Chapter 83

Bushivo stood on a parapet in Lerwick. He was able to look over the seemingly endless forest. He wondered if the warriors from the Iron Rose Kingdom survived. He also worried that the flames of war would soon engulf the peaceful town.

He was grateful for Sir Kanes help as now the princess was safe for the moment behind friendly walls and he was able to send a messenger to the king for help. It seemed that full-scale war was inevitable. It had been more minor skirmishes until this point. Now that things were heating up, he knew many would suffer and perish.

Hopefully, Sir Kane would be alive as Bushivo was hoping the Iron Rose Kingdom would ally with the White Sparrow Kingdom. He had sent many scouts to look for the man and any other survivors but hadn't received word yet.

"General?"

Bushivo was awakened from his thoughts by a voice behind him.

"Yes, what is it?" Bushivo asked the guard that had called for him.

"The Mayor would like to speak with you, Sir."

"Thank you" replied Bushivo. He headed down the wall toward the mayor's house. He could take this opportunity to check in on the princess as well, who was staying at the mayor's house.

Walking in he noticed not only the mayor, his wife, and the princess but another group. The group was led by another knight who Bushivo knew very well. This man was another general and one who Bushivo got along well with. They had started their military careers around the same time and even though they had a slight rivalry when they were young, were still good friends.

"Sir Kanto? How have you managed to arrive so fast?"

"General Bushivo we heard you were in need of help. Of course, I would come riding right away so that I could save you as usual" responded Kanto.

"Very funny. Despite your quips, I am happy to see you."

"As am I. I hear we may have a load of trouble on our hands. Luckily my men and I had already been sent on a mission and were fortunate to run into one of your scouts. He told us what happened and we rushed here right away. I have brought 40 knights."

"It seems the gods are on our side," said Bushivo.

"Yes, and I am prepared to entertain them," said Kanto.

"That's good to hear General. Can you order your men to prepare? The same goes to you Mayor. I will have some of my men do their best to help prepare the town for a siege. That includes toughening up your militia and guards" said Bushivo.

"They are at your disposal. I know they may be inexperienced compared to your men, especially with fighting warriors, not bandits but I know that they are willing to give it their all if it means protecting their loved ones, the town, the princess, and the glory of the White Sparrow Kingdom!"

The mayor was truly worthy of being the king's brother. He spoke like a leader and acted like one as well. Bushivo was happy that Lerwick was in such cable hands.

Bushivo, Kanto, and the mayor were about to get their preparations underway when a knight came running into the room. This startled the princess and mayor's wife while making the generals unsheath their swords.

"What is it!?" asked Bushivo.

"Sir one of our scouts is back! They have returned with Sir Kane and four others."

Bushivo's ears perked up and relief showed on his face. The princess seemed to show it as well. The Mayor had heard about the man and what happened so he was also happy about the news.

"Who is this Sir Kane?" asked Kanto.

"I will explain later," said Bushivo as he headed toward the door. The others followed behind him.

Outside there lay a commotion. Villagers, guards, and knights were all staring at a group of 5. The group itself looked worn and beaten with many visible injuries and damages to their armor. They were currently being looked after by a couple of sparrow knights and a doctor in long brown robes.

Many of the onlookers had faces of curiosity, fear, or a mix of both.

"Sir Kane!" exclaimed General Bushivo. He had made it to where the group was along with General Kanto, the mayor, the princess, and the mayor's wife.

"Sorry we're late General. We got a bit held up."

The general smirked.

"Come inside. We must talk. Your men will be well looked after."

"As you say," said Kane.

Kane followed Bushivo and the rest back to the mayor's house.

"I am glad you survived. Are you all that's left?" asked Bushivo. Everyone was sitting at a table in the mayor's house.

"Yes, I am afraid only we made it."

"We owe you a great debt, Sir Kane. I promise that the White Sparrow Kingdom will not forget what you have done. I hope our kingdoms can work together in these dark times. Please let me introduce you to Mayor Shin and his wife as well as General Kanto."

"Pay the debt no mind. I have a grudge against those Kokarian bastards and would gladly stand in their way whenever able. As for you all, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance" responded Kane.

"Thank you for all you did for my niece," said the Mayor with a bright smile. His wife smiled as well and tilted her head in respect.

"Thanks" the princess nodded shyly. "I owe you my life. I am sorry that we did not say anything about me when we first met your group. Sir Bushivo wanted to be safe. Without you though I don't know what we would have done."

General Kanto was confused but understood that the stranger had done a great deed which helped the princess as well as General Bushivo so he nodded as well.

"Sir Kane I do think you need to rest and we can talk about the future later but there is something I first wish to know. What became of the knights who were chasing us?" asked Bushivo.

"We managed to push them back and their numbers dwindled and their leader died. Sadly I lost most of my men and as you saw the survivors were heavily injured."

"Wait you killed the leader? He was one of the kingdom's best. I felt that he was one of their 12 battle masters."

Not only was Bushivo surprised but Kanto was as well. Both of them knew how strong each one was. In fact, it would be difficult to defeat them if they one on one.

"I just barely managed to defeat him. That bald bastard had terrible luck and I was fortunate to get a few choice strikes that took him down."

"Did you say bald? Haha, he killed Bausan!" laughed Kanto.

"You are lucky to have fought him. He is the only one that I would feel certain I could kill. Now that he is dead though the others will come. I fear that we may not be enough to defeat them. I hope you could lend us your strength, Sir Kane. I know you have already done so much but we still have a war to fight and things keep getting direr" said Bushivo.

"I will stay here and fight back their war party with you. I must avenge my men after all."

"Thank you, Sir Kane. Please get some rest. I have lent you my guesthouse to recuperate in" said the mayor.

"I appreciate it, Mayor."

The mayor's wife as well as a few servants lead Kane to the guesthouse while Bushivo along with the mayor and princess retold the day's events to Kanto.

Outside the mayor's home, the people prepared for war. The peaceful town would soon become a battleground.