“Efficiency is always an important factor,” Akuyun reiterated. “The Empire’s forces are engaged in many places worldwide, limiting the number of troops they can commit to Caedellium if it can be avoided. As Zulfa has said, the new men assigned to us are not the best. Even the original units sent here had poor performance ratings. High command didn’t think first-line units would be needed.” He smiled at Zulfa. “You did a good job of working those men into shape, and I’m sure you’ll do the same with the new arrivals.”
Zulfa snorted. “It’s unlikely they’ll ever be more than mediocre. We wouldn’t want to pit them against a real opponent.”
Akuyun pushed aside his unused notes on their mission through Phase Two. “Even so, they only need to be good enough to handle the Caedelli.”
Akuyun rubbed his cheek. “What we don’t want is for the clans to retreat to the mountains. It would take years to root them out. If High Command’s plan works, we’ll get most of the Caedelli to either cooperate or surrender with a minimum amount of our resources expended. Taking over the Preddi Province as we did was necessary but wasteful.” He eyed Zulfa. “Too much was destroyed and too many clansmen killed. We want to preserve as much as possible as we incorporate the islanders in the Empire. Living people are more useful than dead or enslaved ones. If possible.”
The decision formally made, Akuyun ended the meeting with a final reiteration of assignments. He didn’t believe a fundamental purpose could be drummed in too many times or subordinates reminded too often of their roles. The meeting also served to ensure that all of the senior commanders understood how their interrelated tasks fit together.
“Let’s keep our eyes on the details, gentlemen. Colonel Zulfa, the Eywellese and the Selfcellese are to slowly ratchet up their incursions into neighboring clan territories, but not so quickly as to cause the other clans to unite too soon. Keep on top of them, especially the Eywellese.
“Admiral Kalcan will handle the Buldorians and work with Administrator Tuzere on general intelligence gathering and planning seaborne raids. Tuzere will also assist Assessor Hizer in overseeing our overtures to selected clans, directing intelligence gathering, maintaining existing agents within Caedellium, and recruiting more agents as needed.”
The summary complete, Akuyun ended the meeting. “Gentlemen, we all know our assignments. Let’s get to it and bring the entire island into the Empire.”
“Busy day, Okan?” Rabia Akuyun set a plate of food in front of her husband, then sat and picked up her fork. “I arranged for the children to spend the evening with Major Nubar’s family. I thought it would be nice to eat alone, in case you wanted to talk. Just the two of us.”
“Thank you,” Okan smiled. “From the aromas when I walked in, I assume you cooked this evening. Another clue is the smudge of flour on your elbow.”
“Well, the servants never quite get the seasoning right for braised beef the way you like it. And, as long as I was cooking, I figured I might as well bake fresh bread. Anyway, you know I like to lend a hand with preparing and serving the evening meal, and it’s been a while since I had a chance. It reminds me of the importance of family and that we’re not so far above other Narthani.”
He shook his head. “And because you enjoy it?”
“And because I like it. Even if cooking and serving are low-class, it’s sometimes relaxing.”
Rabia’s impish grin always brought a catch to his throat. He chuckled and filled her cup with Melosian tea, then poured himself a goblet of imported wine. “Well, you certainly don’t admit that to others.”
“That’s between us.” She sipped her drink. “Just like you only show me you’re not always the . . . ,” she lowered her voice and took on a dramatic tone, “totally assured commander of men.” Rabia touched his hand tenderly. Okan projected himself to others as confident and only allowed uncertainties to show with her, which was one of the reasons she loved him.
She canted her head. “How did the meeting go today?”
“Good.” He buttered a thick slice of bread. “We all agreed that we’re ready to move to the next phase.” He sopped up gravy with a wad of bread. “I’m relieved that none of the leaders brought up problems I hadn’t thought of.”
“And you expected there was something you hadn’t thought of?”
Okan grunted through a mouth full of beef and gravy, then swallowed. “Not really,” he admitted, “but you never know, and I try never to assume too much.”
He was cutting another piece of meat when he stopped, set both hands on the table, and looked fondly at his wife. “Thank you for this evening, dearest. I’m forever glad I have you and our two youngest children with me on this Caedellium mission.” He set down his knife, took her right hand, and kissed her fingers.
She felt a faint blush of pleasure at the gesture. “I’m glad, too. I’d have missed you terribly. I know we’ve always accompanied you, but this was to be so far from home and for so long, I wondered if this time might be different.”
Okan shook his head, released her hand, and resumed eating. “It’s not so far I wanted to be without you.”
While some of the Narthani officers brought their wives, others left their families back in Narthon or wherever in the Empire they originated. Some looked at this as an opportunity to “sample” the local women, and they took concubines or slaves. Akuyun had never felt the urge. Rabia came from a prominent Narthani family. She had seen great promise in the young Narthani officer serving under her father. Her family had not been pleased with her intention to marry Akuyun, his being from a subjugated tribe, albeit two centuries earlier. Only dim records remained of his original people. So thoroughly had they been absorbed that his family never considered themselves anything but authentic Narthani.
Rabia set down her cup and brushed back a strand of hair. “I know it’s a relief for you to finally move forward. We’ve been here two years, and we both would like to get back to Narthon.”
“It’s coming, dearest. Another year, two at the most.”
Okan drank from his wine goblet, then sighed. “Besides the meeting with my staff, there was the usual endless paperwork—annual evaluations of my immediate subordinates, and reviewing those of all the other officers. Then more paperwork and meeting with Tuzere and the other civilian leaders to review settlement progress and future expansions. Then more paperwork for the quarterly report due to be sent to Narthon. It’s still a month away, but I want it completed in a timely manner.”
Rabia raised her napkin to hide a smile. Her husband’s meticulous work habits, along with his native intelligence and force of personality, had been the three pillars that justified her evaluation of him those many years ago, as well as the basis of his fast rise in service to the Empire. “I’m sure you’ll finish on time and with your usual thoroughness,” she gently remonstrated. It had not only been his future potential that had attracted her, for theirs was a love match not usual in the upper reaches of Narthani society.
Okan smiled fondly. “Thank you, my dear, for the endorsement. I may include it in the report summary.” The interchange was part of a routine evolved over their twenty-seven years of marriage. Her hair showed gray strands, and the lines around her eyes had deepened with the years, but he still saw the young woman who once seemed out of reach to a junior officer. A beauty she might not be, but the lively eyes, the mischievous smile, when directed at him, and the trim figure hadn’t changed, in addition to the indescribable something that made them belong together.