Chapter 16

Imperial Capital

Atilla grit his teeth as silently as he could while the two men who were supposed to have heroically died happily told the emperor what they had seen, the Seljuk Agent never denying their claims.

It had been well over a week since they had quickly returned from their short "expedition" with the gleeful message that the enemy from beyond this cursed doorway was… "Afraid". Atilla had overseen the quick construction of several new reinforced barricades to add to the wood and mortar that blocked the exit to their world, but even with the new information, he worried it wouldn’t be enough.

How had the enemy constructed such a barricade so quickly? Surely, they hadn’t simply had the iron lying about? And if they did, why not chase after them sooner?

It was all rather ominous of the foe they faced.

But the time to report to the emperor had inevitably come, and now… And now, the two men he had hoped were turned into mush in the emperor’s attempt at reconnaissance “in force” were happily telling his majesty how "afraid" the enemy was.

Afraid! They likely only sealed the entrance to prevent us from managing reconnaissance!

Emperor Adrian Sol Traianus finally spoke, hand covering his mouth as he appeared in deep thought.

"And this door… it is… sealed?"

"Yes, emperor, we tried bashing it down with our blades. Whatever they constructed it with is thick and sturdy. I would estimate an arm's length worth of thick iron at the least. Of course, we’ve been helping build barricades to match on our end.”

Shoddy by comparison...

The Emperor glanced at Atilla.

“Dismissed.” the Emperor said, Atilla’s eyes following the pair as they exited, oh so proud of themselves. The Seljuk agent simply disappeared as they usually did, silently and like ghosts.

Such were the spies of the empire.

And now, the emperor’s eyes were on him.

"So… the enemy did your job for you and sealed the doorway by themselves… why would that be?"

Before Atilla could answer, a more than happy prince Lucius declared "Clearly they are afraid! Perhaps they fought off the first wave, but given how desperate they seemed to be to keep our valiant armies out, I think all you have succeeded in doing, general, is allowing the enemy to deprive us of our well-deserved land! This just shows that your actions in holding the rest of the Army back were foolish and had you just taken the initiative we could have won!”

The Emperor lifted a hand and Lucius Sol Traianus fell silent.

"Bluntness of the statement aside… The point has some merit, does it not? Perhaps if Darius and Titus hadn’t been so cautious we could’ve taken more land and not be in this awkward stalemate, no? At the very least one must agree our position would have been more favorable."

Atilla quickly said "That may well be, your grace, but this enemy... they were able to seal their side of the doorway with ease while we are still struggling to create as effective a barricade. I see no reason to believe they may not try and attack us sooner or later. Need I remind you all of the attack against Octavius’s position?"

The red-headed princess spoke then, suddenly, as if she had been waiting for the opportunity.

"Perhaps we should take this opportunity to at least try and open diplomatic talks. We did our damage, they did theirs… this doorway is not going anywhere, so why not try and converse? Perhaps they are indeed afraid and could be assured we did not intend to befall such destruction upon their lands."

Speak for yourself, princess… we specifically targeted civilians because the destruction WAS intentional!

Emperor Adrian simply said "Daughter, after that attack I see no reason to negotiate. It will, at best, make us appear weak to them. Doing so will perhaps encourage they attack again if what Octavius said is to be believed."

Princess Parthia fell silent then.

“But father, there are still problems across the empire that need our attention. We can’t just keep such a massive force there forever.”

It was Antonius Sol Traianus who spoke then.

“They’re minor in comparison to the Empire’s might.”

"But still... if we must prepare for a war on a scale we’ve never seen before, should we not try to focus on alleviating these problems so there are no distractions when the fighting begins? News of the pirates to the west has caused plenty of discourse amongst the people as to why we are focusing on some unknown threat in the Alpine Mountains rather than helping our citizens."

Princess Parthia quickly added “That’s right! We must focus on ensuring the safety and security of the people!”

Antonius nodded, saying “So if we are to go to war or end it before it truly begins, we must act quickly, father.”

Emperor Adrian appeared pensive then, Atilla noting the man’s eyes kept darting to and from the bust of the First Emperor.

After a moment, it was Lucius Sol Traianus who spoke.

"As much as it pains me to admit, they have a point. General Atilla, say we take two of your legions, leave you enough men to keep the beast men under control and provide you and Octavius the resources to properly seal up that door? I’ll even send some more of my personal servants if it means helping construct a barricade around that doorway even faster."

The Emperor added “Yes, perhaps that would suffice, would it not? Legions to defend the coasts, and you have the manpower to finish sealing that damned thing.”

Atilla calculated the number in his head.

It would take time to move them and the materials there but…

"It would be possible, and with enough men, I daresay that we could even build the wall around it before the end of the year."

Emperor Adrian nodded slowly, satisfied with the response.

"Good. Then we shall redirect our forces, focus on defense... and hopefully, the enemy will not choose to strike back in the time being."

"I will do all I can to make sure of that."

“But father, what about-?”

“Parthia, please... right now we must focus our efforts on defense. When they come to negotiate peace and not trick us into a false sense of security in order to stab us in the back, then we will consider their request. Remember, they killed two of our generals and wounded a third. They must pay for that crime.”

No one objected.

“Alright, good… now away with you, I need time to think.”

There were a few nods of agreement, Atilla noted, he saluted and exited the room.

Emperor Adrian, however, kept himself silent. His praetorians said nothing. The wind’s breeze was silent. No singing birds could be heard.

Nothing.

Then, he heard the footsteps and the doors swung open.

He smiled for the first time in the day.

“Clef, my good man. What fine cuisine do you bring me?”

The bald chef bowed and lifted the lid off a deep plate. A tangible cloud of steam arose from it, and Emperor Adrian sighed as the smell entered his nostrils.

“Well-cooked Northern Venison, my emperor. Mixed with some of your favorites…” the chef gestured to a glass with a sticky substance.

The emperor’s smile widened, quickly partaking of the delicacies his reign gave him access to.

“Ah, Clef… if only running an empire left such a satisfactory taste.”

The old chef laughed, saying “Well, they say running a kitchen is like running a kingdom.” Then, the smale fading slightly, the man asked “Might I ask what troubles you?”

In the middle of chewing, Adrian gave him a confused expression.

“Come now, majesty… How long have I been your head chef?”

Adrian swallowed before saying “Fair enough, Clef… I suppose I can confide in you rather than even my own children.”

Chef Clef straightened ever so slightly, his expression turning more serious.

“An enemy on the Alpine Mountains… perhaps superior to what we can muster… yet we can’t afford to show any weakness by speaking with them.”

Then Adrian sunk down in his throne, muttering “If only the old Caesarians were here. The men who led the empire to greatness…”

They both glanced at the marble statue of the Empire’s founder.

“...I’m nothing like them…”

Clef quickly said “That isn’t true at all, majesty. You’ve brought order to savage tribes in our east and north. The detestable Rabbits, the dreaded sand dwellers of-”

“Mere insects to our might, Clef… insects. Insignificant… the rabbits were already effectively a client kingdom anyway. I’ve had no glory compared to those that came before me…”

The chef huffed, placing his hands on his hips like a disapproving parent, saying “Is that truly a reason to sulk? Is it not a reason to force yourself to grow?”

Adrian nodded slowly, saying “Perhaps so…”

“Is this enemy not the great conquest you desire? You are the emperor of Iberia. You choose how much glory you can gain from this.”

“And if they best our troops in the mountains?”

“Well, what did the Caesarians do when the Empire was threatened by beast or man alike?”

Adrian nodded slowly then, saying “Sacrifices… they burnt the earth… they showed there would never be a victory for those who dared oppose the Empire…”

“That has defined our Empire from the beginning, sire. The people will follow you, no?”

“Yes, yes, you’re right! Even if this new enemy bests us… I will show what a true emperor can do… then they shall see… I will make the subjugation of the northern rabbits appear like a childish scuffle… yes… yes, indeed!” Adrian breathed, sitting slightly straighter, light returning to his eyes.

Clef smiled.

From the shadows, Seljuk slowly vanished behind the statue of the old Caesarian emperor.

***

She tightly held onto the rags still covering her as she sunk into the water, wincing slightly as it touched her bruises and scars. Moreso as she allowed her rags to float away enough so she could begin cleaning them along with herself.

Or at least as best she could in this place.

The cool waters of the old bathhouse would’ve been almost soothing if her body didn’t ache as much as it did and the weather outside wasn’t colder than usual. She winced again, passing a hand through her soaked white hair, even the simple action causing the discolored spot on the side of her right arm to send painful flames up her body like lightning.

Thule could feel the far more pronounced red and purple bruises covering her pale body protest as she bathed. She did her best to ignore them and not think of the previous few hours, deciding to focus more on washing her long hair instead, keeping her eyes closed as she did, making sure water didn’t get into her ears...

After a moment, she opened her eyes, briefly seeing her reflection in the water.

Had she truly once been queen? Had a loving mother and father? The reflection staring back at her seemed to suggest the complete opposite. Soulless crimson eyes, her ears even now lowered in submission and shame despite her tormentor not being present, and the bruises on her hands and legs visible to her.

I hate you...

Then, her right ear twitched ever so slightly. She perked up, glimpsing towards the broken murals and cracked walls of the old bathhouse. Plants and sunlight had made their way inside long ago, but the broken bricks and marble floor kept them from completely returning the bath to mother nature, and as clean water flowed from the aqueducts, it was a decent place for slaves like her to clean themselves after being “used”.

But it was also not at all private.

Moving quickly, she sunk beneath the water just a little, grabbing the still floating rags while her head remained above water, and her white hair floating all over, partially covering her.

Then she spoke.

“What do you want, Seljuk?”

The slimy voice answered her from behind one of the bath’s broken columns.

“I only brought word, if it interests you.”

She was silent for a moment.

“As well as a new proposal.”

Her gaze turned slightly toward the direction of the voice.

“Go on.”

“Well, your... fallen... majesty. Emperor Adrian has been rather... on edge as of late.”

Good.

“And as good as you may see that, my tribe and I would rather not be destroyed with Iberia should something happen.”

“So?”

“So, the recent attempt at a scouting mission was impossible due to the men from another world blocking the exit with an iron gate, which is no easy task given its size.”

“Get to the point or leave, Seljuk.”

“I shall, but before that... we have reason to believe the enemy will attack. Soon. And when they attack they will likely try to find allies within this world.”

“Didn’t that general say they wished to destroy everything and everyone? Why would they seek allies?”

“We have our suspicions. Perhaps consider this my way of betting on every horse. In response, the emperor has ordered a return to tactics of the old days should the enemy set foot in this world.”

She didn’t reply, but the implication was too well known not to conjure up images of a hellish landscape, riddled with the dead and dying, plant and beast alike. People, regardless of age or sex, were not an exception.

Scorched Earth…

The spymaster then said, “So… would an alliance of mutual benefit interest you?”

She remained still in the bath for a moment, the slimy presence nearby remaining where it stood. Her eyes stared at her reflection, suspicion plaguing her mind at what exactly “beneficial” meant here.

As if to answer her question, he said “They may choose to kill the emperor and his entire family in revenge. I’m sure we could help facilitate that in exchange for something or other. And for that role, you would likely be perfect. A perfect opportunity to gain your vengeance while my tribe and myself gain safety and favor with these new players.”

He’s afraid...

She almost smiled.

“I’ll think about it. Understand that my goal remains unchanged.”

“Ah, but perhaps working with us will grant you this great desire. You must consider that at the very least. But I understand you wished not to be bothered at the moment. We shall speak later.”

Thule said nothing, a cruel smile creeping onto her face as the slimy presence vanished from her senses and she was able to recall the fear in the old man’s voice from that day.

Her eyes slowly drifted to her reflection once more.

Her eyes remained hollow and empty, yet now she finally had some new purpose.