Wagenburg

Norell sighed. “I wish we had time to hold a funeral for my sister… But if we wait too long, he’ll probably realise Audra is dead, and march to Mount Ley to add to his magical energy. Time is of the essence. Xiulan, the arquebusiers are prepared, right?

“Yes, sir. They’re pretty green still, but they know how to fire, at least.”

Norell nodded. “Well, I’ll let you bring the city’s spear and crossbow militias with you too, seeing as you were able to drill them so well. I can offer you a couple thousand of them to fight with the arquebusiers, but I need the rest to defend the city in case the Saliers attack.”

Norell stood up. “That should be all. Everyone, dismissed. Please leave me be while I process everything.

I frowned as I saw Norell walk off, clearly trying to hold in his emotions. I then looked across the table to Cassel and Cordelia, who had left me with the horrible task of telling him that Zeya died. Deciding I was too annoyed with them to want to speak, I turned to Xiulan.

“Do you want to go to the city for a bit? I haven’t seen much of it yet.”

Xiulan nodded. “Of course, Sera! There’s a lot to catch up on… and you really need to try the pretzels!”

I didn’t quite understand how Xiulan was able to stay so positive when the situation seemed so dire, but I knew that if she had hope, there was still a chance we could win..

…Besides, I wanted to test the cannon against some city walls for once

She took us into the streets of the city, and bought some pretzels for us. I bit into one, and realised it was far tastier than any of the ones from Caluzza.

“Oh, you’re right! These are really good! What do they put in them?”

“I’m not sure,” said Xiulan, “but they’re a local specialty. Zelle is close to the Salier border, and their grain is the highest quality in all of the Western Lands, or so I’m told.”

I took another bite out of my pretzel, almost losing track of the conversation. I should try local specialties more often.

“Speaking of the Salier Empire, what was that talk about them potentially allying with Duke Sylvanus?” I asked.

Xiulan shrugged. “I think it’s probably just some rebel propaganda to boost our cause. Of course, they’ve been leading attacks into towns and villages that support the revolution, but I think that’s just because our country is in crisis. If Sylvanus really ordered them to invade, it’d be a huge scandal.”

I nodded. “I agree. And how did shipping the weapons go? Have you been able to train the locals? I really can’t believe Norell wants us to march off tomorrow. I’m exhausted!”

Xiulan grinned. “Oh, it’s excellent! The people of Kassora were just rabble, but Zelle has proper soldiers! The spearmen look brave enough to hold strong against charging horses, and they follow orders so much better, too! The arquebusiers know how to point the weapons at the enemy and shoot, which I suppose is the best you can teach in a few days.”

I took another bite out of a pretzel. “That’s not so bad, then. How much did Cordelia and Cassel tell you about what happened at Kassora?”

“Oh, they told me pretty much everything. How Jovik was the traitor, the brutal massacre, and Zeya’s sacrifice.”

“Wait!”, I yelled. “You all knew she died, and none of you wanted to tell Norell?! You’re an ass! Why’d you leave me to do it? He was heartbroken!”

Xiulan frowned. “It wasn’t my story to tell. You three are the ones who saw it happen.”

I grumbled, and took another bite out of the pretzel.

Xiulan broke the awkward silence. “Anyway, we’ve got to prepare all of our supplies to go on the march tomorrow. But now it’s not just the Bloodletter who we have to worry about. What if the Salier horsemen attack our supply wagons?”

I scratched my chin. “How many wagons are there at our disposal? If we could get more, I have an idea on how we can turn our wagons from a target into an advantage…”

Xiulan thought for a moment. “Well, there’s a lot of merchants in the town, and I suppose we are at war… Seeing as we need any advantage we can get to survive, I’m sure Norell would let us take some from local merchants for the march on the capital.”

“In that case, what if we armour some of the wagons for arquebusiers to go inside? If I can go to a forge, I can order for some iron chains to be created to connect the wagons together, and ask some carpenters to make armoured boards. That way, if we see any Saliers, we can use the wagons as a fort to defend ourselves.”

Xiulan smiled. “That might just work… if you can get the materials made in time. You should probably work on that with Cassel, seeing as he’s more into the woodworking thing than you are.”

I nodded. “As long as I’ve got your approval, and you tell the soldiers about the plan, then I’ll start getting to work. I’ll just try to finish in time.”

Xiulan laughed. “Just don’t work too late… We don’t want you falling asleep in battle! Haha!”

I rolled my eyes, taking the last bite of my pretzel and walking off. My reaction only made Xiulan laugh harder, of course.

After finding Cassel, we made our way to some local blacksmiths and carpenters. I explained my designs for wagon armour, and explained how we would need slits for guns to poke through, as well as chains to keep the wagons together against a cavalry charge. We would also need to reinforce some wagons to make them able to carry a cannon.

“It’s a pretty interesting idea,” said Cassel. “It’s just a shame we only have a day to make it happen.”

I rubbed my chin. “It’s tough, but it shouldn’t be too hard. We can just find some wooden boards for the armour, and making some chains shouldn’t be too difficult for professional blacksmiths.”

“Well, it’s going to be easier than when you taught me to make muskets. I’m sure we can put some makeshift armour on the wagons, especially if the town’s craftsmen help. But do you really think it’s going to work against a cavalry charge?” Cassel asked.

“Well, we’ll find out. The alternative to defending ourselves with wagons is being attacked by an army of knights on an open field.”

Cassel shuddered. “Right, I forgot we’re not going to be able to build defences llike last time.”

I spent the day working on upgrading the wagons, which Norell was able to provide us more of. Xiulan explained to the troops how many of the wagons would be filled with crossbowmen and arquebusiers to repel Salier knights, whilst the spearmen would guard the wagons.

Unlike the new complex weapon that was the arquebus, my simple strategy of “use fortified wagons to defend ourselves” was pretty simple, and even a town militiaman could understand it. With plenty of volunteers to help, we eventually managed to armour the wagon train, and mount the cannons inside.

Norell stepped out to inspect the armoured wagons alongside the troops who were going to march on the capital. He still seemed to shake a little from his sorrow about the news earlier, but he wouldn’t let it show on his face.

“Soldiers of Zelle, heroes of the rebellion… These magekilling arquebuses are nothing short of a revolution in the Land of Leyth, which has had its greatest Archmages slain by the hands of commoners. There’s only one more tyrant left to go, and I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you for the battle. I pray for your success.”

He sighed deeply.

“For the sake of Zeya’s memory, for the sake of everything she believed in… thank you for arranging all of this, Seraphine. I wish I could give you more time to prepare, but you’ve done an amazing job with these wagons.”

“We did it before midnight, too!”, said Cassel. “There’s no way the Salier Knights will attack us now… Let’s take the capital! Down with Duke Sylvanus, long live the queen!”

“Long live the queen!” cried the militiamen.

Cordelia, who used to relish in the praise and glory of being queen, averted her gaze from the crowd slightly. Was I the only one who noticed that she wasn’t feeling herself?

I wanted to reach out to her, but I was already starting to feel tired, and we needed to set off early for tomorrow morning.

I’m sure I’d be able to discuss it with her on the march tomorrow…