Chapter 13: Rise of a Kingdom
As the Dawn rose Movan's party came into view of Culmarr Castle as they came closer the Rhodoks on the wall raised the alarm and bells started to toll as Mova's party continued march toward the castle. Movan's men made a siege line, built a ladder and, then began to march forward in the early evening. They advanced quickly raising the ladder quickly and charging up it as fast as they could. Taken off guard the Rhodok Guards had little time to respond as Movan's men climbed over the walls and assaulted the castle. Within an hour Culmarr fell to them they took many prisoners and locked them in the prison. That evening Movan helped his wife Lady Bernatys who he had married months ago, and showed her the new court he presided over. Rolf was smiling ear to ear as he looked through the castle. At where he would be magistrate when Mova was gone to war. That night there was a feast and they celebrated their victory.
"So what shall we call our Kingdom?" Borcha asked drunkenly
Movan stood up and wobbled from his inebriation from the wine, and ale he had drunk through the night.
"We will call our Kingdom the Kingdom of the Rose in honor of our banner that we have flown throughout our many years." Movan said raising his goblet.
The men in the hall cheered and raised their goblets and drank deeply.
"Good night my husband." Lady Bernatys said kissing her husband's cheek.
"I'll be up in a moment." Movan said kissing his wife's lips.
Lady Bernatys exited the hall, that night Movan and Bernatys made love when he came up from the feast, when they were done Movan fell asleep his arms around his wife.
The next morning Movan woke up with a splitting headache from all the alcohol that was consumed the previous night. Movan rose out of bed quietly so that his wife wouldn't wake from her slumber. Movan got dressed in his armor, then went down the stairs to the hall, he opened the door. Inside his men still slept the ones that were waking up they stood up slowly.
Movan took an empty flagon and hit it on the table several times.
the sleeping men jolted away and stood up some hitting their head on the table or bench they fell asleep under out of the corner Borcha and Klethi stood up quickly Klethi holding Borcha's cloths over herself Borcha standing clearly naked the long table hiding his penis and everything else below the belt line.
"Borcha, Klethi get some cloths on the rest of you clean this mess and get the hall spic and span then begin the day's training i want those new recruits ready for war!" Movan ordered sternly.
"Yes my King!" Shouted Borcha taking his pants from Klethi and putting the mon before standing on the table. "Alright you lot you heard the King lets get this place clean then it's to training."
Movan walked to the head of the table grabbed some uneaten bread and ate it as he went to the chart room, that had several maps on shelves and a table with several chairs around it.
He looked at the labels at the top of the shelves until he found a map of Etrosq Castle the next nearest castle next to Culmarr one of two remaining Rhodok Castles the next being in the middle of where the Sultanate had advanced over the course of the war with the Rhodoks.
"My King you have a visitor." Said Borcha entering the room this time fully clothed.
"Who is It?" Movan asked curiously.
"Count Mirchaud sire says he wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience."
"Thank you Borcha I will see him immediately in the hall."
"Yes Sire." Borcha nodding before turning and leaving the room.
"And Borcha don't call me sire I have no right to rule yet." Movan said.
"Yes Captain." Borch said before being on his way.
Movan put up the chart of the castle and headed into the hall. The hall was once again clean and empty with the sound of Training in the background. Near the door Count Mirchaud stood wearing his blue tunic over chainmail with his White unicorn crest on it. Movan crossed the room and extended his hand Count Mirchaud took Movans forearm and griped it Movan did the same.
"It is good to see you Mirchaud what brings you here?" Movan asked eagerly.
"I was following you my friend after you left two days ago I asked Harlaus where you had gone he said you rode in the direction of Jelkala I left his service and took my men and came looking for you after Reaching Jelkala the bartender said you headed west toward Culmarr so I came to Culmarr and saw your banner and came inside." Mirchaud said with a smile. "As you well know Harlaus does not reward me for my loyalty favoring his closest lords who are his friends that and my sister convinced me to seek you out before you left.
"So you have come to join me?" Movan asked.
"If you will have me I will serve you loyally to my last breath."
"Then I shall have you, come let us drink to celebrate." Movan said eagerly. "At the moment I only have Culmarr but within the week I move on Etrosq and secure a strong foothold."
"Already putting me to task My King I will assist you in taking this castle."
"Good man now let us celebrate." Movan said pouring wine into two goblets handing one to Mirchaud.
A week later the banner of the Red Rose and the Banner of the White unicorn left Culmarr Castle with a sizeable garrison and marched south on Etrosq by midnight they were battering the walls of Etrosq and asailing them. By dawn the castle fell to the invaders Movan awarded the castle to Mirchaud before leaving back for Culmarr. Now they had their foot hold and now the rise of the the Kingdom of Roses had begun a new Era and a new Reign has started.