Tale of Four

Hyman rode at the head of his host, an army made up of twelve thousand men, the other three thousand sent towards the waterway. Having passed Seven Spire a week previous, they had finally entered the desert territory, passing villages, decimated by Lord Limb previously, never staying for longer than a night, rushing to get to the first fort of the Desert Gate they needed to take. Hyman clicked his tongue and groaned, feeling the heat of the sun on him.

Although it was a risk, any sudden ambush potentially proving fatal, he wore no armour or clothing bar a pair of shorts over chainmail leggings, preferring to feel air on his body and keep him cool. "My lord." Samuel rode up beside Hyman and looked ahead at the desert, seeing a sandstone fort shimmering in the heat. "Carter is marching quickly, the number of scouts we have seen is enough confirmation."

"I know." Hyman said, unable to stop a grin forming on his face, "Are you going to push your plan forward again?"

"No, what I proposed failed the moment we didn’t split our forces. Lord Bunker sent word that they have already taken one of the forts and are marching to the Waterway. He will lay siege to it and send a token force to starve out the remaining stronghold of the Desert Gate that threatens them." Samuel clicked his tongue, "We should have done what I said; we have the speed."

"Enough, man." Hyman groaned in annoyance. "What do you want?"

"We need to make sure that Carter doesn’t try to lift the siege. Three thousand men hold. Now, if we add an assault from the forest, we could risk losing them all."

"Lord Elvissia has always been a coward when it comes to war. Never taking the offensive, always holding back." Hyman replied, smirking.

"The point stands, he is the closest threat to them, we don’t need to allow another. We take the Desert Gate and bunker in. Hold the ground and draw Carter to us. With the Lazwell fleet raiding the south, Carter will be forced to deal with that."

"Carter has a strong fleet," Hyman said, getting a nod in understanding. "Besides, they are also good at sieges, and this is their home. We get surrounded, and our supplies are cut off, then what? No, the only way is to take the fight to Carter. Bloody his nose."

"Maddness." Samuel gashed out, getting a fierce glare in reply, "I don’t doubt your ability, my lord, but fighting in their homeland, fighting Carter in his home. It is too dangerous for a pitched battle. We are safer forcing a siege."

"We have got the men to hold the desert gate, yes, but we need Carter out of the war. Lord Elvissa and the forest are weak men. I trust our men’s ability to handle anything they throw, and Lord Bunker is no fool. If he feels the odds are against him, he will retreat. He is a master of prolonged siege, whether the one doing it or being sieged." Hyman rubbed his brow, "Carter and Cleeve are the only threats to this war, truly. Seasoned generals. We take him out, and Prince Brandon’s war could end."

Samuel closed his eyes and clicked his tongue, seeing Hyman wouldn’t budge. "In that case, leave me a thousand men. I’ll garrison the forts to hold and ensure your supply lines are secure. As you march on Saltpoint, I will have Lord Tusk continue to send the rest of the force still gathering at Seven Spire."

"Then what?"

"I’ll secure the east, and then provide relief for Lord Bunker. Five thousand extra men will be a much-needed gift for Lord Bunker." Hyman thought on it for a moment and nodded.

"Do it. I’ll take Saltpoint and march no further. With the city secure, the Lazwell fleet can keep us supplied and take us out if necessary." Samuel slammed his fist on his chest and bowed.

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Oliver took a deep breath and ahead at the massive fort sat atop a small island in the middle of the river, The Waterway. What he had heard about it the entire time had been an understatement. It wasn’t just large but imposing, with four spires on each corner providing a view across the entire river. By each crossing, smaller towers held hundreds of men. They didn’t fire on the valley forces preparing their siege after taking the small garrison force in the small fort across the water, but rather just watched, knowing they didn’t need to do anything.

"Oliver." From behind, Louis whistled, looking at the imposing fort, "Walk with me." Following the man, they made their way through the camp, as Lord Bunker raced around on his horse, screaming orders, telling men to hurry with the trenches, whilst ensuring each supply wagon was evenly spaced and amply defended. Soldiers raced around, happy to carry out the orders, feeling a high from their victories so far.

Oliver smiled, satisfied with the preparation. It was nerve-wracking to lay siege to a fort like the Waterway, and although nothing had started yet, the preparations Lord Bunker made showed he was at least capable and understood what he was doing. "What is it?" Oliver asked as the silence between the two dragged on.

Louis smiled and stared across the large river, towards the direction of the hills, barely able to make out anything but a small village created on the river. "What do you think of Lord Alkaris’ plan? Now that you’ve seen the Waterway." Louis made sure to add the final part.

"Have you asked the others as well?" Oliver asked, getting a nod.

"Henry didn’t care really, just following orders, whilst Clifford was in high spirits," Oliver smirked and thought for a moment.

"I honestly don’t know. I’ve never laid siege to a fort on water. It could take years, or it could fall in a month, I have no clue." Oliver turned in the direction of the forestlands, "My concern is them?"

"You’re right to worry about that, but Lord Elvissia won’t attack us. He has no need unless we bring a fight to him. Lord Clover has yet to decide who he will align with and reports from the King councils say Elvissia is keeping a token force to defend that border." Oliver looked at Louis, "Privilege of my name to know that." Louis smiled.

"That makes things better, but the forestland forces are still a threat. Maybe they won’t attack in force, but raids will be a constant. That is not adding to the desert forces still nearby."

"Lord Bunker has prepared for that, do not worry. Trust the man, he was the one who held Seven Spire during the Desert rebellion, stopping the invasion of the Valley from that direction atleast."

"I don’t doubt his ability. I doubt the numbers." Oliver snapped back, getting a chuckle in reply.

"You have tunnel vision. Who else is fighting? The hills and crownlands. The Waterway is under siege from across the river by the hills, and once the small forces who rose up against the king within the Crownlands are dealt with, the Crownlands will lay siege to it from their side. Added to that, the Waterway isn’t the only crossing into the forest from the Crownlands. Lord Elvissa is defending all of them. We do not face the entirety of the forest but a small part of it." His words eased Oliver’s worries a little.

"You’re right." With a deep sigh, Oliver rubbed the back of his head. "Is there anything else?"

"Of course. Come." Louis led Oliver away. Following him deeper into the camp, they slowly arrived at a small camp separated from the main siege that flew no banners or had any real defence bar sentries. Heading in, every man turned to Oliver and Louis, looking at them with hard gazes, drinking and laughing with one another. Louis paid no mind and walked deeper to a section where a table sat. Lord Limb sat at the head of it alongside a few knights and minor Lords.

Lord Limb went to speak but stayed silent, seeing Louis. Looking at the people with him, he nodded for them to leave and sat silently, with a blank expression, until they did. "Stoneheart." His empty gaze turned to Oliver, "Ser Devon. What is it?" His voice was hollow, lacking any emotion.

"Have you spoken to Lord Bunker?" Lord Limb shook his head. Louis frowned and pulled a seat at the table.

"And where will you be going next, sir?"

"Are you assuming I have not been a part of the fight the entire time and instead doing soemthing else, Stoneheart. I was there when you sieged the Desert Gate, I was there when you marched here." Louis rolled his eyes.

"There are no spies here, Lord Limb. I am sure you have accounted for that." His gaze penetrated deep into the two. For a moment, tense silence overshadowed the loudness of the camp as Lord Limb watched.

"Undecided. Bandits always appear and vanish." Lord Limb coolly said.

"In that case, why not ride past the Desert Gate and continue what has been happening?"

"But bandits can appear in forests, Stoneheart." Lord Limb said, making him snort.

"We need the Desert quiet and enough survivors of the first siege live to pose a problem." Louis leaned forward, interlocking his fingers. "That issue being distracted would be brilliant for everyone." Lord Limb stayed silent for a moment and gave a single nod, saying nothing more on the matter, not needing real convincing.

"Now, moving on, do you have any people still back home you can command?" Lord Limb nodded again. Louis smiled and secretly took out a small paper from his sleeve, avoiding the watchful gazes of the people around. Pretending to drop it, he rose, "The war effort can’t be bogged down by incompetence, I am sure all Lords would agree, even those responsible for it."

"Of course." Lord Limb got up and, as he did, knocked over the cup on his table, towards the paper. "Forgive me." Bending down, he scooped the two up, slipping the paper in his sleeve to read later. "I assume you don’t mind if credit for finding these incompetent factors goes to someone else."

"Not at all." Louis said with a happy smile, "I just want you to remember your friends." Lord Limb didn’t smile, his gaze never filling with light. Rather, he nodded with his blank expression, making Oliver wonder if he even knew what a friend was.

Signalling Oliver to follow, he took a final look at Lord Limb, who retook his seat and interlocked his fingers, staring at them, unblinking. Leaning over to Louis, he went to ask. Before he could, the young man’s face went incredibly cold and his tone sharp, "You saw nothing just now." Oliver stiffened, releasing what had just happened, and nodded.

’How much do you hate your father?’ Asking himself, he didn’t dare say it aloud. Only one thought ran through his mind instead. ’How can I make sure I’m not next?’ What just happened was enough for Louis to want him dead, to silence any knowledge he may have had. There was only one answer. ’I need power.’

It was a bitter thought, and Oliver couldn’t help but internally sigh, realising he may need to take more risks during the war.

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