Chapter 063:

Governor Eilis emerged, flanked by the white and green Qaiviel soldiers and Knights. The man was not very imposing; a short, fat waddling man, dressed in bright yellow, white and green pantaloons. A large white ruff around his oversized neck. His head was a balding light brown, his beard patchy and gray as copious beads of sweat rolled down his face. Every step seemed to be a serious effort for the man.

Beside him was a horse, a small but sturdy beast. Every few seconds Eilis looked up at the beast, and would say something to the soldiers accompanying him, only for them to shake their heads and hit with the butt of the spear to get him moving again.

Is he seriously try to ride his horse over here because he can't walk?

Behind him three large carts trundled along, a built up leather canopy covered their cargo. Anton was sure it contained whatever he decided he should flee with. Alongside those were people wearing the same style of clothes; two women, one clearly a mother and one a daughter, a young man and two boys. The Governor's family. They seemed to be eating just as well as Eilis.

Walking alongside those were many women dressed like the maids Duchess Belinda had. They did not have the same confidence the rest of his family walked with. Even at his distance he could see them fidgeting with their hands and fingers. Like they wanted to bolt at the earliest opportunity.

It was quite a sight to see them herded into the marshaling yard. The soldiers and Knights, who before had kept their small groups, seemed to break apart and joke with one another about their appearance.

Well, at least they're having a good laugh.

Castor dismounted his horse and ushered Eilis towards them. The carts and his servants were kept near the mansion and surrounded by the soldiers and Knights, preventing them from leaving. They would share the fate of the Governor. Castor had to walk at a snails pace to ensure Eilis did not fall behind. To Anton it looked like the Governor was about to bolt, though he wondered how far he could actually get.

“Commander Marcus. Eilis, Governor of Nonbu'rn.” Castor spoke, all emotion drained from his voice. He continued walking until he resumed his previous position. Eilis was standing all alone, and looked terrified. Perhaps rightly so.

“My...My thanks for you to come all this way, Commander Marcus.” Eilis bowed low, one hand sweeping far away as he brought the other to his chest. He held his bow, a twitch of fear on his hands when nothing was said. "It has been a terrible time here."

“Governor Eilis.” Marcus began. “Raise your head. You have some explaining to do.”

Anton saw the ripple of fear flow over Eilis's back. Slowly he rose up, bringing out a piece of cloth to dab his face. It was not that hot this day.

“Yes, my lord.” A smile drew on his face. Anton could not tell if it was honest or not.

“You have done very well out of the battle.” Marcus began, cynicism and snide dripping from his voice. “I belive congratulations are in order. Not a scratch on you, despite the Orcs and Clansmen taking your mansion for their own. Your proficiency as a warrior is trully remarkable.”

The sweat began to pour as Marcus's face darkened.

“How did you accomplish that?”

“My...My lord.” Eilis stammered out. “I took actions before the assault to preserve the strength and wealth of the Qaiviel Kingdom. Everything I have done is for that goal. Everything.”

What? That wasn't even an attempt at answering the question. Is your plan to evade the question by bamboozling him?

“Wealth...Is that the best you've got? Besides, you did not answer my question. How did you survive the Clansmen and Orcs taking your mansion? I don't see any weapons or armour on you.”

“I...I...” Eilis stammered out.

Marcus sighed and looked at the carts. He whispered something to Castor. He and his Knights walked towards them, Eilis looking a little scared.

“Perhaps I can continue.” Marcus asked, focusing Eilis's attention back on him. “It seems that you entered the city, rather than emerged. My Knights say that you were seen on the horizon returning to Nonbu'rn. After you realized the battle had been won. That questions would be asked about your disappearance. Like you had ran...and left these people to their fate. While you saved some...what? Gold? Saving some metal rather than thousands of people. Gold cannot defend us from the Clansmen, Orcs, Goblins, Centaurs or whatever threatens the kingdom. I'm rather ashamed of your actions.”

“The gold that I saved from the invaders could be used to rebuild-”

“Not stopping them in the first place? It seemed you failed in your duty there.”

Eilis grumbled something. “That's wasn't my-”

“Damn right you should have done your duty.” Rosanna spat out, not caring that it was probably not her place to speak yet. “We had no idea that the Orcs and Clansmen were going to attack. They just turned up this morning. We had no time to prepare, and they just slaughtered their way through.”

She was practically fuming. All looked at her in silence, even the Knights, as her rage continued to boil over.

“And you left two days before they arrived. With everything you managed to take with you!” she pointed to the carts. Castor had reached them, and quickly backhanding away some servants and followers, and began to tear through the carts. He ignored the growing protests and summoned even more Knights and soldiers to begin looking through them all. Eilis began to look even more worried.

“You've only come back because, if you don't, the Knight orders and the Royals will hunt you down! I bet you were going to use the destruction and chaos of the city to set yourself up somewhere west of The Bite, where nobody would know who you are!”

“Madam Rosanna.” Marcus spoke with a soft voice. “I believe you have made your point.”

“Forgive me. I just...” Rosanna bowed her head. Some of the color drained from her face. Could she have been punished severely for speaking out like that?

“However.” Marcus turned to Eilis. “Her words and emotions speak true.” His mailed fist ground harshly on his sword. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“I needed to protect my family.” Eilis said. “They are the most important thing to me.”

“I can appreciate that.” Marcus replied. “I have a family as well. But it does not excuse your actions. Of cowardice.”

Eilis looked genuinely sorry. How much of that was an act, Anton did not know.

“What is this?!” Castor shouted. He was looking towards the servants in utter shock. Some tried to talk him down, others by force, but he was having none of it. He pushed them away and continued his search.

“By the Holy Father!” he exclaimed. Castor stepped back from the cart, holding something golden in his hands. He was struggling with the weight. It was a statue. “There are tens of these...”

Marcus gave Castor a nod, a soundless order given, and they began to tear the cart's canvas roofing apart. The servants, and his family, began to protest, but were forced away by the soldiers while the Knights broke through. Eilis tried to run towards them but Marcus's mailed hand gripped harshly on his head. He whimpered as the Knight Commander wrenched him back to the table, Eilis letting out a groan as he crashed into the wood.

“Don't move.” Marcus commanded. He looked to Conrad and Hemiskr, nodding towards Eilis. They both drew their weapons and moved either side of the struggling short man. Marcus released his grip while both took their position to block Eilis's movements.

“Forgive me Alfred. But I needed to borrow your soldiers for a moment.”

Alfred nodded and watched the Knights work. Every second that passed was making them more angry.

“How much stuff do you think he's got in there?” Verona asked quietly. “I'm guessing it's a bit. Those Knights don't look happy.”

Kal moved closer to both of them. “The carts were not bouncing around as they came in. Either they are built very well or there's a lot of weight holding them down.”

“There's a good chance that they've got more gold than we do.” Anton said very quietly. "And that's a bit..."

The Knights heaved out a large crate. One stumbled under the weight, his hand slipped out, and the chest smashed onto the ground. Hundreds of gold and silver coins clanged and ran across the ground. Everyone was silent. Castor shook his head as they continued to haul out more crates. Each Knight struggled with the chest just like the first.

“If I had known there was all this gold I wouldn't have complained about the bow.” he said loudly, taking a quick glance at Kal. He knelt down and picked up a coin between his mailed fingers. “There's got to be thousands of coins here.”

Marcus grumbled as he turned to Eilis. Marcus grabbed the top of his head, the man wincing in pain as both pudgy hands clawed desperately against metal. He turned his head and pointed it outwards. To the wooden buildings of the city beyond the inner wall.

“I don't know how long it took for you to collect that much gold, but there are a few ways. None of them good.” Marcus growled as he gripped even more tightly. “If you had actually spent that money, rather than keeping it for yourself, Nonbu'rn could be ten times as grand compared to what it is currently. The wealth you have hoarded would help the common folk immeasurably; every man and woman could have a decent set of armour and weapons, industry would be booming and even more soldiers would be here...the Orcs and Clansmen invasion would not have been anywhere near the threat.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“If the common folk were to have those weapons they would turn on us.” Eilis strained. “Those without noble blood-”

Marcus shook his head and released his grip. “If you were a good leader, then you would have nothing to fear. They would lay down their lives for you.” he looked at Rosanna, and any of the nearby Qaiviel soldiers. They looked at the piles of money in disbelief. “But none will do that for you now.”

Castor returned to the table. “Seems like there's several thousand gold coins here.” he was lost for words. “I didn't know that there was so much in the Kingdom.”

Marcus scoffed. “It would have taken many winters. Slowly taking a few handfuls of gold at a time. Probably over generations...The gold that we use first come through Nonbu'rn. As do many things destined for the Border Forts.”

Eilis began to pale and sweat even more profusely.

“It wouldn't be too hard to take some gold along the way.”

“My...My lord-"

“Choose your next words carefully. Very. Carefully.”

“Perhaps...Perhaps...A gift to the most proud and honourable order of the Blue Firestorm could aswade some of these grievances?”

Eilis wore a wicked smile as he wrung his hands together. Anton had never seen such blatant attempt at a bribe. Marcus remained stoic as he studied the man. It quickly dawned on Eilis that it was not going to work. The opposite in fact.

“I cannot be bought for such a paltry sum.” Marcus roughly gestured to the carts filled with gold.

“There's more in this one too.” One of the searching Knights yelled back.

Marcus sighed and shook his head.

“I've seen more than enough. In the name of the King, Lambert Qaiviel the Third, I hereby deliver the Kings Justice upon you and your family.”

Eilis did not comprehend the words for some time. His face remained still. As the words finally worked it's way through his head all the colour drained and his whole body began to shake.

“My Lord, surely there can be something that I can do to stop this?” he pleaded, falling to his knees. Strangely he did not have any problem moving quickly now.

“You've had your chance. If you had been serious about changing your ways you wouldn't have waited until you were caught. And your prostration, now, is only because you and your family face death.”

Oh my. So, it's one of those sort of devastating things. Even the children?

Anton stole a glance at Alfred. His face was turning equally pale. Hearing the words had brought vivid images of what could have happened to Belinda, and likely himself.

“Please...” Eilis began to cry. “I will do anything!”

Marcus sighed, and waved over Castor and his knights.

“There is nothing more to say. Castor?”

“Yes, My Lord?”

“Prepare seven nooses. Hang them from the outer wall with a placard around their neck. Let everyone know their crimes.” Marcus spoke calmly and softly, Eilis's eyes were wide open in stunned fear. He looked over at his family. They had not heard what Marcus had said and played with each other like children should.

“Even the children?” Anton asked.

Eilis looked at him with a glimmer of hope while Marcus remained flat and unmoving.

“Grand Mage Anon.” Marcus began, any previous hint of warmth had disappeared and now there was nothing but ice in his voice. “You have already taken a bow as payment for my subordinates rudeness. But this is a different matter entirely. If you wish to keep your head, and whatever hopes you have of finding your memories, you will not object to our dispensing of justice.”

Anton was stunned by his words. Verona and Kal looked equally shocked, though they clearly hid it better. Then again, Marcus was likely just as stunned when he threatened Castor's life over his insults.

“I was merely questioning whether or not those were for the children.”

Marcus nodded.

“Why?” Verona asked. “They've done nothing wrong.”

“They have not.” Marcus replied, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “But the punishment must be severe enough so that it doesn't happen again.”

“It's clearly not working.” Verona continued, Kal nodding in response to her words. “The children should not have to suffer for the crimes of their parents.”

Anton felt a tinge of fear as Kal readied herself to verbally spar with Marcus. Instead of retorting, Marcus stroked his beard, his eyes looking away in deep thought. It was some time before he spoke.

“Perhaps it will not be the full punishment this time.” Marcus turned to Eilis. “Do you have any relatives in the east of Qaiviel?”

“Y-Yes. I have a sister and brother there.” Eilis looked as if he could not believe what was happening around him. “Please...I don't want to see my children hanging from the walls.”

Marcus nodded. “Give Castor their names and their locations. Some of your hoarded gold will be given to them for travel expenses. They will be departing through a different gate so they don't see you. Your elder children will serve in the Western Forts as Knight Errants. Your wife will serve as a maid in a small and remote noble household. You however...”

Relief, that his children would live, overcame the short man, his legs nearly buckling. “I...I understand.” Eilis looked up at Marcus with tear filled eyes. “Can...Can I at least talk to them first?”

Marcus shook his head. “No.”

Eilis went silent, Castor ordering two of the Knights to escort him to the gate. He did not resist.

“Thanks.” Anton said quietly to Verona and Kal. “You might have just saved some young lives. They probably were going to string them up like a piece of meat.”

“Were you going to let them go through with that?” Verona asked.

“I...I...I don't know.” he replied. “I may have argued a bit more, but I honestly don't know what I would have done.”

Verona slumped a little, Kal looked a little saddened as well.

“But, you two did change his mind. Maybe that might stir something as well, like with the Duchess. A bit more mercy in the future.”

Kal chuckled once while Verona smiled weakly. They glanced at one another and focused their attention at the map. There wasn't anything he could think of to make the situation any better.

Killing children for their parents crimes is pretty stupid...unless those children decide to seek revenge for their deaths. Knowing that someone killed someone so close to you would eat away at your heart. But, if I had been pressed...I think that I would have backed down so we wouldn't have any future problems with Qaiviel stemming from this. Does this make me bad?

Eilis tried his best to reach his wife, but Castor relayed the order before he could. As the Knights surrounded her, her face swivelled wildly around as they grabbed both of her arms.

“How! How dare you touch a lady!” she screamed out, as a Knight either side lifting her off the ground. “Let go of me. Do you know who I am? Eilis, what are they doing?”

He kept his head hung low. He could not bring himself to tell her what was happening. Their children began to panic, the Qaiviel soldiers moved and restrained them from rushing towards them. The look of desperation on their faces, and the stoic nature of the Knights, clued her into what was happening. A Knight following with a long piece of rope finished any wandering thoughts. Their children, the elders at least, understood.

“Let go.” she cried out again, trying her best to wrestle herself free from the grip of the Knights. “I command you to let go!”

One of the Knights weakened their grip enough for her to rip her arm free, along with part of her shirt. She punched the Knight holding her other arm in his exposed face. The Knight crushed down on her arm, she cried out in pain, as both Knights reached for their swords. They gave a look back at Marcus and calmed themselves down. She reached and punched the Knight again. He responded by punching her with his mailed fist as hard as he could. Blood and teeth sprayed out as she howled in pain, her body slumping to the ground. Eilis could not bear to look and kept his head hanging low. The whole thing was difficult to watch.

Eilis told their children to be strong while his wife kicked and screamed into the distance. By the end the Knights were dragging her away. Soon the insults changed from the Knights to Eilis, carrying long until they faded out into the distance.

The children looked on terrified. Castor went over to the children and began talking quietly to them. They were clearly terrified but Castor's words began to calm them. He seemed very good with children, but not with peasants or common folk.

Marcus turned back to the table. Most were not looking as enthused as before.

“With that unpleasantness out of the way, we should move on. In the light of Governor Eilis's incompetence and corruption, and the changes stated by Alfred, I, Lord Marcus of the Blue Firestorm Chapter, award control of Nonbu'rn, and it's associated territories, to Duchess Belinda.”

Wow. It worked. Alfred's and Marcus's history goes very far indeed. They seemed like they might have been in the same mercenary company back in the day...

“My Lord.” Rosanna spoke softly. “Would Duchess Belinda be any better? I have heard some stories on how recklessly and badly she governs her territory.”

Alfred chuckled awkwardly. “She has changed considerably. She will choose a good Governor for Nonbu'rn, and the surroundings. What happened here will not happen again.”

“I certainly hope so.” Rosanna said softly.

“On my life I will make sure it is so.” Alfred said. There was more than one implication in his voice.

“That is very good to hear.” Marcus said. “I will write up the writ, and send another to the King. They'll want to know what happened here.”

“What about the gold?” Verona asked. “Are you guys just going to take it?”

Evidently she, and Kal, were still not happy about the near death of the Governor's family.

“Most of it will go to repairing and rebuilding Nonbu'rn.” Marcus began. “Some of it will go to paying the mercenaries, yourselves included. Everything will be used to better the people, not just the few.”

“Just checking.” Verona folded her arms.

The meeting then continued into the finer details of the campaign and invasion. Eventually he officially ended the meeting. Everyone began to part ways, each had their own work to continue with. Anton did not, apart from possibly more healing.

Before he could do anything Alfred raised his hand to catch his attention.

“If you could just wait a moment Anton.” Alfred said to Anton. “I just want a moment to talk to Marcus, then I wish to discuss something with you.”

“Alright.”

Anton lent on the table, watching the other leaders disperse and carry on with their duties. None headed in the direction that Eilis, and his wife, were carried off to. He did not particularly want to see it, he was sure that neither did Verona or Kal.

He caught Kal out the corner of his eye. Seeing her brought back what Verona had said earlier. Before he could think anything more deeply on the subject, Alfred had already finished with Marcus. They spoke in very hushed whispers. Anton used his ear enhancement prayer to listen in.

“Thanks, Marcus.” Alfred said. “You won't regret this.”

“I know I wont. Just make sure you follow up on your end.”

They gave each other a hug before parting and Alfred making his way to them.

Oh, seems like they both got something out of this...And got rid of the former governor in the process...

“I would like to personally thank you three for helping us.” Alfred held out his hand. “You didn't have to come here and risk your lives for us. And yet, you did. Without you three we would more than likely be dead. The entire north of Qaiviel could be on fire and gripped in a frenzy of death and destruction. But now...we have peace. For a time. Thank you.”

“Thank you Alfred. Will you be returning to Maxill soon? It will be easier if you are there when we finalise the agreement with Duchess Belinda. Hopefully she'll be happy with these turn of events.”

“I will be returning to her side soon, and I'm sure she will be delighted by how this turned out. But I will not be leaving before I find someone suitable for an interim Governor. I have a few in mind that would be good for the position, but it will take some time to sort through them. As for you three...” Alfred chuckled. “I think you would just like to go home.”

“We really do.” Verona said, a wide grin on her face. “But we need some time to rest.”

“I'll talk to someone about getting one of the Inn's here turned over to you three. You won't have to pay. Especially after what you've done for us.”

“Thank you, Alfred.”

Alfred bowed his head lightly. “I'll return in a moment with a name and a soldier to guide you.”

Anton saw Verona's smile in his periphery. The same one she had in the God's Dream. Whatever she was planning, it was going to happen tonight.

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Hello!

The Governor has been dealt with and now the Duchess's influence has grown. Even though the corruption is continuing it's now working in Anton's favour. He's just hanging back and letting it happen otherwise it could hamper him if he tried to interfere. I'm sure this happens in reality.

Also shows how close Belinda came to death through his mismanagement. So, now that's dealt with now it's just up to whatever Verona's up to. Can you guess?

Thanks for reading and any Donations!