143 Oaths and Promises (1/2)
”Your Majesty forgive me!” the Baron said in an almost shouting manner. He was kneeling and crying- pleading was a better word.
Leopold raised his hand and swiped it towards the face of the Baron. A painful smacking sound made everybody in the tent grimace.
”I am not your King. My son is your King and to disrespect him in front of me is unforgivable” he yanked the hair of the Baron ”And be thankful that I am not boy. Because if I was, then your head would have already been rolling on the ground!”
The Baron cried. His ugly plump face reddened. ”It won't happen again! The King. Yes. King Timothy. I will remain loyal to him until the day I die. Don't hurt me please!”
Leopold studied the face of the Baron. The lack of remorse was apparent as day. The Baron's act was driven only by fear.
Just this morning his forces had caught the Baron hoarding grains in his manor. The worrying thing is that the Baron was not included in the list Timothy had given him. It seemed the number of rebellious nobles had risen. To make matters worse, Straso and Ront had closed their gates.
”I won't hurt you” Leopold said, calmly as he himself was exhausted. ”But tell me everything you know”
The Baron hesitated a bit. He looked down and shut his mouth.
”Braun” Leopold called behind ”Tell me. What are their chances of winning? These fine noblemen. It seems they are underestimating the power my son commands”
”Laughable” Braun answered. ”They think they could distrupt the east because King Timothy's army is in the west. They cannot sire. Not in a million eons. Half of the Rooster legion alone could turn the east upside down”
Leopold lifted the chin of the Baron ”You heard of the rooster legion before?”
The Baron nodded slowly.
”Then you should have known that every single one of them is worth twenty armed serfs. I have seen them in action and your serfs will eat steel when faced with them. I have five hundred of them with me. What's more, Anthapis stands with the King”
The last sentence drew a frown from the Baron.
”That fat pi..”
Another slap landed on the Baron's face.
”Say it” Leopold gripped the Baron's expensive coat. ”Say it boy. Say it and lose all your teeth. Fat pig right? Remember this. Chisel this in your puny little mind. Earl Vernice is a true noble. Loyal to his King and compassionate to his subjects. His serfs are the best-treated in Castonia. While you and your lot, those rebellious friends of yours. You don't deserve to have the power. And soon... Oh it will be soon. You will crumble under the weight of the King's force. Do you understand? King Timothy has a huge army in the west just waiting for the snow to thaw. I am just just a bandage to stop the bleeding. The real storm will soon come for you. When the last snow melts into puddle, when the spring wind finally comes, blood will flow. Your blood”
Leopold waited for his words to sink into the deep skull of the Baron. He enjoyed watching the Baron's face contort several times.
The Baron was lowering his head.
”We... just want what you took from us all those years ago. We want our serfs back. We want our lands. Those lands were given to us by our forefathers and you distributed them to the serfs like free bread. We really don't care who wears the crown. As long as we get back what is ours then we will cease hostilities with the King”
”The what about a deal?” Leopold said, smiling as he found an opening.
”What deal sire?”
”You know that it is futile to fight against my son. And I also can't give all of you back your serfs. But if it's just for you then I think we could arrange it. How about that? Tell me everything you know and I will double your lands. I could even make you and Earl. You can choose between Ront and Straso”
”I accept!” The Baron blurted. A hesitant expression then showed on his face ”I mean why should I believe you?”
”I'll say an oath to the Omniscient” he looked towards Henry who was silently watching their exchange ”In front of a Knight. You know Knights- they are a stricter when it comes to oaths. Ain't that right Henry?”
Henry walked towards them. His armor was clinking loud.
”Oaths to the Omniscient are sacred sire. They are the highest oaths. Are you sure about this?”
”I am” He swayed his look towards the Baron.
”So?”
”I accept. I will tell you everything that I know” The Baron said with fast nods.
Leopold breathed deeply and closed his eyes. ”I, Leopold Castonia, makes this oath to the Omniscient. I vow that I will make this Baron and Earl if he reveals useful information. May the Omniscient curse me if I break my promise. May the people curse my name if I don't abide by my words”
Leopold opened his eyes and directed a glare towards the Baron. The Baron's face now emits a hint of smile. Braun also joined them.
”Five new Barons joined us. I'll write you their names later. They are gathering their serfs a few leagues west of Anthapis. About here. They are going to lay siege on Anthapis”