The world was an empty field covered in snow. It of course wasn’t, but it could feel like that. Yifat spurred her taukar forwards. The sound of thousands of feet marching behind her soothed and comforted her. This was where she was supposed to be, at the head of a marching army, not in some room scheming and politicking. In the distance she could discern the twin mountains that marked the pass beyond which the village lay.

So far, this world hadn’t been all that different from Camerak. A bit warmer perhaps, but still covered in snow. This campaign wasn’t fundamentally different than the ones she had been on during the civil war. The enemies might end up looking different, but with that everything was pretty much said. Her loyal scouts had informed her that there would definitely be armed conflict in the future. Apparently, the village she was going to occupy was part of a larger empire.

When she had first heard it, the news had excited her, but it had dulled some after having been forced to call Benroy sir for more than a month. Still, an entire empire for her to conquer. The acclaim it would give her would help her bloodline rise to unimaginable heights. “All companies increase marching speed.” She calmly said. Instantly the entire army sped up. Yifat smiled, another day of marching and then the real game would begin.

Ɏ

Winter was coming to an end, but this far up North it was still fucking cold. Inquisitor Ronald was about to complain when a shout came down from the crow’s nest. He strained his eyes and spotted structures on the distant shore. He readjusted his ruff, the thing itched like crazy, but like many other tedious tasks and rules observing fashion trends was part of his station. The sound of plate clattering on deck announced Ser Edward’s arrival.

“It seems that we will be reaching shore today.” The knight said. “From there on I will provide you with an escort to Maplemore.” The inquisitor nodded. If he was just given a horse and suitable provisions, he was sure he could make it to the small village by himself. There was, however, no arguing with the knight, who had his own orders. “Make haste, I want to spend as little time as possible in foreign lands. Once I have established the threat level I want to leave as quickly as humanly possible.”

Ser Edward looked up in annoyance. “Some consider it good manners to not speak out one’s contempt for an allied nation, especially when visiting said nation.” Ronald shrugged. “I’m not here on a diplomatic mission, neither am I a diplomat. I was chosen for this job because my honesty and loyalty are unquestioned. If you want to hear sweet nothings than go to the embassy, I’m convinced that some social climber is willing to fill your ears with honey.” His bluntness ended the conversation instantly.

The knight let out a deep sigh and turned his back on the inquisitor. He left the man to his brooding and joined the captain at the helm of the ship. “Ser knight.” The man greeted him. “Captain.” The two looked at the inquisitor, whose eyes were still locked on the shoreline. “A difficult one to work with.” The captain casually remarked. “Rude and unrefined, a prime specimen of his people.” Edward responded. “Neyendalians aren’t so bad. They’re a bit rude, but quite lovely folk when you get to know them.” The captain said as he adjusted the course of the ship a little.

“So, ser, what do you reckon you will find when you reach the destination of your journey?” A shiver went down Edward’s spine. “If we’re lucky we will find nothing at all and this entire undertaking will be a gigantic waste of time and resources.” The captain looked up, a hard look in his eyes. “Then I hope your mission is a resounding failure.” The knight patted the captain on the back and retreated below decks.

Late that afternoon they finally reached shore. Ronald was eager to get off the ship, being confined there had been nothing less than torture. Not that the harbour town was much better mind. The streets weren’t paved, the buildings shoddy and the people unrefined. Even when he entered one of the town’s nicer districts it failed to live up to his standards. “How is it that we’ve passed five temples and not a single opera house? No hotels or restaurants either? What do you people do to entertain yourselves?” He asked the knight who had insisted on accompanying him, even though Ronald had been quite clear that he wanted some time to himself.

“There are many fine taverns in King’s Bay and if it is a place to rest you seek, I’m sure we could find an inn which lives up to your standards.” Ronald scoffed. “I highly doubt that.” A vein was bulging out of Edward’s forehead. It was taking all his restraint and self-control not to stab the other man. Over the years he had fought in bloody wars, battled monsters and sat in judgement of criminals. None of those things had driven him to such anger as he was feeling now. The inquisitor was insufferable, taking every opportunity to either insult Solestia or the faith. Had this been any other person he would have challenged them to a duel at sunrise.

“How far is it to that backwater we’re visiting?” Ronald asked. “Two weeks.” Edward hissed at the inquisitor. “Excellent, then we leave at first light.”

Ɏ

By his estimation reinforcements would arrive tomorrow, which was a problem because Jared hadn’t found the time to tell Thomas. Between their blade training, riding and language lessons they seemed to talk about anything except the thing that mattered. Time however was running out, much like the amount of excuses he thought of not to tell Thomas.

The two of them were sitting on a mountain ledge enjoying some salted beef. “You know, although my people prefer fish this meat isn’t bad.” He idly commented. “I can’t believe that your people only eat meat and fish.” Jared shrugged. “We can’t all eat plants all the time. Lords of the blood, how can you be so obsessed with roots and flowers?”

Thomas grinned. “Varied food makes us grow big and muscular. A lot better than your delicate soldiers.” Jared tilted his head. “Oh, getting cocky, are we.” He stood up and drew his sword, lets see if you can back that big talk up.”

Ten minutes later they were both panting and Thomas was lying on the ground, bruised, thoroughly trashed. “My friend, by now you should have learned that a couple of months of blade play doesn’t make you a master. Truly, I know children that could wipe the floor with you.” Thomas sat upright. “Think about it this way, if you can teach me this much in a short time think about what my people are like after years of training.”

Jared turned serious. “We’re going to find out how good your people are in the field.” Thomas gave him a confused look. “What do you mean?” Blue flecks danced through Jared’s eyes. “You know that we belong with the army. My general is marching on your village as we speak, she will claim it in the name of our queen.” Thomas gave him a look he couldn’t place. “Bill was right.” He muttered. “Look at it from the bright side. All the things I told you about that we have back on Camerak, it is going to come here. The empire is very generous to its subject states.”

Thomas was getting up, his face serious. “When?” Jared got up as well. “Tomorrow, or the day after. Very soon.” Thomas resolutely turned around and walked towards his taukar. “Where are you going?” Jared called after him. “I’m going to make sure that my fiancé isn’t going to get caught up in a foreign occupation.” The human replied. The visius hurried after him. “And how are you going to do that?”

He stopped Thomas and turned him around. “Listen to me, when the army arrives, we’re going to need you. None of my people have a good handle on your language and you’re the only one who has one on ours. If you’re not there to translate things might turn violent and nobody wants that.”

Thomas could barely contain his anger. “Nobody wants that?” He shoved Jared backwards. “Your people seem to be awfully good at fighting for not wanting things to get violent.” Jared felt his own anger rising. “I’ve never said otherwise. I’ve told you about the wars my people have fought and what kind of culture we have. You must have known that one day things would go this way.” Red flames lit in his eyes. Why did he need to defend his people’s ways? What right did this boy, who had never even left his village, to judge how things were done?

“Why can’t you see that this a good thing? The empire will improve your way of life beyond your wildest dreams.” Jared asked, trying to repress his anger. “We’re already part of a kingdom, we don’t need or want to be part of another one.” Thomas bit back. “A kingdom that sits around and does nothing for you until it needs something. Your king hasn’t even constructed proper roads. We offer you roads, safety, work, income, culture a future.”

“That is how you think of us then? Uncultured idiots? Before you lot came along, we were doing just fine.” Thomas pushed Jared’s arm away and got on his taukar. “Thomas, come on man, I didn’t mean it like that. Your people do have a culture, but don’t you want to enrich it?” Thomas turned his taukar and kicked its sides. “You know I’m right. You know that the empire is a better alternative and that you could all gain from this.” He watched Thomas’ retreating back. “With the empire you can secure a future for your fiancé and your children.”

Thomas halted, his taukar making approving snorts at the suspension of exercise. Jared suppressed a grin as he ran towards his student. “What is this about a future for Anna and my children?” Thomas hesitantly asked. “Well the empire will need translators to make its will known. As the first of those you might be put in charge of training new translators. They might even make you a regional governor, stranger things have happened. In the kingdom you will never be more than a farmer, working hard to provide for your family.” As he saw Thomas getting angry again Jared turned his palms outwards. “And there is nothing wrong with that. But, under the empire you might rise to great prominence. Securing not only your and your fiancé’s future, but those of your children and perhaps grandchildren.”

He grinned at Thomas. “Among humans your bloodline could be the most important one. Don’t you want that?” There was a part of Thomas that wanted to dig his heels in his taukar’s side and get back to the village and warn his father. There was however a different part of him that urged him to sit down with Jared and discuss this matter, no opportunity, seriously. A cold breeze stirred the otherwise silent ledge. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Thomas made a decision.

“What will happen when the army arrives?” He asked as he dismounted. Jared released his breath, which he had unknowingly been holding in. “My general will seek out the centre of authority in the village and will ask them to officially submit. Once that person has done that the army will make use of the intelligence gathered by Captain Sada’s company to find a defensible spot to settle the soldiers. It will probably be near a water source and if at all possible, a food source.”

Thomas nodded, it all seemed very sensible so far. “And then?” He asked. “Then the army will probably stay a couple of weeks so that the general can make new plans to take other regions. During that period the security of Maplemore will likely be upgraded. At some point settlers and merchants will arrive to help strengthen the region socially and economically. All these people won’t be able to speak the language, at least not for a while. During that time someone with your talents could gain a great deal of status.”

Thomas remained silent as he mulled over what Jared had said. “So, nobody will get hurt?” Jared shook his head. “As long as they don’t resist, they will be deemed respected citizens of the empire with all the rights and duties every citizen has.” Jared tilted his head. “I guarantee you, that if you help us you, Anna and the rest of your family will benefit from it.” He could see that Thomas was on the fence, he just needed a little push. “The army is coming regardless; without you it will be entirely up to your father to do the negotiating.”

“Negotiating? I thought this was an occupation?” Confusion was clear on Jared’s face. “This is an occupation? We must negotiate over the needs of your people? If your people are to become an efficient part of the empire it must know what they need. I reckon space to grow your plants is one of them. We mostly want your animals and your fish, metals, if they’re any in the mountains, we’re interested in as well. What did you think being a part of an empire is like?”

Thomas scratched his head. “I kind of figured that you would just take everything. My dad once told me that when there is a war in the south the tax collectors would come to take the young men and the livestock with them.” Jared shook his head. “That would be inefficient. We want your animals, but not immediately. They would be dead before they reached our cities. I’m sure somebody will figure that logistical problem out eventually.”

Jared could almost see the gears turn inside Thomas’ head. “If it is going to happen regardless whether I’m here or not.” He started. “And nobody will get hurt.” Jared added. “Then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I stayed.” Jared smiled. “I promise you no harm will befall your beloved. I will protect her life with my own.” Thomas nodded. “I appreciate that. You must understand that her safety and that of my family is my first priority.” Jared nodded intently.

“I understand, you must protect your bloodline at all costs. Your people and mine are very similar in that regard.” He put an arm around Thomas’ shoulder. Together they walked towards the ledge, looking out over the village in the distance. “Winter is ending my friend and the future is bright. You will see, the whole world is going to change for the better.”