figure out who the hell counts as a second in command over there and have them meet with me before the officer’s dinner tonight. We’re going to split forces and wedge the Antipater between a classic fork. I want Ajax leading the GPA...though we need to frame it better…”

“Joint command, my Grace?”

“No, that always muddles things at the worst times. Ajax is in command, but give the GPA XO and right of refusal. Ajax is beloved enough there since he became a racing champion. Make sure they understand the Landgrave’s trust of my command and commanding officers. I’m playing good cop tonight.”

“Of course, my Grace.” A page called out from outside the tent and Amalek left to handle it. He quickly returned and whispered into Ahanu’s ear. “My Grace, I announce Calis, Western warleader of the Elves, and if I may speak freely,” Ahanu noded, “I really think you should see him.”

The news shocked Ahanu yet again. While the scouts noted the presence of the elves before the engagement at the marina, they had kept mostly to themselves. None of their actions would indicate the need for such a highly placed individual. Ahanu decided greeting the elf personally was the best course of action.

The blaring midday sun would bring a lesser man to at least squint when exiting the dark tent, but Ahanu smiled warmly to Calis without even flinching. “Calis, my friend it is good to see you again. Let’s skip the formalities and come join me in my tent.” Ahanu held open the tent flap like he was a mere page and scanned the area. “Amalek, go grab some glacier barriers and brew some white tea for our guest. Then send any red hats on shift out to see if there is anyone else we should be inviting to dinner.”

Calis eyed the grand duke while he stood silently in the middle of the tent. Ahanu reached for a large pair of cushions and handed one to Calis. The elf took a moment to appreciate the geometric needlework and then promptly sat down right where he was standing. Ahanu dropped the other cushion next to Calis and began rummaging through a trunk next to his desk.

“If you sent word of your arrival I could have prepared better for your arrival, but if I remember your wording from last time, “watching humans conduct ceremony is like listening to baboons play the lute.’”

Calis smirked slightly in reply, then paused as though he was reconsidering. “Not all humans are so clumsy just as not all birds are annoying in the morning.”

Ahanu managed a polite laugh as he returned with a small black cube in his hands. He sat down next the warleader and dropped the cube between them. Calis nodded, and Ahanu crushed the cube against the canvas with the hilt of his dagger. Black smoke burst from the cube to make an obscured dome around the pair.

Ahanu eyed Calis and decided to wait until the elf spoke. All elves tended to view the other humanoid races as inferior, but Ahanu wasn’t going to give into the stereotype that humans lacked patience. Ten minutes passed with Calis seemed content to observe the mist around him when Amalek finally called for permission to enter. After receiving clear permission from Ahanu, he came and served tea to the silent pair, and noting the spent obfuscation charm, quickly retreated to make assure their privacy.

“The slaughter at Escanaba was most unfortunate,” began the elf as he sipped his tea. “Poisons from that explosion were even making their way into the forest. I’ve had to bring in two troops of grass dancers and leaf chanters. They were only able to assure me the contamination cleared two hours ago.”

“You do know that we were not at fault? This clearly lays at the feet of the Lamian rebellion?”

Calis looked off for a while as if considering Ahanu’s reply, or possibly what he ate for lunch. “Rebellion is it? Should we expect you to bring out your machines of war?”

“No my current plans bring us away from your forests deep into Lamian land. I suspect there will be little further cause for our conflicts to involve your people.”

Another uncomfortably long pause, but Ahanu held the poise of his position. “Violence affects the web most notably when it’s between sentient species. When that wound of space was cauterized, it perverted the mana along this entire thread. The damage down river will be lasting. We would have you secure a troop of water weavers.”

“Of course, it’s the least we can to do to help. We all suffer when nature is damaged.”

“Hmmm, it would seem nature’s suffering is still an insufficient reason for humanity. No matter, your father was the same and at least you listen.”

Ahanu found himself with less patience due to the suffering of his family and chided himself inwardly for wanting to close things. “Surely you didn’t come here just to request a protection detail? If truly needed you could have provided one yourself.”

Calis’s eyes narrowed in annoyance but kept an even tone. “We find your actions within this disaster merit penitence, and we will see your resources spent on the reconciliation.” Ahanu began to object, but Calis stopped him with a simple shake of his head. “We reviewed all and the speakers for the forest are of one accord for you were complicit in failing to find peace. Though there is wisdom in your words, that is not why I am here. My queen seeks your personal attendance at the solstice festival. My charge is to make sure you accept.”

“Is that a threat?” Ahanu dreaded the idea of conflict with the elves, but he also knew that should the Empire be truly willing, they could crush Calis’s forces.

“Why must you humans be so violent? Rather than a threat, why don’t we say it’s a wager? I think you’ll make it, and I’m going to stick around to make sure I’m right.”