Chapter 25
“The time has arrived for us to reassert our control of the Palos. God has presented us with an unavoidable opportunity to do this and simultaneously it will allow us to provide a distraction from the Raslavonian plans for Naerius,” the Raja said to the Grand Council.
The Waziri muttered to each other and finally one elderly wazir chimed in, “I do not understand, your greatness. What do the Palos provide us that we cannot get somewhere else.”
The Raja replied after a small hesitation where he looked to the ground, “Our enemies conspire to retake Naerius due to their misguided belief that they have some destiny there. Leaders who feel that they are destined will make choices that will defy common sense. The risk in allowing them to consider these ill-conceived notions is that they will bite us while we fight with another. So my plan is quite simple. If we start actions against the Palos during this time of great turmoil in the Great House of Raslavon, we will distract those with thoughts of destiny long enough for us to fortify Naerius.”
The Waziri continued to mutter amongst themselves. The old man was nodding his head as a younger man whispered several things while counting something on his fingers. Finally the same old wazir said, “Begging your pardon, great one, but you have consistently tried to use the Palos as a tool to tweak Raslavon, and as the Armada Wazir pointed out in our last gathering that we are spread thin from our contact with the Albion. You tell us that there is an opportunity to do more than tweak now. You actually are now promoting a full scale invasion.”
“Absolutely, dear friend.”
“What is the situation in the Raslavon empire that you feel is so compelling...we know of course that Edward has overthrown Philip and he is missing.”
“My friend Philip is not missing and as it turns out has returned to the planet to regain his throne by rallying the Boyar forces loyal to him.”
The murmuring in the room reach a fever pitch at this statement. Philip had survived? Finally a young wazir in the far left corner of the assembly said, “Friends, this is a glorious opportunity for us to take the Palos and tighten the noose around the Raslavon system that they have attempted to do to us for a generation. We must strike and strike quickly.”
The old wazir chimed in, “May God protect us through Ramesh so that his people will return home.”
The Raja looked at this as approval for his plan. He dismissed the assembly. The attack would commence shortly.