abcnovels
Chapter 387
Chapter 387: It began (1)
VENICIA
In the red evening as the sun begins to set, once again an attempt for peace is negotiated.
This time the envoy came with a squadron of horsemen to once again negotiate with Diego.
All of this is because the admiration that Harald has for this brave man.
And Harald knows if he could turn Diego to one of his allies, he will be gaining one more person that will help him further his rule.
Once again a proposal is sent to Diego.
Diego can be seen from the distance. If he is to charge, then battle will erupt almost immediately. Behind him, the army is nervously awaiting the decisions of their lord.
Diego knights allow the envoy to approach Diego but the envoy could see the distraught and the gaunt face of Lord Diego and he doesn't seem like himself.
Then like etiquette dictated he presented the terms that the King has presented to Diego, hoping that time Diego will accept it.
'The King has expressed his generosity to you, my lord' the envoy says. Diego gestured for the envoy to say what he has come to say.
'The King has said if you cease combat and surrender your arms, that King Harald would surely meet you at the negotiation table to reach some terms of accommodation. This is his word and by his honour as King.'
However, Diego is unlike himself, looking at the envoy like he is going to eat the envoy himself. His eye is red with madness, and his hair is disheveled.
'NO, I SAID NO! SCRAM! TELL YOUR KING THE PATH OF NEGOTIATION HAS ENDED LONG AGO.IT HAS ENDED.'
Diego become incensed, and would listen to no overtures of peace. Almost like a madman, the lord starts raving and throwing things.
'My lord why not- 'The envoy said stuttering in fear looking at this unexpected behavior by the lord reaction.
No. Harald is intending to kill me off. Why else would he negotiate again when he has so much advantage?
He wanted to do to me like he did to the Anjouian King. Diego still remember what happen to Barael. He mused
The sound of the King skull, the exploding head, the red water that gushes out from the corpse eyeballs.
'We will continue combat. Tell your King I will fight to the death. I will have it no other way!' Then he sent back the envoy while he prepares his heart and yelled
'CHARGE!'
Saying this his army charges once again to Harald cavalry. Harald seeing this just shakes his head and once again he is thrown into battle.
'Unfortunately, I will lose one worthy rival' he said while shaking his head, he ordered his army to take position.
But the outcome is as predicted. No matter how they try to charge, Harald shield bearer is like a sturdy brick wall.
Nothing could break their defense.
Not even one of them could penetrate its thick defense and Harald just have to wait as his cavalry keep whittling down the enemies and when the scream of Diego rang out in the battlefield, the battle is over.
In this battle Harald didn't even have to do anything. He just waited. Diego continued the combat and he is killed by a spear lodged deep into his chest.
Harald then walked around the battlefield and spotted the lord body among the other corpse.
'Hmm…. You should have taken the offer' he said mournfully and then he lowers himself as he closes the open eyelids of Diego Botticelli, one of the Four Princes of the Four Families.
Harald then look at the prisoner of war. They immediately surrender after their lord fell in battle.
The remaining combatants in Diego army had now no longer any motive for resistance. The mercenary that Diego has brought is one of the first that surrenders to the crown. It is understandable.
Roland who has finished tying up the rest of them comes to the King to ask his order regarding the prisoners.
'Your Highness.' He said bowing his head.
'What should we do with these thrash?'
Harald think for a bit and sighed.
'Offer them a free passage to return to their ships for Diego army if they would lay down their arms. As for the mercenary, asks them if they would join us. I would pay them gold. For some reason I feel a plot is afoot. As for the Anjouian, kill all of them.'
'But- 'Harald only smiles and then say
'Let them go already. They wanted to fight for their motherland. But the Anjouian? They have no justification. At least let some justice be repaid. And the mercenaries? I have a feeling they are not Diego mercenaries. He doesn't have enough gold to support this kind of mercenary companies. When they fled from Freya they didn't even have time to bring all the gold in their treasury. I know because all of their gold is in the Kingdom treasury at Arleans.'
Roland nodded in understanding as he understands his King logic.josei
'Yes, Your Highness. I will relay your offer to those people'
Diego soldiers accepted the offer, retired on board their ships, and set sail while all the Anjouian is executed.
Some of the mercenary join, some refused. Those that refused is executed and then all of the mercenaries join.
Harald has planned to rest in the city and set up a war tent fearing if there are any bandits or marauder that will come, seeing the vulnerable state of the city but he is interrupted by a most alarming news.
The messenger come to his tent and delivers him the shocking news.
'Impossible' his voice is clearly voicing his shock and confusion
'How could he- '
Harald is so shocked that he is seen stumbling into the chair in his war tent. His hand trembling with fury and disbelief spread around on his face.
'Your Highness what is wrong?' Roland asked, alarmed seeing the King response after reading the letter.
'The Dragon has march their soldiers and they have just passed Alsencon. They are marching to Arleans without no doubt. Emilia. Amelie. My son' Harald said fearing for his family safety.
'Let us return to the north' he quickly said as he regains back his vitality and quickly order his army to march.
Harald then, having heard of Arial march on the northern region, set out on his return to the northward, to meet the more formidable enemy that menaced him there.
*************************************************************************