Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

The army of 700 men marched in unison, their footfalls thudding against the hardened dirt as they approached the city of Megioduroli. Dust rose with every step, swirling in the cool morning air. At the head of the column, Alpheo rode alongside Lord Shahab, both of them silent as they neared the city walls. The banners of their combined forces fluttered behind them, their colors catching in the wind,as the city’s gates remained closed.

The initial coldness which the lord held toward Alpheo had started to get warmer as the relationship betweent he two reached a point at least, where the old men did not groan every time he exchanged talks with the young man.

Ahead, stark against the landscape, were two banners planted firmly into the ground—black stags on a blood-red field. The sigil of lord Aidon’s house with the head of it being the lord of Megioduroli, Lord Damaris.

Alpheo signaled for the army to halt, his hand raised. A ripple of motion passed through the ranks as the men obeyed, their armor clanking and horses snorting in the sudden stillness.

Alpheo turned to his companions. ”We go forward. The rest of you hold here,” he ordered. Alpheo knew that marching into another lord’s domain was considered an enfrangement over the latter’s rights; as such he wanted to make sure to let their first encounter to the lord of the city not end badly.

The dozen riders accompanying them followed as Alpheo and Shahab nudged their horses forward, breaking off from the main force.

As Alpheo and Shahab neared the banners of House Aidon, two men , dressed in the deep crimson and black of their lord’s colors, waited for them. Their polished armor reflected the sunlight, and they held their helmets tucked under their arms as they rode forward to meet the advancing party.

One of the men, his face stern but respectful, raised a hand in greeting. ”My lords,” he called out, his voice steady, ”Lord Damaris sends his welcome. He invites you to enter the city as honored guests. The gates of Megioduroli are open to you , although my lord would prefer if the bulk of your army stayed camped outside for safety reasons. Lord Damaris awaits your presence in his mansion”

Alpheo exchanged a brief glance with Shahab, before speaking. ”Please ,lead the way good sirs .”

The two men dipped their heads in acknowledgment, turning their horses and falling in beside Alpheo and Shahab, their presence calm and without haste. The small party rode ahead, leaving the larger army waiting at the outskirts of the city.

As they approached the gates, the massive iron doors creaked open slowly, revealing the bustling streets of Megioduroli beyond. Townspeople paused in their work, staring at the approaching nobles and their retinue with wary eyes.

The party was guided through the cobbled streets, their horses’ hooves echoing against the stones, until they came upon the grand mansion of Lord Damaris. It rose like a sentinel above the surrounding buildings.The banners of the black stag fluttered proudly from its walls.

As they dismounted, the two riders gestured toward the entrance. ”This way, my lords,” one of them said, bowing slightly. They followed closely behind as Alpheo and Shahab were led through the open doors of the mansion, the heavy scent of incense and old wood filling the air inside.

At the far end of the room, Lord Damaris sat regally upon a high-backed chair that elevated him above his guests. The lord’s imposing figure was draped in fine fabrics of deep green and gold, his silver hair neatly combed back, accentuating a face lined with experience and authority. His dark eyes sparkled with a mixture of shrewdness and curiosity as he surveyed the newcomers.

”Lord Shahab,” Damaris greeted, rising slightly from his seat with a respectful nod. ”It is good to see you again.”

Shahab returned the gesture, a hint of relief crossing his features at the warm welcome. ”Lord Damaris, thank you for your hospitality. I trust all is well within your walls?”

”Aye, well enough for now,” Damaris replied, his tone shifting slightly as he turned his attention to Alpheo. ”And you must be the renowned Ser Alpheo.” He offered a curt nod ”Welcome to Megioduroli, please take a seat.”

Alpheo sensed the slight formality in the lord’s greeting.He returned the nod, a subtle smile playing on his lips. ”Thank you for having us, my lord.’’

Alpheo settled into his seat, his sharp eyes studying the room and its occupants. After a moment, he leaned forward, his voice smooth and confident. ”I trust, my lord, that you received my gift well?”

Lord Damaris gave a slow nod, a faint smile curling his lips. ”Indeed, I did. Beautiful gifts, Alpheo. It seems I’ve had some difficulty acquiring the newest products from her majesty’s court.

I would have liked to meet that wise old man that amde them , unfortunately I needed to return to my domain to resume my duties. Still, Your generosity was... timely.”

”Then I’m glad they arrived safely,” Alpheo said, his smile unwavering.

Lord Damaris shifted in his seat, his gaze sharpening as he looked between Alpheo and Shahab. ”I assume, then, that you march to put an end to this rebellion once and for all?”

Shahab nodded gravely, his hands resting on the arms of his chair. ”It is high time this ill-attempted rebellion is cut down,” he said, his voice heavy with the weight of the past few months. ”We’ve suffered the chaos for long enough. The people are weary, and the crown’s patience is wearing thin.”

Damaris sighed, leaning back slightly ”I see. My hopes stand with the crown, as always, though I wonder how far this rot has spread. Ormund’s widow has dug in deep, and if rumors are to be believed, she has not surrendered hope.”

Alpheo’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. ”Hope is a powerful thing, my lord, but it does little good when steel is at your throat”

Lord Damaris shifted in his seat, his gaze now steady on Shahab and Alpheo. His tone was measured but carried a faint hint of apology. ”You speak truly, sir....still I hope you may forgive me for prying further into your campaign, but reports have reached me that Ormund’s widow has taken extreme measures in the lands surrounding Confluendi. Entire villages have been emptied of all provisions—food, livestock, anything that could sustain an army. She has left the countryside barren. It seems you may find it difficult to maintain a steady food supply for your men.”

Alpheo, sitting with a calm expression, tilted his head slightly. His voice was casual but held an underlying sharpness. ”Are you offering to aid us in solving that particular problem, my lord?For if that was true , we would be certain to remember of this kindness”

A small, knowing smile played across Lord Damaris’ lips as he leaned back in his chair. ”I would be more than happy to offer assistance, of course. Her Majesty’s cause is a righteous one, and I would gladly aid it. ’’

Shahab, ever the cautious diplomat, raised an eyebrow as he considered the offer. His voice was polite but edged with curiosity. ”And would such generous help come with a price, my lord?”

Lord Damaris’ smile deepened, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. ”In these times, one rarely gives without expecting something in return. But I’m certain we can come to a mutual understanding that will benefit all of us.”

Shahab’s expression remained steady, though his eyes glinted with sharp curiosity as he leaned slightly forward. ”Namely what, my lord?” he asked in a voice that was both cautious and commanding.

Lord Damaris did not hesitate. ”Alenholm, Vernith, Jaskor, and Theonport,” he replied smoothly, listing the names of four cities with precise deliberation.

Shahab frowned slightly, shaking his head. ”Those cities belong to lords sworn to Ormund’s house, and they have all declared neutrality since his death. It would not be wise to infringe on their lands. ”

Lord Damaris’ face did not betray much, but his eyes darkened slightly. ”Those lords aided Ormund in his rebellion, and their owners are now under arrest in the royal capital. Seized lands should belong to those who stand loyal to the crown,” he said smoothly, though his underlying ambition was clear.

Shahab responded without missing a beat. ”They were pardoned for their actions by her grace, and you know that well. This is not about loyalty, Damaris. You’re interested in gaining access to the river without passing through Confluendi’s fiefdoms, aren’t you?Your previous talks about that issue with Ormund did not end well , isn’t that right?”

Lord Damaris paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. He said nothing, and the silence stretched for a moment.

Seeing that the lord had no immediate retort, Shahab continued with a more calculating tone. ”We can add some conditions to this deal. You may claim in vassalage Alenholm and Vernith, and your lords will be made to swear not to tax any convoy coming from their liege, which would be you, of course’’

Lord Damaris leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming with an edge of skepticism. ”You speak of deals and concessions, Lord Shahab, but do you have the power to back up your words? Or are we merely entertaining fantasies of what could be?”

Shahab, unfazed by the challenge, met Damaris’ gaze with steady confidence. ”We do,” he replied firmly, ”but to justify such requests to Princess Jasmine, we will need more than words. Troops will need to march in her name, and your house will need to stand in support.Also you will be asked to support 500 men worth of food for at least two months. Only with that can we can make this arrangement beneficial to all as I am sure Jasmine’s generosity will be more than ample regarding the first lords to aid her cause....”

Damaris considered Shahab’s words for a moment, his calculating gaze shifting between the gathered men. Finally, with a slow nod, he spoke. ”Very well. I will send 300 troops, led by my son. Their swords will march alongside yours, I will just need a week to form them”

Before Shahab could respond, Alpheo interjected, his tone cool and measured. ”I trust, Lord Damaris, that your son understands the command structure for this campaign. I’ve been given the position of commander by her grace, and I expect he will take orders from me as he would from any superior officer.”

Lord Damaris glanced at Alpheo, his expression unreadable for a moment ”I will inform my son of the chain of command. He will follow your lead, Ser Alpheo.” The words appeared to sound sour to the lord’s lips, as his face hardened a bit as they flew out from his mouth.

Still that was a secondary matter, as deep down Lord Damaris was satisfied with the deal, since with it his long-standing dream to gain access to the Rioèn river was reached. Finally allowing him to exempt his caravans from many of the taxes required by the lord of Confluendi to pass through it.