224 Anger (1/2)
Asit squeezed through the mass of people gathered in the city center. The smell was not welcoming. The noise was worse. Garbles and shouts coupled with raised fists- he could feel their anger.
On top of the stage was Her Highness Sarah. Standing alongside were Falconheads. She was crying- crocodile tears Asit knew. But those droplets of sadness were so damn convincing. He was nearly moved.
”My citizens” Her voice trembled, sobs in between ”I bring terrible news. We have lost. The Union has defeated our armies. They have butchered our people. The Union's legions will enter this city soon enough. And you...you will fall under their rule”
”Never!” the people shouted in unison. Seering, burning anger was in their voice.
”I beg you my citizens, I beg you to remember their sins. The brutes may occupy our city, they may take our homes and eat our grains, they may make our children into slaves, but they could never make us yield. I tried to defend you. We tried. We lost anyway. But there is no shame in defeat. As long as we never give up, as long as our swords remain sharp, they can never make us submit”
Asit shook his head in disgust. Prince Skall had his faults, but the Prince was a hundred times better than this woman.
”King Harold escaped. We have been deceived. Several nobles betrayed us. Such folly. Such smut. The enemies play cruel and dirty”
Angry murmurs erupted like Hellfire. They were restless like a disturbed nest of bees. Whatever Sarah wanted to do, it worked. Asit could only imagine the headache the Union's monarchs would have in ruling this city.
”But fear not my citizens. I am here. I am with you. I will go back to Wismar and assemble spears and my swords to your aid. A hundred thousand and more- we will hit them with hundreds of thousand of spears. The Lion will croak. The Pelican will have its wings cut. I shall come back. I will never abandon you. Know this my beloved, I promise to you- I shall return!”
Bellows of support filled the air. It was terrifying. Asit saw the power of words. Others treat gold and armies and lands and birthright as their weapons. But at that moment Asit knew- words were more terrifying. Words could hit deep into the heart. Words could last a lifetime. A charismatic leader could bring an entire nation to arms. The smug King of Castonia was good with words. Sarah was too. Both were able to inspire true loyalty. If this continues then Prince Skall would be deposed as the heir.
In honor of Amir, his beloved son, Asit must kill her. Only Prince Skall should lead Wismar.
Asit sheathed his hand under his cloak. He grasped it, the small crossbow already loaded with poisoned arrow. He needed but a single hit.
Asit moved his hands. Bringing the weapon level to his chin, he gripped the trigger. The arrow flew, straight and unhindered- until it wasn't.
On of the Falconheads accepted the bolt. If it penetrated even a bit of his skin, Asit could only guess. Sarah then eyed him with a mock on her lips. Asit failed.
He stepped back as the heads of the people turned to him. He must escape at once. They will rip him apart. He felt somebody block him from behind. Asit drew his dagger, his last resort, and stabbed. The belly of a fat man accepted the blade. The fat man crouched in pain. But in his place stood another, angrier person. His cloak was yanked many times. It was torn. Soon, he himself was being torn. He saw blood, his blood. He felt death, his death.
**********
It was silent. Lucia was jarred by the lack of noise as they entered Mythrille. Sarah Wismar was defeated, her army had to retreat to Wismar. Canton was theirs.
It was different when they entered Heraldshome. The people there were throwing insults. But here the people only offered silence. She preferred accepting insults than the silence of the citizens of Mythrille. Silence heightens emotion. Silence was like Hellfire to hate. She could feel their sticky looks. Timothy and she were in danger if they stay here any longer.
King Harold was inside a carriage. The Cantonese King was still battered and needed rest. It was not wise. A show like this was not wise. Their hatred would only deepen. But they had to enter the city. Mythrille sat near the border of Canton and Wismar. When Sarah comes back, this city would be the first one she would attack. Lucia doesn't like it. Defending against the Wismarines with disgruntled citizens at the back was dangerous. But Timothy was willing to take a risk.
”How many days will we stay here?” Lucia asked discretely.