Chapter 21: Family Affair (Flynn)

  “Flynn, what is the plan we’ve been here in Riserstead for a time and have basically accomplished nothing since.” Peter growing restless speaks to his elder brother. The Valtrex forces had not sent new instructions out for the boys and their army ever since they drove out Shenis and his retinue from the small outpost town. They had heard of the failed siege of Winter’s Edge and the loss of the garrison force there. And yet no new plans had emerged.

  "WHHHHSIII" a sound swiftly fell upon the general's tent. Outside the druid, Malachi had teleported to them from their capitol of Valor.

  “Malachi, what news do you bring?” Flynn responded to the Druid, he never fully trusted the magic user, as he was a warrior of the mind and not of the body. The druid knew this but never took offense to the heir of the family’s suspicion.

  “I know you boys have been frustrated holding post here in Riserstead while chaos around the lands grows. One that you both could easily tilt into someone’s favor.”

  "You're damn right druid! My axe is getting dull from the lack of options. Heck, I might just start fighting my own soldiers out of boredom." Peter huffed, his youthful rage once more showing why despite him being a noble and one of high position in the Valtrex family, his brother Flynn was truly in charge of both of their armies. Malachi wafted his hands in an attempt to calm Peter's increase in volume and minor display of aggression.

  “Lord Fulcrum thought it best for you to be here in case the army of Conner Bolden currently in Jule moved northward towards our lands.” The druid explained that men were integral in deterring the Bolden forces from the Southern borders. Even at the expense of seeing the current campaign to Winter’s Edge failing. “We have a new need for you though.”

  “What is it? Are we to reinforce Keith and Olec at Port Blanc?”

  “In a way.” The druid pulled out a map and laid it open on the table in the middle of the room. He pointed to the western portions of the northern plains. With his finger resting on Aath.

  “Aath, home of House Mert, what about them?” Flynn asked concerned as to why they were being noted. House Mert were known for their diplomacy and acumen in avoiding fights but were long skilled in the arts of flying mounts. Pegasus riders, and also had a suzerain relationship with many coastal villages and towns along the western banks of the Great Gulf.

  “Lord Mert has entered into an arranged treaty with House Bruin. He has agreed to marry his daughter Aurora to his heir Vespasian.”

  “Did Aurora agree to that?” Flynn knew the woman from past meetings with house Mert. She was in her late 20's last he knew and while very easy on the eyes she was a warrior in her spirit, in the past her father had attempted to find a match for her many times and yet she refused all of them. Much to the annoyance and shame of the family putting the bachelor forward. She was known for her swordsmanship equaling her stubbornness in the realm of matrimony. Flynn in no way believed she would have simply agreed to this pact, even if the Bruin household showed clear dominance of the region.

  “I do not believe the sapphire princess was consulted.” The druid’s words hung in the air.

  “So what does this have to do with us and our current location?” Peter broke the silence.

  “With Aath subdued to fealty with a marriage pact, and the South fully quelled. Only a few places remain out of the control of the Bruin clan." This was true. Aath essentially controlled all lands directly north of the city of Dol, while the army of Seutonis conquered the southern cities and then the island of Jali. This left in the free plains only the merchant city of Sultra, a few of the cities in the south-central plains contesting Conner Bolden's army, and then the lands under Valtrex control. "Conner's army is occupied right now with the remnant of the Savoy clan rallying the small houses to resist that army, and cutting off supply routes. Meaning we expect Bruin to march a large army toward us from the west without resistance. As the lands from Dol to Valor on the direct route have mostly small villages not under feudal flags or are houses so minor that they will capitulate or be crushed in an hour."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “So Malachi, what do you need of us?” Flynn could see all the signs lining up.

  “We need you to take your men and garrison at on the eastern shores of Lake Ike. With that being the main source of fresh water in that region we expect their army will need to move near it if wishing to invade against us.”

  “Do you think our two men will be sufficient?”

  “Olec and Keith holding Port Blanc will halt any chance of naval raiding or advance from north of the lake. Your 200 will be joined by 200 of Meagan's fighters transferred to your command and 100 of lord Fulcrum's knights. Flynn will assume high command and Peter will still hold his 100 with the goal being of setting a wide flank around the lake to funnel most fighting to the bridges and hill passes around it." He then explained that Lady Meagan would be repaying and subduing Winter’s Edge and then taking up position in Riserstead keeping Valtrex ready to respond if Conner finishes off the minor houses.

  “Orlando!” Flynn called the scout rider forward. The rider bowed as he quickly made himself known. “Move toward the passes south of the Lake on the main travel routes between Dol and Valor, and report back to us from the Lake once enemy troop movements are confirmed." Orlando slammed his fist into his chest and nodded his head before exiting for his steed.

  "So we're finally going to see some action?" Peter was getting giddy as though he were a child getting a dessert. Flynn kept a sour demeanor as while he did enjoy a good show of force, he was more inclined to peace than his brother or mother-in-law. He knew the value of each of the men in the Valtrex garbs and felt in many ways his responsibility to make sure as many as possible made it home to their wives and children. "Would you quit being such a buzz kill Flynn, half of these guys don't want to ever see their families again." Peter could read the expression on his brother's face. Flynn smiled for a moment.

  The druid saw himself out soon enough and teleported back to Valor. "Hey, Flynn…why doesn't the Druid just teleport all of us?" Peter scratched his axe across his head.

  "That spell is very taxing on the user, and only a few people in the world truly have mastered it. I have seen him take another person with him before, but I doubt he could do much more than that and still survive the spell-casting." Peter huffed at the analysis. In his mind, he just saw the druid as lazy.

  The brothers sent out instructions to break camp from Riserstead in the morning and then begin setting out. The march would take several weeks for a force their size to make and they hoped the reinforcements would be there upon the sons of Fulcrum's arrival. Peter and his fighters would advance in the front column which would be followed by Flynn and his cohort. Peter mostly was excited by a chance to fully engage in a chaotic campaign and perhaps endure a grand battle or two that would be sung of for generations to come, the kind that you end up fighting with a different weapon than when the battle began and the survivors are no longer able to recognize anyone in their party by the end. The kind that ends bloodlust totally. Flynn spent the day though, looking at his men. He had zero desire to see any of them fall. He knew them by name. He feared many would not return to the walls of Valor. Even the events of Riserstead seeing the fall of Lester Valtrex and the trainee corp hurt his soul. He believed every man has value and even if needed to be used as such a pawn in Warfare he did not seek to throw people away needlessly or hastily.

  "Brother are you scared?" Peter could see his elder in deep thought as the troops finished their pre-marching preparations.

  “We need to be careful Peter. The population base of the Bruin house outnumbers us perhaps 7 to 1, as they have other massive armies currently out but if they come at us with troops from House Mert as well….We just need to be on our best guard. Especially with the extra men that we will have under our command. If our army is routed then our house will be in danger." Peter grasped the concept as the thought entered his brain. He was a hothead but still wished to do right by his father and house. He wasn't concerned with the people, his concern was in making sure he wasn't going to be known forever as a failure.

  The men set out from their post onward as once again the small unknown village of Riserstead had seen an armed force come and go. The people of the town had enjoyed and hated the battles and extra bodies and buildings erected in the village. And they knew another force would be there soon enough. The innkeeper and his wife shared a laugh as they cleaned up from the morning's events. "Hopefully this next army brings more money with them." The two shared a smile as they watched their children and a couple of tavern maids moving chairs about. The occupation while tiresome for the small village was definitely reaping the benefits of prosperity for the locals. They even noticed a few merchants found their way to town, something previously unheard of by the little village.

  Flynn, the general knew the march would be a long one and sought to see how or if he would divide command and arrange the troops around the lake. As well as what points would force a funnel for the enemy. “I will be prepared.” He muttered to himself as the march progressed.