“We’ve been through this before,” answered Akuyun before Tuzere could reply. “While they may drag their asses, the Selfcellese haven’t given us sufficient reason to act, particularly since we want to convince other clans not to resist. It’s one thing to do what we did to the Preddi clan when they openly attacked us. If we’re too severe just because a clan isn’t enthusiastic, it will only make the other clans more resistant and more likely to unite too soon—something we definitely don’t want.”
Zulfa sat back. “I know. I only bring it up because I’m looking at the military side of it. I’m still not comfortable with the local auxiliaries I’ll need to include once we get to Phase Four.”
Tuzere nodded. “I appreciate your concerns, and as the general says, we’ve been careful not to press the Selfcell and the Eywell too hard. Neither clan is happy with our stationing one thousand strong permanent Narthani garrisons in their provinces. Those garrisons cause the usual resentments, but much of that is ameliorated by our generous expenditures into the local economies. We’ve also restricted troop movements to minimize conflict, at least for now. Once we expand and control other provinces, we’ll tighten control over the Selfcell and Eywell clans. I believe those clans’ leaderships know we could interfere much more. For example, the Selfcellese may disapprove of our using Preddi women in our troop brothels, but it serves as another warning of what can happen to our opponents.”
“I’m just reiterating we need to keep a close eye on the Selfcellese and not depend on them too much, yet,” said Zulfa.
“Duly noted,” acknowledged Akuyun. He turned to Admiral Kalcan seated on his left. The fifty-two-year-old commander of Narthani naval forces in Caedellium waters had a constant twinkle in eyes set in a round, smooth-shaven face. Kalcan’s habitual cheerfulness contrasted with the more severe countenances of the other four men, but his casual demeanor belied his fierce dedication to the Empire. The admiral was one of the few men to whom Akuyun showed his more whimsical side when they were alone, and the one who might be regarded as a friend, if Akuyun had had that luxury.
“Admiral Kalcan, we’ve read your report on naval readiness and scouting and mapping of the Caedellium coasts. To confirm, is it your assessment that we’re ready to proceed?”
“Oh, we’ll continue with those activities.” Kalcan clasped his hands on the table. “Mainly refining our charts. We’ve still seen no sign of navies from other realms, and our ships and men are in good condition.” He smiled and rapped his chest lightly with a fist. “Our naval forces are ready to proceed.”
Akuyun turned to Hizer. “Assessor Hizer, any comments or observations?”
The final man at the table had listened attentively to the discussion. At being addressed, he absentmindedly rolled his shoulders in a manner reminiscent of a predator shifting weight, confident in itself. Sadik Hizer was fifty, of stocky frame, and dressed in plain dark trousers, a shirt, and a light coat. He might pass for a well-dressed but common tradesman until he looked at you. Behind penetrating dark eyes resided a sharp intellect refined by years of experience and education beyond most Narthani. Hizer was an assessor, a member of a small corps of men who served as the direct eyes and ears of the Narthani leadership’s highest levels. He had no formal authority and instead was charged with providing two types of information: general advice, if solicited by the mission’s leaders, and independent evaluations of the mission’s progress and leadership.
“I think you’ve covered all the necessary grounds, General. As we all know, there are always adjustments to any plan, though I’m satisfied everything is proceeding through the major milestones. I see no reason to hesitate in moving on to the next phase.”
“Thank you, Assessor. We appreciate your input.” Akuyun kept a smile off his face. While Akuyun and Hizer had gone over the same material two days earlier, this was the official support statement for the benefit of the record and the other leaders.
Assessors were often thought of as spies for the Narthani High Command, which they were, but one of Akuyun’s talents was to meld assigned assessors into his overall leadership structure, even if informally. In Hizer, Akuyun knew he was fortunate to be assigned an assessor with whom he worked well. He would never understand those commanders who resented the presence of the assessors and kept them at arm’s length—not when it risked friction between the two, and that friction possibly affecting the assessor’s reports. Also, you lost the ability and insights the better assessors could provide.
The five men spent another hour discussing details of the current status of Phase Two. Then Akuyun spoke the words for which the previous hours had been a prelude.
“I think we can all agree that we’re established enough to move into Phase Three against the other eighteen clans. Any disagreements or qualifications?”
They shook their heads, and all four leaned forward in their seats, eyes alert, anticipating the mission commander’s next words.
“Then, as of today we’ll begin Phase Three—direct action against the other clans. The plan has three interconnected parts. First, the Eywellese and the Selfcellese will increase low-level forays into neighboring clan provinces, gradually ramping up into raids. Second, I will finalize our arrangement with Buldorian mercenaries to carry out raids on coastal villages, abbeys, and other selected targets. These raids should create turmoil within the coastal clans and force them to concentrate their fighting men to protect their own coasts, as well as minimize their ability to aid other clans.”
Hizer’s smile was that of a serpent. “These non-Narthani seaborne raiders will sow uncertainty and give us a degree of deniability.”
Kalcan laced his fingers, elbows on the table, and cautioned, “Yes, the Buldorians are notorious pirates and raiders, but it won’t fool the brighter Caedelli for long.”
Akuyun pursed his lips. “We don’t require fooling all of them or for too long. Just long enough to sow confusion and force them to focus on their own security and not on helping other clans, as we move into direct efforts to destabilize the clans and any existing allegiances. We’ll attempt to provoke inherent Caedellium clan conflicts to stir up old resentments. The methods will vary, depending on the clan and circumstances, but include using bribes and veiled threats to be sure a clan fully understands the implications of being on the wrong side of the inevitable Narthani supremacy.
“We’re following the basic strategy that has worked well for the Empire. When the time is right, we’ll move to Phase Four and commit our troops and compel either a centrally located clan or that clan and its allies to fight large-scale battles so we can deliver decisive defeats. At that point, we expect some of the clans to concede Empire control of Caedellium and ally with us. The remaining clans will then surrender or be systematically destroyed.”
“Invasion on the cheap,” Zulfa growled. “It would have been faster to bring in enough troops to crush them all in one season’s campaign, then move on.” It was not the first time Zulfa had expressed this opinion.
Akuyun nodded, keeping his tone even, hiding his impatience. This ground had been covered many times, in many meetings. “Faster, yes, but not as efficient.”
Hizer drummed fingers on the tabletop and shifted his weight. “We all know the arguments. High Command plans carefully. Though we’re not averse to using overwhelming force, we can obtain our objectives at less cost if time is not a critical factor. Incorporating Caedellium is part of our long-term plans for expansion of the Empire, but with other ongoing conflicts bordering Narthon, our mission here is important, though not particularly urgent.”