The Carabian Expedition

The retinue of the ambassador of the Kingdom of Carab representing the Khatan of Carab in the negotiations arrived at Nuem to negotiate their demands in return for the exploitation of the Iron reserves near the Carabian-Mytulan frontier. The head of the retinue was Ambassador Promerit. Promerit was chosen as he has studied the language of Livinians.

Promerit, along with the retinue, genuflected before King Stijepan. Along the line of pillars, just before the hall are minor nobles of the realm, led by Mazimier and Marmaligos. On the right side of the King is Ixander.

"Your majesty, King Stijepan of Livinia and Livinians, I, Promerit, will be representing the Khatan of Carab in these negotiations."

"Rise, Representative."

Promerit then rose from genuflection and presented the agenda of the Khatan.

"Your majesty, the Khatan takes note of the lack of Iron of your realm after losing the iron-rich territory of Halerdan. The Khatan has been informed that your realm need the resource so dire, especially that the enemy has closed in to the last unconquered territory that remains in your realm."

Promerit elaborated well the situation of the Livinians.

"And so, cutting to the point, your Khatan demands what from the deprived people of Livinia in exchange of the dire resources we need?"

King Stijepan, young and curious, cut to the chase and asked immediately the demands of the Khatan of Carab.

Promerit then raised his hand, protruded his index finger and pointed at Ixander.

King Stijepan then asked "Ixander? What is with the Prime Minister?"

Promerit then said "He is not simply an official in your court, your majesty. He is a capable commander. In exchange for the iron resources exploitation contract with the Khatan of Carab, his majesty demands him to command an army of his choosing, alongside Carabian troops."

The nobles and even the two Grandquesters Mazimier and Marmaligos were surprised at the demand of the Khatan.

King Stijepan then told the Ambassador "You are begging for the fall of our nation! Tell your Khatan that I will not give the bastion of hope my country has!"

Ixander then spoke up, saying "Your majesty, I pursue that you accept the proposal."

The whole court was shocked at the proposal of Ixander.

"Let me explain, your majesty. If I am to be gone, then the Kingdom's knees kneel before me. In other words, I am Livinia, and not his majesty. However, if Livinia was to fall without me, I have proven myself to be an impotent commander."

After making sense of it, The King alongside the whole court listened intently.

"I shall instruct the remaining officials in the defense of the Kingdom's last bastion right here. Your majesty can rest assure that the defense capabilities of our Nation will withstand more attacks. However, it will be hard to predict if we are to have incompetent commanders and a weak front line."

Ixander then picked up a map beside King Stijepan, and took a long rod. He laid the map before the floor to show everyone the plan.

"Marmaligos, Mazimier" called Ixander. "Rather than divide the land at my absence, your respective lands will be divided according to what I pursue this to be: Marmaligos will…"

"Wait here! Wait here!" called King Stijepan.

"You are planning outright, but I have not made a decision as to what your fate will be!"

"Your majesty, pardon me. However, I am setting a plan up so as you can decide. We do not want incompetence to rule over us, your majesty."

King Stijepan then sat back down and listened to their plans.

After some planning, it was decided that Marmaligos will take over the positions that Ixander had relinquished, alongside the command of the entire line from Sankobar to Alatsto.

Ixander meanwhile, marched four thousand men alongside him to trek the long deserts of Carab. However, Ixander noticed that this may take a long time, so he ordered that horses be attached to caravans which can carry troops through. Camels were also brought from the border between Carab and Mytula for the remaining part of the expedition leading to the capitol.

At last, Ixander, his troops and the retinue of Ambassador Promerit arrived at the lush delta of Khatanabat River.

When Ixander arrived, he presented himself before the Khatan of Carab. The mighty palace doors of the Khatanabat palace opened before the mighty Grandquester. Ixander then genuflected before the throne, and presented himself.

The doors behind him were closed and Ixander was alone with the monarch of Carab.

"Your majesty, as you have demanded, I come under you, leading your troops to victory against the invading Albanese troops."

"Raise your head, brave warrior."

Ixander was confused when he heard a woman's voice. His head rose and behold: A tanned woman, of slender build, dressed in lilac-coloured satin. Her veil was made of muslin and before Ixander is a beautiful woman.

Ixander was enamored. He remained staring at the woman before him.

"What of the 'his majesty'? I thought the ruler of the Carabi…"

"Men are misogynistic, tha…"

"Exempt me, mademoiselle. Pardon of my ignorance, what is her majesty's name?" asked Ixander.

"Mistra. You are here to brave through the invaders who have gone too far, warrior."

Indeed, the Carabian ruler was made hardened by the fact that there has been many invasions and challenges in her rule. It has been hectic and depressing. The ruler however was hopeful.

"You may take your leave. You may command the field in your best ability. Hail to you."

The queen's words were cold and low. It was however hopeful.

Ixander then coldly followed. He was annoyed but he did not appear annoyed at the queen. He insisted he has to understand how the queen branded men to be misogynistic whilst her being an androgynist against men herself. Ixander breathed a sigh.

Ixander was then led to the meeting with the Kingdom's most capable soldiers and generals.

In the grand room, where strategies are conducted, Ixander was welcomed both with despise and awe as they meet the person who has many exploits not only militarily but also economically.

Ixander was then approached by one of the marshals of the kingdom.

"Good day. We would like to welcome you warmly to our kingdom, however the situation is dire and needs repair."

Without further ado, the General elaborated the situation to Ixander.

"From the south, the Elamites, Danheites, and Albanese troops are approaching the Khatanabat River. The troops of our enemy number in total forty-five thousand men."

Ixander did not flinch from the amount of enemies.

"And the generals here are shocked with such numbers?"

Ixander grinned and continued saying "Is this Carabian excellence? In the fateful fourteenth of Tihirmia, on eighteen-forty-one, your armies were defeated. Yet you commanders spite my arrival."

The marshal who approached Ixander was not insulted. After all, what he just said was true.

"You must have been a great service to your majesty. Look at Carab, now one of the greatest nations in Axis!" Ixander sarcastically said.

"If the commanders do not want their heads be above the stakes of Albanese republicans, then have unity among yourselves! It's not question your nation is but a downtrodden one."

Some of the generals did not humble before Ixander. In fact, one of them attempted to assault Ixander but he was stopped by his colleagues.

"You basta—you take that back, upstart!" says the assaulting general whilst being stopped.

Ixander then approached him and said "What's your name?"

The general then just spitted at the face of Ixander. Ixander's guards then armed themselves but Ixander stopped them. He grabbed his handkerchief and wiped the spit on his face.

The Marshall then said "He is Harkab."

"No matter, how about you? I do recognize you are a marshal…"

"Farkan."

"Ah, I see that you will cooperate with me in this campaign."

"You campaign is mine, as this is indeed the campaign for Carab."

Ixander did not respond after.

After a long pause, Ixander proceeded to speak again.

"As we speak, the fronts of my very country is fighting to hold their line at the Great Livinian River. They have dug trenches and are able to hold their lines despite lacking in necessary arms. They have been able to hold their positions for more than eight months since the invasion, just by following their commanders in great discipline and conservation of what they have. Now, I trust the marshal will tell me of the situation?"

Farkan approached him, and said "In fact, I have yet to tell every one of the details for they are reluctant to stop bickering among themselves. There is after all, rivalry among generals here."

The generals had a face of guilt and looked away.

Farkan then proceeded to speak. "They are at here, near the village of Rumab. By summer, they are expected to arrive. Today is the thirty-eighth day of Revazimia."

"In other words, within two weeks' time" responded Ixander.

Everyone went quiet and looked at each other.

"How many troops is under the majesty?" asked Ixander.

"Sixteen thousand men, of which seven thousand are militia. The Militia are armed with crossbows and lances, the regulars are armed with muskets" informed Farkan.

"Tell the seven thousand militiamen to arm themselves with shovels and picks, trenches must be built within two weeks' time around the vicinity of the walls of the capital" ordered Ixander.

"There is… a situation. We lack tools as artisans were asked to build muskets and bullets. We did not expect any engineering necessary" informed Farkan.

Ixander sighed, but then proceeded to ask "How many smiths are there?"

"On the capital, a hundred and forty. Each can produce roughly five tools a day, but only two muskets a day" answered Farkan.

"That is to presume the smithies are always filled with artisans… right, I have decided. Make the artisans work for tools" Ixander ordered.

He then left the meeting room of the generals.

"That damned man, who does he think he is?"

"You've none to prove sir. Stop your bicker" answered the marshal.

Night fell, gas lamps and torches lit the streets, but the palace complex of Khatanabat is quiet. Ixander then went onto his chamber, asked for a quill to one of the servants. He then did the math on the trenches and tools produced.

"If there are one hundred and forty smiths, each producing five tools, so seven-hundred…hmm"

Ixander then continued doing his estimated until he completely stopped and looked over at the porch, took his flintlock and aimed it at the porch.

"Show yourself!"

And behold, her majesty appeared going in the room from the porch.

"Pardon me, your majesty. It is quite inconvenient for you to visit me from the porch."

Ixander then holstered his gun, then he bowed slightly at the presence of the queen.

The queen approached him, then ordered him "Raise your head…"

The queen then pushed him to the ground, then the queen rode over him. Afterwards, he took Ixander's first kiss, looking towards Ixander passionately. She then whispered "I want to borrow some of your valor…"

"Dear majesty, it seems to me that you are taking it…"

"Oh my…" the queen giggled. She untied his shirt, and caressed the bare chest of Ixander. Her finger crawled from his chest to his chin. Now, they both are feeling mutually in mood. The queen then stripped herself, untied her lingerie, and it all started a long night for both of them… In which Ixander indeed conceded defeat for the first time, but not on the battlefield.