88 Into the Flame (1/2)

”Do you mean to say that they're all dead!?”

Ivan spitted the question after Braun informed him that Timothy had attacked five separate groups of supply caravans last night. They lost all the food and all the men guarding the supplies. Thankfully, they still have enough food for more than two weeks. It will be enough to get by.

The Baron was pacing back and forth inside Ivan's tent when he stopped to answer Ivan's query.

”No! Worse than that Ivan. Don't you understand the situation?”

Ivan didn't understand. What's worse than dead? Losing a few hundred men was a severe detriment to his forces. Even though fresh recruits were being sent to Nirvana from the other parts of Eastern Castonia, the men he just lost to Timothy's ambushes were veterans.

The Baron seemed to notice Ivan's confusion. He gave Ivan a disappointed expression.

”They have joined him Ivan. They have joined Timothy's side. You are losing men while he is gaining numbers.” Braun trudged towards Ivan and pointed repeatedly to the ground to express the important of his next words. ”This must not continue or else we would lose before there is even a battle”

After realizing that Braun was right and that their situation calls for immediate action, Ivan's first reaction was to ask for Skall's guidance. He looked at the Wismarine Prince who was sitting cross-legged in his chair.

Skall noticed his plea for help. He massaged his chin and leaned back. He was about to talk when Braun interrupted.

”No, Ivan.” Braun's voice stole Ivan's attention. ”You must not seek advice from him. The ways they do things in Wismar will not work here in Castonia. Castonians are more emotional and honorable than Wismarines.”

”Ey!” Skall snapped. ”Are you insulting us you old fool?”

Ivan also felt insulted. While Wismarines can be different to Castonians, they are not inferior. In fact, Ivan believes that Wismarines were better compared to Castonians. His stay in Wismar had taught him that the Wismarine way is always the best way.

”Leave us Braun.” Ivan ordered.

”But..” The Baron tried to say something but stopped. With Ivan's determined gaze, Braun seemed to understand that he can't do anything.

Braun snorted and shook his head. He turned around and headed to the exit of the tent.

”I'm telling you Ivan. As a fellow Castonian, as a man who only wants the best for our Kingdom. This is a mistake. Attacking Timothy in his own domain is a mistake. You should have listened to your father.”

The Baron pointed at Skall. ”And listening to his advice will only aggravate our problems. Castonia is not Wismar.”

With this warning, Braun left the tent and Ivan was left alone with Skall.

Ivan finally sighed. Talking to an old man with outdated views was stressful. Who does he think he is? Ivan had seen the efficiency and strength of Wismar. He had seen their power. It was only natural for a lesser nation like Castonia to follow the steps of a great kingdom. Also, Ivan had one more important reason for trusting Wismar.

Ivan went to his table and made some tea for Skall and himself. The water in the pot had cooled down a little, but it will do. With two cups in hand, he went to Skall and offered him a cup.

Skall took the cup and drank the tea. Ivan also drank from his cup. The warm liquid gave him relief in this cold night. The winter season was supposed to be a few months away but the air was already cold.

”So, what do we do?” Ivan asked. He really needed the guidance of Skall. He admits that he was not a smart man. But he was smart enough to depend on a great man like Skall.

It took Skall a long time to give Ivan an answer. The tea was already cold when he started to talk.

”Amir is dead” There was sadness in Skall's voice. Ivan understood the source of that sadness. He had seen the closeness between Skall and Amir. They were like brothers.

”He was a smart man so I was surprised when I heard the news that he was defeated. After I heard of the details of his death, I was more surprised. He shouldn't have lost. He was outnumbered a little but the villagers that time only had hunting spears, kitchen knives and other useless weapons. He shouldn't have lost, but he did.”