206 Reunion (1/2)
Once the banners of his own house had appeared in the distance, jubilation had broken out among Corco's troops. As soon as the camp with the giant army beneath the banners was revealed, their own shouts of victory were mirrored by those of their allies. For the first time since Corco's landing in the north, the entire southern army was together again.
A few hours earlier, Tama's spies had informed them that Pacha's army wasn't in pursuit. For whatever reason, his uncle had decided to stay behind and not try his luck again. Although they had fought throughout the day and had marched throughout the night; although everyone was exhausted to the limit, they were all elated. Now that they had reached their allies, they were safe. So long as they didn't waste days in one place, they would make it back home. The war was over.
Not long after, the exhausted expedition army joined their reinforcements in the camp as two armies became one. Once the king entered into the camp's crude palisade walls, several people awaited him at the head of the reinforcements. First among them was Dedrick, right where Corco had left him, in charge of his second army. Unlike his cagey appearance from the last time they had met, now the mercenary knight had an uncharacteristic levity about his actions. Maybe the chance to lead such a large force - like a proper noble - had done his ego some good.
”Welcome back, boss.” Dedrick smiled.
”Yeah, thanks.” The king nodded as he walked past his subordinate who followed without another word. His goal was the large command tent in the center of the camp, to catch up with his subordinate. During his march and very much against his will, he was followed by a whole entourage of southern lords. Whether they were eager or not, all of them had to congratulate the king on his victory.
”King Corcopaca, what great fortune that you are safe and sound.” With clenched teeth, Lord Rafun bowed his head to his nominal king. Even after all their success, he still couldn't admit that Corco had won the war and only talked about bare survival.
”Indeed,” another lord added. ”It was truly great luck that King managed to escape from the armies of the central kingdom.”
”Oh, are you implying that I lost and barely managed to escape? That I'm lucky to still be around?” Once Corco stopped to confront them, the lords looked at each other in silence.
”What, were you expecting me to conquer the entire north with those few thousand warriors you have me? Or maybe you want to ask for compensation cause I lost a few of your men while I was defending your lands, is that it?”
Although the lords had clearly aimed to weaken the impact of Corco's victory with empty words, none of them dared speak once the king had exposed their goals.
”I get what you're worried about, you think I'm trying to leverage my win and take authority away from you. It's fine though, I won't force my way into your territories even if you admit that I did something right for once. I don't care much for your political games, to be honest. Plus, I barely have enough administrators to handle of my own lands, what would I even do with yours? I'll just be happy if we can focus on some internal development for now, far away from any war.”
At Corco's final wish, the lords looked at each other again, this time with cramped faces. Right after, they all focused on the three Villca brothers who had walked together, to Corco's great surprise. While Guachimine was as unreadable as ever, Uchu looked uncomfortable, while Pahuac looked downright furious.
”King Corco,” Uchu said. ”How good that you are back. We will need your support soon. You should not have forgotten your promise at the start of the war.”
”Of course not. All in due time.”
While they were walking, Corco had reached the center of the camp, right before the large command tent.
”We'll talk about your issues later. First, I'll get caught up on everything. If you excuse me, from here on, we're going with Pluritac people only.”
”The king needs to catch up with his servants, or he will not be able to make any important decisions,” Tama added with a bow. ”This servant excuses her inadequacies and begs the lords to practice patience.”
The brothers looked at each other, before Pahuac stepped up again, still unconvinced. However, he was held back by Corco's guards who remained outside the tent. Whatever important business the Villcas had with Corco, he could always listen to them later. After weeks behind enemy lines, he was more interested in the fate of his own people. Thus, he asked Dedrick the most important question on his mind before he had even entered the tent.
”What's going on with Fadelio and the craftsmen? Did you make sure they're safe before you came here?”
”No worries, boss. The commoners should already be in Qarasi Castle by now. Though the mountain giant insisted on staying to wait for you.”
”Brother!” After the shout, a shadow rushed past Corco. Before anyone could react, Tama had stormed through the room and clasped her arms around her brother who had waited inside. Completely out of character for the person Corco had come to know, the girl still held on to her brother when the king arrived as well.
”Master,” a cramped Fadelio said.
”Fadelio. You look lively. That's good.” Just like his servant, Corco was quite awkward as well. It had been a long time since the two old friends had last met. Ever since Fadelio had gone off on his own and decided to split the Medala Empire into kingdoms by himself, Corco had been forced to punish his attendant and keep him far away from his center of power. For as long as Corco could remember, the last year had been the longest time they had spent apart. However, when Fadelio had gone over the line back then, it had created an invisible rift that was still between them.
”Yes, I'm well.”
”Hey, can you guys do this somewhere else? This couldn't be any more awkward. We've won, so it's time to celebrate and drink ourselves to death. You guys like banquets, right? Don't pretend, I know you people love those things!” Dedrick rolled his eyes before he clapped his hands together. Right away, a bunch of mercenaries showed up and brought some dried fruits and wine to lighten the mood.
Now out of sight of his lords and unfamiliar subordinates for once, Corco let loose. His crown thrown in some far-off corner of the room. the king began to massage his temples, rubbed sore from the hard bronze crown. Next, he threw away his heavy boots, put his legs on the table and began to fill cups of wine for himself and everyone else in the room.
He hadn't felt this free ever since he had gone on the campaign, maybe longer. All this time, he had been forced into the tight role of a reliable ruler, and all this time he had been mostly on his own, with no support from his friends. Although Tama had been with him, they had been as good as strangers when she had taken over the role as his attendant. In comparison, people like Dedrick and Fadelio had spent his toughest years with him, and were those he would be most comfortable around. Though of course, by now, Tama could be considered part of that inner circle as well.
”Master, thank you,” she said as she brought her brother over and sat across from him, with a smile that seemed freer and more genuine than anything he had ever seen from her. Of course, he understood what she meant. Right this moment, she was just glad to have her elder brother back. Somehow, the moment reminded Corco of the past, and somehow, all awkwardness had left him.