Early in the morning, the Greystone army assembled in the fields outside of Galmistead and prepared for the march northward. Kaewyn was eager to set out as early as possible, but he had been informed by General Alaric that there was a disciplinary matter that needed to be addressed before they departed. A small group of soldiers had gotten drunk during the night and after a scuffle with some of the locals, a barn had been burnt down on the outskirts of the village. Several farm animals had escaped and were yet to be found while an unfortunate few had perished in the blaze. General Alaric had already compensated the village elder for the damages with coin, but the soldiers responsible needed to be punished.

The entire army stood at attention as the morning sun rose on the horizon, illuminating the fields in an orange glow. The half dozen perpetrators were led out and displayed for all to see, their hands bound as prisoners would be. Kaewyn and General Alaric then discussed privately what punishment would be suitable. General Alaric advocated a severe punishment, including demotion, confiscation of pay and twenty lashes for each man involved. Initially, Kaewyn agreed with the General’s suggestion, but the more he thought about it, the less he liked the idea of being so severe.

The soldiers of Greystone Province had followed him on a campaign that had gone on far longer than anyone expected when they had set out all those months ago. The campaign was originally supposed to be a short campaign against the Elentide family to avenge the death of Lord Corrhen, but instead, the Elentide family became their ally. Then, at Kaewyn’s command, they had marched all the way back south and only stopped at Xu Castle for a brief time before heading into Oscua to take Taneby for Lord Tavian. It was then after all of that hardship that the barbarian army invaded under Prince Odabek, forcing the Greystone army to then rush to Vinum Province without rest to do battle against the invaders. After asking so much of these tired, weary and homesick soldiers, the last thing Kaewyn wanted to do was punish them too harshly. Though he knew in his heart that they could not get away without some sort of punishment, lest the entire army’s military discipline fall to ruin.

In the end, Kaewyn decided to be lenient. In front of all the assembled soldiers and military officials, he made a short speech condemning and shaming the soldiers for their actions, but ended it by focusing on their exemplary military service. The soldiers were to receive five lashes each and receive a reduction in pay. He made it clear that if not for their meritorious service, their punishment would have been far more severe. The guilty soldiers thanked him for his mercy and swore to do better and were then led away by General Alaric to receive punishment. Kaewyn noticed that some of the villagers and the village elder were standing nearby and had listened in on his speech, so he wandered over to make sure they were satisfied with the punishment of the soldiers. After all, it was their property and livelihoods that were damaged. After a brief discussion, the village elder made it clear that he would have preferred to have seen a harsher punishment but understood the need for leniency and would not begrudge him for his decision as it was those very soldiers who had repelled the barbarian invasion.

With the mess of the night’s unfortunate events dealt with, Kaewyn bade farewell to the village elder and apologised for his soldier’s actions once again before giving the order for the army to begin their march north. Within an hour, they had left Galmistead behind them. They then came across the place where the Emperor’s Way split into three directions. South was Galmistead and Vinum where they had just come from. To the north was Greystone Province and home, but to the east was Oscua Province and Taneby. As the army marched northward, Kaewyn pondered the road east. He thought of the young Tavian and wondered how he was going with the rule of Oscua and Taneby now that he had deposed his older brother. He had liked Tavian and hoped that everything was going well for him now that he was lord. Kaewyn decided to send a messenger east to meet with Tavian and update him regarding the victory at Varde Castle against the barbarians and to request an update on his own circumstances. With the messenger riding east, Kaewyn and the army continued northward and let out a collective sigh of relief when they crossed the small, unnamed stream that had long served as the border between Vinum and Greystone provinces. They were finally back home.

The Emperor’s Way bent around many small hills that dotted the southern reaches of Greystone Province, but altogether the road always ended up heading directly north. The army passed by clear fields, untilled and unworked as well as lush woods yet to be utilised as a resource. The far southern part of the province was relatively unpopulated and empty, save for a few minor villages barely half the size of Galmistead. After several hours of marching, Kaewyn began to recognise some of the features of the land. Several hunting trails broke off of the Emperor’s Way and led deep into the woods and he remembered using many of them during his youth. He found himself smiling as he admired the greenery on both sides of the road. It was peaceful and even the air felt cleaner somehow. Even though they still had a day or two until they reached Xu Castle, he was gladdened to be home.

Later, Sir Darius and Renlai rode up beside him and the Chieftain of the Ralerai held a look of absolute wonder in his eyes. He asked through Sir Darius if these lands truly belonged to him, and when he confirmed it with a nod of his head, the Ralerai Chieftain smiled and breathed in deeply. Renlai said that he was blessed by the spirits to call such a land his home, and Kaewyn found himself in complete agreement. While Vinum was a fertile land with vast swathes of land perfect for farming, and Oscua was ripe with minerals and ores for making weapons and armour, his home of Greystone Province was simply beautiful. Not only was it beautiful, but it was also a large province with plenty of untapped resources. Kaewyn’s father had often told him that their home had limitless potential if only they had the population to work the land. With the Ralerai now seeking refuge, a few ideas started to form in his mind, but the thought was cut short when a rider was spotted galloping towards them from further up the road.

“I believe that is one of the outriders.” Sir Darius said. “I saw General Alaric send them out this morning. He looks rather flustered.”

Kaewyn saw the outrider galloping as fast as his horse would allow. The speed at which the man spurred his horse toward them certainly seemed inspired by a sense of urgency. Suddenly concerned, Kaewyn asked Sir Darius to find his advisors, General Alaric, Marcus and Arlan, and have them come to the head of the column at once. The old knight nodded his head and wheeled his horse around and rode back into the column of marching men, while Kaewyn and Yohren, accompanied by Renlai, rode forward to meet the outrider halfway.

The outrider was exhausted when they met him. Sweat stuck his long hair to his forehead as he struggled to suck in air to regain his breath. He had ridden hard as he explained it, and had come all the way from Veneti Hill or thereabouts. As he paused to regain his breath once more, Kaewyn was pleased to see his advisors riding toward them. Now, with everyone gathered together, the outrider told his tale.

“My lords, I was tasked with scouting Veneti Hill by General Alaric on our approach to Xu Castle.” General Alaric nodded his head to confirm the outrider’s statement. “Well, it’s like this it is. I completed my task without having spotted even the faintest sign of life milords. Person or animal alike. But then I turned East to find the Rau River and follow it back South to report, I happened upon the old battlefield where Lord Edderfield smashed them Severus invaders way back when. During that big old storm milord. You know the one.”

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“Everyone knows of the Battle of the Rau, outrider. Speak on, and quickly.” Marcus snapped.

“Right milords. Anyway, an ominous place it is now. I got the chills riding through that place, for there’s still the feeling o’ death and dread in that air, and where ever one looks, one can still see the remains of the mighty war camp o’ the Severus army. Anyway, anyway, not important that is. What is important, is not what I saw on the land milords, but on the river.”

“The river?” Kaewyn asked. “What did you see?”

The outrider hesitated nervously before continuing, wiping the sweat from his brow as he spoke. “I saw a great many longships moving South on the Rau and on their decks, men waved banners o’ red and black. Scared the life out o’ me when I saw ‘em.”

“Red and black…” General Alaric muttered. “Those banners belong to the Elentide.”

“What’s more milords, is that just when fear got the best o’ me and I left for fear o’ being spotted, I saw them same longships pull up and men with horned helms and axes begin to wade ashore. Hundreds o’ them.”

“Your idiot of a brother!” Marcus cursed aloud.

Renlai, the Ralerai Chieftain, recoiled in surprise at Marcus’ sudden outburst. Kaewyn could tell by the confused expression on his face that he understood none of what had been said and was probably startled at the eruption of emotion.

“The last we saw of Lord Rahim, he was crossing into Edheren Province with a small army, and now we return home to find the Elentide invading Greystone?” General Alaric said angrily. “This cannot be a mere coincidence. Rahim has dragged us into another war.”

“Steady, General.” Kaewyn cautioned, though he also felt incredibly angered by the revelation. “We do not yet know all the details. Officially, the Elentide are still our allies.”

“Officially.” Marcus echoed. “Tell me, what kind of alliance survives an unprovoked invasion of one’s lands by the lord’s own brother? I say the Elentide have every reason to be angry with us. And now they return the favour in kind.”

Ever since the barbarian invasion, the thought of Rahim had almost completely slipped Kaewyn’s mind. He couldn’t spare the time or mental effort to think about the possible ramifications of his brother’s actions. The invasion had taken all of his attention, but now that was all behind him and the consequences were staring him in the face. He hated the idea that the Elentide were here in revenge for something Rahim had done, but he could not deny that all of the evidence pointed toward his reckless brother being the sole cause. Even though everyone seemed content, eager even, to lay all the blame on Rahim, he wasn’t ready to accept his trust in his brother had been for naught just yet. Despite all of it, he hoped that Rahim was okay. Even if it turned out his brother was to blame, he did not wish death upon him. After all, he was family.

“The worst part of it is that Rahim is not even here to help clean up his own mess.” General Alaric said. “He is probably rotting in some Elentide prison, or dead.”

Kaewyn sighed and shook his head. “Watch your tongue, General. I’ll not have Rahim slandered when he is not here to defend himself. Especially when we do not yet know if he is truly to blame for the Elentide’s presence.”

“Whosever fault this may be is not important right now,” Arlan said, having been quiet up until now. “What is important is what we are going to do about it.”

“Agreed,” Kaewyn said, relieved that someone thought as he did. “The truth is that we have little knowledge of the happenings in Greystone Province since we marched into Vinum to deal with the invasion. We have sent messengers but received none in return.”

“Yes. The lines of communication have left much to be desired. For practically the entire campaign we’ve struggled to relay messages back and forth with Xu Castle. Something to address once we return.” Marcus said. “How many men do you estimate you saw outrider?”

“I’m not the best man for countin’ milords, but I’d say three hundreds at the least.”

“How many men do we have, General?” Kaewyn asked.

General Alaric scratched at his beard. “That are still able to fight? Hmm, perhaps three hundred on foot, plus perhaps one hundred horses.”

“That few?” Marcus asked.

“We have a great deal of wounded and many more who are exhausted from the long campaign.” The General explained. “Unless we had no other choice, I wouldn’t be comfortable using the others.”

“What about the Ralerai?” Yohren said quietly.

Renlai perked up at the mention of his people and looked at them expectantly. Sir Darius whispered something in the Chieftain’s ear before he replied with words of his own.

“Renlai says he and the Ralerai are willing to help however they can.” The old knight said proudly. “And he says he can spare some two-hundred riders, but no more. He wishes for the rest of his warriors to protect his own people as well as our wounded if Lord Edderfield agrees.”

Kaewyn nodded. “To have the aid of the Ralerai is a great relief. Give Renlai my thanks.”

The Ralerai Chieftain bowed his head as Sir Darius relayed Kaewyn’s words to him.

“I let my anger get the best of me earlier, and for that, I apologise.” Marcus suddenly said. “Kaewyn is right in saying that we do not yet know the reason for the Elentide to be here, therefore we must be cautious and not assume hostilities.”

“I am glad you think so, Marcus,” Kaewyn said. “What do you suggest we do then? Approaching them directly puts us at significant risk if they are indeed, here to attack us. But I do not feel comfortable attacking them without words.”

“Unfortunately, your assessment is exactly right. Therefore, I suggest we send the Ralerai riders to the area around Veneti Hill, while we head for the old battle site and confront the Elentide directly. If it goes poorly, the Ralerai can flank the enemy from their position and we can pincer them between our two forces.”

“And if they are not here to attack us, no harm done, right?” Yohren added.

“Yes Yohren. If that is the case, we simply call of the Ralerai from their flanking attack.” Kaewyn added.

“Why else would they be here though?” General Alaric said gruffly. “You don’t send three-hundred warriors into another province without cause.”

“There is absolutely no point is trying to guess at their motives, General.” Marcus snapped. “Our impromptu plan will suffice to deal with them, regardless. If they are not here to oppose us or invade, then sending the Ralerai will merely be a precautionary measure.”

“The Ralerai do not know these lands, Lord Edderfield.” Sir Darius said. “Nor I for that matter. It has been what feels like an age since I last rode through Greystone Province. We will need a guide to lead us to this… Veneti Hill you speak of.”

“Yohren, do you think you could lead them there from here?” Kaewyn asked.

Yohren looked at him, doubt and uncertainty plagued his face. “From Xu Castle I could, but I’m not confident from this direction.”

“Very well. Perhaps Arlan then?”

“Yes lord.” Arlan said dutifully. “I can lead the Ralerai to Veneti Hill, though I would much rather be at your side when you meet with the Elentide.”

“As would I, but having the Ralerai in position is more important than my own comfort.” He replied with a smile. “At least this way I will have Yohren with me.”

Arlan nodded. “We should head out as soon as we are able. Come Sir Darius, I would have words while we ride together regarding an idea I have been pondering.”

Sir Darius spoke in the Ralerai tongue to Renlai and then the three of them wheeled their horses around and headed back down the column of marching soldiers. The bulk of the Ralerai had so far ridden separately from the main Greystone army and that is where Kaewyn suspected they were headed.

Satisfied, Arlan, Renlai and Sir Darius would do their part, Kaewyn and the others led the army toward where only months ago, their bravery had beaten the odds with the help of a timely storm. He hoped that today would be a far less eventful meeting of two forces upon the field, but even as they rode forward at the head of an exhausted army, he gripped the hilt of his family longsword tightly, hoping and praying silently to Ohnix that he would not have to draw it for a long time yet.