This is a fic that I got the idea for when pondering one of Mat's memories.
Disclaimer – The Wheel of Time and all related media are property of Robert Jordan and Tor.
"This is foolhardy." Laithar Demono was a hard man whose instincts often led to great victories, but at this time and concerning this subject Culain Coil Hebar couldn't respect the man. As far as Coil was concerned nothing was foolhardy if it meant saving your land and your people.
"So many men will die it won't matter if the defense is successful." Laithar went on. He was sitting across the table from Coil with one leg lazily thrown over the arm of his chair. He gestured broadly with his right hand; the hand was clutching a long stem pipe that contained some of the best tabac from the west of Dhowlan. Laithar was short for an Aldesharan, almost a head an a half shorter than Coil but the stature of his personality and the forcefulness of his presence seemed to make up for this shortcoming.
"This is not about leaving sufficient numbers to live comfortably, this is about honour. Honouring our land, our people, and our history. What is the point of living if we just become another one of Hawkwing's provinces?" Coil said finally. He had prepared the plan with full knowledge that Demono would try to thwart him. But Coil was sure, there were some things more important that his life.
"I don't want to hear anymore of this now," Joal Ramedar said, and immediately Laithar closed his mouth on what he had been about to say. One simply didn't continue when their king told them to stop. "I will consider your plan, Coil, it is noble to say the least and it would be valiant enough to be written in the histories, I am sure. However, you will understand if I am hesitant about sending my people to a potential slaughter on their own soil. Now, if you will both allow it, I am going to retire. It is late and it is cold, I suggest that my two generals do the same."
Laithar and Coil bowed to their king as he departed from the relatively small chamber the king liked to call The Preparation Room. It was little bigger that a farm house and housed only one table, circled with chairs and one shelf littered with maps. There was a fireplace on the north wall that heated the room very well thanks to its low ceilings.
Coil grabbed his coat from the back of the chair where he had been sitting. It was modest for the current styles in Aldeshar, having only minimal embroidery on it. Giant silver thread cranes stood proudly facing each other on either breast of the coat. Modest as it was it fit Culain Coil Hebar perfectly. Coil was sober and proud, not to mention a master swordsman.
"I know why you are doing this, Coil, but what ends can it possibly achieve?" Laithar said. He was over 20 years Coil's senior, giving him time to become somewhat of a legend but it had taken him all his life to reach this point. Coil, who was only 30 years old, had risen like wildfire in the ranks garnering some legend like qualities for himself.
"It's not about the ends. Even when Hawkwing breaks through and takes the capital he should know that Aldeshar did not fall meekly into his hands. I know it sounds reckless but no great army with a great general would do any different." Coil retorted.
"Now you are counting yourself amongst the great generals?" Laithar said with a joking tone.
"Do not twist my words. This is no time for jests." Coil knew once the words escaped his lips that he should have laughed and put Laithar at ease, for that was what Laithar was trying to do for him.
"The King is right we should retire, but perhaps you would join me for something that may aid in our rest?" It was well known in the court that Laithar kept a very good bottle of apple brandy in his rooms and that he often indulged himself before bed. Coil had joined him on many an occasion but he simply was not in the mood for it this night.
"Suit yourself, my young cohort." Laithar gave his a fatherly smile and departed through the way the king had.
Coil shook his head and took his sword belt from the table. He hated it when Demono played at being his father. Despite that fact that he could easily be, it made Coil feel small and like he was being humored amongst the adults.
He walked back to his rooms with a foul air that caused servants to jump out from in front of him. The plans was not foolhardy, it was the only this that Aldeshar could do. Do or bow meekly to Artur Paendrag Tanreall when he came crashing at the door. The Aldesharan would stand and fight until every one of them was dead, it may look as useful as falling on their own swords but it would serve another purpose that just making them all look valiant. Hawkwing was not a man without honour, as Coil had witnessed the other times they had encountered each other, he would protect and treat those remaining with respect and honour them if the armies fought against him. It had been that way when he took Roemalle and it would be so when he took Aldeshar.
For take Aldeshar he would, but not without a fight.