Enlightened Empire

Chapter 418: Present and Future (End of Book 6)

With the signature of the 'Antila Peace Agreement', ripples of peace spread throughout Medala.

After half a year of unrest, Sachay was the first to escape the clutches of war. Once Antila was taken and the Arcavians had surrendered, the King of the South continued to travel to the estates of each rebellious lord to force the old families of Sachay into submission one by one.

Shortly after the southern king's new constitution had been forced upon his lands, peace spread to the central kingdom as well, as Pacha consolidated his power and the Ichilias licked their wounds. Only the north, which had never been at war throughout this period of unrest, had remained unaffected by the peace in the south. Though of course, that didn't mean that they didn't care about the events in the remaining kingdoms.

"Thus, it appears as if the foreigners have completely retreated from Port Ulta, and Lord Vareo has surrendered, in exchange for the guaranteed safety of his family's position at the head of their estate. For now, it is unknown what deal was struck between the foreigners and the southern king, though we believe that they were guaranteed continued trading rights in return for a swift peace. Although we have attempted to confirm as much with the foreigners, they claim to be unaware of the actions of other foreigners in the south and supposedly cannot tell us any more details."

In a brightly lit room in the lord's manor of Challwala, the largest port city in northern Medala, a warrior named Inkasius, dressed in a white robe, stood at the foot of a series of steps and recited the northern kingdom's intelligence to those sitting above.

Though strangely, the master of the manor was not present to hear it. Lord Betucio, Governor of the North, had long been banned from joining the meetings of the kingdom's leaders. Much to Inkasius' chagrin, Governor Betucio had criticized his king's orders one too many times and had caught the ire of the Chutwa scholars. Though of course, Betucio would have never arranged his room in such a disrespecting manner had he still been present.

The remaining leaders of the northern kingdom were only two. Both sat on white stone chairs high above, five steps elevated from Inkasius' position, and half covered in shadow, which allowed them to look down on him.

"As always, those foreigners are false snakes who act in a two-forked manner. Only their ancestor worship is good about them," complained a middle-aged man with a long beard and bushy eyebrows from above. Although he was a figure who was so unknown that Inkasius didn't even know his name, he sat right next to the King of the North, Amautu Titu Pluritac, who wore the same dress, and complained just the same.

"Those barbarians surely believe that they are better off working with those southerners, rather than with us. As always, we appear too weak in front of the unlearned."

For a few seconds, the king tapped on his armrest, before he finally addressed the warrior at the bottom of the steps.

"Has the problem of the bandits still not been resolved, disciple?" he finally asked.

Another unsavory Chutwa custom.

These days, no one was allowed to get close to the King of the North unless they were his direct disciple. Inkasius didn't understand it all very well, since he had no interest in the Chutwa nonsense. Still, he swallowed his pride, wore the robes and learned the rituals. After all, he would much rather pretend and stay close to the center of power than be one in a sea of warriors with no ambition.

However, the king's question was a problem for Inkasius, since the answer wasn't something Amautu would want to hear, and he knew what had happened to the king's last 'head disciple'.

Thus, the warrior tried to lower his head in response. However, not a single word came from the two people up above. Despite the warm spring temperatures in Medala's north, he felt a chill infect his bones. Finally, he had to bite his teeth and reply with the truth.

"Great Master, this useless servant has already sent out many hunting groups to catch them. However, these bandits seem to know of our arrival every time, often before we move out. Each time, they hide in local mountains and forests, where they cannot be caught, and they remain there until our own hunting parties leave once more."

"Useless." Once again, the scholar next to Amautu replied before the king could. Yet he remained quiet after a single word, though the one word had been enough to make Inkasius flinch. Although he didn't know his name, the warrior knew that this man was the head disciple of Amautu's teacher, and thus also the king's 'senior brother'. During every meeting, he was eager to prove his higher status by interrupting or even by giving orders against the will of the king. For now however, it seemed like he was content with simply making his presence felt. Thus, the king had time to voice his useless complaints towards his own head disciple first.

"Those damned land owners are making trouble again. No doubt are they working with these bandits in defiance of their leaders. It seems like this scholar has been too lenient towards them. We should prepare a show of strength, to remind everyone of our own force. Head disciple Inkasius, send my scholastic guards to these 'lords' who hide their ill-gotten wealth under my protection. Ask them to provide one hundred warriors each for further advanced training in the scholastic methods."

The words were spoken easily, but they were difficult to fulfill. Like in the past, Inkasius tried to voice his concerns.

"Master, another one hundred would be..." in the end he trailed off as he saw his king's expression darken.

"What would it be, head disciple?" the king asked in a low and threatening tone. Much unlike the past, King Amautu was no longer eager to listen to his advice. Finally, he could only bow his head again.

"Disciple obeys master's orders," he finally said, while suppressing a sigh.

"Very good," the king said in a much happier tone. "Tell them that it is necessary to replenish our numbers because of the constant bandit attacks. That will make them understand the consequences of siding with our enemies and hindering their own path towards enlightenment."

"Of course, master. A wise decision as always."

Once more he looked up to judge his king's mood. From his grinned nod, it seemed like Inkasius had managed to pacify his lord for now, though he felt farther away from power than ever, despite his best efforts.

"Then-" Amautu began in a chipper tone. However, a sudden voice from behind the king froze the harmonious atmosphere once more.

"This... 'constitution'."

Behind the king's throne, only darkness could be seen. Even so, Inkasius knew exactly who was hidden there. Before the warrior could react, the king's senior brother had already jumped from his illegitimate seat next to the king, eager to berate his inferior.

"Did you not hear, you oaf!? Master wants this 'constitution'. For your own good, this humble student hopes you have brought it with you!"

Luckily, Inkasius had come prepared, or he would not have escaped physical punishment. The flustered warrior fumbled in his clothes for a few seconds, before he retrieved a scroll from within his impractical, white robes.

"Ah yes, we managed to get a copy, since they are freely distributed within Saniya," he said, and closed in to hand the scroll to the man in the shadows. However, the king's fellow disciple raised his hands to stop him halfway up the steps. It seemed like even this level of contact was forbidden now.

Instead, the scholar with the bushy eyebrows took the scroll himself and then held it towards the darkness with both hands and a bent back. Finally enticed by prey, an old figure bent forward from within the shadows. At last, the great scholar Ichtaka, famous teacher of King Amautu, made his presence known.

With great reverence, the great scholar's student waited on his teacher, seated even higher than his disciples. Once Ichtaka had received the scroll with his bony hands, he slowly retreated back into the darkness behind him. As he read the scroll, not a word escaped from the old mystic.

Even after seeing him so many times, Inkasius was still uncomfortable, unsure how he was meant to act towards this foreign man who wielded so much power at a medalan court. However, before he could think too deeply about the changes in medalan politics, Amautu spoke up once more, as if nothing had happened just now.

"Now then, Disciple Inkasius. Explain what has happened in the central kingdom. So far, nothing but rumors have reached Challwala."

"Very well." Still shaken by his encounter with his grand master, Inkasius had to compose himself for a few seconds, before he could continue. "After House Ichilia's forces were wiped out in the south, King Pachacutec pulled together his own warriors, as well as calling upon those from the remaining houses within the central kingdom. Their goal was to march onto Huaylas and remove House Ichilia entirely. Yet only days after the king's army was assembled, the young Lord Ichilia returned to eastern Sinchay by boat, with a large force of warriors in tow. All in all, it was suspected that he had managed to gather around three thousand men under his banner."

"More than expected," the king added, before he motioned Inkasius to continue.

"However no more than a trick from the young Lord Ichilia," the warrior corrected his master. "Later, more than half the men in this army proved to be fake, mere commoners disguised with cheap equipment Ichilia purchased in Port Ulta. Though by then, the eastern lords had been fooled successfully. As soon as they heard about the landing, they withdrew their troops from the central army to protect their lands. This in turn led the central king to slow down his advance towards Huaylas, in fear of further variables. There has been significant political wrangling in Arguna ever since. Both sides have wasted much silver in the Moonlight Ziggurat. Ultimately, it appears as if House Ichilia will retain its position among the noble houses, in return for a large amount of compensation towards their nominal king. Nevertheless, Loreius Ichilia seems destined to lose his title as Governor of the West, at the very least, and House Ichilia's attempts to wrestle control of the kingdom from their king seems to have failed for good."

"Hmph. It seems like my brothers have already dealt with the governors in their lands, while I am still stuck with mine."

Faced with his king's annoyed outburst, Inkasius really couldn't add anything. After all, he couldn't well say that the main reason there was still unrest within the northern kingdom was his king's slavish insistence to replace all traditions and religion of Medala with those of the Chutwa Empire. This sort of talk would certainly get him punished, especially in front of Grand Master Ichtaka. However, the next report he had to make wouldn't be much better for his king's mood.

"In addition..." he hesitated, although he knew that it would only buy him a few moments.

"What? Out with it!" An impatient Amautu asked once again.

"Lord Instea has also entered Arguna under King Pachacutec's protection."

Of course, everyone present would know what that meant. If nothing else, King Amautu would be well aware of the implications. Back during the first conflicts between the northern and central kingdom, House Instea had switched sides, together with House Gratidia had switched sides. They had left behind the chaotic, illegitimate and unstable rule of Pachacutec in the central kingdom, and had joined the stronger and more legitimate Kingdom of the North instead.

However, it had only been three years, and it seemed like one of them was already regretting his decision. It was only another in a long line of disobedient moves from the lords of the northern kingdom. Although Inkasius knew that they were simply desperate in the face of a king who tried to turn them into slaves of a foreign power, their king reacted with an indignation as if they had simply betrayed him for no reason.

"Again!" Amautu shouted, more annoyed than angered. "These blasted barbarians dare to defy me once more! Do they not understand that we only want the best for them!? Why would they continue to make trouble when we want to enlighten them!? Do they want to remain as fools forever!?"

At last, it was no longer up to Inkasius to reply to his irate king. Instead, the king's senior brother leaned forward, finally speaking up once more.

"In that case, junior brother, it appears as if we cannot rely on the local forces any longer. The attempt to let them see the light has failed. If the scholastic union wishes to convert them to the right side, more forceful methods are required, as well as outside support. Thus, junior brother should quickly make a decision on his future partner from among master's recommendations."

Of course, the choice of marriage partner was a big deal for any king. However, Amautu had been forced to choose between a few kingdoms in the north-west, all of which were dependencies of the Chutwa Empire. The choice, ultimately, was meaningless, since all potential partners had already been vetted by Amautu's master Ichtaka.

Everyone understood what this sort of union would mean for Medala and its status as an independent country, which was just another reason for the lords to oppose their king's actions. Even Amautu, a man so thoroughly taken in by the scholars, seemed to understand that he couldn't just give up all his power like this. Yet he couldn't just defy his senior brother's words without offending their master. Thus, Amautu ignored him for now and instead asked his servant another question.

"And what about the western islands? Will the Arcavians retreat from there as well?"

"Indeed, that appears to be part of the agreement with the southern kingdom," Inkasius replied. "Without support from the foreigners, the pirates will eventually lose to the southern kingdom's fleet, that much seems inevitable. However, the various pirate leaders will not give up so easily. There are many islands in the Verduic Sea, and these pirates know the terrain very well. Disciple suspects that the defeated pirates will hide within coves and hidden bays. From there, they will continue their resistance against the southern kingdom's forces. Surely, chaos will reign in the west for a long time to come."

Again, Inkasius brought bad news, but at least it wasn't anything that would significantly worsen the north's position in the short term. Just as Amautu leaned forward, presumably to give his orders in regards to the islands, the king's teacher behind him once more bent forward, back into the light.

"Troublesome..." the old man mumbled while holding the south's constitution in one hand. Immediately, Amautu's senior brother jumped up from his seat in response.

"What is it, master? What have the barbarians written?"

"All people shall be equal from birth. Special protections for commoners, and a particular focus on the importance of their king and worldly government. Their system appears legalist at a glance, but it is filled with lies." Thus the old legalist Ichtaka summed up the value - or lack thereof - of the new laws of the south. When Inkasius had read them, he had thought they were quite reasonable, but then again, what did he know compared to this great scholar? Though honestly, they were probably just upset because the constitution left no space for a special status for Chutwa scholars. The reaction from Ichtaka's head disciple confirmed as much.

"Then it ignores the inherent dangers of leaving the fate of the country to the commoners and the nobles, while denying access to power to those most suitable to wield?" the senior disciple added.

Of course, those most suitable ot wield power were the scholars, who had trained in the art of governance from a young age. Though of course, that didn't have to be said in this room. Apart from Inkasius, everyone here was in full agreement with this assertion.

"Indeed," Master Ichtaka said. "It appears as if these poor souls are even more lost than their barbarian brothers further north. The scholar's union should do everything in its power to guide them back to the right path."

Thus, without a word from the king, the northern kingdom's new policy direction had been set. Although Amautu had wanted to focus on internal rectification and his ongoing conflict with Pachacutec for a while now, it seemed like the number of their goals would increase again, further splitting their focus and reducing their effectiveness. As if on queue, the already overwhelmed Inkasius received even more work.

"In that case, go and collect as much information on that kingdom as possible, head disciple," Amautu ordered. "We will have to know more about the extent of their folly before we can teach them of the right ways."

At least Amautu had done his best to stall for a while. Maybe they would gain some time to focus on important matter, before they were once again distracted by the endless spread of the Chutwa faith. Glad that his king had subtly resisted the foreigners for once, Inkasius replied with a smile.

"Disciple obeys, master."

Finally, the warrior bowed and turned, to leave the room which made him so uncomfortable. In here, his king's senior brother and his king's master sat in darkness and schemed the country's future, to make a mockery of everything Medala stood for.

As the warrior left, he briefly thought back to the Verdant Isles as well. He still hadn't received any orders with regards to the region, though he would be damned if he reminded his king. After he had received today's pile of impossible orders, he wouldn't want to make any more work for himself. In the first place, with the different pirate forces still embroiled in a lengthy, costly tug-of-war, the Verduic Sea didn't seem like a pressing issue.

It seems those islands will not matter much for some time to come, he erroneously thought.

While the world was changing rapidly several hundred kilometers to the east, everything was still as usual in Rasacopa. Ever since the fleet of Saniya had gotten involved in the war and the former Captain Tayali had been removed from power, the fighting had moved far away from the Green Island. Thus, war had spread from the Green Island, and the entire rest of the Verduic Sea had become a battlefield.

Shortly after, their new Queen Sumaci had left as well, to support her husband in the war he was fighting at home. Meanwhile, her own war in her own country still remained unresolved. However, the people weren't too unhappy with their current situation, despite their leader's neglect.

After all, they could barely feel the traces of war by this point. Ever since the combined fleets of the medalan king and the Green Queen had secured the route between Rasa Bay and Saniya along the islands of Yua and Iska, normalcy had been reinstated in Rasacopa.

Since most soldiers had come from Saniya by this point, no more people were being recruited into the war, and prices had begun to drop as well. Especially food had become cheap with the influx of fertilizer and cheap grain from Saniya.

Even more, most people had too much work to do, so they didn't have time for idle thoughts. Before their ruler had left, she had ordered a number of large public works projects, which had kept everyone busy so far.

By this point, the island was mostly running itself. Saniya's General Paec was still around, but he was too busy fighting the war against the other Verdant Kings throughout the islands to focus on local administration. Meanwhile, Lady of Green Sisa would rarely get involved in politics in the first place.

Now, months after their queen had left, the queen's orders were still being carried out dutifully, even though some of them had become unnecessary long ago.

And so it came to be that the eagles of Rasacopa were stuck in the middle of the jungle in the center of the Green Island, in a place with no name, because no human had ever set foot there. At first, their goal had been to surveil the land slated for deforestation. On those lands, between Rasa Bay and Amchay point to the south-east, the queen had been planning to plant cotton and other crops for export or refinement in the newly built manufactories.

However, the scouts had eventually surveiled all the lands in that direction, and the workers couldn't cut down the forest fast enough to catch up. Thus, since the eagles couldn't be asked to just sit around, they had been told to 'just keep going' by overworked bureaucrats.

By now, they had already investigated land deep into the forest, far away from any human settlements. And there, they made a discovery which would fundamentally change the very civilization they had come from, forever.

"Hey, what do you think this is?" one of them shouted, as he picked up a dark stone and turned it in the light which shone through the thick canopy of the primeval forest above them. Soon, a second eagle joined the first, and picked another, similar stone off the ground. He rubbed it between his hands, and the black rock left a slightly oily, black powder behind.

"Looks like coal," he stated in a voice that didn't care. Despite their massive find, neither man had any idea what kind of epoch-changing discovery they had made.

"Well," the first added with a shrug, "at least we will have something to report today."

Thus, the two eagles left the area, with a few black rocks added to their backpacks to prove their discovery.

At a much later date, even more people would return to this unnamed piece of land in the middle of the jungle. Even later yet, all the trees would make way for the largest manufacturing hub in the world.

Although most people within the twin kingdoms of the Green Island and southern Medala were still just as unaware as the coal's two discoverers had been, times were slowly changing, irreversibly towards the future.