Chapter 351: A Plan that has Already Failed

"Your Majesty." A scout came over to Alfred and knelt on the ground. "We have spotted an approaching army a day out. They fly the Ammary flag." Alfred smiled, hearing the report as he clenched his fist in excitement.

’Just on time, William.’Alfred paused and nodded. "Have someone meet with force and explain the situation here.

"Your Majesty." Overhearing, Horace stepped forward and placed his hand on his chest. "May you allow me to do this."

"Horace." Alfred squinted suspiciously. From what he knew, the man hated anything filthy, and a battlefield and army were some of the filthiest things that existed. "Why?" Horace wasn’t affected by the suspicion, understanding it.

"Because, even if our forces are coming, I don’t believe Duke Laska and the church are done. I don’t know much about the Templar, but I have studied the Commonwealth nobility extensively, and the Duke isn’t someone who would lose so quickly." Horace turned to the scout, "How big was the Ammary force?"

Alfred turned to face the scout, whose eyes squinted as he tried to remember, "A few thousand large." The scout answered after a few seconds.

"It’s not out with your whole force, Your Majesty." Horace turned to the scout, "Was it?" The scout shook his head. He was a member of the Ammary military; he knew how big a force they came with. Alfred sighed, realising what was happening.

"They kept a force behind." Alfred looked at Horace, "Are you going to assassinate the Duke. It’s too risky."

"Of course not. I know my limitation." Horace smiled, "I just wish to tell him about Malbork’s fall and his son’s shifting allegiances." Alfred stayed silent for a while but finally sighed and nodded.

"Go. If they kept a force behind, William probably stayed aswell." Rubbing the back of his head, Alfred groaned, "Which means Marcus is the one marching here now. Meet Marcus, inform him of the situation, and then do what you want." Horace bowed and left with the scout, who told him roughly where the Ammary force was.

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"Commander Hardly. A rider approaching." The army stopped its march, and Marcus stepped forward. Seeing the horse getting closer, he smiled, seeing the flag of the Empire and took his helmet off.

Horace arrived quickly, in less than five hours. Slowing the horse down, he jumped off and grabbed his shoulder in pain, forgetting to take it easy. Ignoring the injury, Horace stretched his hand out to Marcus. "Commander Marcus Hardly. An honour. I am Horace Underwell."

Marcus’ eyes opened wide in surprise, not expecting to meet an Underwell so close to the front. Clearing his thoughts, he reached out and shook Horace’s hands. "A pleasure. Though I am surprised you are here, Underwell."

"My mission is complete. But let us not get sidetracked. His Majesty is waiting for you. A shame Duke Flander couldn’t be here." Horace already knew it was the case when Marcus met him instead of William.

The soldier smirked but shook his head, "He wished to hold the rear. Who am I to go against an order?" Looking past Horace, he stared into the distance. "Has Malbork been put under siege yet?"

Horace smiled and shook his head, "You were not informed, Commander. His Majesty took Malbork and is currently preparing the siege of Tourn. The war is won." Marcus was surprised for a second time and looked at Horace, trying to see if he was lying. Despite being unable to read the man, he could tell he wasn’t lying and started laughing.

"Already." His laugh grew louder, "It’s too quick."

"We hardly took any casualties. It seems poisoning the enemy is much simpler than starving them." Horace said like it was nothing. Marcus, however, couldn’t help but be impressed.

"We will change our route. In the meantime, there is someone you need to meet. General Flanders has already approved of him, but I believe this may be your area of expertise." Turning to face one of his men, Marcus whispered in his ear, making the soldier run off. He returned within a minute alongside Kacper. "Earl Kacper Tarlo of the Commownealth."

Horace looked at him and smiled, "The young man left to lead the South." Horace looked at Marcus and noticed the scar. "I see why William allowed this."

Marcus rubbed his face and chuckled, "He nearly won. Granted, it was a small force of the Empire, but he nearly won." Horace nodded and approached Kacper.

"Why have you sided with the Empire?" Horace blatantly asked, surprising Kacper. Looking Horace up and down, he didn’t know who the man was, but could tell that he was someone of great importance in the Empire to be able to speak to Marcus so freely and call William by his name.

Kacper took a deep breath. "The war was lost. I love my homeland, but I know that protecting it in battle is pointless now. Instead, it will be easier to protect my people under subjugation." Kacper paused, "I also trust General Flanders. He gave me his word to protect my family if I follow this course of action."

Horace nodded and turned to Marcus, "Doesn’t seem like he’s lying. He left out a few things, but it doesn’t feel like he had any bad intentions." Horace looked at Kacper once again, "If William trusts him, then it should be fine."

"Perfect." Marcus smiled, "Will you be returning with us?"

"No." Horace answered quickly, his lips curling, "I’m going to tell Duke Laska his son has sworn allegiance to us and that he must die to protect his family." Horace got back on his horse and rode off without saying goodbye. Marcus watched his back with cold eyes as Kacper stared into space, wondering if he should have just heard that.

"Creepy bastard." Marcus muttered and patted Kacper, "That was the Underwell heir. I know what William said, but if you get any wrong ideas after you bend the knee, he will be the one to kill you." Kacper nodded, not really taking into account what Marcus said. Turning to look at Horace in the distance, as Marcus called for the March to start again.

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August watched from a distance, his eyes narrowed. The Ammary retreat had continued at a slower pace, but the fighting had become even fiercer, as Ammary men butchered anyone in their way to try to clear a path. A trail of bodies followed, and August could tell that the battle would end soon. The cavalry had noticeably slowed down, and whilst they had managed to break one segment of the Ammary military, it wasn’t enough to deliver a finishing blow.

The Ammary men, who broke, crazily threw their bodies at the men encircling them, trying to escape, forgetting their formation. Those who did get out were chased down by riders and cut down, extinguishing any type of hope they may have had.

But looking at his own men, nearly all of them were on the verge of collapse. The Templars still fought, fueled by their belief in God, but that was all.’It’s enough.’Despite everything, August was pleased with the results. Decimating a section of the Ammary force was a good thing. It showed that victory was possible.

Grabbing a horn, he blew hard to call for a retreat. The Chent mercenaries he hired were on their way and would arrive within the week. By then, his forces would be big enough to deliver the final blow to William’s forces. Then all he had to do was support the defence of Malbork.

Snowid could marry his children off for foreign support, whilst the Church sent more Templars. The Empire would soon realise the war would be a stalemate, and maybe if they gave up Henryk’s lands, the war could end. He would be remembered as a hero who saved the Commonwealth, and his family’s power would grow again.

’Sign a white peace and when the Church’s crusade starts in full force, take back what we lost.’August could see it now, and watching his men retreat, he happily smiled.’The Laskas will grow once again. With Aleksander on Snowid council and the south decimated, I should be able to put a few of my people in place there.’

The war was never about beating the Empire for August. What was the point? His family wouldn’t grow if it were so easy. He needed Snowid to be weak after this so he could swoop in. In the years to come, more dissatisfaction would be thrown Snowid’s way.

Some nobles may try to revolt against the throne, and in its weakened state, he would come in and save Snowid, replacing those future nobles with more of his people. Eventually, the Sobieski dynasty would just be a puppet on the throne, while his family would be the real power.

It was perfect in his mind.