Prince of Dragons

Chapter 38 - To arms

The army halted in the valley. Earl Raynnard of the Flaming Lands was sitting on his horse, observing his troops. Soldiers and knights were putting on helmets, strapping shields to their arms and moving into position, cavalry in front, followed by infantry. The archers were in the back. Apart from soldiers and knights, there were also some who were beating on war drums and a few bannermen proudly carrying the banner of the Flaming Lands.

Among the group, he suddenly spot some of his son's companions: Maréin, the woman – Vaciana, was it? – and that scoundrel Marholdson. It still displeased him that he would have to let the man walk freely after all this. However, he appeased himself, Marholdson had a wonderful knack for getting into trouble with the law, so sooner or later, one of the earl's fellow nobles would probably have the rogue locked away or even executed.

Then there was that wanderer. One of those people who were far too idealistic to understand the reality of ruling and the harsh decisions the earl sometimes had to take. The problem wasn't, however, that Maréin was an idealist, no, the problem was that he had the annoying habit of acting out his beliefs. And if Enorwin was right and the wanderer really had powers, then the man's presence could interfere with the earl's strategy in an unpredictable, yet probably detrimental way.

Raynnard nodded to himself. The wanderer had spoken out against him before, and the only reason he'd refrained from punishing him was that his son appeared fond of him. Otherwise, he'd probably have retaliated on the spot: people like Maréin occasionally had the ability to make other people question authority as well, and in this age, in this kingdom, Raynnard could not permit his rule to be questioned. If that happened, his earldom would quickly fall into disorder.

He supposed that was where duke Hadufried had made his mistake. He'd been too capriciously cruel. Even if the people of Dracherwold did obey him, they ran the risk of them or their family members being punished. Eventually, they had nothing left to lose. The people learnt to live with the constant fear of the duke and were willing to risk everything to end that state of terror and loss.

In contrast, the earl never took random action; instead, he punished those who defied him and if he could, he rewarded those who were loyal to him. That was how he made people obey him, and so far, it had always worked.

He refocused. Right now, what mattered was getting that wanderer out of the way for the duration of the battle. Marholdson, too, and perhaps Vaciana as well, as more of a safety measure.

He turned his head towards Nickandon Wilnasson, who was sitting on a horse next to him. Raynnard could not deny that over the years, he'd begun to consider Wilnasson a friend. The swordsman was as much of a realist as he was. True, he was not the most obedient as far as formalities were concerned, but he was loyal when it counted.

"I want that wanderer, Marholdson and the Southern woman kept out of the battle," the earl said. "Can you arrange that?"

"Do you want them guarded?" Wilnasson asked.

"Yes," Raynnard replied. "But by capable people. Apparently, the wanderer can influence minds. On top of that, Marholdson is a draconic human, and I have a suspicion that the Southern woman is, too. She's blind, but seems unhindered by it: I think she may be using her draconic scent to 'see'."

Wilnasson nodded. "A guy who can mess with people's minds and two draconic humans. Noted. So you want strong-willed, loyal people?"

"Yes," the earl said. "People who would kill their friends for me if I asked them to. I don't want them to fall victim to that wanderer's powers and let those three escape. That could severely compromise the battle."

"Understood," Wilnasson said. "I'll arrange it."

"Thank you, Nickandon," Raynnard said, as Wilnasson descended from his horse and began to walk away. Raynnard gazed after him. Once again, he'd given the swordsman an order and the latter had immediately got to work. The earl found that he admired the man's pragmatism.