Enlightened Empire

Chapter 336: Bent and Upright

While Corco was busy preventing trouble in Saniya, Sumaci was still in Rasacopa, dealing with her very own brand of problems.

“Queen, this servant brings news from the captains,” Captain Aqta said as he handed a scroll to Sumaci’s attendant Llamka. At their first meeting, Aqta had been quite haughty, but ever since he had accepted Sumaci’s offer, he had become more and more submissive. Now he sat there folded in the chair across her desk, his body cramped and weak. He wouldn’t even have had the courage to sit down had she not ordered him to do so. It was no wonder his crew wouldn’t listen to him, despite his obvious skills as a navigator.

“Oh? What do they say?” she asked. Although she took the scroll, she put it aside without opening it. She could still read it later. For now, she wanted to hear the story from her subordinate’s own mouth.

“At the moment, the captains are still being stubborn. However, they have all lost their haughtiness.” Aqta grinned.

As have you, Sumaci thought, though she wouldn’t show her contempt on her face. Meanwhile, the clueless captain continued.

“At first, they were so sure that they would win, and take over the palace,” he rambled. “Now, they have learned humility. The stories of the commoner army from Medala earning a big win on Yua has spread everywhere. Many of their crew members are deeply worried. If the new commoner soldiers trained here are as strong as those Medalans who took Yua from the crews of the other colored islands, wouldn’t that make the warriors useless? That’s what they are thinking, and they do not like it. The captains are getting indignant at their complaints. Although they are not quite ready to talk about cooperation, all they need now is a sign that Queen is willing to compromise with them. So long as they get an excuse that saves face for them, they will surely agree to any conditions.”

“You have done well,” Sumaci said, this time in earnest. The progress with the other captains was faster than she had expected. At this speed, it wouldn’t even take until the end of the year for the other captains to crack.

“And my ship…” Captain Aqta rubbed his hands, which made him look like a thief, even though he just asked about her end of the bargain.

Part of their deal had included a guarantee that the captain would be able to retain command of his ship, and even own it outright. For Aqta, it was an enticing prospect, since warriors still weren’t allowed to own property. Though for Sumaci, this exception wasn’t a problem, since things were about to change.

“You will get your reward, don’t worry,” she said. “For now, I want you to spread some news among the warriors. We will try to do the same in our own ways.”

“What news?” Captain Aqta perched up.

“I want you to tell them that I plan to reform the class system in one decisive area. Since the commoners are now taking over warrior roles and the crews are mostly docked in the harbor, many captains are struggling to pay their warriors.”

Like her teacher, Sumaci explained with a raised finger, but her audience wasn’t playing along.

“That is not correct,” the captain said. “Most captains have large sums of money stashed away in secret hideouts. They will be able to pay their crews for years, even without support from the House.”

“But would they ever admit to that?” Sumaci asked with a sly grin.

“Of course not.”

After all, if the captains admitted to their secret stashes, they would also admit to treason, since anything they earned during their raids should ultimately belong to the green monarch in Rasacopa.

“Then there is no problem,” Sumaci said. “The issue I’m raising doesn’t need to be real, I only need an excuse to implement my solution to the ‘problem’. The warriors only need to hear of my plan and they will all play along with it, even if they know that their pay is already secure. From now on, property possession will be legal for warriors.”

In an expected, but sill satisfying reaction, the captain’s eyes widened in shock.

“That means-”

“From now on, private homes, ships, and even businesses can be owned by the warriors of Rasaopca, so long as they can pay for it,” Sumaci interrupted him. “That’s a pretty good second income stream, besides the money they get from the House treasury.”

“The captains will never agree to it,” Captain Aqta said, in a panicked tone.

And I’m sure you’re not happy about it either.

This was no surprise to Sumaci. After all, the captains had always been responsible for the pay of the warriors. They would get their money directly from House Hulpatec, and then they would distribute that money among the other warriors on their ships, their crew members. This was the tool the captains used to control their crews.

No loyalty meant no pay. If the warriors were to findnew ways to make money, they would no longer be dependent on the captains, and their power would diminish. Of course she expected a violent reaction from the captains, but she wasn’t worried one bit.

“Then what will they do about it? Rebel?” a dismissive Sumaci asked. “The captains may be strong and free enough that they can hide their wealth from me, so they won’t suffer even if they don’t gain the official right to own property. In secret, I’m sure they already own much. But that doesn’t go for any of their crew members. Do the captains want to lead their warriors in a fight to prevent them from gaining new rights? You’re kidding me. That’s just a mutiny waiting to happen. No, the captains will have to swallow the new law obediently, and then they will have to watch their power diminish bit by bit.”

“In that case, this servant will do his best to spread the word, Queen.”

The captain bowed, but only to hide his pale face and the unwillingness in her eyes, something that didn’t escape Sumaci. However, she didn’t really care. Captain Aqta was now a pawn with limited use. There was no reason to keep him happy, and if he didn’t understand the signs of the time, she would clean him up just like all the other captains.

“Yeah, that’s good.” She waved her hand dismissively, no longer interest in the captain. “You do that. You may leave.”

After a bow, the captain turned and left the queen’s study. As soon as he was gone, the statuesque maid next to the desk came alive.

“This is splendid news, Queen Sumaci!” Llamka called out. “With this move, all the warriors on the island will immediately turn to our side.”

Although she still felt like things were going far too smoothly these days, Sumaci nodded.

“By the time this rumor has spread in the city, the warriors will start their own small revolutions against their captains. I’m sure the captains will have forgotten all about their ideas of resisting me by then. They won’t need some compromise from us anymore, they will come crawling either way, just to retain whatever power they can. Only then will we be able to properly reform the kingdom, and return all the power back to House Hulpatec. Only then can the island be properly moulded, to bring prosperity to our people, and to use their strength in our future endeavors.”

“How far-seeing, as always…”

While the attendant was praising Sumaci some more, the queen was thinking about further plans.

Only then will we be able to pick out the captains who were part of Tayali’s betrayal, and avenge my father and brother. Without the power you have stolen from my family, what are you? I wonder, will you regret your greed in your final moments?

When Sumaci returned from her thoughts, the maid was already done with her praise, and stared at her, waiting for a reply to a question the queen hadn’t heard. A bit awkward, Sumaci coughed before she changed the topic, a trick she had learned from Corco.

“So who’s next?” she asked, to which Llamka looked at her notes.

“Next on the schedule is General Paec, it seems. He did not have an appointment in advance, but it seems like his message is urgent, so he was pushed ahead, in front of everyone but the equally important Captain Aqta. He has been waiting in the lobby for about an hour now.”

“Then bring him in.”

Soon, the general stood in front of the queen. He greeted her with stiff, but proper etiquette. As always, Paec looked like a statue from a forgotten time, old-fashioned and unmoving.

“Please, sit.” Sumaci began.

“No need, Queen. I will not take up too much of your time, since this visit was already unannounced.”

“In that case, just tell me what the problem is.”

“According to a recent report we have received from Admiral Atau via radio, the other colored kings and their arcavian allies have not given up on their attempt to disturb our supply lines.”

“Is it a fleet, or another attempt to take over an island and turn it into a fortress like Yua?”

With worry, Sumaci considered both options. A fleet wouldn’t be too bad. With enough ability, it was always possible to navigate around an enemy fleet, and in time, they would have more ships in the Verduic Sea anyways. A fortress would be a much bigger issue. Of course, her enemies were doing whatever was least convenient for her.

“The latter,” Paec said, and looked at the map that was stitched into a tapestry and hung up on one of the walls in Sumaci’s study. “May I?” he asked while pointing at the intricate knitting.

“Of course. Feel right at home.”

After Sumaci waved towards the tapestry, the general approached and thought for a second, before he identified his target.

“The island in question should be this one, Iskay Island.” he pointed at a spot a few kilometers west of Yua Island.

“Iskay… another impasse like Yua.”

“Yes, that is what Admiral Atau said.”

“Then he has been brushing up on the geography of the isles, that’s good. Iskay, like Yua, needs to be passed if one wants to get from Saniya to Rasacopa in the shortest time,” Sumaci began to explain. Compared to the general from Saniya, she was far more familiar with her home’s environment. “However, there are two big differences between the two islands. Number one, Iskay Island can be crossed from both sides. Unlike Yua, which has difficult weather, cliffs, and unfavorable currents in its north and can only be passed in the south, Iskay can be passed north and south on most days. If our enemies want to cut off our supply lines, they will have to take over both ends of the island and build a fortress on both ends. Which also means that they need to occupy all the inland area, and the entire waterways around it, at least if they really want to cut us off from our supplies. So long as we can keep a presence on the island and hold at least one beach, we can keep our supplies flowing without trouble.”

“That won’t be necessary. As soon as you order it, I am ready to take on our enemies and drive them off the island, just like General Dedrick did on Yua. I’m sure that Admiral Atau is also itching for another fight with their fleet. We have won the first battle easily enough, we should be able to win the second one just as well. Once we drive them off Iskay Island, we can install our own fortresses and secure our routes for good.”

Paec traced a line between Saniya and Rasacopa on the tapestry.

“With our secure positions on the two islands, our fleet can control the entire space between our two capitals and cut our enemies in two. After all, the other colored kings are scattered all over the Verdant Isles. Once we have our own supply lines secured, our hands are freed to do the same to them as they have tried to do to us. Divided and cut off from one another, they will be easy to defeat in detail. With one more decisive win, we can end the war within a year.”

In contrast to Paec’s optimism, Sumaci developed a deep frown during his explanation. Although she wanted the war to end more than anyone, she knew that it wouldn’t be this easy.

“It’s good that you have spirit, and even better that you have a plan that will end the war quickly. But you may be going a bit too fast. First, we need to defend ourselves, since our enemies still hold the initiative. If you think that Iskay Island will be the same as Yua, then you are sorely mistaken. That is the second big difference between the two islands, the one I haven’t mentioned yet: Compared to Yua, Iskay is much larger. And unlike Yua, it is covered in jungle. Trying to occupy the entire island is almost impossible. At best we can control parts along the edges, and then send teams into the depths. But if our enemies want to hide in the jungle, they can do that for almost as long as they like. Unless we have total naval control, there will be no quick end to the fighting.”

“So we simply don’t engage them,” Llamka suggested. “Just control one side of the island and let them tire themselves out against the wild beasts in the center?”

“No, we have to engage,” Paec said. “Otherwise, they can move in on our position under cover of the trees and launch surprise attacks. We can’t defend those indefinitely, so our defenses will always be in danger, unless we can establish a safe area around our fortress. For that, we need to enter the jungle and control at least a portion of it through advanced scouting units.”

“That means no quick victory will be possible, not unless our enemies make a mistake,” Sumaci concluded, before she addressed Pae directly. “General Paec, this will no longer be an easy victory. By the end of the day, I will communicate with Atau directly, as well as with Corco, and then send you your exact orders before tomorrow morning. But you should already understand your tasks, and should get your men ready early. Prepare them for a long, messy war.”

“No matter what difficulty befalls us, we will not flinch and do whatever it takes to achieve victory. Our men are well-trained, and ready. All this time, victory has come all too easy for us. Now, we are eager for a true challenge. We will not disappoint you.”

With a spirited salute, Paec excused himself, turned on the spot and left the room. However, despite his eagerness, the worry had never left Sumaci’s face. Rather, she was concerned about the senseless losses that a long, drawn-out war would demand. While Paec still seemed to think that a quick victory was possible, she knew better.

Unlike the Saniya general, she knew the jungles of the Verdant Isles. She knew how horrible they were, and that they always demanded a price in blood from anyone who entered. Just how much blood would the jungles of Iskay take from them? Sumaci would rather not find out, but now she didn’t have a choice.