Malzan

Two weeks later, Union's Camp Outside Malzan

Malzan was truly a great city. The walls were as tall as Nirvana, thick or maybe thicker. A moat surrounded it, accessible only through five drawbridges each as wide as five carriage side by side.

Timothy raised his head. The pyramid inside the city was visible from here. It was taller than the walls. The throne seat at the top was glinting yellow, maybe made of pure gold. The pyramid itself was of high quality marble. It must have costed a lot to build that pyramid. If only his father could have seen it. Timothy imagine old Leopold Castonia heaving some dark plans to sell that golden throne. He smiled at the thought. Unfortunately his father was dead. He would have been proud of Timothy.

"How is your wound?" Timothy asked the large man riding a bear beside him.

"Nothing but a scratch."

"A scratch wouldn't put a man of your size to bed for two weeks. You can barely walk."

"But I can ride."

"Bear but not a horse. You were lucky the blade wasn't poisoned."

"It was willed by the Omniscient himself."

"You sound like Henry." Timothy tilted his head toward Abraham. "I beg you, one pious knight is enough."

Abraham laughed and Bear grunted some sounds Timothy guessed was laughter.

"So," Abraham said "Malzan huh? We are almost done. Peace at last once we have broken through these walls."

"I did beg the Rooster of one last fight back in that terrible battle but yes, we still need to conquer Malzan before we could have peace." Timothy sighed. "Will you remain in my service even after the war?"

"I earn twelve gold coins each month. Twelve. Why should I give that up?"

"Maybe you would want to go back to your village. The villages around Solon has been repaired."

"I'll just visit. Besides, I am worried. What could your small body do against assassins without me?"

"I am not small. I am average. Just tell me that you love your King so much that you'll never leave his side."

"Well," Abraham pursed his lips. "That too."

Timothy grinned. He stabbed his thumb over his shoulder. "Let's go. The others must be tired of waiting."

Erik, William, Layfare, Arthur, Vice Duke Ventil, Henry, Admiral Bernard, Cohir's son, Salaphir, Ash, King Harold and Magistrate Vulek were already inside the tent when Timothy entered. Food was on the table. It appeared to be roasted lamb. Wine was surprisingly absent though that did not stop Erik from chugging mead.

"Where is the Queen?" William asked.

"She is not feeling well." Timothy went to the empty seat designed like a throne. Lucia's seat beside his was of course empty.

He crossed his leg and grabbed a cup. Water was enough for him as mead just tasted weird.

"So? Reports."

"The tunneling is ahead of schedule." Erik wiped the oil off his mouth. He shoved the plate and fixed his posture. "I think we can finish it by the next day."

"Good. And the artillery pieces?" He looked at William.

"I don't know. I tried to understand but the engineers would always give me words I know nothing about. Arthur should know."

"Me?" Arthur shook his head. "No, no. My job is to merely stand and smile you said. Stand and smile and wave the flag like a good prince. And I did. I wasn't informed that I should manage those old men's affairs. My father once put me under the care of this tutor..."

"Almost ready" Layfare said. "I looked into their blueprints and it appears they are making artillery piece by piece. Only the torsion springs are not yet made. Two days is my estimate. About two hundred more catapults will be added to our arsenal."

Timothy smiled to that. Whoever between Arthur and William she chooses would be a lucky man.

"And supplies?" He looked at the newly-promoted Admiral Bernard.

"New shipment to arrive three days from now Your Majesty."

"Prepare your galleys also, Admiral. You will join the assaults. But be at ease, they don't have heavy defense when it comes to the sea. Their catapults are all stationed along the walls."

"Except about a dozen Your Majesty" Shadow said. "All creaky and old as I have seen. But the number of defenders has risen. They are levying from the citizens."

"What is your last estimate?"

"Five cohorts at least."

"That's manageable. We can take the city." Timothy said.

"Yes but we can also take the city without spilling blood." Erik said. "Tim, er, Your Majesty, they have sent another messenger begging us to parley."

"But I don't want a parley. Not yet until we smash that pyramid to pieces. I want Wismar bending their knee to the Union. I want to destroy Malzal like how they defiled Holm. Now, their army is gone, most are our prisoners of war now. Sarah is dead. Half of Wismar is ours. What's left is their capital and that throne that serves as a symbol of Wismar."

"Our men are tired Tim. We have lost nearly ten thousand from the last battle. Most of them wants to go home. When will this stop?"

"It will stop when I say so!"

His shout made everyone flinch. Even Erik paled. Timothy snapped back to his temper. He leaned back.

"I am tired too." Timothy added. "Omniscient. I am as tired as you are. I am as tired as they are. But one more push. I promise you, one last push and we will go home. This is Malzan we are talking about, one of the largest city in the whole world. It is almost as large as the Dandarian Empire's capital. Revenge. Justice. Glory. We will have all three after we take Wismar's capital."

"What you seek is revenge." Henry said. "You are the King. Your word is final. But I must warn you that this will not end. If you destroy Malzan then Wismar will hate us forever. Let it end, please Your Majesty. For the sake of peace. Let it end. Accept peace."

"I am willing to fight them all my life. They killed my father. They slaughtered my citizens. They burned Holm. Thousands of my soldiers are dead because of them. All of these ramblings are easy to discuss. It's either you are with me or you're going home. Let's begin with you Erik. Will you join me?"

Erik smiled, a lonely smile. "You know I will follow you to the ends of the earth, not just because you are my King but because you are my friend. The Marquis of Greenwater will always be of service."

Timothy nodded. He looked to Henry next. "And you?"

"This is wrong. The Omniscient despises violence. But I trust that you're wise enough to see peace in the future. My knights and all of Tulosa will stay." Henry said.

Magistrate Vulek put his fist on his chest. "As for me you don't have to ask, King Timothy. My father is an honorable man. Inkit has sworn to follow you. My men and I will..."

The tent flapped and Lucia went inside. She was sweating. Her hair was a little messy. Her breaths were long and forced.

"Out" She said stiffly. "All of you out. Please. Let me speak with the King alone."

The eleven people looked at each other and then rose one after another. They scurried outside. Each one of them bowed to Lucia before exiting. When the last person, Erik, was finally outside, Timothy ran toward Lucia.

Her face was drenched. She was pale. Timothy began to worry. Poison? Disease?

"What happened? Lucia you are scaring me. Are you alright?" He put the back of his palm against her forehead. She didn't have a fever, Omniscient be thanked.

"Tim" Her voice was a squeaky. "I... I am pregnant."