They let August go to inform the prince that Rufus was coming back along with a sizable grey skin force. Before he left he made sure to know where the grey skin army would come out of the mountains to prepare for the upcoming war.

"You really think it is alright to let him go? I always had the feeling the prince never really cared for us?" Haley asked.

"You are not wrong. He doesn't care, but that doesn't matter. He cares for something else than himself at least and that is good enough for me," Rufus said and smiled.

~~

It was agreed that the grey skin army would enter the kingdom from the Insbeck in the north. Preparations were almost done and the war would officially start in summer when the mountain passes were the easiest to pass through.

The grey skin army worked with different tribes working as individual regiments. The Raja's tribesmen were working as commanding officers for the different tribes, but unfortunately, it was hard to form a working command structure. In a grey skin army, many tribes acted almost independently and discipline was extremely lacking.

Based on the different tribes and their specialty, one tribe might work as archers while one worked as cavalry. Unfortunately, not every tribe had just one type of warrior or unit. This also caused difficulty in managing a larger grey skin army. It was different if one tribe or just a few tribes together went on a raid.

Doreen had worked with Amala trying to reform the army and its management, but it was no use. It would take years to reform the grey skin military so instead, they worked on logistics and other things.

"It is going to be hard to beat the kingdom's armies with this," Doreen said looking around at the military camp.

"This is what we got. We already implemented many of your changes. Many are still unhappy with bringing with us so much food and not living off the land. They say the extra baggage will only slow us down."

"It would be different, but August told the peasants are not working now so there most likely is not much to live off. Also, we are there to occupy and conquer. It would be wise not to aggravate the populace any more than what is necessary."

The army of the grey skins started to be ready soon. All the warriors were prepped. Gears were checked and readied. An uneasy feeling was with all the grey skins. They all wanted but couldn't believe they would maybe now be able to go back to the flatlands and reclaim their golden age.

~ ~

After a couple of weeks, August was able to reach Jacobstadt. He immediately rode with a horse to the Rosewalk villa. He started to look around and saw Markus being with Emilia having a picnic under a tree. Markus saw that August had come back and walked to him alone not wanting Emilia to hear about their conversation.

"Did you find him?" Markus asked without asking how August was.

"Yes. It seems he has been more than successful."

"What do you mean?"

August explained the situation to the prince. How Rufus had become the Raja and he would lead a large grey skin army down south to invade the kingdom. How he had promised to them to create a nation for both humans and grey skins. Markus was astonished by the success of Rufus. It felt almost unbelievable.

"Hahahahahahaha. Rufus really is amazing isn't he" The prince laughed.

August looked a bit displeased. The prince looked at him.

"What is it?" the prince asked.

"I may be out of line here, but I think we have to be ready to betray Rufus?"

"What are you talking about? What for?"

"Well, the grey skins will fight for Rufus, not for you. Count Hunyadi will fight for Rufus, not for you. The people are chanting Rufus's name, not yours. How do you believe they will still want you to be the king?" August explained and was worried the prince would not be able to claim the throne.

Prince Markus looked amused. He gave a large smile.

"Isn't this perfect then. I never wanted to be the king in the first place," Prince Markus said and laughed.

August looked shocked. It was like his world collapsed on him.

"But why?! You are the most suitable person to be the king?" August said trying to get Markus to think otherwise.

"I might be suitable for many things. I might be suitable to be the king also. The thing is that I don't want to be any of those. I have my own plans here. Here in the Rosewalk villa. It seems Rufus can give me more than what I initially wanted," said the prince and smiled.

August looked very disappointed. Markus realized that August was having a hard time with what he had just said.

"If your loyalty is to the people and this kingdom I suggest you give your loyalty to Rufus. You know he actually cares for it more than I do. The only thing I really care for is my own selfish desire and dream life here with Emilia," the prince said and looked at August who was having a hard time hearing all that.

August then looked at the prince having resolved the issue within himself.

"My loyalty is to you," said August and then excused himself.

The prince joined back with Emilia. Emilia seemed worried.

"What did August have to say?"

"Oh nothing," the prince said trying to avoid the topic.

Emilia then grabbed with both hands Markus's head. She put her own forehead on his forehead.

"I know you can't tell me everything. I also know what you have been doing and I know why. Just know if there is something you can always come to me. It is not good to have things and not have someone to pour them into," Emilia said and smiled at Markus who was a bit taken about how much Emilia knew.

The prince then smiled.

"Everything is fine. My friend just is working really hard to help us."

"Oh. I never thought you had a friend. He really is a good friend of yours. Always been with you. August has always though been by your side."

"I didn't mean August," prince Markus said and smiled.

~ ~

August went back to the capital Jacobstadt. He went to the nobles district where all the fine houses were. He went inside a manor that was almost completely quiet with no noise. It felt almost as if no one else lived there.

~ ~

August was part of the Moldav family. His family had died years ago and he had become the head of the family. He had no other family and lived mainly alone.

At a young age, the young August had squandered all his fortune away. He was badly indebted when he was made to work for the young prince as his personal attendant. It was his only way to pay for his debts. The king had promised to clear all his debts if he would be loyal to the prince and help him become a great king.

~ ~

"So finally, you are back. Have you already gone and reported to the prince," asked one servant from August.

"Stefan. Mind you bringing me something to drink. I really would need something," August asked.

"Something similar to coffee or tea or something similar to wine or liquor?"

"The latter."

The servant was Stefan. The only servant of the Moldav household. He was about the same age as August. He had been with the family since a young age and had stayed loyal for many years. He had semi-long hair and dashingly beautiful eyes.

Stefan came back with some wine and some strong brandy. He poured one glass to August and then another one for himself.

"So. How was your holiday in the grey scale mountains? I take it you feel refreshed after some mountain air," Stefan said sarcastically.

"It was luckily a success. Soon this all will be over," August said and proceeded to drink his brandy in one gulp.

"I really don't understand why you work so hard for the prince. You yourself have said many times he really doesn't care for anything else than Emilia and himself," Stefan argued with a small condescending tone against the prince.

"He also doesn't care for us. He has always accepted us even though he knows the truth. Every other person would have scorned us for who we are, and don't forget that we also only care for the two of us. Unless the prince becomes the king our dream will vanish too. So trust me. When I am working for the prince I am working for us," said August and kissed Stefan.

Stefan felt reassured. He hugged August who was sitting in a chair by the fireplace.

"Just please make sure that nothing happens to you," said Stefan and kissed August back.

~ ~

The army of the grey skins was marching south. Rufus was riding an armored Yak at the center of the army. With him was Gwon who also rode with him in front of Rufus. Edward and Pema also stuck close to him. After around two weeks of marching, they finally got out of the mountains.

They gazed into the lands where they were about to go.

The war had begun.