Day Seven since departure from Estreon.

Urdin's host of 315 men consisting of infantry and archers, with hardly any cavalry, had been warmly welcomed into Scorpio Point, one of former Hospodia's fortified outposts guarding the trade route informally known as 'the Link'. Its overseer's name was Ayas Sehandis, with the military rank of sergeant.

'I must apologize for such meager contributions, my prince,' he had said as part of his private obeisance, of which Arys was witness.

'Given the prevailing circumstances, Ayas, that's hardly something you need to take heed of,' came the reply. 'We appreciate your continued loyalty.'

Ayas bowed and went to kiss the seated former general's right hand as tokens of respect; instead the hand was used to indicate refusal to such a gesture. The sergeant took the point and stood back.

'Prince Urdin, my humble outpost is at your disposal. Use its resources as you see fit. May our cause be allowed to prevail.'

'Viva Hospodia.'

Of Ayas' men, Arys had noticed, about half were vampires. The overseer had also permitted something resembling a town to bloom around the outpost, claiming that it served to accommodate those who could not find space within Estreon, and that this was likely to be the case around the remaining four outposts as well. Urdin had asked for, and permitted, a brief tour of this town the day after his arrival; he had even been asked if he would provide it with a formal name.

The former general had turned down the offer, but had then expressed his wish for a second tour just before his continuing the journey.

Now, again, Arys was witness to another meeting involving Urdin, himself, Ayas, Kalasnir, and one other representative of fifty men of mixed races whom Urdin was willing to take as part of his expedition.

***

"So, gentlemen," Urdin began after a short prayer, "thank you for attending. We are here to discuss matters of importance in order to bring back to life our beloved House. If anyone disapproves, feel free to walk away now. None will think less of you."

None moved. Urdin exhaled before resuming.

"That those scum in the present Elbar would react, is to be expected. However, it has come to my attention that the Skandians, for all their rather obvious decrepitude, is also butting in. We have close to two thousand arrayed against us."

The Eagle paused to look around. Tense expressions replaced calm ones. Arys murmured a prayer in an effort to calm himself. Ayas wiped away cold sweat. Kalasnir dared not meet the Eagle's gaze. The other conferee, Vesna, looked ready for a question.

"What sort of terrain awaits our host, Sir Ayas?" he inquired.

"Verdant plain. No cover to speak of. Ideal cavalry terrain, I'd say."

"Of which we hardly have any," Arys muttered. "Infinite One, kindly aid us."

"No secret routes?" Urdin joined.

"Not that we know of, sir, and there's only one building there: the Leo Point, under Sergeant Kasna Velis. Sadly we cannot yet ascertain his loyalties."

Might as well be a potential target, then. "His strength?"

"Rather difficult to be precise..."

"Guess!"

"Three hundred, give or take, discounting the conscripts he might levy from his miniature of a town."

"Whether this Kasna is with or against us shall be crucial," Urdin murmured after a pause, "as there, or shortly thereafter, three armies will converge and collide."

Vesna nodded. "Couldn't put it better myself, sir."

"Sir Urdin," Arys proceeded with caution, "how do you suggest we handle this?"

"How is that even a question, Arys? Fight them head on. Pray all the while. How the heck else?"

That roasted the aide. "B-but sir... the numbers..."

"When I first ask you lot if you would step away, none of you did. None in their ordinary mind would go against such odds; but when you agree to be part of this, you agree to whatever it entails, until we either have that dream or be martyrs to it. Hmm?"

"...Understood, sir."

Urdin turned bodily to face Arys. "Lighten up. I owe this bit to your mother or whoever sent those pigeons, as well. Good thing they both made their way here safely, or we shall face a forewarned enemy."

Ashara's only son brought up his balled hand to his chest with a firm look. "May our cause be allowed to prevail!"

"VIVA HOSPODIA!" the others joined, smacking their fists to the chests as one. "LONG LIVE PRINCE URDIN!"

***

Sundown, that same day.

Seemingly not paying attention to Ayas' notice that his quarters had been seen to, Urdin beckoned him closer. Arys had gone off to explore and make more acquaintances given the chance.

"Do you think we are doing the right thing, Sergeant?" Urdin looked at him from his previously paper-strewn table. He was tidying it when Ayas came in.

"May I speak freely, sir?"

The Eagle gestured in the affirmative, pointing with his entire hand to a chair directly across him. "You might also want to sit there."

Ayas took the offer. "You certainly do know how to impress, sir."

"I do?"

"Given the prevailing circumstances, your proposed solution--without belittling the others'--seems to be the most sensible one. Lord Ingeras was right to keep you by his side."

"I wish you could see how we were back then."

"Sir, if this mention displeases you..."

"Said no such thing. Go on."

Ayas leaned forward. "You see, it was Lord Ingeras--then still a prince somewhere your age--who had envisioned and realized the outposts' construction. He also ruled that they are to be garrisoned evenly. Three hundred each. Never thought it would work in our favor now..."

"My brother was then preparing to negotiate with the so-called Principality of Estreon, I recall. Sort-of surprising that he did not have the outposts torn down when its rule passed down to a lady with two young offspring."

Urdin's interlocutor shrugged. "Perhaps he thought the trades flowing to and fro would somewhat aid them, sir. Noble indeed."

"Noble," Urdin repeated, "and long dead."

"Let's not speak ill of people, Sir Urdin. None here could know if you'll make for a better ruler than him."

Urdin chuckled. "I am confronted with such a topic by someone I met just hours ago. Very well. Do you think I make for a good ruler?"

"That's wide open to question as of now, sir. Only when you have reached Elbar safely may such issues be further looked into."

"Oh, but I am not the only one aiming to return there."

"Sir?"

"There are still my nephew and his mother who had fled eastwards from Elbar following its usurpation. By all laws they shall have the stronger claim."

"Is this nephew an adult, sir?"

"Not even a teen yet."

"Well, but he's not the one being confronted with two thousand soldiers. In my humble opinion, rule of the rejuvenated Hospodia must belong to the one most deserving it."

The Eagle frowned. "If by 'most deserving' you mean 'spilled more blood for it', well, no thanks."

"But sir, one of your caliber cannot mean to serve an underling..!"

"I will," Urdin growled, "if he so desires. I don't want to be one taking away an orphan's dues."

"Sir, with all due respect... caring about orphans is one thing, statecraft quite another. Hospodia is a budding nation. If you were to allow control of a nation into the hands of people incapable of maintaining it, claims be damned, it would inevitably cause a greater calamity than to be annihilated in the upcoming battle."

Urdin stood, imitated by his visitor.

"Personally, Sergeant Ayas, I regard both as intertwined. For now we have a real battle looming, and we must at least try to hold our ground. Fail, and you can forget about that nation, budding or otherwise. Gather up the men, it's time for prayer."

"Sir."

***

After the prayer, and with no serious agenda to attend to, Arys went to enjoy the night view from one of the outpost's three towers. They were placed at strategic points, offering decent views to the east, west, and out to sea. The braziers on his tower were just being lit as he came. The middle-aged officer in charge immediately accosted him.

"Are you not one of General Urdin's aides? I am Alingga, by the way." He offered his hand, which was warmly welcomed, with a shake.

"Yes, sir. The name's Arys."

"Arys?" Lingga squinted. "Son to the Estrean female mayor?"

"So you have heard about my mother."

"Well, I mean, our outpost is but a week's ride away from your lovely city. Wish I have the chance to stroll through its bustling markets, one of these days. That aside... females do not usually hold such a post in this era we're living. No offense."

"None taken. My mother had often said of the post as a heavy responsibility, after all."

"On that much I agree," the officer snickered. "Same goes for kings, perhaps... which is why none's really holding to it right now, if you ask me. What are you seeking here again?"

"Someone to chat with, a gentle night breeze, and some fire to keep us warm." Arys smiled. "Then again, there's still the monarch to the Skandian Empire..."

Lingga grunted.

"Please. It's common secret that the Empire is beset by treachery, wrecked by incessant civil wars and held together by fear. It would be surprising indeed if they could still send a force at all to the field."

Arys decided to leave unsaid what he had heard from the general hours earlier.

"You make it sound like they are ripe for the taking."

"They are indeed, young man. One of these supernatural domains would do it, I'm sure."

"Hospodia?"

Lingga gave a nonchalant shrug of his broad shoulders. "Who knows? They are the most proximate, and Urdin does look like some fellow many would follow even into the most dangerous blaze. Caught a glimpse of him as he marched through the gates earlier."

"You could offer your service to him, if you so desire."

Arys' interlocutor gave a dry chuckle. "So this is how recruitment is done nowadays, eh? Kind as the offer was, young man, I feel I must turn it down. At my age I would rather not see too many 'field trips', I assume you're already quite familiar with our slangs. Seeing to the safety of the outpost bearing Urdin's colors, now, that is a nicer substitute. Don't you think?"

"Well... but you do seem to be a man with a thirst for action."

Lingga guffawed. "Have I mentioned anything about field action, though?"

Arys acknowledged that he had not.

"There you go. Be that as it may, you are going to take to the field with him, I'd say. A bit of advice: in balance to their debilitated infantry after decades of internal struggle, the Skandian cavalry is still a force to be reckoned with. Exercise caution, as the terrain before you is very well suited for this unit type. They might also attempt to harass you before you reach the next outpost."

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you. Being a former raider himself, General Urdin might well have something to say about this."

"Wow, is that so? Not sure I have heard this side of him. You seem to have almost everything covered, for a host as modest as yours." Lingga gave his interlocutor a friendly pat on the shoulder. "My prayers be with you, then. May our cause be allowed to prevail."

Arys nodded. "Thank you. May this outpost stay safe and loyal as well. Viva Hospodia."