The training in the camp of both princes went well for most part.

Diaz, when emperor in his past life, fought together with his troops in the biggest ever war in his continent as well as the greatest victory his nation ever experienced, as such he was not unused to camp life.

However, he was more used to polishing and maintaining rifles, pistols and bayonets rather than armor and swords and spears. The fourth prince then found it a bit more difficult to maintain such equipment.

Unable to fulfil his duties efficiently he looked at his older brother Teia and saw him do it flawlessly. Despite his young age, Teia also participated in campaigns early on.

At that moment, Teia sent a discreet look at Diaz. The younger prince wondered what that longing gaze meant, and chose to continue doing whatever he was doing, much to the disappointment of the older brother.

This moment did not pass Recimir (the captain that took the job to oversee the princes) unnoticed. This man had been in charge of Teia before, so he knew the boy somewhat and had an idea of what was going on here.

“Ahem, Milord Diaz.”

“Yes?” responded the young prince.

“I think it would be wise for you to seek advice from someone if you find yourself in a bind, so why not ask your brother for a bit of help?”

Immediately Teia smiled brightly, awaiting his little brother to depend on him.

"Wouldn't it be better if you yourself taught me Sir Recimir? After all it seems my brother still has quite the amount of work to do while you seem free.” Rebuked Diaz, giving a sound argument.

“Well… It's true…But...” Recimir responded with an uncertain voice, this man was never good with words or his head so usually he was slow to argue. He never expected the young prince to talk back.

“You see Diaz” surprisingly said Teia, “its true that Sir Recimir is indeed free and could help you, but since i was put in charge of you i think i need to step up and be your instructor, after all, i too must learn to instruct others, no? Besides, i heard you can learn quite a lot by teaching others”

“You do have a point, but is it ok? I might give you more work” Said the younger prince.

It's not that Diaz did not wish to accept help from Teia, however he believed that Teia, being a child, would prefer to have less work and more time for himself, it didn't cross his mind that Teia wanted to bond with him so badly.

“It’s ok Diaz, so would you allow me to help you?”

Of course, after being so aggressive about it even young Diaz would be unable to refuse Teia’s approach. In a way, Teia learned quite a bit from his mother in “how to get your point across”.

Relieved, Recimir then, without much to do, decided to watch the two of them from a bit further away.

Both princes then began to talk to each other about the work to be done, with Teia correcting the mistakes of Diaz.

“You Diaz, when cleaning chainmail armor you don't put the coat in the sand and try to wash it like a normal cloth, you place it in the barrel full of sand and then you drop it over”

Teia then placed a chainmail armor inside a large barrel full of sand, dropped it and began to roll it back and forth, lifting it, dropping to the ground, repeating it again and again.

This served for both maintenance of equipment as well as physical exercise.

Diaz was impressed by his brother's strength, despite his age and size he could lift for quite some time a barrel as tall as himself full of sand without much difficulty.

“So how was it Diaz? Did you understand what you are supposed to do?” asked Teia.

“Perfectly, brother.”

Diaz then was about to begin to copy what Teia was doing. Teia however seemed to have something to say so Diaz stopped and stayed silent.

“Diaz, do you perhaps dislike talking with me?”

This took Diaz by surprise, he didn't know what to say to his brother. “Was I being overly distant again perhaps?” Though the fourth prince, wondering if he messed up again.

As a small silence surged between the two while the younger brother tried to think of something to say, however unable to say anything sophisticated that would satisfy his older brother, Diaz simply decided to be honest and go with open arms to whatever came his way.

“I dont know.”

“huh?” said Teia, a bit stupefied.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I don't really know brother Teia, we have only truly talked with each other just recently so I do not know if I like you or not.”

“I see…” Teia became a bit sad over Diaz's response, however the younger brother continued.

“I can say however that I do want to know you, brother.”

“... Really ?”

“Yes, I am just not really used to being the one to initiate the conversation, so I am a bit clueless in how to do it.”

“You’re not just saying that to make myself feel better, right?”.

“Perish the thought, it’s just… I do not mind being by myself so i dont go out of my way to get to know everyone.”

“That’s not good, Diaz, you got to make friends, if not for yourself for the kingdom.”

“That’s what Miss Matilda said too. I will do my duty, but I prefer solitude and quiet times.”

“Just now, you sounded just like Old man Herman” Teia spoke after a short pause.

“You mean the Count of Baltica?”

“Yeah, they say he’s almost as old as Miss Matilda, usually likes to read in the gardens while tutoring some noble children.”

“Well… Can't say I find his lifestyle disinteresting.”

For some time the two brothers, mostly unknown to each other, started to bond a little bit, even if in the midst of an ongoing war. Making, for the first time, some small talk here and there.

Teia greatly looked up to his older brothers and stayed in their care for the longest time he could remember. When he heard he was no longer the youngest he hoped he could be just like his older brothers and be a reliable older sibling who could be a role model to inspire on.

At first he thought his wish would be fulfilled, seeing Diaz as a lone child in need of a friend, so he was more than willing to befriend him. However as he began to know his younger brother he noticed that he was far more mature than his age suggested, that the rumors could not be fully trusted.

Sure, Diaz was an odd child, that was true, but it seems he lived quite fine by himself, would not let his like of solitude get in the way of his duties nor he seemed to be lacking in anything as a royal. Teia found it hard to insert himself as a “dependable older brother” when the younger one was already so independent and could go on by himself.

Teia still had not given up on this wish of his, but now, perhaps his younger sibling needed a friend who was his ”equal” rather than someone to depend on.

After some time, Recimir came back to inform the boys they would soon move on again. The camp was dismantled and the march re-started, the next day they would arrive in Calavria. Meanwhile, some soldiers could see both young royals talking about lifestyle, knowledge, duty and politics, not exactly topics that children enjoy, but in each case their own circumstances.

The king’s army arrived by the beginning of the afternoon, outside the city another army was encamped there, looking at the flags, it was clearly the army of Duke Baeliris.

Kniva ordered the rest of the army to stop. With Totila at his side, the king took a small detachment from the main army and went to the encampment of the army around the fortress city.

Arriving in the other military camp, the king could see some signs of battle there. Some wounded and quite the number of refugees and their baggage could be seen among the soldiers in the encampment.

The king arrived at the center of the encampment going towards the tent with the banners of Baelires. He was saluted by the guards who allowed him in.

Inside Kniva saw the Duke of Baeliris, Hevermund, and his direct vassals. All awaiting him in salute as custom dictated.

“Your Majesty, your servant is happy that you finally arrived.” said the Duke.

“Indeed, I am honored to be here. Be at ease, we have much to discuss.”

Loosening the formalities, Kniva continued with the war discussion.

“It seems the “party” has already started without us”

“Yes my king” responded the duke, ” The word that you have mustered an army and plans a large offensive has already spread to the court of Oderick, some of their lords have mustered a vanguard with about 3.500 men.”

“And you have given them battle?” asked Kniva.

“I tried to sire, but the enemy saw we had a considerable advantage in numbers and kept themselves to raids and small harassment tactics, they made their headquarters in a hill and fortified their positions.”

“How many men did you manage to muster my friend?”.

“A bit more than 4.500 sire, however a considerable number is made from local levies and the enemy most likely received more reinforcements so I did not dare attempt an assault in a fortified strong position. But in the skirmishes we did come out on top, downing many of their horsemen.”

“I see, you did well my friend and vassal, you shall leave a small force to defend the fortress city and join me on the march, is that agreeable?.”

“By your Will, my king.”

Kniva was courteous with his words but in truth he disliked the duke, the duke in the past did little to help the previous king in his time of need and even played for the crown’s oppositors as a clever opportunist.

But Kniva needed the addition of the duke’s armies, allies and expertise in war, for despite being an opportunist, Hevermund was a veteran of war and he did well so far by protecting his people, the number of refugees outside, with their belongings, meant the evacuation of the front was well organized.

The king then gave a command to Totila.

“Totila, i want you to take command of our cavalry forces and 40 magicians . The enemy, if they are not stupid, most likely already saw that we arrived and are in hurry to retreat, i want you to strike at then when disorganized and cause as much mayhem as you can.”

“Leave it to me, my liege”Totlia made a ferocious smile.”I will give their asses a good kicking!”

The duke then approached with a proposal.

“If you would allow me my liege, i would like my son to participate as well together with some of our knights and man-at-arms, they have been scouting so could serve to inform sir Totila of any possible ambush location. Some of them lost comrades in the skirmish and desire revenge. ”

“Perfect, I allow it.”

“Alright! Today is going to be a good day!” roared Totila storming out of the tent.

‘Well, at least he will calm down a bit after this’ thought the king.

Totilla took with him the majority of the horsemen, around 3.500 of them, out of which 500 were knights and 3000 mounted man-at-arms. They rode towards the enemy, situated in a hill close to the border between the 2 kingdoms, and there the first large battle happened on the campaign.