Wasting away again in Paradise

I stood in the courtyard of the Prison Compound and smiled as eight young maidens, dressed in dark robes with scarlet leather armor underneath the robes, kneel before me. At my flank is the ninth and most dedicated of all of the Khuna Apsara as she was my first and strongest, she is known to the Sisterhood of the Khuna Apsara as the Pahali Malakina and her name and rank is Eka. Her second in command, Do, is knelt in the front with the remaining seven flanking her position. Nodding my head, I give the signal for them to rise. "You are the First of my Khuna Apsara. You are the Executors of my Divine Will and Enforcers of Mandira. Rise and drink of my wine and of the blood of spirits."

The maidens rise and step forward in order of rank. The Pahali Malakina, Eka, and the Premika, the one in charge of breaking and preparing new recruits to become Khuna Apsara, Do, are the first to drink out of the goblet. Next is Tina, then Cara and Pamca, followed by Chaha, Sata, and finally the newest recruits to complete their training, Atha and Nau. That was the hierarchy of the Khuna Apsara. With the unification, more recruits will be brought to the Sisterhood and their ranks will grow. This is my foundation though. This ceremony commemorates the end of the old life and the start of their new life as the warrior maidens and operatives of their Yaksa.

When it is over, the maidens are released to have fun and party with Dainos' "ambrosia kids" so that they could experience a day of relaxation and stimulation. Eka is told to remain and enjoy herself as well because tomorrow would bring the beginning of their journey under me as tomorrow we would begin the preparations to head off for battle and handle the strategic planning for the campaign. The time had come and my army was set in position to begin. I leave from the compound and fly towards the outpost HQ to begin planning out the positioning of my forces in order to deal with all of the threats, nuisances, and obstacles.

377 WC

One of the errand boys for the command center had been passing by the inn when the "signal flare" had been set off and he quickens his pace towards the command center to inform me of Sanzon's return.

Inside the inn, the young madam greets Sanzon, "Welcome back, Lord Sanzon. The Yaksa told us that you would be traveling. A bath? Certainly..." The madam called for the servant girl that had been assigned to him last time since they seemed to get along. After a few minutes, she emerges from the back in a gown with a basket of supplies and upon seeing Sanzon she smiles fully. She bows to him and speaks, "Please, follow me, Lord Sanzon." The bath servant would turn and head towards the back.

At the HQ, I am meeting with three of the merc captains who lead forces under the banner of Mandira. "So we have primary targets here and here that will need to be engaged before we can move the main force to attack Wurin. Once these bandits are neutralized, the attacking units can either join up with the assault on Wurin's village or hold their position and maintain the two regions." Looking at the map and visualizing the progression, it reminds me of football, as the two bandit forces are to the west and east and have to be moved out of the way to allow the main force to pass by unhindered on the path to the main enemy. Now to be honest, I don't have to take this extra step as I can easily keep them out of the way or just slaughter them as the army moves by, but I am curious to see how the army would do if I do not engage in the battle. "It would probably be smartest if I send Kali and a unit to attack one bandit camp while I send Valkrist and another unit to attack the other camp. While they handle that, I will lead our forces to Wurin while Sanzon will go on his diplomatic mission to the Wattu. For his safety, he'll have a companion. Once we are done with Wurin, you three will secure the village or what's left of it and sack it, then erase it from existence. I will meet with Sanzon to see how the Wattu matters goes."

The boy rushes into my planning room and speaks, "Yaksa! Yaksa! Lightning... the Lightning Lord has returned." I grin at the boy and tell him to bring him to me and make sure to bring some food and nectar up here for all of us. The boy nods and runs off.

461/838

The young maiden, Yuko, is pleased that he seemed to remember her. She tends to her duties and bathes his body first then washes his hair for him. It isn't until she goes to rinse him that she feels the shock. It causes the muscles in her left arm to tense up for a moment before relaxing and she shakes her head at him. "I am alright my lord. I am sure that you have much on your mind. The village is tense and preparing for battle and since you have returned, I can only assume that you have done so to aid the Yaksa in the coming campaign." She continues with her duties in silence. When he gets out of the water, she quickly turns around. She smiles at his rashness. When he asks about his clothes, Yuko giggles and says, "Your mind truly is bogged down with its worries. The servant came in and collected your clothes a while ago. They should be drying over the steam pit now." She is truly fascinated by the simple usage of magic. There is a villager that has the gift of fire so his job is to provide and manipulate fire in the village, so he makes rounds to utilize his gifts.

She hears Sanzon's steps exiting the room and sighs, "Again with the nude traveling." She turns and exhales with a thankful praise of the fact that he is at least wearing a towel. She grabs a robe and chases after him again. The primary thought going thru her mind, "Please don't let her see him!"

282/1114

The boy runs up as Sanzon takes to the air. His head drops as he turns and sprints back towards the Outpost HQ. The boy takes several shortcuts and cuts thru buildings and meetings on his way back to make it right before Sanzon. The boy speaks, "Lightning... lord... here..." The exhausted boy falls over and I smile at him. My mood had been improved these last few days primarily by the work that was being done. There was the Hejar mission as well as some training that I did. The visions had come back fiercely, especially a few days ago, but I choose to think on other matters. One of the guards picks up the boy and lays him on the couch in the next room before returning to see the spirit already in the room. His greeting and attire makes me shake my head with a chuckle. Watching him reminds me of old memories, when I had few cares and concerns about anything other than enjoying life and its many experiences. Now I have much more to be concerned about.

I nod to Sanzon and go back to the maps. "Here is what we know. The bandits are light infantry and archers, but not trained in sustained combat. So we send two units of shield infantry at them to distract the archers. Send our Blade Dashers on a raid style mission against the archers. With them eliminated, the bandits will either surrender before the stronger force of the shield infantry or be slaughtered. Kaze, can your unit..." Kaze interrupts, "You already know what we are capable of, Chief. You are the one who helped convert us to this Blade Dasher style." I smile and nod. "Sanzon, would you use that strategy or what would you suggest something different?" He had told me that he was skilled in military tactics and warfare, so I am curious as to see what his style of assault would be.

348/1462

As I listen to the opening quote, I just grin as I have heard that before. It was written by a military philosopher of old. Interesting indeed. His plan would require the use of three units instead of two, but could very well work all the same and could provide less casualties. I don't really care about the amount of casualties as that is the benefit to conquest... you can replenish your reserves that way. My eyes continue to scan the model and I inform the captains, "We will use Sanzon's strategy against the camp that Valkrist will assault. I will send Kali to the other base with my plan." I pause for a moment to address Sanzon moreso than the others, "The Wattu? They will be dealt as soon as I finish my annihilation of Wurin and his entire village. You truly have grown soft towards them haven't you?" The Wattu are just another tribe in the way to me. He seemed to have some feeling to save them from my wrath. The chief's daughter had her opportunity. Her older brother would be dying, I figure, but I am curious to see what the father and middle son will do. I follow up my first question with another to test his kindness, "If the bandits surrender, would you spare them and assimilate them or would you execute them all to make an example?" This is a true test of his kindness and his resolve to doing what is necessary. I cannot afford an officer that would allow my enemies to become a festering wound or a cancer to attack me from within.

289/1751

I actually pause for a moment to consider the use of slaves. I was generally not a fan of utilizing slaves b/c I knew full well that slaves could be utilized to turn against the masters. It was a strategy that I myself had employed in Onitoshi. We planted seeds of distrust and hope for freedom in the minds of the slaves of a target. Once the attack was ready, they were my primary target. Release the slaves and prisoners and they make for quite the distraction within the enemy troops b/c even if they are unarmed and fully outmatched, they weak and thin the defenses of an enemy. I had no intention of dealing with that myself. The other conflict with following this is a geographical one. I respond, "I own no territory on the mainland nor do I see the point for added conflict immediately following this campaign. My concerns currently do not extend past Mandira's waters."

One of the merc captain addresses me quietly and says, "My Lord, the land to the north of the island is essentially yours for the taking. There is a village that could benefit greatly if it were to ally itself under your rule and there is a small port village southwest of Mandira on the coast behind the small mountains. You could use that for some purpose. Perhaps, you should not dismiss his idea so quickly."

Looking at both of them, I move over to another table with a map on it and call everyone over to it. "Show me." The merc captain points to the village north of the island. "They have a quarry there that can produce ample stone for construction. It create direct channel between that village and the outpost here. The port village is here on the coastline. If Lord Sanzon's suggestion is possible then you can bring that village under your wings' protection and he can relocate them there." I look at Sanzon then at the captain and for a moment, I let a feeling of distrust make its way into my mind. He is suggesting for me to enslave one group of the Wattu and Wurin, while he will relocate the others as their liberator and I remain a monster in their eyes. He could use the Wattu Tribe against me later. I did not know him well enough to understand his true intentions in all of this. He had given me coin to assist but perhaps that was a ploy to lower my guard. I could shake the possibility or the potential threat, but I do know that the best place to keep a potential threat is very close to you. I comment to Sanzo, "Well even if I were to utilize this relocation plan, they will need to be governed as I have no intentions of allowing them to regroup and rise against me."

504/2255

Scanning his surface thoughts, my paranoia finds itself lacking which causes me to frown a bit. There is something that I can quite decipher, but it has a strong presence in his mind. It is something that he is thinking about quite a bit, but it is ignored as I find what I am truly looking for... his ambition. I suppose I should be pleased that nothing brings me to believe that he wishes to overthrow me. At the same time, his thoughts show no true loyalty. He is basically a mercenary in principal. I, for one, can respect that. Considering that it is the path I come from. While I know for a fact that many of my employers did not trust me, I never betrayed them. I will afford him the same benefit of the doubt as I was when I was a mercenary. The third merc captains speaks up in a joking manner, "I see you are still just as paranoid and calculating, Lord Krodha." I turn and look at him before returning my eyes to the regional map, "Any sovereign that is not paranoid is a fool. Paranoia is what always kept you safe and me one step ahead of our enemies and treacherous employers." My facial expression takes on the visage of deep thought. I address the group, "There are 9 units of soldiers under my command. One is for defense and is the largest with 100 warriors. We have the 2 bandit camps which will require at least 2 units each. These expeditionary forces to bring the northern coastal village and the port village to the southwest under my sovereignty will each require a unit of soldiers. I want an auxiliary unit in place fresh and waiting for the signal to attack the Wattu Village. They will hold their position until given the command to march. That would leave a mere two units to assault Wurin's village if we coordinated all attacks at once..."

What I desire is total victory. I do not want a long drawn out campaign in all of this. I look at the merc captains then at Sanzon. "You three are being promoted to Commanders. Toyo, you will follow Sanzon's strategy to assault the northern bandit camp. Yoko, you will follow mine and eliminate the southern camp. Emis, you will travel to the northern village on the mainland and handle things there. I will send Kali to handle things in the south. Valkrist will remain here while he is healing up. The village has no threaten of attack, but I want him around just in case since I am splitting the defense unit and taking 1/2 of them with Sanzon and I to deal with Wurin. The other way to make an enemy overestimate your force and let fear strangle them is to skillfully attack several areas at once. Wurin no doubt has scouts and spies all over this island, so when ships with troops are spotted leaving from the outpost's coastline and the messengers from both bandit factions send word of attack right before he is attacked himself, he will wonder just how powerful my army truly is. First, we will see how the Wattu battle plays out and we will decide then what the best course of action will be. Slaves or prisoners." Turning to my new commanders I reply, "Toyo, Yoko, prepare your forces to deploy. You attack tomorrow evening. When the sun sets, so does the time of the bandit camps on this island." The two commanders grin and nod to me. They salute before turning to leave with just the three of us remaining.

646/2901

Hmm... I pause for a moment and consider his suggestion. Nodding my head to Sanzon, I reply, "First, you will accompany me and the main force to oversee the attack on Wurin. I think having another commander's evaluation of their performance will prove valuable when I begin their training regiment after this campaign. Two hours before dawn, you may leave to pay your visit to the Wattu preceding my arrival. I will arrive at dawn. The Chief's daughter and child son are not to be harmed. Should she elect to betray my benevolence, I want her and the boy alive when I arrive."

My attention next turns to Emis who asks what terms he can deliver to the northern village. I look at him with an interested look on my face and he speaks, "My lord, I would advise against such an absolute stance. Might I provide a suggestion as to the terms I am to offer?" I look at Emis and smirk before I nod for him to proceed. He nods in response and continues, "Well they are avid fishermen also have the western mountain quarries near them providing for stone. Instead of enslaving them, why not allow them to open trade with the island villages? Primarily with the outpost to start, but once you begin to establish more villages on the island, they can expand their trade with them as well. You can also allow them to enlist in your military forces. This will allow them to protect themselves from bandits. If we establish a trade channel between them in the island, it will allow for troop transport giving us new training grounds around their lands. They will feel include in your territory and you will have more loyal workers and soldiers." I reply in question, "So basically, I am pledging to protect them and provide transport for them to peddle their stones and goods to the island and in turn I get the goods that I need and an increase to my work force and military force. I get that regardless and they will remain loyal because I am the Yaksa of these lands." Emis looks at me, "Krodha, your ambitions require much of your focus. A distant village can sow seeds of discord while away from your gaze. You lose nothing and they will love you instead of simply fear you. Besides, if they displease you, you can easily tighten your grip on them. Will you at least allow me to attempt this?" I shrug and nod to him. "Sanzon, which would you prefer? Is it better to be feared or loved by your subjects?" I have heard that question asked to me before but I can't place where. This is rather annoying.

486/3387

OOC: We'll be moving to the campaign in the next couple of post. I figure we can write the bandit camp assaults as solos or just reference them in the opening posts of the attack on Wurin.

Emis shows me his ability to serve as a good diplomat when he nods to Sanzon, "Corruption is a possible outcome, my lord. I do not think it matters tho whether it is a human or a yaksa. Either can attempt to threaten the Lord's power and authority. I would say, that it is necessary to be both feared and loved by your people, my lord. Master Sanzon is right in thinking that being loved will allow for your more questionable decisions to go unquestioned but if your people do not fear you, love will only take you so far my lord. They must fear the reprisal of your displeasure. It is at that point that they will obey and they will police themselves. I am not a governor, nor do I have aspirations to be one."

I look up and wave my hand in a dismissive manner. "It is of no consequence to me, gentlemen. Emis, deliver the terms. Let them know that I will allow them to live peacefully under the span of my wings, but should they prove unworthy of such compassion, I will decimate them without prejudice. Prepare your convoy." Emis bows and salutes before he leaves to prepare for his diplomatic deployment.

Now it was just Sanzon & I. "Enough of the battle discussions for now. We'll see to the final touches tomorrow, so tell me, how was your vacation? I hope you enjoyed the sights of my island."

259/3646

Ruins of an old village in the center of the island? Why have I seen no such place? True granted, I had not seen much purpose in traveling to the center since like he said, it is pure jungle from what I have seen and from what my scouts' have reported to me. I smile as he tells me about the sunrise and sunset. "They are quite the beautiful sights to behold. I find it allows you to start your day at peace and end the first half of the day with contemplation and reflection before moving on to the night." I chuckle at the thought of him playing with children. "Sounds like you had a fun time off. I am glad to hear such. Well, Sanzon, relax and get food and such. I must tend to the preparations for the campaign. I have a lot of logistics to cover. We will leave for Wurin's village around dawn. I figure the attacks will last the bulk of the day then it will be over. Also, put some clothes on." I smirk with that last comment as I rise to exit the planning chamber. I sensed the approaching presence of one of my Khuna Apsara, which let me know that I was about to be requested. "If you require anything, there will be a maid sent to look after you." With that, I step to head out, but before I can leave, I am greeted almost instantly by Eka, who is walking in as I had planned to walk out.

277/3923

Eka turns my attention back to Sanzon. "Yaksa, he wishes your attention for a matter." Turning back to Sanzon, my eyebrow perks up, "Hmm? Get what? Yes, you had a good vacation. I commented on that. Is there something else that I am missing?" Eka's thoughts tell me that her matter can wait so I nod to her and tell her that I will be with her shortly. She nods and when Sanzon asks me to follow him out, I do because he seems to trying to get me to focus on something. What he learned by staying a day there? Was he speaking of the ruins with the strange spirit signature? He actually visited them? Even so, how does this prove to be such a pressing matter for him? Whatever happened there seems to be important enough to him to stop me from handling logistical duties, so I'm intrigued as to what he wishes to demonstrate. "Very well, let's see what you learned."

178/4101

Walking out of the building, I watch as electric energy builds in the area. I could feel the hair follicles on my arms and the back of my neck begin to rise. Soon he performs a few hand motions followed by a chant. As the dark cloud forms, I glance at it before looking at him. I place my hand on Eka and she would find herself teleported outside of the large cloud's radius. I would stand there as I am curious to see just how powerful this new power of his is. When the attack begins, I ride the sensation of the energy surge running thru my body. It seizes my mind's natural control as the feeling overtakes me stopping me from moving or doing anything else for that matter. What is it about electricity that I enjoy so much? I can feel pain in this, but I also find some sadistic pleasure in it as well. When the lightning barrage hits, my body's natural defenses are in full effect and the power sends even more energy into my body and it is at this point that I realize that I need to find a way to channel energy from enemy attacks. When the barrage stops, there is a borderline crazed, satisfied look in my eyes as I regain control. I look around us at the destruction caused and I lift into the air where my body ceases movements and begins to glow with a new dark gold aura that seems to flicker from time to time as if it is trying to maintain its radiance. Spiritual energy particles that actually look like white and gold avian feathers begin to "drizzle" down over the damaged area. (Restoration) I find that I cannot seem to move, but I can communicate telepathically with no problem.

In response to his remark, I reply via telepathic connection, "Impressive. After the island has been brought under one banner, I want you to take me to these ruins. I would like to see them for myself now." With the storm dissipated, Eka makes her way back over. She seems poised to attack Sanzon to defend me. My voice is broadcasted as if spoken aloud "Eka, stand down. I am not harmed and the damage is not a problem. I wanted to see what he could do." Eka obeys but does not take her eyes off of the other spirit. Her loyalty and resolve to even stand against a fellow demigod to defend me is truly breathtaking.

442/4543

It would take a while longer before I could move, but after a few more minutes, I am free to move and my body lands on the restored earth. I smile at the feeling of the earth beneath my feet. Nodding to myself, I place a hand on Eka to calm her as I speak verbally this time, "As I said, Eka, I am fine. Test it on Wurin, not the Wattu unless you can ensure that there is no collateral damage to the faithful. Besides, I am intrigued to see the full effect of that power." I pause for a moment recalling him apologizing about the damage and I smirk looking around the area. "What damage? Do not worry about trying to get a bearing on certain powers. The one I just used is fairly new to me as well. I must bear some trust in you, Sanzon, for what I am about to confide in you. My powers have been off since I was trapped in this realm. I have new powers that I do not completely understand and some that do not seem to truly fit me as I am. I have been having strange visions about what I can only describe as someone else's life, but feels so real to me. I need to make sense of all of this, but I haven't had the time due to this campaign. Meh. No matter. Even with my powers on the fritz, I will ensure that this island is united under one ruler within the coming days. Enjoy your meal... and Yoko." Eka tells me that my attention is needed elsewhere and I nod to her. I look back at Sanzon to see if he needed me for anything else before we would part ways to see to our own affairs.

322/4865
Train: Support - Restoration (-1750)
Train: Defense - MToughness (-1750)
Job: Strategist 1-5 (-1250) = 3000 Shinny

Updated - Mukhya

Updated - diy board, sanzo