[ Eptian LXV ]

Eptih, when told of Fayareg’s reluctance to bring the Second Hetharcyp, composed a message that made it absolutely clear that if he did not bring the Second Hetharcyp in Eptih himself would personally come and take command of them and that Fayareg would suffer the consequences. This message was delivered and Fayareg was forced to finally relent, as a result Fayareg moved the Second Hetharcyp to head to where the Pan Mortal Army was in training. 

Eptih was very pleased with how Fayareg had handled command of the Second Hetharcyp and figured he was redeemed but the reluctance he showed to bring the Second Hetharcyp in gave him reason to be suspicious. He knew Fayareg wished to increase his power but he did not know exactly what method Fayareg might use to achieve that end. As such Eptih decided to keep a careful eye on him in the future, should the need arise he could be executed but until that proved necessary he would use him to help command the Pan Mortal Army.

After some time Fayareg returned with the Second Hetharcyp and when Eptih talked with him about not providing warriors for the army and his hesitation to bring the force back, Fayareg stated that he was in a tough position and could not comply to immediate orders but was forced to finesse the situation before he could make any particular move. Eptih sensed a tone of insolence in Fayareg’s answer and as a result felt the Second Hetharcyp could not be immediately integrated into the Pan Mortal Army as Fayareg may have tainted them. Therefore Eptih decided to take command of Second Hetharcyp himself and relieve Fayareg so that he might join the Army. 

The leaders of the cities were not happy about this actions of Eptih. They wanted everything to come together as one singly commanded force, they wanted the Hetharcyp and Eptih controlled. If they had not so feared the Hetharcyp they would have jailed Eptih but now they would need to deal with him delicately, they saw in him a possible catalyst for the failure of the Pan Mortal Amry.

For Eptih’s part he used the excuse that he wanted to protect the developing Pan Mortal Army but in reality he was hoping to achieve two things. One, he wanted to test the loyalty of the Second Hetharcyp to see how much damage Fayareg might have caused and second, he knew the leaders of the cities wanted him and his Hetharcyp tamed. Having a force in his personal command kept him feared and safe from mediocrity, there was no way Eptih was going to become some lowly peon. It was only because of him that the Mortals had a chance to throw off the Velidian yoke.  

After some debate it was decided among the leaders that it was important to have Eptih and his Second Hetharcyp combined with the Pan Mortal Army and so Command of all forces was offered to Eptih. Eptih accepted this offer and soon after the Second Hetharcyp was disbanded and blended into the Pan Mortal Army. Now that the army was consolidated those who understood the situation marveled at how it all had happened, and those being honest would have to give the majority of the credit to Eptih.