Another week has passed since the gold arrived. At this moment, I was preparing to leave not from Verrigo, but from the regional capital of Rear.
One week ago, after I finished distributing the share of those who helped me take down the Megarachnid, I received a message from the person I sent to retrieve it - that the Governor had summoned me and that I was to head to Rear as soon as I received the message. When I asked the messenger as to why, he said that he wasn’t told. That response made me feel uneasy, but an order is an order and so I set off for Rear the day after. I brought with me all of my gear alongside Paul and a few of his fellow Town Guards, as I had the feeling that I would be needing them on this journey.
I arrived in Rear four days after, upon which I quickly headed towards the Governor’s Office. Upon arrival, I quickly noticed that Janus, the Governor of the Hur region, was a mess.
Stacks of paper littered his usually neat table and his assistants were coming in and out of his office taking and bringing more. He noticed me as I entered, and gestured for me to wait on the chair besides the door. It took him about half an hour to get his affairs in order, after which he called me to his table.
“Make sure to lock the doors,” he said as I stood to approach him.
“A state secret?” I asked.
He didn’t answer and instead waited for me to sit by his table, after which he produced another letter from underneath his table.
“Do understand, my giving this to you means that I place a great deal of trust on you, Lord Alec. I hope this trust is well-placed…”
I never saw Governor Janus this serious until now. Something must have happened at the Capital that caused such great distress upon him, and I’m about to find out in a letter from the Duke of Lorraine himself.
As I laid my eyes on the contents of the letter, I finally understood what it is that caused Janus so much stress that he looks as he does right now.
The letter reads as follows:
To Governors Janus, Vulcan, and Caelum
I write this letter upon the most dire of circumstances.
One month from now, the Prince Eoster of Rhapsody will be arriving here at Alsace. Accompanying him would be the Prime Minister of Interio, Lord Maximus, who plans to advocate for the Principality.
It would be a simple matter if this is but a state visit. However, given the circumstances, I believe it would be one most dire.
At this moment, the Kytherian Empire has amassed their troops at their border with the Principality of Rhapsody. Naval soldiers have similarly begun to appear on the same border. I believe that war is almost upon us, and that Lord Maximus is of the same mind. They would be arriving here to request our aid, and I believe that it would be wise to provide it as much as we could. Our support on this oncoming war would be imperative for the survival of both the Principality of Rhapsody as well as our own Duchy of Lorraine.
I would like for the three of you to arrive here at Alsace in three weeks’ time.
Jupiter IV
The Duke signed the letter himself and, with how Janus is acting right now, it’s clear that the letter is legitimate. And this means that…
“You understand now, Lord Alec?” Governor Janus said before I could finish the thought myself.
I didn’t reply beyond a mere nod.
“I already sent a message to the Duke that I would be bringing you along, and I’m certain that Vulcan and Caelum would bring their own plus ones as well, so you shouldn’t worry about not being welcome.”
“Should I bring my men as well?” I asked. “I brought a handful from the village that I govern.”
“There’s no need. Bring one if you must, but let the others return. Verrigo lies on our border with Naval and, worse comes to worst, we’d need it to be defended as much as possible. Your soldiers will come elsewhere.”
My soldiers.
By this point, I could practically read Janus’ intentions on his face. He fully intends on sending me to this war as a commander.
“Your performance in the Wyrm Hunt was exceptional and, as your superior in that war, I fully recognize your ability as a commander. Of course, you won’t be leading an army on your own, but you’ll have your place as an official should you accept.”
“It’s not like I have a choice…” I said. “When will we leave for Alsace?”
“In three days’ time.”
I nodded and bowed, leaving Governor Janus in his office.
Three days have passed since then. In the meantime, I sent home most of the Town Guard I brought with me with the explicit instructions of fortifying Verrigo’s defenses. Our town is small, but there should still be about 300 able-bodied individuals there. Worse comes to worst, I would want them to be able to defend themselves at least. Alongside that, I also placed an order in the market here at Rear for enough weapons and other equipment to be delivered at Verrigo.
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The only one to come with me would be Paul. Together with Governor Janus and his entourage, we left for Alsace just before dusk.
***
The journey to the capital was largely uneventful. It took us four days to complete, which means that we’re right on time considering the letter’s date. There, we were to spend the evening in the Governors’ Palace alongside Governor Caelum and Vulcan. They had already retreated to their rooms by the time we arrived, which meant that I didn’t get to see them. As there was nothing more to do for the night after we ate, I also decided to head to bed by that point.
The next day began early with a knock from one of Governor Janus’ keepers. They brought me to the Dressing Room in this part of the mansion along with Paul. There, we were told to take our pick of the clothes for the audience with the Duke.
After much ado, I settled on a long coat often worn by runesmiths, using a soldier’s shirt as my base within. The pants were also neat, but rather plain in comparison to the coat’s silver trims and the numerous pockets and holders to place one’s rune-smithing tools in.
Paul, on the other hand, wore a simple soldier’s uniform. It looked great on him, and I can definitely see him as a soldier in the future.
We were joined by Governor Janus after and we all headed towards the meeting room. As per custom, we came before the Duke could. This is so the Governors could freely discuss their own positions with each other without the eye of the Duke watching them, something that they believe helps with their ability to think.
Upon arriving, my eyes went from one of the governors to another, and it’s startling to see how much presence each of these three command just by being here.
Governor Vulcan wore a fiery red coat with golden trims. He carried himself with a calm demeanor, as if a spider waiting for the right moment to strike at an unsuspecting foe.
Governor Caelum, on the other hand, wore a cool blue and white coat. In contrast to Governor Vulcan, he seemed to be quite out there and not really here, like his mind is elsewhere.
Finally, Governor Janus himself has a different air to him right now - as if he’s a completely different person. However, the Janus that stands before us right now is the dignified governor that I always knew when, even up until last night, he’s been a tired and overworked mess.
The discussion between the three Governors were minimal and was mostly limited to some greetings and introductions. After those were out of the way, silence began to fill the room. Not another word was spoken - not from Janus nor the other governors, not from us who were invited. The only sound came from the banging of the clock’s pendulum.
I always knew that the three Governors weren’t particularly keen on each other - Janus has been quite vocal to me as to his dislike of the other two - but I never imagined it to be this bad. Still, each of them carried themselves with composure and not a hint of animosity could be gleaned from the tension that increases with every tick of the clock.
The arrival of Duke Jupiter IV only served to increase the tension.
***
The deafening silence of the Governors’ meeting was broken with the arrival of Duke Jupiter IV. All of us rose from our seats as the Duke approached his.
This meeting room is within the Duke’s private residence, and this meeting is by no means official in any capacity. However, it’s already clear to each of those in attendance what the purpose of this meeting is, and the Duke wasted no time in getting to the point.
“Vulcan, can you start this by introducing your guest?” he said as soon as we all took our seat.
Vulcan is the Governor of the Sarsbury Region and, as such, is in the most vulnerable position in case of war with Naval and Kyther. Not only does it border Naval directly, but it also borders the northern portion of the Principality of Rhapsody, whose plight in face of a potential invasion we would be discussing soon.
“Thank you, your eminence…” Vulcan said as he and his entourage stood up. “I bring before you Sir Lucius, the Guard Captain of my City of Damania. As soon as I heard of the potential of war, my thoughts immediately went to him.
“As Guard Captain, Lucius has had plenty of experience with regards to combat, especially with the prevalence of banditry in the Alsace Mountains, along with plenty of skirmishes with the Duchy of Naval. I believe that he could prove to be an asset for our military as a Commander.”
Vulcan bowed, signifying the end of his introduction. After this, Lucius - a man covered in a fancily-designed Chainmail coat - stepped forward, took a bow, and then returned. His ‘armor’ was quite impractical for real combat but it did look nice. It probably wasn’t meant for the field anyways.
“I understand. Governor Caelum?”
Caelum was next to stand up. “Your eminence, I bring before you Iulius. Whilst we may be father and son, I assure you that my bringing him here is not because of nepotism - quite the opposite. I would have, at every opportunity, declined him this prestigious opportunity on grounds of conflict of interest. However, I cannot deny his accomplishments on the battlefield during the brief conflict with Barav. Iulius is definitely a man who could protect our nation and its allies.”
The Duke nodded, as if only half-convinced of his argument. Caelum bowed, followed by his son who wore an extravagant piece of golden silk into the meeting.
“Thank you, Governor Caelum. Finally, Governor Janus?”
“Most appreciated, your eminence!” Janus said cheerfully. “I bring before you Lord Alec. You may remember him from the Wyrm Hunt War some three years ago, in which he was recognized for his performance in the Battle of Hezzen.”
Murmurs rose all around the room as the Battle was cited - naturally so. The Battle of Hezzen rose into fame since it was fought years ago, and it was the battle that got me the sweet job in Verrigo two years after the war. Three names became synonymous with that of the Wyrm Hunt since then - the Navalese General Nostres as well as General Janus of Lorraine… and Lord Alec, the soldier who stood against impossible odds to defend the small town of Hezzen. Most of the stories that’s been told since then have been embellished by time, but the people get the general gist of it.
“Yes, I do remember him…” said the Duke.
“Thank you, your eminence.” Janus bowed and I followed suit, taking our seats.
“Very well…” The Duke stood up as one of his men set a map over the table.
The rest of the meeting went by quickly. It was mostly about what the strategy would be should it come to war and, more importantly, the allocation of soldiers. It has been agreed upon that each of the three Governors and Duke Jupiter IV will command an army of 10,000. Governor Vulcan will remain within Lorraine alongside Duke Jupiter IV. Meanwhile, Governor Caelum and Governor Janus would lead their armies into Rhapsody, with Governor Caelum taking position within the City of Figaro in the Naval-Lorraine-Rhapsody border while Governor Janus would take position in the City of Bohemia.
Of course, this would still be subject to changes depending on how the meeting with Price Eoster and Lord Maximus goes, but this is the general gist of it.
As for me, I was naturally assigned under Governor Janus and would be given command of 500 soldiers. Sir Lucius and Sir Iulius were also given command of 500 soldiers, and were both assigned under Governor Caelum.
As for now, however, the three of us were ordered to return to our respective lands while the armies are being assembled. The Duke told us that we should expect to receive summons one week after the meeting with Prince Eoster, which would take place a week from now. With travel accounted for, that would mean that I’d have one week to stay in Verrigo.