It was on Elizabeth's third week in Blaidd that the trumpets of war rang.
She had been speaking with Gerard in the hallways of the manor when the faint sound of a trumpet horn washed over them. It seemed to come from somewhere high and afar, as though it was sounding throughout the whole city.
Gerard's demeanour shifted instantly, "Come," he said, "Let us go to Lord Wulf." Elizabeth was glad she was with Gerard right now, because she wouldn't have been sure what to do otherwise.
When they entered Kenric's office, he was finishing up giving orders to what seemed to be a messenger, "…And tell Aida she's staying behind. She'll be in charge of the garrison in the city this time."
The messenger bowed and raced away. Kenric wasted no time in turning to Gerard and her next, barking out more orders, "Gerard, I've made Edward commander of the Intercept Team, he's already in the barracks—I've sent a message. Go and help him organise our forces. Prepare for a raiding party. Lady Filangris, you're with me."
Gerard bowed as well and left the room, and now it was only the two of them. Kenric grabbed a sheathed sword leaning against his desk and fastened it to his belt. Elizabeth stared for a moment, events moving too fast for her to keep up, "You… want me to come with you?"
"We will be testing out your spell in a proper combat scenario today," Kenric said, "Besides, this is a common occurrence here, it would be better for you to get used to it sooner rather than later."
A maid was waiting in the courtyard with a chestnut horse, and Kenric leapt upon it with ease, despite his injured leg. He held out his hand for Elizabeth, and she took it to climb on behind him. She held tightly onto him, and, after putting his cane in a leather holster, he snapped the reigns once, urging the horse to begin moving. They rode through the city, people poking their heads out of their houses and stalls to cheer as they passed. The barracks were close by, and a large group of troops were already assembled on the open grounds, infantry in front and cavalry behind. They were sounding off, and Edward stood at their head, looking over them.
Kenric and Elizabeth waited at the entrance of the barracks as the squad captains announced their squad numbers one by one. Elizabeth asked as she watched, "Where are we going?"
Kenric pointed to the north, to the mountains that stood in the distance, "Our scouts spotted the raiding party coming from the mountain pass that way. We'll be intercepting them before they can make it too far inland."
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The sound off was completed, and the soldiers began exiting the barracks in an orderly fashion, some of them noticing Kenric and giving a short bow as they passed. The barracks were almost emptied, but Edward had stayed behind, and he looked troubled as he spoke to Liam, the bald one-armed cook.
Kenric entered, "Edward, why are you still here?"
Edward hesitated, "Liam… he wants to come along too."
"I'm ready, boss!" Liam said, "You saw me fight! I'm more than ready to take on some Wereionic pricks!"
"Go to your troops, Edward," Kenric ordered. Edward slowly nodded and left, turning to look back once, but realising he had no more say here.
"Come on, boss," Liam said, "You know I've got this."
"Go back to the manor, Liam," Kenric said without hesitation.
"But, my lord—!"
"You're not ready yet, you'll just be a burden on the battlefield," Kenric looked down at him from his horse with iron in his voice. Liam looked pained, and it took him a few moments to give a tiny, defeated nod. He left, and Kenric rode out onto the streets again.
"Was that really alright?" Elizabeth asked quietly.
"Don't underestimate him. Liam isn't weak, he won't lose heart from something like this," Kenric said, "And when he is ready to enter the battlefield once more, he'll be a valuable asset."
Elizabeth glanced back at the rapidly fading barracks, Liam's hunched frame flashing through her mind. She shook her head, now was not the time to think of such things.
"I-if the Wereion Empire is attacking, why are we going out to meet them?" Elizabeth asked, "Wouldn't it be better to let them lay siege to the city? We'd have an advantage that way."
"The Wereion Empire isn't here to take Blaidd. Not yet, at least. They're here to weaken us by laying waste to our farms and villages. We have no choice but to ride out to defend them," Kenric explained.
A messenger on a horse caught up to them, saying, "My lord, a report from the scouts! The enemy raiders have split into three groups. Two of them seem to be heading around Blaidd from the east and west, and the last has taken position at the mouth of the pass."
"The two heading around the city will be going for the farms and villages behind us then," Kenric said, "And I assume their leader is with the last group?"
"Yes, my lord! We've identified him as well: this raiding party is being led by the mercenary Targur."
"An invitation," Kenric said quietly, "Very well then, I accept. Return to your post."
The messenger broke off, and Kenric caught up to Edward and his soldiers soon enough. Edward was behind them, watching as they flooded out the front gate.
"Edward," Kenric called, "Did you get the report from our scouts?"
"Yes, my lord," Edward said, "What shall we do?"
"We split our forces into three as well. You take command of one of them, give another to Gerard, and I will take the last. You intercept the enemy to our east, and Gerard will take the enemy to our west," Kenric ordered.
"You intend to fight Targur?" Edward asked.
Kenric scowled, "Ever since he attacked a few months ago, he's run wild over our lands. It's time to end him once and for all."
Edward nodded, "Understood, I will relay your orders to Gerard. He is organising the troops outside right now."
Edward took off into the mass of soldiers, and Kenric watched silently. Then, he closed his eyes and took a deep, long breath. Once he opened them again, he said in a deep, cold voice,
"Come, Lady Filangris. We ride to battle."