Prince of Darkness

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CHAPTER VIII
EXPAND OR DEVELOP?
Nephthys 80 - Horus 80

Financial advisors warned sultan that state budget is almost empty. Too much money is going to scientists and for other projects. Sultan decided to stop army buildup and start developing trade. Plengor protested but sultan said that army has already 13 catapults and there is no need for more. We don't have any strong enemies. When all nearby independent cities are captured we should concentrate on developing economy and general welfare. My people must taste the fruits of empire and remember me with good words, said sultan.

Plengor argued that we should know more about lands beyound the surrounding barbarian cities. Only then we can be sure that there is no danger. He said also that Nebut's army reported spotting foreign settlers south of Ashur. Plengor got sultan's permission to send cavalry expedition to south for finding out the owner of these settlers.

Plengor decided to stay in Babylon. This way he is close to sultan and also hear all incoming information about the sultanate immediately. He appointed his friends to lead the northern and southern armies. The Northern army got order to conquer Samaria and Sardis and Southern army to take Amaia when all preparations are completed.

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CHAPTER IX
EMISSARY FROM THE GREAT KHAN
Osiris 80 - Thoth 80

In Hathor 80 Southern army captured easily Amaia. Plengor ordered the army to return Ashur but send scouts to map territories south-east from Amaia. Scouts find a barbarian fortress but no sign about any settlement.

In Seth 80 all preparations for cavalry expedition to south were completed and the men set out.

An emissary from the Great Khan Fu Zhang from Xingchang came to Amaia. He was called to Babylon to meet with sultan. In this meeting good relations were established between the two states. Sultan asked from emissary do they know anything about knight Vladimir's expedition. Emissary answered that indeed they know.

In Horus 81 Vladimir sailed around the southern tip of the continent and met with Xingchang boat. Vladimir told to sailors that he killed a sea-monster on his way. Later Vladimir's ships were spotted sailing south along the coast of Xingchang and in Sobek 81 they passed the Khorasan strait. What happened with Vladimir later, the emissary didn't know.

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CHAPTER X
THE GREAT DRAGON
Ptah 80 - Sobek 80

Sultan's craftsmen had worked out the design of a new ship - Trading Ship. It was capable of transporting 3 units and could cross open sea. Sultan decided to send a caravan over the Western Sea to Stygia. State budget needed much money. Also he decided to build a road across the mountain range for connecting western and eastern parts of sultanate more tightly.

In Sobek 80 the first trading ship was completed but immediately after leaving the port a sea-monster sank the ship. Sultan thought that in future when economical problems are solved he must to build a fleet of warships who guard the West Sea and kill all these monsters.

In in same month the cavalry expedition returned from south. They told that in far south they discovered a barbarian city Ergili. Southern Army got task to take the city.

Meanwhile North army conquered Samaria and was preparing to attack Sardis when troops saw nearby a great dragon. Commander of the army, young Mehmet, sent spearmen to defensive positions in mountains for defending Samaria. Fortunately the dragon chosed not to attack and left back to high mountains in north.

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CHAPTER XI
ATHRIBIS
Amon 80 - Re 79

Southern army reported that Xingchang khanate had built a city named Athribis between Ashur and Ergili. The city controls the road to Ergili and doesn't let our armies to pass. In order to reach to Ergili, soldiers must now cross rough terrain.

Sultan thought: this southern khanate is going to be a problem. The war with them is unavoidable because Athribis must be taken. But now my state is not ready for war. Economy is weak and armies have other tasks. Also there is little known about Xingchang. I need to send out mapping expeditions for finding out how strong the enemy is. I hope that Menua will return soon. His fast warship is just what is needed now.

In Isis 79 Northern army captured Sardis and two months later destroyed a barbarian fortress what controlled important crossroad. Army got order to go to Ur and rest there.

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CHAPTER XII
THE GRAND ADMIRAL
Anubis 79 - Osiris 79

Sultan spotted that there are no wolves seen in mountains already a long time. Seems that spearmen make their guarding work well.

Menua expedition returned in Osiris 79. He bring to sultan maps of northeastern part of the continent. Menua told that in far north he found a strange Sea of Illusion. Warship broke through the Sea and reached to the isthmus discovered by Plengor. In middle of the Illusion's Sea there was a small island what was protected by some unseen monster. Menua wasn't able to land and after repairing the ship he started a travel back to home.

Menua discovered also that in the eastern tip of the continent there is barbarian city Tyre what protect a isthmus to south. Northern army got immediately task to capture it.

Sultan had promised to give a high military post to Menua when he returns. Now Plengor was the chief of army and Menua could never accept any position below him. Sultan knew that good men must never be wasted and Menua was talented military leader neccessary for state. Murabi decided to separate navy from land army and appointed Menua as Grand Admiral of Euphrattis Navy. Menua's first tasks are organising naval mapping expeditions to Xingchang borders and prepare the navy for war.

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CHAPTER XIII
THE EMPIRE IS GROWING
Hathor 79 - Sobek 79

Already second trading ship was sank by a sea-monster in Western Sea. Sultan allowed Menua to bring his warship from east coast to west and build a new warship for East Sea. Seas must be cleared from all enemies!

After a long pause wolves appeared again. More spearmen were sent to mountains.

In Ptah 79 both North and South army attacked their objectives. North army destroyed Tyre city during the battle and South army captured Ergili.
Plengor ordered South army to map the unexplored southern part of the continent and North army to return to Ur. Sultan decided to rebuild the Tyre city.

In next month South army discovered powerful barbarian Darius Kabir city near the tip of the continent. North army found barbarian Sidon city in equal size and strenght from south of the Tyre isthmus. These two cities were decided to be next targets for the armies. As both have city walls, their capture need long preparation and sabotage missions by diplomats.

At the same month Euphrattis wise men designed a new building what can greatly help sultanate's economy - Guild Hall. Sultan was very satisfied. State budget was already balanced and thank to trade and the Guild Hall, things are getting even better. Also settlers started road-construction over the mountains.

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CHAPTER XIV
THE COASTAL ARMY
Amon 79 - Nephthys 78

Wolves killed the settlers who were building the road in mountains. Small army of spearmens and catapults was sent to fight them. In Re 78 all wolves were killed and spearmen fortified in their breeding places.

Stygian Dragon Boats attacked Borazjan. The boats were defeated by city garrison but the news made sultan worry. If Stygians can build ships then they can also transport units over the sea. And this is great danger because Stygian units look terrible when you believe the reports from people who have seen them. It is neccessary to garrison an army along the coast to counter possible invasion. Also the fleet must be created and economical buildup finished. So many tasks! Any war with Xingchang is not possible in near future. Also the war preparations against independent cities must be cancelled until the coastal army is formed.

Sultan ordered Plengor to work out the optimal size and location of the coastal army. Plengor proposed that the army must have three equal groups located in Borazjan, Eridu and Ellipi. One group must have catapult and elephant units. The possibility of using trained elephants in army was just recently demonstrated to Plengor. He liked the idea and wanted to introduce elephant units to army as fast as possible.

Menua added that the navy must have three warships to support the groups from sea. Sultan approved Plengor's plan but said that he can't afford to build more than two warships for Western Sea.

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CHAPTER XV
NEWS FROM LORD VLADIMIR
Nephthys 78

Menua warship reached Ellipi from his long travel around the Continent. She brought many news. Just south from Ellipi they saw a boat with Euphrattis flag. Before they reached to the boat a sea-monster attacked and sank it. Warship killed the monster and rescued most of boat's crew. They found that the boat was from Lord Vladimir's expedition! Vladimir had sent it back to bring news to sultan about his quest. The captain of the boat was invited to Babylon where he told to sultan about Vladimir's adventures.

After passing the Khorasan straits the ships reached to Quinsay in Re 80. Vladimir killed prince Igor, conquered Quinsay and liberated the Chaldean circle from inprisonment. The Grand Master of Chaldean Circle told that Vladimir must go to the isle of Brimstone and free Wizard Marsutan from Drang Dungeon. He alone knows the path ahead. The Grand Master also warned Vladimir about the Great Dragon living there.

Vladimir left a cavalry unit in Quinsay and ordered its commander to rule the city in the name of sultan. He himself left toward Brimstone.

In Sobek 80 they landed on Brimstone island. The Great Dragon was seen near the ships. But he fortunately didn't attack. Then after a fierce battle where one catapult unit was lost, Wizard Marsutan was liberated from Drang Dungeon. He told that Stygians are growing strong and there is no time to lose. "We must seek the counsel of the Hermit in the mountains of the Barbarian Kingdom north of Trivanipore."

So, in Isis 79 the expedition left Brimstone island and headed to north. They passed the southern tip of Continent in Anubis 79 and travelled north-west along the coast of Stygia. A Stygian Dragon Boat and sea-monster was killed on the way. South of Stygia Vladimir saw city of Hieraconpolis what belonged to Trivaniporians.

In Ptah 79 the seaway ended and expedition had to continue by walk. Vladimir divided the goup into four parts: he himself continued the quest with Marsutan, slower spearmen and catapult units waited them on the beach, warship started exploring coasts of the continent and waits Vladimir's return and boat was sent back to Euphrattia to bring news about the quest to sultan.

So, Vladimir's quest is going on fine, thought sultan. Interesting what is the final result of it and how Vladimir hopes to defeat the Stygians? I hope that he will come back soon. I like to hear his military advice about Stygians and the Khanate of Xingchang.

Vladimir has reached to Brimstone island.

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CHAPTER XVI
RETURN OF THE KNIGHT
Horus 78 - Hathor 78

Vladimir's company appeared suddenly to Ellipi and Sultan called them to his palace. Vladimir told that in Horus 78 they met the Hermit who was dying. His last words were: "You must first journey to the city of Nippur, far to the south. Then travel beyond to the city of Kahun. There you will find a boat. Sail to the Isle of Mhyrr. Then you must...arrghhh!" Hermit died and couldn't tell more.

"How you got here so fast?" wondered sultan. Marsutan answered that he tried a new spell what he learned during the travel. The spell should transport all the members of expedition immediately to Euphrattis. He succeeded and all travellers including catapult and spearmen units found themselves in Ellipi. "But I afraid that this spell can be used only once in a long time" he added.

Vladimir said that they must continue the quest as soon as possible. But he needs a trading ship with catapult and elephant units. He offered to sultan a geographical map what he got from Trivaniporians and 350 gold in compensation.

The money was very needed and sultan decided to help Vladimir once again. But knowing how important the quest is for the knight, he added a condition: Vladimir must help the North army to conquer Sidon. As soon as he returns from there, everything will be ready for his second expedition.

Vladimir agreed and said that he likes that sultan had greatly enlarged the territory of the sultanate during his absence. "When the time arrives, you must be strong."

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CHAPTER XVII
THE TEMPEST SPELL
Seth 78 - Hathor 77

In Thoth 78 there were great celebrations in the Sultanate of Euphrattis. Sultan Murabi had ruled 5 years. The sultan was very satisfied with the start of his reign: strong army had been created and all surrounding independent cities were forced to obey him. Also these wolves in mountains were liquidated and economical situation is going better and better.

Vladimir stayed for a week in celebrating palace and went then to war against Sidon. The North army was already on the way. In Isis 77 Lord Vladimir captures Sidon. The wizard Azzrune of Sidon offers a Tempest Spell to him. Vladimir left the spell with Northern army to Sidon and returned himself to Babylon.

The same month wizard Marsutan told to sultan that he heard a terrible laughter when he was sleeping. He doesn't know what it means but his heart feels bad.

When Vladimir arrives to Babylon, all preparations for his expedition were finished as sultan had promised. Still Marsutan suggested to wait until soon-to-be-completed warship brings the Tempest spell from Sidon. The spell can prove to be useful in our travel, he said.

In Horus 77 the warship for Eastern fleet was completed and in Hathor 77 it returned to Nineveh with the Tempest Spell. The captain said that when carrying the spell, warship moves 2 times slower than usual. Vladimir and Marsutan decided not to take the spell with them and left it to sultan in excange of one more catapult unit.

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CHAPTER XVIII
ENCHANTMENT OF LABOURS
Seth 77 - Anubis 76

In Seth 77 Lord Vladimir's second expedition sailed out from Ellipi.

In Amon 77 Menua's eastern warship took cavalry unit on board and started mapping the coast of Xingchang. The first trading boat who was sent out to this mission hadn't returned and had apparently been sunk somewhere by sea-monsters.

In Anubis 76 the northern coast of Xingchang was mapped. South-east from Pilona was discovered a new barbarian city Istakhr. The city was under attack by Xingchang army. Plengor suggested to send a battalion of spearmen to there. If they are lucky they can snatch the city in a moment when all defenders are beaten but Xingchang's army hasn't yet moved in. Sultan thought that this is a great idea and gave his permission for the operation.

In Isis 76 settlers completed the road across the mountains at last. Now eastern and western parts of sultanate were well connected.

In next month wise men brought to sultan design plans of great wonder: Enchantment of Labours. They advised sultan to start the project as soon as possible because there had been rumors that several other foreign countries are also trying to complete the wonder. Sultan decides to listen the wise men and starts the project in Babylon. He also orders other cities to send caravans to the capital for help.



The second part of the quest has started.

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CHAPTER XIX
THE EMPEROR
Nephthys 76 - Osiris 75

Most of cities in sultanate were sending their craftsmen to Babylon to help the completion of the new wonder. Sultan decided that the completion of the second wonder will be symbolic end of the old sultanate and the beginning of the new Empire of Euphrattis. His advisors estimated that in sultanate there lives now more than 10 million people. It is two times more than at the beginning of his reign!

In Horus 75 the Enchantment Of Labours was completed at last. Murabi declared that from now the state must be named Euphrattis Empire and he is the Emperor.

One month later Plengor reported that the Coastal Army is fully completed. Menua added that after a year the Western Navy is also ready. "So, now we are safe from Stygians and have free hands to deal with the Khanate of Xingchang." said the emperor. "How strong Xingchangians are?" he asked from Menua. "I don't know yet because all ships what are sent out to explore have been disappeared without a trace" Menua replied.

"Menua is not capable man for his tasks" thought emperor. "Vladimir can easily cross oceans but Menua is losing ships all the time. But I need him now as counterweight to Plengor. But when Vladimir returns I'll give navy to him."

"What is the situation of our armies?" he asked from Plengor. "Northern army has 4 catapults and is waiting in Sidon. Southern army has 3 catapults and is preparing for attack against Dariush Kabir."

"Good" said emperor. "Our economy is strong enough to give everything to army what is needed. City of Athribis must be conquered. If neccessary we will go to full war against Xingchang. I am giving a month for you to work out the war-plan."

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CHAPTER XX
THE WAR PLAN
Hathor 75

Plengor proposed a war plan against Xingchang. Before the war the southern army must take Darius Kabir. Then it moves against Athribis and captures it. Athribis has no city walls, so it must be easy. After these events we can expect Xingchang's response. Our continent is connected with their land by three isthmus: Sidon, Pilona and Amaia. South of Sidon there live dragons, so it is safe from counterattack. For any case we'll left a catapult unit there. Pilona isthmus has no roads and is also protected by a barbarian Istakhr city. One catapult and 4 spearmen are more than enough here.

The main war will take place between Amaia and Elephantine. They are connected by roads and protected by two fortresses whivh both are in our hands. The Northern army will move to Amaia and if Xingchangians don't accept the loss of Athribis, the city of Elephantine will be captured. For this task the Northern army needs additionally 2 elephants, 2 spearmen and 6 diplomats units.
Menua said that for naval war he needs 2 warships in Southern sea. They will prevent any descent by enemy.

Emperor approved the war plan and gave orders to form neccessary military units in cities.

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CHAPTER XXI
GOOD NEWS FROM SEA
Seth 75 - Ptah 74

In Seth 75 Menua could please the emperor with excellent news. At first he achieved his first big naval win against the Stygians. Euphrattis warship sank a Stygian Dragon Boat with 3 units on Western sea. And second, his warship what was sent to explore the coasts of Xingchang a long time ago, returned to Amaia. The captain of the ship said that he travelled around all Xinchang land and visited also the distant Quinsay colony. He provided excellent maps and said that Xingchang has big cities but small territory.

In Anubis 74 the city walls of Darius Kabir were destroyed at last and next month the city was captured. These were good news what were reported to emperor. The bad news were that Athribis had built city walls. So Plengor asked additional 5 diplomats for Southern army.

In Ptah 74 the city of Tyre was again established. This recreated the direct road connection to Sidon. The same time war preparations were going on at full speed. The Northern army had reached to Amaia and was getting reinforcements every month. New warship which was completed in Western Sea was ordered to sail around the Continent to join with Eastern Fleet.

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CHAPTER XXII
TEN YEARS OF SULTAN MURABI'S RULE
Sobek 74 - Thoth 73

In Re 73 Menua reported that the Eastern Fleet is ready for war.
In Nephthys 73 Plengor reported that Southern army is ready and two months later that Northern army is ready too. All war preparations were finished.

But three months later, in Thoth 73, there were planned big celebrations because Murabi had ruled 10 years. This reason Murabi decided to postpone the war until after the party.

In Thoth great celebrations were held in Babylon and other cities around the Empire. Emperor was very satisfied with his rule during last 5 years. Economy was again stabilized, powerful army created and Stygian threat held firmly under control. Even Menua proved to be capable admiral at last. His western Fleet had sunk many Stygian ships and prevented any landing by enemy. The war with Xingchang can start!