Chapitre 73: Battle of Aster Day 1 Pt. 1
Andrew Allister, Month 11, Day 19, Year A.F 652. City of Aster, Kingdom of Rosalia.
Within this quaint little office, I sip my tea as I take my breakfast before work. Watching the city come alive has always been a delight.
I've been to the capital before, despite its magnitude. It's beauty paled compared to the seaside city of Aster. It's three magnificent walls, each a sign of its growing influence, as each wall showed the expansion the city has taken.
Such sight always put a smile in my face. After all, there have been few houses that can boast of their ever-increasing strength.
The scent of ocean then wafts into my . I look to another window and a ship filled port comes to view, showing the strengthening trade that has been the city's greatest strength.
An uneasy feeling settles in me, a feeling that has been present ever since my brother decided to go to war.
His utter belief in victory blinded him of what it may cost. and as much as I love him, I cannot get behind on what he wants for the future of our family.
Fortunately for us, the city's population thinks otherwise. Though Brother's departure for war has made the people uneasy. I held hope that such an action would avoid war in our walls and so did they.
Unfortunately, the world decided otherwise.
The bells toll, and the sounds of panic spread through the city. For only one reason could a bell toll endlessly in such a time.
War has come upon our walls.
"Sir! The enemy has arrived." A soldier barges into the room, his face flushed from running the long distance from that of the wall.
I look to the city and sighed as I ordered my men with a flourish of a hand, "Tell the city guards to move out."
WIth conviction in my voice, I order one of them, "Quickly open up the armory, any man available will take up arms and I order everyone else to evacuate to the second walls.
The surrounding guards stiffen at the news, fear in their expression, fear for the upcoming storm. They remain unresponsive and my temper flares up as I shout,
"NOW!"
The sudden sounds of metal clacking, was all I needed to hear. As every guard prepares for battle, shouting my orders through the city.
I look to the messenger as I ask, "How long till they come?"
"Four hours, sir." He stiffly replies.
Four hours!? How could they have gotten so close to us without us not noticing?
An idea comes to mind, "Where are they coming from?"
"Southwest, sir."
My eyes blaze in anger as I slam my hand to the table. I comb my red hair back as I look at my bleeding hand. The blood crawling on my once fair complexion made it more than apparent.
What is he thinking? How could he allow enemies, walt inside our territory. Then there are those idiots in the southwest, those rebellious vassals he allowed to live because of his feelings are once again pointing their spears in our direction.
I stood up, my red eyes filled with anger as I mutter, "Brother, what the hell have you gotten us into."
With a stride, I make my way outside. I look at the two guards standing at the door, "Send me the officers of the first three divisions."
The guards nod and I look to the messenger, "Bring me the head servant, NOW"
The messenger salutes as he hurried past me. I stood by the door for a few minutes before I sat back down and muttered, "How long till they come?"
If he learns of their objective the moment he arrives there, then there's about one to two days of distance, but if he was already on another route, the worst could be five days.
We need to hold the city for five days? Anger bubbles up inside me and I shake my head. I tap my finger on the table. The rhythmical sound calming me from raging on the utter incompetence my brother has shown.
The southwest has always been a rebellious sort, but seeing his ascension gave them the chance to rebel. I would have put them to the sword if he never interfered, because of some misguided attempt at mercy and perhaps a bit of affection for some members of their house.
They unfortunately survived and we now once more have to pay the price.
My fists clench in frustration. If only I was the one father chose. If only I was the one that succeeded him, then we wouldn't be in this mess.
A knock interrupts my thoughts, as a voice spoke through the door, "Milord, you called for us?"
Three men enter, each one dressed in armor. They orderly filed in only to come upon my irritated expression, scaring them into lowering their heads.
"I'm sure you are already aware of the recent news." I said to them as I stood.
I look to the window as I watch the port turn into a flurry of activity, "First Divsion, have every ship leaving our port stopped and every ship that enters. Buy back every food, iron, wood and weapons that is about to leave this port."
The soldier then looks up and asks, "Sir, what do we do to those that deny our purchases or try to request more cash than possible?"
"Confiscate their goods and pay them of the regular price," I said to them. I can deal with the backlash at a later time, but now we need all the resources we can get our hands on.
The first division commander then salutes but before he could exit the room in a hurry.
I shout to him, "Wait!"
He stops and looks back, "Also, once you've paid them, have those ships drafted for evacuation. Have all the women and children evacuated to a city in Arasel."
The man then hurried out of the room, intent on carrying out my orders
We can't burden ourselves with a starving population, this'll at least decrease the drain in our supplies and avoid much troubles.
I look towards the second division as I spoke, "Take your men and immediately commission every blacksmith for arrows and swords."
The man salutes, but before he could leave, I throw him a letter, "Take this." He looks at it questioningly and I reply quickly, "It holds a contract we agreed upon. They'll know what it means."
The officer catches it with a nod before leaving once more. I shout, "Coordinate with the first division for the materials. "
We'll be needing every weapon available. It would be best if we make them now. Id rather not need them when I can't make them.
I look at the last man. The third division commander remains stoic and unmoving.
"Have your division come together with the longbowmen and send order to the others to do the same."
I point to him, "Your main objective is to guard our longbowmen as they man the walls."
I give him a sealed letter, "Open up recruitment and coordinate with the second division to bolster your numbers, I want armed men filling up those walls in an hout."
The letter was something I've made long ago. Recruitment of soldiers has always been a priority, because you never know when you'll get stabbed in the back.
And even with untrained and conscripted soldiers, we can at least make the belive that there iss a large garrison within the city.
"And send a messenger for the fourth and fifth division to have their men ready in the docks and plaza."
I cross my fingers in concentration as I mutter, "Since there's a possibility that the people could riot from the orders I gave."
The commander salutes before exiting the premises.
I lean back on my chair as I think on my plan. The first wall will fall. There's just not enough counter against knights capable of destroying walls.
The only thing I have to do is wait it out, leaving the wall intact for at least a day. Then actual battle comes after. Only under the cover of the building can the longbowmen show their accuracy and range.
With enough distance, a fireball becomes ineffective, but an arrow still kills. If we keep them far enough and occupied, we could at least hold out for a day.
But how do you keep cavalry at range?
Another knock from the door stops me from thinking further, a middle-aged woman enters.
She bows her head before, "Milord, what is it you wish for me to do?"
I look up from my thoughts. "You are to head the strict rationing the city will enter into. Though if you believe you are unable, find someone who can."
She thinks of my words before replying, "Milord, I'll be more than honored to serve this city."
"Good." I nod to her as she leaves me with my thoughts.
I stood up, prepared to oversee everything.
Everything is ready, let's hope it would be enough.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone