Except for mopping-up operations, the conquest of Thagnor was finished. He doubted there were more than a hundred Hostigi casualties from the combined operations. He was still waiting for Highpriest Mytron's casualty and damage report, which probably wouldn't be completed for a couple of days.
The biggest problems he faced was trying to find room and habitation for the hundreds of thousands of Hostigi following Rylla's Army of the Trygath within Thagnor City. In time, many would settle in the outlying farms and villages, but until the threat of attack was over they would have to be protected within the city walls and, according to the letter he'd just received from Rylla, they would be arriving shortly.
Kalvan was in one of Prince Varrack's recently vacated audience rooms writing his reply:
It appears that Prince Varrack owned few loyal retainers. Even the Duke who ruled in his stead was more interested in finding a place in the new regime than honoring his loyalty to his former ruler. Many of the Prince's subjects appear eager for a change of ruler. Duke Osthwuld, Varrack's Chancellor, has even offered to negotiate the surrender of Vart-Burgult. The big fort that sits astride the River of Thagnor and commands entrance and exit to Thagnor City.
In exchange for retaining his lands and title, Osthwuld has offered to work for us and help head the new municipal government. The intelligence and background information he is proving on our new subjects will prove invaluable. This is actually quite a coup since we knew so little about Thagnori politics and the local movers and shakers.
We have decreed that all Thagnori nobles, except for those members of the Court who have already sworn fealty to Nos-Hostigos, will be stripped of their titles, rank, possessions, wealth and lands. Loyal Hostigi will be given their estates and patents, with preference to those of similar rank, or to those who have proven their worth to the Throne.
The unsworn Thagnori gentry will remain incarcerated in the dungeon until they swear an oath of loyalty to Nos-Hostigos. Osthwuld will provided our new Intelligence Officer Vinaldos with an extensive list of Varrack's 'favorites,' as well as a list of those with divided and other loyalties.
With his help and Vinaldos' agents, we will also closely examine the mercantile houses and large landowners, removing those who retain special ties to their former Prince, or who owe their position to the corruption which has been ripe in Thagnor for many years. Those who are guilty of past crimes will be punished. All estates and possessions will revert to the Throne. Those who refuse to renounce their former Prince will be sent into exile.
I find the Duke to be quite likable (a valuable survival trait in Varrak's Court), good company and quite accommodating. He will be useful.
However, I am much more impressed with Captain-General Errock whose army was the only thing keeping Prince Varrack on his throne. Count Vinaldos learned that he did a very good job of fighting off the nomads for Dorg during Ranjar Sargos' uprising. Secondly, Prince Varrack, in one of his more intelligent moments, deliberately hired as the commander of his army a man who hated Theovacar's guts and therefore could be counted on not to sellout to the Grefftscharrers.
Errock, along with Osthwuld and a third of Varrack's Court, have already sworn oaths of loyalty and fealty to Nos-Hostigos. This will go a long way toward smoothing the path for our takeover of the Princedom. Being short of competent generals and having none familiar with Middle Kingdom politics and personalities, I intend to make Errock a General in the Royal Hostigos Army and will keep him close-at-hand. Not because I distrust him, but because I value his knowledge.
It turns out he was born in Grefftscharr, of all places. His brother is a captain in service of King Theovacar. This is a real unexpected boon. I don't expect him to suborn his brothers loyalty (nor should I ever ask), but this personal relationship will prove invaluable in future negotiations with Theovacar and in our dealings with his subjects.
I will shortly send an embassy, to be headed by General Klestreus, to Grejfa. I would like to cement an alliance with Grefftscharr before the Grand Host of Styphon's House arrives. To that end I have proffered Theovacar our friendship and an offer to pay Varrack's arrears in taxes, with the understanding that in the future Thagnor will be independent of Grefftscharr and will pay no further tribute. If Theovacar accepts, that will further legitimize our Throne, both in his eyes and those of the other rulers in the Middle Kingdoms.
Therefore, I have decided in favor of your idea of my becoming King of Thagnor; I will keep the territory for ourselves and crown Phrames Prince of Gytha. The realm of Thagnor is ideally situated between the two Great Saltless Seas and quite defensible. It is the best home we are likely to find until we put an end to the House of Styphon once and for all and return to our Great Kingdom. With great earthworks, great walls and proximity to relief by sea, Thagnor will be almost impossible to assault and thus provides the protection of our subjects that concerns us both so greatly. It's also ideally situated for trade, and has been a major trade center. We could do far worse… Praise Dralm!
I had wanted to move farther from Styphon's rattlesnake nest, but as you put it-"if we go too far, it only shows the world how greatly we fear them." The Grand Host is almost as isolated in the Upper Middle Kingdoms as we are. They have no local allies, their army is of a size to frighten any and all of the Middle Kingdom states, their reputation is horrible and no one in their right mind would trust them. Therefore, I've come to the conclusion that making Thagnor the center of Nos-Hostigos is necessary and reasonable. This will give us an instant presence in the Middle Kingdoms and we shall quickly be able to sort out our potential enemies and allies.
With the new earthworks in place around Rathon City, I believe you leave the new kingdom of Rathon and our subjects as safe as anywhere in this new land. I welcome your return to my arms-
Kalvan's writing was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
"Cleon, sire. Prince Phrames has arrived."
"Good. Show him in.
"Shall I bring a cask of Ermut's Best?"
He was tempted to have a cup, but remembered his promise to Rylla. Besides, he wasn't sure he could stop after one drink. "No. Some ginseng tea will be fine."
Phrames, his long face covered with grit and lined with weariness, came into the chamber, removing his dust-stained cloak. "I must apologize, Your Majesty, for my late arrival. However, I've been busy trying to secure the city and temporarily house all the prisoners. In addition, I had some patrols I wanted to send out before I could answer your summons."
"Don't worry about it, my friend. Congratulations on your great victory! Have a seat."
Phrames shrugged his shoulders modestly. "It wasn't much of a battle, Your Majesty. It was as easy as shooting drunk turkeys with a musketoon."
Kalvan shook his head. "There are no small battles, Phrames. The conquest of Thagnor was won through a combination of surprise, overwhelming superiority and good timing. And you had a lot to do with all three. Why do you think Osthwuld surrendered Vart-Tnagnor so easily? He discovered he'd lost the battle before he even knew there was one. Our victory over the City was so complete that he was able to surrender the vart without loss of face. Do you believe the loss of thousands of men would have made our victory any larger or more complete?"
Phrames shook his head. "No, Dralm be praised, Your Majesty! I'm just not used to fighting in battles that follow our plans as closely as this one did. We needed this victory; the men are rejuvenated. I thank the gods that we took so few casualties, as did the Thagnori forces. Already, many of them have asked to join our Army. Even the populace is celebrating our victory!"