There was just so much to see. Clothes of all descriptions, belts, boots, armor, swords, cooking utensils, furniture, horse bridles. Anything you could imagine a person could ever want was right here and even then there was much more than he had ever seen before. Some of it he couldn’t even imagine what it could possibly be used for.
As he moved on it changed to more human related services. It varied from a massage tent to 'relieve the stresses of travel' to a soothsayer promising to reveal your future for just one piece of copper coin. There were even working girls too advertising their wares. Cathan moved on quickly, shocked when one of them lifted her skirt to show him what he could have for just a single piece of silver.
Back in his own city of Gevalia in the north, much of this sort of thing simply did not exist. The traders had their own shops and you would go in and buy what you needed before moving on. To have so much variety and volume of produce on show in such a small area, it was beyond his comprehension.
Finally he decided it was time to leave, the whole experience had become a bit much and he left in search of a tavern. It didn’t take him long to find one and he spent the last hour before having to return sinking a pint of beer. As Cathan sat there he was able to finally bring his thoughts back to the issues at hand. Once he had told his story to the King he would make his suggestions on what should be done and also point out where Lord Urroz had gone wrong, Cathan truly felt these people needed a wake up.
Just before the meeting started Lord Ercanbold had been chatting to the King on what a fine and capable man Lord Urroz was and he also pointed out how he had conducted himself so finely around the King. Ercanbold needed the King thinking good thoughts of Urroz before whatever news came out so he could put his plan into effect.
They moved out into the hall and the King sat at his secondary throne, the chair a copy of his main one in the throne room. Here there was a large table fifty feet wide and four foot deep. It was covered in all sorts of foods for the feast. A whole pig sat on the table with an apple in its mouth fully roasted and ready to be eaten. There was another huge plate with freshly cooked slices of venison adorned in all matters of diced fruits, vegetables cooked, steamed, broiled, baked. Anything that could be imagined had been prepared and placed on not only the main table but also the secondary tables facing the main one.
The King and his entourage picked at some grapes while they waited. He waved his ornate goblet at an attendant who moved forward with a carafe of red wine and filled it. Cathan was ushered in from another door and shown his chair at one of the smaller tables facing the King. There some minor dignitaries sat with him and they made idle chat as all waited for people to be seated. One chair was empty to the right of the King, normally Prince Alard would sit there but he didn’t seem to be coming. But at the last moment he arrived quickly making his way over and sitting, he was looking rather put out.
Prince Alard had originally decided to reject the offer to attend. But as he had worked away in his quarters it had niggled at the back of his mind. It dawned on him that the offer of attendance was not in the normal style from Lord Ercanbold. It had been too vague and rather dismissive. He had realized that it was meant to keep him away and so had rushed get here. Now Prince Alard, although a little flustered was curious as to what was to transpire at this meeting. He noticed the man in field clothing at one of the minor tables and studied him carefully. It was obvious the man had just returned from some journey and that he was an officer in the army, but which contingent? Time would tell he guessed.
The King signaled and they all began to eat. All but Cathan and Alard piling their plates with food, Cathan ate sparingly while Alard picked at a few little bits and pieces. Neither seemed that interested in the banquet. For the next forty-five minutes Cathan sat and watched the dignitaries all gorging themselves on such a huge assemblage of food. It was rather sickening to see them in action, almost like watching pigs at a trough.
Finally the meal was done and a number of attendants removed the huge plates of food that were still left over. Most of the food that was on display was untouched and Cathan wondered at the waste of it all. If he knew that all of it would be consigned to the trash bins he would have been turned off indeed at the excess of it all. Now at least they could get down to business, all this delay was getting on his nerves.
The King nodded to another attendant who clapped his hands and a number of musicians entered the room to one corner followed by some girls. Before Cathan realized who they were they had mounted the tables and stood evenly spaced along them. He really wasn’t sure what was going on, then when the music started it became obvious. The girls started dancing for the entertainment of all present and Cathan sat there watching the King leering up at them obviously enthralled by the flesh on display. He was disgusted by all the debauchery that was unfolding this evening. He looked across at the man sitting to the right of the King and realized he too wasn’t focusing on the girls but seemed deep in thought.
So after another half hour of entertainment the music stopped and the girls made their exit. Cathan wondered what could happen next? He no longer had any illusions about what may happen, anything could be expected at this ‘government hearing.’ He looked across at the man to the right of the King again and he seemed to be whispering into the Kings ear who was reluctantly nodding. King Arrick held his hand up for all to quiet down. They all respectfully fell silent.
“
As you are all aware we have been called here to consider some very important information regarding the southern army and our progress down there. Since this meeting was convened at the request of our Supreme Commander I now give him the floor to speak and start proceedings, I thank you. Lord Ercanbold?”
Lord Ercanbold addressed the audience of noblemen.
“
As you all know we dispatched the esteemed Lord Urroz south to deal with the Isogorrean army not three weeks ago. We have news from the southern army as to the current situation down there. There is an officer of the army Lord Cathan here to tell directly what has occurred, I will leave it to him to relate our situation there. He will be able to do that much more completely than I. Lord Cathan you have the floor.”
Ercanbold waved his hand at Cathan who stood and bowed.
“
My liege King Arrick, Lord Ercanbold and esteemed guests, I have come here by the fastest means possible to bring grave news of happenings in the south. I will not dance around the seriousness of what has happened and will get to the point in a clear and precise manner.
Four days ago our army came across a contingent of Isogorrean soldiers encamped in a fort built just north of Port Cholandra. After much discussion Lord Urroz sent me north and would not have me take any part in the coming battle. What his thinking on this matter was I cannot say. Nevertheless I did as I was ordered and left the field of engagement. What transpired next was something that I cannot describe in proper detail due the sheer size of the engagement. Please gentlemen, I will need you to brace yourselves.” Cathan knew this would not go down well at all, he was bracing himself more than they were. “The entire army of the southern detachment and all its officers including Lord Urroz have been killed. The army of over seven and a half thousand men has been wiped out.”
All of them stared, you could have heard a pin drop, finally one spoke up,
“
There are no survivors?”
Cathan shook his head.
“
No my lord, there are none.”
Another spoke up.
“
You are sure Lord Urroz is dead?”
Cathan nodded.
“
There is no doubt my lords.”
“
Why this can’t be! An entire army cannot be wiped out!”
Now they all started talking amongst themselves, some in denial, some indignant, others simply in wonderment. The room was filled with a babble of voices. Finally the King raised his hand and the room fell silent.
“
Lord Cathan,” Cathan turned to the King and bowed his head, “How many men did you command?”
“
I have five hundred men my liege.”
“
And how many of these did you lose?”
“
None my liege, I was ordered north before the battle.”
The King nodded and looked at Lord Ercanbold who asked Lord Cathan a question.
“
Tell me Lord Cathan did you make any attempt to save Lord Urroz? Or did you at any time make any attempt to influence the course of battle with your command?”
“
None my lord, I had been ordered from the field and there simply wasn’t anything I could do.”
“
So you made no attempt at all?”
Cathan once again shook his head.
“
No my lord, there was nothing for it but to return here and report all that had happened.”
Now Ercanbold leaned forward.
“
Also Lord Cathan, can you show us the orders given to you by Lord Urroz?”
The others in the room watched on intently, they smelled something was coming.
“
I cannot show you any orders to that effect my lord, they were verbal in nature only.”
Ercanbold continued on,
“
So how can we say for sure, that you have not simply fled the field of battle? How is it that you and all your men have made it out totally intact?”
Cathan couldn’t believe he was hearing this.
“
My lord, I have already explained the circumstances of my being here, I cannot tell you any different.”
“
Do you not see how strange it appears that you alone have survived of all the noblemen of the army? After all it hasn’t been the first time has it?”
Lord Ercanbold signaled to an attendant behind him, murmuring started to circle the room.
“
I have here a copy of your service records Lord Cathan and I can tell you I was surprised to read a very similar story in it.”
Lord Cathan wasn’t sure at all where all this was going or why.
“
I can assure you Lord Ercanbold and all of you present that I have not acted in any way other than in full service to the King.”
Ercanbold opened the file given to him by the attendant. He had set this up perfectly for full effect.
“
Let me read to you all of a report from the last war fought on this land twenty years ago. It was the last major engagement at the northern coastal wilds the Kingdom was involved in. It says here a troop of two hundred men plus officers were ambushed by a larger force of King Olav’s army south of Gevalia and that you were surrounded. In the ensuing battle a number of men were killed including all the officers. Now here is the interesting part, as you were a nobleman it would have been your natural responsibility to take charge of the men and deal with the enemy. But, that did not happen. A commoner of no rank at all by the name of Wollfen took charge and saved the day. He ended up saving all the men’s lives and routing the enemy. Where were you during all this Lord Cathan?”
Cathan looked on, not quite understanding the nature of the question.
“
I followed the orders of that man in question, he was a natural born leader.”
Ercanbold shook his head.
“
That may be so, but as a nobleman it was your responsibility to take command.”
There were nods and murmurs again around the room. The mood was changing from shock to one of judgment. Cathan was getting indignant.
“
I believe you are judging me just a little too harshly Lord Ercanbold. I was but 15 years of age at the time!”
The murmuring didn’t abate, they were forming their own opinions. Lord Ercanbold addressed him very formally,
“
I put it to you Lord Cathan that in the face of such odds and knowing you were in real danger you took the one option that preserved your life, you fled to save yourself!”
Cathan was stung by the accusation,
“
That is a lie! I have done nothing but serve the Kingdom to the best of my abilities! Even after I made my way north, I took it upon myself to split my men up and warn all villages and towns south of here to evacuate and head to Kassandrea. I also ordered that they burn anything of significance in the enemies path!”
Cathan just made a big mistake. The King and his entire entourage looked on incredulously.
“
You did what?! Tell me it isn’t true? You are talking of thousands upon thousands of people!”
“
Yes my lord and they are heading this way to seek the sanctuary of Kassandrea as we speak.”
Lord Ercanbold addressed the King.
“
My liege, this man has acted in an entirely improper manner and taken liberties far beyond his authority. Not to mention his conduct in the southern battle.”
The room concurred, many calling out “Hear hear.” The King looked at Cathan, not pleased at all.