I preferred war

Simon and King Colton IV are on the same carriage when they arrive near the capital of Olmaria, Carbin. The city is perched on a small hill. A first circle of low walls surrounded all the houses while a second circle of walls divides the upper part of the city from the lower one.

Unlike Fellow that was built around the port for trade, Carbin is a continental city devoted to agriculture and crafts, so normally most of the population is engaged in its work in the workshops or outside the walls in the fields.

The castle is an imposing structure that stands out in the distance. Even Simon who is not an expert understands that it was built for defensive reasons and not for aesthetics. The simple structure, the thick walls and the very small windows let you imagine the quantity of battles fought just outside its walls.

During the trip Simon was forced by the king not to use too much reverence during their chats. King Colton IV seems very interested in the young man's life especially after he learned from General Drevor the potentialities of Simon's skill.

In view of the city, the king warns the young commander of his ministry "Simon I know that I have asked you not to use reverence with me, but now that we have arrived at the capital I must warn you that my ministers would not believe you. I am therefore convinced that it is better that we behave formally when we are not alone. All right?"

Simon with an exaggerated bow exclaims "Obviously Majesty!"

The coachman shouts the alt and the whole convoy stops. The soldiers line up in orderly rows to allow the royal guard from the castle, the only military body allowed inside the second circle of walls, to come and take over the Olmaria King.

This elite team is made up of the eldest sons of the nobility of all Olmaria. Their sparkling armor has a fiery red cloak as a distinctive sign.

While army soldiers prepare the camp, the royal guard escorts the king into the city.

In the city a noisy parade was prepared to celebrate the victorious king, the one who put an end to a secular war with the hated kingdom of Luberistan. Along the main street a huge crowd masses, celebrating with shouts and songs.

The king is in front of everyone protected by his personal guards. Sitting on a small chariot, he greets his subjects, giving smiles and throwing loaves of bread previously piled up in baskets on the back of the chariot.

Simon, Desmond and old Jason just walk behind the main attraction. While Jason happily greets the crowd with screams and some obscene gesture, the two embarrassed boys try to walk staring straight ahead of them.

Immediately behind the officer in charge of escorting the king and some soldiers marching silently representing the victorious army.

Then at the end of the procession, waiters and servants follow their master, exchanging a few talks with the acquaintances they meet along the way.

All this lasts until the beginning of the second circle of walls, a time that seems infinite to Simon.

When he entered the upper town, the young man finally managed to observe the environment around him. The houses are all similar even if as for Vanein those closest to the castle become bigger and bigger.

Some minor nobles with family are found along the way to congratulate the king. Many looks curious about the two boys. A Jason acquaintance asks him even if they are his new apprentices. The old strategist mischievously avoids answering the question.

Simon is increasingly agitated. If he had known about all this he would have entered the city at a later time.

The procession stops in front of the castle, in a small square with an elaborate bear-shaped fountain in the middle. The square is crowded but strangely silent. All present are noble characters with their families and servants. Many even have comfortable seats to sit down.

The king comes down from the chariot and helped by what Simon thinks his ministers are going up a small staircase until they are right in front of the main gate of the castle where other people are waiting for him.

Jason explains to Simon that the people at the top of the stairs are the king's closest relatives. Starting from the left you can see the Duke Philip Jerkins brother of the king, to the right of Colton IV the beautiful wife Sarah while behind them the five children. The eldest, a twenty year old named Colton V, heir to the throne, a young girl about sixteen called Vivien, a portrait of her mother, two eleven-year-old twins called Thomas and Lucius and finally a little girl like a doll named Judith.

Simon feels more and more watched, he is quite convinced that all the ministers are keeping an eye on him with inquiring looks. The certainty of being observed comes when one of the twins indicates him mumbling with his brother.

Jason resting a hand on the shoulder of the young man tries to reassure him or at least avoid making him run away. Desmond instead is as usual quiet and carefree even on this occasion.

Two trumpets and even the little noise of the square goes off in a few seconds.

King Colton IV takes a step forward and after greeting the crowd with a wave of his hand he starts talking "It is useless for me to go too far, as the missives have already informed you, we have won!"

Some shouts of joy from the crowd then with a gesture of the hand the ruler immediately reports the order.

"Not the usual victory. We have not won a few years of armistice. We have conquered Luberistan, now our province under the leadership of my nephew, the son of my brother, Duke of Olmaria."

"Our men under the expert guidance of General Drevor Forb destroyed enemy lines and penetrated unchallenged to the capital. I myself marched with them and I made sure that the new province understood the importance of this historical moment. Now Olmaria will be able to concentrate on other initiatives and thanks to land trade on the continent and maritime from the province of Luberistan, we will finally be able to lift our heads and become a kingdom at the height of the great ten of the main continent."

The ministers exchange happy glances and the nobles in the square mumble happily among themselves when the king still calls silence.

"You will have time to celebrate properly during this evening's banquet, but now I want to take advantage of this moment to thank the one who not only helped us in this historic victory but has allowed many of our son to return home."

Then pointing at two guards to Simon's direction "Please guys go up as well."

Two royal guards accompany Simon and Desmond almost at the top of the staircase, two steps below the royal family.

Jason laughs as Simon's face turns completely red.

The crowd returns to murmur indicating the two mountain boys.

The king resumes with solemn tone "Representing the whole kingdom of Olmaria and the province of Luberistan, it is with joy that I, King Colton Jerkins IV, thank you Simon, commander of the mercenary company of the Force of Fate, for the enormous contribution that you and your men gave during this war."

Then turning to the crowd "For those who do not know how the battle went, just know that two hundred mercenaries led by this young man destroyed the enemy camp and kept thousands of enemies busy while the official army encircled them going far beyond their role as mercenaries . If this were not enough, this young man, son of a miner, has faced alone the traitors nestled in our army. "

The king adds jokingly "This part of the story you have to tell it to you from General Gregor, every time he tells it he looks like a bard intent on writing a ballad about an ancient hero. It was not for nothing that the decisive battle was dedicated to the present Simon, nicknamed, by his fury, the black demon. "

A strange silence envelops the square at these words. The suspicious crowd wonders about the strength of this shy boy.

Simon is silently upset. His head turns and his heart beats fast. If there was a hole in the stone steps he would have already hidden inside.

The king formally resumes the speech "It is my intention therefore to grant some gifts and thus to secure a promising young man. I want to name Simon baron and give him a surname. After consulting with Drevor Forb and his uncle Jason Forb it was decided…" raise a small sword at the top while two guards kneel the two boys "…that from now you will be Simon Forb and also I give you the title of Baron and confer to your second the title of knight. Stand up and promise me to serve this kingdom."

The ambush has succeeded, now Simon can only support the king. He probably would have done it anyway but being put in a corner in this way terrified the young man. He felt less fear on the battlefield than on this stairway.

Simon and Desmond in chorus repeat the phrases suggested by the court chamberlain "We swear to serve the kingdom of Olmaria as knights, in times of peace and war and to fulfill all our obligations."

The king puts his hand on Simon's head "From today you will be Baron of Mountas and that will be your possession, Sir Desmond will serve under you and I will grant you two further privileges."

The frightened crowd eagerly listens to the words of the king "Your mercenary company has shown an anomalous love for the homeland that I want to reward giving you the chance to become a real official military body under your orders and under my direct jurisdiction. The second privilege is the ability to access the royal palace and train you with the best instructors of my sons. I have high hopes in you and I want to make sure your potential is not wasted."

Hearing these words even the sons of the king wince.