IV: The audience

THE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF THEUNITED KINGDOM OF GOATS

e COMPENDIUM

FRAGMENT FOUR

An Auence

THE PROPAGANDA OFFICE OF THEUNITED KINGDOM OF GOATS

REVISION 2.2

INTRIGUINGREVEALINGCONFIDENTIAL

- 14 -

An audience

“I … I … why … why am I being hold here in the -” The

overseer stuttered.

Ras Eom’s patience had already worn out again. “What is

this? Look at yourself. I do not care for any of your wounds or

your condition. In battle, the first of enemies to face is yourself.

Wasn't it you who said these words? Is this how you would

present yourself to the high council? Get on with it. What is it that

you want?”

“We are all listening, overseer.” Mynashaar added

discreetly.

After a short moment the overseer pulled himself together

and brought forward what was plaguing his mind for days.

“I am here to speak out for my men. I am a proud soldier of

the Kramh and as such I came to bring forward to the high council

the crimes and atrocities committed under its banner at the

southern wastelands in Kolepta. The war at the front lines is not

going as it should, which you are most certainly aware of. We

- 15 -

currently have 3 battalions of infantry trying to hold the place at

the broken tower together. It is no easy task. Ever since we

pushed forward into the enemy territory we are under constant

attack by the local populace trying to push us back. They are

fighting a guerrilla war against us. We stand little chance, not

knowing the territory like they do. A few weeks ago a troop sent

from north of the three walls arrived at our base camp stating that

they were sent by the high council and that they were about to

deal with the matter. But I could've never imagined what they

meant by that. While I understand the importance of this mission,

this situation does not justify that these so called Loham take over

the command of my men and send them on missions they have no

chance to return from alive. They are dying like flies for nothing

out there. The safety of the continuum is crumbling; I am running

out of forces. The 5th battalion will be no more in a few weeks. I

demand that you withdraw these Loham, or whatever they call

themselves.”

Mynashaar had listened patiently to the overseers words.

She paused for a moment. “This is war! What did you expect? Are

you suggesting that we just sit and wait? They are trying to strip

us of the lands that are rightfully ours. I am displeased with your

attitude, overseer.”

“No, that’s not what I am suggesting.” he replied. “I am

simply saying that we as the Kramh should not fight wars like

some random murdering lot rampaging across the land. My men

are dying out there for the safety of the continuum, for the safety

of us all. I want a systematic well-planned assault out there. We

need to take the land back. And I need backup forces. We are not

- 16 -

there to kill a few squadrons every now and then. We are losing

precious resources. We are there to protect the continuum. I want

you to withdraw your officers and dispatch new orders.”

A satisfying grind snuck into Ras Eom’s face. “Oh. So the

commoners out there do really give you no inch? Oh how I’d love

to be out there and join in the fun.” The overseer remained

shocked at hearing what he was saying. By the gods, he can’t be

serious.

“You should spare us these details, overseer. As you already

stated, the war is not going well. I expect more dedication at the

front lines. You should not sit here and discuss such meaningless

matters while our troops are losing ground. Your battalion is due

to return to the broken tower tomorrow, you should ready your

forces. I was hoping for a more useful talk. Orders remain as they

are. The Loham remain in charge over your troops until their

reports state that the broken tower is ours and the situation is

under control. I am starting to lose my trust in your abilities,

overseer.”

“Don't you ever think about the ones that are giving their

life to bringing you your damned victory? Is there anything you

would not do to accomplish it? I am not going to-”

The overseer was interrupted by Mynashaar. “I am growing

tired of this chat. I don't see anything useful coming out of this

conversation. We have a war to wage, overseer. And you should

better head back to the front, the sooner the better. I expect

results by the end of this week.”

The overseer could not believe the ignorance his words bit

on. “You can't possibly expect me to tell my men that all of a

- 17 -

sudden they're no longer protectors but a disposable assault force

commanded by some strangers that can’t be trusted? They did not

sign up for madness. They signed up to protect the continuum.”

Mynashaar clearly wanted the conversation to end. “I don't

care what your men signed up for. I want to see the heads of the

locals stuck on sticks in the desert bleeding dry. War-guards! Our

just-too-righteous overseer has finished his talk. Make sure he

gets his battalion ready by tonight; he is marching out tomorrow

after the first call. Leave. And leave now, overseer Sil Faham”

“So be it. I am heading back. And I am telling my men that

the high council has changed its mind. I will tell them that they are

now murderers, and if they die on the field, it is no longer for

honor and safety; it is for you, the council only. Not for freedom,

not for our land, and for sure not for the continuum. And if they

still choose to raise their blade for someone who betrayed them, I

will continue to fight this war, even if it is no longer mine. I will

not abandon my men. But if they choose to not do so, I will leave it

at it. You should find another overseer to lead the 5th battalion.

Someone who is less concerned about seeing his men

slaughtered.”

“Don't fool yourself or anyone here, overseer.” Ras Eom

insisted. “You know best that the continuum is and has been safe

for centuries and that the main point for this operation was never

its defense. Go on and tell your men that the one to betray them in

the first place was you. Or wasn't it you who gave them the order

to proceed further beyond the broken tower? Didn't you know

from the start that all we were trying is to advance into the

wastelands to secure southern Kolepta?”

- 18 -

“I did what I did for the Kramh. I hoped that any bloodshed

was for the good of our people. I fought this damned war first

handed. If you don't see a point in defending the continuum, I am

no longer willing to give my life for it. You have betrayed us all.”

Ras Eom let out a loud laugh. “Well said overseer. So you are

accusing us, the high council, of treason? Treason against our own

men? A truly brave move, overseer. So brave in fact, that doing so

right here inside the fortress at the very heart of the empire

almost seems like stupidity. Alas, you are making this hard on

yourself. We gave you the chance to leave this place in one piece

and just go back to fight for us. You would’ve died together with

your footmen somewhere down the desert of Kolepta. But no, you

decided to not do so. And therefore stupidity it may truly be. I

think it’s time to uncover the real reason why you were brought

here. Myanashaar“, he turned his face to her. “I think you were

indeed right.”

Mynashaar smiled. She stepped up to the overseer. “What

did you think we were going to do? Did you really think that the

high council would bow down before a simple request of an

overseer? Did you think we would even consider any of your

words you were muttering? No, no, overseer. We had our eyes

upon you for far longer than you think. We just wanted to see for

ourselves if we could place our trust in you. And apparently we

can not.”

Mynashaar turned around to Ras Eom. “We are now taking

care of this all. You came here by your own request, which is

fortunate, as we can avoid some unpleasant questions from the

populace as to why you're suddenly gone.”

- 19 -

Gone? What did she mean by that? The overseer started to

get a little nervous. What where they planning?

Ras Eom spoke up. “You do not understand. You do not

know anything. You‘ve crossed the line. You should have never

held the gathering at the first wall. Yes, we know about it. And we

know what you were trying to achieve there. For us, it was

treason. The Loham are Kramh officials and you accept their

orders. It’s as simple as that. The fact that your entire battalion

stands faithfully behind you doesn’t make it any better on us

either. You have left us no choice. To be honest, the 5th battalion

will already be on its way back to Kolepta when we’re done with

you. They are expecting to meet you there. Unfortunately, it won’t

be so. But in the end there won’t be anyone left to complain about

it anyway … “ Ras Eom burst out in laughter as he stared at the

overseer as if he wanted to eat him alive with his eyes only.

Mynashaar took over. “Overseer Sil Faham of the 5th

battalion of the Kramh. Stand up and meet your fate. You are

hereby accused of treason. You have been found guilty of the act

of subversion. The laws and code of conduct of the Kramh is

considered to be the only rules we live by. Your gathering at the

first wall showed us that you broke these rules, and we have every

reason to think you might do so again. And you know what

breaking the code of conduct means?”

Not being able to speak the overseer simply nodded in

agreement. It was over for him. Fear was rooting him in place.

Fear and hate. A deep hate and rage towards his former leaders.

But mainly fear. Because a traitor is found every two or three

weeks, the procedure was quite clear to the overseer. A traitor

- 20 -

was hung in public. And while he hung there, every one of the

populace had every right to do everything he wanted to him,

which often let to some very messy and gruesome scenes. He was

about to die, and all his men with him. The 5th battalion was about

to vanish for good.

Unexpectedly though, Ras Eom had other plans. Pondering

for a few moments he looked into the air and then abruptly turned

his gaze back onto the overseer.

“The good news for you is, that it does not apply to you,

overseer. We can’t possibly hang a Kramh official in the midst of

the camp. The matter is far too delicate. Our people could start to

loose trust in us, which is something we cannot afford at all. But

the bad news is that you won’t go on living either. A traitor has to

die. This rule is not to be broken. We will handle this situation a

little different. War-guards! Call in the oracle, we have to clean

this room of filth.”

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Eternal bliss be yours.