The plan was simple. I hide my army in the forest before the enemy comes. Brad faced the Glorias army, in front of their eyes he marched to the hill. Gloria and her army followed them. Gloria and her mounted guard in their chainmail showed a white flag for talks. I just ran toward the tunnel.

I wanted to ask some questions of mine. While the enemy group came to Brad’s command tent I was there. Gloria, Bruce, and her other armored guard entered. Their mails were exquisite. They had plate armor on the arms. They looked good. Bruce looked at me but did not speak.

Gloria stared at me, She said “What are you doing here?” I said, “We had a deal, Gloria, we had a deal.” She just nodded “That is true, but what did followers of Altus expect? The voice of Altus demanded if he stops his rebellion I had to declare serfdom is over in Hersch barony. My advisors said if I do such a thing every peasant would leave our land. My brother already promised everything on usurers. I am going to try not to pay them but you know them, it's not going to be easy. If peasants leaving my lands come over this problem I am over. I know you understand me.” I nodded “I understand you, Gloria. But you also understand one thing, The voice of Altus was my father. You killed him. And we had an alliance, you betrayed it, you will pay for what you have done.”

She said “You speak though but we have the upper hand in numbers, we will not attack you on the hill. You have to come down and you will know what the result is going to be.” I smiled, showing her a piece of paper. She looked at it, when she read it she made her move to take it from my hand. I was ready for it. I said to her “Your brother is in our hands and as you read Marcus is the new baron of this land now. Alfred was too angry at you, I recommend you to attack us on the hill and get defeated. Because Marcus is coming with an army numbering 200 soldiers in three days. You would become outnumbered. And under a two-way attack, you will get decimated. She said, “If I attack you on the hills I also get decimated.” I just smirked “Not my problem, you can always surrender, but unlike your brother who is an incompetent buffoon you are a dangerous person, don’t think for a second I will let you live”

She looked at me with hate, she was growing in talent and experience, she is dangerous if she survives she will take her revenge even if she gets defeated. With her beauty and intelligence, she could easily find many allies too.

But pity she was like a mouse in the trap for me, she had no move to make which could save her. I already sent a horse messenger to Marcus, he is a good and righteous man on all fronts. But no commoner becomes a noble without some ambition and great talent. He was a war hero, he had many friends, although What I said about 200 man in 3 days is just a lie he was more than capable of finding many people and many allies on his side and he definitely didn't refuse to be a baron over being only a lowly grand knight.

They tried to convince Brad to give up or even join their side but he said he is already a priest of Altus and they killed his brothers which was another half-truth.

We intentionally made a weak point in the mountain defense. To them, that must look like a mistake on our side and an opportunity. But that was just a trap. I had all the things I needed. I was going to crash Gloria and this war was going to be over.