Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 382: Some justice (2)

ON THE OUTSKIRT OF VENICIA

There are hundreds or maybe thousand mounted men near the city of Venicia approaching it with careful consideration.

Harald has rushed to the city after hearing the horrendous brutal act by the pretender. When he got the letter about the city of Orbourgh he then rushed but it is too late for the other cities that they sacked. 

But at least this city, he will rescue it from the vicious clutches of the invaders.

'Venicia' Harald said overlooking the city from a distance.

'At least it still stands.'

'That is the city Your Highness. It doesn't seem the invaders have sacked the city.' One of Harald officer said relieved that they did not see any smokes coming from one of the largest city in Freya.

The scout that Harald send then come and reported the situation of the region.

'How is the situation?' Harald asked when the scout return from his scouting

'Yes, Your Highness. We have checked the surrounding area, the wall and everything.'

'And?'josei

'We found no army of besiegers around the walls, and there is nothing to intercept Your Highness progress up to the very gates of the city.' 

The officers smile and nodded hearing this fortunate news.

'May I suggest a course of action Your Highness?' one of Harald officers speaks up.

'Ser Roland, please speak your thoughts' Harald said.

'Why not use the people of the city to your advantage. Send some raven to the people in the tower. If the scouts' information is true, the invader is asleep.'

'Why would I do that?'

'The inhabitants, I believe also fear to be under the invaders. Why would they trust their lives under one that commit such atrocities? They must have heard the rumors of the burned cities, of the city that is full with corpse. They must feel anxiety. If you send a message to the inhabitant to receive you in, to open the gate for you then a surprise attack is possible.' 

'Won't they post some guards in the wall?' Harald said as he looks at the scouts. The scouts now know that the King wanted his information.

'No, Your Highness' the scouts answer.

'Hear that Your Highness? Anjouian is famous for their drunken feast after a successful victory. They are barbarians, pirates, horse people. What do they know of strategies and battle tactics?' Ser Roland snorted thinking of the Anjou.

'Diego is there.' Harald said, once again his gaze is cast over the city.

'Still, Your highness, there is no gain without some risk. I just proposed a course of action, Your Highness. It is your decision whether to go through with it.'

Harald nodded. Ser Roland is right. In the end he has to decide. Then he deliberates his options and then he decided.

'We will proceed with your plan then.' 

Roland nodded satisfied.

'Then I will send some envoys to send the ravens. In a few moments surely, we will receive their reply.' Roland said as he begins the preparations.

Harald nodded as his host waited for the signs. Then the ravens come again and the massage is written

'Wait for the signs by the gatekeeper. Your Highness will be received when the threat towards Your Majesty is nonexistent'

They waited and in half an hour the inhabitants opened the gates to receive him. Most of it is the guard, who is mostly Freyan.

But they rather submit to Vangua then to the brutal Anjouian. Harald smile as he saw the gate opened and nodded to Ser Roland.

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THE CITY OF VENICIA

'Quiet. We must march unnoticed.' Harald orders.

'Move cautiously and beware of treachery.' The other officers relay Harald orders.

They are in the entrance of the city while the invader is in the inner part of the city. 

The whole detachment which is marching under his command passed in, while Diego sleeping in the manor and his Anjouian allies were sleeping quietly in their camp, wholly unconscious of the great change which had thus taken place in the situation of their affairs.

Harald then instruct his armies to lay low until the morning for they fear locating the invaders in the middle of night and then risking them to end their surprise attack. 

Harald has a different idea then Ser Roland. Roland wanted to attack in surprise but that won't be easy considering the scattered position of two forces. 

The forces of Diego and Anjouian is scattered so Harald plan for a different strategy. It is for that plan sake he ordered them to wait until morning.

After all the city does not yet fall fully. 

Venicia is a large city. Harald is hoping for one thing from Diego. He knew Diego did not wish any more bloodshed not on his ancestral city. 

That could be seen by his effort to spare this city. Harald know of the disposition of Anjouian. 

They burn. They raze. It must take great persuasion in Diego part to save this city from being sacked.

'It is a gamble.' Harald said as he prepares for the morning.

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The weather had been stormy and cold this winter but this morning, the sun came out bright, and the air was calm, giving promise of a warm day.

Diego then with the Anjouian King behind him draw out the large portion of the army, and formed them in array, for the purpose of advancing to take possession of the city. 

The weather, the bright sun, the calming air, all enhances this parade of martial might. 

As the movement into the city was to be a peaceful one—a procession, as it were, and not a hostile march—the men is ordered to leave their coats of mail and all their heavy armor in camp, that they might march more unencumbered. 

On the other hand, that same morning Harald hearing the news from the spy he planted the night before, rushed to meet this defenseless army.

Diego then with his army, they saw before them, on the road leading to the city, as they began parading, a great cloud of dust arising. 

'What is that Freyan?' Barael said as he too sees the approaching dust coming toward them.

Diego look as the dust clears and he see the Crowned Sword banners. 

'That is! How could that be! HOW DID THEY ENTER!' Diego and even the Anjouian is lost and bewildered at the appearance of so unexpected a spectacle. 

Very soon they could see weapons glittering here and there, and the other banners flying, rising from the army that is rushing to them. 

'THE ENEMY HAS SHOWN THEMSELVES. RID THIS CITY OF THESE INVADERS' the cry arose passed along their ranks, producing alarm while the common folk cheered at the arrival of the Vanquisher.

'Halt!' Diego cried out.

'Battle array' he yelled. The soldier moves into position hastily both in confusion and bewildered at this sudden development.

Harald did the same as he orders his men.

'Do not charge! Halt!' He ordered when he has drawn near to the front of the enemy; both parties then paused, and stood surveying one another.

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ON HARALD SIDE

'My king, why do we stop?' Ser Roland asked.

'We should charge them. We have the superiority in number and arms. There is no better opportunity than this right now to destroy them. Give me the order to charge and these rabbles of invaders will regret they ever dare to step their soil in your land.' Roland pushed.

'Roland, there is no need for war when they are other solutions. Right now if we focused too much on these rabbles then the Arrandy lords who have been camped near the border might take this opportunity. They might have given up now that winter is coming but I still feel uneasy about our northern border. It is not easy to persuade the army to come here when the Arrandian threat in the north is not yet addressed. Spring is nearing. Maybe then the Arrandy lords would once again threatened invasion. Let us settle and give a few lands to Diego. If its Diego alone when the Arrandian threats have been dismantled, then we can deal with Diego.'

Roland nodded finally understanding his King worries. The new land of Vangua is stretched out and overextension is a headache for even Harald.

'DIEGO' Harald then yelled. 

'I come with a proposition.' 

Then advancing from king Harald side a squadron of ten horsemen, splendidly armed, and bearing a flag of truce. 

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