[b]Chapter 31: Departure[/b]

The last of the crates and barrels were loaded up onto the many wagons that had been lined up along the King's Road outside of Monarch's Rise. With an agreement struck with the outlander king, it had been decided that it was no longer necessary to sit and freeze within a war camp outside of the capital city. Out of the fifteen thousand fighting men and women that had joined up with the army, only one and a half thousand were to remain and guard each road that lead to and from the city - the rest had been permitted to return home in an orderly march. At sea beyond the city, the final ships that had patiently retained a blockade around the grand capital were setting sail to return back to their home ports. What could have turned into a massive massacre had instead been resolved without bloodshed at the cost of national prestige. Word of what had transpired at Monarch's Rise would undoubtedly reach the ears of distant queens and kings, and they in turn would undoubtedly look upon the Northlands with scorn and revolt.

Yet the Northerners are a stubborn and practical people. Vengeance runs deep and cold within their veins. One day soon they would return to reclaim their capital city from the otherwordly invaders. This Leofric vowed to his men.


[i]"It would have been at a terrible cost, perhaps even defeat."[/i] Leofric said. He sat upon his armoured warhorse that stood on a small raise in the ground, watching the large column marching by below. The northern soldiers looked weary, yet relived to be on their way home. Their halberds and spears were resting upon their shoulders in standard method while on the march, and many had their heads wrapped around in thick cloth or scarfs to better shield against the unnatural cold that had gripped the area around the capital. Next to Leofric sat Arthur upon his own destrier. He nodded.
 [i]"The odds were stacked against us. We've never faced anything like this before. It was wise to withdraw, perhaps now we can find a way to swing this into our favour."[/i]
 [i]"Let us hope so."[/i] Leofric concisely replied.

The two men turned their horses around and began to trot up towards the head of the column. Like many others, Leofric had coiled a scarf around his head to keep the warmth. His helmet hung from the saddle and his sword was tied against it as well, at his right side near the hand. Eventually he tugged down the scarf and left it around his neck, as the cold gradually dissipated in severity the farther away they marched from the city.
 [i]"What now?"[/i] Arthur inquired after moments of silence.
 [i]"I will find my daughter and take her to a safe location. The decision I have made will throw the nobility into tantrum. While I track down Josephine, you will go north in my stead and hound the nobility into line before they overreact."[/i] Leofric replied.
Arthur nodded in understanding. [i]"I will see it done."[/i]

The column continued northwards, ever onwards. After half a day's march the force had stopped and raised camp at a ruined castle from the days of old. The morale had lifted, many of the soldiers were in a good mood knowing they were soon back at home, family and hearth.

But there was no respite for Arthur. He had gathered an entourage of mounted lesser knights to accompany him on his mission, and as twilight fell over the country the knights set off into gallop along the northern roads, intent on reaching the many domains of the nations' lords and ladies before any misinformation did.