Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World - Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Xena’s plan (2)

The top of the wall burned bright, a crown of fire against the night. Below, the malnourished residents of the Outer District could only watch as the horizon turned bright crimson and the sky itself seemed to ignite, as if daylight. Children wept while their parents whispered soothing words, but their trembling hands couldn’t hide their own fear.

The soldiers’s screams echoed as the arrows kept falling, like fiery rain, their trails painting the sky like scribbles.

“The mages are here!” – Someone shouted as three figures emerged from the smoke, wands raised, the air around them shimmering as glowing orbs of water burst forth and fell upon the flames, killing them one by one.

“What are you waiting for? Shoot them back, idiots!” – screamed one of the captains, finally emerging from hiding now that the mages had arrived. His eyes were filled with relief, though the mages shot him a look of disdain and anger, before getting back to their jobs.

At his order, the soldiers exchanged uncertain glances. But under the mages’s figures, they could only obey. Those holding the bow rose from behind the ramparts, loosing arrows toward the forest where the flaming arrows had come from. Vapor was rising as the mages killed the fire, making it harder for them to aim.

For a few tense minutes, both sides kept shooting each other, until the attackers’s side fell silent. No more arrows came for a couple of minutes.

“Is it over?” – one soldier whispered, peering through a narrow crack in the rampart. He had used all arrows.

“I can’t see a thing” – Another muttered beside him, his voice trembling.

They exchanged a nervous look, each waiting for the other to take the first peek. Before either could move, their captain’s voice broke through again, piercing the flames and the vapor.

“Get up, all of you! It’s over!” – He barked, though his own eyes darted anxiously over the horizon, his stance half-crouched, ready to dive for cover again.

The mages kept summoning water, trying to kill the last whispers of fire. A few of the soldiers had already darted forward, with buckets of water. Around them, the damage was clear: smoke coiled into the night, dozens of bodies lay charred, armor blackened, and the foul stench of burned flesh filled everyone’s lungs. Low, broken moans came from those still breathing.

One of the mages watched the scene with a hard, disgusted look – “By decree of the Duke of War and the First Prince, all wounded capable of being moved are to be treated within the Inner District walls by the realm’s finest physicians.” – Though unwilling to welcome the commoners and those without much loyalty inside the gates, they still had to follow orders.

The mage understood the cold logic behind the Duke and the Prince’s decision. Times like these were hard to find or train soldiers. It was better to save those who could be saved and put back again into the battlefield. On the other hand, those unable to hold a sword would be better off dead. However, the notion of dirty people inside the Inner Walls disgusted him.

“Captain!” – The same mages called out sharply.

Stepping over charred corpses and fire embers, the captain hurried to them – “At your command, noble mages” – he said, bowing his head.

“Gather the injured…we need them treated.” – the mage ordered – “The physicians are within the Duke of War’s palace, take them there. And be sure not to disturb His Grace’s peace.”

The captain was stunned. These commoners would step into the Duke’s state, a place he had never been in his life. However, he didn’t dare to delay the orders.

“Yes, noble mages.” – The captain responded, his eyes turning towards the scared soldiers – “Get to work!”

At his command, the soldiers began collecting the bodies and carrying away the wounded. The wall was reinforced, and every guard stood sharper than before. Scouts were sent to search the woods for any sign of movement or the origin of the attackers. It was necessary to report to the Duke.

Simultaneously, within hours, the people of the Outer District saw a grim procession: bodies and injured soldiers being carried down from the walls and through the gates to the Inner District. The stench of charred flesh drifted through the alleys, but the residents barely cared. In a place where death was an everyday friend, even the children had grown used to its smell.

-x-

Inside the Shadow Guard’s hideout, Henry stood in Leier’s room, reading over the gathered reports. His eyes traced each line while the faint echoes of chaos outside reached his ears.

“Did it work?” – he asked, turning toward Xena, who had just entered quietly so as not to wake Leier, still recovering on the bed.

“Yes, Your Majesty” – Xena said with a restrained but eager smile – “Our soldiers managed to infiltrate the Inner District disguised as the injured. It was a masterful plan.”- Her eyes gleamed with pride.

“I only made a few adjustments to your idea, added a bit of spice here and there”- Henry replied, his attention falling back to the documents in his hands.

“But how did you know they would bring the wounded inside the Inner District, Your Majesty?” – Xena asked, her voice barely above a whisper, glancing again at the sleeping Leier.

Henry’s tone was calm, almost like a teacher explaining to a kid – “The fighting forces inside the walls are thin. They do not have the time, weapons, or armor to train replacements. So the Duke’s most logical move would be to heal the men they already have. From what we have learned, there are no proper physicians in the Outer District, and the healers don’t want to mingle with the commoners. Furthermore, the Duke probably doesn’t want to inspire anger within the noble houses.”

Henry turned to look at Xena, who was paying close attention to his every word – “So, the Duke would have to take the problem to their doorstep. That’s what I would do in his place. I would take all the injured and bring them to the physicians.”

Xena breathed deeply.

“The rest, like the attack itself, was mostly your idea. Good work, Xena. The Crown will remember this when we return.” – Henry said.

-x-

Inside the Inner District, six figures ripped their clothes which had been smeared with someone’s blood and disappeared from one of the Duke’s estate nurse room.