Prince of Dragons

Chapter 46 - Decision

"Right now, the earl's camp is blocking the valley," Merigunde said, pointing at the map on the desk. "It will not be possible to go past him."

"Is there another route?" Arwund asked.

"There is, but it is much longer," Merigunde said. "You would have to take the army the other way, farther north, and then, right here, follow this pass back to the south."

"To duke Hadufried's old castle," Arwund said. "But how dangerous is that route?"

"Travelling through the valley should be quite safe," Merigunde said. "I am not so sure about the pass. It connects a few towns in the mountains to the rest of Garowain and is therefore sometimes used by merchants. However, I'm not sure if it can sustain a small army. Besides, it's winter."

"Leonaro?" Arwund asked, looking at the older man.

"I understand your predicament, sire," he said, frowning. "Taking a risky journey to escape to Dracherwold or trying to negotiate with earl Raynnard. The first possibility, if successful, would grant us a base and the possibility to acquire more troops, the second one - well, I do not think the earl will allow the Servants to continue to exist, so we would have to surrender or fight him once again."

"A fight they would be able to prepare for, so they would win," Arwund said, nodding.

"Why not attack them at night?" Merigunde proposed. "Set their entire encampment on fire faster than they can pick up their weapons."

"No," Arwund said, determined. "I will not do that. I have friends there. Besides, those soldiers are, in my opinion, not our enemies. The earl is."

Merigunde chuckled. "Like it or not, if you want to be Dragon King, there's going to be fighting."

"Maybe," Arwund said, "but I want to avoid it where I can." He looked back at the map. "So our decision comes down to fighting or travelling by a dangerous road."

"It would appear so, sire," Leonaro said.

"Travelling it is, then," Arwund said. He looked the older Servant in the eye. "Leonaro, can you inform the Servants? And if anyone has a good objection, please tell me."

Leonaro bowed. "Yes, sire."

As soon as the older Servant had left the tent, a woman came in, wearing leather armour. "Sire, a man has shown up at camp who claims to know you."

Arwund was still learning to get used to the sire thing. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Did he tell his name?" It could hardly be one of his friends, could it?

"He said his name was Maréin," the messenger replied.

Merigunde chuckled. "Are you aware of what that man is, sire?" she asked.

"I am," Arwund replied, his voice determined. "And I also know that he is a friend. Bring him here, please."

"Sire?" Merigunde asked, laughing in disbelief. "His kind is our enemy!"

"He is a man, not a wolf, Merigunde!" Arwund snapped. "I don't know about the rest of his species, but he is a friend. That I know. He's the one who made the Dracherwold revolt possible."

The messenger looked at Arwund. "Sire, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Arwund responded.

"This Maréin," the messenger began, "is he a knight?"

"You know of the knights?" Arwund asked.

"Most Servants do," Merigunde said. "After a Servant has proven their loyalty, we tell them."