Isolde

Chapter 18 - Tigressa the Smart

The day had come. The largest battle the two nations would ever face.

Tigressa had launched an attack to avenge the death of her husband. She and her army had crossed the border and now marched into Rilia. They flew new banners above them, giving away their intent not just to avenge the death of Kerime but to take Rilia as their own. Tigressa led the army herself. Dressed in armour she led from the front on her horse, fearlessly riding over the hills into the enemy territory. She had a large army behind her with some mounted on horses and others on foot. There were swordsmen and archers in great numbers and even the infantry and those brought from the villages were given axes and blades. The sight was incredible.

A Rilian scout had seen them cross the border and had ridden back to Frelian and told him. Frelian then set his defence into action. He dressed in his father's armour and gave a speech to his soldiers and their families who had been camping around the palace until this day came. They'd been provided with food and weapons if they didn't have any but it wasn't important to Frelian that the troops matched in their attire and arms but that they were all able and willing to fight. He didn't know how many people had gathered nor did he know how many were soldiers and how many were just supporters who offered themselves, but he knew they all shared the same goal. They all seemed to respect him.

The nobles were also called to the palace in anticipation of the attack but had insisted upon being lodged within the walls instead of outside with those of lower rank. Many threatened to leave and take their contingents with them if he disagreed so he was left no choice but to welcome them. As soon as they arrived they all met with Frelian and it was decided that two new generals would need to be appointed to lead the hoards of commoners since they would all be required for leading their own soldiers. A vote was held in the absence of a formally anointed king, and Isolde and Biren were chosen for the positions due to their efforts in the palace storming. Both were immediately notified and were offered the chance to lodge in the palace with the other nobles and both accepted. This made it easier for Isolde and Frelian to be together as he ensured that she was given a room away from the other nobles, claiming it was because she was a woman and it wouldn't be suitable for her to sleep so close to them' which all the nobles seemed to agree with. So her and Frelian were able to spend more time together than they'd been able too and live much more like a married couple. They still had to be careful not to be caught leaving each other's chambers but for the first time in weeks they were living under the same roof and they intended to enjoy it, even if it was only to last until the fighting began.

Tigressa's army reached the palace and began their siege before the Rilian could make many decisions about strategy. Instead they split into their contingents and made ready for battle. They all took charge of defending a different area of the palace with Frelian's group (the largest one) inside and the others spread about the grounds and the front. The fighting started almost immediately as both sides battled for control of the palace and thus Rilia.

Neither side could make any significant gains. If control of one area was lost by the Rilian they'd be able to take it back before long and if they managed to kill a high ranking member of the Turige army, the Turige would simply retaliate. No-one seemed able to break through either way.

Once the fighting had been going on to no avail for an entire day and a night, both sides agreed to stop combat for a day to allow troops to rest and decisions about strategy to be made. Both sides had significant losses and those remaining were exhausted so welcomed the break. The nobles of both sides met to formulate the next part of the plan and how they were going to gain the upper hand.

But when the fighting resumed the same problem returned and the stalemate continued. No formal agreement to break happened this time and both sides continued to fight long into the night and then again into the next day. Then at the dusk of the second day of the resuming of fighting, the troops on both sides refused to fight on, racked with fatigue and injury. Clearly this battle of the countries wasn't going to be solved militarily but diplomatically if neither side could make any gains. So Frelian and Tigressa both formally agreed to a truce for the sake of their soldiers.