264 Invasion

The carriage pulled through the streets of Holm. William was on his horse beside with his hound tailing behind.

The first thing Leopold noticed was the streets. The wide streets of Holm were made of some smooth dark stones that was unbroken unlike cobbles. It was like wood but black and and made of stone. The wheels of the carriage glided through it like a ship in the ocean.

Maybe I could ask that old coot Edmund what this street is made of. Nirvana could use streets like this, Leopold thought but abandoned it after. It would probably cost a lot anyway. Vanadians love their luxury.

"First time here?" William asked, not turning a head to him. It was alright though. At least he was talking to him. Gone was Leopold's expectation of a tearful reunion with his son.

"Yes. The streets are weird."

"And good. Holm is famed for having the best when it comes to comfort."

Leopold stared at the road. He lifted his head after and examined his son.

"Are you happy here? Regarding your task. I've heard what happened to you all those years. Silverback huh? I should have known back then. Maybe you wouldn't have left."

"It's all in the past. Silverback too is all in the past. I am not Silver anymore. And I would have left anyway."

"Because of me right?"

William was silent.

Yes, because of me. You left because I am a disgusting person.

The silence continued until they entered through another gate of a large building. It must be the palace of Holm. Leopold again felt little against the grandiose decorations. The walls were thin but shaped with intricacy. It was curving in some areas. The moat had fishes swimming in it. It was clean as if you could drink the water. Edmund owes him some expensive wine.

Leopold, Rupert, William and- strangely- Wasp were escorted into the grand hall. William pushed the double door and Edmund's quivering face met them.

"Leopold?" Edmund rose from one of the chairs by the long table. "Why... why are you here!?"

"Is that how you greet the father of the husband of your daughter?" Leopold grinned.

Edmund's expression remained. "You shouldn't have come here. You should leave. Now!"

"I have just traveled for days in a creaky carriage matched with Rupert's nagging. They say Holm offers the best comfort. Let me taste that comfort. My old bones are aching."

Edmund trudged to him. He shook Leopold's shoulders. "You don't understand! The Wismarines. They.. they are sailing here!"

Leopold's grin retreated. He thought to confirm what he heard from Edmund but he was certain of the words.

The Wismarines are coming.

"What do you mean they are sailing here?" William asked.

Edmund walked away to the table, rubbing his forehead. His long silk robe dragged against the floor. "A pigeon arrived from Southport. They reported the Wismarine armada sailing to the mouth of the Bay of Hundred Islets."

When Edmund turned back, a letter was on his hand. The broken seal was read. Edmund handed he letter to William.

"How many ships?" Leopold asked, trying to quell his disbelief.

"Three hundred and fifteen" William raised his chin from the letter. "We must rally all the Vanadian legions now."

"I already called them here. All five and even the mercenaries. Also the ones under training. But it won't suffice. We Vanadians are not famed for our army."

"And how long do we have before they arrive here?" William asked.

"Two days. The forts scattered around the Bay of Hundred Islets would give us time."

William grunted something while Leopold trudged to one of the chairs and let his butt fall on it. Two days to prepare the defenses of Holm. It was a difficult task.

"And why would they directly attack Holm?" William asked. "This is bad trade. Attacking a city as deep in our territory as Holm is suicidal"

"To make a statement I guess. When I was warring against you and Timothy I actually thought of capturing this city. It would lower the morale of our people and that is disastrous since Timothy had built himself to be undefeated. The people view the Union as an unstoppable beast. That belief would shatter if the capital of Vanadis was captured. Anyway we shouldn't think much about their purpose. We should worry about our problem. We need reinforcements. All reinforcements we can get. Three hundred fifteen ships equals to how many soldiers?" He looked at William.

"It depends on the composition. Transport galleys can hold more than two hundred while wargalleys can accommodate a hundred. Omniscient. That is a lot"

"And they are not green levies. These are professional soldiers. They are Wismarines" Leopold added. "We badly need reinforcements. I mean no disrespect but the walls of Holm is trash."

"I know." Edmund said. "But where can we get reinforcements?"

"The Vanadian warships are just sitting in Calgari. Call them here."

"They are not just sitting. They are guarding our conquered territories. And I have already sent for them. It will take two weeks to bring them here though. By the time they arrive, we are all rotting on the ground." Edmund said.

"We have other options" Leopold scratched his beard. "Grand Master Henry is in Nirvana when I left."

"Nirvana is too far and he might already have left" William said, leading Wasp to the seats but did not sit. His son shook his head. "We cannot count on the knights and the Tulosan allies."

"What about Greenwater?"

"Sixteen galleys" Leopold said. "Unfortunately the Lady of Greenwater is lacking manpower to sail. We will ask for Greenwater's help anyway. It will not be enough. Which leaves us one thing." He looked at Edmund.

"Borondi"

"Your son is Ambassador to Borondi right? And Borondi has promised us their friendship"

"Their friendship, not their alliance. And Arthur..." Edmund sighed. "It's not that I don't trust his abilities. But you know... it's Arthur."

"Nevertheless we must hope on Borondi and Greenwater to helping us."

Edmund sat in front of him. "Thank you for your suggestion. Truly we are thankful. But Leopold, you must go."

"Go?"

"Yes, go. I am needed here because I am acting monarch. William is also needed because he is the head of the Vanadian legions. For your safety you should go back to Nirvana."

"He is right sire" Rupert spoke at last. "This is a terrible time for a visit."

Damn right it is terrible, Leopold thought. But will you have me go back to Nirvana while my son is defending against a Wismarine invasion force? Cruel. This is cruel. One of my sons is in Wismar, deep behind enemy territory. The other will soon defend a city. I can't remain idle you coot.

"No" Leopold said. "I will stay here. I could help in some ways."

"Do not be stubborn." William said. "Go back to Nirvana."

Leopold rose, dragging the chair loudly. "Send the letters for plea Edmund. As for you." He looked at William. "Prepare the defenses of the city."

He walked toward the door with Rupert.

"Where are you going?" William asked from behind.

"Lying and scheming and making false promises. Things I do best." He said as he exited.

***

City State of Borondi

Arthur was smiling as he went out of the establishment. That was good. Though he could only see half, what he saw was beautiful.

He walked the street of Borondi, almost hopping. Life was a pleasant gift. Passersby regarded him with weird looks though he didn't really care.

"That was a poor choice" A voice almost made his heart jump out.

Arthur held his chest and glared at Vice Duke Ventil.

"Stop doing that" Arthur said. "And why do you care?"

The Vice Duke was a tall man of his age. His face was thin though his arms were thick with strength. Ventil liked to wear splendid tight soldier uniform but he was currently in a bland tunic.

"Well I don't really care about your habits." Ventil said. "It's just, my father would be disappointed if he gets word that the ambassador of the Union went to a brothel."

"Let me be clear with you" Arthur turned his good eye toward the Vice Duke. "That wasn't a brothel. The establishment offered spa and massage."

"And they offered you some happy memories for a little payment."

"No! I am a pure man. I didn't..." Arthur lowered his head. "Please don't tell the Duke"

"I won't, unfortunately. His heart is weak that he might croak if he finds out that pure Prince Arthur is actually dabbling in some murky acts."

"Thank you" Arthur heaved a sigh. "So why are you here? You are not spying on me are you?"

"Hardly" Ventil snorted. "There is a letter for you. Red sealed and from your father I think."

"And why do you have my letter?"

"Security purposes, nothing more . Don't worry." Ventil handed him the letter. The seal was red and the figure was that of a pelican with one two wings folded.

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Arthur broke the seal and read the words written. He paled. He trembled.

"I need all your ships and your whole army!" He almost shouted to Ventil.