Year 12.328 After the Founders Autumn 59.

The Lusian army began to move again after one day of rest.

Since many of the man captured in the previous battle were either levies or mercenaries, some even from Catalunia, any who wished was allowed to join the army, if accepted, they would have their debts due to medical treatment forgiven and receive full treatment and even a salary, otherwise they would be left to work for some time in Calavria in order to pay their bills.

Unsurprisingly to Kniva, many decided to defect, including the young man who previously was helped by Diaz. However since many were still wounded they were led to Calavria to rest and be part of the next reinforcements for the army.

As of now, the army of the king had swollen to over 16.000 men, many of whom were experienced soldiers. It still was not the number Kniva desired but it was a powerful army nonetheless

While on the move towards Arrianne, Kniva tried several times to call out the main oderickian army to an open battle, however after the early disaster, the Oderickians were wary of a battle considering that the army that was defeated was close to a quarter to their whole army. Now the Oderickians morale was lowered and they had considerably fewer men than the Lusians, as such they were keeping themselves to a defensive stance until they got more reinforcements.

However one problem arose from the success of the Lusians: Looting.

“Your Majesty, some of our men saw Baronet Liuva taking his men to the nearby village, they are sacking the place, we have yet to see deaths but the report is about half an hour ago”. Said one of the intelligence agents acting as “eyes in the allied camp” .

“Again! I told them they will get spoils after we take Castle Catalunia! How greedy they can be!?” raged king Kniva.

Baronet Liuva was the ruler of a small town with little to it, and the amount of man he brought was no more than 30 men, barely passable as Man-at-arms. So just like a starved beast seeing meat, when he saw a chance to grab some money he jumped right into it.

“Alexios! Go! with my authority, use your unit and bring him back! Remember this fool of the agreement and use force if necessary!”.

“Understood, my liege.”

Alexios then rushed to the site together with the agent, when they arrived unfortunately not only 3 deaths had occurred but a maiden was violated and several other peasants wounded, Baronet Liuva tried to excuse himself with the argument “the right of conquerors” but a simple reminder of the contract they made previously in order to join the army, and also some “show of force” was enough to cower the baronet, leaving 2 of his men dead on the village center.

When brought in front of the king, the baronet tried to appeal for himself.

“ Your majesty! I was simply doing what you do in war! Why do you stop my Warrior spirit!?”

It was true that looting and pillaging was a common practise, however…

“Silence your fool! Regardless of your ramblings you signed a contract that clearly stated: “follow the orders of the king under every circumstance while in his retinue, otherwise face lese majesty and punishment accordingly.” And my orders were not to loot Catalunia unless I ALLOWED! These used to be Lusian lands and I want them back intact!”

The man was taken back by the king’s rage, he clearly did not think the king would be this enraged for some peasants' death and some houses burned, to the point where the king was grabbing his own sword as if ready to slash him. He was now so afraid of the consequences that he pathelicaly said.

“I-I-I am sorry my Liege! I-i am afraid to say, tha-t I D-Did not read the contract”

Speechless, the king let go of the handle of his sword and face palmed himself, sitting on a nearby stool with no motivation to continue this stupidity.

“ Take his stupid man away from me… Geld the man who raped the woman, hang the ones who killed, lash at the baronet’s man, 30 times.”

The baronet 's begged for mercy, however Kniva had no plans to listen to them, sending a signal to the royal guards to take them away. Finally he looked at the baronet and said:

“You, Baronet Liuva, are to pay a fine to the crown in the value of 30 Augustinias for lese majesty, where a part of it shall be used as reparations after the conquest.”

“B-but Milord! that's at least a third of the whole income of my household!”

“Silence! Be thankful that I am not confiscating your lands for disobeying a royal contract!”

Indeed, lese Majesty was a very serious crime, even more so under a contract for it was a huge disrespect to the ruling family and as such, infringement on the king's law. Usually even capital punishment, death, was not out of the table if such a thing was done, however since the crime was done so against the king, the monarch was the one to decide the criminal`s fate.

As much as Kniva wished to kill this man, unfortunately not only he is a direct vassal but technically he also was part of the King’s camp in politics, so punishing him further might throw some of his allies away from Kniva, actually it would be better if he did not punished the baronet at all for some already thought this was excessive. However if Kniva was not severe here, most likely even worst cases of plundering will occur, leaving the land much desolated and the people ostracised, while also diminishing his own authority by allowing them to break previous vows.

Which is one of the reasons Kniva was so angry, this was completely and utterly unnecessary, an arbitrary stupidity made by a fool.

“What a headache…” whispered the king.

Later he would order some of his man to deliver compensations for the village, from the king’s own war chest, and punish the offending party in the village square, it did little to bring the dead back, but it did soothe the emotions of the peasants, who also would spread tales of this occurrence. It, in a way, also served as a propaganda effort.

This would stop some of the nobles from engaging in individual looting but this would also put a large expectation on the payment the royals would give away later on.

Year 12.328 After the Founders Autumn 64.

Later in the afternoon. The army of Kniva has finally gotten close to Arriane, so far the journey has been uneventful with the Lusians taking small settlements and keeps without much resistance, for most quickly surrendered or had deserted garrisons from the start, most likely joining the main army or other larger settlements.

However, Arriane response was very different.

“So, Arriane refused.” Said Kniva

“Yes sire, unfortunately they refused our terms” - said a soldier who acted as messenger.

“They most likely are awaiting the Oderickian forces to amass.” Said Duke Cavadonga.

“I agree Mr. Cavadonga. Also, the news of reinforcements from other kingdoms might have encouraged them to resist even more.”

“Then what do we do sire? we siege?” Asked Totila.

“If we don't take the fortress and cross the river, our supply lines will always be in danger of attack, if we wait, the enemy will have more than enough time to gather a much larger force, we have to take it in order to secure our path to Catalunia Castle, so we need to storm it.”

There was a bit of noise in the war council, many were discussing if this was a good idea.

“Sire, if we do so there is no doubt we will suffer large casualties.” Said an aristocrat.

“Indeed you majesty, besides everyone here knows that Arriane is a key location it is most likely to be very well guarded, so storming it might not be feasible” Said another aristocrat.

However the king did not change his stance and pushed forward some of the information he got.

“Not a problem about it being possible or not” The king showed some documents just sent to him by his queen. “Most of the forces closest to Arriane have been wiped out in the last battle, many men in Arriane were also present in that battle and their reinforcements are just starting to gather. Yes we might suffer high casualties, but if we take the initiative and storm now we will have no better opportunity”

Some of the nobles still had doubts, however Kniva was right, especially about the depleted garrison in the city, so at least they were willing to give it a try, especially considering that if they got Arriane the spoils would be plenty. The king could only thank his queen for the information, otherwise they would most likely protest for no one wants to risk their man for something with no solid evidence.

Even so, despite the confident front Kniva was hesitant inside, he prepared for many years for this event but who knows what other variables he could not calculate into his plans? One mistake could easily bring everything down, sensing this, Totila gave a small smack in Kniva’s back when no one was looking and stepped forward..

“Are we in agreement, gentlemen? Shall we assault Arriane and take it as conquerors? Or do you truly wish to wait by and try to starve an already overwhelmingly outnumbered enemy? Don't worry you guys have my hammer and this manly man before your eyes to rely on! SO? WHO WANTS TO COME FIRST WITH ME!” said Totila, with an imposing manner, showing off his large body.

At that moment, the nobles had their spirits risen. All of the nobles were trained and taught to be warriors from birth, even if all of them had a political agenda to follow, each and every one desired to prove themselves before their lineage. So when Totila, a legendary warrior in their opinion, not only provoked their masculinity but also told them he would be by their side in battle they became inspired to join him in combat, this was especially so to the lower nobility.

“I am braving the storm gentlemen, who wants to be my rowers who shall conquer the eye of this turbulence!? ” Totila beat his chest, creating a strondous sound.

“ ME!” “NO I shall!” “”Shut up you were cowering just now, I Will!”

Even Duke Covadonga seeing this wished to express his will as a warrior, but he had to keep cool for he had a dignity as one of the highest nobles to maintain. The lower nobles however were loud, the youngest even more so, even Covadonga’s son was in the middle, especially after witnessing Totila's early heroic style of combat, charging in alone and single handedly opening a way for his companions to breakthrough, it seemed straight out of legends.

Taking this opportunity his father-in-law created, the king went forth.

“Then my friends, those who are in agreement with the assault say AY.”

“AY!!”

“It’s decided!” Shouted Kniva.

With this they finished the council meeting, finally deciding to take the city by assault.

When every nouble and captain got out of the royal tent, Kniva directed himself to Totila.

“Thank you father(father-in-law)”

“Think nothing of it you majesty, It’s what your father would do.”

“My father… hmm...”

Kniva began to remember the figure of his father, his large back and inspiring visage that led the man toward victory against all odds. King Eurick was a warrior almost as good as Totila, and he was also a great inspiration to all soldiers and knights, Kniva in comparison is seen as timid and sometimes even cowardly, something he himself finds it hard to deny, for he can only play brave rather than being brave. During his monologue however, Totila interrupted him.

“My king, do not compare yourself to your father, he was an amazing man that had his strengths but also weaknesses just like you, you are doing a fine job so far so be more proud of yourself.”

“I am sorry, and thank you father.”

“Okay! How about you join me in a beer match! been some time eh?! just to lighten things up! ” Said Totila

“I don’t know father, we will soon get close to the enemy”.

“Common! it’s gonna take a day or so, yet let’s enjoy ourselves with a bit of alcohol!”

“Hmmm… Okay i guess, don't think it will hurt to relax a bit”

“Nice! Let's go to my camp! The boys dont mind too much the difference in status! Hey Alexios! how abo-”

And so Totila managed to involve a lot of the royal entourage in a drinking match before the meat grinder that would be the assault, in the center of Totila camp also came several other nobles and even Duke Cavadonga participated, celebrating while they could

By the end, a pile of drunken bodies were found everywhere, with only king Kniva still drinking; this day many came to learn to never challenge their king to a drinking match.