Chapter 17: On the Move.
The days had worn on, Fraihn and his commanders planned the attack on the rebels with Hares overseeing it.
Fraihn stood near the head of the table, his hands resting on its surface as he bent over the largest map, deep in thought.
The map was the most detailed one they had, spanning the entire Imperium and its neighboring regions. It was marked with symbols and notes indicating towns, rivers, and key geographical points. Red ink marked the rebels movement and potential paths. Fraihn's gaze was steady, his expression one of hard focus, as he discussed plans with Selene and Valen.
The room was quiet except for the shuffling of paper, the occasional scratch of quill on parchment, and the murmured words as they debated strategies. Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway outside.
The doors swung open, and Hares entered.
"Rebel forces have started moving toward the capital." He announced, his voice rough, breaking the silence like a stone dropped into still water. He took a moment to catch his breath. "They're claiming to be refugees fleeing from Zhanur's forces. We need to act now."
Hares stepped up to the table, his finger sweeping a sharp line along the path he was explaining.
"They're coming down this road here, heading straight for the capital." He said, his finger pausing over a cluster of red marks indicating rebel presence. "They're disguised as refugees and have already entered the smaller towns on the outskirts. Once inside, they're establishing defensive positions in key spots within each town using civilian structures as cover."
Fraihn's gaze was sharp, fixed on the map as he traced the route with his eyes. His expression remained impassive, though his hands tightened slightly on the table's edge.
"If they're disguised as refugees, we can't risk attacking them directly." Fraihn said, his tone steady but laced with the unmistakable edge of urgency.
Valen's eyes flashed with frustration.
"What do you mean, we can't attack them? The Imperium is under attack, Fraihn!" His fists clenched at his sides, and he leaned forward, his voice rising.
"I understand that, Valen. But if we attack head-on we'll be branded as slaughterers of civilians. The Emperor's power rests not only on authority but also on the support of the people."
Selene, who had been watching Fraihn with a steady gaze, nodded in agreement.
"Fraihn's right." She said, casting a sidelong glance at Valen and Hares. "If we launch an attack now, we risk alienating not only the public but also the soldiers who hold a deep-seated loyalty to the Imperium. They need to believe we're fighting for justice, not blind retaliation."
Hares exhaled sharply, his clenched fist coming down onto the table with a low thud that echoed through the room. Maps and documents shifted slightly from the impact.
For a moment, the silence was thick, weighted by tension. Fraihn and Hares locked gazes, a silent clash of wills.
"They're stationed in Odessa." He said, pointing to the cluster of red ink marking the rebel camp. From Odessa, they can only follow two main routes one leads to Hera, and the other to Tvela. Both cities are connected to the capital's main road."
Fraihn's finger traced the lines of each route. "If they stray from these paths, they'll be forced through terrain that's impassable with that much rebel, dense forests, marshes, rivers. And the second step is to let them reach Hera and Tvela." The room had grown hushed, everyone's attention locked on Fraihn's explanation.
"You plan to let them inside?" Hares questioned his plan.
"Yes. Once they're inside, they'll be surrounded by our forces. Hera and Tvela each have one primary gate leading out. We'll block these exits, cutting off their escape. Secondly Hera and Tvela have military offices which means they can report to us and also confirm that they are rebels."
Valen his fingers tapped against the map, his voice soft. "But won't our forces face the same obstacles on the way?
Fraihn shook his head, his lips curving in a faint smile. "That's where the tribes come in. They know which rivers can be crossed and which paths are false, leading only to dead ends or steep ravines. We'll enlist their scouts as guides. They'll lead our troops into positions where they can surround the cities from angles the rebels would never expect."
The Supreme Commander nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering as he studied Fraihn. "It's a bold move."
Fraihn met his gaze, his voice steady and assured. "The tribes are loyal, and they despise these rebels even more than we do. Zhanur's forces destroyed their homelands, drove them out, and left their people scattered. Their hatred for him runs deeper than any alliance we could buy with gold or titles."
Selene's face, usually a mask of calm calculation, showed a flicker of hesitation. She shifted her gaze to Fraihn, her eyes searching.
"If we're bringing the tribes in there's always the risk that they'll come into conflict with our own forces. Many of our soldiers… they don't trust the tribes."
Fraihn's jaw clenched slightly, but he nodded, acknowledging the unspoken truth.
"Then we'll address it head-on. Our officers will be briefed to work with them as equals, respecting their knowledge of the land. If any soldier can't abide by that… they'll be left behind."
Valen, who had been silent, stepped forward, his expression unreadable. He studied the map, his finger tracing the cities, then looked up, meeting Fraihn's gaze directly.
"Once they're in Hera and Tvela, how do you plan to deal with them? There will still be thousands. A siege would cost us weeks, if not months. Our resources are strained as it is."
A grim silence fell over the room as the reality of Fraihn's plan settled in. Each of them understood the level of precision, discipline, and sacrifice this approach would require. They would need men who could move like shadows, soldiers who would not falter in the face of overwhelming numbers.
Hares shook his head slowly, a flicker of admiration in his eyes despite his earlier objections. "A relentless squeeze." He glanced at Fraihn, grudging respect evident in his tone. "But what of the civilians in these cities? We're talking about fighting in the streets, in people's homes."
"War doesn't always allow for mercy." His gaze dropped to the map, a shadow crossing his expression. This is our path. Every one of us knew the price of protecting the Imperium when we took our oaths."
Valen's voice cut through the quiet, bringing them all back to the cold calculations before them. "And the other cities? If Hera and Tvela are isolated, how do we prevent sympathizers from attempting to breach our defenses or smuggle supplies to the rebels?"
Fraihn's fingers drummed lightly against the table as he considered the question. He looked at Selene, a faint smile ghosting across his lips.
"That's where you come in, Selene. I'll need your network to keep close watch on any suspected sympathizers. We'll also establish checkpoints on every road leading out of the neighboring cities."
"Consider it done." She said quietly, "No one will get past us."
"Fraihn, if this plan succeeds, we'll cripple the rebel forces and secure the Imperium's borders once and for all. But failure…" His gaze swept over the gathered officers, lingering on each of them. "Failure will mean the end of the Imperium as we know it."
Fraihn met the Hares gaze, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.
"Then we won't fail." He replied, his voice unwavering. He looked around the room, meeting each officer's gaze with a steady assurance that left no room for doubt. "We're not just defending the Imperium. We're defending every life, every family, every piece of land within it. This is a fight for our survival. And I intend to win."
As the final preparations began, the room returned to a flurry of movement and purpose. Orders were issued, maps were rolled, and men moved with a renewed sense of focus. The distant sound of marching footsteps filled the halls outside as soldiers prepared to carry out their mission.
Fraihn remained by the map table for a moment longer, his gaze fixed on the paths that would soon become battlegrounds.
Selene watched him in silence, recognizing the weight of his burden and knowing that no words could ease it. This was the life of those chosen to protect the Imperium a life bound by duty, sharpened by sacrifice.
The fate of the Imperium was in his hands, and he would carry it to victory or die trying.
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