Chapter 9
Alpine Mountains
Warlock Augustine tried to keep the cup of water from falling as the ground shook around him and men screamed in the distance. Up above, the flying machines, the ones with straight wings and buzzing snouts tormented the camp, dropping their weapons on the men with impunity as they had tried to evacuate further into the caves.
He was far too focused on the map by the candlelight.
Their various missions to block the roads and highways out of the mountains had quickly become a disaster. The enemy had not only become far more aggressive and prevented them from taking any advantage of possible chokepoints but more and more of their flying machines were patrolling above like birds of prey, making it nearly impossible to set up ambushes or block a road ahead of time. By now, his men were hiding among the caves and forested areas the mountains offered, taking advantage of what little protection they could, just to hide from these weapons. If the flying monstrosities did not slaughter the legions, then the footsoldiers and their awful ranged weapons would.
Even by now, he suspected the information on the map was far too outdated to be of much practical use. Even assuming any of his students or other imperial mages successfully blocked a road further down, the enemy had proven to be more than capable of removing all obstacles and pushing through. The fact was that the enemy would control the highways sooner if not later, and they would be left with few options for proceeding.
“If we had more Wyverns we could knock those machines out of the sky.” one of his younger mages grumbled.
He quickly responded with, “Given the weapons they have, maybe not. I cannot help but fear that we are only facing a minuscule element of the strength they can bring about.”
No one argued.
He leaned into the map again, staring at the highways that would soon be or already had been lost. In his mind, he gazed past them and what was now at risk. Soon after they were fully secured by these men from another world, these weapons would be spreading throughout the fields of Iberia, with little in the way of reaching the Imperial Capital itself. The legions certainly could not stop the monsters of metal these men ran with, spears and ballistae strikes had only done so much that he had seen- or thought he had seen.
The terrible idea occurred to him that he hadn’t truly seen any of the terrible machines be destroyed or abandoned. He could not even guarantee that brave soldiers had taken any men with them to the underworld. They probably had, comforting a thought as that might have been, but he had not seen it, and that was disturbing enough to keep the thought to himself.
“We need to beat them in the mountains.” He grumbled aloud, but other than a few nods, he knew how futile it all was by now to repeat it.
Yes, they needed to defeat them in the mountains. The close range of the fighting there evened things even a little. But their flying machines, their iron elephants, their ability to breathe death over them as a blade cut through grass meant that they would have to try something else.
As the ground shook once more, he jabbed his index finger at the main highway, “We need to turn this loss into an advantage. Let them take the highway, and let us avoid fighting them directly for now. If we can-” he paused as the ground shook yet again, this time some dust from above falling onto the map. “...we can begin sabotaging their logistics. Perhaps find times to hit them. Perhaps capture some of their weapons. We need to even the playing field, and this is the only area we have that chance.”
“The legions and legates may not approve.” another mage grumbled.
“Those that don’t approve of our new tactics won’t last very long. They will be dead and replaced by those who understand how we must adapt. If Octavius managed to burn the city of Vicenzo, we might be able to slow them down just enough to…” he threw his arms up as the cursed machines seemed to be leaving now, “To bleed them a little more. Then, if we capture some of their weapons, then maybe we can start to get these animals to leave our land!”
Again, only a few nods of agreement were his response.
Washington DC, USA
The American president stared at the report with eyes wide.
“Four deaths? Four?”
The aide appeared slightly confused. Normally, such light losses would have been smiled upon, especially when contrasted with the heavy toll of the enemy’s losses.
“Yes, sir, mister president.” the general replied quietly.
“They have bows and arrows for-” he stopped himself, then, jabbing a finger at the four-star general in the room, “I can understand the tens of injured, but deaths? If this is because of some half-assed plan to finish this fast instead of right, I will have your ass, you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.” the general said reflexively.
Ignoring the stoic officer, he turned to the rest of his staff, “So, to recap, we just now pushed out of these mountains at the cost of four Americans?”
“This was holding the city of Vicenzo, sir. Pushing out has had dozens of other injuries, but no deaths. We have been able to keep even mortal wounds from being fatal thanks to our logistics line to and from the front. The Hueys have also paid off in dividends as battlefield ambulances so far.” the general emphasized, trying to sound positive.
The president eyed the casualty report with a pained expression, so the general spoke up to assure him once more.
“We held the city, and the immediate surrounding fields are unharmed enough that runways can be built as soon as the materials are allocated, and it is the first stop all of the highways exiting the mountains lead to. We have gained a logistical hub to more easily allow for the continued push into enemy territory, sir. This was always the plan.”
The still visibly displeased president nodded slowly. He’d been to war, he knew damn well losses were expected even if the plan appeared entirely perfect. Still, he doubted the voters would like it if he was known as the president to lose men to bows and arrows because of bad military decisions. Which meant…
“The pictures of rescued slaves, have they been circulating yet?”
“We only have the images of a trio of fox women being shipped to the front by the enemy thus far, and they were clearly V-I-Ps, sir. The chattel slavery we’d expect hasn’t been photographed just yet.”
“There were no slaves in the city we’ve been holding the last few days?”
“It seems the traders had left by the time our men arrived, and with the city being more an agricultural trade hub, food, and tools were in higher demand there than slaves. That said, our Lightning Bugs have taken photographs of the capital and we believe we identified some of the areas slaves are traded in.”
“Alright, let’s… let’s avoid releasing the images from the drones. Don’t need the reds finding out we have that just yet.”
Assuming a spy hasn’t told them already…
“But once we get guys there, I want photos of the conditions of slaves put out there immediately. Should get us some more support.”
Of the political variety, of course…
“More importantly…” the officer stated then.
“More importantly?”
“More importantly, this girl we found. We have confirmed her identity as the daughter of Emperor Adrian Sol Traianus.”
“Right, right, and…” he rubbed at his chin, his mind busy elsewhere, “...have we gotten anything out of her yet?”
“Given the recent events, we haven’t gotten the chance to properly question her. We are, of course, moving the right people to do the job.”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Right, well, let’s get that done as soon as possible. Done right. If we can end the war without bombing their capital to ashes…” he shot a glare at his generals, “Then we absolutely should.”
The military officers present shifted awkwardly in place, but said nothing else as the president turned to other advisors.
“Now, about the situation in South Vietnam…”
“I’ve been informed that there are fights over who’s in charge breaking out.”
“God damn it all…”
One of the military officers spoke then, “Sir, perhaps we should send more troops there. Reinforce Southeast Asia before-”
“No. We already spoke with the Reds, we already know what the general population in Vietnam wants, and we know they’ll be more preoccupied with all that if we leave them alone than focusing on us and trying to find ways to benefit from this portal to another world.”
By now the notion of the portal to a world of swords and monsters had lost all degree of silliness in the room. Still, men objected.
“But if South Vietnam falls to the communists, then what’s next?”
“That’s just it, we don’t let the next domino fall, but we sure as hell aren’t going to make the situation there worse with a larger troop presence just to exert control, especially when we’re focusing on bringing to justice those who already killed our people directly!”
The officer did not seem fully convinced, and his face suggested the man was scrambling for another counterpoint, so he didn’t let him reach it.
“This isn’t a retreat, we are being strategic with our knowledge and capabilities. As I said, we do this right.” then to another aide, “Call Bobby, tell him to inform those claiming to be the leaders of the Republic of Vietnam that they need to get their act together, otherwise we’ll have to give what support we are giving to somebody else.”
Then, as if a thought occurred just then…
“Get Stevenson to start asking some questions around the UN. Maybe we can move a date up for observers to go through.”
That can also distract from things…
Moscow, USSR
The General Secretary, the head of the communist party, the man in charge of one of the two superpowers on the planet, tapped his desk as he read the information he’d laid out on it.
South and North Vietnam agree to a ceasefire in order to allow for democratic elections. US officials continue pulling out advisors. Plans being put in motion to ensure a safe and legal election in the coming months include U.N. oversight, and cooperation from both nations as the current date was expected to be August 2nd, but that is yet to be made official.
What bothered the man was the irritating tidbit right at the bottom of the newspaper article that had to be smuggled in.
American support for the South continues to rise, and many call for intervention should the Communist North win next year's election. President Kennedy has vowed to protect the interests of the nation's allies in the region but claims he will not interfere with a free and fair election.
That much the Russian knew, but it was still worrisome to him that the Americans, who were now entering an election year, could soon elect someone that would completely change everything. If the slightly more relaxed Kennedy was replaced with a more aggressive rival, especially one who could reverse the situation with a flick of a pen, oh, there would be hell to pay indeed.
An aide entered, a young woman, saying "The photographs have arrived."
He nodded and let her through.
She handed him the folder and he opened it.
Several black and white photographs of the American base of operations greeted him.
He sighed.
Many tanks, many men, lots of fortifications, and lots of virgin lands ready to be conquered, all surrounded by peaks and forests that were visible in all the photos taken. All to them, and with little his people could do about it. That much would bother his comrades in communist nations.
He could hear them already...
"America likely has no right to demand we decrease our operations! They have a whole other world to themselves now!" some would likely say.
"We must find a way to open a portal like that ourselves! These imperialists cannot be allowed to spread their ideology unchallenged!" others would argue and perhaps not without merit.
For him the issue was simple:
I do not want the world to resemble the surface of Mars over such a disagreement!
Defending the motherland and its allies was one thing, and they had stood strong as the allied nation of Cuba was threatened during the October Crisis. He had quashed dissent in the Union, he had pushed against needless reforms, and he was planning so much more for the coming years.
Simply put, this was not the time to be aggressive.
Of course, if the Americans get aggressive...
He grabbed a notepad and a pen, scribbling an order before placing it in an envelope and handing it to the young woman as though he were ordering an early breakfast.
"If you please," he said simply.
The woman nodded, took the note and left with no other words. He then picked up the newspaper and briefly considered the orders he had given. More a suggestion, really, but who knew?
See how far you can get into these lands. Search for possible sympathizers.
He then pushed the thoughts aside as he noticed the newspaper had a hit piece on a recent French artist who had sculpted some abstract... thing.
His disdain for artists grew, but life went on.
Imperial Capital
Emperor Adrian Sol Traianus awoke feeling refreshed.
The sun was shining brightly that morning and, despite the dreaded situation further north, he felt rather calm. As if the gods had decided that, at least this day, he would be blessed with wonderful news. His silky bedsheets, sown together by the finest of weavers were gently pushed away as he stood and readied himself for the day.
Washing his face, he was not surprised to hear Chef Clef enter his quarters with his breakfast ready.
“Good morning, emperor.”
“Clef, good to see you.”
“You seem more relaxed, sire.” Clef stated as he placed his meal on his small table by the balcony. The bread, cooked to a fine, crisp exterior that protected the soft interior, the dates and... And warmed butter on the side… yes, a good day with an excellent breakfast.
“I feel the day will be good, Clef. Thank you.”
“I saw your son outside with that Nubian princess again.”
“Oh? And here I thought she had left already.” a stray thought went through his mind suddenly, and he stiffened, “Seljuk?” he called out.
“Yes, sire?” the voice crept up from the chef’s shadow, causing the man to sidestep away. Adrian found that somewhat amusing, as his personal spymaster was a presence few ever saw in person. But now was not the time for laughs.
“The Nubian, she is still here?”
“Her ship leaves in an hour, so she did stick around. She seemed quite infatuated with your son, Emperor.”
Adrian rubbed at his chin, then grumbled, “Well, better than that rabbit whore he keeps. If you can spare them, have one of your people follow her.”
“Of course, Emperor.”
“And prepare a report on Octavius and his current progress. Vicenzo should be nothing but ash and bones by now.” he spoke with bitterness as the day’s duties were, once more, weighing upon him.
“I shall do as you command, Emperor.”
With that, silence filled the room once more.
Clef shuddered, then said, “A frightful creature.”
“But useful. And very loyal. Have my son come by if you see him.”
“Of course, Emperor. I pray the day brings good news.”
He nodded and dismissed his chef.
Adrian eyed the capital from his balcony. His empire. His riches. His people. Rows of buildings that stretched for entire leagues, the gorgeous river that flowed through the city and allowed ease of transportation, the segments of walls, reinforced over the centuries, and of course, the few proud wyverns patrolling the skies.
It was difficult to imagine it simply being washed away, yet the dark possibility the tent-dwelling savages they had put down had thought the same of their huts and wooden temples. How easily could the peak of civilization be wrought by forces beyond his control?
He had stopped eating as the door flung open then.
“Father, you called for me?”
He nodded and motioned for his son, his firstborn, his heir, Lucius Sol Traianus, to sit with him.
Lucius picked a date and tossed it into his open mouth.
“I did, indeed. I understand your brother has already departed?”
“Of course. Took him long enough, but trade and ships… perhaps some reluctance to go see Aedora.” then, with a chortle, “What can you do?”
He only nodded in response.
“You appear to be in a better mood today, father.”
“I feel oddly at peace, today. It is as if I already know that Octavius was able to do what he needed and perhaps soon the threat in the mountains will not be a threat any further. Perhaps not, yet I feel it is all to go well.”
“That is the spirit, my dear father. One city of degenerates lost, and perhaps the enemy gained the insight needed to finally surrender. They will know that even if their weaponry is superior, our will is greater.”
He nodded slowly. Smiled.
“To think a damned demi human fooled us so.”
“Astonishing, really. Something to laugh about later.”
“This is why you should put that toy of yours out of her misery. They can be treacherous leaches that will slit your throat in your sleep.”
“Father, I have needs, same as you. Besides, I cannot just have that lady from across the sea visit every time I have to-”
“Just heed my advice, my son. Governor Lucretius betraying us for one of them is bad enough, I do not wish to see you ever go down that path. Now, Seljuk, if you are still there…”
The voice came from the balcony this time, “Yes, majesty?”
“I have been meaning to ask, but how is my daughter doing? Have you located her yet?”