An Unfinished War

By Hugh Gordon

Tarasita looks for revenge and Mesara fears rebellion in its midst. As both nations recover from their cataclysmic war, Alita Takhara and her family get on with their lives. The Crown Princess of Mesara, Ilsa Domina, finds a lover who may be her sadistic soulmate, but is more than he seems. And a bookish historian finds her true calling as a revolutionary... Part Two of the Mesara Trilogy

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hugh Gordon
• Release date: Jan 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452307398

Hugh Gordon

Hugh Gordon is currently a PhD candidate in History at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. He loves history almost as much as writing fiction.

Book preview

PART ONE:

CHAPTER ONE: DYNASTY

Verneer Keldon Nik did not understand why his wife, Verneer-Takhara Miyomi Alita wanted to stay behind to see the coronation of an Empress Regent she desperately wished to see deposed. They had been all set to go home. They had refused Empress Regent Ilsa Domina VIII’s offer to honour them in Goddess’ Haven, the Mesaran capital, so she had come back to visit with the Tarasitan family in Ælah, Sisteria. Nik, released from captivity by his wife had just been released from hospital in order to go home, but he deferred to his wife’s wishes.

The Empress Regent had decreed that she was to be coronated in that city, to reaffirm that Sisteria was still a welcome part of the Empire. Another reason was that she wanted to assure the nobility that she wished only to rule for a few years until her daughter was ready to be Empress. By not being coronated in the same city as her predecessors, she emphasized that her reign was special and temporary. She wore her own corset instead of the traditional robes. She had no way of knowing that she would unleash a new fetish style on her country that would make her the new darling of country’s fashion elite.

Nik and Alita were watching the ceremony in the Intendant’s Palace. They had been to Presidential Inaugurations in Tarasita, but those could not compare to this spectacle. Standing on the podium was soon-to-be Emperor Garron, Ilsa Domina’s husband. Even though their marriage had been entirely loveless, Garron had stood by her after the Chief Intendant’s treachery. He had suggested she not make him Emperor, but she refused. He was a natural administrator, and in his capacity as Emperor, he would act as unofficial Chief Intendant.

First came the Nuns of the Sisterhood, the young Sister Canoness Merovina Tatalia leading the way. Ilsa would be coronated as Head of the Church of Ælah before Empress Regent of Mesara. The nobles could not stand the Church, but as of that time, were unwilling to speak out against its privileges. The members of the Sisterhood sat in the front five rows. As the soon-to-be head of the church, Ilsa Domina the Elder appeared after the last nun. She joined her husband on the podium.

Next, came the other Imperial progeny. First in line was Ilsa Domina’s daughter, also named Ilsa Domina. It confused the heck out of Tarasitan analysts, but there was no confusing them today. Ilsa Domina the Younger was dressed in her Marine dress uniform, with her own corset. She would be coronated as Crown Princess today. Behind her were her siblings, Princess Major Cynthia Dita and Prince Major Texlar. They were little more than children, barely beyond pubescence. They looked as if they were sulking. This was their sister’s day to shine. Finally, the Empress Regent’s remaining sibling followed. Princess Monika had never been jealous of her brother or her sister, or even her sister’s daughter. She was an academic by trade. Her speciality was the history of the Sisterhood and slaves, something which had absolutely no relevance to contemporary Mesara since the Sisterhood had not held that privilege for millennia. Her sister would rely on her more in the coming days, but they had different ideas on how an Empress should rule. She did her duty in the procession as best she could. She knew how special this occasion was for her sister and her niece. The Crown Princess was a good girl, the Empire would be strong under her… But was that a good thing?

Ilsa Domina’s cabinet came next. Her brother’s entire cabinet had been sacked and either enslaved or imprisoned once it was learned that they had sided with former Chief Intendant Sian-Liana Cobrana. Pointedly, there was no Chief Intendant. Cabinet members, minus the Sister Canoness were announced in alphabetical order according to position.

Representatives of the nobility and the provincial and territorial Intendants were second to last. As was traditional, the noble rulers of the Domains were called first, then the Intendants and finally other members of the nobility. There was to be no Viceroy or Vicereine of the Protected Territories.

Two names were announced, but the persons did not enter. Duchess Yolanda Carrinan Cobrana and her grandson, Colonel Baron Tomas Cobrana, Imperial Mesaran Army were present, but had decided not to be part of the procession. Duchess Cobrana’s reasons were purely health-related since she had not recuperated from near starvation in exile for over thirty years. She watched from the visitor’s gallery, in the front row. Ilsa Domina as Intendant of Sisteria had exiled her on Sian-Liana Cobrana, her daughter’s, information that she was a traitor. She had been a dissident, but never an actual traitor. That had been her husband.

Tomas Cobrana was actually seated next to Nik and Alita. He had chosen not to be part of the procession because he no longer wished to be Mesaran. He had seen the invasion of Tarasita first hand. He even had a hand in planning the invasion. Of course that had been on his mother’s orders. He had quickly learned that he had made a mistake.

Tomas and Ilsa Domina the Younger had been good friends, once considered the best possible Imperial match, but he had fallen in love with someone else, a Tarasitan no less. He and Takhara-Verneer Alita Natalya held hands the entire time, amazed that they were able to do so after so long.

She had risked everything to be with him, and he, to be with her. All she had to do to know his commitment to her was to look at his face. The starkest reminder possible was the eye patch that covered where his mother, in a fit of rage, had pulled out his eye after he had dared to stand up for Natalya. He looked roguishly handsome, even with the eye patch. He was also recovering nicely from his confinement.

Both Ilsa Dominas had wanted Tomas and his grandmother in the procession because they had wanted to assure them that things would now be different. They wanted to open peace negotiations with Tarasita. Nik and Alita knew that it would not happen. The war might settle down for a few years, but it would never be over, not until all of Tarasitan territory was free.

Nik had told his wife what President Dundee had told him in the raft, almost a year before. She agreed with what the late President had said, but did not want to accept it. Her wounds were still raw. Despite the fact that as an analyst devoted to studying Mesara she was enthralled by the spectacle before her, she was also disgusted by it.

She was disgusted particularly because the last group to enter were the slaves. Led by the Imperial Slave Mistress and Slave Master, a hundred prime slaves were brought in, chained and whips to their backs. From their faces, Alita could see that some were Tarasitan. She thought that the Mesarans knew by now that Tarasitans made bad slaves.

The Sister Canoness stepped up to the podium with the twin thrones. Despite the fact that Ilsa Domina was the Regent, she wanted to give the impression that she and her husband were equals, so she placed his throne side by side with hers. However, the Empress would be crowned first.

There was one slight problem. Ilsa the Younger had been selected as Crown Princess by the last Emperor. She had to refuse the crown and name her successor. Ilsa stepped up behind the Sister Canoness and bowed to her mother. This was to show that she was not doing so under duress.

The Crown Princess turned to face the Sister Canoness. She stood proudly, facing her people. The Sister Canoness dropped to one knee averted her eyes and offered the crown. The Princess placed her hand out, palm up and shook her head. According to the custom, she had to refuse three times upon being offered three times. She did so.

Crown Princess Ilsa Domina, announce your successor. The Sister Canoness said.

I choose my mother as Empress Regent Ilsa Domina VIII of all Mesara. Long live the Empire!

Long live the Empire! The crowd chorused.

She turned around and kissed her mother before rejoining the audience. She would be reconfirmed as Crown Princess after her parents were coronated. Some in the audience breathed a sigh of relief. Historically, there had been instances where the rightful, but not yet seasoned heir had not accepted a regent. Empress Tara Alexa IV had drawn a sword and slaughtered her father with her bodyguard until she was allowed to reign at age 19. There was always the fear that the coronation would become a bloodbath.

The Sister Canoness bowed before Ilsa Domina the Elder. Again, she knelt and raised the crown. The Empress Regent accepted it. She crowned herself. She took the second crown and placed it on her husband’s head. That was not tradition, but it proved to everyone present who was in charge.

Empress Regent Ilsa Domina VIII of Mesara do you swear to uphold the faith of the true Goddess Ælah, to defend the divine autocracy and to protect the Empire from all enemies internal and external?

I swear, may the Goddess help me. Long live the Empire!

Long live the Empire!

Will my daughter Ilsa please join me on stage?

Ilsa the Younger knelt before her mother.

Arise, again, Crown Princess Ilsa Domina. I vow the Empire will be waiting for you stronger than ever when your time arrives.

I know it, mother.

The Empress Regent approached the media podium that had been set up for her use. Ilsa Domina wanted her speech to be heard by foreigners, but she was mainly getting a domestic audience. MBC and the private Mesaran networks had a direct live feed to the coronation. The Sealandians and Kulmanites were also showing it live since it was the middle of their night and only diehard royalty watchers would be seeing it. The Tarasitan networks would take the feed from the Sealandians if they wished. Alita thought no one at home would be watching. Tarasitans were not as entranced by pageantry. In the end, many Tarasitans would have to play back their recordings to understand the full implications of what the Empress Regent meant.

"Our kin, nobles, subjects and slaves… My daughter asked me to become Empress Regent until she is old enough to rule. I am… humbled that she would ask me to serve in this capacity. I only hope that the Goddess will give me the strength to fulfill my oath.

"I did not want to be Empress, I never did. I am only Empress because of one woman’s greed. My brother, were he living today, would atone for many of his actions, including promoting Sian-Liana Cobrana. I myself am to blame for some of her promotions. Her ambition, was my brother’s undoing. I will not let it be mine. The offensive in Tarasita stops now…

"What territory we have gained is ours. Tarasita must accept that. However, we realize that there are many in the Protected Territories who will continue to rise in rebellion against us. All persons who wish to leave the Territories for Tarasita may do so freely for the next six months. They may take all of their possessions if they wish. Imperial forces will also halt the taking of hostages for pacification. I know the Army feels this practice to be quite effective, but if we are to have peace, civilians must be treated as civilians.

"As a result of this change in policy, we announce a new colonization scheme for the Protected Territories to take the place of the Tarasitans who will inevitably leave. Grants of slave farms will be the first item on my desk upon my return to Goddess’ Haven. Non-noble subjects will have the first 100 grants.

"I realize some of these moves will shock and offend some Mesarans. Harsh changes are needed to maintain our way of life. Infidels surround us, yet we must prove our love and faith in the Goddess. Our dominance is the will of Ælah.

"This fact must not disturb our enemies. It is simply natural law. However, Mesara is not destined to rule the world, no matter how much we believe it to be so. We must have peaceful co-existence with the other nations of Mesara.

"To that end, we are announcing a new alliance with Sealandia. Prince Jurok will marry my daughter as Prince Consort. I know they will be happy together. May our two nations prosper together in peace. All Mesaran advisors and training units will be withdrawn from Kulman. That country must decide its own fate. We have lived up to our pledge to protect its independence.

"I would like to make one final plea to our Tarasitan foe. This is not my war. I do not wish to continue it, but continue it I shall. I offer you the chance for peace. Whether we have peace, that is up to you.

May the Goddess bless you all.

The crowd responded with the standard, Long live the Empire!

CHAPTER TWO: HOMECOMING

The flight from Murex touched down at President Dundee Memorial Airport. The government had not sprung for a private plane; that was a bad omen. Technically, they were two former heads of the Tarasitan Intelligence Service returning home after long missions, but they were not shown any courtesy. Nik had been declared dead and Alita had disappeared on her personal vendetta.

Alita thought she knew why they were getting the cold shoulder. The Empress Regent’s new policy was not playing well in Tarasita. Many wanted to continue the war. However, the President, knowing how exhausted the military was after the losses to the Mesarans and the heavy attrition to the Kulmanite guerrillas before that, had disagreed. She said that perhaps the Mesaran initiative needed to be considered by the Parliament.

The battle was already raging in Parliament by the time Alita and Nik had left Mesara. All they wanted was to go home and live in peace. But some politicians were blaming them for letting the Empress Regent think that she could get away with stealing Tarasitan land and not be fought for it.

The media scrum surprised even Nik and Alita who were used to being in the public spotlight. The news of the ceasefire was obviously being taken seriously. The sense of betrayal was palpable. They were being looked upon as traitors.

Why did you save the Empress’ life?

Why did you not kill the Empress and her daughter when you had the chance?

How did you broker the peace deal?

Why did you do it?

They attempted to head towards the exit where they would get a taxi, but the crowd surrounded all four of them. Finally, Alita had had enough.

All right… I’ll give a statement. But this will be my only one… then you can forget it!

She glanced at Nik, her daughter and her son-in-law. This was her story, her time to give vent to her experiences.

"My friends, my fellow Tarasitans… As some of you may know, I left my post to go and try to save my family from Sian-Liana Cobrana. She murdered my father, my brothers, my sister… all for reasons that I still do not understand. She abducted my daughter and used her as a slave. She abducted my husband and assassinated President Dundee. She had to be stopped. I did not know if I would have been able to deal with her, but I had to try… Somehow I succeeded. I would have done anything to save my family, anything. I never betrayed Tarasita. I helped save the Empress Regent and her daughter because it was the only way to regain my family’s freedom. I never asked for a truce. I never wanted a truce. It may take decades, but we shall repay the Mesarans tenfold for what they have done to us. It will not be easy. Our country has been through much. I am not the only one with painful memories. My husband watched as President Dundee died in his arms. My daughter saw firsthand how Mesarans beat their slaves. My new son-in-law lost his eye when his own mother tore it out when he dared stand up for my daughter.

That is not to trivialize the sufferings of my kin and countrymen in all of Tarasita. You are all on my mind and in my heart. My pledge was once to save my family… Now, I swear to you all before the Goddess that I will not rest until my beloved homeland, all of Tarasita, is free.

The reporters were dumbstruck. It was only for thirty seconds, but it was enough for Alita and company to get into a waiting taxi. It was when they were halfway home that Nik and Alita realized that none of them had any house keys.

In the end, it did not matter. A limo was waiting for them at the house. An agent was there with new keys, new clothes and a letter of invitation from the President. They were expected immediately.

CHAPTER THREE: DEBRIEFING

I heard your speech. I don’t blame you for the Empress’ actions. She’s smart. She cannot placate her country without keeping her grip on ours. The President said finally.

President Dundee, in his last hours, figured it would take a generation to get them off our soil. Nik told her. Tarasita must regroup. Though I haven’t been able to read reports for a year or so.

Neither have I. Alita said. But I agree with his assessment.

"We can defend ourselves, but not much more. With our troops out of Kulman and placed on the Western… frontier, the Mesarans will not march further. But, our forces have been decimated. And the refugees who have come across, they