Chapter 438 - Leon's Campaign V (Patreon)
Content
This is Leon Ursus, the Thunder Knight! The White Griffin! Roland shouted to the guards, and immediately, nearly all of their expressions turned to surprise and almost panicked regret.
Leon, however, was so stunned at what Roland had just said that he reeled back a bit as if he had just been struck across the face.
W-What the did you just ? he sputtered, looking at Roland as if he were a two-headed dog that learned to talk.
[Oh by all the Gods and Devils that is just the greatest thing Ive heard all week!] Xaphan gleefully whispered from Leons soul realm, though Leon was a bit too distracted to hear him.
Ignoring Leon for the moment, Roland repeated to the guards, Get back to your posts! These are allies!
As Leon pulled his shocked mind back together, he could sense Marcus judging eyes upon his back. Glancing backward, he saw that Marcus was actually watching the guards head back to their posts, but Leon knew that Marcus was barely holding in the laughter at the ridiculous things that Roland had just said. Alcander, however, was still retching into the grass and barely seemed to know where he was.
Making things worse, Leon could hear some of the men and women of the guard detail chatting amongst themselves as they followed Rolands order.
was Sir Leon? I thought all barbarians were bearded
I know, he was so cute
honestly expecting someone a bit more I dont know, wilder?
heard he has a thousand giants with him, and that theyve already killed fifty thousand of Octavius nutlickers!
knew Id seen that griffin before
Maybe theyre not all that bad Leon thought to himself, but once they had gone a respectful distance, he turned his attention back to Roland coincidentally as Roland did likewise.
So, Roland said, Sir Leoneh!
Leon interrupted the Paladin by uncharacteristically throwing his arm over Rolands shoulders and pulling him close as if he were an old friend.
But he wasnt an old friend.
If you ever call me those things again, Leon whispered into Rolands ear, emitting a few strands of killing intent that had Rolands hair standing on end, I will end you. I will fuckin end you. Got it?
With a quick flash of light, Roland slipped out of Leons grip and stood a few feet away, a bemused smile on his face.
I suppose I can refrain from such titles in the future, but I cant say the same for the rest of the army, he said in a smugly matter-of-fact tone.
What does that mean? Leon demanded, his heart dropping into his stomach in panic.
You havent spent much time with the rank-and-file in your time, have you? Roland asked, cocking his head, and narrowing his eyes in inquisitiveness.
No ? Leon replied, thinking back to all of his time in the Legions. Barring the few weeks hed spent at Fort 127, nearly all of his time in the Bull Kingdom had been spent in the company of knights and nobles.
I wouldnt sweat it, Roland said with a laugh and a shrug. The troops have a tendency to assign nicknames. The Brimstone and Bronze Paladins were both named by their troops, you know.
No matter who it comes from, I dont appreciate the nicknames, Leon replied without a shred of amusement.
Unfortunately, you dont have much choice in the matter, Roland said. Theyll call you what they will, and you can either live with it or fight against it. If you fight against it, then youll likely only earn yourself something a bit less flattering.
Leon scowled, his golden eyes glaring in the direction of the largest group of guards as they disappeared into their quarters.
Well, Roland said a bit awkwardly as Marcus helped Alcander to his feet, as much as I would love to stick around here and chat, we should probably have you report in with His Highness. Come with me.
Roland then led them to the largest of the stone barracks, being about four stories tall and dense with offices on the first three. Anzu had to wait outside, though, much to his consternation, but accepted it when Leon rubbed his head and made sure the griffin knew he was coming back soon.
As they went inside, Leon asked Roland, There arent that many guards, Ive noticed. Whats with that? Isnt this the nerve center for the entire camp?
It is, Roland replied, waving them past the guards and handful of secretaries still working this late. Most of the guards stay inside at night since there isnt much point in having them wait outside this far inside the camp. If someone was capable of penetrating this far into the camp without raising any alarms, having the guards standing watch outside wouldnt make much of a difference anyway.
Understandable, I guess, Leon replied, taking note of all the empty desks and offices they passed as Roland led them to the central stairway.
By the way, who are your companions? Roland asked.
Sirs Marcus Aeneas and Alcander Leon quickly replied before pausing for an embarrassingly long moment as he realized that he didnt actually know Alcanders family name.
I got it, Roland replied, covering for Leon a bit. Fortunately for Leon, Alcander was still feeling too queasy to notice. A pleasure to meet you, Sir Aeneas, Sir Laronius. Your parents will be beyond pleased to see you two alive and well.
You too, Sir Magnus, Marcus replied with almost excessive formality while Alcander focused on remaining upright.
A few seconds later, Roland was showing them into Augusts office where he quickly introduced them. August himself was clearly tired, though Leon could understand that given the time of day and the weeks of siege; the Prince sported large bags under his eyes and a lethargy to his movements that Leon hadnt seen before the Prince awakened his blood.
August repeated Rolands pleasantries, while Marcus and Alcander did their best to present themselves to the Prince with as much ceremony as they could, bowing and professing how much of an honor it was to meet August.
Noticing that Alcander had started to sway despite having a knee on the floor and Marcus stifling a yawn of fatigue, August quickly said, Please, rise and take a seat. Its late, we could all stand to be a little less formal, no?
Thank you, Your Highness, Marcus replied while Leon and Alcander took the offered seats without a wordthough, in Alcanders case, he more or less fell into the chair rather than sat down.
Roland, please inform Marquis Aeneas that his son has arrived, August said, to which Roland nodded and left. Now, August continued, turning his attention to Leon, tell me what all has happened to you over the past few weeks. No need to get too detailed since Im sure youll have to repeat yourself once everyone else is here, but I would like to hear the basic rundown, please.
Leon nodded, acquiescing to Augusts request-like order.
Hmm, we were wondering what prompted so many of their warriors to suddenly leave like that, August said once Leon had finished his brief explanation. Our scouts estimate that you killed eight thousand of their people at least, so I have to offer you my congratulations.
Thank you, Your Highness, Leon replied, though the thought of how many losses his side took relative to their total weighed down the pride he wouldve otherwise taken in such a victory.
Just then, Roland led Marquis Aeneas into the office. The Marquis appeared grumpy and barely dressed, but as soon as his eyes landed upon Marcus, all irritability and vexation in his demeanor vanished.
Son! he loudly exclaimed, rushing forward to pull Marcus out of his seat and into his arms.
Ah! Uh, good to see you, too, Father, Marcus sputteringly replied, taken aback as he was with his fathers decidedly un-noble outburst.
Quickly regaining his poise, the Marquis released his son, but Leon could see a few unshed tears in the elder nobles eyes.
Its good to see you, my boy, Aeneas growled as he straightened his clothes. He then turned to August whom he had practically ignored, bowed his head, and said, I apologize, Your Highness. I forgot myself for a moment.
Dont worry about it, My Lord, August replied, mustering up all the cheer he could to smile at the family reunion. Sir Leon was just telling me about his exploits
Like that, Roland and Aeneas pulled up a pair of chairs as Leon made a more thorough report of his mission and the actions he had taken upon his return.
That was reckless, youre lucky you didnt lead your entire unit to their deaths, Aeneas chided, though Leon couldnt help but notice that his tone lacked the harder edge that he had come to expect when speaking with the Marquis, and once he noticed that, he also happened to see that the Marquis gaze seemed a bit softer than it was, too.
I trusted my people to accomplish their task, Leon replied, his tone a mix of matter-of-fact confidence and confusion.
I hope you trust them to continue to do so, Aeneas continued.
You dont think I ought to try and get them here?
No, its far too useful having a force outside their siege lines, even if its small.
I agree, Marcus added. I would like to join you, if possible.
Aeneas head whipped around to stare at his son in astonishment. Thats
I would join you too, Alcander interjected, though he still seemed about ready to melt before their eyes.
Ignoring Aeneas rapidly escalating panic, Leon said, I dont have a lot to work with, so Id be happy to have you both come back with me.
Marcus! Aeneas loudly protested.
Father, I am close to the fourth-tier, Marcus calmly replied, to the amusement of the watching August and Roland. Some combat experience will be good for me. I cant pass this opportunity up.
I would be safer for you to remain here!
Safer, sure. But better? I would disagree.
Sensing a familial fight was brewing from the way Aeneas expression was slowly turning angrier, August interrupted, saying, Sir Marcus is a grown man and a knight without a commander. I, personally, couldnt imagine a better person for him to follow than Sir Leon, at least until this war is over.
Aeneas glared at August for the briefest of moments before getting his face back under control. Very well, he growled. If that is where Your Highness stands, then I will not stand in the way.
August gratefully nodded while giving the Marquis a sympathetic look. So, moving on, he said, lets get down to business here. Sir Leon is outside their lines with two thousand warriors and a hundred giants. The Duke of Lentia has offered to join our cause. Were stuck here unless we can manage to break out, and given the way our last attempts went, I would hesitate to order another try at that.
Are there any other ways to escape? Leon asked. Your messenger managed to reach us, though I dont know if he managed to return
None of the messengers we sent out have come back, Roland said with a mix of sorrow and fury. That one managed to reach you is a miracle unto itself. But none have returned.
Our paths through the mountains are too rough for large numbers of people to escape through, August explained. And, at this point, most of them have been blocked off by small but powerful groups of Duke Duronius soldiers. Were effectively stuck unless we were to make a costly assault, and were not at that point yet.
Arent you, though? Leon asked. Seems to me like none of us have many options. Were still outnumbered almost two to one, and unless we take drastic action, well run out of food before anything happens. Hows the supply situation?
We have enough for about three weeks, Roland answered.
Three weeks of food and were not at that point yet? Leon asked August, his tone disbelieving.
You werent here when we tried to break out, we took serious casualties, August shot back a little testily. That we managed to hold this hill long enough to fortify it is the only reason were still around. If we abandon these walls, then were done for.
Were done for if we stay, too. Id rather take the chance of breaking out than the certainty of starvation.
Im with Sir Leon on this one, Your Highness, Marcus said somewhat nervously as Augusts eyes flitted over to him. Hed never spoken one-on-one with Royalty before. A defensive attitude is only viable when we have something to defend. This hill isnt worth it, and if we stay here well lose.
We have plenty worth defending, August quietly replied. There are a hundred and fifteen thousand people in this army. That means we have a hundred and fifteen thousand reasons not to attack
Leon quietly sighed and glanced over at Roland, who looked back at him apologetically. It seemed to Leon that seeing how many people had died in their previous battle had affected August more than either had thought at the time.
People are going to die no matter what, Aeneas said, his head still occasionally turning from August to his son. If Octavius wins, then all of this is meaningless, Prince Trajans murder will go unavenged, and Your Highness will be executed. All of us would likely be executed for treason as well.
August nodded in a way that Leon knew meant that he, Aeneas, and Roland had all had this argument many times in the past couple weeks. That they were still hunkered down on the hill simply meant August hadnt yet decided what to do and was hesitating now that he had been confronted with what the cost might be following the previous battle.
People die, Leon whispered, drawing Augusts attention. No matter what, people are going to die. Were past the point of no return. Starvation, battle, or the headsman. Thats the choice we all have. I would choose to risk my life in battle rather than the other two, as Im sure most people in the army would agree. Prince August, if you stay this passive and defensive, well lose.
It took almost an entire minute of sitting in uncomfortable silence, with Leon, Marcus, Alcander, Aeneas, and Roland all staring at August, exerting pressure by making their expectations known before August relented.
Fine, he murmured, his eyes closing and a strained look pulling the skin of his face taught. He said no more, but he didnt need to, his agreement was all that Aeneas needed.
Good! Sir Leon, Marcus, Sir Roland, we have plans to make! Come, we have an army to destroy!
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