The Uscan Union is one of the last remnants of feudalism. It exists merely for the sake of existence so that its Nobles can continue pretending like their sun didn't set 800 years ago.

~Dominic Black

Interlude: Uscan Union

The Month of Ninsum Day 16 Year 675 Of the Second Holy Calendar

A mass of men and horses had been gathered around Virgie. The Uscan Union accepted the Call to Arms from their Ally, the kingdom of Graytowers, and raised a massive army in support. The two nations were not particularly close allies. They were old enemies. However, it was in the best interest of the Uscan Union to support the kingdom of Graytowers. This was due to the rising power and ambition of the kingdom of Jax, a nation that threatened the Uscan Union as much as Graytowers.

So, the Union assembled an army of 90,000 strong to march in support of Graytowers. For a nation still relying on feudalism, assembling an enormous but low-quality army was easy, as they frequently relied on peasant levies—soldiers who had not awakened to their magic. Meanwhile, the Aszore Kingdoms had long since established standing armies with awakened soldiers who could slaughter feudal armies. But the traditional men at arms and knights of the Union were awakened. They were Superior to the regulars of the Aszore Kingdoms, Having trained for life instead of choosing soldiering as a career. But at the same time, they were more valuable than the regulars.

Of the army, 30,000 were knights, men at arms, and all the remaining 60,000 were peasant levies or Sell swords. The Union's High Council had sent Grand Duke Archibald Erickson, the Wolf of Norost. Experienced and dangerous Commander and the most powerful man in the country. the six grand duchies of the Union functionally operated like independent kingdoms; however, thanks to their shared traditions and customs, they unified into one nation. Six grand Dukes and the high priest of Apora, the nation's Patron God, formed the Council of Seven, the High Council of the Union, which handled domestic disputes between the six grand duchies and foreign affairs. But was notably forbidden from handling the internal affairs of each Grand duchy, which their Grand Duke traditionally handled.

“The council said what!” Archibald glared at the messenger ferociously. “Did you tell them that the Blacks were our in-laws and our allies that we swore to defend?!” The messenger was a member of a lesser house, not one of the six great Dukes of families, but the cousin of a Grand Duke, who was a self-declared moderate faction among the council. Archibald called them spineless. Richard Lampard dressed and talked like a typical noble. His beard was kept well groomed, as was his long hair, and his fine green overcoat had the symbol of his house in golden and silver thread, two dancing golden lions, one in gold and one in silver.

Archibald had always hated long hair on men. It was impractical to maintain and, to his mind, a sign of a feminine nature. The Ericksons and the Lampards had never gotten along; the two were rivals for the most powerful Grand duchy in the nation. They hadn't gotten along even before they were exiled to the Norost Mountains. Richard's cousin Michael wasn't a particular threat as he was relatively stupid and had been one of the reasons for the rise of the Ericksons. However, Richard was a different type of beast altogether, unlike his idiot cousin. Luckily for Archibald, only the six grand Dukes themselves and the high priest of Apora could attend the council meetings.

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“I did tell them, Your Grace,” Richard said with a respectful bow, “But they consider the matter of defending the kingdom of Graytowers more important than defending your illegitimate son-in-law's small, insignificant nation.” He had an annoying smirk on his face. “Besides, I heard your daughter was back in Ericktown.”

Archibald gritted his teeth so hard he thought they might shatter. He thought about his stupid daughter, who had left such a good man as Valerius over some stupid reason. He had already forgotten his daughter's name, but he knew it was some dumb idea his third wife had put in her head, something about the purity of bloodlines, so now the Black family wasn't up to her standards. The Blacks were a young upstart family, to be sure, but Valerius was a better man than all his 21 sons whose names he'd forgotten despite their supposedly pure blood. Archibald understood this was why he was treated like some outsider among the noble society of the Uscan Union who were bloodline purists. Honestly, he didn't care about his daughter's feelings, but he did care about Valerius's opinion of him and his family.

“Tell the council just to send any reinforcements or support. It will leave a good impression on our allies and prevent them from cutting ties with us in the future,” Archibald said

“You speak of the future, Your Grace, but the kingdom of Black is on its last legs. An army larger than this one, led by the golden stallion himself, is smashing through their defenses as we speak. You say leave a good impression; believe a good impression on a group of dead people. Besides, the council believes that any troops we send will just get killed,”

Archibald snorted with disgust and looked at Frederick disdainfully. “Don't speak about matters you don't understand. Valerius is a better General than you ever will be.”

“And I'm sure he's such a good General that he can overcome a difference in numbers of over 10 times.” Richard sneered back.

Archibald glared and growled, but ultimately, nothing could be done, and Richard departed with a satisfied smirk on his face. “Our feud with the Lampards must end one way or the other,” he said to the son, who is also his Aide.

“But, father,” the Son whose name he'd already forgotten said, “the council and Lord Richard are right in this case.”

He snorted. “What would you know about it? Valerius is twice the man you are.” At his hurt and angry expression, Archibald only scoffed, “Have you ever defeated me in war? Besides, he defeated me while outnumbered, and he defeated the golden stallion before he could surely do it again.”

Archibald scratched his chin while thinking and ignoring his son. The Kingdom of Black was one of the only trade partners of the Uscan Union. This was because of their constant raiding of other nations. The Kingdom of black was isolated due to Antlatur's blockade of their Kingdom, so the two formed each other's sole trading partners. Archibald wouldn't be surprised if the idiots on the council didn't realize just how important that relationship was. The Kingdom of Black was one of the only places they could buy food from. Although the black stock wasn't abundant, it was still better than the Uscan Union's national supply.

“The council no longer listens to me like they once did. Richard is getting in my way.” His son was confused, and so Archibald says, “He's still in the camp, isn't he? Go out and kill him.”

“In broad daylight?” his son asked, confused.

“No, you idiot, I want you to kill him in the open, then rape his corpse, then go to the council and confess that you murdered him on my orders.“ He still didn't seem to understand until Archibald growled. “He'll surely stay the night, and even if he doesn't he will go to a nearby castle or town, he'll probably stay in an inn. When he's asleep, send someone to slit his throat, then blame it on a prostitute or something.”

“He has guards, though,” he protested weekly.

“Then kill them or bribe them. I don't give a shit.”

“But everyone will know we killed him.”

“I don't give a damn.”