8 What a pity! (1/2)
After a detour to his unit, Paris went in search of the commander-in-chief.
He was finally lucky to find the earl and captain Berg together in the side front bastion.
The sun was already slowly falling towards sunset, and both commanders quietly conversed without taking their eyes off the fading light.
Soldiers rushed around, preparing for the oncoming battle, stocks of arrows and darts were checked, tanks with hot tar and oil were ready. Nearby were installed tanks with water, in case they have to put out the fire. The air around was buzzing with nervous energy.
As soon as the young captain climbed on the last flight of the stairs his deputy Kirk flew up to him. The guy was a little younger than the Paris and just as ambitious. And just the same way his origins was staling his career. If the Marsters family was more than renowned, but the case six years ago covered their family with shame. Kirk's family was an ordinary merchant couple. Due to their business success, they were able to afford a noble title and place in the Yellow Castle. But they still were treated like mere traders by all other aristocrats.
”Captain! I looked for you freaking everywhere!” - Kirk exclaimed, running up to an old friend.
Usually, he did not allow himself such rudeness in public, although he and Paris were old friends. But apparently, the excitement before the first battle in his life made him daring like this.
Paris greeted Kirk with a nod and let his comrade continue, even though his eyes were fixed at the earl as if trying to read the thoughts on facial expressions of the old man.
”As you ordered, the preparation is almost done. The weapon was rechecked, the foremen formed their troops downstairs in the outer courtyard. The first, second and third detachments are waiting on the northern wall.”
Paris nodded curtly, making it clear that he was pleased with the actions of his deputy.
”Great, Kirk. Go to the others, I need to talk to the earl; then I will join you.” - He said, again heading to the commanders.
Berg, noticing Paris at the entrance to the bastion, cut short their conversation with Earl. His face was focused and tense. The earl, on the other hand, did not tear his thoughtful gaze from the sky.
”Paris, my boy.” - the old commander finally spoke, beckoning the young captain closer. - ”Come and share your thoughts with us.”
”My Lord” - Paris began carefully joining them at the side of the wall. - ”I understand that the situation has turned out to be very complicated and we don't have time to consider it. But I plead for an understanding on your part. I want to ask you to allow them to stay at least until the end of the siege.”
”At first, I would like to hear your story, but unfortunately, we don't have time for this.” - the earl finally turned to his companion; a tenacious glance almost made him look away. - ”I understand your feelings. But I hope you'll understand me too. If we now close our eyes on a whole detachment of Stones Warriors in the fortress, which, moreover, were initially hired by our enemy. We risk getting a backstab at the most critical moment.”
”I am aware of the complexity of the situation. But, My Lord, think about it. Did they really need to play this show to kill us? We were an easy victim for them there in the office. I do not see any other meaning in their actions.”
”I don't see any sense in this situation at all,” - Berg finally struck into the conversation. - ”I think we should put them in the dungeon before the end of the battle. Men, in an oubliette, just in case.”
”I will not allow this!” - Turning pale with anger, blurted out Paris, - ” No one will put my sister behind bars. She did nothing wrong.”
” Except for infiltrating the fortress and trying to capture the entire commanding composition on the eve of the battle ...” - Corrected him, Berg.
Paris had no excuse for that. He gritted his teeth helplessly.
The earl just sympathetically patted the young man on the shoulder.
”Paris, we have no choice. We will try to provide your sister and her friends with the most comfortable conditions at the time of their stay here. I am ready to talk with her myself and apologize later. But it will be better for all of us.”
”In any case,” - continued the earl sharply changing the topic, - ”Now we need to decide whether to believe what your sister said.”
All three of them turned their gaze to the dozens of bonfires that were lit up in the enemy's camp. Only one part of the camp gradually plunged into darkness, and not a single spark of the fire was lit on this side of the hill. A hundred gray dots covered a solid carpet of the green slope.
” Maybe, they just want us to relax and not expect real Stone Warriors?” - Berg suggested.
”If there are really a hundred of these down there ...” - The earl faltered, squinting at Paris - ” Stone Warriors don't need any special tricks to get us. But to dress a hundred Arians in grey cloaks just to sway our morale sounds quite reasonable. Yes, and attack in this case at night is also logical. In the dark, all fears become larger, and it would be much more difficult to understand the deception.”
”Preparing for this still does not hurt. If the attack begins this night, it will be an extra confirmation of Cali's words.” - pointed Paris.
”And yet I insist on putting them in detention.” - Berg did not let go. Paris clenched his fists in anger. He was ready to defend the interests of Cali to the end. But his next words were interrupted by a soft voice from behind.
”There is no need for such measures.”