With the promise of more reinforcent coming in a week, Alpheo departed from the city the very next day.
Two days had passed as Alpheo's army marched steadily toward Confluendi, the land around them growing eerily desolate. The fields lay barren, the hos and barns of the scattered villages they passed standing silent, as though abandoned in haste. There were no signs of life—no livestock, no villagers—just emptiness.
Egil, riding beside Alpheo, narrowed his eyes as they approached yet another deserted village. "No bodies," he muttered, scanning the scene. "No blood either. These places weren't raided."
Jarza, riding on the other side, grunted in agreent. "The rebels must've cleared everything out themselves. Took all the food they could find." He glanced toward the city looming in the distance. "The people probably either fled to Confluendi or moved to other villages, refugees by now."
Alpheo remained silent for a mont, taking in the lifeless landscape. His eyes hardened as he surveyed the abandoned farms and empty roads. "Whatever happens with this siege, this land is ruined," he finally said, his voice carrying a grim weight. "Famine, refugees… it'll be chaos for months, maybe until the next fall"
He let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "The bitch would burn everything just to leave ashes behind her," he muttered under his breath, the bitterness in his tone palpable. Elira, Ormund's widow, had made sure that even if she lost, the land she once ruled would suffer long after.
"Tell the n," Alpheo began, "that no one is to drink from the wells in these villages. We don't know if they've been poisoned." He spared a look to one of them before continuing "The rebels could've fouled the water on their way out, and I won't risk losing n to sothing as simple as thirst."
Egil nodded and imdiately sent out riders to spread the command among the troops.
Alpheo continued, his eyes fixed on the distant rivers they had passed earlier. "We'll resupply our water near the two rivers that run outside the city's fields. It's safer, and we know the water's fresh there."
Egil rode up alongside Alpheo, his brow furrowed with concern. "Commander, should I take so n and scout the surrounding areas? Make sure we're not walking into an ambush?"
Alpheo glanced at him, his expression thoughtful as he considered the suggestion. After a mont, he shook his head. "No need" he said firmly '' The land is empty, and all the cavalry that they could have mustered was defeated by us back then. No point wasting ti searching for threats that aren't there."
Egil looked slightly puzzled, but Alpheo continued, his voice steady and decisive. "Instead, take the n and find the remaining villagers. I can't believe that everyone was brought inside the walls. There must be soone hiding in the woods or trying to live off what's left in the fields. Bring them to Confluendi.Promise them two als a day in exchange for work," Alpheo said with a small shrug, " That should be enough to convince them."
"And if they refuse?" Egil asked, his voice cautious.
Alpheo's eyes hardened. "Then take them anyway. We need bodies to dig trenches and haul supplies, not their approval. Desperation breeds compliance."
Egil gave a nod, understanding the command. Without another word, he wheeled his horse around, riding off to gather the n, ready to round up whoever they could find to serve the army's needs. Alpheo watched him go, his gaze dark as the inevitable siege of Confluendi crept closer.
Alpheo's army finally crested the last hill, and the city of Confluendi lay sprawled before them. Its walls rose about five ters high but not impenetrable. Along the battlents, archers were already manning their positions, bows drawn and arrows knocked, their grim faces visible even from a distance. Just outside the walls, two freshly dug moats ran parallel, an additional layer of defense against any would-be besiegers.
Alpheo squinted up at the sky, the sun still sitting high overhead. It was barely midday, and they had made good ti despite the barren villages and empty land behind them.
He turned back to his n, his voice cutting through the quiet tension. "Set up camp 220 ters from the wall. Keep us well out of arrow range."
Jarza, standing nearby, nodded imdiately. "Understood"
Without hesitation, Jarza turned and began barking orders to the officers. "You heard him! Move it, lads! Make camp, and keep the distance at as ordered. Let's go!"
The smaller officers sprang into action, repeating the commands as the army began to fan out, preparing to establish their encampnt.
Shahab observed the bustling activity around him, genuinely surprised by the efficiency and precision with which Alpheo's n were setting up camp. Within minutes from the order, squads of soldiers were already digging trenches, erecting temporary wooden structures that resembled hollowed walls, and accumulating piles of dirt behind them as the one in front of them digged moats
"Your n are swift and well-drilled even outside battle " Shahab remarked, his brows raised in admiration. "I've rarely seen a camp being prepared so efficiently."
Alpheo, standing nearby, gave a slight nod as he watched the preparations unfold. "I keep them moving, always drilling. Long marches followed by camp construction. Every squad knows their role. First, dig the periter and raise these wooden walls—they're hollow inside, but the dirt they dig out is piled up behind, making a solid barrier. If we're here long enough, we'll add stakes at the bottom, make it harder to place ladders."
Shahab smiled, nodding slowly. "Sounds like you've taken a page from Rolian infantry practices. I've heard they build camps after every march."
Alpheo glanced at Shahab, a brief, almost imperceptible flicker of acknowledgnt in his eyes. "I did," he replied simply.
"Ah," Shahab continued, "I suppose you co from there. Rolia, then?Miss your holand?"
Alpheo's expression darkened. Without a word, he turned his head to the side ''I suppose I would prefer to live in hell than to even have a walk there...''
Shahab glanced around , noting the response in his mind.
"When do you expect the camp to be fully ready?"
Alpheo stood with arms crossed, his eyes scanning the progress "With the n we have now, I'd say half a week, maybe a little less if they push hard enough," he replied. "But if Egil returns soon with the laborers I sent him to gather, we could finish this even sooner."
Shahab raised an eyebrow. "You're banking on those laborers?"
Alpheo's gaze hardened slightly as he considered the question. "Whether they co willingly or not, they'll work," he said matter-of-factly. "With more hands, we'll have this camp fortified faster than they expect."
His sharp eyes took in every detail—the height of the walls, the moats, and most importantly, the gaps in his army's line. He could see clearly that their forces were too few to completely encircle the city without leaving their lines perilously thin. Beside him, Shahab followed his gaze, quickly noticing the sa issue.
"There are other gates," Shahab observed, pointing to the far side of the city. "If they're left open, the enemy could still take in supplies or launch sorties from there."
Alpheo nodded, his expression unchanging. "I know. To cover everything, we'll need the reinforcents Lord Damaris promised along with yours. Right now, we don't have the numbers."
Shahab frowned. "So what's the plan?"
"For now," Alpheo said, eyes narrowing as he studied the distant walls, "we focus on finishing this camp as quickly as possible. If they decide to make a sortie, we'll be ready. Once the reinforcents arrive, we'll build additional camps at each of the city's gates and divide our forces to cover all the exits."
Shahab crossed his arms, thinking. "That's assuming the enemy doesn't try anything before then."
''We work with what we have''
Alpheo stood in silent contemplation, his eyes fixed on the city walls of Confluendi, before turning to Shahab. "I'll have our cavalry patrol around the city," he said with a firm tone. "The enemy likely has minimal cavalry, if any at all. If they dare send foragers out, we'll have the advantage."
Shahab raised an eyebrow. "You're sure their cavalry is that weak?"
Alpheo gave a sharp nod. "I'm certain. After Ormund's failed campaign, they'll be stretched thin, especially in mounted forces. They can't afford to lose any n, let alone horses. If they try to gather supplies outside the walls, our riders, which outnumber them will cut them down before they return."
A faint smirk crossed Shahab's face. "Sounds like you're tightening the noose."
''Let's hope the rope is strong enough then to brak their neck..'' As he said so, Alpheo turned away from the city walls, his boots spurring the horse's side as he strode back toward the bustling camp. His mind churned with thoughts of how best to weaken Confluendi's garrison. They were already low in numbers and isolated, but he needed to exploit every vulnerability, as he knew how fickle sieges could be for everybody.
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