The Knight and the Peasant [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 35

All of Sersalvon was picking a side.

Whom to support? The prince they had always known to be the rightful heir until the second son provided some evidence claiming the opposite and instigated the slaughter of the Sersalvonian nobility in the Coronation of Blood.

Some believed the rumors that this same second son was the Aetherwielders come again. While others believed he was a demon. A prince crowned in blood. The villages they came across as they marched their host were deserted. Sometimes, on their walls, there was a painting painted in his likeness and his forehead was crowned in blood.

Even his own followers feared him. They didn't understand him. They did not know what to make of him. Their heads remained bowed whenever he walked past them. He was of another world to them.

Sometimes, whenever it was dark at night, he would stare up at the stars and think of the heavens. Of the war he saw. Where angels battled against gods. Juliana refused to answer any of his questions about what he saw except for one: it was why he gained his powers.

Count Jovan's men joined up with him. 300 knights and nearly three thousand foot. Meanwhile, Inejgo, who led the vanguard, commanded nigh on ten thousand men. With one and a half thousand knights, mounted sellswords, and light cavalry. Mounted scouts went out and ahead to scout out the road ahead of the marching vanguard. The main force led by Martyn Aguino-Florjes numbered fifteen thousand men. Ten thousand in the main body with five thousand in the rear. Nearly two thousand knights and mounted sellswords included.

As they marched their host down the road to Navitium, the commanders of the great host were planning, and Benedict was included. As they stopped to make camp for the day, lumbering along the road to Navitium, Benedict entered the commanders' tent, where the Duchess of Mercenaries, Inejgo, and Count Jovan were. Also there were some of Duchess Lilliana's trusted advisors who had been assisting Inejgo. Lord Emmanuel Aguino was present, father of Samee Aguino, an aspiring squire; Sir Rodrigo Solaz, an old knight who was cousin to the Lord of Solaz, a minor house in Veroña, but he had made a great name for himself; and Dame Joan delle Llañas, the Lady of the Fields. These were near legendary names. All in the service of the Duchess of Mercenaries and Flowers. Even Angelica was there, although she seemed to be more watching and listening rather than giving input.

Sir Rodrigo was speaking, "... scouts have reported the Lord of the Fang Gate has mustered nigh on five hundred men in this short time. It seems to them that the Lord Constable may have also left behind a part of the force he brought to Lux Aestius at the Fang Gate. Evident by the serpent banners that flew over and around the Fang Gate."

"What should we do?" asked Inejgo.

"It is vital that we capture the castle quickly. We cannot allow Francisco, Jacquez, and the Lord Constable enough time to muster a substantial force to defend Navitium," said the Dame delle Llañas. When she looked up and noticed Benedict, her eyes went back down in a flash. Rodrigo Solaz refused to meet his eyes. Even the Duchess of Mercenaries was uncomfortable, but she remained her composure. Inejgo was not flustered, but only stared at Benedict oddly. He had not seen the Coronation of Blood, but he had heard the stories of what happened. But it seemed he did not quite believe them.

"Perhaps digging under the walls will be the best idea?" Rodrigo proposed.

"And how long would that take?" Inejgo shot. "No... too long."

"We can wait for Martyn to catch up with us and our siege equipment," the Duchess suggested.

"Too long, Your Grace," Joan rejected.

"There is no need for this," Benedict said abruptly. "We simply need a ram and some ladders. We can scale the walls and break down the gate."

Count Jovan coughed. "My prince. And what of their own siege equipment? The Fang Gate has catapults and trebuchets upon its turrets that can crush our men and women into bloody pulps. They can rain down arrows and boulders on us as we ram the gate. And pour tar on our ladders as we scale the walls."