Chapter 23
The Dice is Cast
Spring at the start of this year, Midlandia.
Lansius stood in a vast and opulent study chamber, waiting nervously for his host to address him. Time passed by and Lansius couldn’t help but look around the room. The design was tasteful, without the grandiose furniture or gaudy art pieces. A single painting hung on the wall, complementing the clean lily-white plastered wall.
The sleek marble floors added to the room’s elegance and a large glass vase filled with freshly cut flowers gave the airy chamber a pleasant floral scent. However, what struck him the most was the natural light streaming in from the adjacent open garden, connected by a series of large folding windows.
The place was beautiful, save for one oddity: a towering metallic statue the size of a giant bear, painted in a deep, glossy blue. Its imposing presence was a mystery to the otherwise serene surroundings.
Is it supposed to be an artwork?
The owner of this piece of heaven sat calmly in his lavish padded chair, reading a few scrolls on his elegant, small circular table. Lansius had never met him until today, but he knew him well by his name, the famed Lord Bengrieve, seneschal of Midlandia.
The only occupants of the room were the host and Lansius, and the silence was punctuated only by the occasional chirping of birds outside.
Despite the fully opened window to the garden, there was no chilling spring wind coming in. Lansius couldn’t shake off the feeling that it was being controlled by a mage. He had only recently met one who turned out to be an extraordinary character. However, it was revolting to think that the high-nobles employed these rare, powerful individuals like glorified bodyguards and even portable air conditioners.
To use them like this when they’re needed the most in the fight at the border. Isn’t this decadence?
Personally, there were many things Lansius wanted to ask, such as why Lord Bengrieve saved Stefi, why he wanted him, and whether he would release them. Alas, it was not his place to ask. He was merely a henchman.
The fact that Lord Bengrieve didn’t bother to dress up and remained in his black silken robe conveyed the gulf of status between them. This was not a formal reception or a master-retainer relationship. This was between a master and his pet.
Although the realization made Lansius uncomfortable, he knew better than to let his pride get in the way of his duties. Fortunately, the sight from the recently blooming flower garden gave him some much needed respite.
The garden was highly decorated, complete with its own fish pond, working fountain, and even a mini waterfall.
Pipes and pumps, or is it magic?
“Lansius, why are you here?” the host finally spoke after throwing down his last scroll to the table.
The tone of Lord Bengrieve’s voice made Lansius realize it wasn’t just a casual greeting. “I’m here to serve you, My Lord.”
Lord Bengrieve gazed out into his garden, his eyes seeming lost in thought as the sweet chirping of birds filled the air. After a moment of silence, “Lansius, what is thy desire?”
“My Lord, I wish to fulfill your order,” Lansius replied despite the growing tension.
The host turned his head and gazed directly into Lansius. “Lansius,” he repeated slowly, as if savoring the name. “What is thy desire?”
As if hypnotized by the sharp eyes, Lansius suddenly remembered a rumor that Bengrieve did not forget everything that was spoken to him. A powerful man with a perfect memory. “To save myself and the people closest to me,” he nervously admitted.
“A selfless guardian,” the host remarked disinterestedly. “To whom have you directed this protection?”
“To lady Audrey, the girl you saved, and for my family in Bellandia.”
The Lord’s expression was unreadable, and he turned his gaze to the garden once again. After a moment of thoughtful silence, “Prove your worth and I’ll arrange for my men to escort your family out of Arvena before the war begins.”
Did I hear that correctly?
“Yes, My Lord.” Lansius trembled as he bowed his head deeply. Never in his wildest dream he expect something like this to happen.
In just a few words, Lord Bengrieve had gained Lansius’ allegiance.
⠀
***
⠀
Banner of the Unknown.
Despite Lord Bengrieve’s trust, Lansius had decided to gamble for a greater reward. He believed that his deviation from the plan posed little risk to Lord Bengrieve, as the troops were meant to be a sacrificial lamb to distract the Lion from Midlandia’s ongoing siege.
Regardless of the outcome, his benefactor had already written off the fate of Lansius’ men. Yet, if Lansius managed to secure a victory, it would be a tremendous gain.
Following his own intuition, twelve days ago, Lansius had ordered two-hundred men to build camp and dig three horse shoe shaped trenches stacked behind each other.
The first trench was the longest, followed by two other smaller trenches behind it. The first trench would serve as the main combat line, while the smaller trenches behind it would act as support and reserve.
Lansius had chosen this location because the ground was softer. The scouts had learned that the area was occasionally flooded when the monsoon came. Coincidentally, this also made it easy to get clean water by digging crude wells. Because of it, they escaped diseases such as the deadly diarrhea.
While Lansius and the men toiled with their dig site, Sir Justin, a surviving Arvenian knight, turned mercenary in Lord Bengrieve’s service, had led fifty cavalry and two-hundred men deep into Lord Robert’s territory to raid and lure him out.
Things seemingly as planned, however, they had badly estimated Lord Robert’s force.
Calub, the alchemist who had also joined Lord Bengrieve’s little mercenary, jogged over and spoke to Lansius in private. “The scouts weren’t making it up. It is a thousand.”
Lansius felt a knot of dread in his stomach. While he had prepared to face an army twice his size, the prospect of battling a force three times as large left him with little hope of success. The overwhelming numbers made his already high-risk plan even more precarious. “How the heck a Viscount could muster a thousand men?”
Calub brushed aside Lansius’ complaint and asked, “Can we win this?”
Lansius saw the concern on Calub’s tanned face and avoided his gaze. He needed time to think.
Four-hundred of our poor man’s army against a thousand of the best Lowlandians? We’re doomed…
Calub exhaled deeply and massaged his temple. Afterward, he looked around at the advancing enemy troops in a distance and changed the subject, “Is Audrey with the cavalry?”
Lansius nodded weakly. “Yeah, why?”
“Good. She should be able to make her escape. Then I’ll pack.” Calub turned away.
Lansius caught Calub’s arm and asked, “You’re going?”
“You’re not?” Calub was in disbelief. “Lans, this whole thing, your plan is breaking apart. We should flee while we can.”
Lansius shook his head. “They’re more numerous than expected, but that doesn’t mean my plan won’t work. Let’s give it a chance.”
Calub muttered under his breath, but remained indecisive.
“They’re getting closer!” one of the lookouts cried without hiding his fear.
Lansius strained his eyes as their cavalry formed a wedge formation, while the Viscount’s right wing across the field took shape in a line formation.
The sight of hundreds of galloping horses across the green grassland was a spectacle. Massive, colorful flags flew from the bannermen, adding to the stunning visual display.
“I can’t watch.” Calub turned his sight away. “By the Ageless, have you forgotten about those days in Feodosia?”
“That’s why the big boy is with her.” Lansius nervously wiped the sweat on his forehead as he watched the two cavalry on a collision course.
“Him? That’s… not entirely promising,” Calub said with an equally nervous smile.
“Lances down! They’re lowing their lances.” The lookouts cried again. Drawing attention from everybody.
The vibrant spectacle came to a sudden halt as the two sides clashed in a brutal head-on collision. Lances shattered and pierced through flesh with sickening thuds. In mere moments, cavalrymen were thrown off their horses or impaled by steel-tipped lances, reducing many valiant men to mere casualties.
The gruesome spectacle left everyone gasping and feeling sickened.
Nevertheless, watching Audrey courageously led her cavalry, gave Lansius a much-needed mental slap to the face. She trusted him enough to put her life on the line. He clenched his fist and felt his blood slowly boil.
Sadly, there was little time to observe. The enemy’s main group had closed in on Lansius’ position.
“Sound the signal. Move to the trench,” Sir Justin, the few who had plate armor, bellowed the order.
In response to his order, three-hundred men started to descend into the trenches. Below, another hundred stood ready.
The men looked pale, and a few were already quivering.
Watching the poorly trained and unmotivated Midlandia recruits, Lansius let out a sigh.
The poor and unfortunate, also the scum of every town and village. They are every bit unfit as soldiers. More like a bunch of bandits...
Yet Lansius knew that only they were available to a no-name upstart like himself.
Sir Justin approached Lansius from his post. His familiar-looking squire followed behind.
“Sir Justin, Hugo,” Calub addressed them.
Hugo bowed his head to Calub. Fate had played a cruel joke on him by reuniting him with Lansius as a subordinate. They had buried the hatchet and now Hugo tried to win Lansius’ trust, but he ended up in this suicidal plan. He lamented his luck, and like the rest, desperately wanted Lansius’ plan to work.
Sir Justin nodded at Calub before turning to his squire, Hugo. “Protect us,” he commanded.
Hugo dutifully placed himself between them and the enemy and raised his shield.
Lansius saw the knight’s gaze shift to him. “Commander, last chance,” Sir Justin said, giving Lansius the option to retreat or prepare for battle.
Lansius, despite feeling drenched in cold sweat, summoned his courage and responded, “I think I’ll risk it. Sir, can I count on you?”
The older gentlemen nodded. “I’ll give it my best.”
“Gratitude, Sir.” Lansius bowed his head slightly.
“Don’t feel too indebted. If things gone awry, I only need to discard half my armor to run. My horses are fast and my men are strong enough to escort me out.”
The honesty of the former knight, now mercenary, elicited a chuckle from Lansius. “Sir, please can call me by name. I’m hardly your superior.”
Sir Justin grinned. “I’m pretty sure they made you the commander.”
“Men will follow a man they respected,” Lansius remarked.
The knight seemed happy, and he turned his gaze toward the advancing enemy. “Lord Robert has good troops.”
“Indeed. Meanwhile ours...” Lansius couldn’t resist comparing.
The knight snorted. “What we got might be not as good or well equipped, but at least they’ll follow orders.”
“That’s true…” Lansius admitted as he watched their last group of men descended into the trenches with a mixture of gratitude and guilt.
Surely following me was a big leap for them, especially when I employed such an unknown strategy that involves digging a series of ditches in the middle of nowhere like here.
“I better go,” Calub suddenly announced.
“Calub,” Lansius called out. “Next time, remind me to double-check our opponent’s strength.”
Calub let out a deep breath. “If we make it out of this alive.” Then he turned to the knight. “Sir, may I ask, why did you agree with this plan? You must have known that Lord Robert is a good warlord.”
The knight chuckled. “I’ve always wanted to see the Lion in the field.”
Calub sighed. “Lans, I hope your plan works.”
“If it doesn’t work... see you in the afterlife?” Lansius jested. He finally had passed his fear limit.
Calub chuckled and headed towards the trenches. The alchemist was needed on the far right, where the fighting was likely to be the fiercest.
“We need to move,” Hugo interrupted urgently. As if to confirm his warning, the sound of an arrow slicing through the air reached their ears.
“Right, right…” Lansius took a final glance at the enemy formation and quickly made his way to the ladder.
Sir Justin and Hugo followed, descending last. As they climbed down, a few crossbow bolts whizzed above their heads. Once they reached the bottom, the smell of earth and humidity greeted them.
One of the aides handed Lansius his crossbow, and he proceeded to check how the string felt. He was concerned that the dampness in trenches may affect the string, but he felt that the tension was alright. Next, he checked the bolts in, two quivers on his belt, each with twelve bolts.
Sir Justin secured his poleaxe while Hugo fetched his bascinet helmet and assisted him in fastening it firmly.
Lansius finished up by wearing a sallet helmet. Its layers of linen padding felt comfortable. It wasn’t a full-face but had a retractable visor. Now, after a lot of doubting and second-guessing everything about his own decision, he finally felt a sense of clarity.
There was nothing else to worry. He breathe in relief for the first time in days and mentally said to himself. Let’s get this over with.
⠀
***
Chapter 23
The Dice is Cast
Spring at the start of this year, Midlandia.
Lansius stood in a vast and opulent study chamber, waiting nervously for his host to address him. Time passed by and Lansius couldn’t help but look around the room. The design was tasteful, without the grandiose furniture or gaudy art pieces. A single painting hung on the wall, complementing the clean lily-white plastered wall.
The sleek marble floors added to the room’s elegance and a large glass vase filled with freshly cut flowers gave the airy chamber a pleasant floral scent. However, what struck him the most was the natural light streaming in from the adjacent open garden, connected by a series of large folding windows.
The place was beautiful, save for one oddity: a towering metallic statue the size of a giant bear, painted in a deep, glossy blue. Its imposing presence was a mystery to the otherwise serene surroundings.
Is it supposed to be an artwork?
The owner of this piece of heaven sat calmly in his lavish padded chair, reading a few scrolls on his elegant, small circular table. Lansius had never met him until today, but he knew him well by his name, the famed Lord Bengrieve, seneschal of Midlandia.
The only occupants of the room were the host and Lansius, and the silence was punctuated only by the occasional chirping of birds outside.
Despite the fully opened window to the garden, there was no chilling spring wind coming in. Lansius couldn’t shake off the feeling that it was being controlled by a mage. He had only recently met one who turned out to be an extraordinary character. However, it was revolting to think that the high-nobles employed these rare, powerful individuals like glorified bodyguards and even portable air conditioners.
To use them like this when they’re needed the most in the fight at the border. Isn’t this decadence?
Personally, there were many things Lansius wanted to ask, such as why Lord Bengrieve saved Stefi, why he wanted him, and whether he would release them. Alas, it was not his place to ask. He was merely a henchman.
The fact that Lord Bengrieve didn’t bother to dress up and remained in his black silken robe conveyed the gulf of status between them. This was not a formal reception or a master-retainer relationship. This was between a master and his pet.
Although the realization made Lansius uncomfortable, he knew better than to let his pride get in the way of his duties. Fortunately, the sight from the recently blooming flower garden gave him some much needed respite.
The garden was highly decorated, complete with its own fish pond, working fountain, and even a mini waterfall.
Pipes and pumps, or is it magic?
“Lansius, why are you here?” the host finally spoke after throwing down his last scroll to the table.
The tone of Lord Bengrieve’s voice made Lansius realize it wasn’t just a casual greeting. “I’m here to serve you, My Lord.”
Lord Bengrieve gazed out into his garden, his eyes seeming lost in thought as the sweet chirping of birds filled the air. After a moment of silence, “Lansius, what is thy desire?”
“My Lord, I wish to fulfill your order,” Lansius replied despite the growing tension.
The host turned his head and gazed directly into Lansius. “Lansius,” he repeated slowly, as if savoring the name. “What is thy desire?”
As if hypnotized by the sharp eyes, Lansius suddenly remembered a rumor that Bengrieve did not forget everything that was spoken to him. A powerful man with a perfect memory. “To save myself and the people closest to me,” he nervously admitted.
“A selfless guardian,” the host remarked disinterestedly. “To whom have you directed this protection?”
“To lady Audrey, the girl you saved, and for my family in Bellandia.”
The Lord’s expression was unreadable, and he turned his gaze to the garden once again. After a moment of thoughtful silence, “Prove your worth and I’ll arrange for my men to escort your family out of Arvena before the war begins.”
Did I hear that correctly?
“Yes, My Lord.” Lansius trembled as he bowed his head deeply. Never in his wildest dream he expect something like this to happen.
In just a few words, Lord Bengrieve had gained Lansius’ allegiance.
⠀
***
⠀
Banner of the Unknown.
Despite Lord Bengrieve’s trust, Lansius had decided to gamble for a greater reward. He believed that his deviation from the plan posed little risk to Lord Bengrieve, as the troops were meant to be a sacrificial lamb to distract the Lion from Midlandia’s ongoing siege.
Regardless of the outcome, his benefactor had already written off the fate of Lansius’ men. Yet, if Lansius managed to secure a victory, it would be a tremendous gain.
Following his own intuition, twelve days ago, Lansius had ordered two-hundred men to build camp and dig three horse shoe shaped trenches stacked behind each other.
The first trench was the longest, followed by two other smaller trenches behind it. The first trench would serve as the main combat line, while the smaller trenches behind it would act as support and reserve.
Lansius had chosen this location because the ground was softer. The scouts had learned that the area was occasionally flooded when the monsoon came. Coincidentally, this also made it easy to get clean water by digging crude wells. Because of it, they escaped diseases such as the deadly diarrhea.
While Lansius and the men toiled with their dig site, Sir Justin, a surviving Arvenian knight, turned mercenary in Lord Bengrieve’s service, had led fifty cavalry and two-hundred men deep into Lord Robert’s territory to raid and lure him out.
Things seemingly as planned, however, they had badly estimated Lord Robert’s force.
Calub, the alchemist who had also joined Lord Bengrieve’s little mercenary, jogged over and spoke to Lansius in private. “The scouts weren’t making it up. It is a thousand.”
Lansius felt a knot of dread in his stomach. While he had prepared to face an army twice his size, the prospect of battling a force three times as large left him with little hope of success. The overwhelming numbers made his already high-risk plan even more precarious. “How the heck a Viscount could muster a thousand men?”
Calub brushed aside Lansius’ complaint and asked, “Can we win this?”
Lansius saw the concern on Calub’s tanned face and avoided his gaze. He needed time to think.
Four-hundred of our poor man’s army against a thousand of the best Lowlandians? We’re doomed…
Calub exhaled deeply and massaged his temple. Afterward, he looked around at the advancing enemy troops in a distance and changed the subject, “Is Audrey with the cavalry?”
Lansius nodded weakly. “Yeah, why?”
“Good. She should be able to make her escape. Then I’ll pack.” Calub turned away.
Lansius caught Calub’s arm and asked, “You’re going?”
“You’re not?” Calub was in disbelief. “Lans, this whole thing, your plan is breaking apart. We should flee while we can.”
Lansius shook his head. “They’re more numerous than expected, but that doesn’t mean my plan won’t work. Let’s give it a chance.”
Calub muttered under his breath, but remained indecisive.
“They’re getting closer!” one of the lookouts cried without hiding his fear.
Lansius strained his eyes as their cavalry formed a wedge formation, while the Viscount’s right wing across the field took shape in a line formation.
The sight of hundreds of galloping horses across the green grassland was a spectacle. Massive, colorful flags flew from the bannermen, adding to the stunning visual display.
“I can’t watch.” Calub turned his sight away. “By the Ageless, have you forgotten about those days in Feodosia?”
“That’s why the big boy is with her.” Lansius nervously wiped the sweat on his forehead as he watched the two cavalry on a collision course.
“Him? That’s… not entirely promising,” Calub said with an equally nervous smile.
“Lances down! They’re lowing their lances.” The lookouts cried again. Drawing attention from everybody.
The vibrant spectacle came to a sudden halt as the two sides clashed in a brutal head-on collision. Lances shattered and pierced through flesh with sickening thuds. In mere moments, cavalrymen were thrown off their horses or impaled by steel-tipped lances, reducing many valiant men to mere casualties.
The gruesome spectacle left everyone gasping and feeling sickened.
Nevertheless, watching Audrey courageously led her cavalry, gave Lansius a much-needed mental slap to the face. She trusted him enough to put her life on the line. He clenched his fist and felt his blood slowly boil.
Sadly, there was little time to observe. The enemy’s main group had closed in on Lansius’ position.
“Sound the signal. Move to the trench,” Sir Justin, the few who had plate armor, bellowed the order.
In response to his order, three-hundred men started to descend into the trenches. Below, another hundred stood ready.
The men looked pale, and a few were already quivering.
Watching the poorly trained and unmotivated Midlandia recruits, Lansius let out a sigh.
The poor and unfortunate, also the scum of every town and village. They are every bit unfit as soldiers. More like a bunch of bandits...
Yet Lansius knew that only they were available to a no-name upstart like himself.
Sir Justin approached Lansius from his post. His familiar-looking squire followed behind.
“Sir Justin, Hugo,” Calub addressed them.
Hugo bowed his head to Calub. Fate had played a cruel joke on him by reuniting him with Lansius as a subordinate. They had buried the hatchet and now Hugo tried to win Lansius’ trust, but he ended up in this suicidal plan. He lamented his luck, and like the rest, desperately wanted Lansius’ plan to work.
Sir Justin nodded at Calub before turning to his squire, Hugo. “Protect us,” he commanded.
Hugo dutifully placed himself between them and the enemy and raised his shield.
Lansius saw the knight’s gaze shift to him. “Commander, last chance,” Sir Justin said, giving Lansius the option to retreat or prepare for battle.
Lansius, despite feeling drenched in cold sweat, summoned his courage and responded, “I think I’ll risk it. Sir, can I count on you?”
The older gentlemen nodded. “I’ll give it my best.”
“Gratitude, Sir.” Lansius bowed his head slightly.
“Don’t feel too indebted. If things gone awry, I only need to discard half my armor to run. My horses are fast and my men are strong enough to escort me out.”
The honesty of the former knight, now mercenary, elicited a chuckle from Lansius. “Sir, please can call me by name. I’m hardly your superior.”
Sir Justin grinned. “I’m pretty sure they made you the commander.”
“Men will follow a man they respected,” Lansius remarked.
The knight seemed happy, and he turned his gaze toward the advancing enemy. “Lord Robert has good troops.”
“Indeed. Meanwhile ours...” Lansius couldn’t resist comparing.
The knight snorted. “What we got might be not as good or well equipped, but at least they’ll follow orders.”
“That’s true…” Lansius admitted as he watched their last group of men descended into the trenches with a mixture of gratitude and guilt.
Surely following me was a big leap for them, especially when I employed such an unknown strategy that involves digging a series of ditches in the middle of nowhere like here.
“I better go,” Calub suddenly announced.
“Calub,” Lansius called out. “Next time, remind me to double-check our opponent’s strength.”
Calub let out a deep breath. “If we make it out of this alive.” Then he turned to the knight. “Sir, may I ask, why did you agree with this plan? You must have known that Lord Robert is a good warlord.”
The knight chuckled. “I’ve always wanted to see the Lion in the field.”
Calub sighed. “Lans, I hope your plan works.”
“If it doesn’t work... see you in the afterlife?” Lansius jested. He finally had passed his fear limit.
Calub chuckled and headed towards the trenches. The alchemist was needed on the far right, where the fighting was likely to be the fiercest.
“We need to move,” Hugo interrupted urgently. As if to confirm his warning, the sound of an arrow slicing through the air reached their ears.
“Right, right…” Lansius took a final glance at the enemy formation and quickly made his way to the ladder.
Sir Justin and Hugo followed, descending last. As they climbed down, a few crossbow bolts whizzed above their heads. Once they reached the bottom, the smell of earth and humidity greeted them.
One of the aides handed Lansius his crossbow, and he proceeded to check how the string felt. He was concerned that the dampness in trenches may affect the string, but he felt that the tension was alright. Next, he checked the bolts in, two quivers on his belt, each with twelve bolts.
Sir Justin secured his poleaxe while Hugo fetched his bascinet helmet and assisted him in fastening it firmly.
Lansius finished up by wearing a sallet helmet. Its layers of linen padding felt comfortable. It wasn’t a full-face but had a retractable visor. Now, after a lot of doubting and second-guessing everything about his own decision, he finally felt a sense of clarity.
There was nothing else to worry. He breathe in relief for the first time in days and mentally said to himself. Let’s get this over with.
⠀
***
