Book 7, Chapter 22: The Party

The clouds had darkened further, and the drizzle had become a light rain by the time I washed up as clean as possible with a water basin and no change of clothes.  To put it lightly, the gambeson needed to air out a summer.

After, I ended up at the hospital tents, which were two giant rectangular canvas affairs, multiple wooden posts propping them up along the center lines, smaller posts along the circumference.  Men were sitting around in lines outside them, holding their injuries.  Some supported friends.  A couple orderlies, wearing thick well-used aprons, exited the first tent and carefully escorted the next man in.

I stopped, considering.  This really wasn’t the time to bother them.  Unless I was going to help.  The other main issue requiring my attention were the nobles, presumably still under guard in the throne room.  They had to be getting restless, if not outright angry.  Although they could be fearful, I suppose.  How did newly restored monarchs treat those who, if not outright supported their usurpers, at least accepted their rule?  It might be time for a purge.

Anyways, I’d put them under guard so I could determine their loyalties, but the undertaking seemed ridiculous right now.  There were downsides to widespread executions among the power holders, so I’d probably have to let them go soon.  And hope the military continued siding with me.

Well, no one likes nobles.  “Mest, how much do you know of treating the injured?”

“A little ma’am.  We learned how to survive various serious injuries.”

“Excellent.  There’s eight of us.  I want four of you guys to get some rest.  Three come with me and we’ll see what we can do.”

After they talked amongst themselves, with Mest and Amytis and another man staying, I stopped us just outside the tent to identify someone in charge.  It was an organized affair, beds lined up in rows with stations here and there and large buckets near them.  Blood and vinegar peppered the air, and other more bitter bodily fluids best left undescribed.

A woman nodded to the orderlies and began examining one of the new patients.  The orderlies hustled over to a bandaged-up soldier, helping him to his feet, and leading him out the side.  A man, perhaps in his thirties with loose beige robes tied up at the waist, sleeves rolled up and likewise tied, and a smock overtop, looked around, nodding at each of the other healers, checking out where the orderlies were moving, and went to a soldier’s bedside.

Ducking under the tent, narrowly avoiding rain sluicing down the canvas, I aimed for him.  “Excuse me, we’d like to help.  I can clean and suture, as can my, uh, people here.”

He turned, quickly look at each one of us, visibly angry but trying to remain calm, “Not with those weapons you aren’t.  This,” he held his hands out up, “is a hospital.”

“Right.”  I undid my belt and handed it to Amytis.  “Can you take these somewhere?”

He bowed from his head, “Ma’am,” reached out, taking my swords.

“Thank you, Amytis,” said Mest, handing him her belt as well, as did my other guard.

Facing the presumed doctor, I said, “Alright, point us where you want us.”

“If you’re offering your labor, we could use more orderlies.  What’re your names?  I’m assuming you’re some noblewoman playing at being a soldier?”

Mest quickly stepped forward and I put my hand up to stop her.  With no small amount of anger, she said, “This is your God-Empress Cayce!  Where are your manners!”

“My God-Empress?”

“Yeah,” I tapped Mest’s arm, nodding at her, “I’m the one who conquered your army and am forcing you to treat my soldiers first.  Anyways, your next army is approaching and we are running out of time.  So, I’m asking again, Doctor, where do you want us?”

He drained of color in front of me to the point where I was worried he’d faint, “What, ah, duties do you, uhm, you said you have experience treating and suturing patients?”

“That’s correct.”

“Exactly what we need.  All these men,” he swung his arm out, “require such care.  Please.  However, may I be so bold as to presume a question?”

“Of course.”

He put his hands together, “Will you allow us to treat our injured after we have treated yours?”

“With all possible haste.  And then this hospital will be moved into the city to safeguard you and your staff.”

He raised his hand to his heart, bowing slightly, “Thank you.”  Then swept his hand out across the air, “The hospital is yours, my sovereign.”

“Excellent, thank you.  Mest, if you’re confident in your abilities, please begin treating soldiers.  Also,” I turned back to the doctor, “I’ll need soap and water.”

“Whatever for?”

“My supreme pleasure.”

“I’ll see to it immediately.”  He nodded and headed off.

Ok.  I was tired, but yeah, definitely appreciating how the letters were working for me.  Excellent idea to get all those degrees.  I mean, conquering empires.  I paused for a second, wondering how the nobles would respond.  I imagined they’d already be hearing about our victory from their guards and contacts in the army.  They had to be deciding whether to support my rule, assassinate me, or flee the city.  It’d be nice if nobles had attached bar-codes describing their plans, but I’d have to sort through all the politicking later.

Dropping my hands in vinegar and counting to thirty, I picked up the tools of the trade, scissors, knife, needle, thread, vinegar, and two cloths.  “Hello,” I flashed the cutest nurse smile I could to the nearest man, setting up beside him, “what seems to be the problem?”

***

Moving onto the next man, one of the defeated as we’d finished with our troops, he’d taken a spear to his right trapezoidal muscle in the worst possible way.  I was running on empty, way beyond fumes at this point, and we were treating the wounded as quickly as we could.  Transferring them was going to be difficult, but necessary soon.

“My name’s Manijeh.  What’s yours?”

“Cayce.  How did you get so badly injured on your shoulder?  I’d have thought your armor would protect you better.”  Trying to keep the wound as undisturbed as possible, I carefully pealed chain back.  Coagulated blood caked the metal rings and torn leather beneath, sticking to his skin.  To clean his wound, we’d have to remove all of it, hopefully without causing more damage.

“Those fucking beasts the Laemacians use.  Tore right through my chain.  And I’d just had it cared for.  Oiled and all that.  Bah, I was lucky to get out of there at all.”

“We need to get the chain off you.  It’s probably a bad idea to lift your arm.  Hold still, I’ll take it off your other arm first.”  I grabbed the sleeve of a passing orderly, “Hey!  Help me remove this man’s chainmail.”

He nodded, looking tense, “Ma’am,” and we went to work, holding his body as steady as possible while gently pulling his good arm out, then lifting the entire skirt over his head.  I poured warm water over his wounded muscles, washing as much blood away as possible, before finally getting it off the man.

To distract him, I said, “Tell me about your lands.  Who rules them?  Who were you fighting for?”

“Oh, a bunch of right cunts, that’s for sure.  Pardon my speech, Miss.  You must be what, fourteen?  And already making for a fine nurse.  But why are you wearing chainmail?”

I gave him a look.  “I’m like so close to being sixteen, you have no idea.”  Though now, now I think I’d ignore that frustrating rule and simply inform my kingdom that I was now their empress, in addition to their princess.  Take that, Archbishop Ghevont and your stupid rules!

“Ah, you look young then.”

“Tell me about it.  I’m going to wash your wound now.”  I soaped up a rag and gingerly washed around the edges to get a better look at what I was dealing with.  “So, emperor or king?”

“Fancies himself an emperor, I suppose.  Bracken is his family name.  I should apologize for invading, since you’re all treating me and that.”

I nodded, “You really should.  And those women he’s working with?  I call them the nuns.”

“The Tsurvan Order?  Ever since they arrived, we’ve been gearing up for war.  I don’t know what they said to the man, but whatever those bitches want, they get.  Bah.”  He turned his head away.  “I guess I’m a slave now.  Why else sew us up?”

The rhino thrust had gone through his trap sidewise and then twisted out and up as far as I could tell.  I finally figured out a means to sew him up, though his outcome would then heavily depend on his immune system fighting infection.  It was the best I could do.

“You aren’t going to be a slave.  You’ll be getting an offer, a choice, though.  And I hope you take it.”

From behind, a young man’s voice, “Your Royal Divine Highness, there is news.”

Thread dangling from the needle in my hand that I’d just disinfected, I half turned, “News?  I’ll sew while you explain.”  I tapped Manijeh on his arm lightly, saying, “Duck next time a rhino attacks you.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

As I pulled the first needle through, then the thread, I said to the messenger, “Please continue.”

“The enemy has been spotted and will be here in the hour,” he bowed, “my lady.”

Stitch.  “An hour?”  Stitch.  “Damn.”  I made a few more stitches.

Eyes down at my feet, he stammered out, “No scouts have returned.  They are visible from the castle walls now.”

“Jesus!  Alright,” I touched my forehead, “I don’t know.  Call the generals.  And get soldiers over here to take the injured into the city.”  I’d killed and killed and killed, I wasn’t going to leave injured men to die just to slow down the inevitable siege.  “Work with the, uh, main doctor there,” I pointed at the man, “get this hospital moved.”  Pulling the last stitch through, I made a little knot.

He blinked several times, “Ma’am,” and then actually went down on his knees, “I am just a messenger.  Perhaps Her Majesty’s words would best be suited for Her Majesty’s generals?”

Picking up the soap, and rubbed and rubbed my hands, “Ah, yeah.  Where are they?”  Then rinsed them in the cleanest water I had, which was filthy, and dried them off on a towel, then the sides of my apron.

Looking up, but not meeting my eyes, “Waiting upon your divine presence in the field command tents.”

“Thank you.  Go tell them I’m on my way.”

Manijeh sat up, “Fucking hell, I was just sewed up by the Laemacian Empress herself?”

Looking at the man, I patted his left knee, “Yeah.”

“Well thank you, Empress.  The cunts who employed me wouldn’t have so much as looked at me.  I must apologize, I took you for a whore.”

Staring at him, catching his insult but not really caring, as I was thinking about logistics just then, I nodded, “Common mistake.”  Then, at my bodyguards, “Finish up on your current patients and we are leaving.  I’ll talk with the healers later.”

“My, uh, lady,” said the soldier, taking my hand in his, “if you would agree, I would take you as my liege and pledge my life for yours.”

I grabbed hold of his arm, “Then swear it.”

“Never seen a noble, let alone an empress treat a commoner before.  I swear it!  And I’ll swear it to all who’ll listen.”  He ducked his head as best he could in an impression of a head-bow, saying, “I, uh, apologize before about the whore remark.  And the bad words.”

I laughed.  “Here,” I searched myself, but I had nothing other than armor with me, “uh, just a sec.  Mest?  Give this man a knife.”

She deadpanned, “Ma’am, weapons aren’t permitted in the hospital.”

“Mest.”

“Ma’am,” she took out a knife from a sheath in her lower leg, flipped it over and passed it to him.  “Sir.”

I said to Manijeh, “Tell your friends.  And come see me when you recover.  That,” I pointed at the knife, “is your proof we met.”

He pushed himself into a sitting position, briefly wincing, “I will, ma’am.  I mean what I said.”

I smiled, “Oh, you definitely do.”  And we left.

***

Back in the command tent, weapons sitting again on my hips, Sasan, Dareb, and Mazdak before me, as many assistants as when all the generals were present, tea on the table, but the maps were gone.

“I wasn’t able to ask before, given how,” I wondered just how to phrase this to not look as little I knew about the enemy army, “pressed for time we were.  Eventually I’m going to want a timeline of when Laemacia was attacked, but right now, I want to know why.”  I knew why, or at least I thought so – the nuns had clearly promised this Bracken guy immortality, or at least, youth returned.  But I needed to know what the generals thought.

Tall Sasan brought his hands up, “Emperor Bracken seems to have had a change in religion.  He is now claiming the Temple of the Gods is originally his empire’s property, along with the route there.  Holy Clerics from that order indeed are supporting him.”

“Ah.  He’s expanding his borders, then?”  It seemed the Laemacians were not aware of Bracken’s real goals.  That worked in my favor.  A rare happenstance these days.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I cleared out their command tent myself and the emperor was not present.  Do we know if he’s leading their remaining army?”

“Almost certainly.  We shall know soon, since they are less than an hour away, I’m afraid,” said Sasan, arms crossed.  He did a quick head nod, “I apologize, ma’am, our scouts have not returned and we only just saw the army.”

My body was heavy.  I poured myself a tea, waving someone away when they approached to pour it for me.  “The scouts were killed or captured?”

“Most likely and unfortunate.  We can’t say for certain, though.  Eight parties.  Some may still be out there.”

“Best guess as to why they’re not reporting, please.”

“If I had to guess, I’d say that the enemy has vastly spread out to gain as much information as possible, while marching on this city.  They must therefore,” he yawned, “excuse me, ma’am, the lack of sleep.  I was saying, they spread out to catch scouts.  It’s a risk, since if they met a genuine army, or encountered some problem that divided them, they’d potentially be defeated quickly.”

I gave him my best smile, nodding.  “Understandable, Sasan.  We’re all riding our limits.  After we get this bit organized and underway, I want you generals to take turns resting.  We may need to repel an attack tonight if they push us.”

Mazdak stepped forward, “And you as well, my lady.  We’d all be served by you getting proper sleep.”

“Kind of you to say.  After speaking to the prisoners, then the nobles, that’s my plan.”

He smiled in reply, moving his glance to Sasan.

The taller man tapped the table twice, “Were we in better condition, I’d suggest we take advantage of their front spread out so vast, and attack.  But I’m afraid that would only end in disaster right now.”

“Agreed.  Let’s not do that.  Our men need rest, too.  I assume you’re allowing them to rest in shifts?”

Sasan exchanged glances with Mazdak, “Yes, ma’am.  We discussed this earlier, at our previous meeting.”

“Of course.  Ah, that rest is looking more and more welcome.”

We all shared a bit of a smile and, almost as if we’d rehearsed, we all lifted our tea at the same time, drinking.

Setting down my tea, I scratched at my temple, moving hair back, “How are we doing on moving everything into the city?”

“The prisoners and their gear are waiting where you requested them.”

“Excellent.  Now get people on moving the hospital.  It and the injured.  As quick as we can.”

An aid went to do as I’d asked, but the general held up his hand, and the aid stopped, “It will take but moments to move their staff.”

I crossed my arms and probably narrowed my eyes a bit as I was so tired, my inhibitions were dropping, “Everything and everyone.  The canvas to the beds to the injured to the orderlies to the doctors.  Move them all into the city, behind the walls.”

“Ma’am, we-”

“No.  You said we had food for a year.  What are your updated estimates of moving everyone into the city?”

He stopped himself from speaking, closed his eyes and slowly nodded, “We’ll immediately begin transporting the injured.  I would expect it will take three to four hours.”

“Marshall more wagons.  Make it happen in one hour.”

“Ma’am,” he slightly moved his head and the assistant left, with two more following.

Holding up a hand, then rubbing my forehead, I said, “Alright.  What else?”

“Ma’am,” began the brown haired Dareb, who must have just come out of the palace as his armor was perfectly clean, “General Abtin reports that the nobles we are, ah, holding” he nodded, “are growing unhappy with the situation.  Of course, food and beverages have been provided them, but it has been overnight and more.”

“Yes.  Yes, that’s second on my agenda.”

“Second?”

“Wait, third maybe.  First, where are our new cavalry?  They were supposed to capture the baggage train and return soonest.  Sostram rode out to them and he knows about the approaching army.  It’s been, what, three hours?”  Other than messengers, there was no way of knowing exactly where all the regiments in my army were.  I needed them inside the city or guarding our wagons, not off in the forest somewhere.  “Just, ok, are there flags or smoke signals or some way of communicating to them to hurry back?”

“We can send messengers, my lady.”

“Yes, with all possible haste.  They won’t be safe out there much longer.”  I missed my ravens and crows.  And foxes.  They’d watch out for me.  Perhaps they would have alerted me to the approaching enemy.  “How many men can we spare?”

“In terms of messengers.  I’m also thinking scouting parties.”

Sasan answered, “We’re running low on horses, but we can easily send ten men.  Do you believe there’s a problem?”

“I’m growing worried.  If we send ten men, if something has gone wrong, at least some of them will make it back.”

The general glanced over his shoulder, nodded once, and an assistant hurried out of the tent.  “With regards to scouting parties, it might be best to keep them secure for now.  Until we learn more.  We’ll soon be able to watch the enemy.”

“Agreed.  Sending more men to disappear seems unwise.  Next, the harem.  I trust Abtin is blocking the passage into it?  Otherwise, we’re going to have another breach there.”

“He is, ma’am.  No one will enter and the women will be secured.”

“That’s part of what I wanted to address.  I don’t want women or girls locked up in there.  The Harem guards are now going to exist to protect those women, not police them.  And the harem doors will remain open, with women being able to leave at will.”

“Ma’am,” began Sasan, “it may be unwise to drastically alter how the harem functions.  It is a place of considerable, ah, value to the noble families.  Many . . . agreements are reached within those halls.”

“Even more reason to change how it works.  Gentlemen,” I held out my hands underneath my breasts, smiling, “I have no need of a harem full of girls.”

They laughed.

Then I crossed my arms, “If I choose a wife, or multiple wives, I won’t be locking them up.  Though perhaps I’d lock up my husbands.”

The laughs fell away, Sasan asking, “Ma’am?”

That’s right, I thought to myself, it hits differently when you’re on the receiving side.  “Next, the prisoners.  I’m going to have them go out into the field and lay down caltrops, wooden spikes, whatever traps they can.  We can use their labor to fortify our defenses.  Including shoring up the city walls.”

“What makes you think they will do so willingly, my lady?”

This time I couldn’t stop myself and fully and completely yawned.  “Gods.  Did anyone bring coffee?  I could really use one right now.”

“My lady, perhaps that beverage is best left to times of relaxation?”

I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing.  Grabbed the table and guffawed.  “Oh!  I see.”  I pulled myself up, standing, “Cultural differences and all that.  Gentlemen, have you not indulged in coffee?”

“It’s mainly a noblewoman’s drink.  But we shall round some up for you.”

“A woman’s drink?”  I wondered, really wondered, maybe I shouldn’t tell them?  I’d get all the coffee!

“Yes ma’am.  Very sweet and best with cakes, I believe.”

“Huh.  Well, you guys are in for a treat after I get you addicted.”

Sasan nodded at two assistants, who shared a look between then before leaving.  “Ma’am?  The coffee will be made ready for your arrival at the palace.  I’d like to return to the discussion of the prisoners.  What exactly are you going to offer them?”

“A home.”

***

After leaving the command tent, men immediately beginning to disassemble it, I took stock of the battlefield.  A mass grave had been dug by the prisoners, and priests were even now praying over the bodies, as dirt was being thrown onto them.  A group of flatbed wagons, filled with recovered weapons and procured supplies were passing into the city gates.  Each of three rhino carcasses had a wagon waiting nearby.  Men were butchering the animals to provide for an enormous feast, though I didn’t know how the soldiers felt, if anything, for their slain animal comrades.

Way back at the hospital tents, four of Sasan’s aids were pointing at this and that, speaking to a bunch of soldiers.  Wagons were riding across the field to their location.  I wanted them to move faster.  I hoped they’d sent enough wagons and men to finish the transfer in one go.

“Ma’am?” asked Mest, “is something amiss?  Would you like me to deliver instructions to the hospital or our troops?”

“I’m just taking it all in.  They look to be doing their best.  Let’s head into city ourselves.  The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can bathe.”

“Ma’am.”

***

Standing on the walkway of the city wall, I looked down at all the men milling about.  Perhaps twenty thousand ringed by our soldiers, armed and ready, standing in a make-shift courtyard.  Men I hoped to convince to be former enemy soldiers.

Rubble at the edges gave the space boundaries, some fires sputtering away despite the rain.  Two larger fires were being actively fed wood to get some coal going, mounds of rhino flesh waiting in nearby wagons.  Four ale carts were setting up a short distance from the fires.

I raised my voice to get their attention.  “You men!  You!”  I pointed at one man, then another, “And you!  Why did you come here?  Why did you come to this city?”

They looked around at their fellows, not knowing whether they should speak.

“Because you were paid to.  Because some lord told you to!  Was it worth it?  Did you get paid enough?”  I waited.  They looked at each other, some shrugging.  “Will you, now that your army has been defeated, will your ruler, your emperor, will they pay you now?  How kindly will you be treated?

“You men fought well!  We have prepared roast meats and ale,” I pointed at the new bonfires where rhino meat was being cooked and the carts with ale casks, boys passing out mugs.  “Drink and eat your fill.

“I’m going to give each and every one of you land.  Enough to start a farm.  Land!  You came here to attack my city, and you surrendered to us.  Now you will have a chance to earn your own place.  Work for us now, help us rebuild this city, and survive against future attacks, and you will get your own home!

“If you don’t want this deal, if you don’t want to settle down here, you’re free to go.  You can take your backpack and whatever rations you can carry and just leave.

“I’ll tell you one thing, though.  I am going to defeat your army!”  I pointed at myself, “Those of you who surrendered to me personally, those of you who saw me fight, tell your friends what you saw!  You think an army,” I pointed south, outside the city, “you think your army has a chance?!”

I nodded, “This is your chance.  Your only chance!”  I walked a bit down the wall, hand on my chin.  Walked back.  Then shouted, “How many men can say they own their own land?!  If you want to be part of this city, join up over there,” I pointed to a pair of wagons, surrounded by soldiers, with two tables and two scribes sitting at each, ledgers at the ready.  “Tell them your name, swear an oath, and we will survive and prosper!”

Many of them turned to the wagons, and I shouted out, “One last thing!  We’ve ridden on your baggage train.  I don’t know if you have wives and children, but I want you to know I ordered my soldiers not to molest them.  They should return soon.”

The rain fell and this time, no one moved.  I put my hands on the wall, waiting.  A lone man, put his fist in the air and said, “You have my thanks!  I will be taking your offer!”

Many looked at him.  Another man shouted, “And mine!”  The crowd broke into a ruckus of cheering and clapping.  I put my right hand up, then my left, “Men, we are going to ask for your labor.  This isn’t for free, you will work for your land!  But now you will feast!  Open the ale carts!”

More cheers and clapping as I headed down the walkway to the stairs, meeting up with my bodyguards.  “And now, the nobles.  Much less fun, let me tell you.”

“We are leaving,” Mest looked at me, wry smile on her lips, “the party behind, ma’am.”