Alleged Perpetrators

***

The next day.

Calden Castle.

Lanercoast.

"My apologies, My Lord. Your horse is ready," said a soldier.

The soldier came into Quentin's study, kneeling obediently while still wearing the armor and maroon cloak with the eagle crest in the center.

Quentin stood tall, looking into a full-length mirror. He appeared to be wearing Helferich's royal shirt with a thick coat.

The man turned his body around, staring back at the soldier kneeling obediently before him.

"Fine. I'll be right there," Quentin replied.

The soldier cleared his throat while nodding. He bid Quentin farewell and stepped out of the room.

Guests came and went. Now, before Quentin walked out of his study into the courtyard in front of Calden Castle, he stopped in his tracks when he saw Sir Colton walking towards his study.

The middle-aged man had come for no reason. Quentin had told him to come over.

"Sir Colton," Quentin greeted.

Sir Colton nodded as he stood in the corridor on the third floor of Calden Castle. He came wearing a gray-black shirt with his head bowed slowly.

"What is your purpose in calling me, Lord Quentin?" asked Sir Colton.

"I am assigning you to do all my work while I am away. You will also take full responsibility for Lord Edgar's condition. Can you accept my orders?" asked Quentin.

Sir Colton smiled, lifting his head with his eyes focused forward, looking at Quentin intently.

"Of course, Lord Quentin. I will carry out your orders well," Sir Colton explained confidently.

"I know I can count on you, Sir Colton," said Quentin.

"Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, Lord Quentin," Sir Colton replied.

Not wasting much time, Quentin stepped off the corridor on the third floor of Calden Castle to reach the front courtyard.

Sir Colton was pleased and relieved Quentin had assigned himself to be the managing leader of Calden Castle. He had plenty of time to persuade Lord Edgar to cancel Lord Quentin's succession.

Colton did not do it without reason. Colton's hunches are often accurate. What he sees in Quentin right now is a man who has the potential to bring destruction to Helferich, Calden Castle, and all the houses in Lanercoast.

Although Colton was from outside the Lanercoast lands, his passion for Lanercoast and its people was undeniable.

Through the corridor window on the floor, Colton's eyes could see Quentin had already arrived near Helferich's entourage that would be heading north, meeting with the leader of House Archibald.

"I shall see to it that Lord Edgar removes you from the throne of Calden Castle, Prince Quentin," Colton whispered.

Quentin himself arrived in the Helferich royal entourage, which contained 10 cavalry troops, 10 infantry troops, three cavalcades of House Helferich family carriages, and one supply carriage.

One of the soldiers walked up to Quentin. He came while pulling the reins of the burly black horse that the Lord of Helferich would ride.

Just before Quentin departed, he saw Lily standing with a look of fear in her eyes. The maid feared that her life might be threatened while she was doing her duty, providing Lord Edgar with wine, a certain wine of her own concoction.

Earlier that morning, Quentin had told her to come in secret. The young man asked Lily to continue her duties since Edgar's condition had improved.

Lily could not refuse and could only nod her head. She was aware of the risks that would haunt her, but on the other hand, she also had to try to save her family, who were threatened by death from Quentin.

Quentin nodded briefly as his eyes met Lily's for a moment. Lily fell silent and then stepped away from her current spot.

"We're leaving!" said Quentin.

***

Around Oakenport.

Tregaron.

Edmund walked among the soldiers' tents set up in a large area close to Oakenport, right on the Trident Trade road.

The crown prince of Athalaris stepped near a large tent that was always used for his meetings with the army commanders.

The curtains of the meeting tent were open, revealing five people standing around a map of Athalaris spread out on the tent floor.

Red and white pieces were mounted on the map. Three white pieces were over Oakenport, while two red pieces were over Northcrest.

"Cavalry will be useless if we charge into the forest," said the infantry captain, Elijah Redmond.

"Archibald's forces are far outnumbered by ours. Athalaris' troops could wipe them out in one night!" said the cavalry captain, Ernest Belleville.

Prince Edmund's arrival suddenly drew their attention to the side. Their heads spontaneously bowed obediently, giving the highest salute to Edmund.

"Even so, my brother is still in Northcrest. As much as possible, I want them to release my brother without any violence," replied Edmund.

"Has there been any update from House Archibald, Luke?" asked Edmund, looking at a man who was the only one not wearing armor in the place.

Luke Hagan was Edmund's advisor. Prince Edmund had deliberately invited him because Luke might be useful to the Athalaris army in reclaiming Prince Alexander, who was captured by Archibald.

"There hasn't been any response yet. It seems they don't want to admit the capture yet," Luke replied.

"But is it true that my brother is being held there?" asked Edmund, sitting on the wooden chair of the meeting tent.

"The reconnaissance troops have traveled around the northern area of Oakenport and met some people. The other day, there was indeed an attack by a group of unmarked bandits on Prince Alexander's escort," Luke replied, explaining in detail.

"If they were able to defeat Athalaris' guards, they've likely mastered the contours of the land in this place," Luke said.

"Is it possible that Helferich did it? Considering Quentin is there right now," Edmund explained.

"The possibility is always there, but they never made an attack to the east, Prince Edmund. They're good at war, but only at guarding castles, not aggression," Luke explained.

"I still believe that it was Archibald who did all this, considering that the cities of Northcrest are close to the location of the attack on Prince Alexander's escort," Luke continued.

Edmund was silent. He did not know much about the region in the north, Luke gave a detailed description of the situation in this place, including the possible kidnappers of Prince Alexander.

"Then what is your decision, Your Highness?" asked Ernest.

Prince Edmund sighed and nodded. He already had the answer to what he was going to do.

"We will wait for two days. If Archibald does not deliver his message soon, then we will begin the attack," said Edmund.

No one argued, but deep down, they were still afraid because this was the first time they had confronted the people of the north.

Besides the new battlefield contours, the abilities of the Northcrest people were also special. They were still clerical and believed in black magic that could kill a soldier without even touching him.

However, orders must still be carried out. Edmund ordered Ernest to continue scouting the north, especially the towns closest to Athalaris' encampment.

They again discussed a more thoughtful and prepared plan of attack. Edmund listened to their discussion while occasionally making suggestions.

While listening to the attack plan presented by his captains, Edmund's mind kept thinking about Alexander's condition.

'Hold on, Alex. I will save you.'