20demayo Chapter 104 Getting the hell in(1)
Chapter 104 Getting the hell in(1)
Chapter 104 Getting the hell in(1)
In a sunlit room overlooking the city of Yarkat, Talek, the young head of the garrison guard, took a rare moment to pause from his diligent work. The sunlight streamed through a narrow window, casting a warm yellow glow over the stone walls of his chamber. Son of a simple knight, he had risen to the influential position at a young age ,mainly from the relation between him and the prince. Despite this, he harbored a twinge of resentment. His father, Robert, the prince's right hand, was leading a campaign against Oizen, while Talek was left behind, commanding a city that seemed distant from the chaos of war.Would he not have been more useful on the front than here? He had wondered when his request to join the army was refused
With a deep sigh, Talek turned his gaze from the window back to his desk. He dipped his quill into a bottle of ink and resumed calculating the monthly costs for maintaining the garrison, alongside the budget for the city's fortifications, which required repairs once every five years.
The quiet of the room was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the door swinging open. A guard, breathless and with a note of excitement in his voice, stepped into the room. "Sir Talek, the army has returned! The vanguard reported their victory!"
Talek's eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and anticipation. He rose swiftly from his seat, the papers and ink forgotten as a broad smile spread across his face. "Victory!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. He swiftly gathered his cloak as he followed him out of the room.
Talek hurried down the winding stairs from his chamber, his heart pounding with excitement. As he emerged onto the parapets overlooking the city gate, he squinted against the bright sunlight to make out the scene unfolding below. His gaze fell upon a large, jubilant procession of soldiers bearing the banner of Prince Arkawatt, the colors fluttering proudly in the breeze.
Turning to the guards stationed by the gate, Talek's voice rang out with urgency. "Open the gate! Quickly!" he commanded, his tone firm .
The guards, catching the fervor in his voice, sprang into action. With creaking chains and the groan of heavy wood, the massive gate began to retract, revealing the soldiers and the banners of the prince in full view.
Talek descended the stairs two at a time, his mind racing with questions. He moved briskly through the bustling streets toward the entrance, eager to greet the returning troops and to learn the details of their victory. As he approached the front of the procession, he spotted the men leading the vanguard—those who had borne the brunt of the campaign and would have the freshest accounts of the battle.
Talek's heart sank . He glanced at the armed men now entering the city behind the stranger, grim-faced and clearly ready for blood. He knew that with the gate open there were only 100 men in the garrison to stop them , and from the looks of it , they were greatly outnumbered. Not even taking into consideration the fact they were spread throughout the city.While instead the army was right in the gate
Swallowing his pride, Talek obeyed. "Alright," he said through gritted teeth. "Men, throw down your weapons "
But as he complied, recognition dawned on him, the pieces finally coming together. The familiar face, the youthful edge in his voice. Talek's eyes widened in shock. "Wait—you're Alpheo," he spat out. ''You damn traitor!''
Alpheo's lips curled into a small, humorless smile. "I suppose in your eyes, that may look like it " he said, not lowering the blade. "But my contract with Prince Arkawatt was rendered null and void at the moment . I'm no longer bound by it, but don't worry I am not here to sack the city or anything else"
Talek's confusion deepened. "Then what are you doing here?''
Alpheo paused, lowering the sword slightly but not taking his eyes off Talek. " I simply came looking for a new job —with someone with more... sense than the late prince, after all I am still owed a debt "
Talek blinked, still trying to piece together the strange situation. "A job...?" He felt a hand seize him by the arm, one of Alpheo's men pulling him into custody.
"Asag, take him inside the wall to order the rest of the garrison to lower their weapon, go towards the left," Alpheo ordered as he turned to a man with a part of his face burnt, who simply nodded and took the hostage inside alongside fifty men. Alpheo's eyes then fell on Clio , "Take a hundred men and circle to the right," Alpheo ordered, his voice measured. "I want as many towers secured as possible, and do it quietly. Tell your soldiers to act like fresh recruits—blend in with the city's guards. Once you're inside, overpower the garrison, but keep the bloodshed to a minimum."
As Clio moved off with his troops, Alpheo turned his attention back to the rest of his force.
"The rest of you," Alpheo called out "we're taking a walk to the keep. Be prepared for anything—we'll be having a conversation with some important people, and things may get vivid."