180 Real Enemy (1/2)
As Corco picked up the dumbbells, sweat dripped from his face and landed between his feet. While his use of aproper exercise and training equipment had made Corco's workouts much more efficient than those of his contemporaries, he still felt like he needed to do more. His last fight against the cocky xianxia master had been far too close for comfort; and his lack of fitness was partially to blame. After he had taken over as king, his duties as well as his perfectionist plans had sucked up all of his time. As a result, his training had suffered, to almost catastrophic results in Chutwa. Determined to not let it happen again, he raised the dumbbells.
Though as he raised his head with the rest of his body, not only did the tent around him come into view, but so did one of his many troubles these days. With a frown to mirror many before it, he looked at Tamaya who had shown patience as she had waited for the king to acknowledge her presence in the room.
”Okay, talk.”
”King Corco, we have received multiple important messages which need discussing.
”Right,” he said as he continued his workout. Undeterred by Corco's curtness, Tama continued to read off her notes.
”First, our troop detachments have made their way far enough inland to cut Huaylas off from King Pacha's position. Control of the territory does not seem to be a problem so far. While Nahlen might have been a traitor, at least his actions proved useful in the end. Ever since he burned down that village, we started spreading false rumors of the incident.”
”Uhuh.”Although his muscles burned, although he knew it was time to stop, Corco kept up his workout.
*Better than starting an argument in this moody state.*
Still, Tama pressed on, despite Corco's best attempts to show his unwillingness.
”In the rumors, we have implied that the raid was performed in retaliation to the villagers' resistance. No one within the occupied lands will resist us any longer, at least so long as we do not overstep our boundaries and leave the inhabitants to their business. In that sense, the rumors have been a great success.”
A heavy thud interrupted Tama's explanation as the irons landed on the ground. After he had been sufficiently annoyed by her casual attitude, he decided to address the elephant in the room.
”Look, I know what sort of rumors you've spread, and I know why. There's no reason to pretend.” As he spoke, he walked over to Tama, who handed him a piece of cloth to dry his body.
”I believe that I have made the most appropriate decision under the circumstances,” she answered, still in a voice calm enough to let Corco explode.
”Oh will you fuck off with that shit!? Have you not walked around in our camp out there?” he shouted, his hand with the towel pointed towards the tent's exit. ”Everyone whispers about the evil witch who entrapped Nahlen and left me no choice but to execute him. And why did you do something like that? According to my soldiers, you were jealous of Nahlen's growing position in my staff, or you're a slighted lover, or any one from a number of petty reasons. Meanwhile, outside the camp, the locals are telling stories that you were the one who ordered the retaliation against the village, without my, the king's, knowledge. Even I've heard the rumors, so how could my spymaster not be aware of them?”
”King Corco has given me free reign to handle the situation, and I have done as asked, with minimal damage to the empire, and to you as well.”
”Well, if I had known this was how you'd do things, I never would have allowed it!” Once Corco had dried off his face, he sat down on his chair. ”I know what you're trying to do. You're getting rid of Nahlen, you're getting the locals in line and you're defending my reputation all at the same time. But the way you handled it sucks. Just listen to the fuckdamn gossip.”
”These sorts of rumors are only temporary, and they should have no impact on the morale of the troop, nor on your reputation. Thus, they should have no relevance.”
”Right,” the king sneered. ”A perfect ending, every one is happy. But what about you? You're now the crazy witch who keeps killing people out of jealousy, or spite. That's not gonna go away. Dirt like that sticks, always. How am I supposed to handle this? In the official version, you went behind the king's back when you let Nahlen kill all those villagers. Are you aware that I have to punish you for this or the entire story falls apart?”
”Then you should do so without reserve,” a still immovable Tama said.
”But you just did what I fucking asked! I gave the orders, even though I didn't know the details. I won't let anyone take the blame for something I'm responsible for. Fuck everyone, and fuck my reputation, I'm not punishing you.”
For the first time since their talk began, Tama showed a reaction. Her perfect posture loosened as her shoulders slumped, and a sigh escaped her lips. Even after all this time, it was rare for her to drop her mask in front of Corco.
”King Corco, please listen. Punishment is not a big problem for me. After all, I am not a general, or an administrator. I am a mere spy. A demotion into a position behind the scenes would fit me far better than the work I have been forced to oversee so far. Even more: What better weapon for a spy to have than fear? Let them spread the rumors, let them be afraid of my lunacy. They will only make my work more effective.”
Although Corco wanted to get angry again and deny her request, he understood that she was right. As little as he liked it, this was the best solution. As he breathed out, his anger disappeared and was replaced by frustration.
”Well, fuck. Now I really regret giving you that power,” he said in the end.
Tama just smiled and waited for the king's decision.
”Fine, what's done is done. You get your wish. You get to work outside of the public eye, you get to be feared, and you get to take the blame for everything. Just like you wanted. I still don't have to like it though.”
”And for your concern I am deeply grateful.”
Corco sighed again. Now that the biggest issue was resolved, he took out his old pistol and began to clean it. The regular cleaning after his training sessions had become a bit of a ritual.
”This has been as exhausting as it was useless. What else is on the agenda? You said there were multiple messages, right?”
Tama nodded.
”Since we have cut through Sinchay and reached the Argu, receiving runners from the capital has become much easier. It appears Inti has had quiet good fun during the last Triumvirate Meeting, when Official Pallatio accused everyone in the room of collusion. He even tried to accuse us of breaking with traditions until Inti produced a letter from the lonely island about the legitimacy of our crossing. Then he seems to have accused House Ichilia, his own allies, because of their inactivity during the war. ”
”Well, their sluggish attitude is hardly a surprise, is it?” Corco asked. ”Lord Ichilia won't intervene so long as Pacha doesn't come crawling for help. That's the entire point of his indifference.”
”Still, Official Pallatio seems to believe that King Pacha's family has been paid off by us in some way. Apparently, he has also accused King Amautu of dishonorable actions for shielding our assets in Porcero from King Pacha's new allies. Your brother was not amused by the accusation.”