The chilling revelation of the noble families' proposed evacuation plan resonated within Kaelen like a cold, strategic note. It was a secret dagger aimed at the fortress's heart, far more dangerous than any Orc axe or Necromancer spell. Such a plan, if leaked or poorly executed, would shatter the fragile morale of Karshelm's common soldiers, those who truly held the line. Kaelen saw it not as an act of betrayal to condemn, but as a lever to manipulate, a weakness in the fortress's command structure he could exploit to solidify his own growing power.
His immediate response was to deepen his understanding of the threat. He summoned Replicated Lieutenant Thomas Valerius to his quarters, the loyal duplicate arriving promptly, his earnest face mirroring the gravity of Kaelen's thoughts.
"Thomas," Kaelen began, leaning over a map of Karshelm he had meticulously detailed, "the information you've provided regarding the contingency evacuation plan is vital. I need more. Every detail: the precise routes, the designated rendezvous points outside the fortress, the specific personnel responsible for securing the exits, and the intended timeline. Leave no stone unturned."
Replicated Thomas nodded, his eyes bright with purpose. "Understood, Lieutenant. My original self has been particularly sensitive to this topic, so the information is readily accessible through his discussions with father and other council members. I will gather the specifics, including the proposed allocation of transport and guards."
Over the next few days, Replicated Thomas worked tirelessly, moving through the upper echelons of the fortress with quiet efficiency. He attended informal gatherings, listened intently during council discussions his original self was privy to, and even subtly extracted information from the logistics officers involved. His loyalty to Kaelen was absolute, translating into an unparalleled dedication to gathering these sensitive details. He returned with intricate maps of secret tunnels and hidden gates, lists of designated family members, and even encrypted communication protocols meant for coordinating the escape. Kaelen now possessed a complete blueprint of the nobility's intended flight.
With this knowledge, Kaelen began his subtle counter-maneuvers. He tasked Replicated Private Finn with a new, delicate mission. "Finn," Kaelen instructed, his voice low, "I need you to discreetly circulate a few… observations among the lower ranks. Nothing direct, merely a heightened awareness of certain 'strategic weaknesses' near the planned evacuation routes. For instance, the old supply tunnel near the Eastern Gate, tell them it's prone to rockfalls if jostled too hard. Or the hidden passage beneath the Southern Guard Tower, suggest it's poorly ventilated and might trap gas from the outside."
Replicated Finn moved like a whisper through the barracks, his casual conversations and seemingly innocent remarks planting seeds of doubt. The whispers spread quickly among the common soldiers, not as outright accusations, but as battlefield wisdom – cautionary tales about 'unreliable' routes. This served Kaelen's purpose perfectly: it subtly undermined the nobility's escape routes without directly exposing the plan, making them less viable for a desperate dash.
At the same time, Kaelen leveraged Replicated Sergeant Rhys. He assigned Rhys's squad to conduct rigorous, highly visible "fortress integrity inspections" along the very walls and tunnels implicated in the evacuation plan. Under Kaelen's direct, precise guidance, Replicated Rhys would identify minor structural weaknesses (often exaggerated or subtly created), leading to proposals for urgent reinforcement and increased guard patrols in those areas. This effectively allowed Kaelen to gain direct, unquestioned control over the very choke points the nobility intended to use for their escape. He was literally reinforcing his own prison walls, ensuring no one could leave without his knowledge and permission.
Meanwhile, in their secluded laboratory, Replicated Master Alric and Replicated Archivist were tasked with a crucial, if abstract, assignment. "Gentlemen," Kaelen instructed them, pointing to the evacuation maps, "I need you to identify any arcane or historical methods for sealing or collapsing specific passages quickly and efficiently, without drawing undue attention or causing widespread structural damage to the rest of the fortress. Focus on methods that can be activated from a distance or by a single individual."
Replicated Archivist delved into ancient schematics, while Replicated Alric sifted through forgotten alchemical formulas. Their combined intellect, powered by Kaelen's will, worked to develop subtle but effective countermeasures. They discovered ancient collapsing runes and alchemical compounds that could weaken specific sections of stone with delayed reactions. This would allow Kaelen to control the flow of any panicked exodus, ensuring vital assets (or personnel he deemed valuable) remained within Karshelm.
Kaelen maintained his visible duties with impeccable discipline. He continued to oversee the Northern Watch, which Captain Theron now lauded as the most effective defensive sector in Karshelm. His strategic input in war council meetings, often subtly informed by Replicated Thomas Valerius's political insights, became increasingly valued by Captain Theron and even Lord Commander Greycastle. He was becoming indispensable, a lynchpin in Karshelm's desperate defense.
His control over the internal supply lines, implemented through the "logistical audit," had largely stabilized morale regarding rations. The common soldiers, seeing fairer distribution and Kaelen's consistent presence on the walls, began to view him as a different kind of leader – one who cared for their welfare, unlike the distant nobility. This quiet loyalty was Kaelen's true harvest.
One afternoon, Kaelen received an urgent summons from Master Quartermaster Jorah, the fortress's chief logistics officer. Jorah was a pragmatic, gruff man, solely focused on the efficient movement of supplies, though he often chafed under the cumbersome hierarchy of the noble houses.
"Lieutenant Kaelen," Jorah began, his face etched with frustration as Kaelen entered his cluttered office. "The Lord Commander's latest directive has complicated matters immensely. He's ordered a priority transfer of certain… 'sensitive' goods to a secure location outside the fortress. Says it's a 'strategic repositioning of vital assets.' But it's stripping us thin, and causing bottlenecks in our regular supply lines."
Kaelen's mind immediately connected the dots. "Sensitive goods." This was part of the evacuation plan – pre-positioning resources for the noble families' escape.
"What kind of goods, Master Jorah?" Kaelen asked, his voice calm, feigning logistical concern.
Jorah sighed, pointing to a ledger. "Armored wagons, specialized long-term provisions, even a few crates of ancient family heirlooms. It's draining our best transport and guards from critical duties. And I have to authorize every manifest, Lieutenant. My signature is on every single one of these transfers." Jorah was unknowingly describing the crucial choke point of the evacuation plan.
Kaelen recognized the opportunity. Master Quartermaster Jorah. He was the gatekeeper to Karshelm's physical resources, the man who knew every crate, every wagon, every hidden storeroom. Replicating him would give Kaelen direct, absolute control over the fortress's entire supply chain, a power that could starve or feed, equip or disarm, any faction within Karshelm. He could even control the flow of the evacuation, should it come to that. And Jorah was tired, frustrated by the nobility's demands, a perfect template of efficiency yearning for order.
Kaelen still possessed his last duplication token. This was the moment.
"Master Jorah," Kaelen said, his voice reassuring, "this seems like an inefficient use of our limited resources. Perhaps I could assist you in optimizing these transfers? A fresh perspective, ensuring Karshelm's primary defenses are not compromised."
Jorah looked at Kaelen, his eyes searching. He knew Kaelen was effective, and he was desperate for a solution. "Lieutenant… if you could help untangle this mess, I'd be eternally grateful. My signature is required, but I need a way to ensure these… 'strategic repositionings' don't cripple our active defenses."
[Replicate Master Quartermaster Jorah? This will consume 1 Duplication Token.]
Confirm.
As Kaelen focused his intent, a faint, golden shimmer enveloped Jorah, so subtle it was lost in the dusty light of the office. The air briefly crackled, and then, standing beside the original Jorah, was an exact duplicate, complete with the same weary expression and the same rumpled uniform. Replicated Master Quartermaster Jorah stood perfectly still, his eyes, usually shrewd, now filled with an unblinking, absolute loyalty to Kaelen.
Original Jorah, mid-sentence about a manifest, blinked. He rubbed his eyes, then stared at his duplicate, his mouth agape. "By the… what in the Blasted Lands? Who… who are you?"
Kaelen stepped between them, his smile calm and reassuring. "Master Jorah, this is your new assistant, brought in to help manage the overwhelming logistics. A… distant cousin, perhaps, with an uncanny resemblance and a dedication to efficiency. He arrived just now, ready to alleviate your burden." He spoke with a practiced ease, the lie becoming second nature.
Jorah, though bewildered, was also overwhelmed and perhaps a little relieved by the prospect of an identical, competent assistant. "An assistant? A cousin? Well, by the King's beard, I suppose I could use the help. Don't just stand there, 'cousin'! Organize these manifests!"
Kaelen gave Replicated Jorah a subtle, unseen command. "Welcome, Jorah. Your mission: oversee Karshelm's logistics. Identify every asset, every route, every hidden stash. And ensure nothing moves without my knowledge."
Replicated Jorah nodded, his face impassive, his loyalty absolute.
Kaelen now possessed an unprecedented level of control. His core Legion was truly complete: a scout, a tactical commander, an alchemical genius, a political informant, an ancient archivist, and now, a master of all of Karshelm's resources. He had replicated his last available token. His Legion was six strong, his direct influence permeating every crucial aspect of the fortress.
The evacuation plan of the nobles was now a known entity, its routes compromised, its resources visible to Kaelen's loyal Quartermaster. The pieces were all in place. Kaelen looked at the maps on Jorah's wall, his gaze piercing. Karshelm was no longer just a fortress fighting a war. It was becoming Kaelen's fortress, every soldier, every resource, every whispered secret, gradually falling under the control of his quiet, unyielding will. The true battle for Karshelm, the one for its very soul, was about to begin.