Chapter 14

Following their meal at the Diamond Plate, Khardir continued leading Ilyshn’ish around on their tour of the city. The layout of Feoh Berkana remained mostly unchanged, but the many new buildings created an uncomfortable dissonance with her memory of the place. Aside from the Palace Quarter, which the Quagoa had kept intact to serve as dwellings for the most prominent members of their race and their closest followers, the rest of the city had been run down to the point where the Dwarves had chosen to level everything and start over from scratch.

“How long will this new construction be here for?” She asked as they walked along the streets of the Residential Quarter.

“Hm? Is there something wrong with it?”

“I can’t help but compare the older buildings in the city with the new ones,” Ilyshn’ish replied. “I thought that they were perhaps built to serve as temporary housing.”

“Ouch…” Khardir winced, “that hurts, Dame Verilyn. I can see why you’d ask, though. The buildings that you saw in the Palace Quarter were fashioned by the great masters at the height of our nation’s prosperity. We Dwarves of today can’t really compare, and it can’t be helped. We’ve been on the back foot since the coming of the Demon Gods, and survival’s been our priority since then.”

Khardir looked around at the stone houses around them glumly. They were little better than the ones she saw in the villages of Warden’s Vale – at least when compared to the buildings in the Palace Quarter.

“It’s funny,” he said. “Usually, outsiders only praise Dwarven craftsmanship. I guess with the real deal here for everyone to see now, it just shows how far we’ve fallen. Things are looking up, though…and I think you were right back there, after thinking about it for a bit.”

“About what?”

“Worrying about pointless things,” Khardir replied. “We’ve got so much to do – so much to reclaim – that we shouldn’t be wasting energy on something we can do nothing about. Merchants make the best of what they have, taking advantage of opportunities along the way, but I guess the aristocrat in me clouded things up a bit.”

Ilyshn’ish’s thoughts turned inwards, flipping through pages of Dwarven records. Clan Silvershield was indeed a noble lineage, and its first mention was just under five centuries ago. Khardir’s house was older than Ilyshn’ish’s father, Olasird’arc.

“Does the rest of the Regency Council harbour the same sentiments?” Ilyshn’ish asked.

“It’s split, really,” Khardir answered. “The one who was most opposed to working with the Sorcerous Kingdom was the Forgemaster, but he…disappeared shortly before we established relations with your nation. In truth, our stance at that point was that it was a beneficial arrangement, so long as we had something to offer that the Sorcerous Kingdom wanted.”

She nodded as he spoke. It appeared that the Dwarves were well aware of the need to stay useful to those who held them at their mercy.

“If that was your original stance, then why did it change?”

“It didn’t change, exactly,” Khardir said. “But it was a stance adopted before we truly knew how stupendously powerful the Sorcerous Kingdom was. We entered into negotiations with the mindset that we were dealing with a regular nation – albeit with a few powerful individuals in it, like your King. Without a long, long war like the one the Quagoa waged against us in the past, one regular nation can’t force another to terms, even one as small as ours has become. It’s generally better to come to some mutually beneficial agreement instead, and the Sorcerer King made it sound like we were joining hands for exactly that.”

“Did something happen that makes you suspect otherwise?”

“No,” Khardir shook his head. “They’re just the worries that rose after reality sunk in. Something like buyer’s remorse. But it’s like you said – pointless worries. The Sorcerer King came to us for a reason, and I doubt there’s anything we could’ve done to keep him from his objective anyways. Better that we make the best of things: it’s not every day a nation gets a chance to return to the glories of old.”

The tour continued uneventfully, and Ilyshn’ish gained access to all sorts of businesses and other establishments that she would have been hesitant to enter on her own. Going through the remaining two quarters was brief, as they were still mostly flattened, and the two soon found themselves back at the Royal Palace. They parted ways, with Khardir headed off to call upon the next official on duty. Ilyshn’ish returned to the war room, where she found Lord Cocytus standing on his own at the table.

Ilyshn’ish took her place at the end of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s side, and together they stood in silence…then Lord Cocytus turned his attention to her. She grew nervous under his gaze as the seconds and minutes passed.

Why is he staring at me like that…

“Dame Verilyn.”

Ilyshn’ish started at the sudden address, then quickly resettled herself.

“Lord Cocytus?”

“During operations,” he said. “Your expression: holding back.”

He had been observing her? It hadn’t felt like it. Then again, he had so very many eyes.

“The war council appeared to have reached an accord, my lord,” Ilyshn’ish said. “Far be it my place to present an opposing view after preparations were finalized.”

“Wrong,” a blast of frigid air misted the table, fluttering the edges of the map. “It is your place. You are…an expert. The Azerlisia Mountains; the Frost Giants: of those present, you know best. Furthermore, you are a Knight of Baroness Zahradnik.

“Lady Zahradnik?” Ilyshn’ish frowned, “What does she have to do with all of this?”

“Nothing. But she is a proven commander.”

She couldn’t draw any connections to Lord Cocytus’ statement. What did Lady Zahradnik being a proven commander have to do with Ilyshn’ish? She hadn’t even known of Lady Zahradnik’s capability as a commander. All they had done together thus far was go over the endless rules of Human etiquette and an esoteric pile of legal knowledge.

“By all appearances, my lord,” Ilyshn’ish said, “her conduct suggests that she would be in agreement with your tactical procedures. She is quite stern and formal, after all. The both of you are warriors, through and through.”

“I disagree.”

“Y-you do?”

“Mm. Her battles…have you witnessed?”

“I have only entered into her service this past week, my lord.”

Lord Cocytus raised a claw to his ‘chin’.

“I see,” he said. “Baroness Zahradnik. Not a warrior, but a soldier, first.”

Ilyshn’ish frowned at the odd distinction. What was the difference? Lord Cocytus did not miss her confusion.

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“Many misunderstand,” he explained. “A warrior…fights for self. Sentiment. Ideals. Honour and glory. Challenge. Proof of strength and skill. A soldier serves. Selfish motive, secondary. Or cast aside. For a greater cause, they do what they must. In the future – for the Army – warriors…would be nice. But soldiers, necessary.”

Now that he phrased it in such a way, Ilyshn’ish could see the difference. Unlike the Frost Giants, who considered themselves ‘warriors’, Lady Zahradnik’s conduct was that of a ‘soldier’. There was little sense of self in her words or actions: everything was for something else, be it her service to the Sorcerous Kingdom, or the stewardship of her house’s legacy. Her beliefs were so strong that she attempted to instil them into everyone around her. Non-Humans were not an exception.

“If we’re to discuss this,” Ilyshn’ish said, “should at least your vassals be here as well? Where did they go, anyway?”

“Receiving replacements,” Cocytus replied. “Fresh contingents. For the main battle. Between us, I would hear your thoughts.”

“Then…there is something I’d like to understand first, my lord. Why are our battles being conducted in such a forthright manner? You stated that it is to gain experience for the army and its commanders, but there are surely better ways to go about it.”

After the Elder Lich had been destroyed while attempting to deliver the Sorcerous Kingdom’s declaration of intent, a Death Cavalier on a Soul Eater was employed instead. If they were attacked with boulders – and they were – the Death Cavalier would use its skills to defend its mount while they rode away.

Following that, they continued their practice of tackling each citadel head-on. The Undead contingents would fight their way up to storm the gates, then proceed to clean out the interior. Unlike the first citadel, where they had come across an unexpectedly strong group of Frost Giants, the other two conquests in the north had been completed with less than a handful of losses each. None of the Elder Lich commanders had been destroyed, as they had taken the information from the first assault to minimize risks in the next two.

Problems with the terrain continued, however, with icy footing being the foremost problem. Not only were Death Knights lost by being knocked off of the high ramps before each gate, but manoeuvring in combat was difficult. Those acclimated to icy environments, such as Frost Dragons, had special abilities that allowed them to see through blizzards and navigate frozen terrain – Ilyshn’ish could even walk upside down on an icy surface if she so desired.

In all, it felt slow and, quite literally, clunky – especially to Frost Dragons, who were ambush predators who preferred to resolve fights quickly and decisively. The more unfair it was, the better. Additionally, Lord Cocytus and his vassals made their displeasure clear whenever a member of their forces was lost. It was as if they expected a flawless performance from such straightforward tactics.

“This war,” Lord Cocytus, “is subjugation. Winning…not enough. The method is crucial. If the Frost Giants are, as you say, a warrior people, superiority must be shown: under no uncertain terms.”

“The ‘subjugation’ part appears to be missing,” Ilyshn’ish noted. “Not a single Frost Giant has survived thus far.”

“True, but the majority remain. In this next battle, their fate will be decided.”

“And what fate do you foresee for them, my lord?”

Lord Cocytus looked down at the map. In the middle of the three central Frost Giant citadels were numerous markers signifying the place where the Frost Giant army had gathered. The Sorcerous Kingdom’s forces would march southwest from Feoh Berkana to confront them from the north.

“I am…conflicted,” Lord Cocytus said. “Acts of cowardice. Acts of valour. It is strange. For a warrior people, their spirit is weak. Yet, when it appears, it shines. Brilliantly. Before these battles, I thought them suited. For the army. They are not fragile, like other races. In time, they could earn their place.”

They still appeared warlike to her. Then again, she had no sense for the sort of thing Lord Cocytus described. Like Khardir Silvershield, Ilyshn’ish was of the mind that, as long as she could maintain her usefulness, she could pursue her own agendas on the side.

“I’m no commander, my lord,” Ilyshn’ish said, “but if you send a Death Cavalier in front of this next army, it’s probably not going to be able to get away from the hundreds of boulders thrown at it. These Frost Giants are also gathered for war, so the strongest will be amongst them. Even on an open field, it won’t go as well as before. How many troops can you afford to lose?”

“As few as possible,” Lord Cocytus said, “would be preferable. There are many, but, like Elder Liches, destruction is permanent. The experience will be lost.”

“Then why not go yourself? I doubt they could scratch you. Superiority will be proven beyond any conceivable doubt.”

“That would defeat the purpose,” Lord Cocytus replied. “It is a rare opportunity. To squander it: unacceptable for the army. If they are defeated, I will go.”

Ilyshn’ish wanted to sigh at his stubborn insistence. Lord Cocytus was about as stone-headed as a Frost Giant when it came to the bounds that they set for themselves. With so much power at his disposal, it only felt like a willful indulgence to her.

The vibration of footsteps in the hallway outside informed Ilyshn’ish of the approach of several beings. By their gait, it felt like both the Dwarves and Lord Cocytus’ vassals were on their way back.

“At any rate,” Ilyshn’ish said. “If you wanted my opinion on the matter, my lord, it would be to crush the Frost Giants as swiftly as possible. If you can accomplish this with the forces that you have limited yourself to, then all the better. I believe it to be entirely unnecessary, however – strength has always ruled these mountains, not warrior traditions or civilized practices.”

Lord Cocytus’ insectoid vassals entered the room, followed by the five Dwarves from the Regency Council. To her surprise, Lady Shalltear walked in as well.

“Cocytus,” she said, “If you don’t mind, I’ll be taking Dame Verilyn with me.”

He nodded, and Lady Shalltear left the room. Ilyshn’ish glanced at the assembled members, then lowered her head before gracefully scurrying off after Lady Shalltear. As she left the room, the Commander-in-Chief spoke.

“Lord Cocytus,” he said. “We’ve been going over some things with your vassals, and I think we’ve come up with a good way to deal with this Frost Giant army…”

Her steps slowed as she strained to hear what he had to say, then she glanced towards the retreating back of Lady Shalltear. As curious as she was, Ilyshn’ish didn’t want to be punished for keeping her waiting.

“Lady Shalltear,” she said as she fell into step beside her. “I wasn’t aware that you’d be in Feoh Berkana.”

“Neither was I,” Lady Shalltear replied. “I was delivering replacement forces for Lord Cocytus. You’ve behaved yourself, I hope?”

“O-of course, my lady,” Ilyshn’ish said. “Except…”

“Hm?”

The sound came out so lightly, yet Ilyshn’ish shuddered at its veiled connotations. Her mind worked to produce a suitable reply.

“It’s the army, I suppose,” Ilyshn’ish said. “Lord Cocytus is very…honest when it comes to the command of his forces. I understand what he wants, but I don’t understand why he wants it in the first place.”

“That sort of thing should be expected of him,” Lady Shalltear replied. “I hope you didn’t say anything you shouldn’t have.”

“I-I don’t think I did, my lady. I followed Lady Zahradnik’s instructions on the matter. The restrictions that Lord Cocytus has placed on the efforts here are…well, they are displeased at the results.”

“I see,” Lady Shalltear said. “Well, Cocytus is a bit new at commanding much weaker forces. I understand that losses are always to be expected in these circumstances, but I’ve been at it for far longer than he has. He should understand this himself, considering events in the last year or so.”

“Then why is he upset at the results?”

“Because they are His Majesty’s servitors, of course,” Lady Shalltear replied. “His Majesty may not mind, and may even count it a boon if something beneficial is gained, but it is no excuse to treat any losses frivolously. Anyways, hm…”

They came out into the courtyard of the Royal Palace. Ilyshn’ish stared absently at the place where her father’s hoard once lay piled high over the stones. Lady Shalltear led her to the side of a dry fountain. It was then that Ilyshn’ish thought that something about Lady Shalltear was off.

“Is something the matter, my lady?” Ilyshn’ish asked, “I-I’m not in trouble am I?”

The intervention that Kilistran and her flight had performed during the week suddenly came to mind. Did someone complain? Perhaps Lord Mare had become cross over yet another incident of her interference in the Adventurer Guild’s activities. Ilyshn’ish fidgeted quietly as panic welled up within her.

“Baroness Zahradnik has gone missing,” Lady Shalltear said.

“Missing? Surely there are spells…”

“All attempts at divination have failed. Something out there is powerful enough to block even Nigredo. We’ve tried locating Lady Zahradnik personally and through her items with nothing to show for it. Even manual scrying turns up nothing.”

“But what does that have to do with me?”

Lady Shalltear looked up at her strangely.

“She is your liege, is she not? Actually, do you still feel her influence?”

“Her influence? I’m not sure what that means, my lady.”

“Never mind,” Lady Shalltear sighed. “The reason why I called you away is to go and look for any sign of her. Kilistran mentioned that you came across some Adventurers on the way here, yes?”

“Y-yes, that’s right,” Ilyshn’ish edged away slightly.

“She was participating in that expedition. The ones you ran into survived to reach Feoh Raizo, but most of their Rangers were either found dead or are still being recovered. You’re to start your search from there, and inform me if you find something.”