Steel and Sorrow: Ri Chapter 8: Blood feud(2)

Chapter 8: Blood feud(2)

Silence passedon through the tent, so wanted to speak, but one look at the boy at the ground and one look to the emperor, certainly made many mouths shut close.

So stared at the boy in pity, other instead simply ignored it , yet above all one common thought was shared

'Damn fool did you live under a rock?'

It was common knowledge that the re ntion of the rcenary company's na in front of the emperor was strictly forbidden. Just thirty years ago, at the battle of the falling eagle, the entire empire trembled as the ground shook beneath their feet. The previous sultan of Azania had thrown his support behind a rebel against the powerful Empire of Rolmia, causing the empire to fall in a state of civil unrest due to a succession crisis within one of its most influential houses - the 'Kantazoukones'. Two twins both vied for the title of 'Authorite Pater' and control over their noble family. Arlion the late-cor, was forced to flee into Azania with his life in danger from assassins hired by his own brother. After three long years, he returned with an army of hired swords, recruited and funded by the previous Sultan Farfah II. Who however saw it as an opportunity to sow chaos and discord within the empire - it didn't matter who erged victorious as long as there were heavy casualties on both sides.

The two armies stood at attention, facing each other like opposing forces of nature. Arlion, the leader of the hired companies, knew that his smaller and less disciplined army would crumble under the full might of the imperial army. But he had a plan, one that was daring and dangerous. He would use their enemy's own pride and rashness against them.

He placed his most elite unit in the center, making it seem vulnerable with exposed flanks. The soldiers marched forward, carrying a banner depicting an eagle with its head cut off. It was a blatant insult to the emperor, known for his courage and hot temper. And it worked like a charm. The enraged emperor took the bait and charged forward with his fellow hot-headed nobleman and their fierce clibanarii cavalry. The ground shook under the thundering hooves of hundreds of horses as they galloped towards their doom. Only 120 out of 800 soldiers erged from the reckless charge alive.

The incident was later dubbed "the charge of fools