Just when the high lady, one of the most controversial researcher of current times due to some of the questionable experiments she had conducted during the years, Justuju, landed to give the cheerful news of a green sehra, a latifkat that belonged to high Commandress Aatish also landed nearby, it waited patiently until Lady Justuju was finished with her report.
Then confidently strode forward with its tiny hands tied to its back, standing only a few inches from the ground, Latifkats managed the biggest and most reliable interplanetary messaging service and were exceptionally well trained in ethics and speech.
Aatish's Latifkat was a monarchy owned especially assigned to her by the empress Golden herself, it looked like a tiny fish that walked on its hind legs with a small strap bag.
It placed the bag on the floor, then scooped out a letter, it read
'Your Royal Highnesses,
I convey this correspondence with the utmost respect and a sense of urgency that currently envelops our objective in shargh. Regarding the pursuit of Nakshaayir Lakeer, I wish to report a series of recent events that have unfolded under my command.
A few days ago, in collaboration with Ser Rohan, a decisive raid was executed on Deymoosh and Golkhundan, culminating in the successful apprehension of Lakeer during the subsequent battle at Balurkuh bridge. The captive was placed under my personal custody, and negotiations were in progress when an unforeseen intervention transpired.
The Sovereign Wasl launched a sudden and forceful assault upon our encampment, resulting in the severe depletion of our forces, prompting a strategic division. In the face of adversity, I opted to maintain our position, deeming a retreat would not only diminish the hopes of the villagers but also render us susceptible to further aggression.
Currently stationed at the same location, I find myself at a crossroads. The impending threat of another personal intervention from the Sovereign looms large. I seek your esteemed guidance on the pivotal decision at hand: whether to persist in our pursuit of recapturing Lakeer, acknowledging the potential risk of further casualties, or to temporarily withdraw into hiding.
I submit this matter to your discerning judgment, anchored in your vast experience and wisdom. Your counsel is paramount as we navigate these perilous times.
With profound respect and loyalty,
High Commandress Aatish'
The Latifkat took a step back, bowed his head and waited for the monarchs response.
"You can go now Justuju" The king of Gloom-chimmers, Siyaah, said.
Justuju hurriedly took off, she knew that there was no need for her in the room anymore.
The royal council that did not include Empress Golden, convened together in the grand hall and after some a quarter of an hour, King Siyaah called the Latifkat forward,
"start writing" he said,
'High Commandress Aatish,
In profound acknowledgment of your steadfast leadership against the relentless tyrant Wasl and your absolute victories in shargh, the High Council extends its gratitude for your valiant efforts.
However, in consideration of the gravity of the situation, we implore you to persevere in your pursuit of the map maker. The resolve you have displayed against the tyrant Wasl is commendable, and we trust in your capabilities to carry forth this operation of the utmost importance.
Fear not the repercussions of engaging the tyrant. The High Council assures you that measures have been taken to divert the attention of the ruthless Wasl already, allowing you to resume the pursuit without apprehension.
Your unyielding dedication to the protection and welfare of our realm has not gone unnoticed. It is our collective decree that you press forward and reclaim the momentum. We have utmost confidence in your abilities to see this through.
With utmost respect,
The High Council'
********
Aatish's camp was the largest and most furnished despite her fondness for simplicity, the local clans that looked up to her, loved to decorate their commanderes, there was a huge long cloth set right in the middle which was currently occupied by the clan leaders, as they sat beside it in a line, a map of shargh was spread upon it in the middle.
Several red crosses marked their current location and previous locations and more than a few owl like strategy miniatures marked the locations of their spies and proxies.
Aatish had successfully extended her indirect influence for a two-hundred-kilometer boundary outward from their encampment. A wide net covered a small but crucial area of Shargh that the sovereign Wasl could not afford to lose.
And the latest intel was that just below this two hundred kilometer of area was the highly wanted gateway.
Currently, she sat cross-legged on her cushion, placed at the starting point of the cloth, a strategy piece dangling between her fingers, her eyes fixated on a gate-like indication on the map.
Looking up, she said, 'A latifkat arrived, and—'
'What does it say?' The leader of the Khavandeh clan, Ardavan, hyperly interjected, an elderly rhino-like creature with a battle-hardened face. The left of his face was streched downwards in a horrible wound of slash.
Aatish did not respond, keeping herself quiet. He immediately understood and dropped back, catching the hint.
"We are to continue the pursuit—" Before she could finish the sentence, loud objections broke through the leaders.
"I lost my son yesterday for you," said a scrawny being made of rocks and plants, the leader of the 'ard' clan was called Sarvar, he contributed a large percentage of soldiers to the army.
"Quiet!" Aatish shouted. Silence enveloped the tent.
"If you wish to leave, do so now, for what I am about to order you to do will mean sacrifice and death. Only a few of you, along with your people, may live. We will stay here; the mapmaker Lakeer knows exactly where the gateway is. His late father mapped the tunnels and the gateway himself.
We cannot let him go. Rohaan tells me there is an amassment of mercenaries by his camp; a few executioners are there too, shrouded within the groups of normal thugs. They are expected to attack us by early morning tomorrow. A subsequent attack will be launched against Rohaan's camp as well. Wasl will come for me again; my regeneration does not work on wounds received by her."
Aatish stopped. She was not very good at speeches; her introverted personality did take quite a toll on her at times, but the leaders loved her nevertheless.
'Let the tyrant come'
'Yes, let her come. Let's show her what the resistance is made of.'
Aatish stayed still and silent, despite the sudden high spirited response of the leaders. A shadow moved in the corner of her camp.
After that, they discussed strategy and arsenal, and finally, the leaders walked out. The leader of the Khandaveh clan stayed back, then left at the end.
A few hours later, Aatish smoldered her fire to such an extent that she looked like nothing more than a being made of rock, then sneaked out of her camp from a secret opening at the back and bolted away.
It had been raining for past few days continuously.
Thunder roared loudly in the sky, and bright lightning followed just moments later, illuminating the thick and dark layers of clouds. She noticed two presences on her tail.
Coming to an abrupt stop, she looked back, but saw nothing, then continued onwards with her flight, leaving a silent sonic boom behind her.
After half an hour later, she felt the entities again, this time more closer than ever, they were right upon her tail, only some tens of meters behind when lightning struck and illuminated the entire land for few moments,
In those few moments she saw two figures fighting mid-air: one of Ardavan and the other the leader Sarwar of Ard clan. Ardavan dodged a strike from a long sword and plunged two heavy axes on the opponent; it died immediately and fell on the ground. Aardavan looked directly at Aatish and she looked back then shook her head and took off.
A few hours later,
She dropped by a foothill and entered an obscure tunnel.
There, by the stone, the mapmaker Lakeer was chained, and a familiar figure made of pure darkness knelt in front of it holding a small dagger of darkness to its throat.
"Any luck? aapi," Aatish said.