Chapter 28

Vindebona

An ancient walled city of old, Vindebona had seen its glory days when it was a frontier of the Imperium. It became a hub for all kinds of exotic trades beyond the realm. Those days were long gone.

The city lost its strategic value after the Imperium expansion a millennia ago. No longer the frontier, the ancient bastion gradually declined. Its vast outer curtain wall was in ruins as its brick and stone were repurposed for other buildings.

Without the wall's protection, the strong river and forest slowly encroached on the old part of the city. Nowadays, it was akin to a forest maze. The city inhabitants had long retreated to live inside the inner wall where the citadel could house thousands of people.

In its heyday, over fifty-thousand people lived in the city, but now only a fraction of it remained. As other cities with better routes and resources in Elandia established themselves, Vindebona struggled to compete.

Unexpectedly, threats knocked again on Vindebona’s dilapidated gates. The old bastion once again would see the ravages of war and this time it was terribly unprepared.

***

Vindebona’s Wall

The one-eyed knight, Sir Michael walked with the hooded figure along the wall's battlements. They talked about the worsening situation and at one point, Michael pointed outside the wall and spoke, “Dozens of smokes, day and night from the old city ruins' direction. These Nicopolans certainly don’t behave like refugees, not begging for alms or trying to enter the city.”

The hooded figure put his hands on the battlements and observed the green landscape. “Let me hear what you think," he said after a while.

“We don't have enough men and Vindebona is a large walled city. It’s difficult to defend.” Everybody, including Michael, had only expected to deliver supplies. They were not equipped to defend against a siege.

“But I've come prepared,” the hooded man remarked.

“My Lord, surely you’re jest-” Michael stopped when he saw the man’s expression.

The hooded man tapped Michael’s shoulder. “Sir Michael, this is the reason why I only brought so few.”

Michael bowed his head while feeling dumbfounded. He began to seek hints or clues for his master’s intention. As he pondered, a strong wind blew past them and cast aside his master's hood.

Despite his intention to hide his identity, the man paid no heed to it. He even seemed as if enjoying the cool breeze and the newfound freedom.

The Vindebona guards who watched the two from afar double-checked their eyes. Without the head cover, the man's dark almost charcoal hair was revealed for all to see.

“A foreigner,” one of the guards muttered.

“Don't they come from the south?" another chimed in.

"Impossible-" the third guard balked. They looked at each other intently as if trying to read each other's heads. There was one foreigner whose actions were sung repeatedly in taverns and other lesser establishments. The minstrel loved to sing about him and the name was well known.

The most senior of guards let out a sigh and braved himself to approach the two. He walked slowly, knelt to show his sincerity, and asked, “could it be that My Lord, is the famed Lord Lansius of Korelia?”

“What makes you think so?” the dark-haired man replied despite the one-eyed knight's readiness to dismiss the question.

The guard sheepishly smiled but was unable to answer. To answer would be rude as if implying the hair was abnormal.

“Is it because of the hair?” the man followed up as he found no answer.

The guard could only nod in worry and embarrassment.

“It’s alright,” the man mused and approached the guard. “I am what you think of me.”

The old guard was tearful. It was the first time he ever felt that hopeful for the future. It wasn't just about the survival of him, his family, and the city; it was as if something greater was happening to them.

That day, words spread that the famed Black Butcher, the Slayer of the Lion of Lowlandia and the Butcher of Six-Thousand, was in Vindebona. Despite the terror the name invoked, it also brought the high expectation of salvation.

At noon, Lord Gresmir of Vindebona appeared in public. People breathed in relief when they watched the acting Lord was safe and sound. Despite being a drunkard, Gresmir the bastard was well-liked by the people, more than the actual lord who had fled at the first sign of trouble.

Gresmir sought an audience with the Lady of Korimor and profusely apologized for his manner two nights ago. The Korimors accepted his apology and moved on to build a good relation.

***

The Imperial Inn

Despite the chandelier of candles, the place was dim. However, one could easily tell from the glossy lacquered furniture, bright-colored plaster, and clean carpet on the floor; that the establishment was upper class. In this prestigious inn, the Lady of Korimor took residence once she had settled her dispute with Lord Gresmir.

The Lady had been invited to live as an honored guest in the palace, but she declined the offer to avoid complications.

Two squires stood next to a door whose iron hinges were beautifully wrought into the shapes of ivy plants. The sound of footsteps perked them up. They saw who had come and saluted energetically, “My Lady.”

“Have you eaten?” Audrey asked.

“Yes, My Lady, our rotation was just a moment ago,” the woman squire answered.

“Good, keep an eye downstairs and drink no alcohol. Put no trust in those Vindebonas. We’ve yet to know them.”

“We understand, My Lady.”

The Lady gestured and the boyish squire opened the door for her. Before she entered, she whispered something to them and that perked them out even further.

“W-we’ll not fall asleep, My Lady,” the boy squire exclaimed.

Audrey entered the room and the door was closed afterward.

“Why did you do that to them?” Lansius asked while pausing his writings on the desk.

“You heard?” Audrey smiled.

“Drey, it’s not good to frighten the squires with ear slicing or foot nailing if they fall asleep."

Audrey snorted. “It’s part of the initiation, Lans. Squires need to be tough.”

“Is bullying the reason why you tasked the squires instead of the guards?”

“Not really, you see... they’re more alert and not afraid to wake you up if something is happening,” she reasoned.

“Ah, make sense.” Lansius nodded satisfied.

Audrey approached him and wrapped her arms around him.

“You smell nice....” he commented while sniffing at her.

“Your mood is improving,” she commented.

“Hm, really?”

She kissed him briefly before answering, “It’s been two weeks since I heard you say anything positive.”

“For real?” There was genuine surprise in his voice.

“Yeah, but you’re always like that on the road, grumpy."

“It's because my butt and hips are in pain,” he explained.

The wife giggled. “But, Lans, that’s already the comfiest saddle.”

“I know, probably I’m just not built for riding,” he said apologetically.

Audrey kissed him again and afterward went to change her clothes.

“So how’s the pudding?” Lansius asked.

“Well, considering the famine and all, it’s delightful.”

“So, worth the wait then?”

“Yep, too bad they could only make one and it’s a small one.”

“Be grateful, Drey.”

“I know I thanked them enough.” Audrey brushed her teeth and went to bed early.

…

Audrey’s conditioning as a squire made her awake after four hours of sleep. She opened her eyes but kept her body still. After observing her surroundings, she stealthily got up from bed and confronted Lansius who was still at his desk.

“Y-you’re awake?” Lansius suppressed a jump and looked at her with reddened eyes.

Audrey put on a serious face. “Lans dear, talk to me, what’s bothering you?”

“What makes you think-“

“I know alright, I just know,” she said while giving him the look. “Is it because you decided to defend Vindebona?”

Lansius averted his gaze. “No, I stand by that decision.”

“So, what’s the issue then? Tell me about it."

He let out a sigh. “It’s about Bengrieve…”

“What about him?” she asked while donning up her gear.

“I fear that he may set us up... Maybe I’m growing too powerful as a pawn and he wants me dead,” he explained weakly.

“That’s possible but pretty far-fetched,” Audrey responded lightly as she was well aware of his husband’s pessimism.

“But how can you be so sure?”

“Well, a powerful vassal is a good asset. And a vassal is only loyal to his or her benefactor. So, it’s unlikely for Bengrieve to waste you unless you become chummy with other Lords,” she explained.

“B-but why did he send us here with so little information? He also hid these ancient cache things from us,” Lansius voiced his frustration.

“It’s quite understandable,” Audrey replied without losing a beat.

Her confidence caught Lansius off guard. “How so?” he asked while looking at his wife with a renewed admiration.

“Well, Bengrieve wanted to keep Vindebona and the cache. So, he needs to send his best man and you’re the best one he got. However, you’re also the last person who wants to take even a tiny little risk.”

“Umm…” the husband couldn’t refute and smiled sheepishly.

Audrey went further. “If you knew what’s on Vindebona, would you even consider it?”

Lansius could only shake his head.

“See? Now go wash your face and get some sleep. Or else-“

“What?” he meekly asked.

Audrey showed a wrestling maneuver similar to a hold choke.

“Lemme finish this real quick.” He knew, against a well-rested Audrey, it was going to be a quick death.

“You got time until I finished with the squires.” Audrey unsheathed her sword and slammed the door open. “En garde,” she shouted to the corridor.

Lansius wasn’t paying attention, he was writing at full speed.

The squires pulled their swords without hesitation. They knew what was going to happen. “Carla, I love you!”

“Not now, Liam!” the woman squire balked. While they had their share of real fights, their master was on another level. Especially the eyes, they couldn’t look at it and that put them at a great disadvantage.

The width of the corridor only allowed for one-on-one. Audrey approached confidently and out of the blue threw a sheathed dagger at unsuspecting Carla. She parried too late and received it on her forehead.

A smacking sound echoed in the corridor. Audrey rushed and savagely disarmed Carla. Without losing a beat, she leveled her sword against Liam. But, Liam fought his instinct and launched himself forward.

Unfortunately, Audrey had caught the youngster’s eyes. Liam blinked and Audrey sidestepped his attack before launching a counter. By instinct alone, Liam backed fast enough to avoid the sword.

Audrey smirked, closed their distance, and launched a flurry of attacks. Unlike what she did to Carla, she traded power for speed against Liam.

The student and master clashed brutally in a one-sided spar. Despite Liam’s best effort, it was over in less than five strikes.

Bruised and battered the squires were relieved by another pair. Despite their sorry state, unknowingly they were steadily improving and that made their master happy.

***

Lansius

Audrey gloated when we received news of friendly forces inbound to Vindebona. I left her in charge of the troops and went to the top of the gatehouse. There, I watched the incoming forces marching toward the city. Even from a distance, I recognized their heraldry of a dark blue gauntlet with a clenched fist holding a golden thunder.

“Lord Bengireve’s,” I muttered to myself in disbelief.

I need not wait, a detachment of knights galloped to the gate. “Lord Lans, your reinforcements have arrived,” one of them exclaimed with a stupid smile I’m so familiar with.

“Anci, you bastard,” I shouted after realizing Bengrieve had sent Anci to lead his private troops.

The knight guffawed and bowed his head slightly.

“Sir Michael, bring them in,” I commanded. The men responded by opening the gates and lowering the drawbridge.

The excitement from finding friendly faces made me forget about the threat until Michael warned, "My Lord, movements."

I squinted my eyes to see groups of men appearing from the ruins of the old city. "Keep an eye on them, get the wall manned."

“Crossbowmen, get into positions,” Michael bellowed the order, and the Korelians, no longer using Korimor’s banner, rushed to the wall.

…

“Anci, how many did you bring?” I asked once he arrived inside the city. Luckily there was no attack, the opponent seemed to be caught off guard by Anci's sudden arrival.

“Four hundred, but Lord, why you brought so few? Ain’t Bengrieve says this city might see a bloodbath?” Anci remarked after observing the men on the wall.

“That’s exactly why I bring so few. It’s going to be a siege.” I gestured for him to follow me to the gatehouse.

“Bah,” he openly voiced disdain for sieges. “But how can you be so sure?”

“Well, their numbers seem to point that way,” I explained.

“How many are we talking bout?”

“At least five-thousands or double that amount.”

“By the beardless,” Anci muttered.

“Ageless,” I corrected him as we went up the stairs.

“No, it’s also correct. They said the Emperor is beardless.”

I chuckled at his remark.

“Who's this mono eye?” Anci saw unfamiliar faces.

“Sir Anci, this is Sir Michael,” I introduced them. Michael bowed out of respect despite him being older than Anci.

“M’kay, so what’s the plan?” Anci stood beside the table with the map on it.

“What, that’s not how-” I protested. “Tell me what you know from Bengrieve first.”

Anci chuckled. “Right, so, he said uhh… Oh, don’t let the Nicopolans have the weapons cache. Even if it's in ruins or buried, it can be mined to make anew.”

“He knew it's buried?” I balked at the revelation.

“Hey, it’s Lord Bengrieve we're talking about,” Anci said with a smug.

My back felt cold, I almost made a serious mistake of abandoning Vindebona thinking that the ruined armory isn’t useful anymore. I exhaled and arranged my thoughts. “Sir Michael, any words from Mikhail?”

“Still no words, My Lord,” he replied. Mikhail had volunteered to scout the enemy last night. Clad in Nicopolan garb, the small guy supposedly could outrun anyone if he got caught.

“What’s the issue there?” Anci asked cautiously. He correctly sensed there was trouble.

I sighed and confided in him. “Numbers… Theirs and ours. For us, we don’t have enough food.”

“But this isn’t a large city." Anci was baffled.

“Still, six-thousand people lived here plus newborns, horses, mules, also you and me and our troops,” I replied while tapping at the stack of parchments on the table.

“What’s that?” He innocently asked.

“This is the calculation of what we’ll consume and whether we’ll be starved to death this winter or come out alive," I explained.

“The game of hunger, huh?” he remarked unenthusiastically

I shrugged. “It’s unlikely for us to drive the Nicopolans out, not with this few and not at their playground.”

Anci grunted. He seemed to know what I’m talking about. The old city ruins were a maze with perfect places for ambushes.

“Lord Lans, I can’t let my men die pointlessly,” Anci warned me after a few moments.

“I know, me neither... I’ll think of something. Get yourself some rest. Sir Michael will check the provisions you carried and we’ll devise a plan afterward,” I promised to him.

Michael guided Anci to the inn. Meanwhile, I worked on the parchments and try to make up just how far I could ration the people to survive the winter.

Right now even with half a bread per soldier per day, I could only allocate two spoonfuls of grain or foodstuff per civilian, and just one spoon per child.

“Even with lots of water in the gruel, it's going to be a famine,” I muttered to myself. Moreover, something felt missing.

What are they waiting for? Why not put up a siege right now?

Winter and snow could fall anytime and it should put them at a big disadvantage. The fact that the Nicopolans were out there, watching and waiting calmly, unnerved me greatly.

***