Muskets and Carbines

Chapter 10: Herald Attacks

Juna, Belwas Region. Mara 8th, 113 AP.

Lady Kas Buran had a decision to make. The news she had received the day before had almost split her mind in two. Both Armies who wanted this city were barely miles away and she needed to choose a side.

Stay loyal to the Antaran Empire who had cost her family almost everything? The same empire who had her engaged to a man who shamed and belittled her to no end. An empire that would happily throw her and her family's city to the wolves, just to buy time.

Or to turn her coat over to these 'Americans'. The new servant, Michael, had spent many hours with Maester Yarrick and her in telling of his home. He told of manufactures of huge size, cities that spread to horizons, and many wondrous things that boggle the mind. He said his people will come for the Antaran Empire. They will come with an iron fist and a heart of fire to avenge the attack on their people.

But he also talked of how they welcomed all that came to join their nation. That it was a nation of fresh starts. A fresh start was something that was tempting to Kas. The very idea that you can build your own life without your past or family status to pin you in a place. With how Michael talked of it was leaving an impression on her.

Currently Kas was standing on the outer wall with Maester Yarrick and Michael watching as Lord Henderson's army left the tree line and were setting up camp in the open for the coming siege. As Kas looked at all the banners of houses that would want her pulled down from her family's seat she came to a decision. She turned to Yarrick and spoke.

"Fetch me paper and ink."

As Yarrick left to grab some she then turned to Michael and smiled sadly.

"I have a job for you, while I wished you could stay longer. I need you to do this for me..."

While Michael couldn't understand what she was saying, he understood it was something close to a goodbye. He only smiled slightly in return, unsure how to respond.

In the fields before the city Lord Herald dismounted his warhorse and took a looking glass from a knight. He was adorned in full plate armor with the blue gilding of his house. He used the looking glass and viewed the city walls. A knight rode up to his side.

"My lord, Barons Geery and Duncan have brought up the ladders and ram like you ordered. Lord Plunger is currently bringing up his forces from the back road."

Lord Herald nodded and lowered the glass after viewing the defenses. He faced the knight.

"Send word to Lord Farrowbridge to bring up the Demicannons from the wagons. Have them set up on the southeastern hill aimed to the main gate."

The knight bowed and rode off. Lord Herald smiled softly as he watched the levies and men-at-arms moving past to prepare for the siege.

11 Long years I have waited for what is rightfully mine. The Late Duke was a damned fool and now I'll bring about a better future for this region.

His thoughts were interrupted as the rest of his guard and a maester arrived to his side. He faced the maester.

"While I have heard nothing of the invaders, there is no time. We will take this city today or as soon as possible. We cannot waste months starving them out. Use your magic to fill the ditch in front of the wall by the gate. Just enough to let ladders to cross. The cannons will deal with the gate itself."

"As you wish my lord."

Herald waved the maester off to carry out his orders as he looked again at the city.