Chapter Ashborn 383: Plots and Plans

When Vir left Raoul’s tent, he wasn’t quite sure what to feel about the enigmatic cult leader. During times like these, Vir often found it helpful to consult those he trusted, and there was no one he trusted more than Cirayus.

He found the Ravager on the field outside the garrison’s gates. Previously forest that had been clear cut, it now served as an ideal training ground for the newer recruits.

Today, around two hundred were sparring in pairs spread out across the field. Cirayus walked the ranks, observing each warrior and handing out pointers as they fought.

“Too low!” he barked. “You are showing your enemy your next strike. Strive to move as little as possible before each attack.”

“Yes, sir!” the demon replied, falling into his training with renewed vigor.

“And you,” Cirayus called. “Why do you jump and bob so? You waste your energy. You may very well fight a dozen times in a single operation. Will your stamina last until the final fight?”

“No, sir. I’ll be more careful.”

“Very good,” Cirayus said, moving on.

Vir’s arrival caused a stir, as usual, with several of the fighters paying more attention to him than their own fight. They learned their lesson painfully, as their opponents took advantage of the distraction to land a blow.

Vir nodded respectfully to those he passed, grumbling under his breath about the overreaction.

“You know it wouldn’t be this way if you showed your face more, yes?” Cirayus said as Vir drew near.

“I know,” Vir replied, falling into step beside his godfather. “Believe me, I would if I had the time. I’d rather be here, training the troops than lording over people who treat me like a god.”

“Which you technically are,” Cirayus commented.

“Uh, huh. Technically. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about Raoul.”

“I take it your meeting did not go well…”

“Actually, I’m really not sure what to make of it. Raoul is… more competent than I’d thought.”

“He could not have led a thousand half-dead demons here if he weren’t. I’ve interacted with him a handful of times over the past weeks, though I admit his true nature eludes me. He seems content to keep to himself and his Lavani, despite my efforts to bring him into the fold. What did you make of him?”

“He’s got a strategic mind, that’s for sure. Came up with an invasion plan not too different from the ones we’ve discussed.”

“But?” Cirayus said, before grabbing a Warrior’s shoulder and correcting his form.

“But he’s ruthless,” Vir said. “He cares not for the loss of life incurred.”

“As I’ve said in the past, lad, there can be no rebellion without bloodshed. No freedom without loss. You’ve a heart of gold, and it is one of the several reasons I admire you. But you have to understand that, no matter your choices, innocent demons will die.”

“Innocents may die, yes,” Vir said, “but does that justify a strategy that intentionally sparks a civil war, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands?”

Cirayus said nothing.

“You agree with him?” Vir asked, flustered.

“No, lad,” Cirayus said with a sigh. “I do not.”

“But you think his idea holds water…”

“It would be an efficient way to minimize the losses of our own forces.”

“It’s despicable, Cirayus. What good is a victory if the very people we are trying to save all die in the process?”

“Aye, I agree with you, lad. Now ask yourself this. What good is a victory if our forces are so weakened that the Chits overwhelm us and retake the city after? How many would die then, hmm? How many women and children would the Chits slaughter to ensure nothing like this happened again? Rebellions are bloody, lad, but a failed rebellion? That’s a massacre.”

It was Vir’s turn to fall silent this time, and for a long while, neither spoke, save for the occasional tip Cirayus gave to the troops.

“I was thinking of the now, when I should be thinking of the long term,” Vir said softly. “Of what comes after.”

“Aye. The further you think and plan, the better a commander you will be, lad. The better a leader you will be. See King Rayid of Hiranya, thinking only of his own riches and wealth. Compare him to Thaman, who has built a thriving clan that will continue to thrive for hundreds of years. One cares for the here and now. The other, for the future.”

“I think I understand,” Vir replied. Planning for the future wasn’t a foreign concept to him—it was why he’d commissioned Saunak to experiment with all manner of inventions, none of which would bear fruit for years or even decades. Just that applying that logic to life and death was a good bit more difficult.

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“Give it some thought, but do not linger long,” Cirayus said. “Our time approaches. The troops grow stronger by the day, and with two thousand, we are in a far better position than we once were. Not long now.”

“Not long at all,” Vir agreed. “Raoul will soon begin moving his operatives into Samar Patag to feed us information. It’ll give us the foundation we need to plan the details of the actual invasion.”

“Good. Then I shall continue to train the troops and relay communication from Thaman,” Cirayus said. “I believe this is currently the best use of my skills.”

“Agreed,” Vir said, thankful Cirayus had said it first.

“What will you do now?”

“I’m heading to the Demon Realm,” Vir said. “I’ll meet up with Gunin, my contact in the Chitran garrison. With luck, he’ll have a long list of names I can recruit. Might involve a prison break or two, but seeing how the secret’s out, I don’t think subtlety is a concern at this point.”

“A solid plan. The troops we have now are more than sufficient to take Samar Patag, by my estimate. Balagra and I are grooming the most promising as commanders. You’ve assembled a good team here, lad. Each of our Warriors are easily a match for five Chits as it is. Another month, with the new commanders trained up, they’ll be the match of ten. Get us another two or three thousand, though, and we will have a far easier time holding Samar Patag after.”

“That’s the plan,” Vir said. “As much as I’d love to stay here and help you train our troops, recruiting soldiers and fostering political goodwill is critical if we want any chance of ousting the Chits. We cannot afford another war against a united demonkind.”

“Indeed,” Cirayus said pensively. “You’ve nothing to worry about from Baira and Panav, but the Iksana…”

“I’m not hoping to ally with them,” Vir said. “I don’t think that’s possible, at least not as things currently stand. If I can at least get them to stay out of whatever is to come…”

“Their inaction could very well decide our fate,” Cirayus said. “I concur. ‘Tis often how it goes with these demon alliances. If two or three clans back out, the whole endeavor falls apart.”

“Which is why I must go to Jalak Kallol,” Vir said. “The Iksana underground stronghold.”

Cirayus’s brow creased into a frown. “Very well,” he said at length. “I shall accompany you.”

“Absolutely not,” Vir fired back. “You said it yourself—you’re needed here.”

“And you are the lifeblood of our rebellion, lad. Have you forgotten your fight against the Automatons already? You nearly died!”

“I haven’t,” Vir said, shivering as he recalled just how close he came to perishing. “I’m not invincible, Cirayus. I know that. Nor will I ever forget it. I don’t want to go through anything like that ever again.”

“Good. Then who will you take?”

“Ashani,” Vir said without hesitation. “And her wolves, and Shan, of course. As much as I hate to rely on her reputation, her presence would go a long way to convincing the Iksana of my legitimacy.”

“Aye. That it would,” Cirayus said, stroking his beard. “The Goddess is a fierce Warrior. Of that, there is no doubt. Even otherwise, I cannot see anyone foolish enough to dare assault a deity from the Age of Gods. Let alone one so close to Lord Janak himself. Very well. Go, with my blessing. In the meantime, I’ll contact Thaman and see if he can provide us any more troops. Barring that, a few more Bairan Thaumaturges and weapons would be handy.”

“Good,” Vir said. “I’ll try to stop by Camar Gadin if I have time.”

Cirayus raised an eyebrow. “Jalak Kallol. Samar Patag. Camar Gadin. You’ll be crossing half the realm, lad. Even moving as quickly as you do, I fear you’ll have a tough time of it. Your Gates won’t last long at Samar Patag and Jalak Kallol.”

“I know,” Vir said, the edges of his lips curling into a grin. “But have you forgotten? I have an airship now.”

When he’d erected his Gate network, Vir had been sure to have Ashani make them large enough to fit the airship through. With the ship disassembled, it took hardly any space at all, and could be easily ferried through.

But before Vir set out, he tracked down Tara, whom he eventually found in Aida’s Thaumaturge forge deep within the garrison.

The room was a two-story affair, and massive. Aida had grown her operations considerably, with a handful of junior Thaumaturges working under her. Thaman had provided most, with one coming from the Garga Lavani, of all people.

Benign a primarily Bairan outfit, the room was both tall and vast, and occupied a good deal of the garrison.

Which was fine, considering the impact Aida’s effort would have upon his forces. All of his older troops now boasted Aspect tattoos, and the Garga Lavani were slowly being inked up. In fact, most of the line Vir found were Lavani, and as such, prostrated themselves immediately upon his arrival.

Vir walked up to Aida and Tara to find them similarly on their knees.

“Oh, great Akh Nara! To what do we owe this honor?” Tara said theatrically, causing Vir to roll his eyes.

“Hilarious.”

Tara and Aida burst out giggling, to the horror of the Lavani present. None worked up the courage to chide them, though, opting instead to glare at the women with judging stares.

“So? What can we do for you?” Aida asked, ignoring the looks. “Come to inspect my handiwork? See if it’s up to scratch?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Vir said. “You’re far more knowledgeable about Thaumaturgy than I ever will, and if Saunak approves, that’s more than good enough for me.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As much as Vir wished to unveil the secrets of the runic arts, he hardly even had the time to work on his own strength these days, let alone learn something entirely new. He longed for the day when the Garga were freed, and he’d have more time to himself. Perhaps then…

“Him,” Aida spat, looking like she’d just consumed some poison.

“You don’t have to like him, Aida,” Vir said exhaustedly, having already had this conversation with what felt like everyone in the camp. “Just need you to work with him on the rare occasion that calls for it.”

“Don’t worry,” Aida said, waving. “You’ll have no trouble from me. Can’t say the same for everyone else, though. Dunno what the Lavani think of him, but the rest of your troops are liable to lynch him the moment they spot him.”

“I’m aware,” Vir said. “But thank you for the warning.”

Saunak remained cloistered in his tower for the most part, but considering how that tower was now just a Gate away, perhaps additional security precautions were in order. Both for Saunak, and for any of his troops who might think to venture into that tower of terrors.

“So? What really brings you here?” Aida asked.

“Tara, actually,” Vir said, turning to the naga. “Mind joining me for a bit?”

Tara shrugged. “Sure. Haven’t been many injuries lately, so I’ve got plenty of time. What’s up?” she asked as they left Aida’s workshop, with Aida calling after them to drop by more often.

“It’s Raoul,” Vir said in a low voice. “I want you to keep an eye on him. See if you see anything out of the ordinary.”

“Why?” Tara asked. “Got any reason to suspect him?”

Vir glanced at his friend. “Do I need any more reason than him being the leader of a crazy cult that worships me?”

“Point taken,” Tara chuckled. “Anything in particular I ought to look for?”

“Just track his movements when you can. See if he uses the Gates to go anywhere. That sort of thing. Just in case…”

“You got it. So? Where are you off to now?”

Vir wondered why everyone assumed he was ‘off to somewhere’ every time they met. Was he really so predictable?

“I need to grab Ashani,” he said. “And then, it’s off to the Demon Realm.”

His official obligations were important, yes, but Vir longed for the Demon Realm for another reason altogether.

After so long, he’d have the chance to speak with Maiya again.