The hum of Karshelm Fortress was a constant in Kaelen's life now—the creak of ancient timbers, the distant clang of smithy hammers, the weary murmur of soldiers. It was the sound of a living, breathing, dying entity, and Kaelen, as Lieutenant of the Northern Watch, felt himself becoming an increasingly vital nerve within its beleaguered body. His rise had been swift, propelled by cold logic and calculated acts of heroism, leaving Captain Theron more reliant on him with each passing day.
His core Legion was silently flourishing. Replicated Private Finn, a silent shadow, diligently relayed every whisper and rumor from the mess halls and supply lines, his eyes missing nothing. He moved through the fortress unnoticed, a ghost of Kaelen's will, gathering crucial intel on troop morale, officer discontent, and even the subtle political undercurrents between the various noble families whose scions served within Karshelm's walls.
Replicated Sergeant Rhys maintained his gruff, battle-hardened facade, commanding his patrols with unwavering efficiency. He was a perfect extension of Kaelen's tactical mind, implementing Kaelen's innovative training drills and subtly aligning the recruits under his command to Kaelen's methods. The regular soldiers, including the original Sergeant Rhys back in the main keep, saw only a remarkably diligent and skilled officer. They admired his stoic resolve and Kaelen's astute choice in his leadership.
Meanwhile, in his makeshift laboratory within the Northern Watch's supply room, Replicated Master Alric worked tirelessly. Under Kaelen's guidance, and with the complete knowledge of his original self, the duplicate alchemist had already refined the ballista bolt tips with specialized dampening compounds, leading to significantly more effective strikes against the lingering magical constructs of the Necromancers. He was Kaelen's scientific arm, quietly unlocking the fortress's arcane weaknesses and turning them into strengths.
Kaelen knew, however, that to truly exert control, he needed more than just military prowess and alchemical knowledge. He needed an understanding of the fortress's internal power dynamics, its hidden currents of influence and loyalty. And for that, Lieutenant Thomas Valerius, the grateful son of Commander Valerius, was the perfect key.
Kaelen sought out Thomas Valerius in the officers' mess, a place bustling with the strained camaraderie of tired leaders. Thomas, still recovering but eager to prove his resilience, was recounting his harrowing experience in the Whispering Woods, carefully omitting the more bizarre details, attributing his rescue solely to Kaelen's heroic leadership.
Kaelen approached him, a warm, genuine smile on his face. "Lieutenant Valerius, good to see you hale again. Your father speaks highly of your recovery."
Thomas's face lit up. "Lieutenant Kaelen! I owe you everything. Commander Valerius speaks highly of you, too. He believes you're the future of Karshelm."
Kaelen chuckled lightly. "High praise indeed. I was hoping to pick your brain, if you have a moment. As commander of the Northern Watch, I'm trying to get a deeper understanding of the fortress's… internal logistics. Supply chain efficiencies, troop deployment policies… and perhaps, the intricacies of the various noble house allegiances within the garrisons. Information that doesn't quite make it into the daily reports." He made it sound like a pragmatic necessity for a rising officer.
Thomas, flattered by Kaelen's attention and eager to assist his rescuer, readily agreed. "Of course, Lieutenant! My father has always stressed the importance of knowing who truly holds sway. He's quite transparent about the political landscape here. Come to my quarters after supper; it's quieter there. I've even got some old family records of troop movements and historical alliances that might shed light on things."
This was the opening Kaelen needed. A private, isolated setting. Information he genuinely required. And a perfect template.
After supper, Kaelen made his way to Thomas Valerius's quarters, a slightly larger, more comfortable room befitting an officer of a noble house. Thomas was already there, spreading out old parchments and maps on a small table.
"This, Lieutenant Kaelen," Thomas began, pointing to a faded map, "shows the traditional recruiting grounds for each noble family's levies. You can see how House Blackwood always provides the bulk of the heavy infantry, while House Thorne's strength lies in its light cavalry, though few of them made it through the last winter." He spoke with an earnest enthusiasm, clearly proud of his family's history and knowledge.
As Thomas delved into the complex web of loyalties, resources, and rivalries within the fortress, Kaelen listened intently, his mind absorbing every detail. He wasn't just hearing facts; he was mapping out the fortress's true nervous system, identifying its pressure points and control centers. This was knowledge that could slowly, subtly, unravel the existing power structure from within.
"And then there's Lord Commander Greycastle," Thomas continued, his voice dropping slightly, "the true power behind the throne, outside of Captain Theron himself. He controls the fortress's outer defenses, but his loyalty… well, let's just say he's always looking out for House Greycastle first."
Kaelen felt the last duplication token thrum with quiet anticipation. Thomas Valerius was a unique asset: not a fighter or a mage, but a conduit to influence, a key to the fortress's political heart. He had observed Thomas during their rescue mission – brave, idealistic, and deeply loyal to his father and the ideals of the kingdom. A perfect template for an agent of infiltration.
[Replicate Lieutenant Thomas Valerius? This will consume 1 Duplication Token.]
Confirm.
As Kaelen focused his intent, a soft, golden shimmer, almost imperceptible, enveloped Thomas Valerius. The air in the room seemed to momentarily thicken, and then, standing beside the original Thomas, was an exact duplicate, complete with the same earnest expression and the same uniform. Replicated Lieutenant Thomas Valerius stood perfectly still, his eyes fixed on Kaelen with absolute, unyielding loyalty.
Original Thomas, mid-sentence about the intricacies of the supply contracts, blinked, his eyes widening. He paused, staring at his double, then rubbed his eyes. "Good heavens! I must be more tired than I thought. For a moment, I could have sworn… a reflection?" He chuckled nervously, dismissing it as fatigue. "A very realistic one."
Kaelen, ever calm, smoothly intervened. "Indeed, Lieutenant. The oil lamps here play tricks on the eyes. Perhaps a moment's rest would serve you well. We can continue this discussion tomorrow. Your insights are invaluable." He gave his most reassuring, yet subtly dismissive, smile, easing Thomas's momentary confusion.
Thomas, eager to appear unbothered, nodded. "Yes, yes, perhaps so. Fatigue setting in."
Kaelen then subtly guided the conversation to a close, ensuring Thomas left feeling productive and respected, but without lingering on the bizarre incident. As soon as the original Thomas departed, Replicated Lieutenant Thomas Valerius turned fully to Kaelen, his stance snapping to attention, a silent query in his loyal gaze.
"Welcome, Thomas," Kaelen murmured, a quiet satisfaction in his voice. "Your first mission begins now. You will return to your quarters, blend in, and continue your duties as before. But every piece of information you gather—every conversation overheard, every subtle shift in allegiance, every whispered complaint—will be relayed to me. You are my eyes and ears in the highest echelons of this fortress. You will be my influence."
Replicated Thomas nodded, his eyes shining with purpose. "Understood, Lieutenant. My loyalty is to you."
With the new duplicate integrated, Kaelen felt a powerful shift. He now commanded a perfectly loyal and diversified core:
Replicated Private Finn: His silent scout and personal aide, extending his reach among the common soldiers and lower ranks. Replicated Sergeant Rhys: His experienced field commander, shaping the combat effectiveness and loyalty of his combat units. Replicated Master Alric: His arcane expert, unlocking magical secrets and developing powerful countermeasures. Replicated Lieutenant Thomas Valerius: His political informant, providing unparalleled insight into the fortress's command structure, noble house dynamics, and supply lines.
This was no longer just about survival. It was about control. Kaelen now had the means to understand and subtly manipulate every layer of Karshelm Fortress, from its grimy barracks to its ornate war rooms. He had an army of loyal, perfect copies, each a specialized tool.
The next morning, Kaelen reported to Captain Theron, presenting a detailed analysis of the Northern Watch's improved readiness, complete with suggestions for a more efficient rotation of siege weapon crews. Theron listened intently, his trust in Kaelen deepening.
"Lieutenant Kaelen," Theron stated, a rare glint of optimism in his eyes, "your efforts at the Northern Watch have not gone unnoticed. Lord Commander Greycastle himself has requested a meeting with you. He wishes to hear your insights on fortress defense, specifically concerning counter-measures for Necromancer incursions. A great honor, Kaelen. Do not disappoint him."
Kaelen's lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. Lord Commander Greycastle. The very man Thomas had identified as the true power behind the throne. This was the next step. A direct audience with the fortress's highest authority. With Replicated Thomas now providing an unseen advantage, Kaelen knew exactly how to approach this meeting. He had gained his first political asset, and the true game of power within Karshelm Fortress was just beginning. The path to ultimate control was clear.