3 Ch 03 Blood and Sacrifices (1/2)
MRE Ch 03
After the meeting in morning, nobles of Duke Wilkinson's faction ( or loyalist nobles) went to take some rest before the afternoon's meeting , things could get messy there.
Duke Conley was the mastermind behind the whole revolt and other activities taking place in the kingdom . His first son studies in North Dakota kingdom which is about 10 times larger than Arcania and the relationship between the two kingdoms is not amiable.
Dakota has its eyes set on the natural resources of Northmount, they had sent their troops and scouts to persuade barbarians to attack Arcania's military posts . They had promised them food and land if they could capture Northmount .
But due to the harsh environment of Northmount, attacks were not successful, except once in the reign of Jason's father when Duke Wilkinson lost his son defending the kingdom.
Duke Conley's second son was just a scumbag, nothing important, could be easily found in the city's brothels, no aspiration or anything like that . Mess created by him were cleaned by Duke's subordinates.
Duke is a 7th rank knight and his forces and Dominion is near eastern forest region from where he sends gifts and tributes to the Dakota kingdom undermining Arcanian authorities .
Duke Conley arrived with his pack of 27 nobles and 17 rebels; he smirked at Wilkinson , when his eyes fell on Duke Wilkinson's group. ”What a good surprise !! Duke Wilkinson has left his nest and graced us with his presence ” .
Duke Wilkinson got agitated, his eyes burned with naked hatred for Conley. People beside Wilkinson were pressured by Wilkinson's rage. Count Helmsford came and whispered something in his ears. Wilkinson eased, gave a hearty laugh.
” What are you doing with traitors, don't tell me that you plan to leave the kingdom, to meet your son's real father in Dakota and slave yourself there . I heard that your second son is like you unable to satisfy women ” Wilkinson got back at Conley .
Conley was rumored to be impotent and his sons were the result of someone from Dakota's royalty , Conley's wife was from Dakota daughter of a regiment commander.
[Conley's first son was exiled by previous king (Jason's father) because he facilitated Dakota's military in infiltrating northern area which also caused Jason's maternal uncle's death]
His son in law is the son of Dakota's southern guards commander Timothy, a rank 8 knight who is posted on the other side of mount. Conley's goal was always to help Timothy gain Northmount and be promoted.
His previous plans to revolt and create chaos had been obstructed by Wilkinson and Charles. But this time he was fully prepared and had gained Commander Timothy's assistant Kipler a rank 8 to keep Charles on bay and 1200 elite troops from the Dakota kingdom. He and other nobles have gathered more than 16000 men, mostly mercenaries from Dakota, and even more men are on the way.
He was confident in taking advantage of this situation( king is dead, prince on deathbed) and had enacted the first part of his plan to create unrest and distrust so that the royal family couldn't get support from citizens to resist his legion and he could easily take over the capital.
Duke's plans are grand , to take over the whole kingdom in one full sweep.
Both Dukes without giving each other any further heed went inside the meeting room with their factions and sat opposite to each other .
Arcania being a small kingdom it doesn't have that many higher nobles it has 2 Dukes, the northern part is under Duke Wilkinson and eastern part was controlled by Duke Conley.