Avern led the Royal Procession as they passed through the Inner Ring and out into the City itself. He was pleased to see the crowds waiting and cheering as he passed. It seems I am more loved outside than within.
He was protected on all sides by his personal Guard. Gorias’s soldiers were the best armed force of any human Kingdom, but even they paled in comparison to the Household guards of the Inner city. Each House had 100 of their own private Guards, only the Royal Family was permitted to have 200. Avern had decided to bring half his guard with him for the Campaign. They made an impressive sight as they rode the streets. Every guard there wore a suit of armor and weaponry so fine they would appear as Generals to any other human army. Whoever wished to get to him would face serious opposition from their numbers.
Gorias was famed for it’s wide streets but even still the volume of crowds made their progress slow. It was past midday before Avern finally passed underneath the immense Outer Walls and was greeted by the impressive sounds and noise of over 12,000 soldiers busy assembling.
The trumpets blared and horns blasted out over the camp. Avern waved to his soldiers and their greetings as he passed, the men were in good spirits, eager to be off. The thought lifted his own.
He directed his Guard directly for the frontline where the Lords and Ladies of the Forty would be waiting for him. As he approached a column of riders rode to meet him.
“King Avern.” The voice of Dagdan boomed in the early morning’s silence.
“Uncle.” Avern embraced him warmly, clasping his wrist in his.
“It is good to see you, the coming days will be eventful ones. No matter what happens.”
“It will,” Dagdan wheeled his mount in closer beside Avern and brought his voice down low, “but there are timely ones Avern, the Forty have grown too bold, they do not respect tradition. Even in the army we have seen their influence grow. Though I cut it down where I can. This War is necessary no matter what they might say. I am glad you have decided to move. The Vampiri need to be brought to heel. And we have our own personal debts to administer besides.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Avern smiled and looked over his uncle more closely. He was closer to fifty than he was forty but he still carried himself as much as warrior now as he had twenty years ago. For the past ten he had held the post of First General. A position owned by a member of the Royal Family since it’s inception. Dagdan had spoke about leaving the position, easier jobs awaited him but Avern had persisted in persuading him to remain. He neeeded the assurance of having his own family in the post. With Dagdan and his army about him Avern felt secure. Even the Forty would be wary of antagonizing him with such power surrounding them.
Dagdan fell in beside Avern and together they made their way to the very front of the army line.
The Lords and Ladies of Gorias were already there waiting, each one dressed in Adronian armor and adorned in their House sigils. Avern quickly acknowledged their bowed heads with a nod, he did it casually but made sure that each one gave it.
He rode forward to place himself between Andol and Savar. Andol was stoic, straight posed in his saddle. Savar however was leaning off to the side looking out past Avern back to the city. He only bobbed his head in agreement. Avern rolled his eyes and pulled at his beard in annoyance. Savar needed to learn about keeping appearances. In public at least.
Avern pulled up and leaned in towards Andol.
“All accounted for and each one has brought their designated compliment.” Andol whispered. “There’s been no trouble. Thirty three Lords and Ladies here and seven chosen House representatives from those too old or too young to ride out.”
Avern nodded happy with the tally.
He thought about saying a few words. But there was six days march ahead of them. Better to save it for the Battles which undoubtedly lay ahead. Besides what was there to say just yet.
Avern settled for raising his sword high above him. With an extravagant signal he thrust his sword forward. And with that the the army of Gorias moved, like a great river meandering its way onwards.
The sun was high in the sky, the day bright, warm and full of promise.
Their progress was smooth and passed by without event. Chairn, as with the other eight great Cities of the continent lay upon one of the Grand Highways. The well-set paved stone made for comfortable riding, and even marching was made far easier. Through it’s use they would make good time getting to Chairn. Avern kept a steady pace for some six hours. By the time they had reached the fifty km mark he decided it was enough to make camp. With daylight falling and a suitable embankment not far from the road his order to halt was greeted with enthusiasm.
Avern did not have to order a perimeter established around the camp. Dagdan would have seen to it already. Even with Chairn several days ride away yet it was still not wise to lower their guard. Avern’s father had learned that fatal lesson and he had not forgotten it.
The camp was soon established and the land transformed from a hilly outcrop to a bustling cloud of activity.
Avern waited patiently with Savar and Andol as the Royal Pavilion was erected at the camp’s center. It did not take long, his personal Guard was not known for lethargy.
Inside the three quickly sat down to eat. They had hardly spoken all day. Avern had spent most of his march filing back through the lines, speaking with one Captain and the next. He was familiar with many of them but it did not hurt to learn more about them. Each one would have a crucial part to play in the Battle ahead. The army would be the main force of the attack. The Household Guards of the Forty, some 2000 of them, would be mostly charged with aiding the Chimeras as they destroyed the Vampiri lines. The army then would be the anvil and the Chimeras the hammer.
“They did not approach you?” Savar asked as he examined a chicken leg. “Offered no words of wisdom for the road ahead?”
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“Not one of them.” Avern leaned back in his seat, “They have kept to themselves, grouped together away from my eyes and ears.”
“You think they plot against you still? Even on the road?” Andol placed his food to the side and placed his hands under his chin.
“They would not move when the army is all around them. Chimeras or not it’d be a bloodbath on both sides. Without the army they have nothing.”
Avern nodded at Andol’s words, he ran his fingers through his hair. “My thoughts exactly. Yet I am not fully convinced of their loyalty just yet. Despite the fact they’re here they do not wish to be. If we fail at Chairn then they’ll come for me. Use it as a reason to rid themselves of us. You remember what it was like after my father’s death. The Royal House will not survive another failure like that.”
Savar whistled though his teeth, “Better not fail then.”
He pointed his knife at Avern and smiled, “And what do you mean rid themselves of us. Might be they just want a new King on the throne.”
Avern slapped the knife away but laughed, “Well it’ll be Andol they’d make King then not you. You’d bankrupt the Kingdom in weeks.”
“In days.” Andol didn’t look up from picking at his nails.
Dagdan entered the pavilion. He looked down at them and gave a quick bow.
“Uncle.” Avern stood up and beckoned Dagdan in, “Come, join us. You deserve a drink more than anyone. Is everything in order.”
Dagdan shook his head, “Everything is going to plan do not worry. But I am afraid I must drink with you another night. There are some matters I must attend to before sleep. I have to see to the Captains and their reports. Then I need to meet with the Lords to assess the strength and experience of their Chimeras.”
Avern picked up a cup, “Those can all wait. And the Lords I can have report to me Uncle. Do not work yourself so much. You can rest a little too.”
Dagdan smiled but shook his head once more, “It is important I hear it from the Lords myself Avern. You know I will not rest easy until I do so.”
Avern laughed, “Yes, that I do. Very well Uncle. But tomorrow you will have to ride with me. I wish to hear everything that you have.”
“I believe you would fall from your house with boredom then. But I will share what you need to hear. Rest assured everything is in order do not worry.”
Dagdan gave a final bow and made his way out.
Savar shook his head, “He never stops does he.”
“Never,” Andol agreed. “But I believe he would not have it any other way. He’s always been like that.”
“At least he can deal with the Lords, I am glad of that.” Avern drank deeply, “In truth, though I need work with them, I would rather focus on other matters outside our city then their political mindgames.”
“Speaking of which, have the scouts returned.” Andol turned to Avern, “A wise move getting them to report to you directly. The King should have information that others do not.”
“Indeed,” Avern scratched his neck, “And they came to me just before we stopped for camp. Chairn is surrounded as you know. The Vampiri must be aware of our impending arrival but not so soon. They think us politically and militarily divided. Which one could say is not too far wrong. But we are not as disjointed as they’d hope. And more than that they will expect any attack to be by sea. To break their fleet and effectively end the siege through naval routes. But that would only be a temporary fix. Their army needs to be broken. Thankfully Chairn appears to be holding out well. It’s walls are thick and strong. They will not fall easily. That and they have a considerable force of their own. And six Chimeras besides.”
“6?” Savar sat up, “Our granduncle was busy. He spread his Royal seed around well enough.”
“Yes, it would seem so. It will be good to meet more of our blood kin, distant though they might be.” Avern pursed his lips, “And even if circumstances are less than ideal. Speaking of which Andol, bring the numbers. Let us see again what exactly are the odds we face.”
Andol drummed his hands on the table before getting up, he heard back to where one of his many chests had been stored away. Avern watched him as he pulled out a huge bundle of papers, Andol was always writing, on history more often than not. But he did his fair share on military too.
Andol flicked through the papers until with a sigh he found the one he sought. He waved it and brought it back to the table. Quickly clearing a space he laid it out in front of him.
“Here we are. Who do you want to hear first then?”
“The Vampiri.” Savar said instantly.
Avern shut his open mouth and nodded his head at Andol, “Fine, the Vampiri first.”
“Very well. From our own scout reports and from what little we’ve got out of Chairn we have a fair idea of just what we are dealing with. The Vampiri have come in force.” Andol peered down at the paper, “130 Pure-Bloods, 2,000 Half-Bloods and 9,000 Thralls.”
Avern gestured for the paper. On the document he could make out Chairn and its walls and the army which surrounded it. It was a considerable show of strength. 130 Pure-Bloods was the number which worried him the most. Even a chimera was vulnerable to their kind.
Andol gave Avern a moment before pulling out another document.
“And ourselves. We have the Army, 10,000 men. 2,000 House guards. Plus 100 of our own Royal Guard. 12,100 men in all. Our Chimeras number 105 in total.”
Savar drummed his hands the table, “A fine force that.”
“We will need it.” Avern said. “And should the Vampiri breach the city before we arrive then we are doomed. Let us hope that Chairn’s belief in itself to hold out was not unfounded. Tomorrow we must march hard and fast.”
Savar sighed, “Don’t worry my King. I am sure they will manage. They are not our greatest tribute for nothing. And anyhow that is all for tomorrow. Tonight we should drink. A little at least. To ready ourself for the battle ahead. Agreed?” He raised his cup to them.
Andol rolled his eyes and scoffed, Avern shared a look with him but together they both raised their own cups to Savar’s.
“Agreed.”
The following days marching went by in a blur. A constant stream of dust and sweat as the army forged on. However nothing occurred to slow the march, even when on the fifth day some scattered fighting occurred towards the front. A squad of Vampiri scouts had been killed as they fled back to their siege. The roar of a Chimera sounded out loud and clear. A triumphant roar.
Avern would have liked to have questioned those Vampir scouts but he understood well enough just how tricky relenting could be for a Chimera under attack. He wasn’t surprised to hear then that the Vampiri’s heads had been ripped off in the process. That made talking quite difficult naturally.
To avoid too much probing Avern had sent out a roaming party of 80 riders fitted in the colors and arms of a small neighbouring city to Chairn. Provided the Vampir did not look into it too much they would think their scouts had been taken by some aggrieved neighbours rather than from that of an advancing army.
By the end of the sixth day of marching the army was almost within striking distance. Dagdan and some of the other Lords wished to press on, to attack the Vampiri and relieve the defenders as soon as possible lest the walls fall before they could intervene. But Avern resisted. The night favored only the Vampiri. Even the half-bloods and thralls would be at an advantage fighting in the dark. He decided to call a halt and have a camp set up. A fortified one. The camp had been specifically chosen to keep them hidden. No fires were to be lit and torches kept to a minimum. But even still Avern wanted defenses set up. He would not be surprised, whatever happened.