Trial by Fire Part 2

That night, the cavalry led by Gallan had left Bellside and began arriving in the capital. The troops led by Gallan were the best cavalry troops owned by the kingdom. They used thick black armor and wore a spear and a sword. These troops usually accompany the king wherever he goes.

"We'll get to the capital soon, sir Gallan. We'd better take a break." Said the cavalry captain Zack Derming.

"We will continue the journey." Said Gallan giving the order.

"But sir, we haven't slept for two days riding. I'm afraid our troops can't continue the journey." Zack said, pleading with Gallan.

After that, Gallan gave orders for the troops to stop.

Gallan seen the faces of the knights began to turn pale and lethargic. They have ridden for two days without resting and eating at all.

"Who will continue to travel? I will not force you to continue traveling because of my orders. After all, this is the king's order and you are the best troops at his side." The words of the Gallan made the atmosphere quiet.

The knights looked at each other. And finally said.

"We will carry out the king's orders!" Said the knights together.

"Alright, we will continue the journey, towards the Capital!" Said Gallan leading the troops.

"But sir-"

"I know you are too old for this job Zack. Don't force yourself." Said Galan.

After that, Zack Derming didn't join Gallan. Because he too old, his hair already turned white. Because of its age, make it unable to continue the journey. He was accompanied by two knights assigned by Gallan to look after him.

That person is not like an ordinary person. He actually deserves to sit on the throne. Zack thought in his mind when he saw the figure of Gallan.

Finally, the cavalry returned to the capital on the third day after the incident.

Capital city, Alys. 13-09-1209 ED

Outside the city gate, the cavalry led by Gallan had arrived in the city. But the entrance gate was closed and there was also a large smoke coming from inside the city.

This is the first time I see a city in a siege from inside. Think Gallan in his mind.

Gallan examinize the situation from outside the city. Then he remembered something about the last siege on the capital city years ago. So he decided to enter the city with only 50 knights. The rest will patrol in groups around the capital. Especially areas that are close to forests and hills.

After waiting long enough, Gallan was finally able to enter the capital. He saw the situation was quite terrible. Because many civilians want to get out but are not allowed by the guards. Then the image of the last siege in the capital showing in his mind. There are many civilians who have died on the city. On that time collateral damage is too high, and he wants that tragedy not happen again this time.

"Why do you let civilians stay in the city? They can die here." Gallan said to one of the guards.

"I just follow orders, sir." Said the guard.

"If you are following an order, then I will give you a new order. Bring out all the civilians. Within 2 kilometers, there is a small village. Take them there!" Said Gallan giving the order.

"But sir-"

"You can bring my horse and my troop's horse." Said Gallan giving the guards 51 horses to carry out his orders.

Gallan and his 50 troops got off the horse and walked into the town hall which has now become a command center. In his journey, many civilians left. Many houses were burned down and then turned to ash. Many people have been injured and there were also several horse-drawn carriages carrying many dead bodies in it.

The smell of smoke and dust is smelled everywhere. Also, the smell of blood along his the way. Gallan felt  he was back on the time of civil war. At that time, the capital was also burning, and it took a long time to restore it. In its history, capital city of Alys has already been destroyed and looted four times. All of them is happened on the time two great civil war. In the last civil war alone, three time capital city has been destroyed and then looted. 

In The Town Hall

Gallan went inside and looked for Arthur and Hans Hurtberg. But he got word from a guard on the city hall, if they were leading the siege in the Aed district. In the city hall, Gallan only met Master Elduro. One of the officials in the capital and he also has some influence over the kingdom.

The "Master" title make Elduro position is strong over a kingom. A king himself has agreed about, how Elduro importance in the kingdom. But Gallan personally hate Elduro for his personality that is silly.

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"You can meet them if you look for them out there." Said Master Elduro.

"I brought the king's order so, I will take control here." Said Gallan.

"I thought you never needed it. The king's right hand already has the same authority right?" Said Master Elduro.

"What do you want to talk about?" Gallan said irritably at Master Elduro's words.

"I'm sorry, it seems like my words have gone a bit too far. I hope you can handle this, the king's right hand." Master Elduro said and then leaving the room.

After that, Gallan went to examine several reports before giving orders. While Master Elduro was allowed to leave the capital to evacuate.

"Why do you think I should go?" Said Master Elduro to one of the guards.

"This is a suggestion from the king's right hand, I hope you can consider it." Said the guard.

"Can I ask something? Why do you think the king's right hand gives civilians permission to get out of the capital?" Said Master Elduro asked.

"I think the lives of civilians are important. The king also said that." Said the guard.

"But are you sure that's all the words from the king? Isn't the king's right hand always denied the king's orders, right?" Said Master Elduro. 

“It was only the rumors I heard. And It was beyond my position to answer your question, Master." Said the guard.

"Then what will you choose? Following an order from the king's right hand or direct orders from the king himself?" Said Master Elduro.

"I think it also beyond my position to answer it." Said the guard.

"This kingdom will not be safe if such a system is allowed to exist !!. It could be, all of this is orchestrated by the king's right hand. Because he is the shadow of the king." Said Master Elduro.

Master Elduro remained at the town hall and he raved to many guards there about Gallan and his position as king's right hand. Meanwhile, Arthur and Hans Hurtberg were leading the attack on troops to the Aed district. Under the command of Hans Hurtberg there were 350 people in it.

The situation in district Aed is severe. Many buildings have been burned and collapsed. Many city facilities were destroyed and a lot of food or weapons were stolen by the enemy. Making Aed district destroyed and no longer recognizable. Even though it was once a prosperous area in the capital.

An open field on Aed District, Command Tent.

"We have attack them with all of our men. But still we can't match enemy capability." Said one of the officers.

"Why? We have more men than they are. But why we cannot win this battle?" Said Hans Hurtberg.

"Sorry my lord. We will try our best!" Said the officers left Hans Hurtberg and Arthur on command tent.

"Who they are? Why our guard even can't match against them?" Said Hans Hurtberg.

"If we can use our royal army. The outcome will be diffrent." Said Arthur.

In the twilight kingdom there are 4 types of troops. First there are city guards where city guards have their own leaders who can command their troops. But the city guards were under the control of the nobility who controlled the city. But the number of people in it is also limited to 500 troops at the most.

Secondly there are noble forces. These troops were raised by the nobles themselves according to their needs. They only obeyed the orders of the nobles who raised him. Even the king is not entitled to rule this army.

Thirdly there were loan troops from the nobles to the kingdom. These troops were part of the army of the nobles but their ownership had been transferred to the king. However, the nobles could withdraw this force if they felt it was necessary with the permission of the king. Usually these loan forces have only been called at certain times, according to the king's order.

Also in this loan force. It was formed according to the agreement of the nobility and the king. If there is an agreement, then the king has this force. But nobles could reject this order.

The fourth is a royal army. Royal troops cannot be ruled by anyone. Only the king or the king's right hand can command this force. Within certain limits, some officials can give orders to these troops. But it is only a simple order, but orders such as ordering troops to move are not allowed.

Arthur himself could only give orders for the royal forces in the palace to guard fully the entrance of the palace. So that city guards in the palace can help fight in the capital. He could not order royal forces to help attack in the Aed district.

Apart from the 4 types of troops, there is one force that is not included but has developed a lot in the last 5 years. mercenary is something new. Previously there were no large groups, but in the last 5 years the number of mercenaries has increased significantly. If the 4 types of troops above were previously only owned by the King and the Nobility, then mercenaries could be owned by anyone but mostly rented by wealthy traders or a landlord. But in its development they did not want to be too involved in political matters so for a king or nobles to hire mercenaries it would be difficult.

The Harwe family had controlled almost all of the mercenaries in the twilight kingdom. They made a special agreement where the Harwe family had mercenaries but could rent it to others. So even though the mercenaries were hired to others, the Harwe family still held full ownership.

For this reason, the strength of the Harwe family is very dangerous for the kingdom. Even though they are not noble families. But the Harwe family never wanted to make trouble with the king or other nobles. They are known as the merchant family and are known to be religious. They worship the goddess of fortune, Lady Vienne Goudilla and the goddess of beauty, Lady Rheana Ingel.

In the middle of the discussion, the messenger came. He brought a command message from Gallan. Arthur was quite relieved that Gallan had arrived. Galllan is known as a skilled and clever person. Many people have failed to conspire against Gallan. And that made anyone aware when close to him and he also be feared by many nobles and kingdom officials.

One of his abilities is the "Golden Eye" it make Gallan able to know various kinds of problems just by analyzing some pieces of information. Many of his predictions are very accurate. He can also distinguish an honest and lying people with just one look

"Let's Look what is the order of command." Said Hans.

"I knew he knows how to solve this problem easily." Said Arthur.

Gallan it was Arthur Ward for some time. The two is very close one to another.

"Retreat!?" Said Hans unbelieve with the letter he just receive.

"I dont know what he thinks, but if Gallan gave that command. It is the best thing we can do." Said Arthur.

Arthur see Gallan was a trustworthy person. So he never asking what is Gallan will do because Arthur already believe in him.

"It will make our attack all this time pointless!" Said Hasns.

Arthur see his surrounding, he always been told by Gallan to always see his surrounding before making a choice to take. He saw many house has been burned and civilians also getting heavy impact for his fruitless assault on Aed district.

"Maybe I will agree with Gallan order of command. It may be the best things we can do now." Said Arthur.

"We just need more time. I promise I will get that asshole!" Said Hans.

With some debating between Arthur and Hans Hurtberg, they eventually agree to retreat.