Chapter 96: Gambles to End a War

Ivan made his way through the camp. He looked at all his soldiers around him who gave small polite bows. He only nodded at them rushing to his father’s location, map in hand of the Safrid Sultanate. Bargding in, his father was talking to a few advisors on how to proceed with the war.

"Father. I believe I have a plan. One which could solve all our issues" Unrolling the map onto the table, over the preexisting one, Ivan began to place pieces on it to represent the different armies’ locations. "Your fear of attacking Harun, is Mansa correct. He is a wild card that could pose a massive threat. So what if we attack him first? He has a small force, added with those he will have allied with. Move twelve thousand men, west to attack Mansa’s location, the rest of our men will hold up in one of the castles we have taken and watch for Harun’s forces if he tries to attack."

Ivan gave a passionate plea for his plan. "We have already thought of something like this Ivan. It’s possible but it’s a massive risk. If Harun attacks, we are dead, if we fail to take out Mansa then we have thrown many lives away for nothing."

"But father." Ivan cut in, "They won’t have proper siege equipment. They had to abandon it when they lost to Nasr. Anything they have will be a struggle to use against one of their own forts, which were created to hold off an invasion. Think how long it has taken us already, and we came prepared."

Alexei couldn’t refute the argument. He had neglected that point, being used to the Northen defence having the proper siege equipment. Ivan could see his father caving, he knew one more push was needed. "We must also take into account the state of the Northerners. Harun is a shell of himself. He has become disabled and depressed since his loss. Think about how the North were when we last fought. Lethargic and weak. None of them realised until it came, but Ali was the glue that held them together, without a proper successor, they’re a wreck. Harun could have been it, but he fell into self-pity after the loss. This is a chance. Father we win this, we are on the road to rebuilding the old empire. Please, take the risk."

Ivan was desperate. They were wasting too much time by being indecisive. All it would take is for Harun to collect himself and get out of his state of mind. If the North had someone they could rally behind then it would be just like how it was against Ali. Sure they lacked proper equipment, but it meant nothing if they got a decisive victory on the open field. They needed them trapped in their keeps and reinforced the feeling of hopelessness.

Alexei wavered. He deeply thought about Ivan’s proposal and it was a compelling argument. It needed to be fine-tuned, but his son had been the only one to bring a plan to him so far and give a good enough argument to justify it. "Okay. We will take the gamble. But Ivan, you are to stay behind and watch the rear if we do. I need a man I can trust for it and you have both the capabilities and trust for it. Go and collect the men, we must prepare." Alexie said getting a wide smile from Ivan.

He gave a deep bow of respect, "Of course father. May Sol bless our future endeavours." Ivan walked out, going to complete his father’s orders. He had a wide smile, and anyone who observed him could tell he had gotten his way against his father.

Alfred got off the boat and the Godwin port. His eyes were cold and his face expressionless. Catherine and Abu saw the change in him, and it was a mood they had never seen before. Alfred had always been someone who when feeling extreme levels of emotion struggled to hide it, but now there was nothing. Not the faintest feeling of happiness, sadness or anger. It was just an iciness that surrounded him.

Charles came up next to the two and shook his head. "Don’t ask and don’t pry. It is for the best. The way he is acting now is the way he chose to cope so he could lead properly."

It was a short answer that made the two more intrigued about what happened, but they knew better than to ask. Still, Catherine, knew there was a question she could, "Will he return to normal? I mean, it’s unnatural how he is acting now."

Charles sighed. He didn’t know. "Hopefully. It will depend on the Queen, however." He didn’t say the rest but he was thinking of Helga. If she came back, he couldn’t predict how Alfred would react.

"She’s a kind woman and she loves His Highness. I don’t know what happened but she will stand by his side." Catherine reassured the two, wearing a friendly smile as she did. The two had become friends over the years and she prided herself on being the person closest to Isra behind Alfred and Edward.

"I’m sure you’re right." Charles agreed and turned to Abu, "He has ordered you to return to the Capital. Hand over your role to someone else, if no one is qualified offload it to the Duchess, he will make sure she is compensated for the extra work. He needs you to lead the efforts in repairing the South but also wishes for you to begin training again. In the future, you will be the Crown Prince’s bodyguard as he goes to school. He trusts you can make the right judgment, and will also allow you to take out loans if necessary." Charles gave Alfred’s orders to Abu, who sighed at the new workload but nodded.

Although it was years ago, he was a lord at one point. Alfred knew this and was sure that he would have the expertise and experience to deal with this. The order about Edward was something he pushed off for now. The boy was too young and it would be a while before he would take on that role. "Got it. I’ll return in a couple of days." Abu turned to Catherine and gave a polite bow, "Forgive me Duchess, but I must go make preparations."

She waved him off. He didn’t have to be so polite but she knew he only did it not to embarrass her in public. "So you are heading North once more."

Charles nodded. "We rest a day, and then begin the march. I trust William, but his Highnesses presence is needed."

"True. Just don’t be surprised if the war is over by the time you get there. The man has his reputation for a reason." Her words got a chuckle out of Charles who could only nod lightly.

"I won’t be." Looking behind him he saw the last of his men being unloaded. "I must leave now. Work doesn’t end even if I am meant to be resting." Charles walked off, following behind Alfred’s distant back.

She could understand Charles’s last words and went off herself. She went to find Sasha. Although she wouldn’t ask him or Alfred what happened, she hoped her daughter might have an idea.

Within the Safrid Capital Adrian looked at the reports. The damages were not high, but the people had become scared and angry. Riots happened on the streets and many things were destroyed. With the loss of personnel in the city guard, it had become hard to police the city now. Many were afraid to wander the streets alone and those who did usually did so with impure intentions.

Reports of starvation in the poorer districts of the city had begun to appear and Adrian had made sure that the food within the city was just enough to not cause a famine within the walls, but he still needed them restless. Sending food to Harun had allowed this, but also storing away the Royal Family’s grain storage had cut it even more dry. He would open it every now and then to keep everyone from dying.

It was perfect. All the blame went to Nasr for it. Many didn’t know Adrian was in control of everything and if they did, they would still blame Nasr for putting him in power and causing such a disaster. He knew that by the end of the campaign, whether, Nasr came back victorious or not, he would face one of the biggest rebellions in the Sultanate’s history, potentially rivalling the one that created the country.

It was a matter of time for Alfred to come. He was sure the Kingdom would win. If they still lost after everything he had done to hinder the war effort then maybe Nasr did deserve to rule. Still, Adrian had one last plan up his sleeve if Nasr did come back victorious.