Here is the second interlude from the main narrative of my 3rd Book, When Gods do Meddle. This includes some details and information about the wider world and conflict and includes one of my favorite characters from my story, if I do say so myself.
Any likes, shares, comments, questions, feedback, and reviews would be appreciated.
If you like what you read here, here are my first two published books:
The Shadow of the Past
And the Sun Burned Red
Interlude: Van Tam Pac
Commander Vae’gar stood atop the gatehouse of the great port city of Van Tam Pac and alternated between pouring over a variety of papers and scrolls on the table before him, and inspecting the long processions of soldiers, horses, and carts of all varieties that were slowly streaming their way out of the gate and towards the far hills. The vast city stretched out behind him, taking up virtually the entirety of the Bay of Pacol. Buildings of every color and variety were clustered around the large avenues which connected the docks, seated on the pay and into the mouth of the Tamlyc river, to the varies warehouses around the water and the many gates in the large wall that surrounded the bulk of the city.
At least a dozen of their transport ships were in dock, with several setting out back toward the Llanfer Islands to pick up more troops and cargo, and several more moving in to the now free moorings. Two squadrons of their warships patrolled the far side of the harbor and a little ways out into the sea beyond. As he was observing all of this, Vae’gar continued to search through his papers and, occasionally, make marks on various documents. He was not the only aid to their king, Cav Badar, doing so, but the rest were taking their queue from him.
The gatehouse they had made their temporary base was large and ornate, but looking to either side the wall and other gates in the distance were in various states of quality, style, and repair. It was not a surprise at all to him that this city had so often been conquered and occupied over the years. It was in a low position relative to the surrounding land, and there were many angles and paths from both land and sea the city could be attacked. Added to that was the fact that the Merchant Princes, as they styled themselves, had little interest in defending anything but their own interests, and were more than willing to let the city itself be overrun and pay homage to whoever took charge if their business was left largely unaffected. Vae’gar did find it odd that they had made such a request for help. Perhaps it was because they often hired the mercenary companies and squadrons based on the Llanfer Islands to protect their interests, and for their ongoing feuds with each other. Perhaps it was being free from outside rule for nearly 400 years that made them more willing to protect the city.
Whatever the truth, they had offered generation compensation in coin and supplies for Cav Badar to come himself and bring as many soldiers as he could and protect their city from the Dark Moon Banners raising all over the continent, particularly in the nearest city, and trade competition, to them the city of Maggar. They had not told their new allies that Cav Badar had already recalled his soldiers and sought a safe place to land his troops on the Continent of Mysteries for the same reason, for the coin was nice and the supplies would be helpful. Even being the most northerly, and therefore, closest great port on the continent to the Llanfer Islands, supply so many so far from their home base would have proved difficult otherwise.
Vae’gar’s contemplations were stopped at this point by the tromp of boots upon the stone stairs behind him. After a few short moments, Cav Badar came into view followed by several messengers and aids. He carried his expertly made, but unadorned save for three small engravings of crowns, helmet by his side and a small sheen of sweat glistened upon his bald head. The Mercenary King were a brown tunic and green pants on this occasion with black gloves and boots. He was well covered with carefully fitted, and superbly made, armor nearly from head to toe that bore only a few reliefs of animals from the places that he had lived in his long life. Vae’gar was impressed that being a man of nearly 80, climbing to the top of the gatehouse in full armor had not significantly winded him, nor had the long days work that lay behind them.
Cav Badar went over to the table and, while studying the detailed map of the North Eastern corner of the Continent of Mysteries, he place his helmet beside it, unbuckled his sword and leaned it against the table, and removed his gloves and placed them beside the helmet.
“Where are we?” he asked without looking at anyone in particular.
Commander Vae’gar stepped forward, nodded his head by way of salute, and addressed his king, “By nightfall, we’ll have about 15,000 soldiers landed. Our camps on the Malag and Nalgol hills are already well on their way, and construction should be started on Brayg and Varl by now.”
“And our scouts?”
“Scouts have been sent out as far as they can ride and return to report tonight and lookout and pickets have already been sent forward to watch the roads toward the city. Representatives of the Merchant Princes should be here soon and we are hoping to get their aid in scouting the area further afield.”
“I saw crowds gathered as I made my way from the docks, what do you make of that, Vae’gar?” was the old general’s next question, looking at his chief aid for the first time.
Vae’gar shrugged and shook his head, “Their quiet makes me uneasy, as does the whispered and murmured discussions and stern faces.”
Cav Badar smiled and waived this away, “simple curiosity, I would judge, and maybe a little resentment at movement through their city being so restricted by our passage. No doubt they have also heard reports of the servants of the Dark One declaring themselves once more and the strife brewing around them.”
Vae’gar opened his mouth to respond but was stopped by trumpets ringing out from the plaza that lay just within the gates. A procession of ornately dressed guards led a small train of half a dozen opulent carriages, each drawn by a fine pair of black horses, with more guards riding behind. Once stopped at the base of the gatehouse, a single person got out of each carriage and began making their way up.
“It seems our hosts are here,” mused Cav Badar as he was the first to turn away from looking below. He deliberately drew up a chair to the table, sat on it, and crossed his hands under his chin as if in thought.
One by one, the six Merchant Princes and twelve of their guards, reached the top of the gatehouse. The Guards seemed both haughty and annoyed as they took up station around the edge of the parapet. The first of the princes was a man of unusual height and a mix of human and elven features. He appeared to be about middle aged, but with the elven heritage it was impossible to say for certain. His salt and pepper hair and beard were perfectly sculpted and garlanded, he wore flowing robes of purple and silver, and his habit of rubbing his heavily ringed hands upon his stomach revealed a portly physique not otherwise evident under the robes. The second was a short, goblin woman with what appeared to be a silver, braided wig carefully affixed upon her head. Dressed in Blue and Bronze, with golden spectacles perched upon the bridge of her long and hooked nose, she had chains and necklaces of various styles and metals about her neck that seemed to bow her head and back from the weight. Beautifully embroidered gloves of the most elegant silk were upon hands that were often clasped behind her back. The third up the stairs was a clean shaven dwarf, with long red hair, nearly down to the ground, in a single, elaborate braid and decorated with gems. Shimmering robes of gold and silver swirled around them as they moved with a golden belt clasped around their middle. The dwarf was stocky and strongly built, and had a tendency of placing their hands, covered in iron rings set with jewels, upon their hips. The fourth was an elven man, dressed in green and gold robes, with what looked like shimmering scales on their exposed skin and glimpses inside the long sleeves of the robes showed hands that were starting to become webbed. The elf, clearly having started down the path to his fading, bore little ornamentation aside from the elaborate robe and his watery blue-grey eyes frequently darted around. The Fifth was a water troll, dressed in a blue robe, patterned with silver waves, and unlike her elven companion, proudly showed her webbed hands, and there was a constant clinking sound from the many and varied bracelets upon her wrists. Green scales, flecked with a variety of colors, covered their face and exposed skin, leaving only the flat nosed face with smooth skin. The final of the Merchant Prince was a man of average heigh, dressed in solid gold robes, studded here and there with white jewels, and a coronet upon his head. Blond hair, going grey on the temples, flowed wildly in lazy curls down to his shoulders. The rings upon his fingers seemed more deliberately chosen, and the careful selection was on full display has he tucked his thumbs into the silver belt clasped with gold around his waist, once he had caught his breath, and stepped forward to the head of the group.
He cleared his throat importantly and drew himself up as he addressed the old man sitting in the chair with careful diction. “We welcome you to our fair city, Cav Badar the thrice crowned, Prince Elector of Tanrith for the adherents of Tangana, Emperor of the Nine-fold crown, vanquisher of the Sons of Fire, King of Bedral by popular acclaim, the Steel Serpent of Nemvar, Captain General of the Grand Mercenary Alliance of the North and elected king of the Llanfer Islands. I have the honor of being your friend and ally, Van Gar Nan, head of the most ancient and venerated House of Van, and as many of my ancestors were, current chair of the Merchant’s Council and chief moderator in the House of Laws.”
Cav Badar leaned forward in his chair and gave a dip of his head in acknowledgment, “hmmm, grand titles and ancient names. Easily they flow but others give them meaning. I place little on such pretense, you may call me General or simply Cav Badar.”
“. . .General,” stuttered Van Gar Nan almost in surprise before recovering his composure. “I trust that you have found everything in our city to your satisfaction. My colleagues and I were wondering how long your soldiers would be in our city?”
“Hmmm, soldiers in cities, it reminds me of my time in Nemvar. At first her citizens praised the protection they had from the endless civil war, but soon they came to resent such an armed presence in their lives. I did not appreciate at the time how that was the beginning of my end there.”
Van Gar Nan and the other Merchant Princes glanced at each other in puzzlement and after a moment they turned back to Cav Badar, who was now calmly staring at his soldiers winding their way up into the hills. “What. . .” began Van Gar Nan.
At this point Vae’gar, with a slight hint of amusement, decided to help them out, “Honored Merchant Princes of Van Tam Pac, I should introduce myself, I am Commander Vae’gar, the general’s chief aid. We appreciate your concern for your citizens and understand the impacts, often unintentional, that having an armed host quartered in a city, especially one already so filled. As we agreed in our negotiations, we appreciate the use of your harbors and docks to unload our troops and supplies, but we are setting up a series of camps on the hills that surround your city.”
The Merchant Princes nodded in agreement of this and, after a moments quiet prompting from the others, Van Gar Nan addressed partly Cav Badar and partly Vae’gar with their next question, “And what role were you expecting of our own guards. We should warn that our supply of soldiers is limited, unless we conscript our people which we are hesitant to do.”
Cav Badar turned his head back to his hosts and smiled benignly to them, “hmm, Prince Andr also said the same to me and he was not wrong, his army was small and they were of little use away from his city, but they fought like wild animals when the Sons of Fire came, it bought me time to come to their aid.”
Van Gar Nan opened his mouth to respond but he seemed at a loss for words, so he turned to Vae’gar with a questioning look. The elf responded, “We would not ask your people to fight far from their home, although if your city is attacked we would appreciate any aid you could provide in defending yourselves.”
“hmm,” the general added, now staring up into the sky. “In my time in Bedral, I came to value the skill and knowledge of the locals when I needed to move beyond the safety of their coastal cities.”
This time the Merchant Princes immediately turned their heads, as one, to look at the Elven Aid. Vae’gar smiled, “we would appreciate if you could provide us with maps of the surrounding lands, and the aid of a few scouts, or at least those that are familiar with the more distant approaches to your city. This would be an invaluable aid in giving us advanced warning both of any movements of the enemy and also the best routes to take if we march out.”
The Merchant Princes turned quickly into a tight huddle and Vae’gar’s elven ears caught much of a whispered conversation, bordering on argument, of who would supply this, and how. After a moment, they turned back and this time it was the River Troll who spoke in an almost croaky voice, “I, Benna of House Harna, mistress of the rivers, shall provide you with my best scouts and maps.” With that, she signaled to one of the guards who turned and shouted over the parapet of the Gatehouse, and the cry was carried on below.
“Your aid is appreciated,” said Vae’gar as Cav Badar just smiled and nodded toward Benna.
The Dwarf stepped a little forward and, before their colleagues could raise a protest, said, “Is there other help you would have us provide? Your ships are already limiting the use of our docks for our own ships and fleet.”
The General regarded the Dwarf for a long moment before his eyes once more became slightly unfocused and he leaned back in his chair. “Hmm, I once had a lengthy discussion on this very topic with the High Mayor of the City of Kallot, where the obligations of agreements, verbal or written, end and detriment to one or both parties begins.”
The Dwarf puffed up in evident anger but two of the other Merchant Princes put a restrained hand upon his shoulder and Vae’gar stepped forward with his hands up in a gesture of appeasement. “Honorable Merchant Prince, Dath of House Borr if I am correct, we expect no other help from you aside from what we agreed in our negotiations, of providing what food and building materials that you can spare that would not negatively impact you or your populace. What is more, the Llanfer Islands depend much on our harbors and docks so I hear your concerns about the lost business you are facing, but the bulk of our forces should be landed by tomorrow night, at which point the main thing will be supplies ships which should arrive in a much smaller number and more predictable manner. We will get your docks back to their normal function as soon as we can.”
Dath nodded and stepped back into the group, seemingly satisfied, and there were nods of appreciation from the others as well. “How many?” muttered the elf and seemed surprised that he had said it loud enough for the others to hear.
The Goblin stepped forward, repositioning her gold spectacles to better stare at the general and his aids, and said in a high and raspy voice, “what I believe Bae’ra of House La is meaning to ask is how many soldiers did you bring?” She thought for a moment and then made a small bow and added, “And I am Skaranna of House Marga, it is an honor to have your acquaintance, General Cav Badar.”
The General nodded and gave a little bow of his head. He furrowed his brow and seemed on the verge of speaking, but then simply shrugged and nodded his head to Vae’gar before settling back in his chair.
All eyes once more turned to the elf. “We should have around 15,000 landed by nightfall, and a total of some 35,000 is what we expect by nightfall tomorrow plus some 5,000 cooks, surgeons, builders, and all other manner of people needed to maintain such an army in the field. As other companies have a chance to finish the contracts they could not safely pull out of, return to the Islands and rest, that number should reach more than 50,000.”
Skaranna nodded in understanding and Van Gar Nan stepped forward to speak again, “and what kind of strength are these soldiers? I know your reputation and those of your companies, but what protection can we expect of mercenaries?”
“Hmm, it took the feuding serpents nearly two decades to understand how to effectively judge the quality of the soldiers that opposed them.”
Vae’gar coughed and said quickly, seeing the look of annoyance once more creeping onto the Merchant Prince’s faces. “We will have 5,000 each of heavy and light cavalry and archers the same. The rest of our force is infantry, three quarters of which are heavy infantry. The soldiers are currently divided into 23 companies of various sizes and specialties. Make no mistake, their employment might be as mercenaries, but we have trained them to coordinate and work together and these are among the finest soldiers and captains that you are likely to find anywhere upon this Terra.”
The Merchant Princes once more turned to confer with each other, this time much more briefly, and they seemed more satisfied now. It was Benna who stepped forward to address the general again, “And when do you plan to move out after the followers of the Dark Moon Banner?”
Cav Badar once more leaned forward in his chair and said, thoughtfully, “hmm, you might as well ask me how many times I struck out into the dessert on the report of gathering enemies, only to have found those forces melted away into hiding once more.”
Vae’gar spoke immediately this time, “we know that the followers of the Dark God are declaring themselves, both upon this continent and all over this Terra, and we hear your concerns about them but until they start to gather, and in sufficient force to make scattering difficult, finding them with a large host would be almost impossible.”
“Well,” said the half-elven man, stepping forward for the first time and pointing his finger on the map, “that is not wholly true. We know that Barav of Ganar has seized control of Maggar for the Dark God and has already raised a substantial force and has sent messages out calling all of Ymiron’s followers to come to him there. Surely that is a place that you could strike out for.”
The general gave an almost whimsical smile as he leaned back and stared into the sky once more, “hmmm, we have such information too, Baran of House Maes, but so to did my mentor. Prince Elector Ban Cartav often spoke to us about the importance in warfare of making the first move, but he did not live long enough to appreciate the lesson that it is often reacting to the first move that is more crucial than making the first move.”
This time, Vae’gar also turned in slight puzzlement towards his general and regarded the old man for a moment before with a slight raised eyebrow in his direction, the realization came to him and he turned back to the Merchant Princes, who were muttering in perplexity to himself.
Vae’gar cleared his throat to gain their attention, “While we do know where a significant force of the followers of the Dark God are, we do not know their intentions or plans. We are already in the process of blockading their city by sea to hopefully prevent any additional reinforcements coming by that route, but as I am sure you know from your own disastrous moves toward Maggar in the past, it is a city that is well fortified and extremely difficult to approach by land. If we were to move out and attempt to besiege them by land, they could last for years, perhaps indefinitely, and it would take us months to assemble siege engines of sufficient strength to breach their walls and even then storming the city would be no guarantee. It would also pin our army in place and leave us vulnerable to whatever other forces the followers of the Dark Moon Banner might raise. It is far better to form a secure base here and let them make the first move. Once they are out of the protection of Maggar we will have a better sense of what their plans are, and it is we who will have the greater options for how to react.”
The Merchant Princes once more turned and muttered to themselves. The conversation went on longer, but with less arguing and more shrugging, before they turned once more back to them, and Van Gar Nan bowed once more, “we thank you for your time today, General, but you must have much to see to. We shall see to it that our ministers coordinate with your aids on the provision of supplies and building materials to your army and our scouts should be along for you soon. We look forward to dining with you tonight as the Grand Villa.”
Cav Badar stood and bowed stiffly which was returned by the Merchant Princes who then proceeded to make their way to the stairs, both led and followed by their guards. Vae’gar turned to his general who seemed to be chuckling to himself.
“Why do you do that?” asked Vae’gar.
“Do what?”
“Talk in stories and memories when others are around?”
“Ah,” said the general sitting down but fixing the elf in his gaze. “When you look at me, what do you see, Commander Vae’gar?”
“Well. . .” began Vae’gar, hesitant at where this was going.
“Pretend you don’t know me, maybe you know my name and reputation, but have never spoken with me, how would you describe me?”
Vae’gar said simply, “you are an old man, apologies if that offends.”
Cav Badar waived the comment away, “why would the truth offend me? At a few turns of the moon away from 80 I AM an old man, a very old man, and would be to any peoples save for Dwarves and Elves.”
“Yes?” nodded Vae’gar.
“One of the most important things to manage and use, as any kind of leader or commander, is the expectations of others. When someone meets me for the first time, depending on their view of my reputation, and humans more generally, they either see a withered, senile old man or they see some wise old master of war. Aside from Skaranna and perhaps Benna, those Merchant Princes all view me as the former.”
Vae’gar started putting it together in his head, “so you speak in memories of your military campaigns rather than speaking directly, and it confirms their perception?”
“Yes,” nodded Cav Badar. “Those that think me senile have that fact confirmed to them, and thus they deal with my aids, get out of my way, and also underestimate me. Those that thing I am some font of the wisdom of war hear pearls of wisdom, and they to let me get about my business. It has served me well for more than a decade now.”
“That is very interesting, thank you for explaining.”
“Of course, I appreciate your willingness to ask and to learn.” Said the general with a nod of his head. “Now, what was that about dinner?”
Vae’gar nodded and shuffled through the papers in front of him and pulled out an ornately drawn piece of parchment and handed it to Cav Badar. “The Merchant Princes have invited you, and your Captains, to a feast tonight at the Grand Villa, they say to welcome you, but I have my suspicions.”
The general glanced over the invitation impassively before raising his eyes once more to the elf, “suspicions?”
“Well, as they themselves said, there are followers of the Dark God popping up everywhere, and even barring that a few of those Merchant Princes looked displeased with you.”
Cav Badar shook his head, “it is too soon for that. I am told many of Ymiron’s followers fled the city a few days ago, although the Merchant Princes don’t want to talk about it. There might be a few sympathizers and spies, but it will take them time to get organized and figure out how to sneak around our soldiers. And while I definitely saw some budding animosity from them as well, none of them have gotten where they are by being hasty and overreacting.”
“Still,” said Vae’gar. “I would recommend we have the Steel Serpents search this Grand Villa carefully, and be posted as guards.”
The General nodded and smiled, “a sensible precaution, Commander. The Merchant Princes will object, no doubt, but I do not think they will refuse or protest strongly. And it will be good for the masters of the city to see me and my captains in person, and my guards as well. Very well, we shall accept the invitation. I’ll take half a dozen of the captains with me. The rest will continue to monitor the construction of the camps and we’ll keep a few in the city in the guise of continuing the unloading of ships but ready in case of the unexpected.”
“As you command, my general,” Vae’gar said firmly and proceeded to write out a series of orders and pass them off to the surrounding aids and messengers.
“Thank you, Vae’gar,” nodded Cav Badar. “Now, let us get back to the matter of these camps and scouting arrangements.” As he said that, Vae’gar and the other aids gathered with their general around the map, and began to discuss their upcoming plans.
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