The Next Erased Title for Security Reasons

Chapter 12: Turmoil- Within and Without

[Rewind]

Merdane, Meltinzer

The Federation sent Prince Saphniel back the following day. Shadow had received instructions on how the next two days were to go. He planned it out, using his herbal methods to coerce the courtiers. So when Saphniel returned, Naffsetar, already frightened by the Behemoth, quickly abdicated (unofficially) and put Saphniel in charge of all affairs of state. The Crown Prince nonchalantly brushed off the courtiers' questioning of his treatment in the Federation warship.

"Those rebels thought I was only the Prime Minister, and let me go after a few questions. If they had known I was the Crown Prince, my head would have rolled." Hearing this remark, Princess Pappillia rolled her eyes. His trip had been to the Behemoth's own ship, and he was laughing carelessly? Something seemed fishy. To her, the Behemoth had always been an intmidating figure, even if she had met him only once.

"I thought you would end up shivering in fear at the mercy of that man, cousin Saphniel? Or are you simply putting a façade to forget your fear?"

"Eh, why? They all seem to be quite stupid, and, cousin Pippa were you afraid? I mean, weren't you kidnapped by them, a while ago? Shouldn't I exact revenge for the insult to my wife?"

Pappillia thought for a moment. "No, please don't. I've come to like them very much."

But that precise moment, as if by an astrological jinx, the gates of Merdane were stormed down by the Federation's troops. The guards advanced with lance and sword in hand, and the Federation's army charged with equal fervour. The battle began. The Meltinzer army breathed a sigh of relief: at least those infernal warships were nowhere to be seen. The commanders gathered. If the aerial fleets were not there, then the Royal Army stood a chance to annihilate the obstinate rebels.

Naffsetar sat on the sofa in his study, and sneered. Saphniel was no wartime ruler. All that cunning jackal knew were policies to seduce the people. A puny coward who was going to come running back to him any time now.

"Your Majesty. The prince still cannot give orders while you remain King. Those Charsch rockets, what must we do with them now, Your Majesty?" Amanda, the secretary knelt before him.

"I see, let's blast them off at the ships. I want every cannon directed at the skies. The Royal Guards and the army can handle the rebels in the city. Tell them to man the battlements. We need our full might to face the fleets."

"Your Majesty, there's no ships. And most of the rioting is by the incredible numbers of rebel villagers trying to take the walls down, with assistance from the Federation troops, sir."

"Amanda, oh, Amanda. What did I tell you, gorgeous? Do not question me. This is only a ploy, so that our defences will be lowered, so that it is safe for them to attack. Take the full armoury to the fort towers, including the gunpowder. Aim the cannons and catapults at the sky. Don't waste any explosives on the attacking villagers. We'll be prepared for their ships. And, ha! With the amount of explosives in our possession, we'll be sure to blast a couple of fleets to ashes!" Naffsetar laughed maniacally, patting his rotund belly. Amanda stared in despair. She trudged to convey the King's instructions to the Commander in Chief.

The cannons were loaded, gunpowder stocks taken out and neatly stacked along with all the rockets and long range weapons in the evacuated Merdane piazza. The majority of Charsch and Meltinzer platoons stood guard to ensure that none of this could fall into the Federation's hands. Once the entire forces available to Meltinzer had assembled in anticipation of the fleets, the Federation's spies in Merdane headed to the bell tower of the North Palace. The first signal was sent, to the rioters. They immediately grabbed any person they could find, dragging them out of the city frantically. Once the rioters had done their duty, twelve flares replied to the bell tower. The next signal by the tower was higher, and red.