Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 41

The King of Tunid and King Mizmeam surveyed the preparations that were being made on the edge of the Western Ocean. This particular port was further north than Keneeshka, and as a consequence the weather was brisk and blustery. Not far from the ice-capped central mountains it had become the busiest dockyard in the Southern Kingdom - mainly due to its proximity to the dense forests that surrounded it, which were slowly being eaten into by the constant demand for more ships.

Both rulers were impressed with the rate of work as they watched on - the large ships settled in the dock now being supplied with heavy wooden crossbows, much like the one used at Sails' End. Ready to head out to engage the enemy in the choppy waters, just beyond their field of view. Likewise, weapons and devices were being carted south by road to fortify the rest of the coastline in a similar manner. With trains of horse and wagon trundling the fully assembled pieces of kit southbound, aided by slaves and yet more soldiers. The only thing not sufficiently supplied to the King of Tunid's satisfaction being the quantities of oil, which were needed to maximise the incendiary attacks. This meant such things would have to be used sparingly until more could be supplied. Howbeit, efforts were underway to fix this problem too, and large amphorae, sealed and filled with oil, were beginning to arrive from the interior of the country. Along with rope, other materials and the huge wagons of food needed to feed the countless men aboard the ships.

"Prince Aralak is on his way south, too," commented King Mizmeam, as he looked out across the blue-grey skyline, now bespeckled with tiny drips of rain, "He'll then leave for the Upper Desert from one of the safer ports."

"Things are picking up pace nicely," noted the King of Tunid in happy reply, "I have a feeling the tide is turning. If we can get the Western Islanders to exhaust themselves, we can then begin the long process of putting them back in their box." He then patted one of the large wooden crossbows with his hand, as it was being readied to be lifted atop a grand-looking vessel. "It'll be a relief when some semblance of normality returns."

King Mizmeam shared the sentiment, and looked on with satisfaction. Unbeknown to him the King of Tunid was already drawing up alternative plans as well though. Plans that Drua Maleeva was currently putting into motion. A secret line of communication was being opened up with the enemy, firmly focused on securing the return of the king's son. With the aim of perhaps even striking a deal: the independence of the Western Islands would be recognised, in return of the boy, along with the secret of the all too-important black powder. A secret the various alchemists, apothecaries, blacksmiths and other experimenters on the mainland had so far failed to unmask.

For the King of Tunid, keeping the mainland kingdoms in the dark was crucial, and he thought little of doing so. There were no feelings of betrayal or guilt. It was just what needed to be done. It was essential to make sure that all three mainland kingdoms were pressing the war effort as much as possible. It was also essential that the Western Islanders be in as weak a position as possible. Everything had to be leveraged in favour of the future synthesis he had in mind. For he now sensed an opportunity to manage this dangerous technological innovation that had come to pass. Black powder heralded a new age, requiring new arrangements. Originally, the situation in the west had necessitated that the mainland kingdoms take part in the quest to find its secrets - to stop the Western Islanders from overturning the entire world order. However, allowing these kingdoms to also have access to such a powerful weapon would perhaps be more foolish. So now he sensed a way to neutralise this fear.

If it was just the Tunidans and the Brynnyfirdians that held the secret, a balance could struck. He could then, in turn, keep the Western Isles in check with the threat that he would furnish the mainland with the secret if they ever strove to upset it. The one major danger to this plan only being his worry that the Brynnyfirdians were simply too unruly to conspire in such a way. Plus, it meant allowing them a prominence and power on the world map that they had seldom had before. Elevating them from a rogue tribe of seafarers, to an exponentially bigger player. Still, they were achieving that status now without such compact, so a lesser devil it was, and it appealed to him much more than the brute force policy he'd so far been pursuing. Especially as it would mean the return of his much-loved son. It would be a fine balancing act though, and at present the sea-war against the Western Islanders was the primary thing that needed executing.

As he paced along the coast with King Mizmeam, making further inspections he also thought about King Brijsk, the Northern King, who had by this point headed home to oversee the naval build up on his own side of the vast icy mountains. In previous meetings Brijsk had been open to an accord with the Western Isles, so perhaps he could be utilised if a time came when a ceasefire would be needed. He'd need to make absolutely certain that the Northern Kingdom and the Western Islanders didn't get too cosy though.