Authors Note: Hello readers. Just a quick reminder that like most authors I do like to see an occasional review to help spur me on; just something to think about. I want to make sure that some people are still reading and that I'm not just writing for my own enjoyment. This means that I am expecting at least one review before my next post. Sorry to have to get tough but that's the way it is ;) Anyway let the story continue!

Chapter 58

The Pieces are Set

Naraku's POV

From the white walls of Brilith the depraved hanyou stared out with a feral joy on the hordes assembling below. The sun was slowly rising in the east and its rays made the troops below look as if they were already covered in the blood of victims. The glint of the cruel weapons carried by his minions was a gifted work of art to Naraku. He closed his red eyes and imagined the glorious carnage that was to come. Blood. Fire. Death. Power. These were his only desires and like anyone else he wished to have his dreams come true. The hanyou did not care that to fulfill his desires meant the deaths of thousands. Why should he care? Those lesser beings were certainly not his responsibility. Besides; he was responsible to no one. Naraku opened his eyes and again glanced down on the fields full of demons and humans arming themselves. They were preparing to fight and die in his name but what of it? They were nothing but pawns in his grand design and their only value was in dying to fulfill his desires.

Naraku laughed softly as he considered some of the other more precious pawns he controlled. In particular the hanyou silently congratulated himself yet again on capturing the new prince's son. Sulam , the only child of the lost prince and Lady Avia the Fair, was being held in a dark dungeon in the depths of Healo's former castle. Naraku's eyes glinted with a disturbing malice as he imagined the pain and fear that the young demon was now experiencing. Revenge was indeed sweet. Healo had dared to defy his plans and now he was just beginning to pay the price. Not only would his son suffer but in time even this newly exalted prince would serve Naraku's purpose. He would have no choice in the matter. Soon his army would march south and that ambitious fool Bianen would send his forces as well. The combined army would roll over the quickly decaying Empire and force Healo and his little band to do something drastic. They would come to Naraku of their own accord and then they would be crushed.

Hearing a noise behind him, the hanyou turned slightly as Kagura calmly approached and threw something at his feet. Glancing down Naraku saw that it was a red wolf pelt. The wind witch flipped upon a fan and explained in a calm voice, "The Northern wolves are apparently still working for Healo. These demons have never accepted your power but now they are spying for the little prince." Naraku laughed and replied, "What of it? Healo and his foolish friends already know that I have been building an army. If anything I hope that the other wolves report just how powerful my army has become. That would have a wonderful effect on the Empire's morale…the prisoners are still secured?" Kagura stepped closer, blinked, and answered, "Is it really that likely that they would escape? Especially since Riath is on your side." Naraku smiled cruelly and said, "No, but I can not afford to leave anything to chance. So long as I hold on to these pawns I have nothing to fear, but the most important of them all is Sulam. As long as that young demon is mine I have nothing to fear from his father. I might as well be holding Healo's heart in the palm of my hand."

The hanyou laughed malevolently at the rush of satisfaction he felt from this truth as he imagined yet again the pain that the new prince must be feeling. However, he noticed that the wind witch flinched at this statement so he continued in an amused tone, "Kagura…is something wrong?" She waved her fan a few times and blinked as she realized her mistake, but Kagura affected an unconcerned tone as she answered, "No." Naraku smiled knowingly and replied, "Is that so…perhaps you have realized that you and Healo have something in common; both of you have lost your hearts to me." Kagura turned away from her master and her voice was harsh as she said, "I don't care to have my helpless position pointed out to me." Naraku frowned at this and in the blink of an eye had swung his servant back around to face him. Kagura cried out in pain as the hanyou's grip tightened on her shoulders and he said in a cold tone, "Just be sure that you remember how helpless you truly are, Kagura. You are nothing but a part of me. If you defy me again I will not hesitate to kill you. Do you understand?"

The wind witch's eyes widened in fear, but her response was given in a confident tone, "I understand." Naraku released her as he turned to look back over the army that was forming just below Brilith's walls. Farther away smoke was rising from the pits where some of the Northern inu were forced to serve him. It brought Naraku such satisfaction to know that the people of the North were forced to endure the punishment that Healo had for now avoided. But that would change very, very soon. All was now ready for the next step. The hanyou glanced back down at the red wolf pelt and said, "These vermin are nothing but a nuisance and they have evaded my wrath for too long. Kagura, you will go and check on the prisoners personally and then I want you to take part of the army and teach these wolves a lesson." The wind witch hesitated for a moment but then replied, "The Northern wolves are definitely a nuisance, but attacking their mountain fortresses would be suicide."

Naraku laughed and replied, "Good…if you don't understand the logic behind it then it is unlikely that Healo will connect the dots either. However, I'll tell you since it will help you to perform your task. The Northern wolves are allies of this new prince and they are providing him with valuable information. By sending part of my army against them I force the wolves to focus on protecting themselves instead of providing Healo with information. Healo knows that I have an army that is far larger then his own and the Northern wolves will request aid in repelling your attack. Sesshomaru will have to send part of his army to ensure that the Northern wolves survive. They are his Northern flank; if I defeat them there is nothing to stop me from marching troops through the mountain passes straight to Ionin. Of course what Healo and Sesshomaru don't know is that the panther demons are about to attack the Western Lands as well which will take even more troops out of the army that Healo is even now forming." Naraku paused and moved closer to the edge of the wall, "Healo is not expecting me to strike first…all of his plans for reclaiming the Empire were based on the assumption that I would defend the Northern Lands and that Bianen would be the one attacking."

Naraku paused for a moment then continued, "The new prince was not expecting me to kidnap his son…he won't be able to sit back and counter our offensives. Every moment that passes by without him moving closer to rescuing Sulam will be pure agony for Healo." The hanyou laughed again at the thought then added, "In the end he will come to me…which is exactly what I want to happen." Naraku glanced back at the wind witch and asked, "Now do you understand?" Kagura frowned but nodded then Naraku replied, "Good. Now go." She quickly left to fulfill his command as her master turned back to again regard the hordes assembling below. A vicious smile spread over the hanyou's face as the assembled humans and demons began to split off in several directions. Some were being sent ahead of Kagura towards the mountain fortresses of the Northern wolves. However, the bulk of the army was moving in a huge wave towards the south…into the unconquered lands of the Empire. His hordes were on the march. Naraku was thrilled with this sight and said to himself sarcastically, "Are you ready for this, My Prince?" The silence that followed this question was only punctuated by the noise of the hordes below…

Healo's POV

The new Prince looked down with uncertainty from the walls of his father's palace. Below him he could see smoke rising from the furnaces that were hastily producing weapons for the new army that had sprung up at his command. He could not believe that it had only been three days since he had revealed his true identity to the whole Empire. Many of the distant cities and villages in the Empire had still not heard the news of his ascension to the post of Prince. Most of those that had received this news had responded with optimism and were complying with his proclamation for the raising of an army against Naraku.

The Western Lord was still in Maleon but Healo knew that Sesshomaru would soon have to return to Ionin to organize his forces. The new prince sighed as he leaned over the rail of the balcony. He heard familiar footsteps just behind him, but did not turn immediately. His visitor recognized the prince's mood and so began to speak softly, "My Prince, some of your agents have returned with news from the Northern border." Healo turned his head slowly before turning the rest of his body. Healo frowned slightly and replied, "Brother I've told you about my title. You only need to use it when we are being watched by the public…what did the wolves report?"

Magus's expression did not change but his tone became slightly more serious as he responded, "Naraku's forces are assembling. The Northern wolves believe that soon this army will march south. They will have to cross the Drianen River but once they do this army will be in the Western Lands." The prince nodded thoughtfully then asked, "Have we pinpointed the likely crossing areas? Perhaps we will be able to do some damage to this army as it crosses the river." Magus sighed then responded, "This army is so large that it will have to divide itself in order to cross the river quickly. It would take far too long for the whole horde to cross at just one point. Lord Sesshomaru has already put his forces in the area on alert and more soldiers from the Western Lands are being assembled and sent to watch these points." His purple eyes saddened as he continued, "However, even if we sent everything we have ready to the area we could not repel Naraku's forces. We still need more time to organize."

The Northern Lord nodded in agreement and said, "Yes I know, but it is getting harder to remain here Magus…every moment that passes is one more with my son in harms way." Healo fought against a surge of anger as he continued, "Even the forces we have ready now would be strong enough to challenge Naraku if it weren't for the betrayal of Bianen. Even though he is not an especially skilled warlord, Bianen forces us to concentrate a large percentage of our army against him. I wish that Naraku would have remained on the defensive; if he had we could have concentrated most of our forces against Bianen, crushed him, and then focused entirely on that vile hanyou with everything we have." A cold voice responded, "Do not delude yourself into believing that." Healo turned slightly as the Western Lord calmly stepped out onto the large balcony. He continued, "Naraku has your son. He knows you too well; he knew that you would want to attack him and so he has made that impossible. There is no point wasting time on what may have been."

The prince frowned and said, "Sesshomaru…how understanding and compassionate you are." Magus started to say something but he was interrupted by the Western Lord who replied in a frozen tone, "Your decisions affect the future of the Western Lands. I will not allow you to make decisions based on your weak emotional problems." Healo's blue eyes blazed with rage and he only barely felt the pulse of Yamikura at his side. If he had it is likely he would have realized that the cursed blade was again toying with his emotions. Instead he responded, "Do not mock me, Sesshomaru. I have felt pain that you cannot even begin to imagine." With an effort Healo calmed slightly and continued in a softer tone, "I know that there are times when my emotions are a weakness, but often they serve as my strength. I don't know how you go through life without them." Magus broke the tension by saying, "There is another important piece of news, brother. Bianen's son, Kriac, wants an audience with you."

Healo turned towards his brother with a curious expression and asked, "Did he say why?" Magus shrugged then answered, "All he said was that he wants to discuss the situation of the Eastern Lands with you." The prince frowned then said, "Surely he isn't planning to threaten me." Magus shook his head and replied, "No. He only spoke to me briefly but I don't believe he will be speaking on his father's behalf. Actually since he was the only ambassador from the Eastern Lands who has remained in Maleon I think that he may prove to be an ally." The Western Lord added calmly, "However, this may be another ploy of Naraku's."

The prince nodded in agreement and said, "Yes it could very well be another trick, but I doubt it…Bianen may be an ambitious fool, but he wouldn't risk his heir's life that way. Magus, send a message to Kriac. I want to hear what he has to say as soon as possible." His brother nodded and quickly left to fulfill this command as Healo turned back to look over the balcony. He again felt a wave of sadness as he watched the brave sons of Maleon preparing for the dreadful war that had come upon them. He felt the staring eyes of the Western Lord on his back and so said, "I know that you consider my compassion for them to be a weakness, Sesshomaru, but I can't help it. Before we came most of them hadn't even considered the possibility of fighting and now look at them. Many of them are preparing to march to their deaths and they don't even know it."

The Western Lord responded calmly, "Brother, you are the one who can see into the minds of others and yet you speak this way? They are willing to fight and die for you because it is their duty. If I can sense that then surely you can." The prince smiled but his voice was still sad as he said, "I can sense their eagerness, but most of them have no idea what war is really about. It feels as if I have been fighting my whole life, Sesshomaru, and I would not wish what I have experienced on anyone." The Western Lord did not respond for a moment but then replied firmly, "If you believe that then you must fight all the harder this time. If you do so then this war may be the last this generation will face." Healo frowned but some of the sadness lifted from him. Sesshomaru did have a point after all. When the prince focused again on the forces preparing below much of the sadness had faded and in its place was a calm determination.

Without turning Healo said, "Brother, once Magus returns I believe that the both of you should return to Ionin to speed along the troop buildup there." The Western Lord replied, "Of course…you will watch after Kagome in my absence?" The prince breathed deeply and replied, "Yes. I promise to do my best to protect her." Strangely Sesshomaru calmly replied, "Very well…I will go get everything ready so that Magus and I can leave immediately." He left Healo standing alone on the palace's balcony contemplating the coming destruction. At his side Yamikura was delighted by these thoughts and glowed ominously. It was ready to taste blood…

Authors Note 2: So what do you all think? Let me know how you think things are going. As long as I get at least one review I'm hoping to update shortly after Christmas. So merry Christmas to you all :) Don't forget to review!