Sorcerer… Cyborg???

Chapter 211: Playing Right into their Hands

"Your Im-" Jeremiah began, then quickly corrected himself. "Kayser, I will try my best, I do not feel right addressing you so, but to preserve your safety, I will do whatever I can." Captain Jeremiah was clearly struggling with addressing Kayser on a first name basis.

"So, Jeremiah, do you have a cache prepared, that has generic supplies ready for such a moment? We must get you, your men and Kayser into some less fine gear. 

The horses can be explained away as merely having the appearance of rare hybrids, but the armor and weapons will be more difficult." Simon waited eagerly for an answer, getting the Emperor out of his enchanted armor would be the first step in making sure he was vulnerable.

"Hmmm, let me think. Yes, I believe there is one a day's ride from here. I must say, Scholar Piatt, you are remarkably informed on what to do when fleeing an invading army." Jeremiah felt the tiniest bit of suspicion for Piatt, but quickly brushed it away. After all, he had been the only one to counsel that the army should remain in Aznur. If the Imperial Court had sided with him, perhaps they would be celebrating a victory right now, rather than fleeing through the night.

"I have often been pursued for my new ideas, many rulers do not like to be told about things that clash with their own thoughts about the world." Simon waved his hands in the air, doing his best to maintain the appearance of the harmless Scholar Piatt.

He would maintain his disguise, right up until it was time for him to strike.

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"Tell me, Grand Marshal, why in all of your strategies, you are sending the Tribes to the front lines first?" Vaya crossed his arms and looked at Tam with a fierce glare. Though he had agreed to an alliance, he had not agreed to being a subordinate.

The auction hall had slowly emptied, the raucous celebration that Anteris had led spilling out on to the streets of Aznur, the commanders joining their men in  exploring the almost completely abandoned Outer City. 

Only Vaya, Teves and Tam remained in the auction hall, looking over a map of the Empire.

"Don't play dumb with me Vaya. You all made it quite clear when you arrived at how disappointed you were at not being able to join the battle." Tam said with a frown, and Vaya opened his mouth to respond, but Tam held up his finger and continued to speak.

"Besides, all of the men who came along with me are wounded and fatigued, while those of the Second Fleet are fresh and more experienced in war.

I'm not saying that the Tribes alone should be at the forefront of taking over the remaining cities. Just that those of the second fleet should." Teves listened carefully as Tam close, eager to pick up any tidbits about leadership from the discussion between the famed Grand Marshal and the oldest Master.

"Alright, but you and Anteris? You will be fighting with us, yes? Your men are indispensable, many of the Elites still remain, and I believe only you and I would be able to take on the Galestorm General on our own." Vaya already knew the answer, but wanted to be certain and hear the words from Tam's own mouth. He knew that the Last Hawk was a General who led from the head of the charge, and would never remain out of combat while his troops fought.

"Do you think so little of me, Vaya? You know I will be fighting, and my personal guard will be fighting with me. But as for Anteris, I will ask him to remain behind." Tam sighed a little as he spoke, he knew as an Advanced Rank fighter, having Anteris away from the battlefield would make an enormous difference. 

"Before you complain, Vaya, let me explain. He may not show it, but Anteris took on a lot of damage while fighting, he was wounded fighting the Emperor, and Regis' and Nevus'  lightning would have damaged his insides also.

I only took a few bolts, and I've taken a lot more damage than I'd expected. 

Besides, he's reunited with his son after many years, the man should have a chance to spend some time with him." Tam's tone was serious, making it clear that this wasn't something he would budge on.

Tam knew that another clash with Nevus or the Emperor would mean Anteris' death, and that would leave them without someone to command the fleet, while also losing an Advanced Rank fighter.

"Fine, that is reasonable. Now, let us discuss the spoils? How shall we divide up the treasury within the Imperial Palace?" Vaya said with a raised eyebrow, while he often gave off the appearance of a wise elder, unconcerned with the world, he was exactly the opposite.

After years of conflict with the Empire and with Ursten, he had learned the true value of material wealth.

"Come on Vaya? Surely you aren't stalking a claim to the wealth in Aznur, the battle was practically over by the time you all showed up." Tam laughed, trying to brush off the question, he knew that the palace's treasury likely held enough wealth and artifacts to outfit an entire army.

"Hahaha, how quickly you change your tone, Tam! Did you not say it was our arrival that turned the tides?" Vaya laughed, and a grin spread across his face as he realized that he had Tam cornered.

"I must confer with my lieutenants, and with Anteris." Tam grumbled, smacking himself on the forehead as he remembered his words from earlier. He had been so caught up in defusing the situation with the Masters that he hadn't even given the fact that the Tribes People might lay claim to some of the spoils from the battle.

It was a stupid mistake, but Tam had been so relieved after the battle that he hadn't even been thinking straight.