Alexander could not figure out the reason behind Amenheraft's hasty attack.
And he ignored Kyamin's advice about asking Maizdy because he doubted he could get much information out of the fat man without weeks of brutal interrogation.
Unlike these soft shrimps, who were singing like a canary just in the hope of getting out of here alive.
"So, what does my lord think the real reason is?" So when Melodias then posed the million-dollar question.
Alexander gave a very simple, but quite anti-climatic answer, "Don't know." making Melodias be at a bit of a loss at what to do.
"Let's keep asking and see what we can know." Alexander then simply addressed as he moved to his second point, "The disasters that hit Adhania must have not been easy for anyone. So where is Amenheraft getting his men from? And who is paying them?"
"....." This was an important question, and the nobles looked at each other inquisitively, but it appeared none knew.
"My lord, it is possible His Majesty might have promised them greater land. After all, we were also promised such," A noble at last hypothesized, the logical statement drawing nods from the others.
But though logical, it did not make sense for Alexander.
"I remember that all of you swore that you will abide by the treaty. And in exchange, you received a lot of money. So explain yourself." Alexander in a gentle tone asked, hiding his frustration.
"...." There was another pause as the nobles looked uncomfortably looked at one another as if deliberating whether they should say it.
But finally, understanding Alexander was going to pressure them anyway, one of the nobles picked up the courage to at last say it, "Since, the Pasha said he hates lairs, then let us be frank. A lot of us feel that you have already broken the treaty when you massacred the temple. So we…"
But this noble was cut off from finishing his accusation by a flustered Kyamin, who quickly interjected, "My lord, Lord Jamil I just tired. We all know that the happenings at the Temple were the work of the gangs and street rats. And we thank you for punishing them."
"That's right, that's right, we are ever thankful that you destroyed those crooks, They were always a constant menace to us."
Soon, to cover up this Jamil, the others joined Kyamin to try and distract Alexander with lavish praises and puffery.
But their efforts appeared mute, as the one currently being rescued suddenly barked, "Bah! You spineless cockroaches. Why are you sucking up to him? I lost my daughter that day! He is my daughter's killer! Murderer! Butcher!"
Alexander was caught a bit back at this outburst, how the seemingly soft, spoken gentleman turned red-eyed and combative at the snap of a finger.
"Apologies, my lord, thousand apologies." Seeing this vituperation, Kyamin figuratively lunged forward with apologies, saying, "Lord Jamil is still grief-stricken about his loss. And could not control his temple. Please show mercy, my lord pleasure," The lord even clasped his hands.
It appeared his daughter was a trigger.
Alexander only performed a light smile hearing this, as he slouched back and in a languid manner answered, "Well, since we are all being frank, then you should also know the reason why the Temple was destroyed by the wrath of the gods. Because some mice dared to accuse the gifts of the gods as being cursed. Naturally, they would be smitten." He said this while looking at his nails, as if the men he was talking to were not worth his attention.
And Alexander was basically reminding them he killed the priests because they were the first to spread malicious rumors about him.
"....." Another difficult silence followed as Jamil wanted to retort, 'You have no proof,' but held off on that because neither did he.
And because he was getting death glares from all the others who were telling him to keep his trap shut.
'If you want to die for your daughter, you go die alone, Don't drag us into it,' Seemed to be the message.
It was at last Kyamin who diffused the awkward silence, laughing jovially and saying,
"Hahaha, yes, yes, the lord is right. We both sides have had our differences. But the important thing is that we look past these differences and move on."
"Yes, let's" Alexander too answered with a friendly smile, as he raised his third point,
"The number of men you said doesn't seem to be small. And there are so many horses as well. How will they come? Land. river or sea? What route will they follow? How will they be supplied? Tell me everything about the army." Alexander eagerly asked.
Forty to fifty thousand (40,000 - 50,000) moving was basically a moving town, so these were important questions to be answered.
Would they march through the other areas of Zanzan?
Or use the waterways?
And since Zanzan was hit pretty hard by the famine, how would the army feed itself?
Because foraging would not be an option, as the deadline for the attack appeared to be late winter, meaning before the spring thaw and the sprouting of the plant, shrubs, and even grass.
And all the poor folks of the countryside were basically inside Zanzna, so no stealing from them.
"This we know. In fact, we know quite a bit because this because we were actually asked to help regarding this" This was said by the skinny noble who had first uttered the word 'army', and who appeared very enthusiastic about reporting his answer to Alexander.
"All the troops will travel by sea, my lord. And they will carry all their supplies with them as they land at the Hatamum. That's a small city, almost like a hamlet 40 km east of Zanzan." This noble introduced, before continuing,
"Then they will then march westward to Zanzan, while the ships keep themselves close to the shore, ready to resupply the troops along the way. And once they reach Zanzan, they would lay siege to it, with the intention of taking it."
He then finished by saying, "And as native nobles, we were approached by the King's emissaries to help the troops reach Zanzan in any way that seemed necessary."
"Which means showing the troops the land, directing them along proper, easier, or sometimes secret routes."
"While also preparing appropriate accommodations for the nobles, arranging appropriate food and entertainment, and all other things. I'm sure My lord understands."
Alexander did understand, as the noble was eluding to having to arrange beautiful women for the officers and nobles.
Sometimes poorer nobles would even arrange for their daughters to serve the nobles in the hopes of climbing through the ranks of nobility through marriage relations.
And it made Alexander hold nothing but disdain for this custom.
'Are they going to war or a brothel?' He thought.
Alexander believed that if the mind was occupied with the thoughts of beautiful maidens one was going to be served up, or that fresh flower one tasted just the night before, when was he going to have the peace of mind to plan for the war?
Never mix business with pleasure.
But Alexander quickly pulled his thoughts out of this and instead asked the more important questions, "Why will the troops land there? Why not much nearer to Zanzan? And will there be a naval blockade?"
"Yes, there will be a blockade. Some troops might even try to land at the harbor," This time Kyamin gave the answer, snatching the opportunity from that thin noble.
Because they believed the better they could answer Alexander, the more favor they would be able to earn.
And so following that endeavor, Kyamin further added, "The reason for landing at Hatamum is because in the winter, the waters get choppy around Zanzan. There are also sometimes huge storms and typhoons. They will want to avoid this. And Hatamum is a relatively safe, calm port that is also about 2 days march from Zanzan. It is perfect."
And finished by saying, "And this is also why the naval blockage will likely be only a secondary attack, with few troops participating."
"That's right. Besides the Jahal mercenaries are feared for their cavalry. They will want the land," That noble, whom Alexander remembered being called Latif added.
'Hmmm, I did think that they had a lot of cavalry.' Alexander recalled the number as five to six thousand (5,000 - 6,000) and was even amazed that it belonged to a mercenary group.
"You guys keep emphasizing that 'Jahal' mercenaries. Who are they? Why do you sound so scared of them? And how does a mercenary company have the money to use cavalry?" Alexander had picked up on that name and was curious.
And more importantly, as far as he knew, using cavalries was almost the exclusive right of the Adhanian nobility.
So how could a mercenary company use them?
"….." The nobles could not believe there was anyone in Adhania who did not know about the Jahal mercenaries.
They were famous to the point mothers would scare naughty children with their names.
'I was impressed at first seeing the brat not even flinch hearing their name. I even thought the boy had balls. But now I see that he is just ignorant.' All the respect that Kyamin, and all the other nobles had gained towards Alexander was washed away by this question.
And they even added to their hears, 'And even his entourage is just as ignorant. No wonder his nickname is Jakqum. A Jakqum leading a bunch of Jakqum's.'
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