Eleven years ago, in the year 2375, the Second Aranguiza-Erasthian War had been raging for four years. One of the areas that was most severely affected by the war was North Castillo. The land of North Castillo was ruled by the once powerful duke named Antonio Perez de Castillo. As a duke that ruled over a land that stood on the frontiers, he and his many men fought fiercely and caused all sorts of problems for the Erasthians offensive campaign.
But over the years, the Erasthians who were personally led by the then Crown Prince Alexander Tuganov of Asharevskaya, continued to win battle after battle and were slowly closing in on the city. Despite that, the Aranguizan Army managed to consolidate their position within the city while launching skirmishes all around the forested countryside to further slow the Erasthian's advances.
In the end, they were just doing that, slowing down the inevitable. As Alexander and his army steadily approached the city, many people tried to flee, fearing for their safety if the city were to be besieged. At first, Alexander tried to immediately punch through the Aranguizan's defenses, so that they could end this bloody battle as soon as possible.
Alexander tried multiple times, which only resulted in even more casualties on both sides. Eventually, the Erasthians settled down for a siege and constructed massive trebuchets just outside the city. Every single day, the Erasthians rained down massive fiery boulders on the city to force the North Castillans to surrender.
Meanwhile, inside the city palace of North Castillo where the Duke of North Castillo and his family resided, Antonio and a few of his closest advisors were discussing about their plans.
"Jorge, please bring me the battle reports for yesterday and the day before yesterday", said Antonio.
"Yes, milord", replied Jorge.
He handed Antonio the 100-page report from the battlefield. Antonio read the report thoroughly while the all-too-familiar sound of boulders smashing onto the ground or one of the houses filled the dead air. As he finished reading it, he turned towards all his advisors.
"How did we lose yet another attempt to break the siege!?", he shouted.
"W- We don't know, milord. All things were going according to plan, but in the end the Erasthians were just better organized and defeated our forces", one of the advisors said.
"That's not an excuse! If it has come to this, it seems like I'll have to take over the command from those generals that the capital had send to 'help' us...", said Antonio.
"Milord, please consider our yesterday's advice... This city is doomed to fall, we have to evacuate as soon as possible!", another advisor said.
"Evacuate? I will never do that! If all of you wanted to leave, then leave! Cowards like you are the reason we lost this battle in the first place!", replied Antonio while slamming the table.
Antonio stood up from his seat and turned his back on them. The advisors looked at each other, don't know what to do.
"Milord, we were only worried about you and your family if you were to stay inside the city. We didn't mean anything other than that",
"Silence! Leave this palace right now and exit the city like you had always wanted", replied Antonio.
"Milord-",
Before the advisors could say anything else, Antonio immediately cuts him off. He picked up a sword and pointed it at them.
"Leave, you treacherous cowards", said Antonio.
The advisors left the meeting room, leaving only Antonio and Jorge.
"Jorge, come with me. Let's take this city back under our control", he said to Jorge.
YOU ARE READING
Caught in Time
FantasyArchmage Kyleas, a former magical prodigy, was once a highly respected mage from a prestigious wizarding school. But one day, for no apparent reason, he left his past life behind him and started making easy, dirty money. Things changed quickly when...
