Chapter 140 Call to Arms
Puerto Blanco.
The chair that was in the throne room of White Hall was made of white stone with gold and teak wood. The duke was only a few days away from turning fifteen. He could not remember when his father had sat in that chair. He only remembered his mother sitting on the throne before her health failed. The young man caressed the cold stone with his hand, but he could not sit down. His life had been preparation for possessing the power of this throne, but his mind and heart were not ready. He longed to be with the queen on the island, in the forest, or anywhere else in the world.
A male voice: Duke Vulfhelm, are you ready to receive your knights?
Wulfhelm turned: Yes. It is necessary.
The nobleman opened the door completely and gestured for the men to enter. The knights wore black and gold armor. They represented the loyalty of the noble houses that survived the conquest of their kingdom. The youngest was fifty-eight years old. The oldest was almost seventy. They knelt down in front of the boy. The duke listened to the oaths of loyalty and the promises of steel and blood. His mind raced, searching for the right words. The face of Olivia flashed briefly in his mind. The expression she had when she asked him to help her escape the royal chambers to confront the captain and his unicorn.
The duke waited for them to stand up: Lord Knights, we have no time for mourning. The queen is at war against a traitor to reclaim her throne. After that, she will need every soldier we can muster.
The old knight: Duke, with Costa Lunas embroiled in war, we can bring our fleet and army back home and free ourselves from the conquerors.
Wulfhelm: Without our help, she will fail. Whether it is Valero or Aurelio, it does not matter. They will attack our cities again. If I do not keep my oath to her, I do not deserve my title.
Knight: I understand. But she will not be able to defeat Aurelio. It is better that we prepare to defend the cities and reclaim our freedom.
The duke looked at each of their faces. These men had helped his mother in the revolt and in her plan against Aloisio. They were truly loyal to the throne.
He removed his sword belt and placed it on the throne: It is easy for anyone who wants to kill me and decide the future of our people. Anyone who wants to prove that the oath of a nobleman of Blasser Hafen is worthless.
The youngest knight took the sword from the throne and knelt before the duke: Your father performed the ceremony to make me a knight. I believe you have the same heart as your father.
Another knight: What are your orders?
Wulfhelm: Gather all the men who can wield a weapon and all the horses that can carry a soldier. We are at the service of Queen Olivia the Fearless.
Colinas Gemelas castle.
The newlyweds sat opposite many thin, sickly nobles. Some had been in prison for over ten years. A day of good food and light had done them well.
Marisela: A name means much to people. You are the families of the noble houses stolen by the king. Many of your noble houses are free now, and more will be soon. Return to your homes and gather soldiers, supplies, and coin for the queen.
The woman touched the hand of her husband. The man stood up, placed his hands on the table, and stared intently at the faces, searching for hope.
Heinrich: A fleet is landing. By nightfall, an army from Puerto Blanco will be on the peninsula. With them, our force will pose a significant threat to the castle. We will soon receive orders from the queen. She will return to the throne, and we will defend the city against Aurelio.
The nobles showed life in their eyes. Many smiled. All swore loyalty to Queen Olivia. When the nobles left, the lady received the riders of the queen.
Marisela: Welcome.
The woman and the man knelt: Lady, Lord.
They offered scrolls to the nobles and stood proudly before their eyes.
Heinrich: Knights, congratulations.
Marisela opened the royal parchment: By order of Queen Olivia, Lord Heinrich is the commander of the army of the peninsula and from this moment, he is a Count of Weisse Halle. Lady Marisela is now the Countess of Colinas Gemelas with issue.
The woman placed the parchment on the table and smiled. If they survived, her son would own the ancestral home, and his children would inherit it after him.
Heinrich: We have news for the queen when you return. I am very pleased to announce that the lady is now my wife.
The two young people smiled and held hands. The woman spoke: How romantic. But the queen wants us to stay here to support her army. We can see the enemy positions and numbers in many areas. She also asked us to retrieve some items from Count Heinrich for a special purpose.
Two hours passed before the riders were ready to fly again. They were nervous, and their mounts easily sensed it. White Mask immediately understood what they were carrying. Golden Arrow could not comprehend the images the woman had conjured. But when the blond rider uttered the word in his language, the male became frightened. They ran together along the long beach on the eastern side of the peninsula. They took off over the sea and tried to fly over uninhabited areas.
They approached the castle flying high enough to avoid the danger of the arrows. Volker flew forward with a rope in his hand and an object the size of his head tied to the end. Chara flew slowly in a circle, watching him. The man threw the object forward, and White Mask swerved slightly to the left. The object fell at an angle to the ground near the main entrance of the royal castle.
The object hit the main road and exploded, causing a large and intense fire. Golden Arrow flew in the same line, and the woman threw a similar object closer to the castle. Many soldiers were moving. Some were firing arrows without thinking about the distance. Many were looking for shields or places with cover.
The young man had observed his lover and the line where her weapon had fallen. He took out his second object, waited until he was closer, and threw it with great force.
The flag of Valero was displayed on the high wall above the main entrance. It was made of fine, stiff fabric, bearing his familial colors and banner. The second grenade from Volker struck the wall beneath the flag, and the fabric burst into flames.
Chara flew straight toward the flag and threw it with all her might. The grenade struck almost halfway up the flag, and within minutes, the symbol of King Valero burned and fell from the castle. Hundreds of soldiers and servants witnessed it. In the distance, people saw a great fire on the royal castle.