Ships on the Horizon Herbergja

A lone ship sailed down the Mihtea into the delta where the river met the sea. Ahead, the city of Herbergja could be seen. Before that, the defences built by the besieging army. Chains stretched across the roaring stream to prevent vessels from passing while also protecting a primitive bridge. On both riverbanks, soldiers of Alcázar kept watch.

At the prow and above the sail, the ship flew banners with the head of a horse, signalling the intention to seek negotiations. Although a Mearcian symbol, the mercenaries knew it and kept their arrows in the quiver. Instead, they hailed the ship and gestured for it to make anchor.

Besides the crew, all looking nervous, twenty kingthanes stood scattered across the deck, staring at the southerners, who returned the glares. Lastly, four women also appeared from below, dressed in rich clothes.

The kingthanes leapt ashore and placed boards to bridge the gap between ship and land, helping the women to disembark. As the mercenaries gathered in a semicircle, keeping them hemmed in, a lieutenant stepped forward from their ranks.

"You come under the flag of truce," he spoke, nodding to the banner on the ship. "Who are you?"

"I am Lady Arndis of Adal, sister to the high king of Adalmearc," came the reply. "I am here on his behalf to seek terms with your commander. I ask that you bring me to him without delay and cease hostilities until our negotiations are at an end."

~~~~

An hour later, the prince Saif received his guests in his great tent. "Lady Arndis," he spoke, giving a bow as the lady entered. His expression froze as he saw her companion. "Jana," he added hoarsely.

"Already useful," Arndis whispered to Jana before she bowed. "My lord prince, I am grateful to be received by you. You know the lady Jana, of course."

"I was not told you would be here," Saif remarked.

"Your men would not recognise her, I suppose, and I did not reveal it. Why spoil the surprise?" Arndis smiled.

"Is this a gift meant to soften my father?" asked the prince.

"I have come as I know both sides in this conflict," Jana replied, "hoping to bring conciliation."

"A vain hope, given your very presence is a reminder of the insult paid to Alcázar by your disappearance, "Saif retorted.

"Yet I am told you are a reasonable man and a wise leader," Arndis interjected. "I have my brother's authority to offer you peace on fair terms."

Saif crossed his arms. "Very well. Let us hear them."

"In exchange for your immediate withdrawal of all troops from Adalmearc, he will seek no recompense. Trade and relations may resume as before the war," Arndis explained.

"Meagre terms considering I have seen only victories and the city of Portesur is in my hands," Saif replied.

"Because you have yet to meet resistance. If the king must march here with his armies and inflict defeats upon you, he will not offer such lenient terms afterwards."

"Bold words. If only such were enough to win a war."

"You may take your time to deliberate your answer, of course," Arndis offered.

"My lady, I need only a moment to tell you that your proposal is rejected. Yet I am not ungracious, and I will offer you terms that you may bring to Herbergja."

Arndis placed her hands behind her back. "I am listening."

"If the city surrenders before this time tomorrow, there shall be no looting. They will be required to provide provisions, but nothing more," Saif declared.

"I shall take your terms to the marshal," Arndis agreed. "You shall have your answer soon."

"Adherbal, ensure suitable transportation for the ladies to enter the city."

"Yes, sidi."

Arndis bowed her head and left. Jana kept Saif's gaze for a moment. "Farewell, Brother."

Once alone, the prince turned towards his advisor. "What are the chances that the city surrenders?"

"Close to none," Adherbal admitted. "Our assaults have had little effect. They have no reason to fear us yet."

"Not until the ships return," Saif mumbled.

"Sidi, what of your sister?" The advisor hesitated briefly. "To have her returned will reflect well on you, both to your father and the soldiers. The mamluks especially feel wounded that a member of the Kabir's family was stolen from under their noses."

"She is under the protection of their king, a member of his delegation," the prince considered. "If I take her by force, it will hurt the possibility to negotiate peace later. Once the city is in our hands."

"Very well, sidi."

~~~~

The women remained silent as they rode to Herbergja, surrounded by both kingthanes and mercenaries as their escort. Once they reached the gate, the southerners turned back along with the horses they had lent the Mearcians. On foot, the delegation crossed the drawbridge to enter the beleaguered city.

Their progress through the streets drew stares, as could be expected; the sight of twenty thanes wearing the surcoat of the high king encouraged speculation. From windows and doorways, the inhabitants muttered and wondered. They had no trouble making their way to the Order castle, as the roads were mostly empty. None lingered outside; the people only braved the streets for errands, hurrying to their destinations.

Once they reached the fortress, servants quickly offered them seats and drink, which the four ladies accepted with gratitude. It did not take long for the marshal to join them. "I am Sir Asger," he introduced himself, giving a bow. The noblewomen rose to reciprocate the courtesy, though Gwen did so with a grumbling face.

"My admiration, sir marshal, for your defence of the city," replied the king's sister. "I am Lady Arndis of Adal."

The knight looked from her to Jana. "I had been told that Adalbrand Arnarson had been made high king, but I found it hard to believe."

"You may believe it," Arndis told him curtly.

"I do. After all, I see his companion before me as the king's envoy," Asger said.

Jana gave a faint smile. "A pleasure to meet you again, though the circumstances are grim."

"They are," the marshal admitted, "but if an exile can become king, perhaps the gods have good intentions for the rest of us too."

"I am sure," Arndis interjected. "We have spoken to the captain of the southern armies. They demand your immediate surrender, which obviously is unacceptable."

"Obviously," Asger reiterated. "Yet while I appreciate your attempts to find terms with our enemy, I had hoped the high king would send soldiers, not only envoys."

"A relief army is on the march," Arndis reassured him. "We travelled faster, but they should arrive before long."

"How strong?"

"About ten thousand, I believe, and more will come," she explained.

"That will not discourage them from attacking," the marshal claimed with dismay. "They have three times that number. I would suggest you leave, Lady Arndis, with your entourage. Once they attack, I cannot guarantee your safety."

"We got time," Gwen suddenly said. "They're not planning an attack right now."

"How do you know?" asked Asger with a frown.

"When we arrived, they were building defences to the east. Against the relief army that's coming," she explained. "If they expected to take the city in a day or two, they wouldn't bother with extensive preparations to defend their camp."

"Curious," the marshal considered, stroking his full beard. "They have yet to attack the harbour, which is our weak point. If they do not plan to attack soon, the explanation must be their ships are busy in transport."

"What fortune," Eleanor exclaimed, looking relieved.

"Still, if that is the case, we should expect an assault as soon as they are ready. Again, you should consider leaving the city," Asger impressed upon them.

"Not yet. I am here to buy every day we can," Arndis declared. "We will stay for now."

"Oh dear," Eleanor spoke softly, and Jana squeezed her hand.

"As you wish. For now, tell me all you saw at their camp," the marshal bade them.

The ladies looked at each other and began relating everything.

~~~~

The next day, the Mearcians sent a brief reply rejecting the terms offered by Alcázar. Already expected, this changed little. The besiegers continued to build their defences in anticipation of the relief army, while the garrison repaired their walls as best they could, dreading the appearance of sails on the horizon.

It took another two days before hope was rewarded one side and dashed on the other. Sailing down the Mihtea in every vessel they could gather, an army under the duke of Belvoir appeared. They landed several miles east of the blockade made by the mercenaries, avoiding any skirmish. Swiftly, they began setting up their own camp and defences in preparation of assisting the beleaguered city.