Empire Builder 4: Breed, Populate, Conquer, page 4
“I hadn’t intended to be gone for so long, yes,” he said. “But the reason I was delayed can wait. What I need to know right now is who those people are outside, and if they pose a threat.”
Shrike raised her palm, letting Ben know she wanted to speak. He nodded in her direction.
“I can answer all of those questions,” she said. “We were all surprised when we saw the masses of people who’d gathered around the tower. Like I’m sure you thought, we worried that they might be attackers. But one of them, the self-appointed leader of the group, approached the tower and requested to speak to the ruler.”
“And what did he say?” Ben asked.
“Only that they came in peace. That was all. When I was down there, I was able to take a closer look at them. They were… not in good shape. Most were in rags, and it seemed that many were carrying all their worldly possessions with them.”
“Refugees,” Ben replied.
“It would seem that way,” Shrike said, her eyes flashing with a brief flourish of fire. “Regardless, I wasn’t going to be taking any chances. I seized the man in charge and put him in our dungeon.”
Ben lifted his eyebrows in surprise. “You what ?”
Shrike shrugged. “Pretending to be a sorry group of migrants would be a very good way of sneaking into the tower and getting us to lower our guards before they attack. He’s not being tortured or anything like that—I made sure to keep Sir Gallant the Younger away from him, don’t worry. And he’s sheltered and well-fed. I’m sure he’s more than pleased with his accommodations.”
Ben didn’t hesitate. “I want to speak to him now. Tower, give word to the dungeon that I’d like the newest prisoner to join us in the council room.”
“Of course, Ben.”
He nodded to one of the aurochkin in the room, motioning for food and drink for the group. The kin hurried off, and Ben felt his stomach grumble in anticipation of the food to come.
The aurochkin brought a simple meal of bread, butter, and sliced meats, along with wine and beer to drink. Ben only had water with his meal, wanting to keep his mind as sharp as possible to deal with the problem before him.
As he ate and drank, he went around the council as they took turns describing other developments in the empire. Resources had been acquired, army volunteers had been collected, and Zito had even been able to find a few candidates to start his Luminous Blades.
It was all important, Ben understood, but he also knew that the matter of the people outside of the tower was the most pressing.
So, when the doors to the council room finally opened and a tall, bearded man with bright blue eyes stepped into the space, he had Ben’s full attention.
The man was tall and built strong, with wild red hair and a beard to match. He was dressed in rags, his cheeks sunken a bit. But despite his humble appearance, Ben could see the strength in him.
“You’re the leader of this tower?” he asked. “Tell me, what do you plan to do about my people?”
Ben allowed himself a small smile at the man’s audacity.
“And what sort of ruler allows the representative of a group of migrants to linger in prison? Tell me, boy—what’s going on here?”
Ben admired the man’s bravery in being able to storm into his council hall and bark out commands. It meant he was fearless, that he cared for his people and their well-being.
But all the same, Ben couldn’t allow anyone to speak to him the way the man was doing. The rest of the council watched in silence, all of them waiting to see what Ben would do in response.
Ben said nothing. Instead, he closed his eyes, activated Siphon, and found the man’s strength cord. He focused further, finding his strength below the waist. When it had been located, Ben pulled a small amount away.
The man’s blue eyes went wide as he dropped to his knees. He placed his big hands on the ground and tried to push himself up. But his legs wouldn’t cooperate.
Ben rose slowly, clasping his hands behind his back as he made his way around the table. The man struggled to get up but wasn’t able to.
“Now,” Ben said, “I’m more than willing to hear you out. But you will not barge into my council and start making demands of me. Understood? I’m the ruler of this continent—soon this world —and you will show me respect.”
The man grabbed onto his legs as if he might be able to pull them up from the ground. But as Ben stepped over to him, it seemed to slowly dawn on the man that he wasn’t going anywhere without Ben’s say-so.
When he finally accepted what was happening, the man looked up at Ben with worried eyes as if he’d made a grave mistake and was about to pay for it with his life.
“We… we’ve only come for help,” he said.
Ben nodded slowly. “If you want help, perhaps you will get it. But let me ask you this—are you the leader of the group outside?”
The man took a deep breath, composing himself before speaking. Ben could sense that the man had great pride, and being in such a low position didn’t come easy to him. But Ben knew what he was doing. The man could, perhaps, be useful to Ben. But first, he would need to know his place.
“I… I’m something like that.”
“I’m going to need a little more clarity than this,” Ben said. “First, tell me your name.”
“My name… my name is Smith—Smith Greatoak.”
“Now, Smith Greatoak. Why don’t you tell me what happened and how you came to be the representative of all those people outside?”
He closed his eyes as if trying to figure out where to begin.
“We’re… we’re not a group —despite what you might think from the sight of us out there together. Word has spread about you and your conquests, including how you freed the monsterkin from the clutches of The One Who Rules All and how you’ve banished slavery from your empire. Not to mention the fact that your land is free from the raiders and slavers and brigands that the Xurian Realm has allowed to exist on the continent. Naturally, when people began to learn of you and your rule, they decided that they might have better fortunes in your realm than eking out barebones existences in the woods and the wastes.”
“So, that’s where all these people are from?” Ben asked. “The far reaches of the continent?”
Smith nodded. “Before you arrived, anyone living on the continent had two options—live under slavery or live in the places that were too hardscrabble for the Xurian Realm to care what happened there. My kind and I aren’t the sort to live in chains, so it was an easy choice. But now that you’re here, things are different.”
“Different how?”
“Different in that we have a chance to use the fertile land of the continent to make a real living, to establish towns, places to not just survive, but thrive . We may not look like much, but if you give us a chance to live in your empire, we’ll be able to become something much greater than we’ve been.”
“How did you come to lead these people?”
Smith shrugged. “No real process. I was the leader of my tribe of fifty or so people, and when we’d heard that you’d killed The One, we packed up our things and began moving. And along the way we met with more and more people who were doing the same thing. Eventually, I became the one to lead them. By the time we got here, I was the one in charge. Nothing formal.”
“But you speak for them?”
“I suppose so.”
Ben paused for a long moment, considering the matter.
“And what do you want?” he asked.
“What everyone wants—a chance to live. A place to call home. If you give the word, we’ll begin unpacking and rebuilding our towns around your tower. You might not know it, but the land here in this area… it’s some of the richest, blackest soil I’ve ever seen in my life—perfect for farming. And then there’s the river, which leads all the way to the Stormdeep Ocean. This area could be the trade center of the entire continent. You ask me, this tower’s in a perfect position not just to be a fortress, but to be the citadel of a new capital city.”
“And you’d be the leader of this capital?”
Smith opened his mouth to speak but closed it when he seemed to realize that he would need to choose his next words carefully.
“That… that depends on what my people want.”
“You’re right,” Ben said. “It does. And it also depends on something else.”
“What’s that?”
“Whether or not I allow you to be in charge.”
Smith pursed his lips as if he’d understood that he’d possibly made a big mistake.
“And… is that something you’ll permit?”
“Tentatively. I want to know if you and your people can actually do what you’re saying they can. For all I know, you’ll be another problem to deal with. And make no mistake, I’ll deal with you if I have to.”
Smith only nodded, not saying a word.
“But first, I want you to submit to me, to acknowledge that if you become the mayor—or whatever you want to call yourself—of this new town, you serve under me. I’m the emperor, and you’re my subject. I plan to rule fairly. But make no mistake. I’m the one who rules.”
Smith pursed his lips one more.
“It’s clear to me that you’re the kind of man who’s used to giving orders, not taking them. If you and your people are going to live on my land, that will have to change. Understand?”
“I… I understand.”
“Now,” Ben said, “pledge to me your loyalty and service as emperor.”
Smith narrowed his eyes slightly. “And… if I refuse?”
“If you refuse, then you and your people will leave my land and go back to wherever you came from. Simple as that. Or, perhaps, I encourage them to find a new ruler who’s a little less rigid and more respectful of the chain of command.”
“No,” Smith said. “There’s no need for any of that. I pledged to protect my people, and if acknowledging you as the ruler of these lands is what I must do, then I’ll do it without hesitation.”
It was a good sign to Ben—it meant that Smith was more interested in the survival of his people than his own pride.
Ben took the opportunity to use Siphon to transfer Smith’s power back into him. Smith’s eyes flashed with happiness as he realized that his strength had returned.
“Right now, you have the freedom to turn and leave without another word. I want you to make the choice of your own free will—not out of compulsion. If you wish to serve, then bow before me,” Ben said. “Pledge your loyalty and service.”
Smith nodded. He returned to his knees, bowing his head forward.
“If… if you wish to have me serve, then I will serve with unwavering loyalty.”
Ben let his words hang in the air for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
“Rise.”
Smith did, standing before Ben as if waiting for his next command.
“Go out and spread the word that your people can settle around the tower. And it’ll be your job to keep order. I won’t hesitate to expel anyone who gets out of line or creates trouble. We’ll meet again once the settlement is underway, and you’ll be given the same terms as the monsterkin near the river—I’ll expect a percentage of resources, along with volunteers for my armies. My protection doesn’t come free, after all.”
Smith nodded. “I understand. And… thank you.”
He bowed his head one more time, then left.
“You did the right thing,” Melody said. “Those people need our help. As the growing power in the region, it’s our duty to give it to them.”
“It’s more than just help ,” Shrike said. “If Ben’s going to be leading this empire, he’s going to need to think in terms of strategy and planning. With that in mind, it’s the smart move to bring Smith and his people into the empire. Every empire needs a capital, and the people out there, humble as they may seem, are more than enough to start it. You’ve got manpower, Ben—it’s up to you to decide how to use it.”
“And I can find more troops for the army!” Zito said. “The Black Army is still out there, and we’re going to need soldiers to fight them. If you want, I can begin the process of finding who among our new citizens is ready and willing to join our growing army!”
“Do it,” Ben said. “But give them a few days to settle in. I want to see how capable Smith is of leading his people. Until then, you’re all dismissed.”
The council rose and began making their way out of the room. Ben did the same, going into his chambers and returning to the balcony to look out over his empire. Down below, Ben could see Smith leave the tower and speak to the large half-circle of people who’d gathered to hear the news. Cheers rose as he told them they would be able to stay. And the refugees didn’t waste any time going to work, unpacking their things, and getting ready to stay.
“Hey, Ben!”
Ben turned to see Melody enter his room.
“You know,” he replied. “I think you’re the only person in this empire who’s got coming-in-unannounced privileges.”
She grinned. “I should hope so after what we’ve been through together.”
Melody stepped up to the balcony with him.
“Something I was thinking—this is going to be your capital, right?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Then you’re going to need a name for it. After all, if you conquer this entire world—like I think you will—this place is going to be the most powerful, important city in the world!”
Ben looked down at the gathering of a thousand or so people. She was right. It was humble at the moment, but in time what he was seeing down below would grow to a mighty metropolis.
“You’re right. Any suggestions?”
She put her hands on her hips and cocked them to the side in a way that made Ben very aware of her shape. He felt himself come to life down below his waist.
“Well, it should be named after you—no doubt about it. How about… Ben-opolis?”
Ben couldn’t help but laugh at the name.
“I like where your head’s at,” he said. “But that doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. How about we use your old name—Benzhameen?”
“We’re getting there. But maybe not the whole word. How about just ‘Zhameen’?”
“Hm, I kind of like that. But… it needs to be bigger, more important sounding. It needs to be grander …” Her eyes flashed as she realized something “I know—Grand Zhameen!”
“Grand Zhameen…” Ben mouthed the name, trying it on for size. “You know what? I think I like it!”
Melody grinned, slipping in front of Ben and throwing her arms wide.
“In that case, welcome to Grand Zhameen—the greatest city in the world!”
Ben didn’t waste a moment reaching forward and slipping his arm around her waist.
“And I’ve got just the way in mind to celebrate.”
Melody’s mouth formed into a sly smile.
“Great minds think alike, Ben.”
Together they laughed as they made their way inside, into the bed, and between the sheets.
Chapter 5
One month later…
Ben stood on the balcony of his tower, his arms spanned over the railing, the morning sun pouring light down on him from a crystal-clear sky above.
The weather had turned over the last couple of weeks, the mild warmth to the air replaced by a slight chill. He was dressed in a thick coat made of black leather, the neck and sleeves warm with fur that had been dyed black and red.
A small smile was on his face as he looked out over his realm.
Smith, so far, had proven himself to be a more than capable leader. Over the course of the last few weeks, the ragged bunch of refugees had established their first towns around the tower. They weren’t much, of course—a few settlements with buildings made from their disassembled wagons—but the potential was already there.
Ben had ordered a count of the refugees—there were a little over two thousand as of the second day, and more and more were arriving with each passing day. Word was traveling around the continent that Ben’s first tower was going to be the seat of a great new city called Grand Zhameen, and all the freemen and women of the continent were eager to make their way to the region and stake out their claim.
But Ben knew that his conquest had only just begun. There was still the matter of the other three towers, the remaining two-thirds of the continent still controlled by the other Bens. He knew that if he was going to control the continent, let alone the world, it was only a matter of time before he would need to fight.
His army was slowly taking shape. He, with the help of Zito, had gone through his new holdings along the river, putting out the word that he would be needing troops for his army. He’d known that it was a real possibility that he would need to press some of his citizens into fighting, but it hadn’t come to that. A trip to each of the towns along the river had yielded a thousand able-bodied recruits. Many of them were untrained, of course, but he would see to their development into proper soldiers.
Smith had done the same with the refugees around the tower. A hundred volunteers had pledged to fight for Ben and his empire, increasing the size of his army. It wasn’t a huge number, but Ben knew that with more refugees arriving by the day, it would only be a matter of time before he was able to raise a massive force.
Not to mention that he’d received word from Morgon over at the factory that he’d found a workforce large enough to get things up and running. So long as a steady stream of resources found their way to the ruins, Ben could count on siege weapons for his army.
There was still the matter of individual gear—armor, shields, and weapons—but for the time being, the army was able to make do with weapons left by the Black Army. The thought of the Black Army reminded him that the problem of them was still far from taken care of. He knew that over a thousand troops were somewhere on the continent. The fact they’d been laying low only made him more nervous.
