Sabotage Sam

“The plan is simple. Samead doesn't actually want a fight right now. What he wants is a compromise in his favor. A fight would just weaken both sides if the strengths are equal.” Fiona levels her gaze at you.

“We know that from training, don't we, Brother?”

“That's right. So... What do we do?”

“We side with him.”

“What? I thought we were going to sabotage him?”

“The worst thing for him is to gain support he does not actually has, to lure him into a fight that neither side can win.”

“Aren't we technically sabotaging both sides by doing this, then?”

“Never mind that.” Fiona said dismissively.

“The point is to get him out of our hair.” She observed your reaction. Your hesitance to see him die, as that was what was implied. She shook her head.

“I of course just mean... Make him not a threat. Which this will do. Losing will stunt his power for a good long while. Long enough for others to fill the void.”

“So it's really just as simple as throwing our support behind him, then withdrawing once the actual fighting starts?”

“Who we're actually throwing our support behind is our mother, who got roped into all this. She is at his side, so we are begrudgingly assisting to keep her safe, and secure our own future alongside him.”

You were surprised. “That all sounds pretty devious. Have you always thought like this?”

“Don't be silly.” She scolded.

You shook your head. “Whatever, so basically all we do is lead them there, then disappear. Easy.”

“No, we do have to fight.”

“Wait, what?”

She smiled impishly. Beside her, Innad sat, looking down at his feet. His ears were drooping. You guessed that the planning was a bit much for him to be party to, considering it directly concerned his people, but ultimately you thought that he should have been happy to stop Sam.

“If we just leave, they will too. No commitment, no need to stay. Retreat, and then we're the ones that will be saddled with everything for not following through. We have to actually fight our way though the Queens forces. Through the elves forces. Draw the Orrans deep enough that there is no escape once we eventually pull our support.”

“This is starting to sound pretty bloody.”

Fiona stood up and approached you, then sat nearly beside you. She rested her hand over yours. “We don't have to draw blood. Our presence enough will drive them back. Their natural inclination would be to lure us into the city.”

“Are you sure?”

“I promise.”

-

The Orrans took Aniyufaran boats up the long river; they were made for it and designed for holding heavy cargo, and the Orran troops qualified. Rather than defend the mouth of the river leading into the capital, which had two sides sitting on either side of it, the entry was quiet and dark, like it was swallowing them. The city was barren with not a soul walking the streets or poking their heads out. Then, as the boats were in the middle of the city on a straight path to the Palace the Elven arrows began flying and striking Orran shields. The thick bolts penetrated deep. Unlike the Aniyub weapon designs, Elven crossbows were designed for war on the continent. Sam was beside you with Marrien. You were on the last boat, outside of arrow range. Fiona was on the first boat. You watched her shoot up to the rooftops faster than a returning arrow. There was an explosion and a plum of smoke at the top of the sandstone structure, signifying that the way was cleared. Your purpose was simply to protect your mother.

“I figure.” Sam began cockily.

“That if we can clear out these Jackals we can probably set up a dynasty of our own.”

Marrien smiled cheekily. “Wow, that is such a good idea. Did you think of it yourself?”

You cringed. Their rapport was becoming a bit too close, just as Fiona predicted. It was not in your Mother's favor. She was supplicating herself to him, allowing him to demean her. She was giving in bit by bit to his charisma. You ignored it and brought up the rear with Marrien and Sam. He had a contingent of troops surrounding him, but you were his main line of defense.

“It's just like I thought. With you twins on our side we can't lose. There's no shot.” As he said that, a shield wall stood in the way, between the forward troops and Sam's escort. He did not look worried, even as Elves began to line the rooftops and more Aniyub soldiers blocked the retreating path.

“Handle this for me, will ya?” Sam requested.

You gripped Marrien's hand tightly and began to step back. “Fin?” She asked, confused by your hesitation. She was not privy to the plan, either. Arrows rained down on Sam's guard. The fat man narrowly managed to escape ahead of you and Marrien.

“What are ya doin! Do somethin!” He demanded, panting as you trailed behind him awkwardly.

“Why aren't you doing anything? And why aren't they shooting at US?” Marrien questioned.

“For the first question, we're dealing with Sam. As for the second...” You glanced up at the rooftops and saw the Princess herself with a clear shot on both you and Sam that she did not take. She smiled at you and offered a subtle nod, instead.

“Fiona.”

“W-what? What's that supposed to mean? We're selling out our own, here?”

You pulled her into an open, safe building and kept her close. You tried to shake her out of whatever she was on.

“Mom, Sam isn't GOOD for us. He isn't good for anyone. This was the only way to free these people.”

“Fin...” She pinched the bridge of her nose.

“You are so naive. Sam is a known quantity. I know he is a little crude, but his mind is easy to understand and he is not bad. He fulfills promises, maintains contracts and always does exactly what he says he is going to do. Why would you NOT take that over anything else? Who put you up to this? I promise you, whoever it is does not have these peoples interests at heart. It was the elves, wasn't it? Their princess wooed you both?”

“No.. It was...” You furrowed your brow.

“Wait here, Mom.”

You followed Sam's trail through the streets in the dark. You could make out orange lights in the distance down some roads, and off on the horizon. Burning. This was not really for anyones benefit. It was just destruction. You remembered what Fiona said. Sam did not want a fight. You wondered if any of this could have been avoided if you didn't listen to her. You stopped at the end of the alleyway and saw Fiona and Innad. You stepped into the shadows.

“Think about your mother. Think about your people.” Fiona pushed an Aniyub blade into his shaking hands. He held it amateurishly, but pointed it at a Helpless-looking Sam.

“Woah woah! You all won. Don't do this.” He begged.

“Why can't you do it, Fiona?” He whined.

“Because it should be an Aniyub that strikes the blow. Shouldn't it?” She answered in a calculating manner.

“Again, think of all he's going to do to your people? Why hesitate?” Fiona questioned.

“I- I just don't think I c-”

“Oh for gods sake!” She took his hand and pushed him, causing him to stumble forward. The blade pushed into Sam's padded stomach. Fiona used her grip to twist it inside, then pull out.

“You bitch...” Sam groaned, holding his wound as he collapsed to the ground.

“I knew... I knew you were somethin' special.” Fiona took the blade and jammed it abruptly back into him, leaving it there. She leaned back and sighed happily, basking in the moonlight and orange light of distant fires.

The princess landed beside her. “The leadership was supposed to be preserved.” The Elf commented.

“The Orrans, the whole fleet will be out for blood.”

“You're right.” Fiona nodded, shaking her head.

“I can not believe the Aniyub did this. They even left their weapon behind before running right back to the palace.” She pointed, almost managing to sound convincingly annoyed.

The Princess chuckled. “Here I thought I had an agreement with the queen that we would simply 'nip' them a bit. A minor correction, as she called it. This is everything but minor.”

“An ****.” Fiona claimed.

“But-” Innad began.

“Innad, sweetie.” Fiona interjected.

“Come here and heel. Don't say useless things.”

He surrendered and knelt down beside her submissively. She idly stroked his hair and rolled her hands over his perky ears.

“Whatever are we going to do. I wonder?” The Princess thought out loud.

“A thinker.”

You left before either of them could spot you. You felt as though you saw something you should not have. By all accounts, you should have been protecting your Mother, but you felt no threat from any of the parties. It was as if it was all orchestrated.

-

“I don't understand how you could flip so quickly. It's like you aren't even listening!” You said passionately. Marrien rolled her eyes. You strategically withheld the rather damning information about Fiona, unsure if it was within your interest to spill it. You instead tried to play upon her rationale, but quickly realized it was useless.

“I can see that you don't understand. Let me break it down for you. I am salvaging whatever was lost here. Sam was killed brutally by an Aniyub. We can not tolerate that.”

“It was a battle, though.”

“It's not about what's right. He's not supposed to die in a battle. What do you think we were going to do to the Elves we captured? Especially the Princess?” You stared at her blankly.

“Release. This was supposed to be a play fight. An exercise to decide who got to control Aniyufar. The Aniyub took it too far.”

“They were protecting their home!”

“No. They were assassinating one of their RULERS. Their home was already ours. Either the Elves or us or Orrans, the result was the same.”

“It's hypocritical to act all indignant when they are just doing what is right for their own people.” You argued.

“What do you think we're doing? We side with them and what do the Orrans think? The ones running our ships... What about our interests? After all we invested, we're going to let them go to be nice? No. It's already decided.”

“W-what about Fiona?” You rested your face in your hands.

“I think it's a good idea and the elves seem to agree. She's female, she's in what the Aniyub consider to be an Aniyufaran relationship with a member of nobility. I... Was not expecting things to turn out this way, but I suppose the dynasty will still be put in place, only it will be ours. All in all, Cheshire is coming out on top somehow. God knows how we lucked into this one...”

Fiona was set to replace the Queen of Aniyufar with Innad at her side. The elves approved it and the Orrans begrudgingly accepted that the elves were at least taking a back seat.

“We're leaving her here?” You wondered out loud.

“Not sure. We've considered simply leaving our name with Innad. A couple of handlers and a Governor to secure our interests here in our absence.”

“How are we going to leave a 'Dynasty' without a proper heir? Doesn't Fiona have to get pregnant?”

“No, you just have to do your duty with the former queen.”

“Wait wait wait...” You stepped back.

“You don't expect me to-”

“We do.”

“Has Fiona approved this plan?”

“Why would Fiona have to approve anything?” Marrien uttered in annoyance.

“Fiona is not in charge and she does not want to stay behind and get pregnant and have an heir. This is also a potential compromise with the previous Queen. Innad and Fiona in absence rules until she bears an heir, then it's her line and ours, still, that rules in the future. It's perfect.”

“Has she agreed to this already?”

Marrien smiled and rested a hand on your shoulder. “I believe in your charm, dear.” You were stunned speechless.

-

You made your way to the inner palace to observe the private ceremony where Fiona was crowned. You had to admit, a throne seemed to fit her, however you had no idea how any of this was going to work. You slipped out and made your way down the hall to a nondescript room in the palace. It was hinted to you that the woman you were supposed to meet was under arrest within it. As you entered the room quietly you saw a woman slumped over on a wicker chair, her head resting on her head. She was leaned to one side on the arm rest and she did not move as you entered in front of her.

“Hello? Are you Cyyani?”

She was silent. “Listen. I am so, so sorry things had to turn out this way.”

“Are you?” She asked curiously.

“I am.”

She exhaled sharply through her nose. “Then drop down onto your belly and address me like the worm you are.”

“S-sorry?”

“You didn't mishear me.”

“I'm not going to do that.” You asserted.

“Of course not. You people have no culture. Even the Elves I know now came as serpents. All your women are puppets of men. So sad.”

“Not all of them.”

“Oh, you mean the girl? I do admit, when we spoke she seems to have the makings of an Aniyub. She controls my nephew well, as she should. But it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.” She inspected you closely.

“But... It seems like you as well have a sour taste you wish to get rid of.”

“They want me to... Be with you.”

“Ah. So that my and your heir can take over after a short stewardship by Innad and your people.”

“That's correct.”

“No. I'd much rather leave with you all.” Cyyani explained.

“We can't take a passenger...”

“I'm not a passenger. I'm a warrior. Besides... You have ****.”

“I have ****?”

“I may have been mistaken. You are a spineless man controlled by your women. Also quite a perfect Aniyub. I will control you instead and you will benefit. Do you understand?”

“Uh..” You were struck speechless twice in one day.

“You are going to tell your former mistresses that I am hesitant, but that I could be convinced over time if I were to come with you. Besides, you will say, my absence will only strengthen the new rule you are putting into place.”

“That... sounds feasible.” On one hand she had no leverage to be making demands. On the other hand, you looked at her. The thick, tall Jackal woman had lightly bronzed skin and barely any clothing covering her voluptuous breasts. She wore gold around her neck and at her wrists and ankles. She had a look that reminded you of Fiona's, crossed with Marrien's and for some reason that was incredibly enticing. You also figured it would be a point of defiance against whatever else Fiona had in store. Going along with what your Mother wanted played directly into Fiona's desires, whether she knew it or not.

* * *

Schedule - Patron release here https://www.patreon.com/TVWintergreen | Extra Tier - Friday | All Patrons - Tuesday

CHYOA Release - Friday