Chapter 6

Both Sir Adams and Jake made their way to the other door behind the throne at the opposite end that opened to a moderate sized room that in the center of stood a table large enough that a dozen chairs surrounded it. There was only one chair that was different, it was clearly meant for Jake due to it looking like a less impressive throne. As soon as Sir Adam made his way inside after Jake one of the two guards that now stood outside the room closed the door making sure what was said could only be heard between the two of them.

Walking around to the head of the table Jake sat down in his chair while Sir Adam sat to the first chair to his right just like when he stood next to the throne.

“What would you like to talk about first my Lord?”

“Well… let’s go with what is nearest. Tell me about what is happening to the villages”

With Sir Adams nod he got up and grabbed some papers from a nearby desk then come back to drop them on the table in front of Jake. Giving them a quick glace it showed a map of the local area and locations of two villages on their side of the river.

“The village closest is called Whitebridge and specializes in stonework while the other, Ferncombe, in woodworks combined several hundred live there. The problem is that even with the news about the former Kings defeat forces that still call themselves Royal Guards have lock-down the villages not allowing anyone to leave”

There is no way they are staying out of loyalty

Based on his even limited experience Jake could tell that men who were in the Royal Guard were there because of their ability to enforce harsh taxes. That left the question of how hard they would try to hold onto what they now had to themselves.

“Do you know how many of the Royal Guard there are now”

“I would say fifty in all split between the two villages based on the last reports”

That number would make it hard to take back unless they used a force a major fraction used last night. Knowing that there was still more to come the issue of how to resolve it was pushed out of Jake mind.

“I think I want to hear about the other two issues before the choice is made due to the fact that plans that are made up now may have to be changed by the end. With that in mind tell me about Colkirk”

Reaching across the table Sir Adams pulled out the paper showing the map of the area. He pointed to a dense group of squares on the other side of the river.

“That is Colkirk, while the town itself has less people there King-“

“He is also a King? I feel like I did not go the day they were handing these things out”

“I believe it was you who refused to be a king based on what you said something about a TV show Vikings”

Now in the room there hanged an awkward silence where Jake did not know how to respond and Sir Adam waiting for his response. Not wanting to admit what had just happened but needing to press on to hear about the problems Jake decided to make the first comment.

“So why is this King such an issue now?”

“I believe by dethrone the former King they will use the chance of taking the land for themselves. They should be able to field an amount of men equal to or even slightly more than us and that is without help”

“Do I dare ask who will be helping them take us over?”

The question of just how bad things were going to get was one Jake both wanted to ask and not. It was an irrational fear that if he asked that would make it worse all on its own. These were things that he had never had to worry about before and now had to care for hundreds of people lives. A cold sweat was forming all around his body, his robe clinging tighter to his skin.

“Are you alright my Lord?”

I look bad enough for even Adam to notice

“It is nothing, tell me about the other group”

“As you say, they will most likely be bandits which are the final problem for a separate reason. For some time they had been paid by us not to attack and while the price was quite high they kept their word. Unless we give them a much large sum they will most likely accept the gold of the other King and support the invasion of our lands”

Jake groaned at the thought of already having a combined force in preparation to attack him. There more questions to ask if there was a way to see an advantage in all of this became his guiding thought.

“What would be the strength of this combined force?”

“Five hundred to up to six hundred, we will be able to close that gap with the reclaiming of our villages but we will still have a steep disadvantage”

That being the third problem it was finally the end of the seemly bottomless pit that was bad news. From here it could be seen by even Jake that this war would have to be won with the first battle and that win had to be overselling clear.

“Bring out a larger map that shows a greater area, after bring Brent, Kara and whoever you consider you’re second in command. When you come back there will be a plan waiting for you to hear”

A smile crossed Jake's lips as he looked at Sir Adams bowing slightly lower than usual to his a smile of his own. With Sir Adams leaving Jake rose from the chair to get a better view of the map. Through the middle of it was a wide river with only two bridges, one near Whitebridge and the other far to the south. Those objects lit a spark in Jake's mind causing his words before to Sir Adams not to be without truth.

As always the time to gather the people Jake had requested was short but by then the plan had come into place in his mind. Coming in first was Sir Adam, followed by an unknown man, Brent, and finally Kara.

“As you requested this is my second Michael along with Brent and Kara”

Sir Adam sat in the same place before with Michael next to him with Brent to Jake's Left and Kara next to him. All four of them were eager to varying extents with Kara the most noticeable. It is indeed a strange thing for a woman to fight much less be in such high ranking talks.

“Thank you all for coming, I want to waste no time so the plan comes two stages with the first being Redirect. Sir Adam you will raise a force of one hundred troops and take back those village by the end of today. Michael and Kara you will also be going but that is not your goal”

“What will we be doing instead my Lord?”

Kara fired back quickly now on the edge of her seat, this only lasted a moment before a stern look by sir Adam sat her down.

“I am glad you asked Kara, you under the command of Michael along a dozen others will in secret cross over to the other villages and brag”

“Brag my Lord?”

Michael had a look of confusion over what they had to do and that view was shared by all.

“What I mean is do what I did for this village but in secret. Tell those people about how we overthrew the King and now live under a shadow of terror. The more unrest you can cause the more troops they will have to send to secure there villagers and less that attack us”

The look of amazement on everyone’s face almost made it worth it the trouble it was to come up with it but Jake was not done. He turned the map so the other four could get a better view of what he was pointing at.

“Once your group is over the bridge Sir Adam will destroy it making sure there army has to go over the second bridge to the east the crosses into the forest behind this keep. That is where we will make our stand, so Sir Adams meet me there after you are done and Brent I will need you to help Train others. How long do we have until the last payment of the bandits is up?”

“Around three weeks maybe less my Lord”

With Sir Adams answer Jake now knew how much time the clock had until it stuck zero and the army came.

“In that case our countdown has started, Sir Adam take back those villages. Michael and Kara tell everyone how great things really are on this side of the river. Finally Brent start finding the fifty best archers so when Sir Adam comes back there training can begin”