Chapter Song Suggestion - "Demon's Domain by Oscar Graae Madsen"
At Nanyang Palace...
He shifted his Queen closer to his opponent's pawn, capturing the piece with ease. "Chess is a fascinating game. It truly tests one's intellect or lack thereof."
Prince IIan smiled, mentally strategizing his counter-attack as he moved his Knight. "Indeed. Perhaps next time I should master one of your oriental games. You will forgive me if I am not up to par today. It seems the journey here has worn me out."
Akio refilled their tea. "Eight weeks at sea and another two on horseback is tedious even for me. But I'm amazed that you have succeeded to obtain your sire's consent for the army. It must have been challenging to convince that wily old fox."
"South-eastern lands are profitable commodities, and my sire believes ours would be a worthy alliance," Prince IIan reasoned with a shrug. "He deems that the Golden Thread Road would be a valuable long-term investment."
"He is indeed cunning," Akio murmured dryly. "Taking advantage of us to conquer foreign lands without having to dirty his own hands."
"A reason why he hasn't keeled over yet."
"It'll be a long time before you ascend the throne."
"Unlike you, I am in no hurry. The Ottoman Empire grows more powerful each day and I have contributed my fair share. I can afford to savour a personal victory," IIan returned briskly. "I came today to inform you that the fleet is ready to set sail on your command. The army awaits a few kilometres offshore and I have arranged a contingency troop in the western sector."
"Excellent. What about the infantry marching towards Donggu?"
"I expect them to reach by nightfall. It takes time to scale those monstrous mountains. Give or take, there will be at least fifty-thousand men covering the south sector."
Akio was pleased. "Then it's time we make our move. My brothers would have figured out that I was responsible for the attacks. Kyou is perceptive. I wouldn't be surprised if he's working one step ahead of us."
"The Crimson King? I have heard many of his exemplary war stories."
"He is still human, one with a weakness — a woman."
From IIan's perspective, Akio looked like a man who had swallowed bile, which stirred his curiosity. "Are you referring to his silver-haired lover?" In all the years they were acquainted, Akio never brought a woman into their discussion. Even the mother of his son — IIan's cousin — was conveniently forgotten. "I heard she is a spirited beauty."
"She has fire alright. A brazen tongue too," Akio agreed, recalling the hatred she harboured for him. "And I will take absolute pleasure in crushing her spirit."
Ilan subdued the tingling shudders running down his spine, often wondering what went on inside Akio's mind. No matter how many times he visited, he could never adapt to Akio's chilling aura. "For her sake, I hope she puts up a good fight."
A shadow peeled off the wall, drawing their eyes to the escaping intruder.
"You're not going to catch that spy?" IIan drawled, shifting his rook.
"I read a saying once, 'A man who cannot tolerate small misfortunes can never accomplish great things'." Akio picked up his King. "Even if my brothers learn of our plan, it's too late for everyone. At the very least, things have gotten more interesting." Trapping IIan's gaze, he declared, "Checkmate."
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Back in Shiryuu, Xin Palace…
"Beihai's Imperial Army currently consists of thirty-seven thousand soldiers who are capable of fighting," Kyou disclosed in a tight-lip manner. "Thankfully, we have recovered almost half of our militia and hopefully the rest will follow a swift return."
"That was a close call," Nakoda recounted the horrific events of his homecoming. "An incapacitated army is a nightmare waiting to happen. And given that we are experiencing an internal strife, this situation makes us even more vulnerable to foreign enemies."
"Nakoda's right. We mustn't let our guard down," Kyou acknowledged. "I want our defences strengthened more than usual to afford us a solid, offensive strategy in return. I propose to have the royal army based in Beihai and several more troops stationed at the borders of Shiryuu and Donggu. Those are the easiest marks to invade but also to defend. I want the war secluded from the capitals. Right now, Shiryuu has the highest number of active soldiers." He glanced at Ryuu. "I need you to set up a reserve troop at Beihai's borders. This particular unit will aid the main army in case of unforeseen circumstances."
"How certain are you that Akio will attack from open waters?"
"I can stake my life on it." Kyou's voice rang with confidence. "Beihai's port is the only way in and out of Xi by ship. Donggu and Shiryuu are ruled out because they are located inland and, Nanyang's waters are too hostile during this season."
"You've thought this through, haven't you?" Ryuu never knew how…complicated planning a war was. He had only seen the aftermath.
"I had nothing but time to strategize while I was abed." The glow of humour changed his brother's face — imparting warmth and charm. "What worries me most are the foot soldiers."
"Why? Wouldn't they be the easier to eliminate? The desert itself is man's natural enemy and it could wipe out at least half the infantry before they reach the nearest border."
Nakoda shook his head. "That's only one of the possible scenarios. Foot soldiers are difficult to pinpoint when we have so little information. They can fall in from any direction and big numbers aren't necessary to weaken our troops or inflict damage. The worst case scenario leads to us sacrificing our men."
"How will we retaliate if that happens?" Ryuu found it hard to sit still, overwhelmed by anxiety. "If our current army has been assigned their designations, then are we are still lacking in manpower?"
Kyou grinned. "But we do have a formidable ally on our side."
"I don't —," Ryuu pondered on who else he had forgotten. And then, his eyes lit up. "The Ashina tribe!"
Kyou nodded, his countenance radiant with apparent pride. "The Ashina women are as skilled as any trained assassin — light-footed, deadly and precise. Their abilities are competent for tackling an established number of soldiers. We shall scatter them across the three nations."
"They will be our dark horses," Ryuu relished, finally sharing the rapture of war planning. The feeling of overpowering you enemy was excitingly heady.
"Precisely. Everything that I have mentioned covers the loopholes I can identify but, we need more information about Akio's movement to solidify our plan."
Nakoda leaned back in his chair, smirking at Ryuu's open astonishment. "Are you astounded by your brother's brilliance?"
"I have never seen Kyou at his best," Ryuu admitted, feeling slightly chagrin. "And I've never had the proper experience of being a leader."
"Now is the best time for you to learn."
"I will not take it for granted."
"By the way, Kyou," Nakoda suddenly asked. "What is the remedy for the soldiers' comatose condition?"
"It turns out that ingesting charcoal water helps to expel the toxins," Kyou answered distractedly, rolling out the nations' maps onto the table. "Rei he has become a true master at torture for making that Nerium assassin talk."
"The last time I remember, he couldn't even last ten minutes before he killed his victim," Nakoda snorted, turning to Ryuu. "To become a first-rate Commander, you must be ready to discard your humanity when the situation calls for it. It's the same for a King."
"I see," Ryuu absorbed his words of wisdom with a nod. "Well, if we are done here, I'm going to check on the Ashina women and prepare them for the next meeting."
"Are you sure you're not running off to meet your sweetheart?" Nakoda teased.
"At least I have one, General," Ryuu said bluntly. "If you will excuse me." He left the hall in unhurried strides.
Nakoda was openly amused. "It seems your brother has not only changed but, he seemed to have grown a pair in the time I haven't seen him."
"I am not discussing my brother's balls with you." Kyou threw him a harassing glare. "If you are done amusing yourself, we have strategies to plan."