4.45 In Which the Dark Lord's Plans Go Awry

4.45 In Which the Dark Lord's Plans Go Awry

Because nothing could ever go smoothly, we got a last minute warning through Gizmits network, who thankfully knew to send important messages straight to North Watch via the tunnels in the spymasters absence. Giz herself was just about to head out with Naz on their rumor-sniffing tour of the outlying villages when a frantic goblin rushed out of the tunnel access, yelling for her and waving a sheet of paper overhead.

Gizmit read over the report in a few quick movements of her eyes, then wordlessly handed it to me. I couldnt speed-read like she did, but it only took me a few seconds to get the gist.

This is confirmed? I asked the goblin scout, whom I didnt know personally.

I wouldnt come runnin up here yelling for anybodys attention over rumors, Lord Seiji, he said, still slightly out of breath. We got matching reports from the people out watching three of the smaller Clans in question, an one from our girl in the village near Caer Yviredh.

And not a hint of this before today, Gizmit murmured. Hm The Highlord is making a play of his own.

Thanks, good work, I said to the scout. Head inside and get something hot into you before you return to your post. Lady Miriami! The last I added in a raised voice, turning toward the troops mustering in the fortresss courtyardspecifically, the area to one side where the noblewomen were mounting up on their gwynneks.

At my call, Mimi heeled her bird over to us. Lord Seiji?

I handed the intelligence report up to her. What do you make of this?

clever, she muttered, frowning at the paper. Its a power play, Lord Seiji. Not quite brazenly defying the Archlord, but suborning this gambit to solidify his own base.

Uh, are the rest of us mooks allowed to know whats going on? Nazralind asked pointedly.

Yeah, this is about to become everybodys business, I said. It seems the Highlord of Clan Yldyllich has spontaneously invited the seven smaller Clans surrounding his lands to hold Caludons games on his estate. So instead of having each of them in different locations all across the island, watched only by Clan Aelthwyn auditors, these eight at least will hold an actual face-to-face competition. Our people arent privy to communications between nobles but two of them added notes that they suspect he leaned hard to get this done, either calling in favors or making subtle threats.

Yeah, it would take something like that to make Clans change their plans at the last minute, Nazralind said seriously. Thisthis could be really bad, Lord Seiji. If this catches on for the next round, it could become a trend. The whole island will begin coalescing into factions and smaller power blocks.

If that happens, the Convocation may step in on the grounds that Caludon is formenting disunity and dissent, said Aster.

Whether or not they do, we want the Clans to boycott the games outright, I said. Theyll be less inclined to take a stand on principle that costs them money if the alternative is balkanizing and generally being assholes. Fuck Okay, obviously, we have to focus our attention here. Mimi, Im reassigning you to my unit for today. Aster, get the rest of the troops reorganized to deploy according to this new information.

She sighed heavily. Yeah, sure, Ill just do the complicated part. I happened to have Velaven in my field of view at that moment, and for some reason, her characteristic reserve cracked; she shot Aster a disapproving frown before marshaling her expression. Well, I didnt have time to worry about whatever the hell that was.

I want the main group forming up on me, I ordered. Since the Clans are going to help out by giving us a single target, well take full advantage. Ive been putting this off too long, anyway. Time to go visit our neighbors.

As they say, no plan survives contact with the enemy. Much as Id like to think a straightforward, uncomplicated plan is inherently hard to fuck up, my simple plan of march my forces toward Clan Yldyllich quickly ran into a solid wall of the Highlords next fun little prank at my expense.

How many? I asked in response to Biribos warning, coming to a halt and raising my hand to signal the same to the forces fanning out behind me.

Twenty men in full armor in a camp ahead, my familiar reported. Doesnt look like a permanent emplacement but theyve got fires and tents up, obviously planning to weather out the cold there for at least a little while. Boss, its way worse than that. Theres more of em; I sense camps like this running in a line; at least two more south and one north are within the range of my senses. Theyre within calling range of each other and theyve got sentries pacing between the camps. It looks like a defensive line.

I let out a long breath of controlled frustration. We were never getting through this line unseen, not with the amount of people Id brought and probably not with much less. I wasnt planning on outright attacking, and in fact there was little I could do to stop this except try to reason and possibly intimidate the highborn Intimidation becomes a lot easier if you have forces backing you up, though. Even if we didnt dare force a martial confrontation, Id brought experienced bandits and hunters, fully loaded out with our best goblin alchemy, and Id meant to be prepared for multiple possibilities ranging from stealing the highborn blind to knocking people out and rescuing the game participants. It would depend on the forces assembled, how they were arranged, and other factors that determined what options were available to us that fell short of open war.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Well, here was our answer. The options were none.

Mimi, I said quietly. This looks like preparation for an armed attack. Do you know of a reason he would be expecting that?

Lady Miriami, the sole member of Clan Yldyllich who had defected to Nazralinds gang and the only highborn presently with my advance force, nudged her gwennek forward to join me.

Hell be aware that bandits are active in the area, Lord Seiji. Given your preference for stealth, alchemical traps, and bloodless heists, my father is likely to regard you as weak. I mean, whoever the bandits leader is; as far as I know, he should have no reason to connect that with you, personally. This kind of maneuver is simply how he projects strength. If he expects any kind of intervention, this will be his standard response.

Its annoyingly effective, I muttered. I need intel. Aster, organize scouts to move up and down the defensive line, figure out how far it goes and if theres a way around. Send catfolk for this, and emphasize they need to be careful. I dont want any fights; theyre to prioritize their safety over getting a good look.

Are you sure, Lord Seiji? Aster asked. Yldyllich Clansguard will attack cats on sight with lethal intent.

Thats what theyll do to anyone, said Mimi. Were on Yldyllich lands; the Clansguard dont bother asking questions of trespassers.

It seemed Highlord Yldyllich had entirely encircled his manor and village with his Clansguard. My scoutswho did their jobs well and brought back their report without once being spotted, preserving our element of surprisefollowed the line of camps and message relays connecting them as far to the north and south as they could without exceeding the timetable Aster had given them. Since Clan Yldyllich would have no reason to suspect an attack from the catfolk in particular, it seemed unlikely they would only raise defenses on this side. The entire village was likely encircled.

Also, among the information Velaven brought back was that the Clansguard inside the village itself, and even the manor, was down to a skeleton crew, notably less than she would expect given that Clan Yldyllich was currently hosting seven other Clans at an Archlord-mandated event. They also seemed to consist almost entirely of those archers Miriami had warned about, positioned either on the walls around Caer Yldyllich itself, or on hastily-erected platforms surrounding the festival area in front of the village, where the games were to take place. Based on Mimis estimate of their numbers, and her prediction that her father would hide the guard encampments in the surrounding forest rather than position them where they might be seen by his noble guests, it seemed likeliest that that was where all the Clansguard were.

Which made the village itself ripe for the picking And we were in no position to pick it. We couldnt get our forces in there without getting through that ring of defenses; there was no goblin tunnel into the village grounds. There used to be, but back in Mimis grandfathers day, the humans had discovered it and the aftermath of that had been so sadistic the goblins had deliberately caved in that entire tunnel branch. All of which was purely academic anyway, as even if we could launch a successful attack, it would start knocking down exactly the dominoes that would lead to our own eventual destruction.

I was able to ascertain the timetable, Velaven reported, perfectly calm as usual. The games are set to begin at midafternoon. The Archlord preferred closer to noon, but the Highlord deliberately set the time at the warmest part of the day. He has also set up large braziers with an apparently quite expensive quantity of asauthec to heat the area. Despite adhering to the letter of Caludons instructions, he seems to be making a point to minimize the danger and discomfort to the lowborn participants as much as possible without straying into open defiance.

Not out of any concern for them, I assure you, Mimi stated with conviction. This is political positioning. My father despises Caludon no more or less than everyone, but he is in a position to potentially take advantage if the Archlords latest excess ends up undermining his own authority.

I drew in a deep breath and let it out in an angry puff of white mist. Seems I cant take a step in any direction without helping some asshole achieve his asshole goals All right. Velaven, given how long you were undercover at Jadraks place, and around North Watch before that, I assume you wont have any problem keeping yourself hidden on the grounds throughout the event?

Simplicity itself, Lord Seiji. All I need is direction. What specifically do you wish me to watch for, or do?

In this one case, Velaven, I said, emphasizing the seriousness of the message with my expression, I am choosing to place my faith in your judgment. Your task is target selection. There are eight Clans represented there; disregard Clan Yldyllich for now, I will deal with them at length in the future. Of the seven smaller, subordinate Clans, I want you to watch and determine who needs to be made an example of. Our goal is to establish it as law that the lowborn will not be abused without consequence: this is to be made clear to both lowborn and high, for opposite reasons. Thats the political message, which goes hand in hand with the very real ethical principle that somebody needs to be punished.

I deliberately struck a grand pause, to give weight to my closing statement. Whether due to her political education or familiarity with me, Velaven recognized the purpose and held her peace until after I spoke again.

Pick me a bastard to break, Velaven. I want the worst of the lot.

The dark elf bowed. I shall not disappoint you, Lord Seiji.

Good. I want you to move as soon as youve determined who our designated victim should be. Come back here and report to Aster, then return to the field and keep tabs on our selected target. Once they start moving after the games, do whatever you must to keep Aster informed of their location. Aster, youll strike as soon as you have an opening. Keep your own scouts out and make sure you dont get flanked or ambushed. I want you to assemble a strike team composed entirely of lowborn. Have them in masks and clothes without the Dark Crusade symbol on them anywhere.

Sounds good as far as it goes, said Aster, but I have several questions. To begin with, where are you planning to be while all this is going on?

I will be attending the festivities and enjoying Clan Yldyllichs hospitality, I said primly. Once inside, I will observe the games from as close up as I can, making sure no one dies, and minimizing the suffering as much as possible.

Okay, she said slowly. Andhow does this new strategy fit with our well-established need not to draw too much attention or anger?

My thinking is, if the bastards insist on dragging your name through the mud, we make it a name to fear. I grinned at her. After all, what does an aristocrat fear more than getting splashed with mud?

She gave me an Aster Look. I was starting to find them a real source of comfort.

This wont be our organization descending on eight aberrant Clans and wiping them out, as we are capable of doing, I explained more seriously. That way, we conceal the fact that weare capable of doing that, which will be crucial when they eventually do come after us. This will be the Wolf of Dount doing exactly what the Clans expect her to do: taking revenge on cruel highborn on behalf of their victims. I want them to see a bandit raid, small and more effective than most, but ultimately focused on retribution more than banditry.

Its a thin subterfuge, Lord Seiji, Mimi said doubtfully. Asters association with you is well known; your control over Dounts bandits is also more than merely suspected by our most determined enemies.

It doesnt need to be airtight. This is about misdirection, not concealment. And on that subject, Lady Miriami. How do you feel about embarrassing your family in front of all their friends?

A smile as cold as the air around us spread across her face. A wolf does need her pack, after all.

Attagirl. You two, make sure youre seen and recognized, ravaging a convoy of highborn assholes as they return home after a long day of being abominable monsters. If at all possible, do it on Yldyllich lands, and be sure to leave enough credible witnesses alive to spread the reputation of the Wolf and damage that of Clan Yldyllich.

Aster held out her fist to the side and Mimi thumped hers against it. Id taught them that.

That just leaves me with one follow-up question, I guess, said Aster. How exactly are you going toattend the festivities?

How else? I spread my arms, smiling magnanimously. Im going to walk right up to the front door and ask politely. And maybe break some shit if I am dissatisfied with the degree of courtesy with which I am received, until it improves. As the man said, you can get more of what you want with a kind word and a gun than you can with just a kind word.

Andwhat is a gun?

A gun is much less impressive than setting people on fire with my brain. Move out, everybody, weve got a fancy party to ruin.