Akuyun rubbed his chin as he listened. People often misjudged the thirty-eight-year-old Zulfa because of his impressive appearance. He was a gifted tactician, fearless but not reckless, and decisive at critical moments. For these reasons, Akuyun had chosen him as his second in command.
“How long will it take to train them?”
“I plan on treating them as if they had no previous military training. It’ll take a year months before they’ll be in decent shape for a campaign. Once ready, the new arrivals will be integrated into existing units. I believe mixing the new arrivals with troops who’ve been on Caedellium for some time will make our units more uniform. Otherwise, we’d have two sets of units with different experiences and backgrounds.”
Akuyun approved. “A sound plan.”
Zulfa frowned. “Some of the officers who arrived with the new men are disgruntled about breaking up units organized in Narthon. According to my evaluation, and how we all know these things work, some of these officers got their positions based either on their family’s status or on bribes. Most have little practical experience or ability.”
Assessor Hizer leaned forward. “And you’re satisfied with how those disgruntled officers are adjusting?”
Zulfa smiled, his eyes expressionless. “The problems diminished after I demoted a more vocal officer down a rank and sent him to command a guard unit attached to improving the main road to Selfcell.”
Hizer sighed. “Please try not to alienate too many great families of Narthon, Colonel Zulfa.”
Zulfa scowled. “You did agree with my action.”
“Oh, I did, but fortunately, the officer in question already had numerous official and unofficial marks against his record. However, actions such as you took might accumulate negative consequences. If possible, next time please try to find other solutions for problematic officers.”
They all knew his meaning: find an assignment with maximum chances of death or disappearance, preferably to allow a plausible report on the individual’s bravery and noble service to the Empire.
“And our Caedellium allies?” prompted Akuyun.
Zulfa shrugged. “Brave enough, and will be useful as buffers between us and the rest of the Caedelli when we start raids into neighboring provinces, and then later as light cavalry screens for our troops. The Eywellese continue to be more enthused about the alliance than the Selfcellese. We’ll need to stay aware that on occasion we may have to prod Selfcell and restrain Eywell.”
“But you believe we’re on track?”
“Yes, General. If necessary, we should be ready to take the field in a year, although I’d prefer a few more months.”
Akuyun turned to Administrator Tuzere. “And you believe the civilian area is also going according to plan?”
The other man next to Zulfa and across from Akuyun was Nizam Tuzere, fifty-four, the administrative overseer of the non-military population, which included the civilian Narthani transportees to Caedellium and native Caedelli. Tuzere’s portfolio also included maintaining order, watching for dissidents, and counter-espionage. Tuzere dressed in his usual dapper manner, and while his graying mustache, baggy eyes, and verging on portly figure made him appear older, his energy was unmatched among the five, and his mind was encyclopedic about the hundred thousand non-military Narthani and slaves on the island.
The civil authority’s voice was like mellow oil flowing over his vocal cords. “All aspects are satisfactory, General. Within Preddi Province, our people have replaced most of the original Caedelli. Farms are producing well with new Narthani farmers and herders. As new settlers arrive, we’re expanding total acreage under cultivation as fast as possible. The land here is among the most fertile I’ve ever seen, and we’re more than self-sufficient, at least in grain and meat production. I project we can begin exporting back to Narthon this year.”
Tuzere’s animated eyes exuded pleasure at the last assessment. “Until now, the ships from Narthon brought troops, settlers, food, and everything needed for an enterprise of this magnitude, then sailed home empty after delivering their cargos. The ability to return laden with food and other products of the island will pay for the operation’s expenses and reinforce the progress of the mission to higher authorities.
“As expected, setting up sufficient crafts and industry bases will take longer.” Tuzere ran a plump, manicured hand over his embroidered waistcoat. “While we’ll still need to import finished goods for a period of time, the situation will improve as we expand and bring in more of our people.”
Akuyun shifted his weight in his chair. “And the Caedelli? Those within the former Preddi territory?”
“No problems there. I think we’ve eliminated any major potential resistance. The few remaining Preddi are well incorporated or subdued.” Tuzere plucked at the skin fold under his chin and spoke next as if carefully crafting the words. “Ah . . . the only ongoing problem is converting the ex-Preddi to worship Narth. There have been a number of minor incidents, but they’ve decreased once the Caedelli learned our low tolerance for disturbances.”
Noticeably absent at the meeting was the mission’s chief Narth prelate, Mamduk Balcan. Balcan’s absence was mainly due to his lack of interest in administrative and military matters, except when they interfered with converting the native Caedelli to the true religion, worshipping Narth, god of war and dominance. Although Balcan was not an acknowledged part of the Narthani command-and-reporting structure, Akuyun was obliged to give the prelate reasonable respect, though he didn’t have to invite him to every meeting. Akuyun publicly and privately assured Balcan that he understood the prelate’s concerns, but it was Akuyun’s higher duty not to permit fervent conversion efforts to interfere with political and military affairs. Those had first priority before universal worship of Narth was possible. Balcan had chafed but acquiesced.
Akuyun only confessed to his wife, Rabia, his desire that Balcan suffer some unfortunate fatal accident. Akuyun believed that among his subordinates, at least Zulfa and Hizer had the same unspoken wish. However, thus far Balcan had not interfered enough to warrant such a calamity. At times, Akuyun wished the prelate would overstep.
“Of course, conversion is a priority,” Tuzere avowed for formality, “and we cooperate with Prelate Balcan as much as possible.” Though none of the five men were devout followers of Narth or any other God, lip service was required.
“Outside of Preddi, it’s as Zulfa says from the military side. On one hand, the Eywellese will integrate the smoothest. Within another generation, two at the most, they’ll quit thinking of themselves as Eywellese. To help that along, we’ve encouraged teaching Narthani in their schools, arguing it will help them interact with our people. We know from experience that switching to our language as soon as possible is a key to assimilation. Once the entire island is under our control, we’ll mandate all islanders learn Narthani. For now, I believe we can be confident about the Eywellese.
“On the other hand, Selfcell is still problematic. I’ve seen no signs of active resistance, but there’s no doubt they’re warier than the Eywellese, at least as far as the leadership is concerned. The Eywellese Hetman is about as venal and dense as we could hope, but Hetman Langor of Selfcell is shrewd and sees the reality of making the best of a bad situation.”
Zulfa leaned forward, his eyes on Tuzere. “But you still think the Selfcell situation is stable enough not to consider taking firmer steps before we advance to the next phase?”