The outskirt of Inlan, a small village of less than 800 located only half a day walk from Linvart, is where I stand currently alongside Kai, Ulrike, and 1,000 of Kai’s personal troops from Linvart. I decide not to bring anyone else since I am forbidden to get involved; if the battle breaks out. “It is disgraceful of me to let my guest fending for his life in my land” as Kai put it. The day is bright but not as hot as yesterday. As I had hoped, the outskirt of Inlan like the majority of the County of Timei is flat plains and the wind that blows across it feels extraordinary today.

“You have only one chance. Understand I do this only for the people who live here and not the cowards.” Kai growled. He is back in his battle armor. I must say that he hasn’t grown more fond of me since our last talk in Linvart about the current situation.

Inside the village is what to be assumed as around 1,000 deserters who had banded together under the name of Brotherhood of Carrel, Carrel being the city where the vast majority of the deserters originated from.

Once again, I was able to see how much Kai hates them. There is no reason for him to bring a professional army that size against the deserters; he even brought his 200 riders with him. Riders whose only difference from knights is the decoration of their armor. Without a doubt, he wants more than to disband the group. He wants to run them down, hunt them, and send a message to all who trouble the land; that those who disturb order will be destroyed.

The field is awfully silent consider there is about 1,000 men in heavy armor and an entire village ahead of them. There is no sound other than the occasional neigh from the horses, armors clanking against each other, and the grasses whistling in the wind.

“Alright, forward!” Kai called. Soon, the marching sound of 800 people and 200 horses overwhelmed all other.

According to the details, these deserters are made mainly of Loaned Equipment Infantry. An interesting classification that I haven’t seen. Apparently, they are people of a lower socio-economic class, those who lack the ability to supply themselves with armor and weaponry which one a noble or influential merchant would bring; in other words, the common folks. So the local lord loaned them the equipment, for the price of half of their wages in the army. A price to pay for their lives I guess.

The main reason for that is the lack of mainline infantry, the poor usually goes to archery. Cheap, effective, and in a way safe. However, the toll of the war had made the infantry line lacking so they were created. Their duty is unique, their duty is noble, their duty is to protect their brothers-in-arms. So I have been told by Kai who added: “It is inevitable for every army to not include criminals, cowards, and traitors” at the end of his explanation.

The good thing about this is that the standard equipment of the deserters should not be much different from what they left with: close-combat only. From what I heard, there is no reason to expect any archers as they are mainly farmers. The hunters got the preferred choice in archery.

As if answering the advancement of Kai, the deserters emerge from the village. Not like a pack of an unorganized bandit, but a neat line of shields. They have decided to take this to the field. A strange choice considers the riders will be much less effective in the tight streets.

“Perhaps there is still a shred of bravery left in them,” Kai commented. “But too little too late.”

I fidget slightly, not remotely used to plate armor that I was convinced that I need to put on and this feeling that Kai is not going to appreciate what I am about to do. Ulrike probably senses it, because she quietly moves her head next to my ear and whispers, “do what you need to.”

I turn to look at her. Her face is devoid of expression as usual, but she gives me a confident nod. And it is true. For once, my position as the child of house Zieten might gift me something that is not pain.

“Halt!” Kai yelled. The entire army stops. The opposite did the same after. We are probably about 500 feet or so from each other. Kai waves at me from his mount. It is my turn.

“Raise the banners!” I shouted. One of Kai’s bodyguard raised the universal, at least for the those who used to be under Lanvastan Empire, a banner for negotiation. Two golden feather pen crossed with each other on top of a white hue. Then two more banner went up. The banner of my family, the familiar wheel and the diamond with its 4 phrases centered upon a purple banner, and the banner of House Lomn, the gauntlet in front of the snow peaked mountains.

Taking a deep breath, I lead the way to the center of the field. Hopefully, it does not become the battlefield soon. Ulrike naturally follows by my side. The banner carriers formed a triangle, with the banner for negotiation at front and houses behind. They are flanked by Kai, who dismounted to show his share of respect for this talk and his own bodyguard.

As we made our way to the center, a group also emerge from the other side. 5 figures with the leading figure tower over the rest and an unarmored man following behind. They did not have any banners raised which are to be expected. When no nobility is presented, a banner of the liege of the land is used instead. In this case, it would be House Lomn if they were not in the current predicament.

“Sir Leonhard, how do you feel?” Kai suddenly struck a conversation. We have agreed that formality in calling each other’s name to be omitted in private, but in public it is simply a matter of what the world sees as appropriate. Things such as even a humble king should never bow his head.

“I would be lying if I were to say that I am not nervous in the least,” I replied, glancing at Kai.

“Your first time on a battlefield?”

“I never had the luck.”

“It must be quite a blessing then, living in such a peaceful nation.”

“I wish I can enjoy the peace as it seems to the world. I spend too long in the presence of ambitious nobles.” I sighed.

“The intrigue of the Republic Patricians eh?”

“Indeed, the game of power in the Republic is all about reputation. But the underlining of it is wealth.” I shake my head. At some point, a house even tried to bamboozle the port out of me. “Anyhow, shouldn’t we focus the task at hand?”

“I like to prioritize my tasks. I do not want this to come across as insulting. But I find the talk with these traitors meaningless.” Kai stated flatly. And it is true I suppose. For him, if the talk went sour, he leads the army and destroys the deserter. He might take some losses but it is for his ideal. If it went well, the fight is avoided. He avoids losing anyone but he also cannot stress the length of how far he can go for his ideal.

“I rather not have them dead. After all, dead men do make terrible customers.”

“Once a merchant, always a merchant. However, I would like you to think about things above the plane of materials.” By the time Kai finished his sentence, we had stopped.

On the opposite side, the other group is but 10 feet away, close enough for me to make out the finer details. The leading man is as tall as me, which shouldn’t be common as I do stand a head taller than most. 3 men who are in full plate armor stood by him, just like the regular man-at-arms from Lomn’s army, their helm covered any expressions. The last one is an old weaponless, armorless old man. His hair and long beard had become as white as snow but his eyes betrayed my expectations as it is one with shine and sparkles similar to that of a young squire working towards knighthood.

“What do you nobles want?” The tall man demanded, looking straight at Kai. It is evident that he assumed the one while the most decorated armor is the leader, which is the norm.

“I want to get rid of you disgraceful bunch. Be thankful, if not for Sir Zieten here, you’d be dead where you stand.” Kai replied with a tone so cold it can probably freeze water in the middle of summer.

“Zieten is it?” The man ignored the rest of Kai’s comment and turned to me.

I nodded. “Before I start, I would like to know your name, unless you would like me to refer to you as Tall Guy.”

“A rare one, a noble who jokes. Call me Toric.” Toric said.

“And the one without arms?” I asked. I had guessed him to be a hostage or sorts, but upon closer inspection, he isn’t bound or threatened.

“Allow me to introduce myself, Sir Leonhard. I am the Hinder, Elder of Inlan.” He said with a tired bow. Without anymore, it is understood that he represents the interest of the village. It is not uncommon for small villages like one of Inlan to be governed by an Elder rather than a mayor.

“Elder Hinder, I assume you had something to tell us.”

“Indeed I do, I have come to plead for forgiveness.” The Elder let out.