103 War Stories (2/2)

The Union CreamAndCookies 45550K 2022-07-20

The story-telling then resumed. Benedict heard all kinds of stories with some of them too absurd. One story involves killing a pirate with a single kick to the chest. Another told the story of someone grabbing an enemy by the hair and tearing the scalp. Benedict knew that some of these stories were made up. He was old and wise enough to differentiate true stories from lies.

In the end the Centurion's story with killing a Knight with a spoon won. Benedict, true to his promise, let go of the precious Angel's Wings. Seeing the blue bottle leave his hand felt like throwing away a cache of gold coins. Bottles of Angel's Wings were not just expensive – they were crazily rare too.

”What about you Sire? What is your best kill?” One of the soldiers asked.

”Do you really need to ask?” an old Centurion said. ”Of course it's the one in the stories. Marquis Benedict killed the vile Captain Cooke while saving Lady Maria”

”Aye. That was a great tale. I've seen the play once and oh how marvelous it was. Tell us about it sire!”

Benedict blew a chuckle after hearing that. The story about him saving his wife from a pirate had become the stuff of legends. While it was true that Maria and several other nobles were once kidnapped by the pirates of the Golden Sea and he was the one who saved them, the tales about the event had been exaggerated. In the stories, he was some sort of a gallant hero who saved his lover from the evil pirates. The climax of the play involves Benedict Connel fighting Captain Cooke for the beautiful Lady Maria. Benedict Connel was wounded in the battle but he prevailed and was able to save his lover.

The story was, for the most part, fictional. It was true that Maria and other nobles were once kidnapped by pirates. It was also correct that he was the one tasked by King Leopold to rescue the nobles. But all he did was to command the rescue party. He did not join the fight. He and Maria were also not yet lovers in that point in time. They were still strangers to each other.

But the event was the one that linked him and Maria. After the rescue, Maria would always watch him practice his swordplay in secret. He was annoyed at first. He couldn't concentrate with someone watching him. So he confronted her one day. To his surprise, Maria was not some meek Lady like he expected. Her words were sharp and she was feisty. He couldn't forget what she said to him that time.

'So what if I'm watching you? Just be grateful that somebody is watching you wobble your sword around.'

That was when he became interested in Maria. Her personality was unique and she was not your usual Lady. After a few months they became a couple and she became the only woman he ever loved. Although they only have one child, their marriage was a happy one. He loved her, dearly and truly.

Benedict turned his attention back to the soldiers. He realized that he must have looked like an idiot for smiling and staring in the darkness.

”Oh that? Um let's talk about that another time. This gathering is not about me. It's about all of our valiant deeds in defending this castle. So drink up and enjoy. Tomorrow we shall face the Tulosans with determined faces and bellies filled with food!”

”Aye!” the Soldiers cheered and the celebration continued.

By now the night had matured and Benedict was feeling the urge to rest. He yawned, stretching his mouth as wide as he could.

”Riders! We have riders coming!” a pitched shout from the sentries on top of the walls was heard and the celebration was halted.

Benedict, guided with instincts honed by years of military service, rushed to the walls. With his old knees, he ascended the wall of Knightsend.

”Where!?” he asked the sentries after reaching the top.

One of the sentries stretched a hand and pointed in the darkness. Benedict blinked a few times and squinted. He saw a single rider approaching the wall.

”Open up. Please open the gate!” the rider implored after reaching the front of the gate. The man was looking behind from time to time.

”Open it” Benedict ordered. Even if the man was an enemy, he was alone and poses no threat to the garrison.

Benedict hurried to the rider. When he was close, he noticed the coat-of-arms painted on the man's armor. If he was not mistaken, the coat-of-arms belonged to a certain mercenary group.

The mercenary dismounted and knelt in front of Benedict. ”I am a messenger sent by our commander. We are the mercenaries King Edmund hired.”

”Where are the rest? Are they safe?”

”They are sire. We almost ran into the Tulosans during our approach. Luckily, we managed to evade them. The rest of the mercenaries are holed up in a forest a few kilometers from here. We can't remain in hiding for long so our Commander is asking for your help. Tomorrow the mercenaries will rush to the safety of Knightsend and we need you to do everything to distract the Tulosans.”

”Of course. Yes, of course we will help you” Benedict said while secretly clenching his fist. He was truly delighted that the mercenaries are coming. With them around, Knightsend will not fall.

But he needed to distract the Tulosans somehow or else the mercenaries would all be slaughtered before they reach the castle. It will be hard considering their lack of horses.

He searched for Bernie and found the squire beside him. ”Gather all the officers in my room. We have some planning to do.”