Chapter 99

Three Hills Visits

 

Three Hills

The Lord of Three Hills, Jorge, had summoned a war council to discuss the situation in Umberland. They had sent multiple armed parties to assess the situation. Jorge and his staff had personally little interest in the mountainous region, but now their survival depended on it.

If Umberland remained at the mercy of the Nicopolans, then thousands more armed refugees from Nicopola could arrive, with deadly consequences for Three Hills City.

"Our scouting group found Nicopolans camped in Ardia village," the Steward reported.

"That's close to our land. Do we know their number?" the Lord asked.

"The scouts believed it's almost a thousand."

Jorge drew a deep breath.

"Harvest is near; this could jeopardize everything," an old knight who was loyal to House Jorge lamented.

Sir Arius stepped forward. "I'll lead my contingent and the crimson knights to deter them from the village."

"The fame of the crimson knights might be enough to prevent the villagers from fleeing, but can we actually win the fight?" the old knight pondered.

Jorge gazed at Sir Morton, who replied, "If you wish, I could send a small contingent of Black Knights to accompany Sir Arius."

He nodded and walked to the large glass window. After observing the bustling cities below, he turned to his staff, asking with a hint of worry, "Do these Nicopolans really eat human flesh?"

The staff had no definitive answer.

Sir Arius, feeling the need to change the subject, asked the Steward, "What about the Lord of Korelia and Korimor? Any new report?"

The Steward hesitated for a moment. "We've received another report following the initial one, though I have my doubts about its accuracy. I'm waiting for further verification."

"What does the report say?" Jorge pressed.

"It indicates that the Lord of Korelia is advancing with a sizeable army."

This revelation caught everyone off guard. They had only recently heard of Lord Lansius' conquest of Korimor, a feat presumed to have involved a fierce battle against eight thousand Nicopolans, with Lansius commanding merely a thousand. His triumph in such a scenario seemed nothing short of miraculous.

"Could you repeat that?" Jorge asked, needing reaffirmation. Even he, who held Lansius in high regard, did not expect him to mobilize so soon after such a brutal fight.

"The Lord of Korelia is on the move," the Steward repeated and quickly added, "The report might be erroneous, though. Its contents are... hard to believe."

"What makes you think so?" inquired Sir Arius.

"The report claims the Lord of Korelia is leading over three thousand men, which seems exaggerated," came the response.

Instead of agreeing, Sir Arius flashed a grin and turned to the old knight beside him, who was once his mentor, "Do you think the Lord of Korelia might have incorporated the Nicopolans?"

The knight, with arms crossed, delved into deep thought. "It's a stretch, but not beyond the realm of possibility. He could have enticed them with promises of food or safety. However, the real challenges lie in how he would sustain them and the issue of their loyalty."

Sir Arius turned his gaze to Sir Morton, seeking his perspective.

Sir Morton, the Mage Knight, simply shrugged. "Incorporating former opponents into the ranks would require an overwhelming victory."

Reflecting on their last encounter in battle, Jorge let out a chuckle as he moved away from the window and returned to his seat. "That's precisely why he's the undisputed leader of this Grand Alliance," he mused thoughtfully.

The Steward implored, "My Lord, please, let's wait for confirmation."

Their discussion was abruptly cut short by the distinct sound of knocking. The door opened to reveal a weathered but unassuming figure, recognized as the head of their scouts. "My Lord, we've encountered the advance party of the Lord of Korelia. They assured us there's no cause for alarm. The Lord of Korelia plans to pass near Three Hills City to purchase winter gear," he reported.

He then added, "He'll be accompanied by a sizeable army and intends to encamp within a day's travel from the city to avoid causing any commotion. Still, we'll keep a vigilant eye on their movements."

Jorge barely concealed his amusement, shaking his head in disbelief. "He must be reading our minds," he commented, noting Lansius' apparent anticipation of their doubts.

Sir Arius and Morton were equally impressed by Lord Lansius' move.

The unassuming man discreetly took his leave, being unprivy to the ongoing discussion. Once he had departed, Jorge turned to his staff and inquired, "What should we do now?"

"Clearly, we must adhere to the etiquette befitting nobility. Let's extend an invitation and host a grand banquet in his honor," Sir Arius proposed.

"Any objections?" Jorge asked, turning his gaze towards the Steward, the old knight, and Sir Morton.

The three other staff members voiced no objections.

"What about Ardia village?" the Steward reminded the council.

"I'll go, but Sir Morton should stay," Sir Arius said. "Although I admire the Lord of Korelia, he's dangerous, and I want our Mage Knight close to My Lord at all times."'

Sir Morton gave a nod of acknowledgment as Lord Jorge inhaled deeply. "What difference does it make? If the rumors hold any truth, that man took Korimor in merely a staring contest. And now, he's triumphed over eight thousand with a mere thousand, also swelling his ranks to three thousand. What chance do we stand if he sets his sights on conquering us?"

His staff did not share Lord Jorge's nihilistic view, yet they shared his nervousness about the prospect of facing the Lord of Korelia again. The consensus was clear: he was far too formidable an adversary for direct combat. If one wished to challenge him, one would need to employ intrigue and uncover his weaknesses, and such strategies would undoubtedly require close proximity and time.

"If he could achieve so much with just a few hundred men... Now commanding three thousand, just imagine what he can achieve," Sir Arius observed thoughtfully.

"In that case, it would be prudent to divert his focus to Umberland," the old knight wisely suggested. Meanwhile, the Steward chose to withhold his opinion.

 

***

 

Three Hills, Lord Jorge

Five days had passed since they sent a messenger inviting Lord Lansius to the city. Sir Arius and his Crimson Knights had departed for Ardia village to counter the escalating Nicopolan activities. Today, the Lord of Three Hills attended the small council meeting. The Steward had swayed him into believing that Lord Lansius' army would only spell trouble for his domain.

"Even if harvest is as good as last year, we can only expect a marginal surplus. There won't be enough to feed thousands," the Steward stated.

Jorge leaned back in his chair. "I know that our granary is almost empty because of the last war, but there must be something we could do."

"My Lord, the city has only a little to spare," the Steward replied. They knew that the Lord wished to be supportive of Lord Lansius' cause. Yet, a sense of distrust lingered among them towards their supposed alliance leader, particularly regarding his abilities beyond the battlefield.

"What about trade?" the old knight tried to give counsel. With Sir Arius' absence, he was the only one who could, aside from the Steward. Sir Morton, though in attendance, seldom participated.

"After the fallout from the siege of Korelia, I doubt South Hill will be willing to assist us. Now, it depends on their merchants and whether they had enough harvest."

Jorge gazed thoughtfully at his Steward. The news of a significant Nicopolan presence within Lord Lansius' army had spread, sparking widespread fears that the approaching forces would either seek supplies or demand to purchase grain at low prices — both prospects equally worrisome.

Furthermore, with the harvest yet to begin, they anticipated that Lord Lansius' army might camp near the city, exerting pressure to meet their demands.

Like it or not, Jorge found these fears justified. Although he had grown to like and trust Lansius, his priorities lay with his domain. A famine could severely strain his rule, potentially even inciting dissent among his ranks. This concern was rooted in his past experiences; after all, it was precisely such circumstances that led to his loss of Korimor and South Hill. The haunting thought lingered in his mind that a similar fate might unravel his control over his last domain.

...

 

That very same day, an envoy accompanied by a squire from the Lord of Korelia arrived in Three Hills, bearing unexpected news.

"Lady Daniella!" Lord Jorge exclaimed, his surprise evident as he caught sight of her standing beneath the grand chandelier in the guest hall.

"My Lord, I'm relieved to see you well," Dame Daniella greeted warmly, recalling their time fighting under the same banner last season.

"The last I saw you was in the forest. I'm glad you made it out. How did you end up with the Lord of Korelia?"

"I wasn't captured. In fact, I was in Korelia when discussions about the Grand Alliance were underway. Now, I serve as the Lady of Korimor's knight captain."

Lord Jorge noticed the bright and good-looking squire behind her. Her change of allegiance unsettled him, yet he couldn't help but respect her rapid advancement, a testament to her new master's appreciation for talent and merit – qualities he cherished. Collecting his thoughts, he asked, "What message do you bring? Does it pertain to the invitation?"

"Yes, My Lord. The Lord of Korelia and the Lady of Korimor respectfully decline the invitation."

The reply took them by surprise. "But why? Where else will your Lord and Lady wait out the harvest if not in the city?" inquired the Steward. He had been hoping that they would stay in the city, separated from their army, which could potentially give Three Hills leverage over their decisions.

Dame Daniella responded with a smile. "My Lord believes that an army near a city creates unnecessary strain and tension. With the harvest not yet arrived in Three Hills, his appearance would only lead to price gouging and speculation, harming all parties, especially the community."

The Steward sighed in relief, realizing this was probably a good outcome. "Your Lord is wise to make such a decision," he acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Lord Jorge exchanged knowing glances with Sir Morton, who smiled faintly. Both were reassured of Lord Lansius' abilities.

"Pardon me," the old knight interjected, "You haven't answered: where will your Lord and Lady stay before the harvest?"

"My Lord, Lady, and the army aren't stopping," Dame Daniella revealed, causing a stir. She added, "They're heading south as we speak. I'm here to gather winter gear, spiced wine, and crossbow bolts."

"South? To South Hill?" Lord Jorge interjected.

"Yes, My Lord. They have unfinished business with the Lord of South Hill."

This left Lord Jorge and his staff dumbfounded. They were too focused on Umberland and their city.

"He has the pretext, but it's overly ambitious," the Steward protested. "What about Umberland?"

"The supplies are for Umberland," she explained.

"But you said they're marching to South Hill?"

"Yes, we expect quick results. The Lord and Lady likely celebrate the harvest festival in South Hill and then proceed to Umberland."

The Steward, caught off guard by the response, was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, Lord Jorge couldn't help but chuckle, deeming the idea audacious, almost to the point of absurdity. "Attacking South Hill and expecting a swift victory? That would be a jest if we weren’t talking about the Lord of Korelia," he mused, shaking his head in disbelief yet with undeniable fascination.

He continued, "I do hope Lord Lansius isn't biting off more than he can chew. Dame, must he not be weary from constant warfare? This would be, what, his third campaign this year? And now he's already plotting a fourth?"

"It's difficult to say," she responded thoughtfully. "The Lord of Korelia's victories, though hard-fought, only resulted in a small number of casualties."

The Lord of Three Hills nodded thoughtfully. "And what of his plan for South Hill?"

"Regrettably, I am not privy to that information. The Lord of Korelia is known for keeping his strategies close to the chest."

"I see..." Jorge nodded, acknowledging the careful nature of his ally.

"I am only aware of his plans concerning the upcoming grain deal," she disclosed.

"A grain deal?" the Steward interjected, his suspicions confirmed. "Are you intending to purchase grain to sustain the army?"

"After the harvest," she reassured him.

The Steward shot a glance at Daniella. "Even Three Hills doesn't produce such an excess. To buy enough grain to feed three thousand, essentially half a city's population through winter, would create an enormous burden."

Daniella turned to Sterling, prompting him to step forward. "As the personal squire of the Lord of Korelia, I must correct you, Maester. We are not here to beg for grain, but to offer assistance."

"Assistance?" the Steward responded with a hint of sarcasm.

"Pardon my directness," Sterling began, "but My Lord believes that, given the Nicopolans' strength and numbers, no nobleman in Lowlandia could single-handedly seize, fortify, and hold Umberland. Currently, we find ourselves in a precarious situation. Without additional support, even the spoils from South Hill would likely prove insufficient for the upcoming Umberland campaign."

This insight into Lord Lansius' thoughts captured everyone's attention. Lord Jorge gestured to the squire to continue with a wave of his hand.

"The Lord also confided that without the Grand Alliance, Three Hills would likely face costly wars against the Nicopolans alone. Thus, he trusts that his assistance will be welcomed with open arms. If this isn't the case, then I'll inform the Lord and Lady so they might reconsider their plan."

Lord Jorge exhaled deeply. While he was personally inclined to assist, Three Hills had limited resources to offer. Could he risk a famine to support Lansius in the Umberland campaign? Would his council even allow such a decision?

Not aiding Lansius might jeopardize their only chance against the Nicopolans' threat. Yet, supporting him risked inciting rebellion within his own ranks. Each option carried the risk of potentially catastrophic consequences.

Now, the fate of the Grand Alliance and Lowlandia hung precariously on Jorge's decision.

 

***