Chapter 10: Selling Time

In the Tripolian empire there is a belief. That sentient mortals, not gods or spirits, could command magic at will. But they haven't discovered how to do it yet. That boundary is what separated men from master. From saying to knowledge. From Runtaii to Ani.

His assassins were not as skilled as his commander’s, but they didn’t have their reputation for nothing. In their numerous exploits, he discovered the daughter of Clan Jutalbag was running away with an Oligarch, Clan Yidilaque’s patriarch had been poisoned but hadn’t yet realized it, and that various concubines were stolen from him by the son of Clan Utiamir. With this information he captured the daughter for ransom, cured the patriarch of his ills, and executed the son. Personally.

He reclined in his war tent, surrounded by more concubines than usual. He was stressed, as entering into the Oligarchy was no easy path. He always had to consider the men he used, what messengers he would send, and what he would do about Ani. He heard whispers from his spies and assassins that Ani was hiding a power yet untapped.

All that Runtaii knew was that Ani was a sickly but diligent workhorse. His coughs plagued every conversation he had, and he noticed the foul blood he spat out.

Consumption was an awful plague, but Runtaii on occasion proposed cures and tonics for the diseased commander. On every occasion he refused. Runtaii rose in his throne, staring out at the ongoing battle in the night. He knew Ani was growing thinner, as his armor became larger to compensate for his size, masking his declining health.

But why did his men tell him in the recent report that Ani was still studying?

Was it that magic extended his life? How was he showing such ugly symptoms of the disease and yet pressed on? It infuriated him that he had to respect the worn out fossil. A eunuch entered, accompanying one of his harem.

“What is it? Are the Oligarchs retreating?”

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“Yes Master Runtaii. We have sustained few deaths and secured the hill.” The robe man was gray black, and always stared at the ground, along with the concubine.

“Good. Round up the men, we march after we recover.” The eunuch bowed and exited, as the concubine reclined on the floor.

Women in Tripolian society were not meant to be seen outside of their respective patriarchs of clan fathers. Eunuchs or other male chaperones had to protect them from themselves.

Seclusion granted them the safety they needed. Solitude gave the women the prestige and the concealment that was the ideal in their nation. It reminded him of the great solitude from him and his clan. He was a hermit, Runtaii thought.

He was a royal in a revolting land. He had seen the women of this place. A couple of his men reported women in the Oligarch army. They were everywhere, some even riding horses!

Runtaii didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad. That the Oligarch’s were so driven to win that they’d send a girl, an irresponsible thing, to do the work of a man. It wouldn’t matter, Runtaii believed. At worst, his conquests had brought enormous wealth and profit to his domain. And securing soon to be obedient slaves always cemented his place as an elite.

It reminded him of his harem. They were all slaves. Imprisoned by veils and chained by curtains, they competed for his affection. Boredom could mean death, as he would neglect the victims if they did not impress him.

If he couldn’t impress Ani, he would be doomed to forever live in his shadow. He shot up, equipping his scale mail and stroking his beard. He needed to best him, to show Ani he was worthy to know of his magic.

“Marshall!” A round bronze man entered, kneeling beneath him.

“Yes Master? Do you wish to go on a hunt?”

“Yes, but for a different animal. I want you to lead the front.” The slave marshal was surprised, and raised his head to Runtaii.

“It would be an honor.”

“Not my personal battalion.” A confused look arose on the marshal. “We’re going to split our forces. You will march to Haliovid, while I press forward onto the Yutai Basin.”

“But Master, wouldn’t that leave you unprotected?” Runtaii grinned at the thought. That he would perform the act of taking both provinces in quick succession, buying the time his clan needed to prepare for invasion. This would surely grant him the knowledge Ani was so keen on keeping.

“Yes. Yes it would. Forget recovering, we move tomorrow. Onwards, to the death of the Oligarchy!”