In Sworis
In a large room, seven men sat around a table, each of them focused on the man seated at the head of the table. Even in his 'peaceful' mode, Jai exerted a suffocating pressure on everyone around him. It was as if the very air grew heavier in his presence, stifling any dissent. But none dared voice their discomfort.
Jai turned to his right and addressed one of the men seated beside him. "I heard something happened at Omi that required Lord Orion's attention. I didn't think it would be so serious that he couldn't return," Jai remarked in a calm yet probing tone.
"No, Your Majesty, it wasn't so serious. However, the King needed Lord Orion's attention to sort out some issues. After all, he is the King's personal guard. It wouldn't be good for him to be away for too long," the man replied carefully.
Jai's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's your name again?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Major Henry Laxe, Your Majesty."
"Ah, a Major." Jai smirked, his gaze sweeping over the table. "Look, everyone. They swapped a General and a royal for a Major."
Henry's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "I'm not just any Major, Your Majesty. I'm a member of the Laxe Legacy Family."
Jai's smirk deepened. "Ah yes, but I don't care about the Legacy Families. Except, perhaps, for the Kindels. Though I imagine your King would know better than to send one of them here. I'd be too tempted to send him back without his head, given how much trouble Bale has caused me these past weeks. In fact, I don't think your King knows better at all. Sending a Major to replace a General—it reeks of disrespect. He might have as well send Bale's son, the one they call 'the new flame' " Jai said, his tone turning icy.
Henry's forced smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his composure.
Jai dismissed the tension with a casual wave of his hand. "But I believe that will change once this war is over."
He turned to General Zai, seated at his side. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Eighth Sands are in Amresh, aiding Sulten Mahmoud in strengthening the defenses. With Mahmoud's personal forces combined, they total six thousand men.
"Sworis is also well defended. My scouts are monitoring the surrounding areas and will notify us the moment the enemy approaches."
"And General Hammed?" Jai asked.
"Prepared and awaiting your orders," General Zai confirmed.
"Good. Ensure everything proceeds as planned," Jai instructed. Then he turned back to Henry. "You and your men will join me in the field. As our forces prevent the enemy from breaching the walls, we'll ensure they're decimated when they do get inside."
Henry frowned. "Inside? Are you not planning to stop them from entering the gates?"
"Of course we'll stop them, but not entirely," Jai replied with a sharp grin. "In fact, we'll open the gates and stand behind them. We'll fight them at the gates and from the walls."
Henry looked stunned. "Isn't that... dangerous?"
"Naturally," Jai said, his tone dripping with mockery. "Are you afraid of danger, Major?"
"No, Your Majesty," Henry replied stiffly.
"Good. Because you'll be exposed to a lot of it. Try not to die, will you? I'd hate to explain to your King how his replacement broke so soon."
As the conversation continued, a messenger entered the room and bowed. "Your Majesty, the armies of Hadia have arrived. They've set up camp at the edge of the plain in Amresh, just beyond the river."
"So, it's going to be Amresh, then," Jai said thoughtfully.
Before he could speak further, another messenger rushed in, breathless. "Your Majesty," he began, bowing deeply. "An army has been spotted behind the mountains."
The room fell silent, the shock palpable. Until now, they had believed Hadia would attack either Amresh or Sworis—but not both.
"I knew that cunning bastard would try something like this," Jai said, his voice low and cold. "Well, it seems we'll be fighting on two fronts after all."
He turned to General Zai. "Get your men to their stations and prepare for battle. Also, send word to Hammed. Tell him to launch his attack tomorrow at midnight."
"Yes, Your Majesty," General Zai replied, saluting before hurrying out.
Jai addressed the rest of the men in the room. "Prepare for battle. It's going to be a rough night."
---
Behind the mountains, in the enemy camp
Various tents filled the camp as soldiers hurried about, carrying out their duties. Siege weapons were being checked and rechecked, the tension palpable. Inside one of the larger tents, two and a woman sat quietly, sharing tea.
The older man poured tea for the woman before himself and the second man, his movements slow and deliberate. After a sip, he broke the silence. "I appreciate you coming with us, Sulten Nadia. Your presence puts me at ease in ways you can't imagine."
Nadia smiled faintly. "You shouldn't count on me too much, General Khan. Even I know there are bound to be problems when facing a force like Jai.
There's no wisdom in putting all our eggs in one basket."
General Khan smiled and replied "The god Sword is certainly a force to be reckoned with, but I wouldn't go so far as to label him invincible. Even god Swords bleed. But I'll take your words to heart and ensure we're thorough in dealing with Jai."
Nadia nodded. "You know him better than most, don't you? You've served in the military for so long, commanding the second-Largest army in Wize under King Ken."
"That I do," Khan replied, his tone growing serious. "And that's why I'm confident in winning. I've seen Jai decimate entire units by himself. Once, during a mission in Omi, I watched him fight—and if the God Sword Bale hadn't arrived when he did, Jai would have destroyed everything. But I'm counting on an advantage I have over him."
"An advantage?" Nadia asked, intrigued.
Khan smiled knowingly. "There's something you must understand about warriors and battle: flashy names and moves don't win wars. There are many ways to winning a much more powerful enemy and they are effective especially against muscle heads like Jai who think they are impervious against traps.
Nadia considered his words and spoke again.
"So, a cowards route". Sulten Nadia said and General Khan shrugged.
"Do you also agree General Kyle?" Sulten Nadia asked the other man in the tent.
General Kyle sipped his tea before raising his face. His face was like that of a young beautiful woman instead of a Jagged and rough man. Many wondered how such a beautiful man could possess such raw and devious strength.
He looked at the Sulten and finally replied.
"Only fools think they can be anything but a coward while facing a stronger opponent. Bravery doesn't win Wars. Winning does."