28. Reeling


    The fall of the Poltu kingdom was felt everywhere. The Fall of Moru was one thing, and many people thought of it as a fluke, but with the Utbah devastating Church of Light armies, Ahmed being killed and dragged around, Church of Light politicians discussed the future. Amoreb fortified Wersh with an army of archers and built towers around the city, openly fearing for the future of their state.


    “King Hasan wishes to discuss our containment strategy, with Ahmed falling, the future of the Church of Light is in containing the threat of this so called Yerek,” a general of Amoreb said.


    “The large populations of the Raja states would be useful in our fight against these heathens, with the successful subjugation of their subcontinent we could use their vast manpower to bleed Yerek dry,” a Lir representative said.


    King Hasan smacked the marble table in front of him, demanding attention from the foreign dignitaries, sitting in a gazebo, he was nonetheless stressed despite the lovely scenery surrounding him.


    “Amoreb needs financial support, fortifying our borders is expensive, and Yerek will try probe our defences. We need support that Poltu got too late.”


    “They seized the royal treasury of Poltu as well,” some Amoreb officials said, heads facing downwards.


    “We are dealing with a formidable foe, our underestimation of these infidels has been our undoing, we must launch a true war on them. The Raja states, all of them must send expeditionary forces to aid in the conquest of Yerek. Perhaps it is time to think of unifying them all.”


    “Perhaps the entire Church of light world needs one nation,” a Jiran nodded affirmatively.


    The various nations’ representatives were hesitant at the suggestion, for who would give up power.


    “Sir, these are reports that Uruq annexed parts of Balna, they openly disrespect a sovereign Church of Light country, they took Bethyr, they took Busur, and they march their troops in the mountains, I hear they also marched into Byz,” the messenger said.


    Hasan looked at all the other dignitaries, seeing a notable absence of Uruq people.


    “Those slimy sons of bitches!” Hasan shouted, “they play empire while members of the community are being threatened!”


    Jiran and Hitaran dignitaries agreed with Hasan, joining in the chorus of shouts. Amoreb was furious at the lack of support.


    The great city of Polt was quiet after such a momentous night, the tricolour flag flew over many buildings, evidence of battle everywhere. Thousands had died, and funerals for the fallen even for the enemy fallen were taking place. The King’s son had fled, Saif had fled to Hitara, hoping for safe exile. Khalid of Moru had sailed there as well the two of if they have ever chanced upon the other having a lot to talk about. Polt had free pretzels, free wine, free bread of all kinds, peaches, plums, persimmons, pears, bananas and coffee in abundance. An evangel to the God of Water and Farming was now producing water and food for the city, producing such an abundance that a festival to commemorate the day was held. Even Ahmed who had been reviled was given a burial place, many of his secret police disappearing and heading to Wersh and beyond. There were 16 evangels to Water and Agriculture, and only 5 to the God of Trade, another member had been created, not known to the others, who would cause strife one day; Mercurius, Nichomachus, Salutius, Mardonius, Zelra and now a sixth by the name of Syphax. A Locus fishermen, he had become enamoured with the revolution of Yerek, but he had his own designs. The God of Trade could remove the power from his evangel if he so desired, but Syphax put honour to the God of Trade, he did not betray the deity and the God of Trade could feel it in his heart, but he was not loyal to Yerek. Polt began the construction of a temple to the God of Trade, Water and Farming, Qar Sara marble made the foundations of a most impressive structure. So much Trade Points/God Power was being produced across Yerek, but it nonetheless didn’t hurt to invest in the temples. Temples were being built in Tolra to the far west and Kostor near what was once a border, and the new pastoralist settlement of Gatula. The New nation of Yerek was more economically powerful than any of its neighbours, and with economic power, the power of the army had invariably ballooned. The southern pastoralist cities attracted many people seeking work, large flocks of pastoralists brought their herds to be fed, happy to have a permanent base that could and would not disappear with overuse.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Utbah’s work was legendary, Amoreb trembled, their generals posted scouts constantly trying to survey the situation. Utbah retreated from his stunning victory, traipsing back to his supply bases near the province of Wersh. He was stunned to find 15,000 tribesmen on the backs of camels already rallying to him, catching him on the way. Had they been enemies, he would have been done for, instead he could press on with his attack. They already had the tricolour of Yerek, hailing him and wishing him the best.


    “We have heard of your success! Polt has fallen! Isa was beaten! Ahmed is dead. Yerek lives and ‘the three’ has great talents,” the man said, fist in hand in a bow.


    “For sure,” Utbah said, with a hoarse voice, “Yerek indeed lives.”


    “We must use the momentum,” the tribesman said, “we are sorry for doubting you.”


    Is this a ruse? Am I going to get killed now? Utbah thought, scanning the faces of the tribesmen to pick up any trace of deceit.


    He questioned himself several times, but in the end, he followed the momentum and marched on Yerek. The garrison in question, had a revolt on their hands, and Utbah entered a city thanks to the rioters. It was a tremendous coup, after so many tremendous coups. The wooden palisades of Wersh burst open, and the citizenry threw rocks at the Amoreb troops. Amoreb troops fled from the Eastern gates, the towers now manned by Yerek sympathisers who brandished crossbows.


    “Did Nichomachus get here?”


    “We bought these crossbows ourselves!” One man said, “glory to Yerek! Glory to Utbah.”


    Goodness me, I have something approaching a cult, a fan-club at the very least.


    The reality was the great victory against Amoreb had switched opinions, even if it was only to join the mighty. Utbah spent the next few days capturing forts, aided by three evangels who quickly turned the countryside into Yerek friendly villages. Isra and Yasir were staffed with massive garrisons, until King Hasan had enough and sent emissaries to Utbah.


    “In the name of our glorious prophet and the Church of Light we wish peace with you disbelievers,” Hasan’s emissary began.


    “That is acceptable,” Utbah said, “to me.”


    The emissaries almost fell down at the response, the twist making them all look at each other.


    “To you?” The emissary repeated in consternation. What the fuck does that mean?


    The emissaries wore shrouds to cover their faces from the elements, absolutely baffled by Utbah’s response.


    “I am not a king,” Utbah explained, “I do not make policy for the Yerek Republic.”


    Nichomachus, Mercurius and Salutius, even Mardonius soon appeared near the border at the request of Utbah who somehow got Nichomachus’s attention.


    “A peace?” Mercurius said, “fine, a peace is fine, I guess.” We must prepare for future war.


    Amoreb’s proposal was accepted, Yerek settling on fortifying their domains rather than engaging in needless war. The year of 570 was drawing near to autumn and the world had changed. Yerek forced the Church of Light into accepting they were legitimate at the cost of two states being annexed. Nonetheless the Church of Light were obviously not happy about the situation, but instability in several states over the defeats forced them into a temporary truce. Over the coming days and weeks other Church of Light countries likewise signed peace treaties. The fabled Raja state army never arrived, perhaps spooked by the great defeat of the Lir. Peace was won.