The King's Command
You find yourself liking the road more than you would have thought. You didn’t mind the long riding days, food rationing, and sleeping outside. You’d been on small missions before, but nothing to this extent. Despite Garrick’s stoic personality, you caught glimpses of him laughing and telling stories with the soldiers. Caitlyn was by far your preferred companion. You and her had several inside jokes that got on the nerves of everyone else, which only added to your enjoyment.
In two days time you would arrive at Nastela. The fortress city was located on the western border of Brelia. The Governor of Nastela, Lucius, should be able to aid the mission.You look up from your bedroll to view the clear night sky. There are worse things to fall asleep to, you think before sleep overtakes you.
Two days later...
You arrive at Nastela. For years, Nastela has been the gateway in and out of the Kingdom of Brelia. The city, more fortress, has the only road across the western border. A massive wall lines the rest of the shared borderline. Due to its nature, security is always tight and people are refused entry at the slightest hint or suspicion. The war with Rath still registers fresh in citizen’s minds and the strong security is seen as a comfort. Recognizing your royal seal, the guards let you in without a problem.
“Perhaps we should stick to business first,” the leader of your soldier escort, Will, suggests. He adds with a smile, “Afterward I’ll grab the first round.”
Making your way to the governor’s office, you notice that the city looks on edge. Iron-clad soldiers hustle about and your arrival doesn’t attract a large amount of attention. You realize that your company isn’t dressed in ceremonial armor, but in your experience citizens are always in a hurry to see your arrival. Even if they don’t recognize royalty initially, a guard escort usually attracts attention. By your perception, the people of Nastela look scared.
The Nastelian escort leads you into to the governor’s office. Inside, paper-pushers and scribes silently work while politicians clamor in heated debates. The arguments of frail old men lead to the death of young men, you think to yourself. Eventually you reach a set of sturdy double doors with poleaxe wielding guardsmen lining the interior. Each stands large and quietly confident. A lone man stands behind a massive mahogany desk. His skinny arms hold a scroll in one hand and a goblet in the other. His elegant crimson robe flows behind him like a waterfall.
“Ah yes, the prince is here. The guards at the gate sent word you would be arriving soon. How can I help you?” he addresses you quickly and turns his attention back to his reading.
“For starters, you can stop reading when we’re talking. Secondly, you can pour me whatever you’re having,” you answer.
Behind you Caitlyn holds up two fingers.
“Shit, this stuff is good. What is it? I’ve never had something like it before,” you comment, downing the cup.
Governor Lucius answers, “This, Prince, is the finest brandy from Rath. Despite the risk, there are benefits to being close to another nation. Namely, trade. We import a large number of goods from Rath as I’m sure your aware. Although these may be strenuous times, being the war and all, I find that trading and dealing is how you create ally from enemy. If you prove that you can work together with a simple transaction, you create the opportunity for more mutually beneficial deals.”
“It certainly has a unique flavor… leaves quite a burning sensation.”
“Say what you will about the Rathan people, they embrace the hard parts about life.”
Garrick steps forward to speak, “Governor Lucius, I was unaware you hired outside security.” Eyeing the poleaxes he adds, “Wasn’t it only last summer that the King ordered a large number of my father’s knights to increase the defense of Nastela? I am unfamiliar with your personal guard. Where did the knights go?”
“Garrick, son of Kane. You do possess the Duke’s direct questioning. Straight to the matter at hand then… I’m sure you’ve heard about the recent raids that have been targeting small villages along the border? Of course you have, that’s why you’re here. Well I can assure you, no Rathan raiders are making it through my city. Not a single person comes or goes without my knowledge, certainly not entire raiding parties.”
“That did not answer my question, Governor,” Garrick answers narrowing his eyes.
“I suppose we were going to find ourselves here one way or another,” Lucius muses. “Now!”
At his signal, the guardsmen in unison move into battle position. The clanking of armor echoes throughout the room as the heavily armed soldiers encircle your company.
“Treasonous bastard!” Garrick shouts and charges the governor.
Lucius’ attention goes back to the scroll as he murmurs the remaining incantation of the spell. With his final word, Lucius vanishes and a blast of energy fills the room knocking Garrick off his feet. Papers fly aimlessly as the occupants of the room try to reorient themselves. Will and his fellow soldiers engage the governor’s guard. Their light leather armor offers little protection against the sheer might and brutality of the heavy poleaxes. They fight expertly, but circumstances are against them. Into the fray you join as more guards pour into the room. You begin to notice your sword hand growing heavy, each parry becoming more sluggish. Your eye catches a goblet on the floor. Drugged, you surmise. In the corner of your eye, you see Caitlyn has come to the same conclusion. She nimbly dodges several attacks before getting tagged by an iron gauntlet to the mouth. One by one, each of your soldiers are cut down. This is not how I imagined the end would come, you think just before your world turns black.
In two days time you would arrive at Nastela. The fortress city was located on the western border of Brelia. The Governor of Nastela, Lucius, should be able to aid the mission.You look up from your bedroll to view the clear night sky. There are worse things to fall asleep to, you think before sleep overtakes you.
Two days later...
You arrive at Nastela. For years, Nastela has been the gateway in and out of the Kingdom of Brelia. The city, more fortress, has the only road across the western border. A massive wall lines the rest of the shared borderline. Due to its nature, security is always tight and people are refused entry at the slightest hint or suspicion. The war with Rath still registers fresh in citizen’s minds and the strong security is seen as a comfort. Recognizing your royal seal, the guards let you in without a problem.
“Perhaps we should stick to business first,” the leader of your soldier escort, Will, suggests. He adds with a smile, “Afterward I’ll grab the first round.”
Making your way to the governor’s office, you notice that the city looks on edge. Iron-clad soldiers hustle about and your arrival doesn’t attract a large amount of attention. You realize that your company isn’t dressed in ceremonial armor, but in your experience citizens are always in a hurry to see your arrival. Even if they don’t recognize royalty initially, a guard escort usually attracts attention. By your perception, the people of Nastela look scared.
The Nastelian escort leads you into to the governor’s office. Inside, paper-pushers and scribes silently work while politicians clamor in heated debates. The arguments of frail old men lead to the death of young men, you think to yourself. Eventually you reach a set of sturdy double doors with poleaxe wielding guardsmen lining the interior. Each stands large and quietly confident. A lone man stands behind a massive mahogany desk. His skinny arms hold a scroll in one hand and a goblet in the other. His elegant crimson robe flows behind him like a waterfall.
“Ah yes, the prince is here. The guards at the gate sent word you would be arriving soon. How can I help you?” he addresses you quickly and turns his attention back to his reading.
“For starters, you can stop reading when we’re talking. Secondly, you can pour me whatever you’re having,” you answer.
Behind you Caitlyn holds up two fingers.
“Shit, this stuff is good. What is it? I’ve never had something like it before,” you comment, downing the cup.
Governor Lucius answers, “This, Prince, is the finest brandy from Rath. Despite the risk, there are benefits to being close to another nation. Namely, trade. We import a large number of goods from Rath as I’m sure your aware. Although these may be strenuous times, being the war and all, I find that trading and dealing is how you create ally from enemy. If you prove that you can work together with a simple transaction, you create the opportunity for more mutually beneficial deals.”
“It certainly has a unique flavor… leaves quite a burning sensation.”
“Say what you will about the Rathan people, they embrace the hard parts about life.”
Garrick steps forward to speak, “Governor Lucius, I was unaware you hired outside security.” Eyeing the poleaxes he adds, “Wasn’t it only last summer that the King ordered a large number of my father’s knights to increase the defense of Nastela? I am unfamiliar with your personal guard. Where did the knights go?”
“Garrick, son of Kane. You do possess the Duke’s direct questioning. Straight to the matter at hand then… I’m sure you’ve heard about the recent raids that have been targeting small villages along the border? Of course you have, that’s why you’re here. Well I can assure you, no Rathan raiders are making it through my city. Not a single person comes or goes without my knowledge, certainly not entire raiding parties.”
“That did not answer my question, Governor,” Garrick answers narrowing his eyes.
“I suppose we were going to find ourselves here one way or another,” Lucius muses. “Now!”
At his signal, the guardsmen in unison move into battle position. The clanking of armor echoes throughout the room as the heavily armed soldiers encircle your company.
“Treasonous bastard!” Garrick shouts and charges the governor.
Lucius’ attention goes back to the scroll as he murmurs the remaining incantation of the spell. With his final word, Lucius vanishes and a blast of energy fills the room knocking Garrick off his feet. Papers fly aimlessly as the occupants of the room try to reorient themselves. Will and his fellow soldiers engage the governor’s guard. Their light leather armor offers little protection against the sheer might and brutality of the heavy poleaxes. They fight expertly, but circumstances are against them. Into the fray you join as more guards pour into the room. You begin to notice your sword hand growing heavy, each parry becoming more sluggish. Your eye catches a goblet on the floor. Drugged, you surmise. In the corner of your eye, you see Caitlyn has come to the same conclusion. She nimbly dodges several attacks before getting tagged by an iron gauntlet to the mouth. One by one, each of your soldiers are cut down. This is not how I imagined the end would come, you think just before your world turns black.