[ Eptian LXIII ]

Fayareg and his few remaining men eventually made their way back to the main Hetharcypian force, he had managed to beat Eptih back. When the other Hetharcyp saw how few were returning they were utterly shocked and many knew that heads would soon roll. Fayareg had little time to compose himself and was still dirt and blood spattered from the recent travails when Eptih returned. 

Fayareg made decision to confront Eptih with the situation first before anyone had the chance to use the information against him and when Eptih arrived Fayareg was the first to meet him, requesting they speak in private. Eptih agreed and the two stepped off into the surrounding forest. Fayareg told Eptih the story and Eptih quickly became enraged smiting Fayareg on the head causing him to fall to the ground and then yelled loudly at him, continually berating him for not following the very specific orders he had given. Fayareg knew that all the Hetharcyp were hearing the commotion and felt profound indignity. Eptih in his anger began to manhandle Fayareg in a more aggressive manner ready to land more blows but Eonan and Zimahnil convinced Eptih to let him be. With that Eptih stormed off to his tent. 

Feeling dishonored and ashamed, Fayareg fled into the night. 

Eptih was now in a rough position. He would soon need to start sending men away from his force to strengthen the Pan Mortal Army but at the same time he knew that, being exhilarated by their victory, the Velidians would be looking to strike the deathblow. The onslaught would now be relentless until the Hetharcyp ceased to exist. Eptih knew he needed to do something audacious but he did not know how much his reduced forces could withstand. A short time later Eptih called together a (council) of some of his best men and learned from them the true condition of the Hetharcyp. Morale, they conveyed, was not only damaged by the mistakes of Fayareg but also by Eptih’s treatment of him. Eptih complained to the men that he should have killed Fayareg however they responded that that would have been completely demoralizing for the men.  

After some time and cajoling the men convinced Eptih to bring Fayareg back and show his magnanimity and thereby restore confidence and brotherhood within the Hetharcyp. Eptih, although not being one for anything insincere, eventually agreed and so a small party was sent to find Fayareg led by Zimahnil.

The next day, Eptih sent off the first installment of Hetharcyp as trainers for the Pan Mortal Army. Now he needed to devise a plan to show his strength to the Velidians in order to check their enthusiasm. What he decided was indeed a bold plan. He decided to split the Hetharcyp into two separate forces each operating independent. This would give the impression to the Velidians that the Hetharcyp had grown so large that it was able to field two separate and fully active forces. This would be very tricky however because Eptih would need a commander he could trust completely to lead the other half of the Hetharcyp and all this would have to be done as more waves of Hetharcyp would be called to join the Pan Mortal Army (PAMOAR). Eptih watched over the men he had placed as leaders of the Hetharcyp and none seemed worthy of the position. 

It was at this time that the detachment sent out to recover Fayareg brought him back. When Eptih heard Fayareg was back he called him to a meeting at which he planned to further lay scorn on him. However in the midst of the meeting a feeling came over Eptih that Fayareg was the man to lead the other Hetharcypian force. Here before him was a man virtually ruined who would do anything to redeem himself. Fayareg would now be ruthless in his actions if given the opportunity, a man who would know if he failed he would die, a man for whom total victory was his only salvation. Eptih told Fayareg his plan and Fayareg was grateful for the opportunity. Eptih made the situation painfully clear though with no illusions, he told Fayareg what he expected and let him know what the consequence of failure would be. In Fayareg, Eptih was somewhat skeptical but yet hopeful. Eptih needed Fayareg to redeem himself otherwise they would all surely die at the hands of the Velidians. Eptih’s decision would either be insightful or ruinous and he knew it.