by Gerard Bond
“Tell me Prince, you have been dealing with orcs for quite awhile on a regular basis. Do you think they are operating under orders?” The Prince shook his head.
“No I wouldn’t go that far. I would say it’s more like they all have an urge to move south. There isn’t any organization to what they are doing. They just seem to be driven to get somewhere.”
He contemplated the Prince’s words. Driven or urged, but to what end and to where? Maybe the elves would have some answers. The more he thought about it the more he felt they would be of importance.
“My Prince, I intend to journey to the Elven lands starting tomorrow. I know the elves and even count some as my friends. I will put your case before the Elven King on your behalf if you wish.”
The Prince looked astonished.
“Do you think they would help?”
“I cannot be sure, but I know of elven custom and while I won’t go into it, I am sure I can influence them into thinking they have a responsibility here. They have their own army that is second to none and even if they only send a small contingent, it could be all that you need to tip the balance.”
Prince Fitzgerald felt real hope shine again.
“I will write a letter for you to present to the King on the behalf of the Kingdom, will that help?”
Wollfen agreed it would be a good idea. There was no telling what would tip the elves in their favor. The prince addressed Wollfen in a formal tone.
“Thank you for the efforts you are making. I understand that since you are not in the formal service of our King, this really is a personal choice isn’t it?” Wollfen smiled at that.
“Well, less choice than you would imagine I’m afraid, but thank you for your kind words, they are much appreciated. Also, would it be possible if records of our meetings and my efforts were not made? I like my anonymity and when this war is over I would like to return to it.”
The Prince paused in thought then nodded.
“Very well, that is not a big ask.”
He found it a curious request. What man didn’t want his exploits recorded for the history books? The Prince brought up his own request.
“Would you accompany me to a tour of the wall? I like to personally check on the enemy each day and see if anything has changed for myself.”
Wollfen agreed, he wanted to see the enemy formations in clear daylight. The Prince ordered an adjutant to ready a couple of horses. They then arose and made their way down to the courtyard.
At the wall the two of them looked out onto the panorama before them. For as far as the eye could see there were tents in the distance. At the front of the Isogorrean lines was the earthen embankments they had built up against counter attack, they were about four hundred yards off out of range of even the biggest of the Kassandrean catapults and there was nothing to be seen in the open space between that and Kassandrea’s walls. Wollfen looked down off the edge. They were a hundred feet in the air here and it was quite obvious the Isogorreans would not be making any conquests over them.
He could not tell which tent they had come from, it was probably too distant from here anyway. He wondered what would become of the subdued sorcs once it was discovered that they no longer had any powers? Other sorcs in the group would probably step forward and hide the fact. He hoped they wouldn’t be disposed of. He was well aware of their harsh ideals. The prince spoke up,
“As you can see, their army controls all the lands in every direction, we have managed from time to time to get word out at night but apart from that, nothing. In a few months we have another fifteen thousand of them to look forward to according to what you tell us.”
He looked grim watching out over that parapet. There was no easy answer to what lay before them.
Prince Fitzgerald got a little philosophical.
“It's strange isn’t it?” Wollfen turned to him, “Here we are fighting for our lives, defending to the death all that we have and even now we have no idea of why they are here. I mean, why spend so much in resources to sack this city? What do they hope to acquire? Maybe if we bleed them enough on the battlefield they will give up and go home.”
Wollfen realized all of a sudden he hadn’t explained how desperately the Isogorreans wanted to get in here.
“I may be able to shed some light on that. It seems the King of Isogorr has got it into his head there is wealth beyond imagining within these walls. They have every intention of grabbing it.” The Prince thought about that a bit.
“Well then it is more true. We bleed them heavily enough then they will give up knowing the prize is too expensive.”
Wollfen sighed and the Prince turned to him,
“You know something I don’t, don’t you Wollfen?”
He was reluctant to tell the truth, it simply wouldn’t make sense to the Prince. He would have to tell some of it though.
“The sorcs across the way believe that a terrible power is buried deep below Kassandrea. They want to release it you see. There is a staircase somewhere buried that leads deep into the earth and at the bottom of that staircase lies their prize.” Wollfen looked him directly in the eye, “I know for a fact; they will not stop and never give up until they get in there. They will expend whatever it takes to make it happen.”
“Do we know it is there? And if so, what do they intend to do with it?”
Wollfen went on.
“I have searched deep below here with my mind and yes a power does exist. But beyond that I cannot tell you anything more, it’s all I have.”
Wollfen wasn’t going to say any more. He had said enough already. The prince looked back out at the enemy encampment now. This put a different spin on everything. This was an all or nothing battle he realized, no quarter would be given. He turned back to Wollfen.
“You have given me much to think about and it will affect our preparations for the spring. Thank you Wollfen for what information you have been able to give me, it has proven to be invaluable.”
“I am happy to be of service your highness.” Wollfen began thinking of other things, “I believe that will conclude these matters for now?”
The Prince considered his question, he couldn’t think of anything else that had to be addressed.
“Yes I do believe so, it has been very good talking to you.”
“It has been good talking to you too my Lord Prince.”
Wollfen stood back and retreated to leave the Prince to his work.
Inside the walls of the city Wollfen rode along the main roads subtly feeling out for Dark’s beacon. It didn’t take him long to find it and he changed direction to close in. He would surprise them with his presence.
After riding for about fifteen minutes, he spied them up ahead walking along chatting. They spotted him from a distance and waved, well there would be no surprise now. Riding up he addressed them as strangers.
“Good afternoon my fair ladies, should a pair of damsels like yourselves be walking along all alone without an escort?”
The two girls giggled and Dark responded,
“We have been wandering these streets in wonder and have not been able to find any man worthy of our company. Do you, kind sir, know of anyone we could trust?” Night grinned behind Dark,
“Hmm, I know I couldn’t do it, I would be spending my time thinking about how to ravish the two of you at once.”
Some onlookers gasped and the two girls giggled.
“My dear sir that’s exactly the type of escort we are looking for.” winked Dark.
Wollfen hopped down and approached Dark.
“Do I get to taste the product?”
Dark nodded in approval and they kissed passionately. A couple of the onlookers now walked off quickly. They had no interest in watching working women hawking their wares. One particularly dour old woman watched on still. Wollfen pulled away and nodded in approval.
“Mm yes you will do. I will take you.” Night interjected.
“What about me?” Wollfen looked Night up and down in appraisal.
<
br /> “I don’t know, how do you kiss?” he challenged,
Night walked up to him with a smile and got close. She leaned up to Wollfen’s mouth, then at the last second she turned and kissed Dark full on the mouth instead. Now the two girls were locked together and the last of the people near them made off with some derisory remarks. Wollfen laughed out loud.
“You two are a pair of vixens!”
They all laughed and the three of them locked arms walking along with Wollfen leading his horse by the rein. Now and again Night would give a stern looking passerby a little wave and smile.
“You know Night, you are becoming more and more like Loranda everyday.” They all laughed again.
“Oh I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about,” winked Night.
They spent the afternoon taking in the sights of the city and at one time Night and Dark had tried to skate in their flat boots on a frozen fountain. It had been quite funny watching them slip and slide while trying to hold onto each other. One time Night fell hard on her butt and Dark helped massage it.
“Do you need a hand with that Dark?” offered Wollfen.
“No!” a sore Night responded.
He shook his head.
“You two are crazy.”
Back in their quarters they took off their wet boots and placed them by the fire. Dark looked around.
“I’m famished, shall I grab a pile of food for us to eat here?”
“No Dark, don’t get much food, the people of this city are heavily rationed.” Dark looked a little confused.
“I saw they are cooking two whole deer in the kitchen and a huge amount of vegetables.” Wollfen looked at her in surprise now.
“That’s strange, Prince Fitzgerald seemed quite clear to me on the subject.”
He got up and asked them to wait, he went to the Prince’s office and requested a quick audience. He was ushered in and approached the prince at his desk.
“My Prince, I have a point I wish to bring up with you,” Prince Fitzgerald nodded his head for Wollfen to continue, “It has come to my attention that full banquets are still being served here in the castle while the rest of the population is being rationed. Is this correct?”
“I am afraid so Wollfen, another of the King’s indulgences. It is his opinion that whether he eats his fill or not, it will not make much difference to the daily rations of the rest of the population.” Wollfen couldn’t believe his ears.
“That may be so but he risks the very real possibility of alienating the people here and if things get very bad in later months they just may turn on him, surely he is aware of this?” The Prince had a pained look on his face.
“Yes, I have argued the point with him time and again but he will not listen. He is King and as far as he is concerned he has the right.”
The Prince watched Wollfen as he could see the man getting quite upset.
“Please Wollfen, I understand how you feel on this. I myself refuse to eat at those banquets and I have made quiet instructions to the kitchen staff that all leftovers are to be distributed beyond the gates to the poorer sections of the city, it’s a small gesture but hopefully it will do some good.” Wollfen was shaking his head.
“No my prince, that will only exacerbate the situation. That act will give the people a good idea of how well all that reside within these walls eat. I am sorry Prince Fitzgerald but I cannot find myself having too much respect for the King, your father.”
The Prince surprised Wollfen by barking a laugh at him.
“Ha! You and me included! Let me tell you, there is no love lost between my father and I. I think him a self indulgent, weak spineless fool. I cannot believe that I and Prince Alard are born of his loins to tell the truth.” Wollfen looked on in wonder.
“How is it then that you hold such a high office?”
“That’s easy, his favorite son convinced him to give the office to me or there would be consequences. I do believe my brother threatened to quit all his offices of responsibility before the King relented. I owe Alard much in that respect, but I do know I have earned my father’s grudging respect in orchestrating the defense of this city since taking office.”
Wollfen realized that there was a power struggle going on within these walls, as if the siege was not enough the King was still playing his stupid political games. Wollfen addressed the Prince in a firm tone,
“My Prince, may I be so bold as to speak openly?”
The Prince gestured in the affirmative nodding his head and waving his hand for Wollfen to continue on,
“I have seen sieges before where the people of the city in question were starved into submission and when it came close to the end, in almost every case the locals turned on their royal leaders before capitulating. You understand what I am saying yes?”
The prince acknowledged him and bade he go on.
“I would advise you to remove yourself from this castle and establish a headquarters out in the city somewhere preferably where the locals can have access to you. It will make for a more demanding test of your time but it will pay dividends later if people can identify with you. If you show yourself to be of the people and for the people they will more readily serve you and do what is right as opposed to simply obeying orders.”
Prince Fitzgerald thought about what Wollfen was saying. He could see the practicality of it.
“Do you really think it would get that bad? Do you think that the administration in the castle here would be in so much danger later?” Wollfen nodded.
“Yes, in the event that the Isogorreans gain the upper hand and the siege has even limited success, it will be the royals within these very inner walls who will be in real danger, not from the Isogorreans initially but from the people. You must also consider this, if in the event the city falls the people will need a leader not only to save them here but also lead the nation afterward, a better leader than your father.”
Wollfen was telling the Prince exactly what the future held and he was smart enough to hear it. Prince Fitzgerald sat back in his chair staring at Wollfen.
“I hadn’t really thought out that far to tell the truth, I have spent many a year out in the northern wilds in charge of a garrison of five thousand men. I gave them orders and they obeyed. It was as simple as that. What you speak of is so much more.”
“Then you must change your mindset Prince. You must have in place the capacity to take over and lead the nation if it comes to that. You and your brother are the future of this nation and its highest leaders. You must prepare for that leadership change and not when your father is on his deathbed. For if you do it will be too late. I am not suggesting you usurp your father’s powers. Simply have in place the mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition to the next generation and that means you.”
The Prince shook his head.
“My brother is heir apparent, he is to be the next King.” Wollfen remained patient.
“And if he falls in battle or is maimed and cannot carry on the office of King? You still make preparations anyway Prince. You have spent many years not having to deal with any real responsibilities because of your father and your relationship with him. He sent you to the wilds when you were old enough, but that is no excuse. You were born into royalty and as such the burdens realized or not are yours to bear. You must always be ready regardless of whether you are called upon to do your ultimate duty in service of the nation or not.”
The Prince looked down at his desk deep in thought. He hadn’t given too much consideration to the future beyond having a grudge against his father. Wollfen was right, he not only had the job of being commander of the military, he also had to consider his responsibilities to the people beyond that too. He would have to start making changes, a lot of changes and soon. He looked up at Wollfen,
“I thank you for your frank counsel Wollfen. You are indeed a wise man, is there anything I can offer you?”
He shook his head,
“No my Prince, it is enough that you heed my words and you d
on’t need to thank me. I do what I do in service to all.”
The Prince bowed his head as Wollfen did too. Wollfen removed himself from the room. It was a strange last sentence from a man who held no positions of office.
Prince Fitzgerald felt a charge now. He didn’t feel like the outcast that his brother had to stick up for so much anymore. He realized the truth of Wollfen’s words. It was up to him to make a difference. Yes, there would come a day when his father would no longer be there and he had to prepare. He would not be able to blame his father for the missed opportunities in his life from then on. He had to act, not just for the good of the people, but for his own self worth too. He called out to all his servants.
“Adjutant! There is to be a meeting! Get everyone in here for me to make some announcements, get going!”
He set the ball rolling. Within a week, his entire administrative team would be moved out of the castle and amongst the people. He realized not without some pleasure it also meant he was away from his father too.
Dark and Night were both chewing the remains of a small meal when Wollfen returned and as he walked in they both gave him a guilty look.
“Sorry my darling, you were gone so long we got rather hungry.” Wollfen looked them over but he wasn’t mad.
“It's alright you two. I don’t expect you to starve yourselves, but you could have left a little for me?”
Dark held out the plate that had the smallest piece of beef jerky on it. He gave her a dim look and shook his head.
“Very funny. Lucky I’m not hungry huh?”
She grinned,
“More for me then.” and popped it into her mouth.
Now they had time to kill again. They wouldn’t need to move out until morning so Wollfen went to a recliner in the corner, sat back closed his eyes and did some serious thinking. There was still the issue of getting out in the wee hours while it was still dark and making sure they didn’t get captured by the Isogorrean soldiers out there. He would have to talk to the Prince again and find out how they got messages out. Then there would be the trip. He decided their first port of call would be Windere and seeing Night’s father. She may not like it but it was about time she faced her next hurdle in healing from that terrible incident so many years ago. Finally Wollfen got up.