The Fey Conquest, # 10— "Increasing Strength"

[Short stories. Images generated by hotpot.ai]

Swain’s war band was now comprised of some three-quarters of the whole by Fey Folk, but at least a third of their number were camp followers, attending to labor requirements not filled by artisans, soldiers, or levies. Swain had found two more able bowyers, one more skilled than Mark, his own bowyer. One of the Feys that Mark trained had completed a single, usable bow, while the other trainee was making dubious progress. Within a number of days, they together produced nine usable bows, head and shoulders better than before.

The shield-makers had redoubled their efforts upon the flogging of their foolhardy fellow captive, and one who was making progress was given the ambition of making rounders, while the others were still mostly yielding escutcheons, and one more was laboriously forcing himself to produce another kite shield. Swain assigned four more captives to set about learning how to make shields with the others.

An armorer was not realistic, but they had met several tanners, who were assigned nine trainees to assist in making leather brigandines for the Fey recruits. As of yet, two had been produced, and they had sufficient leather they had taken by means of taxation. They made steady progress.

The two Garyfs, Minus One and the Poleman, were two of easily the most able of Swain’s lieutenants. Minus One was a fletcher, and he had skillfully implemented the training and production of arrows. Likewise, Garyf the Poleman had trained five Feys in making spears, and only four recent spears were failures. As of now, about one eighth of the Fey recruits had access to spears, and though shields were in grim supply, along with even leather armor, they were finally getting a hold on learning basic martial prowess.

Forty-six of his soldiers had taken Fey wives, and nineteen of the Fey recruits had done the same, perceiving the changing of the winds. The whole of the Fey levies had, through a process of discipline, applied charisma, force, wages, and lip service by his lieutenants (mostly concerning the looming threat of the three tyrant rune lords), the Fey Folk were pliable to life in Swain’s war-band. They were making marked progress in martial activity, and the number of them that had taken runes grew in a steady trickle, which more significantly augmented Swain’s power.

Of the Fey wives, most were pressed into marriage, but they resigned themselves to the conquest. Two men had taken women by force; one was forced to marry his paramour and was set to hard labor for three months, the other was flogged and driven out of camp.

Three Fey Folk were flogged for helping themselves to the fat of their provisions after distracting a guard, and two were run through for desertion. Seven successfully escaped.

There was another attempted ambush by dark espers, but Swain’s wary men anticipated the ambush and slew them, with one wounded by their evil touch. With Numyst’s oversight, five of the band who had received healing runes were required to heal the injury, dark magic being resistant to healing power. The man recovered, though with an ugly scar, and was weakened by trauma.

The espers of the land they traversed were at some times amenable to being ‘reborn’ after serving as runic markings on the flesh, which could be used to wield the esper’s power. Some had the temerity to fight, while most of them fled.

Dark espers were another matter; in addition to being deadly adversaries, they also were generally useless as magicite, the resource that was harvested to become runes.

At length, they approached what was called The Village of the Night Esper, which the Fey people warned might be dangerous. However, the Separatists largely assumed the danger lay in their espers, as the Feys often purported.

...

Meanwhile, Maka had found a fellow historian in Sovereign Valley, who had forgotten more history than most people will ever know. He also had the rare and precious knowledge of Ivalice itself, although much of his knowledge merely confirmed that they were to be feared, especially now that they wielded magicite.

The man’s name was Doctor Emeriss Karval. He was a shrewd, well-edified, and had excellent discernment.

“I’m honored, good Doctor,” said Maka, “I’m eager to gain your insight into the war effort.” Doctor Karval was surely credited with sacrificing drama for communication, and succinctly relating what Maka needed to know. “To be honest, my dear, as much as these are military matters, I require a lengthy script to prescribe as much as we can do in the next few months.” “Such as?” “Your friend Japheth is not wrong. Slings are better than hurling insults, and training with them will make the militia more ready to adopt other weapons later.” Out of curiosity, she said, “How so?” Doctor Karval frowned. “At minimum, it improves dexterity.”

This sounded correct, and some scholars would consider this an insufficient response, but not Maka.

“Any other tidbits?” “Militarizing the espers and coordinating their combined abilities with the militia is one of our few chances of meeting them in the field.”

It was brilliant. She wanted more.

“What is Ivalice’s weakness?” “Living there is its own weakness. But as for their soldiers, their dependence on Fey recruits may possibly be exploited.” “How so?” and then she knew; “Of course! Why would they want to fight for the invaders?” “Exactly. But it’s not so simple. I will require three days to prescribe the beginning stages of our mobilization. It will include a nuanced version of what I’ve already related as well.”

She nearly squealed with excitement.

“I will require a number of scribes to assist me in these matters.” “Anything! I could kiss you!” The Doctor smiled, “That would not be amiss.”

She gave a kiss near his mouth, perhaps believing that the Doctor was marriage material despite him being advanced in years. He certainly inspired more confidence than her other delegates.

Perhaps there was nothing to dread after all, and as of now, it sounded like they could face the invaders with dignity, even win, especially if they could take advantage of their reliance on her own people.

*-------------------------------------------*

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