章節 6: The lost explorer and the summer war, part 6

In the coast of Omboru.

You could see tens of ships dropping men who walk in tight formations marching inland, most of the soldiers wear leather armor and are armed with shields and spears, with a sword in its scabbard, the exception being the cavalry that march at the sides wearing brigantine armors, and the captains and commanders wearing the same as the knights but with different colors and sigils in each armor.

When they arrived at the main city of the island after making all the towns in their way surrender what greeted them wasn't a wall full of soldiers but a group of people who looked like nobles wearing feathers robes and jewelry, standing before the gates of the city who were open as if welcoming the invading soldiers.

Seeing this the column of soldiers stopped in their tracks and a group of 10 people rode forth to meet with the nobles of Omboru. After getting there the group from the empire greet the islanders and brought them to a middle ground between the city and the army and then rode to rejoin their ranks.

Then a group of 4 greet the islanders, this group was formed by two identical black haired men wearing some sort of armor who looked like leather but at the same time it was clear that it was heavier and offered more protection, and helmets that cover most of the head but leaves space for the mouth and eyes, with a crest of blue and green feathers running from left to read on top of the helmets. Between them were a common looking old man and a blue eyed blonde and handsome little kid who looked twelve or thirteen years old wearing the same type of armor as the knights but black in color and a red toga wrapped over it.

"Greetings, I assume we can start to negotiate your surrender, am I wrong?" For the confusion of the Omboru nobles the one to speak was the kid, but after thinking for a moment they realize he was the only one with a noble demeanor in the group, the soldiers looked indifferent and the old man had a grim air around him.

"After your… "tactics" we have barely a few hundred men capable of fighting, if we tried to fight an army of that size we would be committing suicide, so instead we reach an agreement between the different princely houses and offered our surrender with the condition of maintaining our titles and land, in exchange we will make sure there are no uprisings and the taxes are paid". A middle aged dark skinned man, who seemed to be the leader of the group said.

"I think you don't understand your situation yet, you see, when we take control of Walano the nobles there offered the same terms, you know what was my answer? I told them that they would surrender their lands and in exchange we are going to grant them titles of minor nobility within the empire, they refused and take arms against our army. All of them are dead now and there are no more nobles on the island, and even then the people haven't raised in rebellion and I already started getting taxes from them, as you see the only thing you have to offer is a swifter transition, in exchange you will lose your lands momentarily, while we rearrange new lands for you and get to keep your heads over your shoulders, how is that as a counteroffer?. The kid told them calmly and with cold indifference.

Some of the islanders show anger when they heard what the kid said, who won't, they just heard how he killed every noble in one of their island or ex island and now he comes here to threat them into submission, but in the moment in which they saw the army standing right in front of them fear overcome any other feeling they might feel in the moment, ten thousand soldiers, two thirds of what their whole nation could muster are gathered right in front of their gates, while their soldiers are barely able to move thanks to the despicable poison the invaders used, so while they hate the idea they know there's no option in which they keep their heads at the end of the day.

"We need to discuss this offer with the rest of our people and our families, give us a day to think about this" spoke the representative of the islanders while gritting his teeths, clearly angry about the offer.

"You got 3 hours, if you don't go out and surrender in that time we will attack". After saying this the kid and the rest of the invaders take their leave.

After entering back into the city the Omboru nobles summoned a emergency council, asking for each prince or princess to assist.

After entering the chamber all of them sit hoping to hear the good news of how the invaders accepted their surrender or what terms they asked for, so long as it was something minor they would accept gladly.

"Let's get to the point. They rejected our offer". After saying that the man who previously lead the princes who were to negotiate the surrender looked at the faces of the people on the room, some of the older ones looked indifferent, while the younger ones showed anxiety.

"What terms they offered, assuming they won't directly attack and take the city by force" said one of the older princes, a grey haired man with a face full of wrinkles.

"Their leader a kid no older than twelve offered a title of minor nobility and letting us keep our heads, in exchange we have to give them all our lands". After saying that the only thing that could be heard in the hall were the angry shouts and curses.

"We are princes and a child comes and expect for us to hand over what took generations of our family to get in exchange for a minor title and letting us alive, I say we take our swords and give them our answer" some young lordling said getting nods of agreement from the other young princes, and concerned looks from the old ones as if asking "are you dumb".

"And if you mind me asking, how exactly are you going to do that? With the soldiers that are barely able to stay on their feets? With the few hundred soldiers who can fight? Or just the few of you? As things stand we have no army to fight and even if we did how are you going to win? We could at much gather three thousand soldiers and they have twenty thousand, you don't need to be a genius to know how it would end. You said they only want our lands right? If we keep our money we could still get them back or search for other ones, if we fight all of us will die. I say we give them what they want and end this madness, for us and our people". Said the leader getting nods of agreement from the older princes and look of contemplation from the others.

After that they vote to take a decision, the result? They will kneel and let the invaders take the islands without effort, when the hour came all of them go to the outskirts of the city and guide the army inside.

In the middle of the night you could see a boy preparing to sleep while suddenly an old man appeared from the shadows behind him and touched his shoulder, then the boy jumped from the fright, after looking scared for a second then looked angry at the old man. Of course they are Maximilian and Aurelius.

"What are you doing here?". Said Maximilian gritting his teeth while trying to calm himself.

"If you get surprised that easily I don't think you will survive your brothers. In any case I have bad news, the prince of red lotus valley is dead, the prince of red Flower Vale a man named Jalabhar Xho, challenges him to a ritual combat and won, now he is gathering his forces and fortifying the cities, the war isn't over yet. And it seems some of the princes here were in contact with him, promising support when we march against him and divide our forces, I will see the situation in Jhala by myself, I don't think they all support him blindly specially after killing his opponent". Said Aurelius while disappearing in the shadows, the same way he just appeared there.

The next day Maximilian summoned the princes and to grant their titles. After the ceremony was over a group of soldiers came in and took away 5 princes and 2 princess. Before the rest of the lords could Maximilian stood up and raised his hand before saying "these people are traitors who were plotting with the traitor Jalabhar Xho in his attempt to fight us, they will be stripped from their noble titles and all their property's and lands will be seized. The rest of you will be send to Naath for the time being, while we deal with that idiot. Said Maximilian while exiting the room without giving the newly appointed nobles the opportunity to say anything.