"Here, from the information I've gathered, the bandits have gone south down the Valewater River, following this path." A white-gloved finger moved across the map going from one village that was located on the outskirts of Evergreen to the river that eventually led into Valewater Lake.

The map showed the entire region where they were located, all the mountains, woodlands, rivers, lakes, hills, mountains, villages, and towns. There were no roads on the map, their region did not have the luxury to build one, nor did any of the lords want to build one. It would mean faster travel for their armies, yes, but that meant the same for their enemies as well.

It was not like the citizens of the towns and villages traveled often to build a road in the first place. With the state that they were currently in, they couldn't even if they wanted to.

The man gazed up for a second to see the man across from him studying the map with keen interest. He was an older man, pushing into his early fifties, with his short brown hair now turning gray. He kept his beard well maintained for someone his age, but he had to keep up appearances. He was the lord after all.

A man that has lived in Evergreen since his birth, and reigned at a young age. He had more battle experience than most of their soldiers, as shown by his scars. All of them on the front of his body, none on the back. His most gruesome one was hidden behind a black eyepatch over his right eye.

"So, bandits huh? What did they steal from the village? Food? Women?" The older man asked.

"Oddly enough, they took the children, Sir. I don't see why they would do such a thing, but reports state that there are twenty children missing from the village." He replied.

His lord looked in deep thought but shook his head. He wondered what his lord was thinking about because he could only come up with blanks when he thought of why the bandits took the children. Children were difficult to manage, always complaining, crying, and needy. Women were easier to take, after a few beatings they would settle down. So why take the kids?

"There's nothing down the river but more villages. They could have taken them to the mountains by the Netharian Sea, but that would mean crossing into Thornhill territory. Do we know how the slave market is doing there these days?" The older man asked.

"No, they've closed off their gates to outsiders. Even wandering traders have been barred from entering, so it is unlikely that they would take the children to the slave market. I thought that the bandits would train the kids to become bandits, bolstering their numbers. But given the rate of monsters appearing in the wild, I don't think that is likely to happen either. You know how those beasts are." He stated.

Nodding his head the older man tapped his finger on the map. This was an issue.

He couldn't have bandits roaming his lands when he already had other pressing matters to deal with. Their citizens' morale was already low due to the loss they faced in their skirmish with those bastards to the east in Dustwell. It was a minor fight over a farming village, but they still lost.

Not only did they lose the village, their people took a huge hit to their reputation. One that his father, and his father's father worked hard to gain. King of Battle. A title well deserved as neither man lost a skirmish or territory. In fact, they both grew Evergreen's land to what it was today, minus what he had lost.

"How are our boats? Can we send someone to follow them?" He asked.

"We can, but there are only three mercenary companies remaining in Evergreen. As you know the Blackhawks refused to fight, which is why we suffered those losses against Dustwell in the first place. As for the other two, they are still willing to answer your call, but I'm afraid they are green with inexperienced men."

"See if the Blackhawks will go, make sure to give them a generous offer. If they refuse then it's time they leave either willingly or..." He let the sentence hang in the air, but both men knew what he was going to say.

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"It's almost time for the monster tide, so if they're outside the gates they won't last long. I'm sure even those bastards will understand that this is the best move for them to make."

During the last four months of the year, the monsters surrounding Evergreen always became agitated. So much so that they swarmed villages and the town. It was such a terrible time of the year that no one dared to travel or venture outside the city during this time. Even then when they should be under the protection of the city walls, they still had to raise an army to deal with any creature trying to climb the stone walls or break down the gate.

Evergreen was losing money year after year while barely seeing any profit. Something had to change, but no one had a solution to this problem as of yet.

The older man sat down in his seat, while the other man remained standing.

"How's my son doing these days Aiden?" He asked.

"Sir-"

"There's no one around, you can just call me Kirk." Kirk told Aiden.

Aiden nodded once. He's been told this before but felt it was disrespectful to do so. Still, it was what the lord of Evergreen wanted, so he did as he was told.

"Kirk, your son's talent with the sword is fine. But..." Aiden did not know how to put it politely.

"Just say it." Kirk told him.

Aiden nodded once more, almost about to regret what he was going to say.

"But, he's a coward. He does fine when he is training by himself or listening to his instructor, but in combat, he falls short. Two days ago he actually ran away from the fight after he was bruised." Aiden stopped there. He did not want to say what was really on his mind.

How could the blood that carried the legacy of such great fighters produce such a spineless coward? There was no way that was possible. The only explanation that came to mind was that lord Kirk's son was not his son. His wife must have had an affair, it was the only reasonable explanation.

"Yes, but his studies in governance have been going well I've been told. How is the other one fairing?" Kirk asked.

"Young master Bryce has shown remarkable skill, in both the sword and leadership. He'd make a fine commander and has the support of Neil due to the marriage."

Kirk smiled at this. "You praise the boy too much. Sounds like you want him to be my successor instead of Adrian."

He did, that was the thing. Everyone in the council would like Bryce to be the next lord instead of Adrian, and Kirk had to know it. Aiden could feel it, but the man never changed his heir. Adrian was the firstborn and had the right to rule.

Bryce was the second son and was born from Kirk's concubine, Mireille, so his status was less than that of Adrian's. Evergreen law stated that the firstborn son of the first wife would be designated as heir unless he was deemed unfit. Adrian was a coward, yes, but he excelled in other fields so he was not truly unfit.

He just was not who they wanted.

Seeing as Aiden did not respond Lord Kirk glanced back at the map.

"I'm afraid they both will have to grow up soon, or else we'll lose it all." Kirk said as he pointed at Thornhill.

"After the disrespect they've shown, and refusal to compensate us war is our only option. They think we're weak since we lost to Dustwell, in a battle we should have won. Three thousand men! Three thousand men, to a mere one thousand. Yet, we still lost that battle because of their dirty tricks. But we've recovered enough, and by Rainwane of next year they'll see our wrath."

Aiden couldn't help but agree. He as much as anyone else wanted to restore their prestige.

"Then I'll see to it that the two have their training increased. What about lady Serena? Have you heard back from Lord Sline about the alliance?" Aiden asked.

Three months ago Kirk proposed an alliance with Lord Sline of Devilin. This would give Evergreen protection in the south, and an ally to count on if war broke out. Lord Sline might not be the strongest lord in the region, but his three thousand men were something they could count on.

"Yes, the deals as good as done. Word will spread to the others shortly after the marriage is held, but we are holding off on that. No need to have those bastards in Thornhill go find an alliance of their own." Kirk told him.

There was a knock on the door, causing both men to look over at the wooden door. No one should be bothering them right now, nor was Kirk expecting anyone to appear.

Aiden put his hand on the hilt of his blade as he walked to the door. The sword was slightly drawn as he opened the door. There he saw one of the slave women that jumped back in fright.

"Sorry sir, sorry! The blacksmith Gregor has requested to meet with you. He said he has something that can change the tide of a battle." The slave woman said as she kneeled down on the ground in front of Aiden, shaking.

Aiden looked over at Kirk, but Kirk was drawing up just as many blanks as he was. Gregor was a lot of things, and his reputation was well-known and deserved. But he's never requested to meet Kirk like this, usually, he asked weeks or months in advance.

What did he want? Was it some new kind of weapon?

"Very well, see to it that he is shown to the grand hall." Kirk said without getting up from his seat.

"Do you want me to tag along?" Aiden asked as the slave women got up from the floor and scurried away. He was curious about what could change the tide of a battle. Those were big words coming from such a small man.

Kirk shook his head.

"No, have Bojack Irontooth meet me there. I'll need his eye and knowledge." Kirk replied.