Fort Bidou, situated between the territories of Portry and Adra, was a formidable castle owned by Baron Blake Shaun, a vassal of the Kent family. Following the outbreak of conflict between the two major factions in the Northwest Bay, Count Morley Malkan and Viscount Dylan Johnston quickly joined forces to besiege Fort Bidou.
Baron Shaun had prepared well in advance, storing large amounts of food within the castle and refurbishing defensive weaponry, while recruiting and training a sizable army. With these preparations, he commanded the garrison to steadfastly defend the castle, thwarting the allied forces assaults ti and again.
Unable to breach the castle, Count Malkan and Viscount Johnston sought assistance from other lords in the alliance, leading to the letter from Price Parker to the various lords.
Naturally, the people inside Fort Bidou were not sitting ducks. They sent pigeons to the Count of Kent, requesting his aid in gathering allies to relieve the siege.
Military forces from both sides began to converge in the area.
In a village near Fort Bidou, mbers of the Anti-Kent Alliance chose it as their temporary headquarters.
We should send a challenge to the enemy right now and arrange a fair fight tomorrow! a young man pounded the table impatiently in the largest house in the village.
Take it easy! Lets wait and see what the enemy does first. We should react to their moves, advised Count Malkan, inwardly complaining about Winifred Hellers son, who was too belligerent and nothing like his non-violent father. Reportedly, Count Heller had initially wanted to wait and see, but it was this young mans active lobbying that convinced the Heller family to get involved.
Now, this young man was leading the troops, and Malkan wondered if he had overshadowed his father.
Count Malkan also wanted to quickly end the conflict at his doorstep and remove the thorn that was Fort Bidou. But with enemy reinforcents approaching, he had to proceed with caution.
The others in the room echoed Count Malkans sentint.
Hmph! Derrick Heller expressed his dissatisfaction. In his view, these old n were far too conservative and rusty in their thinking.
I must remind everyone that spring plowing will begin soon. If we dont let our soldiers return ho to farm, we wont have a harvest in autumn! Price Parker, seated at the head of the table, stated, Derrick, my nephew, we understand what youre saying. Thats why Ive gathered everyone here, hoping to defeat the Kent family in one decisive battle and avoid a prolonged war. To win decisively, we need to gather as much strength as possible.
What more do we need? Weve already assembled over 6,000 troops. What are you waiting for? Derrick asked.
Were waiting for the Grayman and Ganard families. They have over a thousand troops yet to arrive. With them, our chances of victory increase, Parker replied.
Derrick scoffed, Ive heard that the Grayman family doesnt even have a single knight. What help could they possibly be?
Count Parker shook his head, Even a mosquito is at. Besides, we shouldnt underestimate them. Do you think you can eradicate the pirates of the Northwest Bay with just your familys forces within a few months?
Derrick tossed his hair, Hmph, those are just scattered pirates left behind by Edward. How hard could it be to eliminate them?
The room fell into an awkward silence, with everyone looking at Count Parker.
As the initiator of the alliance, Price Parker felt sowhat offended.
He slamd the table forcefully and commanded, Those in favor of waiting for Grayman and Ganards troops before starting the battle, raise your hand!
Except for Derrick Heller, all the other attendees raised their right hands.
Count Parker nodded in satisfaction and turned to Derrick, saying, Nephew Derrick, it seems everyone agrees. Do you still wish to stand by your opinion?
Seeing no one supporting him, Derrick was furious inside but suppressed his anger and asked, Fine, I respect everyones decision. But when exactly will the Grayman and Ganard families arrive? If they dont co for a month, are we supposed to wait? By then, the Kent family might have already attacked us!
Count Parker, seeing Derrick soften a bit, relaxed his tone and stroked his beard, Dont worry about that. Ive already received a ssenger from them. Their troops are on the way and should arrive by tomorrow afternoon.
At this mont, Fort Bidou was experiencing the calm before the storm. The allied forces, numbering over 6,000, had set up camp to the east of the castle, cutting off Fort Bidou from the reinforcents of the Kent family.
The Kent familys forces, nearly 5,000 strong, had also camped not far to the east of the allied forces, waiting for more troops to arrive. Given their presence, the allies had stopped their siege, and the defenders in Fort Bidou, with less than a thousand combat-ready soldiers, couldnt coordinate an attack with their own reinforcents.
Both sides were fueling their armies for the impending clash.
The next day at noon, while Count Parker and others were discussing the upcoming battle, a soldier stumbled into the room.
Lord Parker, my lord! The soldier seed panicked.
The count frowned at him, Whats the hurry? What happened?
Viscount Derrick Heller hes led his troops to attack the enemy!
What?
Count Parker and others in the hall were shocked and angry. The count had the soldier repeat the news to confirm he heard right.
That boy! How could he be so rash!
They had thought he had cald down yesterday, but it was all an act!
The reporting soldier added, Apparently, a fire broke out in the enemys camp, causing chaos. The viscount thought it was an opportunity not to be missed and led an attack!
Oh?
Count Parker imdiately led everyone out of the house to look eastward. The soldier was right; several plus of smoke were rising in the east, clearly from a fire.
He slapped his palm, Ah! Didnt he think it could be a trap? Maybe theyve set an ambush in their camp!
There was no ti to waste. Whether it was a trap or not, sothing had to be done.
He looked around at everyone and made a decision, Gentlen, gather our soldiers in the formation we discussed and trained for, and approach the enemy camp to support Viscount Derrick Heller.
Yes!
The others responded and quickly dispersed to assemble their respective troops.
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