Boyar by Peter Darman

Author:Peter Darman [Darman, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

When the birth of Christ had been celebrated twice, as the Catholics and those who followed the Orthodox religion had different dates for the same momentous event, Leon assembled Wilhelm and his senior officers in his study in the castle. It was good to be in the same company as his three friends again. Previously they had been inseparable, fighting in the same section and then the same company. But as Leon had risen through the ranks, culminating in him becoming the commander of his own mercenary army, a chasm had developed between him and his friends, the more so now Wilhelm, Rudy and Ulrich were all married. And Leon’s many duties meant he had little spare time to share with his comrades. He was therefore delighted to be spending time in their company. All four were relaxed as Leon explained the objective of the raid, serving the other three wine as he spoke.

‘Forty miles east of the River Olt is a trading centre called Pitesti, which is on the west bank of the River Arges. The Dragons will raid the centre, take anything of value and then burn it to send a message to King Vladislav that we can strike at him at any time and at any place. The raid will also give the Dragons their first taste of battle.’

Wilhelm raised an eyebrow. ‘You are expecting a battle? If we are caught deep in enemy territory by an enemy army that has horse or foot archers, plus horsemen, we will be hard pushed to get back to the Olt without suffering heavy casualties.’

‘Fighting in snow means we will lose our greatest asset, which is our mobility,’ said Ulrich.

‘Ulrich is right,’ agreed Rudy. ‘And don’t forget we do not have any missile troops.’

‘I will attach experienced crossbowmen to the Dragons,’ pledged Leon. ‘I also have no wish to be isolated in enemy territory in a snowy landscape.’

They all looked at him.

‘You are going?’ asked Wilhelm.

‘Of course, I have no desire to sit in this warm castle while you are freezing in enemy territory,’ Leon told him.

‘If you get killed, there will be no one to lead the army,’ stated Rudy.

‘Reluctant as I am to admit it, this army exists and functions because of you, Leon,’ said Wilhelm.

‘It’s true,’ nodded Ulrich. ‘You fall, then this army breaks apart and we are a long way from home.’

‘I’m touched, truly,’ smiled Leon. ‘But I cannot in all conscience remain here while you all embark on a mission I devised. Besides, if all your wives became widows, my life would not be worth living anyway. How is married life?’

He already knew the answer. His friends were happy and content, he could see it in their eyes. And they shared a bond that he was not part of. He himself was married to the scheming Annika Brunner. But that union had been forced on him and he had not seen her in years. He did not even know if she was still alive, or if his son still lived.

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