Getting ready (3/3)
For the rest of the day, Rafael observed how everyone reacted to the threat of an enemy attack. Fear was palpable, whether among commoners, clerics, or even the soldiers. No one wanted to abandon their safe, mundane routines for the grim reality of fighting to the death.
Soldiers were meticulously checking their gear, armor, weapons, and other equipment. Most carried spears as their primary weapon and daggers as secondary. They wore gambeson and metal helmets, with only a few donning chainmail or, even more rarely, plate armor.
Those must be higher-ranking soldiers, Rafael thought.
The clerics were busy gathering supplies, preparing to tend to the wounded once the battle began. Peasants and commoners assisted in collecting those supplies and building an improvised wooden fence outside the city—a decision made by Frederic after consulting with his advisors.
The streets, usually alive with the sounds of children playing and people exchanging greetings, were now eerily silent.
The day felt cold, despite winter still being a month away. Damn... These people are going to suffer a lot. Not only will most lose someone close to them, but the reduction in the workforce will also lead to food shortages and an inability to maintain their current way of life.
Rows of soldiers formed as they were inspected by their commander, who delivered strong, inspiring words before sending them off to patrol the outskirts and the forest. "Hey, you! Stop gawking and go help the others!" a soldier barked at him.
"Sorry, sorry," Rafael muttered, heading to the kitchen with nothing else to do. A few hours later, Bella found him.
"Mr. Robert, Lady Ella requests your presence. Please follow me," she said. As they walked through the hallways, Rafael noticed the emptiness. The place felt deserted.
"Where is everyone?" he asked.
"They're all outside, helping with the city defenses," Bella replied as they stopped in front of a large, well-decorated wooden door.
Wait, isn't this... His thoughts were interrupted as the door opened, revealing the interior of Frederic's office. Inside, three people turned to look at him—Frederic, Avice, and Ella.
"They're all waiting. Please go inside," Bella said softly. Rafael finally stepped into the room.
"Mr. Robert, sit," Avice instructed. He took the only available chair, positioned directly in front of the table. Frederic sat at the head of the table, with his wife on his right and Ella on his left.
"May I know why I was called here?" Rafael asked, noticing Frederic's eye twitch.
"Mr. Robert," Avice began, her tone formal, "I am Avice, wife of Baron Frederic, and this is Ella, my oldest daughter. But you already know her." Rafael glanced at Avice, then at Ella, who offered him a slight smile.
"Recently, we aligned ourselves with Count Cuthred's house and proposed a marriage between Ella and Icarus, Count Cuthred's son. We did this to secure our future and strengthen our house, despite... serious consequences," Avice explained.
"And now, with war knocking at our door, the situation is worse than ever. But all that can change because of you." Avice and Ella seemed hopeful, while Frederic avoided Rafael's gaze, his expression one of barely concealed distaste.
Me?
"Despite your... questionable past, you were accepted as a cleric and baptized, washing everything away. Even the high priest took you in, taught you, and declared you a miracle. We agree with him—you are a miracle." Avice took Ella's hand and stepped out from behind the desk, moving closer to Rafael.
"In these dark and difficult times, only one thing will prevail above all else. Mr. Robert, our daughter Ella has already made up her mind." Ella now stood directly in front of him. Is she going to ask me to marry her? Rafael wondered as he stood up.
"Robert, I want to be with you. Usually, it is the man who proposes, but today is different. Will you marry me?" Ella asked, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment. Both women were smiling, anticipation in their eyes, while Frederic, still seated, lowered his gaze.
"Of course, Ella," Rafael replied, stepping closer to her and kissing her right there in front of her parents. Take that, you piece of shit! he gloated inwardly, relishing the sight of Frederic looking away, his fists clenched in silent fury. Avice was crying tears of joy beside them.
"Congratulations. Now, we have a war to address. You—have you received any new ideas or knowledge from your dreams?" Frederic abruptly interrupted the happy moment.
Hmm, what can I say that will help win the war? Rafael thought, but then something made him pause. Ella, now his fiancée, was blushing furiously, and Avice was laughing at their flustered expressions. Frederic, on the other hand, stared at him with eyes full of malice.
...What the fuck? What is happening? His thoughts spun, seeking clarity.
"Robert, the marriage ceremony will be held tomorrow afternoon, and two days later..." Avice's voice wavered as she looked down. "We are going to flee from Calistoga."
"What? Why?" Rafael asked, bewildered.
"We won't be able to defend our lands. The enemy will certainly have at least three soldiers for every one of ours," Frederic explained, his voice heavy with resignation. The sorrow on their faces made it clear that their home, land, and people would soon be lost and destroyed by the invaders from the west.
There must be something I can do.
"Sir, could you please tell me everything about our forces?" Rafael asked, determined to find a solution. Frederic detailed their troop numbers, equipment, defensive strategies, and other crucial details.
"What about the common people? Can't they help fight? I know they don't have training or proper equipment, but there must be something they can do," Rafael suggested.
"They're helping build a fence outside the city and carrying supplies, but as you just said, they lack training. Any soldier could easily overpower them," Frederic replied, his tone grim.