Chapter 97 – Evil are those who lost (1)

Avilla city was in dispute. The Templars of the Thorn Cross managed in a few months to bring the citizens of the City into their side. There were loyalists loyal to the Warlord Mia. But the citizens were bought by propaganda. A simple piece of repeated chant made the people believe.

Indeed, throughout the month she was seen as a weak warlord. In the Freelands a weak warlord is something that people would frown upon. The people of the city had seen weakness. The propaganda and lies of the Templars made the people side with Templars in an uprising.

A ship landed near the fringes of the city. This ship had the sigil of the Alva. The soldiers saw that and quickly they formed two lines. A man wearing pious robes walked briskly in front of the warship. A bland smile without any hint of emotion, this pious man looked at the Lady of Alva who walked alongside his Uncle.

“Lady Dolce, it is a pleasure to meet you. And this is?”

“My Uncle,” said Dolce. “He’ll be handling Avilla as you requested, Justicar Vigo.”

The Justicar smiled. He looked at the man and noticed that he had wrapped around his stomach. This made the Justicar curious. “What happened to his stomach?”

“A sad accident you see, I was happily testing the pistol that you’ve sent for me. This Uncle of Mine came without knocking so I had shot him accidentally. Isn’t that right Uncle?”

The man nodded meekly. “Yes, it was an accident Lord Justicar Vigo.”

“I see. Well, you are here so I expect that you’d be as competent and wise as Lady Dolce,” he said. “But if you change your mind, this city still can be yours once we take it.”

Dolce waved her hands. “I am not interested in managing an entire city that sits in the middle of all trade routes in the Freelands. I’m already having a bad time managing my fiefs and properties.”

“A shame,” the Justicar shook his head. “You have the abilities.”

“Maybe, still, is this all that you need from me?” said Dolce. “I rather not stay in this blood, gunpowder, and death smelling city. If you need me fire a colored smoke. I shall stay in the skies and gaze at your promised victory.”

With that, she whirled and walked back to her airship. Lord Justicar Vigo watched the Lady of Alva stride. Then, he turned towards the pitiful Uncle with a glare. “What are you waiting for? Get to work ad accustomed yourself to the place! My men and I will soon take Avilla from the Cagan loving fool of a warlord that grips this city with her dirty hands!”

“Yes!” like a cowering pup, the man jogged to the Templar officer. The officer then led the man to a tent where he would be lectured about what he will do.

The Justicar Vigo gave a deep sigh. He looked at the ascending airship of the Lady Dolce and put both hands behind his back. He walked back to their outpost where the Warlord of the City gave them. Inside the Templars were busy formulating plans to take the inner parts of the City.

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There were many points of interests that they have already taken. But the Blue-District loyalists have defended against their assault. The Templar’s have a legion of Templars waiting to storm. But the placements of their cannons in their battlements and their constant mortar fire to scare four-legged dragons and the griffons allowed them to hold the line.

...

In the inner lines of the defenses, Shig stared at the tired forces. He could see that the Templars were planning to take the city in one swoop soon. It was painful to admit. But he can see that they are clearly closing in. Their paths are blocked. And the only escape they have is through the spare airship that the Templars gave to them.

The men of the battlements were worn out. Their morale had gone so low that by the time day broke. Twenty men and women have given their arms up in surrender. The constantly repeated shouting of the heralds didn’t help them. The message and promise of good lives made the people that Shig could see doubt what they are fighting for.

Shig expected the Templars to play coy. But to think that after a single expedition they changed their masks. It was the death of the Templars that made the Justicar desire to take the City. Shig didn’t know why. Archie, who returned alone kept his silence and only mention of a terrible abomination that he could not describe.

Shig had no idea what happened. But that trip changed Archie. He was a man of hope still, but Cassia’s death shook his being. Indeed, he was familiar with death. But having someone close to your heart die brutally killed something inside Archie. Shig could understand that feeling.

Archie had been doing what he does best. Shig could see that he was trying but this time the Templars made their right choices. Shig could see that they are just waiting for the right time. He knows that once they do what they are planning. The lines that they hold will fall.

The Templars didn’t want to ruin the city. Shig knew what they have invested in it and if anything, the only mistake that they did was to underestimate those that were loyal to the Warlord of Avilla. If it weren’t for the Blue District’s loyalty, Avilla City would have fallen to the Templars without any challenge. Men have died. And many were starting to have doubts

“Is that I can only do?” said Shig. He thought of the people that were behind. The niece that he had and the two Cattus that he had taken a liking. Shig heavily inhaled. His eyes turned to the Templars in the distance. He gripped his hand cannon tightly and started to pray to his God. He had started to care about this city. Yet now it was being taken. He could not blame the people for seeing weakness at his niece and taking the Templars side. Still, despite the incoming wrath of the zealous men of the Thorn Cross Legion. Shig waited for them to arrive with his red cloak billowing against the wind.