Chapter 4

The sound of war drums reverberated throughout the city, bouncing from building to building, wall to wall. The occasional horn blared, as well, and a great host of people were screaming salutations and praises from the streets; but still the drums beat louder. The full force of Aton Paredes’ massive army stood before the walls of Hiptia City. It’s thousands of men were arrayed within the field in full armament, which was one of the most impressive scenes many of the citizens of the city had ever seen.

A body of horse stood at the flank of the army, their armor shining brilliantly in the sun. They were heavily armored knights in full plate, their long lances bearing streamers which played in the gentle wind. The body of foot soldiers between them was immense. There were spears and pikes, axes and maces, tower shields and bucket helmets. At the center was an entire company of swordsmen; professional men with matching armor, shield and weapon. Their armor was stained a dark crimson, as was their sword and shield. While the remainder of the army was feared for its size in numbers, the swordsmen were feared for their discipline and skill. They were the Crimson Brothers and within the Paredes Army, they reigned supreme.

Aligned in front of the main army was a formation of archers and crossbowmen. The archers held powerful longbows and mainly wore leather armor. The crossbowmen were armed with some of the most powerful crossbows in the world and were rightly feared for their accuracy and strength. They were armored in tanned brigandine and carried large shields with notches cut in the top for balancing the crossbow upon.

While all of this the people of Hiptia City had seen before, an oddity stood upon the hill behind the army that drew their attention. A dozen large metallic tubes sat between large wheels, their bores lazily aimed in the general direction of the city. Two wooden crates and a stack of stone balls stood beside each, as did three men. Word had spread through the city of these devices – these so-called cannon ­- with their thunderous noise and destructive capacity. They were feared more than anything else upon the field.

From a small copse of trees upon a nearby hill, Aton sat mounted, along with his generals and advisors, looking down upon his great force. A small smile seemed fixed upon his face as his generals spoke of siege strategy and attack tactics. Aton admitted that he was not the most skilled man when it came to maneuvering armies, but he was no full either. He knew that there would be no need for battle. With a wave of his hand the drumming stopped and he heard upon the wind the cries of joy coming from the city. He sat up a little straighter than before as he imagined the throngs called out his name in praise. It had been too long since he had last attended an actual battle and despite assured victory, he still found that his pulse quickened a bit at the thought.

Aton had fought and won in many battles for it was required of a Great Lord to be strong in both mind and body. Men had died upon his sword, he had bashed in the heads of many with his shield and had pinned others to the ground with a lance. He had also had his horse speared out from under him, had been slashed across the arms and legs and had taken a spear through the shoulder. He had been fighting for years and he had been winning for years. Because of this, he had yet to lose his taste for it.

With a sigh, Aton turned and looked to his generals. He was growing tired of waiting. “My lords, when do you think that they will-” As he spoke, a loud crack filled the air with a faint grinding noise following. Looking to the city, he saw that the gates were slowly swinging open. His smile widened.

Before the gate closed again, a sizeable body of horse rode, perhaps twenty in all. All of the riders were adorned in brilliant full plate armor covered by surcoats of varying colors and designs, indicating the bearer’s home. Before the group of armored men rode a line of young men wearing no armor at all, holding forth large banners which matched the surcoats. Though their dress was exceptional, it paled next to Aton’s own golden armor.

With another smile, Aton signaled to his men to follow him as he proceeded to ride down the hill toward the men. He passed through the middle of his foot soldiers, each of whom cried out praises as he came. This is why I am doing this thing. These people require a strong leader to admire. They need someone to be strict with them; otherwise they will fall to indulgence and vice. I will help them and I will make them forget about those Dragon Lords of old. The Empire of the Sun will eclipse them.

As they came out from the army, Aton’s generals arrayed themselves in a similar fashion as the lords they approached. The Great Lord didn’t truly know any of the men who followed him, but he did not question their loyalty. They were, all of them, lords of the northern lands and knew little of these southern fishermen and farmers. He had hoped that this would help his generals in treating them the way they needed to be treated. It was always hardest to punish one’s own, after all.

“Hail, Lord Aton Paredes of Haean. You seem to have brought a fine army with you today, sir. What is it you intend to do with it, I wonder?” Aton knew the lord who spoke. His name was Erich Gwenson and had held three different cities during the Eastern Consolidation. Every time the Paredes Army made him flee one, he soon took control of another. He was the chief mastermind behind the southern resistance.

“Lord Erich Gwenson of…what is it today, my lord? I’m afraid you’ve been moving around so much lately, I haven’t been able to keep up with your doings.”

A smile formed across Erich’s face. He said, “Indeed, Paredes. You’ve chased me to my most recent home, it would seem. Behold mighty Hiptia City, Jewel of the Coast. It may not compare in size to your Haean, but it is a grand city, indeed.”

Aton made an exaggerated effort of looking beyond the lords to the city. “Some fine walls, as well, I see. It would be a shame for my cannons to have to knock them down.”

“That it would. That is why we are willing to surrender the city to you, provided you meet a few terms.” Aton’s raised an eyebrow and Erich continued. “All of the lords within the city are to be taken into your court and are exempt from your treason executions. Second, the people within the city are not to be harmed. Third, your army is to refrain from collecting its conquest rights.”

Aton thought for a moment, looking at his army and then at the walls of the city once more. “You understand that I do not have to bend to any of your demands, yes? Surely you see that I have the strength to crush this town of yours within a fortnight. However, Gwenson, I will show you the kindness and forgiveness that I am capable of bestowing upon my willing subjects. Your terms will be met.”

A slight murmur of excitement went through the lords gathered when Aton accepted the surrender. One gave the signal and one of the bannerman raised high a large green flag and became to flap it back and forth. A greater cheer rose from the city as the gates once more began to open. Aton signaled to a nearby crossbowman company to come closer as he looked back to the assembly of lords before him.

“Men, it was a wise decision you made here today. Your people will thank you for it, I am sure.” The crossbowmen came to a halt before the lords. “Ah, yes. Form up, please.”

The crossbowmen fanned out in front of the lords, as they began to protest.

“Paredes! You promised amnesty to all of the lords here!” Erich’s was a study on surprise and terror.

“Ah, not exactly, my good Lord Erich. I promised to take the lords ‘within the city’ into my court. As you can see, you are not in the city.” He addressed his crossbowmen once more. “Kill all of them except Lord Erich here. He may be useful.”

The lords began to run away, kicking their horses hard as the wheeled about in their panic. Some screamed and some cried, but they all died as the bolts buried themselves into their backs. Aton shook his head at the display. “Men should be more willing to see their death coming. It is a flaw we have, I think. But yes. General, move the army into the city.”

The general nodded and rode back toward to army, giving the signals to all of the men. Erich stood in shock as the army began marching toward the gates, which, despite the display of brutality, still stood wide open. “At least promise they won’t pillage.”

“I can promise you that the army will not pillage your city. I will not give the order, anyway. What the greedy hearts of men cause them to do on an individual basis, however, I can not help.”

Aton lifted his hand high and once more, seemingly radiating from everywhere at one, the war drums began to pound. The sound once more tore through the city, announcing itself to all as the entire mass of the Paredes Army marched through the open gates.