Herald of Steel-Chapter 1575: Alexander’s Proposal (Part-9)

"I just need you to make sure the palace guards do not try to kill me as I speak!"

Alexander’s demand from Pasha Farzah caused a small smirk to creep along the old man’s lips, "So you do know what Ptolomy will do when you propose this."

He was content to find that Alexander was not unaware of the consequences of his actions.

"Indeed! However I cannot just sit by and let the enemy prepare." The Zanzan lord solemnly nodded, "We have already talked about other options my lord, but you do not seem to be interested. So I will do it myself..."

Pasha Farzah frowned at the martyr like tone Alexander spoke with, feeling as if he was being accused of cowardice. This offended him a bit.

However the elder lord was also smart enough to see this was a bit of Alexander’s way to rile him up and hopefully flip him over to his side.

"...." Thus he simply stayed quiet, determined to let Alexander do this thing on his own. He would not oppose it because if the Pashas did decide to go their own way, that was their choice, he lacked the power to stop them anyway.

However the experienced lord felt that if he were to personally cause this split, it would be cursing the work of all his ancestors and even creating a great stain on his family’s reputation.

While seeing the fish not take the bait, Alexander gently passed along, making his true demand,

"My lord, you told me His Majesty has given you control over the palace guards for the wedding. I want you to let 200 of my men join them... as extra security."

"....." Once again, Pasha Farzah got the main point Alexander was trying to make instantly, "You do not trust me, brat?" There was some aggressiveness as well as a hint of approval mixed with the words.

"Hahaha... of course I do, my lord. With all my heart and soul." Alexander gave a breezy, hearty chuckle, curving his eyes and curling his lips up,

"It is just that these palace guards are from Adhan... brought and raised up in this very city. So even if you are their commander, I wonder who they will follow when things really come down to it?"

In this way, Alexander was expressing his skepticism that if Ptolomy were to suddenly ask them to do something, many men might follow him because he was king, or even just for the sake of their own family.

"Fine!" Pasha Farzah was also aware of this lack of loyalty, hence he brusquely swung his hands to approve the addition. In fact, impressed by Alexander’s zeal, the old man even promised, "I will have much of your men guard the court."

This was not a small promise. Only the best of the best palace guards were honored with this appointment- maintaining order while the nobles discussed all types of matters. And as expected from such a privileged post... it was not easy to simply reassign them.

Some of these guards were even nobles, such as second and third sons of powerful Jamiders (Earls) and even Pashas.

Thus for Pasha Farzah to be able to make that promise, Alexander found that perhaps the old man’s influence in court was not quite as diminished as he had been led to believe.

"Thank you my lord." The young boy quickly thanked, producing a kind smile, "And rest assured, I will not harm anyone. I simply want to let everyone hear my proposal in peace without Ptolomy... His Majesty screaming all our ears off."

Pasha Farzah neither sounded impressed nor offended by the promise. His head ached more over the thought of how much chaos this was going to cause- surely it would be like opening Pandora’s box.

"..Sigh.... I hope you know what you are doing, kid." Thus, the old man listlessly mused.

....

By the time the two men concluded this topic, the sun had turned a dull orange, some of the parts starting to break and sink.

Evening was imminent, and as a cool, refreshing breeze started to fill the balcony, Pasha Farzah glanced at he sky and figured it was time to leave.

After all, they had exhausted all their talking points, and if any still needed further details, they could just meet up at a later point.

Hence, he was just about to get up and exchange some last minute pleasantries, when Alexander out of nowhere tugged him back, "My lord, I still want to attack one province before the year ends."

The words stunned the old man, almost making him freeze up in his chair.

He thought they had already deemed that it was not feasible within the given timeframe. This was why he sanctioned Alexander’s declaration.

"Weren’t you just talking about granting them independence?" He thus shot out in a clearly exasperated note.

"That is exactly why we must do this!" Alexander however found no contraction in his words. Rather, sharpening his gaze, he firmly pointed out, "We should defeat a province to show what happens if they stay with Amenheraft. Show that their king cannot protect them. Once we do it... the others will then either join us or at least stop supporting Amenheraft."

Pasha Farzah did not bother to argue with the logic of this ’madman’, even though he was of the opinion that the other Pashas’ behavior was never going to be so simple.

".... We cannot gather the troops to attack Ankoot in time." Instead, he simply stated their inability to do this even this they wished, thus hopefully shutting these foolish talks down.

Who knew Alexander would have no wish to back down no matter what.

"It does not have to be necessarily Ankoot. I hear your relationship with Bahu is not great. Let us attack that." The man stated in a clear, crisp voice, eyes simmering with intent.

"....." Pasha Farzah had by now lost count of how many times this young man’s words had caused him to lose his voice.

Yet this time...the choice target caused him to actually give pause. It was no secret of the animosity the two provinces held for one another.

So if Lord Farzah could take out that province, this would let him secure his eastern border.

Who could pass up on that great boon?

Hence his eyes flickered with desire, perhaps for only the slightest moment, but that was enough for the keened eyed Alexander.

Slightly curving his lips he stated,

"I was thinking of doing something like that my lord. Your Matrak can raise an army and march towards Bahu, drawing their forces out of their cities. In the meantime, we will also raise another army here in Adhan and pretend to attack Ankoot."

"But really, we will avoid all calls to battles and bypass all major towns and forts to beeline for Bahu. If we can do this fast enough, we can flank their army or even better smash into their capital, sacking it! What do you think?"

"..." Pasha Farzah’s eyes went wide in absolute incredulity, his mind buzzing.

"That... you... it will be...." In fact, in trying to quickly respond to Alexander, the man initially stammered.

It was an extremely daring idea no doubt but when Pasha Farzah thought about it a bit deeply, he found there was nothing stopping them from doing this in principle.

By all accounts, the idea was brilliant.

"It will be a very long march. And in winter. How will you stop your men from starving?" Finally the old man managed to squeeze out this objection.

But Alexander, who always lived by the code an army marches on its stomach, was immediately ready with the answer,

"Adhan and Ankoot shares border. So we can have the friendly nobles around there give their grain. As you said, it is winter. They must have a large stockpile from their fall harvests. I am sure they would not mind sharing some if His Majesty ordered."

There was a clear hint of amusement and teasing as Alexander said this.

"....." To which Pasha Farzah appeared unimpressed. Swindling nobles at the threat of a sword was not a good strategy.

However he also did not object, noting to himself, ’If Assazd can be killed, these nobles will turn like loose sand. We will certainly be able to squeeze all kinds of things. In the same way, letting Ptolomy agree to this also won’t be a problem. He can’t wait to march towards Ankoot. The only problem is....’

"You said my Matrak will need to draw the enemy out... how do you exactly want us to do that?" Pasha Farzah turned towards Alexander to ask, his words laced with great skepticism and weariness.

However, Alexander gently smiled, glad to hear the question.

This proved Pasha Farzah was at least interested.

"I will not burden you too much, my lord. I am aware your resources are limited and men are stretched thin across all the fronts." The Pasha of Zanzan at first placated the man with disclaimer, then stated the actual number

"About 10,000 good, fast horsemen will do! I have greatly heard of Matrak’s famous cavalry and if they were to cross into Bahu’s and start causing trouble for the towns and villages on the outskirts, Pasha Raysal has to respond."

"He might send an army or best case scenario come himself! No matter which, you will not need to fight him. By depending on the fast horses, you can continue to play hide and seek, even baiting him into chasing us into Matrak.... slowly tiring his army out."

"Then I will strike!"