|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 18, 2015 2:28:05 GMT
Naozumi gratefully accepted the wine, and accepted Azlyn's deflection, war was not new to Naozumi who had been around (though not the Daimyo) when the Ikegami were subjugated by the Empire, he had fought hard in the war and the Wastelander conflict was all too similar.
"We have on the battle for Thundercrown, the Wastelander army is shattered, their leaders slain but their villages have still not been found and dealt with. If we do not wish to do this again in a few years we must take care of them now while they're wounded."
He paused to take a sip of the wine, enjoying the flavor.
"I must return to my home to replenish my forces and prepare but in the mean time I wish to seek out the wastelander villages, your rangers are good men, experienced with such matters. I would seek to ask for your aid in discovering where the Wastelanders have gone." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 18, 2015 4:18:34 GMT
Azlyn hesitated slightly. What Naozumi was proposing sounded a little like genocide to him. It was one thing to defend lands against an invading force, but quite another to chaise a wounded enimy back its home and beat him down so that he can never stand again. The Waistlanders were barbaric and very dangerous, Elon knew that well enough, being situated on the frontier as it was. But while they had delt with wasteland raiders and theives there had also been some more benign relations with the tribes, rangers traded in furs and game. Some tribes had even been converted to Aed through dealings with Elonese pioneers and traders and Azlyn could view the wiastlanders as more than just an enemy threat.
"I'm sure I could arrange for a unit of rangers to help your people cross the Waists, though leading an army out there is extremely risky and difficult to maintain, as the Jotun discovered a year ago. Is it your intention to attack these villages should you find them, or simple gather information and determine if any true threat remains?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 18, 2015 4:26:57 GMT
Naozumi shook his head slowly.
"I seek a resolution, I do not want to have to do this again years from now, I'd like to bring the wastelanders into the Empire, with some work and effort put in we won't have to fight them again and peace can be secured in the north. This is our best chance, their war leaders are dead, there is no one left to unify them so completely. It is my hope that we will simply need to make the offer and many of these villages and cities will join the Empire." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 18, 2015 4:41:37 GMT
"There's a chance that they will." Azlyn said, "The Wolfwyrd Clan did just that and with their leaders dead, many of the Waistlanders may join with them, or follow their example. However, it is my opinion that the best means of getting that result is to allow them t come to such conclusions on their own and make offerings of peace and support, rather than threats of war and annihilation." However, even has he spoke the young king bit his lip. Who was he to tell an Elven King and War general, who was far more experienced than himself in just about everything the best way to do such things?
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 18, 2015 4:51:02 GMT
Naozumi nodded slowly, Azlyn had a good point, one he'd already considered but there was a problem to that issue.
"Indeed but are they likely too? They just fought against the Empire, it is likely they will believe there is no chance of such a peace and eventually given time the bitter hatreds will rise again and war will continue, they should at least be made aware of the opportunity to join the Empire in safety and security."
He shrugged and took another sip of his wine.
"We will make the offer, let them know it exists, if they decide to join it will be up to them, I plan to consult the Vizier soon enough to hopefully obtain his seal of approval." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 18, 2015 5:19:25 GMT
Naozumi's words assured Azlyn. Sending men out to make a peace offering and an invitation was dangerous but fell well in line with Azlyn's principles and concerns. "In that case I'm more than willing to assist you, Daimyo. I would recommend sending a smaller party, a group large enough to defend itself, but extremely mobile, easy to hide and unlikely to seem especially threatening. My rangers can probably give you a better idea. Sir Bronsyn is in the camp and one of the best rangers in Elon. If you like, I can send for him to join us."
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 18, 2015 5:24:19 GMT
Naozumi smiled and nodded in agreement, a good plan.
"That would be an excellent suggestion, Gryphons are currently being raised in Shimaga-jo, soon enough they'll be ready to fly, I can have a mobile unit ready soon enough. Please do ask for him to come see us, I would like to meet this ranger formally first." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 18, 2015 5:47:34 GMT
Azlyn's eyes lit up slightly. "You're raising a unit of Gryphon riders?" The king often saw wild gryphons flying along the rocky Elonese coast lines and once seen some professional riders. The idea had always captivated him and he seemed younger than ever for a moment or two. "I would very much like to see them myself at some point. Let me send word to Bron and then the three of us can ride together and discuss the venture. I know he is eager to learn more of your country and will be happy for the opportunity to work along side the Ikegami."
He send a messenger to run down the tent lines to where the ranger's tent was set, as his horse, Rasselass, was brought out ready to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 18, 2015 5:53:29 GMT
Naozumi smiled, amused with the human king's enthusiasm, it was refreshing and he had a feeling he would enjoy Azlyn's company, he stood as his aide brought his own horse to him, it was a strong stallion, meant for endurance and strength more than speed but it was faithful and loyal.
"If you like I would be glad to show you some time, perhaps even a young Grypon for yourself?" he chuckled, having a feeling that Azlyn would jump on the opportunity. |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 18, 2015 6:33:28 GMT
"Oh," Azlyn said, caught off guard and looking a little like a child who'd expectedly been offered his first sword, "Uhm, I'm afraid Elon's stables don't have the means to care for gryphons, though your offer is very much appreciated."
Sir Brosyn appeared, leading his brown mustang around the tent lines. He looked a little unertain, but bowed respectfully to both Azlyn and Naozumi. "Your Grace, Daimyo," he greeted, "You sent for me."
"Yes," Azlyn said nodding to the ranger, "Naozumi, is hoping to send a party into the Wiastlands after the fleeing tribesmen and getting an idea of their remaining numbers and strenth and hopefully convincing them to make peace with the empire and possibly join. He asked me to send rangers to guild him men and scout for him. I knew you would be the best man to discuss the matter with."
Bron glanced between them as Azlyn explained, "I certainly would be willing to do whatever I can," he said.
"Excellent!" Azlyn said mounting his horse, "Ride with us and we can talk all about it."
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 18, 2015 13:35:14 GMT
Naozumi offered the ranger a nod and a smile as he mounted his own horse, he vaguely remembered hearing about the man from his eldest while they were in Dovwyyn during the tournament, he couldn't say anything regarding the man's personality but if Sayoko and Azlyn both trusted him then Naozumi would as well.
"If we don't want to do this again in a couple of years we need to find a better solution than just defeat them in battle again and again, I will need to return home to replenish my army but I will have plenty of cavalry riders who could aid you in such a search. If Azlyn would agree to it, you could return with me to Shimaga-jo to better coordinate our efforts." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 18, 2015 19:28:51 GMT
Bronsyn looked thoughtful, "If your intentions are to follow those who retreated from the battle and search out the remaining clans with connections to the Waistland forces that attack the Empire, it would be best to send scouts immediately, rather than pulling back to recuperate. At the moment the trail they left may still be traceable but a month or to more of winter snows and spring rains and the hostile Waistland tribes will be like needles in a haystack. Most of their villages are small and mobile and very good at remaining hidden, if that is what they desire. Even if you could find one or two camps, not all the Waistlanders were necessarily involved. Most of the tribes are scattered and independent, their unification durring the war was mostly an exception and with the main leaders dead, I doubt much of the unification will remain. I'm afraid you would find yourself on a rather dangerous wild goose chase and even a success would amount to little more than swatting at mosquitoes. You may make peace or even destroy a few camps and villages, but they will likely only regroup and be replaced in a year or two."
Bronsyn glanced at Azlyn, hoping he wasn't speaking out of place by advising them against an offensive into the Waistlands, but the king was listening respectfully as they rode through the tent lines, so Bron continued. "In my opinion, offensive strikes into the Wiastlands are a futile and temporary solution. A better way would be to establish permanent frontier outposts and forts, places that can be defended and through which trade and negotiation between the Empire and the tribes can take place. Also, if another attack were to come from the Waistlands the frontier outposts would provide a buffer and make it more difficult for enemies to sneak behind our lines and attack us with our own mercenaries, as Jodsar did at Gasvan's Ford."
Bronsyn cocked his head slightly in thought as he road and added, "Fighting the tribes is more like fighting back a flood than a traditional enemy. Your should be looking to build damns and build up defended territory, rather than make sword strikes."
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 19, 2015 3:52:06 GMT
Naozumi smiled and nodded at the man's words, wise as they were but he had a different idea in mind.
"I do not intend to use a sword blow against these wastelanders, the soldiers in this expedition are there for defense only, this is a diplomatic venture. I do not wish to do this again in a few years, rather I would like to find a conciliatory gesture, convince these orcs to peacefully join the Empire and save their sons alongside ours."
He tugged the reins of his horse, guiding it along as they rode.
"This will be a long-term venture in any regard, if this expedition convinces even one village to join it will be worth it." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 20, 2015 16:56:56 GMT
"I will help however I may," Bron said and glanced at Azlyn again. He didn't have that much faith in Naizumi's plan of preventing future conflicts be seeking out a handful of the tribes and trying to convince them to join the Empire, but the wisdom and success of the venture's goals wasn't truly his concern. If this was what Azlyn and Naozumi judged to be wise, as a Ranger it was his duty would be to make sure the expedition was able to travel safely, be prepared for dangers, and eventually find the way back home. It wouldn't be easy. It'd take time and planning, but if this was what the King wanted of him, Bronsyn would be more than happy to have the opportunity to spend more time with the Ikegami. He wondered if Sayoko would be a part of this mission.
"How many men were you thinking of bringing?" he asked, turning the topic to the practical matters.
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Mar 20, 2015 17:28:03 GMT
"A small force of roughly a thousand, mostly cavalry for quick movement, bringing a large force is too costly but we must not be caught unaware of potential dangers, Yukimura, Sayoko, Trell and myself alongside some Gryphon riders." Naozumi had already decided on who and what to bring, this venture was risky but potentially the payoff would be exceptional, if it didn't work then it didn't work but Naozumi could say he tried to handle things diplomatically. Naozumi wanted peace more than anything, he abhorred war itself, fighting as a test of one's skill in a non-lethal fight against a friend was fine but no one had the right to take the life of another without meaning. |
|
