Thread: The Fall of An Era [ Father x Fruit ]

But we outnumber them five to one!. Her vanguard insisted for what must have been the tenth time now. Had he not been of noble blood, Catelyn would have dismissed him. Numbers aren't everything, Ser Cassel. The humans have strong fortifications along the river, furthermore they have erected a number of camps, towers, and watch points alongside the western passages. While they're certainly not like the dwarfs dwelling in their mountains, they have a flexible supply line and resources to hold out on a year long siege She explained again, this time condescendingly slowly, hoping that the proud knight would leave the war council. But no, he's still here, offering me guidance as if he was Agrippa The Cunning she sighed. The weather was growing hot in this god-forsaken, thrice-damned province. Would that I were in Elve's Vale now, drinking cold honeyed wine with a paramour's hot tongue between my legs . So there is no way to defeat them? Ser Cassel presented his third idiotic inquiry for the day. The first one was when he sheepishly asked if they had brought catapults with them to counter the human's towers, Ser Rodrik explained that they couldn't transport such weaponry without severely stalling their march, and that there were no nearby forests to lumber. The second question was when he asked if the humans would dare face them in open combat. With that giant river between us, and only a single bridge to defend. I'd be shocked if they weren't awaiting our arrival . There are tens of ways to defeat them, Ser. I have fought against harder tides and lived to boast, there is a reason my lord father elected to send me as chief commander of this campaign. While victory is guaranteed, let me remind you that this Valerii stronghold is only our first skirmish in this grand campaign. Our orders are to conquer all the land stretching from Mymeer all the way to the Green Mountain in the Viscari Province. It won't do us well to waste resources and besiege the pesky humans for a year She explained, this time her voice showing clear signs of irritation, But victory is easily within our grasp, and if I hear you doubting it, I'll have your tongue cut for lowering morale. The knight's face flushed as red as the Elven banners, and promptly left the tent angrily. The bridge is like to be their ambush point, your highness. They'd like to destroy it and split us in half as we cross it, Ser Rodrik muttered as he stroked his white beard. Finally, someone who actually knows a thing about wars. The gods are good . Ser Rodrik had been her father's aide for years, often among his advisers in his war tent whenever he would wage a war or defend against an invasion. When Catelyn had first saw him she was six years old, and the white on his beard shyly shone amidst a forest of brown. You are correct, Ser. Rodrik moved closer to the grand map on the table and pointed towards a spot on the river The waters are shallow here, he moved his frail fingers to another spot, and here. I propose we send our bow-horsemen to ford the rivers and circle behind them at the bridge. If we're lucky we could pincer them on the bridge. And that is why you were never my father's chief adviser . The humans know this land better than us. There is a reason they chose those two particular spots to defend with towers she explained, and before she could elaborate, she noticed his reaction. He understood his blunder . Their archer would decimate our riders with their height advantage from the towers. I apologize, milady, I ought to clear my head with some wine he laughed, and she joined him with a modest giggle. We all do, Ser. Don't worry about it, your highness. I vow to devise a plan that will guarantee us a swift victory he announced, his fist pressed against his heart. I doubt not your devotion nor your intellect, Ser, but that won't be necessarily. They are as smart, they know that all they can do is tire the beast before succumbing to its wrath. Within a week their commander will either surrender or his men will kill him and deliver his head as a token of submission. Of course, I might be overestimating their intelligence. In that case, we might have to build our own bridges But, the forest is.. We don't need the forest to build a bridge. Have the stewards fetch me a quill and paper, and tell Arvin he's to be sent as an envoy to the humans as soon as I'm done writing Arvin was a stumpy fellow, with ginger hair and wide green eyes. His cheeks matched his hair an orange hue with spots and wrinkles. He looked up at the leader of the human's nation, twirling his tongue inside his mouth as he considered his choice of words. Aelius he said, his voice echoing throughout the chamber despite his small frame, Her royal highness Princess Catelyn offers terms of peace under the condition that you bend the knee and swear your allegiance. He presented the terms on the table Catelyn had detailed everything. It was all written in human tongue but for Catelyn's name and signature. As per the terms, the humans were to lay down arms before the next light. Their weapons were to be confiscated, and 3000 able warriors were to be conscripted into the Elven army to serve in the remainder of their conquests. Catelyn also demanded ten hostages as a show of trust, but she allowed three of them to be chosen from outside the noble families of the city. The humans were also required to pay an annual sum of 3000 golden coins and 250 silver coins as a token of submission. In return, the elves promise to show mercy and reinstate Ser Aelius as a ruler of the city under the King's name. Accept the terms, Ser. Its better than bloodshed that would end with your country in ruins