"It seems someone doesn't want me to get back."
The mood around a huge tree stump grew menacing. Every heavily armored cavalryman wore an icy expression, making no attempt to hide his murderous anger. Some had unconsciously reached for the weapons at their waists. They were well-trained veterans. Of course they understood what their general meant.
Traitors were often more hateful than enemies. An enemy had his own side to fight for. It was simply a matter of kill or be killed. But a traitor would stab you in the back and leave you dead without even a grave.
"General, we can kill all these Hols chasing us first, then crush the traitors here!"
Alka jabbed a finger hard at a valley on the map. It was a good place for an ambush. If hidden troops sealed both ends, anyone who entered would be slaughtered like pigs or sheep... Of course, that was wishful thinking. Anyone could see how dangerous such places were. Any commander with a little experience would send out plenty of scouts and have the area thoroughly searched before passing through.
"We can't kill them all... Their only task is to keep us tied down. Alpos is too close. All they need to do is slow us down. Now traitors from our own Empire are helping them, and every way out has been sealed off."
Marcus traced a finger along the road with a grim expression. His reddish mustache trembled with anger, and he pressed so hard with his mail gauntlet that he almost tore the paper.
"That's not all. I'm afraid Arius planned this the moment he left... That's why even we weren't fast enough."
Everyone looked utterly grim, even young Corein. She already regretted getting mixed up in this.
She had thought she had found a wealthy employer. He was certainly wealthy, but she had never expected him to be in so much trouble. These men might have a way to deal with it, but her unlucky lot were just ordinary people. If they got caught up in it, one careless mistake could get them smashed to pieces...
But then she remembered that she had already taken the money, and thought of the good meals she had eaten over the past few days. Unable to give up those benefits, the girl gritted her teeth and stayed where she was, determined to see this through to the bitter end... Besides, she did not dare run. If she did, she would probably die right here today...
Just as everyone was starting to feel at a loss, their eyes turned almost instinctively toward the tall figure...
"Who says there's no way out...?"
Tesolys raised his head, his expression still calm. Everyone fell silent, quietly waiting for their general to continue.
Tesolys pointed to a broad road on the map.
"Isn't this a road that will take us home? And such an easy one to travel."
Marcus leaned forward for a look, then froze in disbelief.
"Isn't that the main road through Alpos, the Hols border city?! ...But my lord, there's a large garrison there..."
"There certainly is... But all we have to do is draw them out."
Tesolys laughed aloud. His eyes shone with confidence and resolve so strong that the others could not help believing in him...
* * *
Warm spring sunshine bathed the land. Farmers in rags worked in the fields, rough hemp ropes over their shoulders as they dragged heavy wooden plows. Helped by their wives, just as ragged and thin, they slowly broke the spring earth, turning the rich, dark soil beneath to the surface.
Such hard work soon left their frail bodies drenched in sweat, but they dared not pause for a moment. All the tools belonged to the lords in the city. If they did not return them by today, they would be whipped...
They were not afraid of a whipping. Their lowly hides were used to the lash. But if they failed to finish the work and sow the grain in time, they would go hungry... No one knew better what hunger felt like, and no one feared it more.
Their rib-showing chests heaved as they forced the last bit of strength from their weak bodies. After breaking through the slightly hardened surface, they still had to level and loosen the soil several times before they could sow the seeds.
This was not their land. Most of each year's harvest had to be handed over to the city. The pitiful little left over barely kept them alive... They were slaves, after all. They had lived like this for more years than anyone knew, and no one thought there was anything wrong with it.
Wooo! Wooo! Wooo! ...
A sudden commotion came from the great city built of gray stone and marble. The deafening blast of horns was clearly audible even at this distance. Though the serfs knew it had nothing to do with them, they straightened up one after another and looked toward the city...
Perhaps even people whose lives were as bleak and lowly as theirs instinctively hoped for some kind of change...
The city gate, made of thick steel beams riveted together, was slowly raised on iron chains. Unit after unit of cavalry in silver mail and green cloaks rode out at a gallop. Silver-white plumes on their smooth helmets swayed gently in the breeze. Sharp lances rose like a small forest, and long curved swords inlaid with gold and silver wire hung beside their saddles.
Every cavalryman carried a longbow and two bags of arrows. Their warhorses were all tall, long-legged and swift. Like a gust of wind, they swept along the road in the blink of an eye.
A triangular banner bearing the rose and thorns of the Alpos family flew high on a lance, proudly leading the column. Every cavalryman had a small triangular pennant on his lance, marked with the emblem of his own family.
The cavalry captains wore scale armor vests over their mail. Their emblems appeared not only on their lances. Their warhorses also wore brightly colored cloth coverings, the heavy fabric rippling like waves with the movement of the horses' legs. They stood out vividly from the others.
Like a flock of proud peacocks, every cavalryman had dressed himself in splendor and held his head almost to the sky. They passed the serfs kneeling beside the road as though they did not exist. Sharp lance points seemed to dance across their bodies, making the ragged slaves tremble all over.
Mud thrown up by the horses' hooves splattered them, but none dared move an inch for fear of displeasing these lords...
Enthusiastic cheers rose from the city walls. Well-dressed citizens were sending off their knights. Petals showered down on the cavalry still streaming out through the gate. Now and then, a lady's handkerchief or two would flutter down as well. Any cavalryman who saw one would catch it and hold it high above his head for those behind him to see, drawing still louder cheers.
The people of Alpos had sent out their troops...
Author's note: If you have any monthly tickets or recommendation votes, please support the author. This book is about to move to paid chapters, and I'd like to make one final push (；′⌒`)
Comments