Chapter 23

"The Tsar requests the army!" says the soldier on horseback while riding through the camp until he reaches General Lev's tents. General Lev had heard some shouting, so he came out. The soldier gets off his horse and walks up to General Lev while catching his breath. He salutes the says the message.

"your excellency, his majesty Tsar Vladimir requests the entire army and if some have already left, then call them back,"

A/N: Generals, some military ranks, and certain high-ranking government positions were addressed as excellency or by the official title. So don't get it confused with his majesty.

"ok. rest up soldier" He tells the hussar, and he also tells someone to take care of the horses he rode on. Give them some water and let them rest. He sent some to fetch the other soldiers that have already left.

General Ivan met up with Lev and asked what happened. When General Ivan heard it, he was confused as well. They understood the Tsar was offended but the entire army just for a guard at the gate. They even thought the Tsar was being childish and is throwing a tantrum.

They carried out the orders anyway and will as the Tsar later. Later in the camp soldiers were running around gathering their gear and getting dressed. They heard the order to assemble and form up, and the order sounded serious. It took a long while to gather over 15,000 men and horses.

Once formed, General Ivan on his horse rides up to the front.

"Soldiers on of the Russian army! Your job isn't just to defend the Fatherland but also defend its honor and the Tsar. Today the Tsar had been offended by a lowly guard and was even asked to pay a tax." He looks at some of the soldiers and can see some of their faces and the anger it showed.

To them, the Tsar is almighty and just second to god may be on the same foot as god. No one knows when it started, but soon the army started to shout. while raising their rifles or swords up and down,

"For the Tsar! For Russia!"

General rides his horse to the side and gold his in front of him and closes his chest "Forward march!"

The soldiers start moving in uniform steps and marching neatly. The generals decide the other army will catch up.

Meanwhile, the guards on the capital wall were a little scared because it was sudden and thought they were going to be attacked. They calmed down after seeing the Russian army leave. It was reported to King Roland.

King Roland wondering what happened and sends a few eyeliners to watch and other nobles also went to watch in person or sent someone to watch.

Infantry march in long rectangular formation carrying Russians flags and their unit banners. Cavalry behind is in a similar formation carrying the Russian Imperial flag.

A/N: It's the Black, Yellow, and white one used from 1858 to 1896.

While waiting some hours Vladimir and the hussars heard drums beating and marching. They faced the direction of the sound. Vladimir smiles, seeing this. He still couldn't help himself since this isn't a movie and just seeing it in person and hearing it is spectacular.

The Hussars and Vladimir line up so the side and let the army pass.

Soon General Lev and Ivan came out to him and said in unison

"we greet his majesty," Vladimir nods and immediately gives orders, "Surround the city and makes sure no one escapes. Also, set up the 12 pounders to shoot at the walls and the 6 pounders to shoot the gates,"

The Generals nod before Vladimir continues "send cavalry to loot and clean up the surrounding villages. Not all. Maybe keep two units here, wait no. make it four units,"

"let the infantry rest a little while the artillery sets up,"

"The horse-drawn ones will set up while the foot artillery is still on its way. The second army is also on its way. Should arrive later tonight o early in the morning," General Ivan notifies him and he receives a nod in return "ok,"

The two left to pass down the orders.

"let us go men!" a few cavalry captains shout out taking their men in different directions

The 6 pounders horse-drawn artillery begins to set up. They pull the horses up in the positing they want the cannons. They detach the horses, move them out of the way to behind the cannons. They then turn the cannons to the gates. They bring up the charges in a box with 12 in total. After loading, they stand by waiting for orders.

While waiting general Ivan checks his pocket watch and after seeing its 4:55 pm, he puts away his watch.

Meanwhile on the wall men are rushing back and forth and closed all gates while shouting

"We are under attack."

"close the gates,"

"pick up arms,"

"rush to the walls,"

The citizens in the city are in a panic and running about and hiding.

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