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acquiescence. Everyone winced as the latest Pakktrinian bomb landed much too
close to the hill on which they were assembled.
I thought up here we were out of range of these infernal new devices, a
senior officer snarled. We will have to move.
Yes, agreed Treappyn absently. His concern of the moment was not for his own
personal safety, but for the condition of his liege. Highborn? You wish to
say something?
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Running
Thus prompted, Pyrrpallinda put the proximity of the blast out of his mind and
addressed his advisors slowly and with care, showing that he had given his
words more than casual thought.
In his time as advisor not only to Pyrrpallinda but to his predecessors,
Srinballa had seen much. He was not easily shocked. He would have conveyed his
feelings to his liege in response to the short, terse speech more directly by
entwining Sensitives with him, but Pyrrpallinda kept his distance.
August Highborn, you cannot mean to turn over the keys to the country with so
little attempt to defend it!
Pyrrpallinda gestured to indicate sympathy with his advisor. Good Srinballa.
Well-meaning Srinballa.
What is the use of fighting if one knows the fight is already lost? I would
rather see a hundred
Wullsakaans murdered by rampaging Jebiliskai in their wild red robes than a
thousand brave soldiers brought down by weapons they have no chance of
countering. For affirmation, he turned to the quartet of senior officers. Not
one of them disputed his depressingly accurate analysis of the present
military situation.
The few skin flaps exposed beneath his armor upraising, First Officer Bavvthak
was forthright enough to confirm his liege s prognosis aloud. Our
muscle-driven catapults and other heavy weapons cannot match the range of
these new Pakktrinian devices. Being as aware of our situation as we are, the
enemy will know of our desperation. They will take all measures necessary to
protect these weapons. No small team of would-be saboteurs will be able to get
near them. A mass thrust across the Pedetp, swarming all three bridges and
simultaneously using boats, is the only possible option.
Pyrrpallinda had two flanges clasped in front of him and two behind his back.
And the chances of this option succeeding are?
Bavvthak exchanged a look with his colleagues before turning back to the
Highborn and his civilian advisors. Personally, I would estimate less than
twenty percent chance of success, and that with casualties of at least fifty
percent.
Pyrrpallinda gestured accordingly and eyed his counselors. Such odds I do not
like. Better to sacrifice one hundred to save one thousand. Better to abdicate
one s position on behalf of the immature offspring of hundreds. Better to open
the lands to casual theft and pillaging than to methodical destruction. I will
offer myself as first sacrifice to the Aceribb and the hated Kewwyd. Eyes of
normal dimension glanced back at his military leaders. That is, unless one of
you can come up with a better alternative.
Bavvthak and his fellow officers looked everywhere but at their liege. Their
lack of response indicated they were as bereft of ideas as the Highborn s
counselors.
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Pyrrpallinda accepted their silence as coolly as he would the enemy s
anticipated pronouncement of sentence. There will be another Highborn to
follow me. Eventually, Pakktrine and Jebilisk will grow
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Running tired of administering unruly Wullsakaa and its troublesome people and
will leave. Or there will be a successful uprising. Or other realms such as
Great Pevvid will see an opportunity to attack mutual enemies weakened by
their assault on us, thereby distracting the foe s attention from here.
It will not matter, another of the senior officers glumly pointed out, if
Pakktrine can continue to devise weapons of such magical power as they have
employed here.
Science! While rendered downcast by the seeming inevitability of events,
everyone looked in surprise at counselor Treappyn. Though he was the youngest
present, his anger and frustration gave him the will to stare them all down.
This has nothing to do with magic. It is a matter of science, and
engineering.
The weapons with which our enemies have defeated us are a product of thought
and rational thinking, not sacrifices and prayers to indifferent divinities.
That is where Wullsakaa has fallen short, and that is what has brought about
our downfall.
Although the Dwarra did not smile, the expression on the Highborn s angular
face and the tone of his voice communicated something similar. Worthwhile
thoughts to ponder while you all strive to keep your own heads. He turned to
his senior counselor. As the most experienced among us, good
Srinballa, I ask you to lead the formal delegation that will present the terms
of surrender. The details should not be too onerous. We know what they will
want to do with me. I am more concerned about their plans for the people.
Soft-voiced, counselor Meyarrul spoke up. They ll want to search every crack
and cranny in Wullsakaa for the alien they think still remains to help us.
Let them search. In his own mind, Pyrrpallinda was already dead. Let them
satisfy themselves as rapidly as they wish. The quicker they are convinced of
the creature s absence, the sooner their idle soldiers will cease killing and
looting.
With dignity and considerable ceremony, he approached and entwined Sensitives
with each of them in turn. More than anything he could have said, this direct
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