If one exited Zhcted to the north, they’d enter a region inhabited by savage tribes. A traveler, who had visited the land, once said, “Forest and snow, tribes and beast, and nothing else. Even during daytime, the forest remains dark, and even during summer, the snow doesn’t thaw.”
As the plural suggested, the savage tribes didn’t consist of only one clan or tribe. Countless tribes had banded together in their refusal of being ruled by kingdoms such as Zhcted. If you also counted the tiny tribes, their number would amount to almost thirty. Their relationship with Zhcted could be summed up as unfriendly. Each time the tribes invaded Zhcted to pillage, they got repelled.
Some Zhcted merchants bartered with the tribes while some tribes were hired as mercenaries and guards, but all of this was limited to such a small scale that it didn’t have much of an effect on the general relationship between the two.
However, there existed two reasons why generations of Zhcted kings had ignored the existence of the tribes.
First, the tribes didn’t live only in forests. Their living space also included several of the small islands out in the northern sea, and depending on the season, they’d move residence. The tribes were quite capable of traversing the sea, which was deadly cold and ravaged by storms even in summer, with their small boats. Thus, a complete eradication of the tribes would include an attack on the small islands inhabited by them. Gaining control of such a segregated area would be impossible with half-baked preparations and military forces.
Second, even if Zhcted put in all that effort, it wouldn’t have anything to gain out of eradicating the tribes. Of course it’d be beneficial for the tribes’ raids to stop, but the reward for the soldiers involved in the mop-up operation would have to be paid out of the kingdom’s budget. Moreover, the government would need to rack their brains on who to assign as governor of a region ruled by forests, snow, and beasts.
Confronted with such issues, it was only reasonable for generations of kings to have concluded that it’d be best to leave the tribes be. Besides, Osterode was located in Zhcted’s northeast, and Lebus in the northwest. In addition, Bydgauche in the central north was ruled by the Kurtis House, a high-ranking noble family. In short, Zhcted’s preparations against any possible attacks by the tribes were perfect.
Right now, the tribes were raiding the northern extremities of Zhcted, attacking towns and villages while stealing lots of things. They stole food, they stole fuel, they stole cattle, and they set houses on fire. They numbered around 20,000. Moreover, this figure only looked at the tribes’ warriors. If you were to include women, children, elderly, the total would end up being close to twice that figure. They wore fur – in two or three layers – and iron helmets. Their weapons were varied, including hatchets, axes, spears, clubs, and bows.
The man leading the tribes was called Václav, 33 years old. Until just a month ago, he was no more than a certain tribe leader’s aide. A chain of several incidents granted him a chance for more.
The aftermath of Ganelon’s ceremony to allow Tir Na Fal to descend on the surface spread across the entire continent. Evil spirits and fairies had also appeared in the lives of the tribes. The one ruling the tribes up until then was a man called Boleslav, but he transformed into a monster through some strange phenomenon, and after he had killed his own family and friends, he was killed by the other members of his tribe.
Boleslav wasn’t the only person to transform into a monster either. The same tragedy took place all over the place, and a fairly high percentage of the stored food and fuel was lost during the following tragedy.
It was Václav who called his disheartened friends together, urging them to rouse.
“Shouldn’t we attack Zhcted!?” Václav fervently advocated at the tribal meeting of the chiefs to discuss the future course of action and report the damages. “It’s said that Zhcted lost its king, now being in the middle of chaos as various influential nobles started to fight over the succession. I’ve heard that even Ilda Kurtis, who formerly knocked us a good one, has passed away. The current Zhcted is full of openings. It’d be foolish to let this chance pass!”
Of course, some of the chiefs were cautious. Just as Mila and Liza had suspected, the tribes hadn’t recovered from the blow they suffered in last year’s battle against Ilda. Although Ilda had sustained higher losses than he had anticipated, he managed to crushingly defeat them. Several chiefs suggested that the tribes ought to carefully monitor the situation without trying the impossible.
“If we don’t steal now, we will lose many of our comrades before spring!” Václav roared and then repeated his earlier claims.
And as several chiefs backed his opinion, the approving voices quickly gained in force. Zhcted’s army was strong, and they might die even if they fought. But, if they didn’t obtain food and fuel, they’d eventually starve or freeze to death. In such a case, many judged that they had no other choice but to steal.
“The spirits have──” The chief of a certain tribe, which believed in spirits said, “──punished us for our cowardice and laziness over the last year. We must battle. We must offer the deaths of brave warriors to the spirits alongside victory.”
His feelings were even passed on to the chiefs of those tribes which didn’t believe in the spirits. The tribes’ will united, and Václav was given command over the whole operation as head chief.
With their plan decided, the tribes acted swiftly. They surged into Zhcted’s northernmost towns and villages like an avalanche. Tearing down fences and scaling walls with hastily made ladders, their invasion pushed onwards. Giving free rein to their desires, they murdered and pillaged wherever they went.
Those who resisted were surrounded and slaughtered. Those who didn’t resist were tortured to death. The men were chopped up or beaten to death with clubs. The women were killed after being raped. The houses were set on fire, and the elderly as well children were cruelly tossed into the flames.
As for the young women and men, the tribes would often capture them alive during their looting sprees. Although they’d usually sell them as slaves, they didn’t do anything like that this time around. The composure to consider obtaining slaves had completely vanished out of their minds.
The only places avoided by the tribes’ attacks were cities with tall walls and fortresses with stationed Zhcted soldiers. And the most tose place could do was to fortify their walls and firmly lock the gates so as to not attract the tribes’ attention.
One city got attacked when it opened its gate to usher in people who had escaped from the neighboring towns and villages, falling within less than half a day. 20,000 tribal members was an overwhelming force, and once they got inside, there would be no means to expel them.
In an attempt to stall the tribes at least for a bit, several hundred soldiers rushed out of their fortress, just to get literally obliterated in a few koku.
Around the time when they had laid waste to most of Zhcted’s north in such a manner, Václav received a report about a Zhcted army having appeared. At once he assembled the tribal chiefs, and held a war council.
“We’ll battle the Zhcted army once.”
Several tribal chiefs objected, claiming that they had already stolen everything they needed, and showed their military might by burning down many towns and villages. They insisted that it was time to quickly return to the forests.
But, Václav shook his head, “According to the report, the Zhcted army fields 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers. It’s simple to go back into the forests. But, then we’ll likely be regarded as having run away in fear from a small enemy force. The brave people of the tribes will scorn us as cowards, and our enemies will ridicule us as weaklings. Are you really fine with that!?”
Václav had a reason to choose battle. He was fully aware that just pillaging wouldn’t suffice to exhibit his authority as leader. If he won against Zhcted’s army, his ruling over all tribes as head chief would be likely accepted and acknowledged by anyone.
The tribal chiefs, who were still entranced by the afterglow of their pillaging, actively supported Václav’s plan. Of course, Václav had held this war council while calculating on that.
The tribes started to move south in order to do battle.
◎
Valentina Glinka Estes spent busy but productive days in Silesia. As the first prince aide, she attended to governmental affairs together with Miron, the grand chamberlain and acting ruler.
On the day she was inaugurated as the prince’s aide, Valentina had gathered the civil and military bureaucrats, and informed them of her own policies.
“We should make sure to regain the usual everyday’s life in the capital in order to allow His Highness Ruslan to immediately start on the governmental duties without any impediments as soon as he has recovered. I believe that to be my duty. And I would like all of you to strive on your own posts with the same goal in mind.”
And then Valentina took several measures to restore public order in Silesia. She increased the number of patrols at night and day. She hired traveling entertainers and minstrels with her own money, and had them sing and dance in the streets. Furthermore, she announced that next year’s taxes would be cut somewhat.
All of these measures showed remarkable effects.
When Valentina had become the prince’s aide, Ganelon was still on the loose. Thus the people were confused and anxious about all the unusual phenomenons. But, thanks to her increasing the number of patrols, it became easier to discover those phenomenons. In most cases, the guards merely isolated the site by putting an impromptu fence around it, but just limiting the incidents in scale made a drastic difference. In grave situations where monsters came forth, Valentina went out herself to get rid of them.
Even the news from outside the capital gradually started to improve in mood. Thanks to Ganelon’s demise, many fearsome phenomenons disappeared, and lines of caravans and travelers started to form at Silesia’s gates. One lord after the other dispatched messengers to the palace, because it had become safe enough to make them believe that they could do so. Valentina’s subordinates, Osterode’s soldiers, were slowly being accepted as protectors of Silesia.
Miron requesting to be allowed to focus himself on his duty as grand chamberlain while all of this was going on caused Valentina to become slightly startled. She had a chat with the chamberlain, who would become sixty this year, in her office in the palace.
“I thought that I must protect the capital until His Highness recovers. But, it looks like it was impossible for me. Please, won’t you take over for me, and become the acting ruler?”
Miron’s request was unexpected for Valentina, and also a bother. Miron was a convenient tool for her to hide her own ambitions, and thus she wanted to continue their joint ruling for a while. Hiding her real thoughts and pretending modesty, Valentina persuaded him, “Your Excellency, me being able to fulfill my duties as the first prince aide is based on sharing the matters that ought to be handled by you. It would be well beyond my station to do this by myself.”
“That isn’t true. Because you have been governing your own principality for a long time, you possess magnificent discernment and abilities, Lady Valentina. Come to think of it, when His Highness returned to the palace, you served him in his official business. The current state of the kingdom still doesn’t allow any predictions. With me remaining the acting ruler, I’d only become a hindrance for you.”
“Why would you become a hindrance for me, Your Excellency…? Did something happen?” Valentina asked while guessing in her mind that he might be worried about the matter with Bydgauche’ army.
Miron had disappointed a part of the bureaucrats with his half-baked responses to the approaching army of Bydgauche.
He didn’t try to explain himself at once, but as Valentina continued to silently wait, he twisted his face into a pained expression and confessed. A part of it followed Valentina’s guess of it being related to the matter with Bydgauche’s army. But that wasn’t the only reason.
“Almost every day messengers of the lords from all across the kingdom have been visiting the capital, right? I’m worried about His Highness. I can entertain all those guests, but I can’t do any more than that.”
During the time he was serving King Viktor, doing that much was plenty in his position. After all it was the king who entertained the lords. Miron further continued, “Besides, all Vanadis except for you are showing strange movements. Even though I’ve ordered them to return to their principalities, they don’t try to even listen. Just when I thought they had gathered at Legnica, I was told they were marching on the capital. I don’t know what I should do in such a situation.”
Valentina put on an expression of complex feelings. Since he had failed at dealing with Bydgauche’s army, Miron had apparently started to believe that he wasn’t any good in dealing with the lords and Vanadis either. From the very start, Miron held no ambitions of his own. He became acting ruler because Earl Pardu had been imprisoned. The arrest of Eugene Shevarin was driven by anger over having seized information that Eugene had collaborated with Muozinel. Him not having any hesitation to let go of his current position was likely connected to this whole chain of events as well, Valentina suspected.
──This man’s ability for governmental affairs isn’t bad by any means.
Valentina assessed, but even if she persuaded Miron now, making him continue his governmental duties, she couldn’t believe that it’d lead to a good outcome.
At the end of her deliberations, she answered him in a way suggesting a reluctance, “Very well. But, I can’t receive the title of acting ruler. I shall do my utmost as aide of His Highness. I hope you will not be too concerned about it.”
Valentina was careful. She believed that it’d be better for her to pose as prince’s aide rather than stand in the limelight by becoming the acting ruler. After all, neither naming would have an impact on her authority anymore.
“By the way, about the talismans against evil which are being carried by a part of our officials.” Valentina changed the topic.
Miron pulled a troubled expression, “More than ten days have already passed since the strange phenomenons stopped. Isn’t it just fine for them to put these away at home anytime soon?”
It was something that had just recently come to light, but some of the palace’s civil officials were carrying amulets or charms close to themselves. Miron was one of them, too. Judging from the stories Valentina had heard from them, she identified the cause to be the momentary change of the sky ten days ago. On that day, many people collapsed with high fever in the capital, and one after the other fell comatose after their health deteriorated.
Until then, most of the civil officials didn’t falter even when hearing stories about fairies and ghosts appearing. Given that some of them had actually witnessed it personally, they couldn’t completely deny the incidents themselves, but they strove to act calm. This likely stemmed from their awareness that it’d be bad if the confusion seized even them.
However, when the sky turned violet and many sick people started to appear as an effect of it, it was more than enough to throw their hearts in turmoil. Some of them started all kinds of divinations, some of them became regular guests at temples, and yet others began to carry around charms. By the way, the talisman Miron carried with him was a small dagger.
Valentina got him to show her the dagger only once, but it possessed a silver blade and its guard was adorned with gold and jewels. According to Miron, King Viktor had given him this item in the past. It was nothing that would be of any use as a weapon, but its value as a piece of art was high, Valentina guessed.
Usually it was necessary to receive permission to bring weapons into the palace, but since Miron, as acting ruler, had been granting that permission to applicants and himself, even Valentina didn’t learn of it right away.
“I know what you’re trying to say, Lady Valentina, but…” Miron continued his words which sounded more like he was entreating her, “Certainly, the unusual phenomenons have stopped occurring. Maybe they won’t ever again occur either. But, there are many who say that they become worried when recalling that time.”
“However, there are also people feeling uneasy when watching others carrying such items. Would it not be possible to compromise by setting a time limit at least?”
Miron frowned at Valentina’s proposal, and asked for a detailed explanation.
“Let’s see. If nothing else happens even after another ten days have passed, we will conclude that no other unusual phenomenons are going to occur, and have everyone put away their charms and amulets. How about that?”
“You’re right, I guess… Your point is fair and very reasonable. Let’s adopt this measure.” Miron agreed, albeit not overly eager about it. “Well then, please take care of the rest.”
After bowing towards her, Miron tried to leave the office. Suddenly, as if having remembered something, he stopped right in front of the door, and looked back. His face had changed from being calm and collected to being unable to hide his anger and hatred.
“Which reminds me, when are we going to carry out the execution of that bloody Earl Pardu?”
“I informed you earlier, but it will be impossible for a while,” Valentina’s answer shot out immediately because they had the same exchange several times by now. “Is there any reason for the hurry? Certainly, the crime perpetrated by Earl Pardu is absolutely unforgivable, and any Zhcted would probably be enraged if they heard of it, but…”
Miron’s anger at Eugene was so fierce that Valentina felt compelled to ask.
With his wrinkled face becoming bright red, Miron turned his feelings into words, and hissed, “I have served King Viktor for a long time. I have had the privilege to serve His Highness Ruslan since his childhood. That cunning man betrayed both of them. That man served next to His Majesty in the past, and was close to His Highness Ruslan, so he should have been well aware of His Majesty’s suffering when His Highness fell ill. Even though it’d be unthinkable for him to not know the feelings of His Majesty, who didn’t decide on his successor over many, many years… I also…I also trusted that man, although it’s something extremely disgraceful nowadays. I was sure that he’d succeed His Majesty’s will. And yet…”
Afterwards Miron gritted his teeth, apparently unable to turn the rest into words, while his fists trembled. Valentina erased her expression, waiting for him to calm down.
Miron didn’t know that the secret agreement between Eugene and Muozinel was no more than a concoction fabricated by Valentina. No, most likely no one besides Valentina knew of it.
If you considered that, the elderly chamberlain’s resentment was pathetic, but Valentina had no plans to reveal the truth. After all, she needed Eugene to die for the sake of her ascending the throne. But she assessed that she should probably pay heed to Miron’s anger.
“I fully understand your feelings on this matter, Your Excellency. However, it is necessary to wait for the right moment to execute Earl Pardu. And there’s one more reason. It would stain the name of the late king if the man designated to become the next king had been collaborating with a foreign country.” Valentina tried to soothe Miron.
In response, Miron breathed out deeply, finally suppressing his rage. And then he bowed once more, and left the office.
This was how Valentina started to manage all governmental duties by herself. There was no criticism from the various bureaucrats as it was common knowledge that Valentina enjoyed Ruslan’s trust. Also, they could feel a lot more relieved with her handling the governmental affairs than Miron.
It was a few days after her conversation with Miron that a notification about the tribes devastating Zhcted’s north reached the palace.
◇◆◇
————— End of Part 5 —————
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