Chapter 59: Waning Blood

Chapter 59: Waning Blood

Warning: Heavy Chapter!

Waning Blood

Korelia Plains

The skirmish between Sir Arius’ column and Korelia had ended. The fight only lasted less than an hour, but it was hard fought. However, it ended inconclusively after the Korelia side resorted to fire tactics to disengage.

Against the dried summer grass, fire grenades worked wonders to create a fire barrier between them. With fire roaring, both columns withdrew to lick their wounds.

The inconclusive result didn’t prevent the Coalition from claiming it as their victory. Sir Arius was paraded by his knights in celebration as they returned to their main formation.

Sir Arius’ victory stabilized the South Hills column in the north, which had endured casualties from Lansius’ surprise cavalry attack. Now they stood in formation with renewed spirit.

They had beaten back the Korelian column and survived the surprise attack. There was nothing else their opponent could do.

Things had very much turned in the Coalition’s favor once again. Even the fire that the Korelian had started didn’t last. The blaze smoldered once the strong southern wind blew them into the foot of the hill.

With the fire settled, if they wanted, the Coalition could launch another assault, but that was probably what the enemy had wanted. So, Arius calmed his staff and simply waited for the enemy to make a wrong move.

The young leader knew he had won enough to boost their morale, and it was risky to ask for more.

Out here in the field, the result of Korelia’s ambush in the forest remained unknown. While it was decisive, the Korelian side had committed almost all their forces. What remained at their disposal was only Audrey’s twenty light cavalry and the questionable nomadic cavalry.

Meanwhile, the strength of the Coalition was still at 5,800 men. The Korelian charge had only dented their numbers.

On paper, with such a big disparity in numbers, Korelia’s light cavalry wouldn’t stand a chance. Especially against Korimor’s troops, which were still fresh, ready, and willing.

The birds of prey had arrived in droves, smelling meat on the battlefield. No longer circling in the sky, they had busied themselves engorging the abundance of carrion.

Propelled by this sorry sight, men from both sides had volunteered to retrieve their own dead. However, with both sides armed with crossbows, there was a real risk and danger involved.

Midday was yet to come, but hundreds had already paid the ultimate price. Once again, the southern wind blew fiercely toward the Korelia plains.

***

Lansius

Several men, including Sir Harold, helped Lansius mount his horse. The destrier was lucky to only be bruised and not injured. Her mood seemed to improve once Lansius was back in the saddle. “Easy girl, easy...”

She had thrown Lansius in panic, but could hardly be blamed. Who would’ve thought that a mage-knight would be blocking their way?

Some bad luck...

Stinging pain still lingered from Lansius’ nose and lips. Despite the thick padding on his helmet, both were bloodied from the fall. But they were considered cosmetic damage. The real pain came from his left wrist. Even in a sling, it throbbed.

Using his hips, Lansius gently spurred the destrier forward, and his cavalry, watching their Lord, also moved out, planning to return to the open fields.

There was no hurry in their movement. Lansius was using the sun to his advantage, keeping the enemy waiting under the direct summer sun in full armor, a tactic that was beneficial to his side. Thus, he purposely kept his pace slow.

This slow pace also allowed information to reach them; his scouts had reached out and reported the conditions outside the forest.

“How’s the battle between Sir Justin and the Coalition?” asked Lansius.

“The battle is over, My Lord. We saw fire, and both sides retreated,” replied the scouts as they walked.

Lansius nodded. “Any changes in the Coalition’s formation in the field?”

“Nothing changed, My Lord.”

“They’re quite stubborn,” commented Sir Harold, Lansius’ temporary cavalry commander.

Lansius gathered his thoughts for a moment before saying to the scout, “Get some rest, but tell your men to keep watch around Calub’s position and the hostages. I want no surprises.”

“Understood, My Lord.” The scout then ran toward the forest to inform his men.

The cavalry continued their march. After the mage knight debacle, Harold had put more men to protect their Lord.

“My Lord, not to be nosy, but may I ask you a question?” said Sir Harold as they had time to kill.

Lansius nodded, so the knight continued, “Why don’t you just capture Lord Jorge?”

Lansius drew a deep breath. Since Harold wasn’t a member of the council, he hadn't been briefed on the full plan. “There are several reasons, but mainly, if we captured Lord Jorge, then the rest of the Coalition would fall under Lord Omin. And I don’t want them to be united,” he explained.

“Could such things happen? Won’t the Three Hills and South Hill simply back down?”

“Normally, that should happen,” said Lansius. “However, Lord Jorge’s reputation is so bad that their own nobles might use this opportunity to replace him. And I don't want to give them the pretext to do it.”

Sir Harold nodded; he had never thought about it.

“There’s also another reason.” Lansius continued, “Whether we capture Lord Jorge or not, it won’t affect our victory. It’s just a secondary long-term goal.”

Harold’s sharp eyes squinted while his lips grinned, hearing such an absurd claim. “The Lord of Three Hills is a secondary goal?”

Lansius nodded without hesitation. “For Korelia, the perfect victory is not about just defeating the enemy, but also forging a new alliance. For that to happen, I need Lord Jorge’s trust. That’s why I let him go, for now.”

“For now?”

Lansius looked at Harold and said, “Before this day is over, I reckon we’ll meet with Lord Jorge again.”

“That’s a bold statement, My Lord.”

Under the shade from the tall costard tree, Callahan’s breathing finally stopped. There was no longer strength in his grip. Pain no longer troubled the blond knight, whose eyes were now fixed on the sky. A faint smile touched his lips.

The lieutenant and anyone in the vicinity wiped tears from their faces. All who passed the place knelt and touched the fallen knight’s armor in a final gesture of respect.

As the knight who had successfully led the merchant caravan from Midlandia, and organized a refugee in his estate, Sir Callahan was respected and well-liked.

Calub closed the knight’s eyes. With that, the long lineage of House Callahan that stretched back into the second millennium came to an end. The knight’s great-great-grandfather had been a King in the north. Now, the unbroken line from father to son finally ended.

Just as foretold, the northern blood would wane in the south.

***

Lansius

An abrupt, cool wind blew over Lansius, causing the surrounding trees to whisper soothingly. It was pleasant enough that for a moment, Lansius forgot about his pained wrist.

“If I may, another question, My Lord,” Sir Harold asked again.

Since conversation put Lansius’ mind at ease, he agreed. “Speak.”

“Many are curious. Why haven’t you deployed Batu and his brethren?” asked Harold.

Lansius mulled for a moment. “Just how far can I trust you, Sir Harold?”

The knight tapped his breastplate twice proudly and said, “I may not look the part, but I never spill anyone’s secret. Not even when I’m drunk, because, after a bottle, it’s all gibberish.”

Despite his throbbing pain, Lansius chuckled at Harold’s answer. “You’ll be the only one to hear about this. So if this leaks out, then it’s on your head.”

The knight grinned. “I feel a bit threatened, My Lord, but also honored.”

Lansius motioned him to get closer, so Harold leaned closer as they rode side by side.

"Since you wished to know,” he whispered. “Frankly, I don’t want the nomads to contribute greatly to this war."

Harold knitted his brows. “Knowing you, My Lord, I doubt this is about honor or glory. So why?"

"If the nomads were to contribute significantly, everyone in Lowlandia would crave their assistance. I trust Batu as our ally this year, but what about in several years' time? Can we guarantee their loyalty?"

Harold began to comprehend his Lord’s line of thought.

Lansius continued, "Sadly, anyone, even tribesmen, are easy to be manipulated. Meanwhile, Korelia is naturally poor... Do you think the nomads would turn down offers of supplies and riches from the other Lords?"

“No, My Lord, that would be naïve,” Harold responded.

Lansius nodded slightly. He recalled how the Great Jin dynasty's poor handling of the Mongol issue eventually led to the rise of Genghis Khan.

He had planned a role for the nomads, but nothing that would thrust them into the limelight.

Harold still had lingering doubts. “But, My Lord, we’re at war with an uncertain outcome. Is it wise to hold back?”

"Hold back?" Lansius smiled as if amused.

"Many even expected you to unleash the nomads to raid the western army on their march."

"That's foolish." Lansius shook his head. "Tell me, Sir Harold, do you show your cards before the showdown at the gambling table?"

The knight unconsciously rubbed his chin. "Are you implying that the nomads are your ace card, My Lord?"

"Indeed. They're our reserve, and I can't afford to employ them recklessly. They're also the only hand unknown to the enemy."

"But, wouldn't a raid be beneficial to us?"

"Such a strategy would gain us little. It might delay the Coalition's arrival by two or three days, but a full day of rest would easily remedy that... Moreover, it would make them more cautious, which could jeopardize our ambush."

Sir Harold nodded deeply. Only now did he truly grasp the reasoning behind his Lord's actions.

"Only an overconfident man rushes towards a trap. That's what we need," explained Lansius. "To achieve that, Korelia needs to appear weak, insignificant, and non-threatening. Deploying the nomads would shatter the western Lords' illusion."

Intrigued, the knight asked, "So, can we win without deploying the nomads?"

"They'll have their roles, but right now, I am certain that we can achieve decisive victory without relying on them."

The revelation sent Sir Harold into a grin. “Now, I got to see just how Captain Audrey can win against six thousand with just twenty cavalrymen.”

“You’ll see. Unless the Ancients hate me or something... The conditions are all set,” said Lansius as they rode toward the open plains.

“But why go to this length for the nomads, My Lord?”

Lansius momentarily pondered before admitting, “I want more... I want Batu and his tribe as my strength. I refuse to let them become Lowlandia’s newest mercenaries for hire.”

Harold's eyes narrowed in thought. The answer reminded him of his masters, who had taught him sword and fencing styles. They, too, often approached things differently, finding unexpected solutions from new perspectives.

He felt the same way about Lord Lansius. The manner in which he not only foresaw a future problem but also used it to empower himself served as a reminder that he was more than an ordinary noble.

While Lansius felt he was merely providing answers, Harold was deeply impressed. The responses had satisfied his hunger for perfection. Under such a lord, he felt he would have the opportunity to refine his skills as a knight and fighter.

As they left the forest area behind, the summer sun shone down upon them. The knights and the standard bearer rode up to Lord Lansius and Harold's side.

"Carry on," Lansius ordered, "let's show them some of our magic tricks."

***