Too many lost. Our frontlines will collapse if we suffer half as many casualties.

This plague had already taken root in the body of his kingdom. A plague that was now septic.

Renosipe continued, "The losses stem from the Kharmite tactics. They patrol the desert in small groups of tribesmen. Men who have fought and bled at each other’s sides for years. They don’t scale well, as in, when two units are combined they are not twice as effective, and when two bands are merged due to mutual casualties a new hierarchy must be established. They are more loyal to their brother or chieftain than they are to Kheresh. A cultural difference that seems to produce poor dynamics for monster hunting. Though Kheresh claims dozens of victories. He reports a score of flame-tongued drakes slain, two hydras, one thousand and three hundred hellhounds, and two hundred green giants. Plus an odd assortment of other creatures."

Aldric’s brow furrowed. He’d hoped to weaken Kheresh’s position then assassinate his competence in court, not murder his entire city in a day. Too great of a decay would give the duke grounds to blame him, and would make other lords cautious.

“Renosipe, that’s… Too many dead. If the portals can produce so many creatures of such legendary status, then Talocandel itself is threatened.” Said Aldric, already planning to quietly hold a conscription.

Renosipe’s advice had erred on the side of caution one too many times, and now it was time for Aldric to recruit forces free of the grandmaster’s influence.

In response, Renosipe only nodded. “Indeed, it would be prudent to call in your outstanding marks and debts, give every sellsword and indebted noble a chance to fight their way to glory.”

As he spoke several letters floated into his hand, given locomotion by one of his earlier sorting spells.

“These are Kheresh’s personal reports. He’s begun a withdrawal to avoid the winter snows, for his men are accustomed to the desert heat.” Renosipe reread a line in the letter, working his jaw at the sentence. “Duke Kheresh holds his oath fulfilled, and that of his bannermen.”

King Aldric’s face hardened, his gaze fixed upon the flickering flames in the braziers as if seeking answers within their depths. He had anticipated losses, but even he had not expected them to be so severe. "It seems Kheresh’s misfortune is greater than we could have anticipated. This will leave our south eastern border open to invasions."

Renosipe hesitated, his keen mind weighing his next words carefully. "Sire, if I may speak freely?"

"Speak, Renosipe. I value your counsel above all others." A fact that Aldric was quickly considering.

"Kheresh was never meant to succeed," the Grandmaster said softly, "The orders you gave him were designed not to reinforce Greenwood, but to deplete his coffers, exhaust his resources, and to tarnish his reputation. You sent him on a campaign across the continent, and he has been annihilated after questioning your right to rule, let him tuck tail and flee. Trade in the southern region has dwindled below taxable levels since the cataclysm. Kheresh will be licking their wounds for decades to come, both monetarily and physically."

The King’s expression remained inscrutable, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something deeper—an acknowledgement, perhaps, of the truth in Renosipe’s words. "Give me the full details of Hamilton’s progress." He asked, his voice steady.

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The two lords were of equal competence and standing, Duke Hamilton specialized in fortress warfare and was well suited to the conflict, but Duke Kheresh was far more cunning. He was the commander who could slay ten thousand foreign invaders with a hundred; and win. So how had he lost with ten thousand? It wasn’t logical.

Renosipe’s brow raised, reaching the same conclusion.

"Do you suspect an enemy commander? The portals summon beasts! Not people.”

“What if Pandora didn’t die? What if she is commanding the monsters directly?” Asked Aldric.

“Hamilton holds Blackwood Castle, and Lady Green holds Greenhaven. The heart should be nearing exhaustion. We just need to hold out a bit longer, then we can sweep the lands with armies and cleanse them of the monsters. Hamilton remains loyal, my lord, he has fulfilled his duty, and his forces are intact. There is nothing to fear from him, other than a glorious victory in your name sire.”

That settled the matter, Renosipe was not to be trusted from this moment on. Pandora had walked the earth after Renosipe failed to control the heart, claiming she was no threat now was idiotic, and too stupid for a man of Renosipe’s intelligence. It would take time to extricate himself from the advisor, but it would be done. Francois had failed him, and now the magi had joined in that failure. He would have to quietly conscript and fortify every part of his kingdom, but that could be done one city at a time, starting with the residents around Talocandel.

Aldric nodded slowly, his mind turning over the implications of the planned betrayal, though his charisma helped conceal his thoughts. "Kheresh is proud, and prideful men are often blind to the realities that surround them. Send a thank you letter to him. We will hold his oath twice fulfilled."

Renosipe inclined his head, acknowledging the wisdom in the King’s strategy. "Twice fulfilled? Very well my liege. That ought to assure him concerning your pure intentions."

The King rose from his seat, silhouette casting a long shadow across the chamber. He stepped towards one of the narrow windows, gazing out over the city of Talocandel. Distant streets were bustling with life, unaware of the machinations that played out within the citadel’s walls. "Power is a delicate thing, Renosipe," Aldric mused. "It is not enough to simply hold it; one must understand how to wield it, to balance it between those who would seek to take it for themselves, and your own desire for more."

Renosipe stepped forward, his staff clicking softly against the stone floor. "And you, Sire, understand that better than any. Your actions are necessary to maintain the stability of the realm. Kheresh’s downfall, while tragic, serves a greater purpose."

“Very well, you may go Renosipe, we have enough duties and letters to send for one day.” Said Aldric, watching silently as the traitor exited his study.

How long have you been working against me Renosipe? How long have you been whispering ill fortunes while tearing apart my kingdom? But why betray me? My father gave you everything! From your college to the magi beneath you to the position as advisor.

Bah, we shall see who Taloc favors more! Thought King Aldric, deaf to the laughter of Therun Perun Taloc.

–

“Idiot.” Said Taloc, speaking from his imprisonment. “Renosipe has always been mine, though I have no intentions of granting his true wishes.” Said Taloc,

He pulled on the golden chains, testing their newfound weakness. Since Pandora broke into the mortal realms by force, she’d weakened all wards across the globe. Taloc’s own chains had lost their strength. Soon he could break the chains, and once a single chain shattered, others would follow. Only one question remained, would Taloc free himself before the other gods returned? Or would he be dropped into a damaged Earth, one where humanity had already genocided his loved ones.

“Lumiko, Nyota, I won’t allow them to harm you again.” Growled Taloc, pulling on his chains until they began to splinter and crack.