Heir to the Empire

51. Parlay - Ethelston

Archers littered the walls of Ravenscourt, each of them on edge as they studied the vast army that had stationed themselves out of reach of their arrows.

The army littered the landscape, a horde of people and tents scurrying around like ants gave little to ease the pressure on the sentries viewing them from on top of the walls. Thousands and thousands of men armed with deadly weapons preparing themselves for the ensuing onslaught that was undoubtedly going to happen.

Ethelston placed his hand on the shoulder of an archer "Rest easy friend; it will be some time before the battle begins."

The archer visibly relaxed and smiled as his leige lord walked passed, giving his words of encouragement to the next archer. With Knight Inquisitor Ithelred Renfry, donned in the armour of his house sigil, a golden deer, and Arminell, the city watch captain, both flanking the Duke of Ravenscourt, the tension upon the wall had substantially reduced.

"They respect you," Ithelred commented as the three men came to a standstill, positioning themselves so they could easily see the enemy. "An excellent trait to have as a commander.

"This is not my first siege," explained Ethelston, "I think the men sense it."

"And your other siege?" enquired Ithelred.

"Pel-Merily and Fort Hagen," Ethelston replied in a distinct monotone voice.

Ithelred looked at his counterpart, a touch of scepticism and awe seemed to paint his face. "Fort Hagen? I heard of some troubling rumours about that siege."

Ethelston turned and smiled, yet the smile was forced as memories of the siege flooded his mind. "And the rumours likely pale in comparison to the truth. For there, I managed to see exactly what a person is capable of, good and evil."

Before being drawn into a conversation about a past he'd rather forget, Ethelston turned to Arminell, "Four-hour shifts on the east and southern sides of the wall. Four-hours of drills followed by eight hours of rest. Make sure everyone is alert and ready, but do not push the men to exhaustion; when the battle finally comes, everyone will need to be fit and ready."

"Yes, milord, " Arminell responded.

"And Arminell?" Ethelston called just before the captain had turned away.

"Yes, milord?" he responded, catching his liege's eye.

"Make sure the south is watched and sound the bell on any movement. We have to be prepared in case they try a diversion attack."

Arminell smashed his fist against his chest and nodded at the order before briskly turning around to prepare the defenders' instructions.

"Good thinking, " Ithelred confirmed, "We can expect it once the trebuchets start to fly."

As Ithelred spoke, both men watched as some trees from the forest unceremoniously collapsed to the floor. The trebuchets were being built, which would at least give the army some time to prepare.

A small sigh escaped Ethelston's lips. This would be a hard battle. Outnumbered ten to one, the odds were very much against them, with only the walls standing in the way of the Lionmane army, the situation looked dire.

What if Loldirr could not raise an army, or if she simply got here too late?  His legacy as the last Darke of Ravenscourt would be forever engrained in history as the man who foolishly defied the Emperor and suffered the consequence. As the lion of House Cicero would fly over the city signifying Emperor Arnaud's victory, no other person would take up the mantle to defy the Emperor again. He would have failed his country as a Duke; he would have failed his father as a Darke.