The Union 279 Battle of the Bridges 2

"We cannot attack as long as the Wismarine Navy guards the bridge. We must wait for our navy to crush them." William said to Arthur, Layfare and Cohir. The cold of the late night penetrated into the tent despite the thick fur coverings. And despite having tens of thousands of Vanadians and Wismarine desert warriors in their camp, it was a silent night, one that William was uncomfortable with.

Cohir poured some fermented milk into his cup. The smell wasn't nice and if not for diplomacy, William would have asked the Wismarine to put it away.

"I understand. But we are late on schedule. Gremlin Bridge has fallen to the Cantonese and Inkish."

"This is not a competition."

"Ah but life is a competition. We get stronger because of competition. In the desert either you compete for food, women and water or you die."

"This is not the desert."

"Life is a desert. Either you blow the wind or the wind blows you. My warriors are strong with the axe. The Ironpeople will flee when they hear the sound of our hooves."

William sighed. He leaned back and was about to scratch his head when he remembered that he doesn't have arms to scratch anymore. "You saw the damage the Wismarine navy caused ours. You saw it. They have Hellfire and they just sank dozens of our ships."

"That fire weapon is scary, yes. But if we rush our attack, we could overwhelm them in one go. You know Ashkara right?"

"Your God."

"No, our great leader. It was said that Ashkara led our people into war. The desert was drenched in blood that day. There is strength in courage."

William was too tired to argue. He looked at Arthur who was slouching as always. "You alright?"

"No. I am not alright." Arthur gazed outside from the slit of the tent. William followed Arthur's eyes and saw the Bridge not far from them. Lights from forts lined like fireflies in a dark night. "You two argue but the attack tomorrow is inevitable right?"

"Yes, afraid so. It is just a matter of deciding whether we wait for the navy to attack first or we storm the bridged first."

"I personally think we should attack first" Cohir again said. The aged tribe leader then shrugged. "But you are the one in charge so I will listen. Let's throw glory away to the navy then."

The way Cohir said that was devoid of mockery. The Wismarine's only felt it a shame to throw away a good charge, William could see. "Then it is settled. We will coordinate with the navy and tomorrow we will wait for them to make their move before attacking. You can leave now. It is late and you need to rest. Especially you Arthur. I need the Artillery crews to be well organized."

Arthur flinched and then looked at him. The prince nodded weakly as he exited the tent. Cohir also made a farewell salute before going his way. William closed his eyes, too tired to think or worry about tomorrow. It would be a deadly struggle. He saw the Wismarine Navy batter the combined Castonian, Borondian and Vanadian navy just this morning. It was jarring and surprising seeing the Vanadian navy lose a battle.

He then noticed that Layfare was still in the tent. The Hadean Princess was rummaging through the bowls, plates and cups in the other table. She turned around holding a tray of food.

"What is this?" Wiliam asked after she had brought the tray to his front.

"You haven't eaten." She looked at his stumps. "Well you can't eat alone."

Layfare forked a chunk of grilled mutton, held it near William's mouth and raised her eyebrows.

William wanted to refuse this humiliation but his growling stomach prompted him otherwise. He bit the food and ate.

"I could send for a servant. Thank you. You can go now."

"Are all Castonians as cold as you?" She was holding a spoonful of mashed potatoes now. William had no choice but to eat.
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"I am just saying that you don't have to do this. I have servants. I could command a random soldier to do this."

"But what good would that do?"

"What good would that do? What do you mean?"

"Hadea and the Union has formed a pact. A royal betrothal is included in that pact. I am to be wed to either you or Prince Arthur." She let out a sigh. "I can't see myself being with him so I chose you."

"Arthur is a kind person. Well not every time but he has his days."

"I talked to him earlier and he is a bit lecherous. And he avoids responsibility like a disease. I just can't connect with him."

"And you can connect with me?"

"I hope I could."

"I don't have arms."

"I don't need your arms, I need your cooperation. Hadea needs your cooperation. And so I am here to better know you."

Layfare poured wine into a cup. The smell was nice, sweet as a cherry.

"I don't drink."

"That may be a complication between us. I am the princess of a kingdom obsessed with wine." She smiled. "Less of a complication than Arthur's lechery though."

He grinned at that. "What did he say to you anyway?"

"He described by legs with exaggerated adjectives pertaining to wine."

William chuckled. "I can see him doing that."

"Right? He must have thought that I would fall for such cheap tricks! No, no. He only succeeded in making my bones shiver."

William pointed at the cup with his lips. "Get one more. We shall drink together."

Wine greased words flowed freely from both of them. William was surprised by how much he had revealed to her in just one sitting. He talked about his past, his adventures in the east with Silverback, and, to some extent, his guilt regarding the death of his father. He had also learned things about her. From her words, William saw Hadea in a new light. He once thought, just like what the songs say, that Hadea was a nation of drunkards. He was a bit shamed knowing that it was also a land of loyalty like Castonia with a people united by the monarchy. The night was truly past its middle when Layfare finally rose and stretched her limbs.

"I should get going. Me staying in your tent until sunrise would incur some fallacious rumors, unpleasant ones."

"Yes, you better go. It would be both damaging to our reputations." William gifted her a smile, a genuine one. "Thank you for the helping me with the meal and entertaining me with talks."

"If we survive tomorrow then this would repeat, yes?"

"That would be nice."

Layfare left the tent and William yawned. He could only do a short sleep but he was used to it. When he was still the captain of Silverback he could go on for three days without sleeping especially during battles. His resilience remained until now.

He went to his bed, a simple wooden one topped with some cloth. It was hard to his back but he liked it like that. He laid and was about to close his eyes when the warhorn blared.

William jumped. He scurried outside. The horns were blaring loudly now. It was an attack. The Wismarines were attacking, taking advantage of the darkness. But the Vanadians under William were not the same amateur green lads. They had bled and they were professionals. The whole camp was roused and was in formation in no time.

William could feel the battle already as he looked to the front. The figures of the Wismarines were running toward them.

And then sounds of springs erupted from behind. The dark sky was filled with flaming projectiles. William looked behind to where Arthur should be commanding the Artillery. He smiled.

"Maybe you are more than just a lecherous prince after all."

Chapter end