11- LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - EVIL PERSONIFIED - SECTION 24

Qarzten Caimund, had unceasingly for several minutes in an even tone, related the succinct, pertinent details (relevant to their assignment) to Lenny Sukzor.

 

01-QARZTEN CAMUND (10)

He paused for a spell to have some tea, and to marshal his subsequent thoughts; what Qarzten Caimund in a serious tone thence informed Lenny Sukzor of, were the latest findings coming out of the Subain Province:  

A supposed erroneous budget formula of the PM’s offices had indefinitely postponed the last shipment of allocated funds that were required for the increased policing effort, yet the authorities in Subain were still expected to resolve the situation regardless of difficulties, within the set deadlines. Already losing one-third of salt production to smugglers, the Provincial officials were constrained therefore, to report lower production figures and instead, diverted the money to the maintenance of the Coastal Patrol.

Making matters worse, about this time the Subain Province had suffered another serious setback; the endless torrential rains had broken the already neglected dikes, causing millions in damages to both life and property.

 

02-SURVIVING FLOODS  (7)JP

 The weary, disheartened officials, however, by then were reluctant to file reports and request the additional funds that were essential for the recovery; and so, instead of using salt funds to prop up the Coastal Policing effort, the money for the maintenance of the forts had to be utilized instead, to renew the dikes and repair the damage.    

The pirates with no curbs on their activities meanwhile, and searching for income to replace lost salt smuggling, had started a wholesale war against all merchant shipping along the coast, spilling over into the neighboring provinces and virtually taking over the coastal towns as bases of operation. The chief culprits here unfortunately, (other than PM’s greed or incompetence), had been the severe central government policies and the archaic system of provincial government that Zakhertan Yozdek had not seen fit to alter/change.    

The officials  had another good reason for suppressing the reports since the presence of Central Government bureaucrats (administrators) would have then revealed the true extent of the salt production destroyed ; moreover, it might uncover a far grievous breach that they had  hoped to suppress indefinitely, that of which the government’s  appropriation (commandeering)  of funds designated to building and maintaining warships and smaller patrolling vessels, had been instead,  directed to be utilized in the biggest cover-up scheme.

 

03- ILLIGAL ACTIVITY- BIG COVERUP

As it were, the responsibility and the blame for the increased criminal activity first and foremost fell on the Brigade Generals of the forts who were responsible for policing the high seas, then on the Provincial Commander, meanwhile, the inland waterways being the domain of the Prefects who had long ago succumbed to the pirates either through intimidation from above or bribery by the criminals themselves, soon everyone had a stake in covering up the true state of affairs in Subain Province.

Subsequently in Subain Province the hard-pressed authorities had resorted to, false accusations, arrests, and confiscation’s, in most cases arresting and executing the victimized civilians that were lucky, or unlucky enough to have escaped the pirates or floods, perpetuating the cover-up.

 The Subain Provincial administration had in fact became rotten to the core, as in the name of proficiency principles, law and order, justice and hundreds of innocent lives were all unscrupulously/unconscionably sacrificed, to fulfill the quota set by the Central Government in Channing. What the pirates did not pillage, provincial government officials confiscated to meet the deemed levies and set measures of production. Before long, the regional government had become a more feared, more detested enemy than the pirates themselves.

All the while the Provincial officials took exceptional care that all the damaging information was suppressed concealed absolutely from the Imperial Government's spies and Censors. Their fate hanging in the balance, their heads only inches from the chopping block, every official in the Subain Province, military or civil, was gradually ensnared.

 

04- OFFICIAL'S CORRUPTION WORSE THEN PIRATES

Increasingly more funds had to be siphoned away from vital reconstruction to perpetuate the rosy picture of a growing economy safe from smugglers and pirates that was necessary to keep Channing in the dark. During this period, each new official that was transferred to this region/or posted here, regardless of their prior moral rectitude, courage or resolve, succumbing to the all-pervasive pressures of facing serious repercussions either way, was constrained nevertheless to act in accordance and go along with the coverup.

The facts had only become known because of one conscientious, stoic official, Stean Baorak; a warrior that had recently been assigned to a lowly desk job because he had offended his superior, the grandee Don Kurig, by exposing his deceit at the annual frontier tournament. This had cost luminary (bigwig) Don the coveted prize and he, being a vindictive man, wanted Stean Baorak destroyed.  Stean, however, was a warrior too well liked, and Don could not openly act against him; therefore, biding his time till he conceived an apt plan, Don had arranged for Stean to be temporarily assigned to a lowly position of accounts clerk under the bigwig overseer Terzo Yon.

Stean Baorak, instead of atrophying (withering, deteriorating) by the constrictive and humdrum office politics and sheer volume of tedious (droning, monotonous) paperwork, however, within a week his astute mind had uncovered (decoded) the carefully concealed, discrepancies in the accounting books.

Never being one to shy away from trouble, as the saying goes, “Out of frying pan then into the fire,” he had thence bravely risked his life to submit a secret report, which included the validated copies of the doctored accounts exposing the widespread corruption in that province to Qarzten Caimund, who in turn, had brought it to the attention of His Royal Highness Zakhertan Yozdek.

 

05- STEAN BAORAK

Stean Baorak’s compiled proof and analysis, furthermore, had clearly showed the fundamental fault lay within the Imperial Government's funding policies, which had failed to provide the essential support in the fight against the pirates, meanwhile, allowing no leeway (flexibility) for an alternative course. This subtle criticism could have rebounded to Stean's detriment, had it not been for Qarzten Caimund’s persuasive arguments on his behalf, which in the end had convinced Sovereign Zakhertan to not only spare Stean Baorak from his terrible wrath, but instead, reward this honest official for his bravery (daring) and moral rectitude (uprightness and integrity).

 

                                                                                        …

 

At present there was another dangerous precedence (factors), a dire situation developing in Subain Province- other than the oppressed citizens of Subain colluding with the pirates and being on the verge (brink) of plotting a major scale rebellion to overthrow the corrupt regional government - which needed to be immediately and effectively addressed. The denizen leaders of Subain had secretly sought to form a lateral alliance and subsequently enlist covert support from the neighboring state of Guangweit. 

 

06- INSURGENTS ASSISTED BY GUANGWEIT (57)2

Guangweit was one of the few remaining strong and resilient nations that had, despite the years of devastating wars, resisted being annexed by Sovereign Zakhertan Yozdek.

A near decade now, Guangweit had remained an independent sovereign state because they had allied themselves with Wenjenkun through a Royal marriage (Late Princess Shayen, who happened to be the third daughter of the   Sovereign Arvid Mazdean of Guangweit), and furthermore, willingly contributed a hefty annual tribute to Wenjenkun.

Meanwhile, as Qarzten Caimund suspected, and this bit (of info) he kept to himself, Wenjenkun’s arch nemesis Sovereign Arvid Mazdean, aside from closely monitoring the promising yet volatile developments in both Korion and Kontu, resolutely had bid his time to revamp their once indomitable force, for that inevitable future confrontation with Wenjenkun.

 

07-ARVID MAZDEAN OF GUANGWEIT

“And now, recent intel has revealed that, Guangweit’s Sovereign Arvid Mazdean, for well over a year, had covertly fostered the advancement of Pirates and the seditious (subversive) activities of the denizens, to seriously undermine Subain Province.”   

Qarzten Caimund at this point thoughtfully nodded, and enigmatically smiled, seeing Lenny’s not too well concealed amazement.

Qarzten, leaned back and called for a fresh pot of tea; when it arrived, he then dismissing the aid, unceremoniously reached out to fill two cups with fragrant hot infusion and offered one to Lenny.

 

 

(END OF SECTION 24) 

THE ASSASSINS - SECTION 9

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - THE ASSASSINS - SECTION 9

Pressed upon to drink more tea, Alec happily complied and with his earlier inhibitions gradually ebbing (diminishing, fading) he now rattled on: "However, this was not the case at the start, my Lord. The disastrous outcome of the insurgents' initial campaigns had nearly stemmed the tide of this now massive resistance.  The first set of uprisings was led by San Jarl, perhaps you know of him, sir?” Alec paused to receive the answer, but Asger barely remembered the name.

 "He was a close associate of my father.  He first led his followers to stage armed resistance in his hometown district of Noran, in the fifth year of Zakhertan Yozdek's reign. 

01- ZAKHERTAN YOZDEK

Unfortunately, their initial swift victory over the provincial government's forces had given them a false sense of competence; for they were in no way ready to next engage the crack troops dispatched from the capital under the command of General Ang.”

“Though the rebel forces carried an inexhaustible will and courage they nevertheless were disastrously out matched in skill and weaponry. In the subsequent struggle San was killed in action and his entire force brutally annihilated. When the news of another rebellious outbreak reached the capital, the returning   General was then directed to cross the Lug River to the west and wipe them out also.  This he also did with ease.”

"The few that escaped merged two years later with the forces of yet another uprising at the border province… A…, Yes, this rebellion took place in Arkon province… Hmm, just for a spell, I seemed to have lost my train of thought. Forgive me, my Lord; for I must be tired…My head is clouding.” So, saying, Alec sipped more tea, believing it would refresh him.

 It entirely escaped him that both Svein and Asger had circumspectly emptied part of their tea aside and purposely neglected to refill it.

“The region had first suffered flash floods then had a prolonged period of severe drought.  The parched land would not yield a single blade of wild grass, let alone a kernel of grain. 

The masses starved.  Able bodied men, too impoverished even to flee boiled tree bark for soup and dug up wild roots to keep themselves and their families alive.  Yet, the provincial government continued to ruthlessly oppress people and extracted heavy taxes and rent from them, instead of sending the sought-after relief.” Alec shook his head in utter dismay.

“Countless numbers were forced to sell their children into slavery in order to meet these demands.  Such pressures on the part of the local government naturally precipitated righteous indignation (fury) and the resulting insurrectionist army quickly grew to become a force of a quarter of a million men.  Once more the capital dispatched troops to give aid and to suppress these widespread revolts but this time they were under the leadership of another general, one less able and talented than Ang. Ang you see,” Alec sneered, “despite his impeccable record of countless victories, had become a target of jealousy and resentment and, as a result of a trumped up charge, by then had already lost his head.”

"The fortunate outcome of this turn of events gave the rebel forces the brief advantage of victory.  During their occupation of these vital areas, they raided the existing (provincial) government granaries and distributed the stored food freely to the needy masses, winning   them further support for their cause.”

“But then local government agents cleverly sowed seeds of dissension among the rebel leaders and caused them to break up.  With each fighting independently of the other they one by one succumbed to defeat.  All of them, save for a few and Nuer, perished.  In the final skirmish with the reinforced government forces, at one desperate stand, Nuer along with some sixty able bodied men successfully broke through the encirclement and fled to disappear in the marshes. This heroic group came to be known as “61 Defiant”, eventually sought refuge at Lord Shonne Gulbrand's secret mountain retreat in the adjacent province, whereupon they established a more serious underground resistance movement.”

“Unfortunately, the subsequent reprisals against the insurgents' families were most bitter.  Old folks, wives, sisters, children of all ages, all relatives that were left behind, once gathered up, they were then inhumanely, mercilessly all thrown into deep pits and buried alive.”

“Their heart-rending cries haunted the soldiers who had been ordered to carry out this gruesome deed, for days thereafter.  However, the officials were unmoved, and they passed a further decree (ruling, law) to burn and level the homes of all the suspected villagers and other such collaborators as a means of weakening the insurgents’ resolve or altogether deterring any such future uprisings.” Grinding his teeth, Alec continued, "Instead, this genocide, these atrocities only strengthened the determination of those who had gone into hiding and they vowed to avenge all who had been murdered and to fight harder still to the bitter end, till they were rid of this evil regime.  In less than a year's time, having amassed a strong militia, they rose up again and marched right across the border to stage yet another uprising.  Unfortunately, after Nuer was killed in an early skirmish, his followers were quickly trounced (routed).”

"The next rebellion, which arose in the Rue District, failed also because vital information concerning   the plan of attack was leaked to the central government by turncoats.  The result was the capture of the entire rebel force in an ambush.  All the 100,000 men lost their lives by decapitation in a two weeklong public execution.  Blood flowed like a river to dye the surrounding plain, and the sickening smell of death lingered on the air for weeks afterwards.  Their leader, Carr Elof, after being forced to witness all this, was taken to the capital in heavy chains.  There, after heavy torture and a mock trial, he was accorded the prescribed sentence of the law and, in the public market, was slowly put to death by ‘Thousand cuts.’"

Alec groaned, as flames of rage similarly seared both Asger's and Svein's hearts.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Alec resumed, "But he became a martyr to the public, because, right up to the point when his tongue was cut out, Carr Elof continued to loudly revile Zakhertan and his corrupt government."  This said, Alec relapsed into brooding.

 Svein could not resist heaving a sigh, and Asger simply shook his head.

"For a long time afterwards nothing much happened, then, just as Zakhertan was congratulating himself on having rooted out all the troublesome elements in the nation, another much larger, more fearsome and better organized insurrectionist army resurfaced under the leadership of Kade, Shon, Doje and Jary to challenge(contest) Zakhertan's authority and his government’s right to rule!"

 Alec's voice had just then boomed, fueled with the surging enthusiasm that had swelled his chest.  He apologetically smiled and bit the corner of his lip to check his zeal.

"This radical force had the strongest backing of Lord Gulbrand who had enlisted into its ranks the banished civil and military officials. With their implementation of sound military strategy and tactical maneuvering, the virtually unstoppable rebel army quickly seized large territories in Fukken, Lonar, Tarak and Buker provinces. “

“To suppress them Zakhertan Yozdek's Defense department had to marshal more than seven million cash for military hardware and expenses and then mobilize forces from five provinces to the tune of 650,000 troops. Moreover, the central government adopted stronger measures of crushing the sporadic resistance.  Suspected collaborator's houses were systematically demolished or burnt to the ground, in many instances slaying all the occupants in it. “

“Meanwhile, most able-bodied farmers were taken from their fields, displaced from their villages and forced into slave labor in remote border fortifications and castles. The women and children left behind to till and harvest, under strict scrutiny journeyed each morning   to their fields and returned only at night for scant respite.

 At the first sign of any trouble gongs and bells sounded to recall everyone into the walled village square after which the gates of the stockade surrounding the village would be securely bolted.  Any left outside was fired upon by archers or put to the sword.  With such measures the government hoped to sever the least link between the farmers and the insurgents.”

"In other areas they made good use of the provincially controlled militia, who were incorporated into the regular army from the Capital to fight the rebels.  Thus, they were able to, on short notice; mobilize a large force from adjoining   provinces for the effort...  These measures, in addition to the planting of spies, offering timely amnesties, tempting bribes of various kinds, as well as sowing dissension among the suspected leaders, inevitably brought about the sure downfall of any lethal uprisings.” 

“The last bastion of staunch resistance- after several months of continuous fighting, in the final confrontation what came to be known as the “Flakanut Hill”, only half of the freedom fighters were able to break through of the fiery encirclement to retreat to safety.  The remaining   bunch refusing to surrender had continued to fight to the bitter end until they were all consumed by the searing flames.  Their death was not in vain however, for they had forced also a vast number of the government’ forces to accompany them to their deaths.”

"Three- and one-half years later, in the seventeenth year of Zakhertan Yozdek's reign, two more uprisings erupted, one led by Doje and Jary, the other by Kundrick Dufo.  Falling into an ambush at Fenzu pass, Doje was killed in action and Jary was taken prisoner.  Jary was tortured for days, then barely alive, he was hung up at the north city gates for the carrion birds to feed on.  He died an agonizing death at their beaks and claws."  Alec's face contorted in bitter disgust and, as if still seeing the grotesque figure before his burning eyes, gave an involuntary shudder. 

“All was not lost however, the scant few who had escaped death, managed to catch up with Kundrick Dufo's army and they re-emerged in Buo province to take the government's mountain stronghold at Decan pass."

 

Stark (Asger) was quite impressed with Alec’s apparent resilience.  The drug was designed to reduce his inhibitions, yet Alec had stuck to his narrative with amazing equanimity. At the outset, Stark (Asger) nodded his head regardless of the veracity of this remarkable blending of facts.  Conveniently also, all these supposed rebellious activities had taken place at the opposite end of Wenjenkun, so far removed from this segment of the Empire.

"Kundrick Dufo is courteous to his officers and good to his men, so his just reputation has earned him their undying loyalty.  Each, without a moment's hesitation, would lay their lives on the line for him.  A seasoned campaigner, he is utterly fearless in the face of the enemy and has always fought in the forefront of each battle.  When his army retreats, which is rare, he is the last one to cross over to safety.  Reportedly, each time the army encamped, and new wells were dug, he drank only after his men had had their fill, and ate what they ate, however unpalatable.  The spoils of war and rewards of conquest he has always divided equally among the men, enjoying no personal privilege. That is why to this day, my Lord, the insurgent, loyalist army under his great leadership has remained undefeated and has become the most formidable force to contend with.  They have, with increasing frequency, engaged the Yozdek government's forces, the latest two, at Zenro Pass and Koniko, being particularly successful, with heavy casualties being inflicted upon the enemy ranks."  Alec cleared his throat and smiled wryly, confessing, "This last bit of news, of course, was acquired through hearsay.  Still, I have no reason to doubt its validity."

 

(END OF SECTION 9)