Chapter 7

The Plan

Warily Gloag turned his bullet shaped visage on those commanders that had gathered in his tent for a war meeting. He had just finished explaining what he and Klarg had learned in their new found knowledge about events in Schan. But the Mehztan had not explained how that intelligence was gained. No need as those ill shaven and gaunt faces gazing at him believed. Believed perhaps because a powerful mage was involved, Klarg. No matter why, the thing of import was that they believed. Would this translate into action, the kind of action that was needed to preserve the apim and diff way of life in Paz, aye in Schan as well?

Returning his wary yet piercing gaze was the cream of the crop in his expeditionary force. All stares were fixated on Gloag while conflicting thoughts streamed through their minds. They were being asked to come to the relief of the very people that had gutted the Island of Mehzta. And the liberation had come at great cost, to both the local Mehtzans, the allied expeditionary force, and the Islands own enviorment. Then Gloag had asked them to carry the war over to the Shank homeland across the sea, and they had agreed. Agreed because it was seen as necessary to prevent this force of Schturgins and Shtarkins from regrouping and after licking their wounds, returning in even greater numbers, with unparallelled savagery! But now, now all that had changed and the stakes, once huge were now gigantic. By Opaz, was their no rest for the weary? What more could be asked than what had already been done? Much more it seemed. Much more.

"Well now" Nath the Thief opined. "We really cant’t pack our bags and go home now, can we? After all, if we stay here in Paz, complacent with our victory, the wars in Schan will eventually be visited upon us. Why not do something to prevent just that from happening? And I’ve always wondered if the gold in Schan sparkled like that of Segesthes. I may as well find out Gloag. My pockets are pitifully empty of late."

Gloag smiled at the last remark, as he knew his old dom Nath had stolen nothing since his elevation to a personsage of importance in the House of Strombor. There had been no need, but old memories die hard. Very hard.

"And what of you Rov Kovno? And you Laku? How do the clansmen of Longuelm and Felshraung fit into this?" As one, the two battle scarred visages looked at one another briefly and then back to Gloag. Laku answered "we are in this for the long haul. Or as we say on the Great Plains, in for a zorca, in for a vove. As you wish, we’ll send Jiktar Ark Atvar back by voller across the heartland of this Island and so to Segesthes. There he will beseech Hap Loder for for an army of Clansmen, from all 4 clans to make haste southward to Zenicce and Port Pauros. There they will board the fleet sent by Vallia and parts of Pandahem. The Emperor will do his part Gloag?"

At this bold question, Gloag reflected privately. There were certainly no yes men in this group. No rubber stamping of anything he said. But if the cause was just and and the deed possible, these rascals would do so with a vengeance. But a valid question had been asked.

"There are some among you who are Kroveres." At this statement there was much tightening of hands on weapons and nodding among many of those gathered in Gloag’s war tent. "While I have not been so honored as to be ranked among those of this great order, I do know of Zena Iztar." When the shuffling of booted feet and terse voices had died down, Gloag continued, "that great Lady even now speaks with Drak, the son of my Lord of Strombor. For this is a matter of concern to her as well as those of Paz. Drak will supply both vollers and galleons for the transfer of troops to Mehzta and ultimately Schan. At his behest, additional fliers from his brother King Jaidur in Hyrklana and some from Emperor Nedfar of Hamal will swell this fleet. Argenters from Tomboram and Croxdrin will aid in the transportation of the expected army of relief that even now is being formed." The army will be comprised of Vallians and Valkan, Clansmen and bladesmen from the allied Houses of Zenicce, as many Hamallians and Hyrklanians as can be spared, and a force of Canops from Migladrin."

Then Gloag turned to Klarg who had listened attentively as one who already knew his role, as indeed he did. "Old friend. I need you to waken the length and breadth of your homeland, the Chulik Islands. If a force could be put together from there, much emboldened would we be against the Shargs.

Straightening visibly and well aware of the importance of that which was assigned to him, Klarg barked "as ever, your wish, my command Lord!" Touched, Gloag embraced his savage comrade, careful to evade the filed tusks. Then turning back to those assembled, they raised their hands together and all roared Hai Jikai, Hai Jikai!

When the emotional response had died down Gloag continued. "But the putting together of this hemispheric army will take time and we must cross the Southern Ocean soon, and do what we can to stem the tide of doom that threatens all of Paz. So, within the week we leave for Schan and an adventure that surely no one or army has ever undertaken. Our first stop will be Gah!"