A Tale of Blades & Blood-Chapter 33: Ten Towns [Part 1]

[Loreys' Point of View...]

The walls at the Aely were nothing compared to Ten Towns. The large city ruled by Lord Aesos of House Leoan, brother of the hand of the king, was divided into ten districts, just as the stories before had recalled. Each district had its own purpose, contributing uniquely to the benefit of the city and its fortress stationed in the middle of it all.

The fortress in the middle was large, reaching higher than the Aely's keep, with plenty of towers and a moat surrounding it, filled with water with a long drawbridge situated between its main gate and the gatehouse of the inner walls. The keep in itself was surrounded by two walls, the outer wall that separated it from the districts, and the inner wall protecting it even further. The inner one was thicker and more fortified, with round towers and fortifications for archers on them, ready to defend.

The keep had a large bell tower, with three bells of gold atop it. The three bells of the north, I thought, the bells that ring when war arrives... the bells that ring when peace is made... the bells that ring when it has to ring.

The first district specialized in trade, with colorful merchant stands to accompany the bright spring sun that pierced through the thick snow clouds in the sky. Even from where we stood, the merchant carriages and carts roamed the streets, with plenty of men and women wearing colorful hats to compliment their district's culture.

The second district specialized in agriculture, with it mainly composed of fields of growing wheat, orange carrots, and greens that sprouted nicely, giving them a lush landscape while still being in the cold and damp Weslands. Their houses were of stone, and their roofs were most tiles, but some had straw for their roofs, fashioned with red and yellow designs that pleased the eye.

The third specialized in livestock, with animals wandering around their fields, with leashes tied to their necks by shepherds and farmers. Sheep were most abundant among the district, with white, black, and occasionally, green coats keeping them warm. Their houses were few in number, but large in size to accomodate for the wide fields of snow-covered grass.

From where we stood, all we could hear were the doves. Plenty flew at this time of spring, most fleeing to the north to avoid the heat of the coming summer. The songbirds were also present, singing harmonies that pleaded for their mates.

Soon enough, the bells on the keep's towers began to sound. Three large, golden bells ringed in exchanging harmony, each with a different tone. The first's was high, the second was lower, and the third was the deepest of them all. The very melody sent shivers in my back as they rang on.

This is war... I thought to myself, the bells have rung...

Soon, the people of TenTowns retreated to the safety of their homes. Others took up spears and armor and made their way to the walls. The banner of House Leoan and House Ballister rose around the city in unison, with the goat in the middle of the red and yellow banners wielding a spear, and the dog in the center of the red and blue banner growling instead of sitting. The proud men of the north paled when they saw the twenty thousand men that were in front of them... some doubted they could win... or even escape.

From behind us, the twenty thousand men got themselves ready for the impending assault. This was the second day. Only six more days remained before the armies at Ale Hall would arrive to our aid. My men... I thought, my men will arrive soon. The armies of the east were armed at the ready, with yellow and brown designs of stags and hounds embedded on their breastplates. Each man held either a spear or a sword, with only some opting to have the hammer to wield.

From my side, rode Rolen on his stallion, high and mighty in front of his men. "You plan to starve these people... how the fuck are you going to do that?" he asked, smiling with pride and bloodlust towards the city.

"They have less men..." I reminded him, "...they certainly can't face us, so we wait them out. We let nothing go in or out. We will surround the city." I answered, observing the city as the walls began to be manned.

"And the Old Gate's men..." he added, "...how are you planning to take those fuckers down when they have the upper hand?"

"The north is still gathering men..." I told him, "...their banners are not fully raised yet and they never will... I made sure of it." I said with confidence. All thanks to a friend in the north...

His expression took on a dumbfounded look. "You made sure of it... how? How in the hell did you manage to set them back on gathering their armies? What the fuck did you do-"

"An ill-minded king is not able to lead to lead an army..." I told him, "...you've seen it in the boy lord- Folius... a poisoned cunt king who can't even lead anymore- held up by the competency of his Elite Bannermen-"

"Poison..." he muttered, shaking his head, "...I know it all to well-"

"So far as their king in the north is incarcerated, the gears of the kingdom will continue to rust, slowly turning to nothing but-"

"Dust." he completed, his smile gone and his expression grim.

"Yes... dust." I whispered with a soft smile, looking back to the men that awaited the commands. "When you see these men... what comes to your mind?" I asked him. "What do you see in their soul?"

He scoffed and shaked his head. "I don't know..." he began, "...a bunch of fighters? A bunch of... angry cunts charging to a castle? A band of grown boys with a dream of vengeance-"

"No, no... not those..." I told him, "...tell me what you see within them... the very structure of their souls." I said with a curious tone, squinting my eyes looking out unto the cities blissful streets.

"All I see are fucking soldiers..." he replied, "...soldiers that follow orders and are always ready to die when I say they die-"

"What about a human?" I asked. "You talk as if these men are machines... what about their humanity- their fear, terror, and bloodlust -can't you see it?"

For a second, he paused. "What kind of talk is this?" he scoffed. "This is bloody war, Loreys- this is no time for shitty philosophies and ideals-"

"I'm telling you to treat your men like men..." I told him loudly, "...ever since we marched in the Muddy Marshlands, you have said nothing to them but cruelty and disgust... how will they see you as a true leader- a true lord... when you can't see who they are within?" I asked him, my tone littered with concern. Slowly, I raised my hand and rested it on his shoulder.

"Cruel..." he echoed, "...I've been too fucking cruel- is that what you're telling me? Do you think it's loyalty that keeps these armies together- do you? No! It's fear and cruelty-"

"You've been to distant." I replied. "It's as if they are mere pawns in a game in your eyes... but you should treat them like how you treat yourself... as a human- as a living soul who fears, who misses, who cries, who bleeds, who fights with bravery!" I exclaimed, my hand bringing the weight on his shoulders as he contemplated.

"I'm a fucking man of House Berros... we can't help but be cruel..." he began, "...I can't promise you anything but I'll try and be... kinder." the word made him shrug.

I gave him a subtle smile. "Don't die, friend..." I told him, "...together, we make it out alive... swear it."

"I swear by the fucking gods I do... friend."

Behind us, the armies awaited restlessly. The twenty thousand were divided into groups of a thousand, who were divided into groups of a hundred, then, to fifty. It is time... I thought, for the righteous to bring justice to the hands... of the sinful.

Slowly, I raised my sword, freeing it from my sheath, letting it glimmer brightly as the sun gloriously shined upon us its golden beam. "SOLDIERS!" I exclaimed aloud. "SURROUND THE CITY!!!" I commanded, my voice echoing in the air.

I turned my horse and rode to the left flank, where I would lead the ten thousand men. Rolen would lead the right flank as we slowly encircled the city. The bannermen who led the groups of hundreds and thousands repeated the same commands to their men, giving out orders to move or stop. The yellow and orange banners stood out in the white and green snow as they moved ever so nicely to surround the city.

The sound of their steps spread doubt across the faces of the few men in the city. Ever so slowly, the pride on the faces of the archers diminished to boldness, with others gripping their bows tighter out of subtle fear. The bells continued to ring, but even they became silent. The sky parted, as if the wave of sunlight came in like a flood. Winter was over. The green spring will soon end. The Yellow and Orange Summer has arrived.

As the men unfolded, the city was soon encapsulated. Keeping out of the range of their archers, our men surrounded the city by noon. I could see Rolen, riding across the front lines as the men gave a loud chant of "DEATH TO THE NORTH!" as he raised his sword.

To my men, I did the same.

The ten thousand that surrounded the south side of the city was under my command, and all gazed upon my form with both anticipation and admiration. With a heavy breath, I turned my horse and faced them. "Where are the men of the east!?" I asked loudly, facing them with my helmet open. "Where are the soldiers that shall avenge their forefathers and their lands!?" I asked once more.

In unison, the soldiers let out cries and screams, both of bravery and terror. "Men of the east! I call on you all!" I exclaimed loudly. "Who shall serve the just hand of the Winged God and the Three Men but the righteous!? Who will testify that he has served them well!?" I asked them, my voice booming across the plains and through forests alike.

"THE MEN OF THE EAST!" they answered, clashing their spears with their shields in defiance.

"If you truly say that is the truth!" I began, "Men of the east! Will you gather on your arms and march on your enemies!? Will you raise the banners of the Aely and crumble the walls of this city and take it in the name of justice and glory!?"

The men answered, "GLORY! HONOR! PRIDE!"

"Who will bring the traitors to the sword!? Who will trample the riches of the wealthy and tear their clothes to rags!? Who are they- these brave men -who shall bestow among these wretched men the power of blades and blood!?"

The men gave answered, "THE RIGHTEOUS! THE JUST SOULS!"

"When they call you mad and barbaric, what will you answer!? When they say that they control the north as they march upon us, what will you answer!? When your enemies mock you and call your lords weak and your gods mummers, what will you cry to them in response!?"

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Once more, the men answered. Some in the crowd exclaimed- "DIE! IN THE NAME OF THE WINGED GOD!" Others would go on to answer- "PERISH IN THE NAME OF THE KING, THE WARRIOR, AND THE SCRIBE!" Then, there were those who cried- "BURN IN ETERNAL DAMNATION IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE!"

The men atop the wall showed persistence and defiance, their eyes wide and their bows ready, some shaking ever so subtly, their arrows tilting and their bows shivering in the cold.

I gather my breath for one last question to ask. With a heavy heart, the words exit my mouth as if horn was blown. "WHAT DO WE HAVE TO SAY TO THESE MEN, WHO DEFILED US OUR WEALTH FOR THEIR WINE!?"

As if my voice was heard in the northern part where the other ten thousand stood, they joined in the call. In unison, the soldiers cried aloud- "DEATH! DEATH! DEATH BE UPON YOU!!! VENGEANCE! VENGEANCE! VENGEANCE IS OURS!!! WAR! WAR! OUR WAR IS WON!!!"

Together, not as soldiers, but as brothers fighting for a cause, the men cried and rejoiced. While the defenders held their ground, so did us. If they were bold and brave, we were braver, standing in defiance against the terror in our hearts. If those men who aimed at us hate us for killing their king, we stand here clinging to the only thing we could after they defiled us our honor and prestige: A Dream of Vengeance.

In my head, only a saying echoes louder and louder.

Fear is something all boys have, but courage is something the men acquire.