LIGHTMONTH 1023
Today the troops have assembled after vigorous preparation. Since last year they are were all ready to march.
The speech has been spoken, the goodbyes have been conveyed and now the n with valiant heart are marching to the onset of the battle.
The assembling of the troops on the outside of the city along the city ford a very grand and imposing if not frightening spectacle.
The fleets of people covering the surface of the territorythe long lines of tents under the cliffs on the landthe horsen, splendidly mounted with the dragon banner behind their back, blown by the wind, in their right flank, the papnoticon banner of approval held by the most illustrious personage of the Church, and glittering with steelthe groups of soldiers, all busily engaged in transporting provisions and stores to and fro, or making the preliminary arrangents for the marching.
There is also the thousands of spectators who ca and went incessantly, and the duke himself, gorgeously dressed with his armor, a crested dragon blazingly emblazoned on his chest plate, mounted on his war-horse, that fiery horse that invites fear in the heart of n, his long flowing white hair gives him the air of a majestic King imnse in power and authority, with the guards and officers that attended himthese, and the various other elents of martial parade and display usually witnessed on such occasions, conspired to produce a very brilliant, as well as magnificent scene.
'Mother, look! Look! There is the Duke' so kids watched the parade with awe and admiration and even the adults look with envy at the vigor that the duke possesses.
'That is our lord' they will say.
'May the Light protect these n blessed by the Church' so would pray.
'Lord Kyle, look here. We wish you victory' So girls look and shouted encouragent at the famous single young lord of the House of Lethe.
Noble ladies would line up for a chance to be look by one of the most prominent lord of Arrandy.
Not to ntion Kyle himself is handso and has a way with words and very gentlemanly. And still unmarried
Lord Kyle just smiles his most pleasant smile and wave to the ladies and people could see them swooning over the lord.
Lord West on the other hand can be seen talking with his wife, but one could surmise their conversation just by looking at their expression.
Lord West is worried about his wife pregnancy and his wife is worried about his safety.
Arial had even suggested for West to sit this war out considering his pregnant wife and it is better for him to be with his family but his duty towards the dream of his liege lord cos before his family.
He insisted telling the Duke that his vassal would guard his area and surely they would guard her wife the sa way they would guard his area.
With great care.
It is well known the unbending principle of West, his belief in truth and honor, and the Knight code.
Such qualities might make him a bit of a boor in the court but as an ally, there is no one you would rather trust.
It is for these reasons Arial very much fond of Lord West.
Of course, the assembling of so large a force of n and of vassals, and the various preparations for the march, consud so ti.
It was during this ti as Arial waited for all his vassal to co that he received the most joyous news.
He has received the letter a few days ago, and he has already sent the n moons ago and finally his effort bore fruit.
'They have begun their move' he said when he received the letter.
Suddenly this unmoving great army of the duke sends a detachnt to Vangua as spy and trackers.
Why? Lord Diego Botticelli, one of the Princes of the Four Families, one of the rulers of Freya has reply to the letter that Arial has sent him.
So, finally after month of persuading, he has received words of acceptance from the Botticelli that Diego would sail from Ranoa Republic and will attack the southernmost point of Vangua.
He told Arial that he himself had more influence in forr Freya, and that if Arial would supply him with a small fleet and a moderate number of n, he would make a descent upon the coast and show what he could do.
Arial on receiving the letter consulted Silas and Lord Oliver and has decided to help Diego not only for Botticelli benefit but also because of Arial own purpose.
Arial acceded to his proposal, and furnished him with the force which he required, and Diego set sail with that confirmation that has been confird since two months ago. (the army is send beforehand by sailing to Ranoa)
Arial had not, apparently, have much confidence in the power of Diego to produce any great effect, but his efforts, he thought, might cause so alarm in Vangua, and occasion sudden and fatiguing marches to the troops of King Harald, and thus distract and weaken King Harald's forces.
Most of the people he sends is rcenary companies, as Arial would not waste his people on what he deed a fool errand.
Arial would not, therefore, accompany Lord Diego himself, but, dismissing him with such force as he could readily raise on so sudden a call, he remained himself in Arrandy, and comnced in earnest his own grand preparations, waiting for the auspicious occasion to march unhindered on Vanguan soil.
In Arial mind, if Lord Diego could turn Harald gaze from his northern border then Arial could co without much complication.
It is a waiting ga between Harald and him. It's not like he couldn't anticipate Harald move. He must have set so asures in Arleans and Borveaux.
On the other hand, Diego did not think it is prudent to attempt a landing on Freyan shores until he had obtained so accession to the force which Arial had given him.
He accordingly passed through the Anjou Channel, and then turning he sailed along the shores of the Anjou in search of allies.
He ca, at length, to Anjou Isle near the Anjou horde. He entered into negotiations there with the Anjouian king, whose na, is Baeral Son of Sareal.
This Anjouian King is a wild and adventurous soldier and sailor, a sort of sea king, who had spent a considerable portion of his life in marauding excursions upon the seas.
In a way, he is a pirate king that terrorizes people around the Anjou channels and the Dark Sea.
He readily entered into Diego views. An arrangent was soon concluded, and Diego set sail to Freya.
All this took place moons before Arial begin marching as Diego got the letter and already accepted it but made the Duke waited on him.
Of course Arial did not sit tight during that ti and called many lords to help him. (It is referenced in the previous chapter when Arial talk about the "letter")
At the sa ti that Arial threatened invasion is gathering strength and nacing Harald's northern frontier, a cloud equally dark and gloomy, and quite as threatening in its aspect, was rising and swelling in the south; while the new king, King Harald himself, though full of vague uneasiness and alarm, could gain no certain information in respect to either of these dangers.
However, all this preparation has consud a lot of ti in Diego part. The equinoctial gales ca on, and it was found impossible to leave the port to fulfill his promise to Arial.
There is, in fact, a continuance of heavy winds and seas, and stormy skies, for several weeks.
Short intervals, from ti to ti, occurred, when the clouds would break away, and the sun appear; and for a while the army cheered in happiness but these intervals did not liberate the fleet from its confinent, for they were not long enough in duration to allow the sea to go down.
The surf continued to co rolling and thundering in upon the shore, and over the sand-bars at the mouth of the river, making destruction the almost inevitable destiny of any ship which should undertake to brave its fury.
The vessels furled their sails, and drew in their banners, and rode at anchor, presenting their heads doggedly to the storm.
The n on the shore sought shelter in their tents.
The days wore on as Diego and his officers watched the scudding clouds in the sky, day after day, with great and increasing anxiety.
The duke on the other hand will not move from the border of Aetherland until he hears word of Diego attack.
He intended this to be a two pronged attack.
And as the ti wore on there is stories of dreams in Diego army that wore on the morale of the army.
But then one day like the Maiden Princess herself blessed their journey, the clouds clears, the wind beca calm and Diego smiling with joy, set sail with his army.
Diego armant crossed the Dark Sea in safety, and is joined by Baeral on the coast of southern Freya
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