Jungby's defenses were as ready as they could get, but that was not nearly enough. What they could see from the towers of the castle this morning was a frightful sight – hordes of soldiers from Verdane were appearing all around the city. There were thousands of barbarians, probably the majority of Verdane's whole army. All of Jungby's soldiers were mounted in strategic positions as archers and footmen, but they weren't nearly enough and the Verdanians would be able to storm right into town and cause massive damage.
The Verdanians had used the night well, setting up their army in strategic positions. What surprised General Omni, though, was that there had not been an attack yet. The city defenders had been up and ready for hours, waiting faithfully. If the barbarians had attacked during night the archers would be having a much harder time, yet they had still chosen to wait. Omni took this to mean that Verdane was looking for some sort of deal.
Omni had sent one of Jungby's lords, Enteir, to the Verdanians in hopes of negotiating something. He didn't know how the barbarians would react, and he feared for Enteir's life, but with such grim chances it was a necessary risk.
To some surprise Enteir returned after only a few hours and came straight to the room where Edin and Omni were waiting. Edin was shocked to see the man storming into the room without announcement, but quickly concentrated as he spoke.
"They refused to speak with me," he said, looking straight at Edin. "They would only speak with Lady Edin." He let out a very deep sigh.
Omni took a deep breath. Edin stood up at once. Omni looked at her.
"It's an obvious trap," he said.
"Of course it is. But I have to go. It's the best chance we've got."
Omni had obviously deeply considered what would be the best action if something like this were to happen. "I'm sending Luvvan and Mideel with you. Just… do the best you can. I know your capabilities, dear Duchess."
"I will. Take care of this place for me, Omni." Edin walked towards the exit at once.
"Just remember how much the bastards will feel it when the Grandbell army returns!" Omni said with devotion as she was leaving.
"So how do we do this?" Luvvan was obviously nervous beyond his poker face.
"We go straight in and ask to speak with whoever's in charge. They're probably expecting us." What was behind Edin's poker face was harder to see for the other two. The three of them had just left their horses slightly hidden among some trees and were walking towards the tents Enteir had told them about. The air felt odd for Edin, the weather was not that bad but it carried a scent of a horrible battle. It was just in her imagination, but did nothing to help her mood from being dark as ink.
"Have you ever met any Verdane royals?" Mideel asked with a slightly stressed voice which now felt casual.
"I've met the eldest prince, the one who's dead." She hesitated, looking at the camp that was getting closer and closer. "He was a nice enough man, but I never liked him. I could tell everything he said had a hidden intention."
They saw two horses approaching from the tents. Each horse was ridden by a man dressed with green leather armor embroiled with the mark of King Bator of Verdane. The men were both muscular and both had an axe on their back. This was what was to be expected for the average Verdane soldier. The common Grandbellian referred to these soldiers as "barbarians", though.
The two men didn't ask any questions, they just told Edin to follow them. She did at once. Mideel and Luvvan exchanged glances before doing the same. Straight up the nearest small hill was a large tent, looking like it had been set up in a hurry. The sheets used were of the utmost quality though. Edin and her guards were taken inside and stripped of their weapons.
The interiors seemed a lot larger than the tent looked from the inside. The tent was filled to the brim with soldiers, equipment, weapons, people helping the soldiers, and a path to a smaller room further in. The tent was noisy, the soldiers and other people all doing preparations of various kinds. Most of the soldiers in this tent were better armored than the ones who had escorted the three to the tent. Some of the soldiers wore special hats, probably commanders.
Edin, Mideel and Luvvan were escorted to the smaller room further in though. Inside were a very nice chair and four people, one of which was sitting on the chair. The man was wearing a chain mail decorated with a special version of King Bator's mark – Edin recognized it as the same used by the prince she had met earlier. This was a member of the royal family. The three other people were wearing ordinary clothes; at least what was ordinary to noble citizens of Grandbell. Edin guessed that these were advisors.
As the three people from Jungby came into the room, the royal man broke from a conversation with his advisors and looked straight at Edin. He waved at the escorts without looking at them, and they left. He stood up and held out his hand. Edin shook it.
"Hello, Lady Edin. I'm Prince Gandolph."
Gandolph was a tall man, well built like most of his soldiers. His hair was reddish brown and his face was decorated with a smirk which made him look somewhat handsome and very happy with the current situation. Edin looked deep into his eyes.
"Prince Gandolph… what do you want?" He looked just as deeply into hers and the smile was as deep as it could be.
"Isn't it simple?" he said calmly. Edin was disgusted by him already. She felt he was far more educated and well-mannered than the average Verdanian commander. "I want Jungby. For starters."
Mideel twitched. Edin almost did as well.
"You know that this is a stupid move. Once the majority of Grandbell's army returns we will draw you out. King Azmule won't be gentle." Edin knew it was a bold move to talk like that in a so hostile environment, but Gandolph kept his smile.
"I guess that means you think fighting is futile. Have you already acknowledged your loss?" Gandolph's eyes lingered at something behind Edin for half a second. More people seemed to be approaching from behind. "We know how devastating it would be to this city if we attack. So I wish we could skip the unnecessary."
The two of them exchanged glances.
"Though a battle would be a good opportunity to take out the majority of your soldiers and some civilians," Gandolph continued.
Edin knew what she would end up saying eventually, and she felt she would be so frustrated that she would burst into a futile attack if she waited much longer. Gandolph was done talking now. His face was confident, his insides probably insecure but thrilled. That insecurity was her largest problems though; if they would escalate he could do something rash. "I cannot make a deal unless you state your demands."
Gandolph was happy. "Thank you. I demand the disarming of all your soldiers and full control of your city. King Azmule shall know that Jungby is now Verdane territory and our main base for further agreements with Barhara. All your generals and commanders shall be put in the castle dungeons. And in case even that won't make Azmule take us seriously, you're coming with me back to Marpha."
"No!" Both Luvvan and Mideel stormed toward Gandolph but they were grabbed by guards standing behind them. A red-headed man got in place behind Edin in case she would do the same, but she stood still.
"Then come with me to the castle and we will speak with General Omni."
Gandolph was more satisfied than ever. "You heard the woman," he said to the red-headed man. "Form a small party and we're going to the castle. Bring the two bozos."
"Aye, sir." The red-headed man left the room, but was back only half a minute later. "We're ready ty go," he said.
The guards holding Mideel and Luvvan pushed them towards the exit. Edin was left untouched but Gandolph walked closely behind her.
During the trip back, Edin, Mideel and Luvvan were all quiet, though the latter two exchanged some very frustrated glances. They were accompanied by a party of about ten people back to Jungby. Gandolph walked in front with Edin, the red-head was behind them and Mideel and Luvvan were behind him.
Naturally they did not go for the horses the Jungvyans had hid earlier and the pace was slow, so the trip would take some time. Mideel could not stop thinking about a way out, something to save Jungby and something to save Edin. If this party reached the castle and Gandolph got his way, no one could know what would happen. It was better than suffering the siege, but it was natural that the citizens would suffer during the times to come.
And having Edin as a hostage could only do Gandolph good. Edin was a big symbol to the people of Jungby, and the other duchies would sacrifice much to get her back. Not to think of what the barbarians would put her through. She would probably be thrown in jail or even worse.
Gandolph had been brave choosing to go into town while defenses where up. Though it probably wouldn't happen, the archers could easily take him out on the way in. What effect would it have on the Verdanian army if Gandolph died? Was he important to them? Like Edin was to Jungby? Mideel didn't even know whether or not he was the royal heir, but he guessed he wasn't.
Mideel looked at Luvvan, and noticed that Luvvan was sideways glancing at the red-head's axe. Luvvan noticed Mideel was looking and their eyes met. Luvvan tilted his head. This was a signal. Could it work? It had to. Mideel nodded as slightly as he managed.
Luvvan rammed into the red-head before any of the soldiers noticed anything, and Mideel ran towards Gandolph, grabbing the red-head's axe on the way. The red-head didn't manage to get up, but he managed to yell "Prince!"
Gandolph turned around just as Mideel swiped at him and Mideel missed. Grabbing the moment, Gandolph launched his own axe into Mideel's back. Further back one of the soldiers swiped his axe at Luvvan, hitting his head.
By the time Edin had turned around they were both motionless on the ground. She shrieked and ran towards Mideel, showing her fear for the first time that day.