Role

Chapter 5

Zanzar's plans were coming together beautifully. There were a few who saw
right through his deceptions, and would have nothing to do with him. Zanzar
figured you cannot fool everyone all the time, and targeted these ones the
most frequently and viciously. He would simply eliminate anyone that
questioned his methods, or tried to shine light on his Grand Performance of
Grand Deception. He had a following now, many had pledged themselves as his
disciples out of either fear or wonder, and his secret cult was growing to the
size he desired of it very quickly. Zanzar was picking only the rarest and
most open minded to join his secret following, knowing that he could use them
all in different ways to further his own ambitions and power, while giving
them the illusion that their wishes would come true also. Zanzar was becoming
quite adept and assuring others of his reputation, which was built on lies and
rumors. He had his allies in the Empire, he had his disciples he was choosing,
a tribunal here, a villager there, so many useful tools for him to use to
craft his design. The disciples could do the bulk of his work. Spy, research,
even murder, and his hands would be clean of it. This secret gathering of his
was a hand that reached even outside the Imperial Army, and gave him a
distinct advantage that many imperials did not have. Zanzar's secrets are his
true source of power. He plays a dangerous game though, and choosing the wrong
disciples could end in disaster for him. They would either fall in line, or he
would have to eliminate them, and replace them. For now, his focus was on the
Emperor, and assuring him that no other blade was worthy of the War Master
seat. He had succeeded thus far, but the seat was still his to reach out and
grab. The time was near, and the tide was rising. Soon he would know how his
plans were coming together.