204 Escaped

The day was high when Erik finally saw the city of Stonerider at the distance. Behind him were the Castonians and the knights. Several tribes in the Great Plains joined them on their way and many more were seeking place in their camp each day. The whole region of the Great Plains was in rebellion against Balian and they all met here, outside Stonerider.

The walls of the large city were wooden, of the light and soft type as even wood was being imported in the Great Plains. The walls do not span the whole circumference of the city though as half of Stonerider was adjacent to the lake which also serves as its primary source of water.

"Maybe we could build boats to attack from the lake" Henry said to Erik.

"We could if we have wood but we used most of the wood in building the fort. What little wood we have should be used to build rams and ladders. I would have wanted an assault from the lake though" Erik said, half serious "It would be a first"

"I have read about a siege..." Henry looked into the horizon "I forgot the name. But it includes boats"

"Siege of Ciet" Erik answered, remembering the time Timothy's interest when both of them learned about the siege from history books many years ago "But that was a river. The City of Ciet doesn't have walls on the side adjacent to the river so the Lutanis built boats to cross the river instead of attacking their walls. That whole affair saw it that cities are now walled even if a river or a lake protects one of its sides. But it seems Stonerider didn't hear of the news"

"Interesting"

"Is that all?"

"What?"

"Interesting" Erik repeated what Henry said "When Timothy and I were still at the palace of Nirvana, we were mentored with the other noble children. Timothy was smart and one of his favorite topics was history. When he learned about the siege of Ciet, Timothy was ecstatic. That night he dragged me from my bed into the library. He told me, 'The Lutani General thought himself as smart by building boats but he lost almost half of his army in taking Ciet. If that was me, Ciet would have fallen sooner and with less blood'. I laughed at his arrogant claim until he drew me a plan that includes redirecting the river. My laughter died as I realized it could have worked. But being myself I didn't praise him back then. I asked, 'What if that was a lake? It's easy to redirect a river because it flows but a lake can't be drained'. You know what his reply was? He said, 'I have a plan but I'll make it a secret until you have yours. We would then compare ours and see who have the better one'. I never thought that I would use the siege plan we had back then for real"

"You have a colorful childhood"

"Indeed I have. But the siege plan we are going to follow is Timothy's"

Henry heaved him a confused look. As if a sudden understanding, he then smiled "Because his is better?"

"I hate to admit but yes" Erik chuckled "I bet he'll laugh once he read of my report"

The city grew bigger as they approached. After reaching the one-league distance from Stonerider, Erik ordered the Castonians to present to the front and the knights to screen the surrounding for any signs of traps and ambushes.

His host was still on the process of forming when Henry pointed at the city. "White flag"

"White flag?" Erik looked to where Henry was pointing. A man was waving a white flag on top of the wall.

"Maybe Balian has been ousted by the citizenry"

"No" Erik shook his head "Balian is as ruthless as he is sly. He's would slaughter every breathing being inside the city before they slaughter him"

"Maybe Balian is tired. The Omniscient must have touched his heart into goodness"

Erik looked at Henry.

"What?" Henry asked with a grin.

"Nothing. Well there might not be a siege after all. A shame" Erik pulled the reins of his mount and trotted "Let's see first what really happened"

They were met by five horsemen halfway to the city walls. Their colors were Calgarian. Their horses were thin and lean. Unlike the muscular horses of the knights, these horses were bred for endurance.

"We surrender" said the Calgarian "We don't want blood. Take us as prisoners"

"Prisoners. Yea, soon. But I want to talk to the person with the highest rank"

"I am that. My name is Prefect..."

"Where is Balian?" Erik looked around "Tell him that we will grant amnesty for some of his crimes so long as he cooperates. Enough blood has been spilled. Let us put an end to this war"

"Balian and all of his knights fled" There was anger in the Calgarian's voice "They left two nights ago. Fools and sissies all of them. Balian ordered me and my men to hold Stonerider for as long as possible but I'm having none of that nonsense. We surrender"

Erik should be joyed by the Calgarian's words but he wasn't. He never thought that Balian accepted defeat so much as to just cut his infantry and escape with his cavalry. It was a mistake on his part.

"He is escaping but he could attack Emily on his way" Henry said the obvious part.

"Emily could just board the Vanadian ships and be safe on the other side of the river. Once she gets word of Balian's approach she would retreat" Erik looked at Henry, frown deep. The truthfulness of his guess slowly vanished "Dammit she's going to hold the fort, isn't she?"

"That's likely. She is grumpy and impatient"

Erik steered his horse towards the Calgarians "Surrender fast. Me and my lads still have a moody Queen to reinforce"

**********

The wobbly movements of the wagon woke Shirley from her sleep. She opened her eyes. The grimed canvas swayed with every movement of the wagon. Immediately she formed a grimace due to her aching back.

Some nights ago, they hurriedly left Stonerider. She and the other hostages were forced into a wagon. The wagon was dark and she longed for sunlight.

"So you have been trying to blade my neck since the beginning!?" a hushed but agitated voice said.

With a turn of her body, Shirley saw that it was King Brice. He was frowning towards Captain Rain.

"You killed my wife!" replied Captain Rain in a more hushed voice but the anger was burning like a furnace.

"She was a serf. I did not mean for her to die! I was also drunken that time!"

"And you took my child, my daughter! I have long wanted to wet my hands with your dirty blood. Every time I look at your neck- pulsing, breathing- I would imagine the worst possible way I could make my justice"

"Then make it now" King Brice leapt closer but was restricted by the chain "I am nothing. I have nothing. Your child is currently the Queen of Tulosa"

"You..." Captain Rain tried to lunge but was also stopped by his own chains.

Shirley rolled her eyes. Can't those two lower their voices a bit? The bumpy ride was punishment enough. Their arguments irritated her.

"Not very good travelling companions right?" Said Priestess Seymore beside her, also in chains.

"But I do believe Captain Rain's anger is understandable" Shirley's mother said "Many people of higher authority have abused their power"

"Yes, but Captain Rain should have dealt his revenge a long time ago. The Great Rider permits his wronged children the gift of justice. Shedding of blood will not make the Great Steed neigh" said another voice. This time it belonged to Earl Kolla of Stonerider. He pointed to his scar which runs wide on his face. White tissue replaced the broken skin "A Baron once drunkenly killed my horse once. By law of the Great Plains, he should have paid a huge fine or lost three fingers. A horse's blood is sacred. But you know what he did? He spitted on the ground near my foot. I took my sword and challenged him to a duel. He died and I lived"

"I don't think that's a fair comparison Earl Kolla" Priestess Seymore smiled "Captain Rain lost his wife and had his child taken while you only lost a horse. Anyway, I think I know why Captain Rain held his revenge at bay for many years. It's because of his daughter. Isn't that right Captain Rain?"

Captain Rain, calmer now than a few moments ago when he was fuming, angled his look towards the Priestess.

"That is right. If I killed this pig then, there would again be chaos. Other noble families still desire the crown. Naturally, Emily would be dragged into the conflict being this pig's heir. And so I gritted my teeth and just watched her grow"

"And did you tell her?"

Captain Rain lowered his head "I don't have the courage, no"

"See? He is also a coward just like me. He can't even tell his daughter!" King Brice mocked again.

Captain Rain burned King Brice with his look. Mouth twitching he warned, "When I'm out of here, I will put a thousand arrows on your back!"

The wagon stopped. Shirley looked around for a reason for the stop. She put her eyes next to the canvas cover of the wagon but it was too thick for her to see through.

An armored knight swathed the flap of the wagon. Beams of sunlight glared Shirley's eyes. The knight removed the visor of his helm. It was Balian.

"I hope my treatment of you is not too rough" Balian greeted.

"Where are we?" It was Queen Sharon who asked. The wrinkled woman produced a smile "You are running away, aren't you? Your enemies are pursuing you"

"A man must live" Balian replied "I admit that I have been defeated but this won't be forever. As long as I live, I could return yes?"

"What do you want traitor?" King Brice sneered.

"Hurtful words" Balian pressed his hand against his chest "Well Marquis Erik and..." He looked at Shirley and her mother "Henry are better at making war than what I expected. I have been defeated and on the retreat. But fear not for I haven't lost hope yet. I still have a thing or two hidden under my sleeves"

"And one of those things is us?" Priestess Seymore asked

"Yes" Balian replied. He pointed at Queen Sharon and King Brice "Specifically them"