Silenced, in the study lasted for an hour. Before a rapid sound steps are heard approaching was heard.
"My Lord, it is me Tom. An urgent message from Hatr. A call for help from Ser Lancel! A 6,000 strong goblin army led by a goblin chief.
Hatr, is undersieged!"
Prewells eye shot open as Toms voice was heard from outside of the room. His mind running quickly at the sudden information he received.
Reaching for Madeline's hand at the side of his temple. He held her hand and gave it a squeeze. Reassuring her that he's fine now.
He stood up and turned to Madeline. His voice as soft as before. "Stay here."
Heading towards the door. Opening it and leaving the room. Leaving Madeline inside the room still standing behind his chair.
As he left the room, Prewell issued a command to Tom. "Send word for Waldr, Lawnberg, and Reztel. Tell them to rally the men. Our assembly point will be at the crossroads.
I'll lead the men of the castle towards Lawnberg to the South East. Inform the men of Waldr that after they rallied to begin their march towards Reztel. After combining force with the men in Reztel wait for my word.
After I joined forces with the men in Lawnberg. I'll send word for them to march south towards the crossroads. Tell Wiegraf to oversee the logistic from Waldr. Use all the reserves available in there, if necessary issue rationing.
The source of our supplies and provisions will come from Waldr, then it will head towards Reztel, from there it will head towards the crossroads in the middle of the territory. A temporary campwill be established in the crossroads."
Pausing for a while before continuing. "After the men from all the settlements were gathered, we head East towards Hatr. At Hatr… We will face the goblins. Tell everyone to be prepared."
"Go pass on my orders Tom, and tell Ecish to gather everyone by the gates." As Tom nodded as he swiftly left to convey his Lords message.
Prewell returned inside as he stared at Madeline from across the room. Speaking as he makes his way towards her. "Madeline, you will coordinate with Wiegraf, and you will also supervise the castle while I'm away. I will take Ecish with me. Tom, will remain here to assist you."
"If the castle is in any sort of danger. Remember, the corner in the library were we used to always sit when we were young. There's a hidden door behind the book case facing the window." After reaching Madeline, Prewell's hand touched her cheeks.
"It leads to a hidden room inside the castle. In there, is enough supplies to last for half a year. Hide there and wait for me… okay?" His hands stroked her cheeks. Feeling her smooth and soft cheeks for a moment.
"Hmmm" Madeline nodded as she rested her head on Prewell's hand touching her cheeks. Her pale cheeks reddened, her eyes staring at his face, burning his profile into her memory. Their intimacy was unexpected, but not unwelcomed.
They have been close since their youth, liking one another is normal, but their moments of affection can wait. Hatr is in danger and as its Lord it is Prewell's duty to save his people.
Giving her cheeks a last squeeze, he turned and left. Not saying another word in fear that he'll be too absorbed in her warmth.
Staring at Prewell's back, Madeline touched her cheeks. "I'll be waiting for you… here at home." ________________________________________
Making his way towards the dungeons, Prewell was greeted by the sight of two armored men.
Compared to the leather armor and iron barbute helmets that most of the men in his territory wore, these men wore scale mail and a spangle helm. Holding a Halberd with one hand as they stood watch. In absolute silence.
Prewell, walked past the two guards as he heads deeper underground. Passing through the dungeon area and arriving at a larger area in the underground section of the castle. Swiping his arms as a panel appears in front of him.
His mind willed the system to manifest 65 tier one's.
As a bright light flashes and 65 naked men appeared before him. "Ask one of your companions above to bring you to your barracks. You'll be given a set of armor and weapons, equip it.
After that notify the person that brought you to your barracks to gather in the mustering grounds in an hours time."
Point: 65 -> 0
After that head turned backed leaving the underground heading to the mustering grounds. ________________________________________
-Recruit Castle Guard Pov-
It like any other day, the sun rising as we, the guards of the castle stood in daze a top the battlements.
*tak tak tak*
A lone horseman was seen rushing towards Saint Gerald's Castle. He can be seen holding something from afar.
Squinting my eyes a few times to see what he was holding, I was met by a loud scream from one of the towers. "A BLACK FLAG!"
'Hmmmm? Black flag, what does that mean?' The shout alarmed the other guards. One of the guards, a veteran in the castle, rushed towards the walls. His eyes squinted, then it widened, then suddenly he ran towards the castle.
Blinking my eyes at what just happened. Confused, I looked at the man beside me. A chill crept up my spine, as I saw his face.
Jack or Old Jack as others prefer to call him. A jolly old man, though mute, and can't seem to understand a word we are saying. Still always carrying a goody smile on his face.
Him together with others like him, we call them the old guards. According to the lord, they were former soldiers stationed in the far north region of the Lyzanese Empire because they offended a certain imperial noble.
They had their tongues cut and were exiled to the Andal Mountains. Living among the mountain colonies before, they met the Lord, who invited them to Zalsac.
As for Old Jack… His usual goofy smile gone. Now replaced with this unsmiling and flat face. His whole demeanor, it's different… no… not just that… everything about him is different…
As I shook my head, I turned towards the rest of the castle guards. Recruits like me are looking around, clearly also confused about the situation, whilst the veteran's face turned solemn.. the old guards… I stood there frozen… their expressions…
Dong! Dong! Dong! A loud bell was heard.
As other recruits and veterans stared towards the castle. Perhaps confused by the bell ringing. They stared towards the source of the sound.
I stood there petrified as I stared at something different, the old guards. All of them simultaneously raised their heads. Expression blank, their faces flat, and their eyes… as if hollowed…
"Men head to the mustering grounds!" A shout coming from below made me take my sight off them.
I know that voice, Sir Ecish, the Ogre Slayer. Men, rookies, and veterans alike scrambled for the stairs. Heading towards the training grounds.
As for Old Jack and his group… staring at their backs as they head towards a secluded yet heavily guarded part of the castle.
I wonder where are they going?
My heart thumped as I felt a gaze lay upon me. Fear, my entire being is afraid.
Someone is looking at me. Not someone but something.
My body, it won't move. My legs frozen in place, mouth wide open.
I watch my companions pass by me as they head for the stairs.
'Help!' 'Stop, please help me!' I tried to call for help, but no sounds come out of my mouth. The gaze, it, intensifies. 'Move! Move! Move!'
I can feel it, it's looking at me. 'Goddamn it move!' 'Where is it? No! No! Don't look for it.' 'Please move!' 'I don't want to die!' 'Please, I beg you move!'
Then suddenly as if it was all a dream. It's gone. The gaze was gone. My voice its back!
"HHHEEESSSLLLTTTTMMMPPPPEEE!" I let out an incoherent scream. I can move again!
I stumbled as my legs gave in. My face planted on the stone ground. It hurts.
Raising my head. A warm liquid is going down my cheeks. Soon I also felt something dripping from my noise. 'I'm crying. I'm crying. I'm crying.' 'I'm alive. I'm alive. I'm alive.'
"HAHAHA HAHAHA, I'm alive" I laugh, I giggled, I'm happy.
Then suddenly I stopped. 'Leave don't look back. Follow the rest and don't look back. Never tell anyone about this, don't look back.' Whatever it is, don't look back, wiping my tears and snot.
I ran towards the path the recruits and veterans took. Afraid of looking back at where I was a moment ago.
________________________________________
Ecish, stared at the running recruit. Then at the location where 'Old Jack' and his companions went.
Shaking his head. He heads towards the castle.
'A war against goblins, I guess, It's time for this old man to take a walk.' ________________________________________