174 Tulosan Situation (1/2)

Knightsend, Western Castonia

The Centurion of the third Century of the Tulosan Knights was kneeling in front of the painting. The man in the painting had deep brown eyes with shaggy dark hair. It was the great General Rickard.

Now General Rickard is dead. The Centurion had heard that the General was killed in a duel by the Marquis of Castonia. He may be dead but his ideas were still alive. His few remaining men that garrisoned Knightsend were loyal their idea.

Chivalry is dead. Chivalry must remain dead. Only strength could make a person happy. Only might could give life. They were the last remaining knights who believed in this. But their ideas will not die. The teachings of General Rickard will again flourish. In time it will.

The Centurion gave a salute to the painting. He rose and snuffed the candles.

”You will not be forgotten Master Rickard” He said before going outside.

As he opened the door, the chilly early spring wind blew onto him. His men were busy maintaining the castle. Some were cleaning the stables. The others were drying the puddles.

”We have spotted them Centurion” A soldier greeted with an information.

”How far?”

”Not more than an hour”

”How many?”

”She brought a few thousand. Most of them are royal guards”

”Good” The Centurion nodded ”We need those royal guards if we are to defend this castle from the evil King of Castonia. Assemble the men for her arrival. Groom them well and make them presentable to her highness”

Less than an hour later and the gate of Knightsend was opened. About two thousand soldiers came marching in neat order. The last thing that entered the castle was a carriage adorned with the colors of the royal family of Tulosa.

The door of the carriage swung open and a woman stepped out. She wore a crimson dress overlapped with a white coat. Her jewelries were shining and her smile was radiant.

”Welcome to Knightsend Princess Emily. How was your journey?”

”Not good. It was a bumpy ride from Bivon”

”That is so. Still, we welcome your presence here Your Highness. Although General Rickard is dead, me and my lads have decided to fight to the death if the Castonians dare take this castle from us. The reinforcements you brought will help. But may I ask, where is the rest of the army Your Highness? We can't conquer Castonia with too little men”

Princess Emily stepped closer to him. ”General Rickard brought the Tulosan army in Castonia last autumn. He lost and the Tulosan army is also lost”

”Surely Princess...” The Centurion shook his head ”The King, your father, was able to raise another one. We have been sitting here for months without news from home. Also the order of the knights still has thousands in their ranks”

The newcomers then started to move. They were subtle but his trained eyes noticed their movements. They were surrounding his men slowly. He looked at the Princess. She smiled and stepped back a few steps.

Princess Emily raised her hand. ”Chain the traitors”

The soldiers then started wrestling his men. They were violent. Some of his men were pinned on the ground. Some were beaten. He himself was hit in the belly with the blunt end of the spear. He lost strength. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground with his hands tied. His sword and armor were gone. Many of his men lie dead. The rest were incapacitated.

”Princess Emily! What are you doing!?”

The Princess walked towards him. She squatted and gripped his chin. There was furry on her eyes. Her sweet smile earlier was no more.

”My job. You lads are traitors and you are all fools!”

She rose and turned around. She faced one of her people.

”Prepare a diplomatic party at once. We will leave in an hour” She looked at him and the rest of his men ”Haul them with us. Drag them, force them, carry them, I don't care. Just bring all of them. I hope these fools are enough to appease King Timothy”

**********

All the snow already melted when Timothy reached Nirvana. At the distance the city's defenses were still as marvelous as he remembered. Trade in the city was not as prosperous as before. Merchants from Inkit, Hadea, Wismar and Canton were now gone after all.

But the capital city of Castonia maintains a closer bond to Holm than ever before. This is apparent not just in trade but also in the transfer of armies and weapons across the two cities. Along the road, they have met hundreds of carriages going back and forth between Holm and Nirvana.

”Ah this is a city!” The hairy man shouted. He raised his chained hands and pointed at Nirvana ”Big walls, sturdy defenses and stern men. Hah such a glorious show of strength” He spitted ”Unlike that puny city you call Holm. I piss on that one”

”Your Majesty how many teeth shall he lose for such vile words in your presence?” Asked Abraham

”If he loses teeth, how can he bite the Wismarines into oblivion? Order him to shut his mouth”

Abraham yanked the Bear's chains ”Shut your mouth savage”

”As you wish sir Abraham” The Bear lowered his head into submission.