Author Responses:

Annoying POW marine: I'm glad that you're seeing a lot of this, especially since I've been sprinkling in nation building here and there. It'll be a lot more apparent in the coming chapters. I just haven't been able to focus on it as much as I would have liked because Lyle's campaign, trials and tribulations. Also you nailed the dynamic and differences between Kemmler and Lyle perfectly. In terms of magical talent, skill and experience, Kemmler would mop the floor with Lyle. But, in terms of actually running a team and a faction along with a cast of colorful characters Lyle has more talent, especially when it comes to managing people. I hope I impress you further with what's to come.

Superfann217: And a happy new year!

Zerkil: Very nice indeed!

cHaZzi123: All very good points. I knew well enough about the feeding portion, but you bring up a good idea I just had about ransoming the gear of the prisoners. That was a very helpful bit of insight you gave me, so thanks for that.

Ayman El Kadouri: They wish they could be a dragon. Though in all seriousness it's not too unsimilar for why dwarves hoard gold. Greed can overcome the senses like a mad disease. Not only that, but keep this in mind. Bretonnians for the most part don't use banks. Bretonnia itself doesn't have a bank unlike other nations like Marienburg, Altdorf, The High Elves, the Dwarves, even a chaos faction has a bank. The freaking orks have a bank at Karak Eight Peaks! Granted it was originally controlled by the dwarves but I digress. If Bretonnians don't use banks, where else are they going to keep their gold? Now imagine how bad it must be for Bretonnian nobles who are especially greedy.

RandomSovietFarmer: Poor Louen. He has a enough shit on his plate as it is without a rabble rouser like Lyle to make things worse. And on that note. MAKE BRETONNIA GREAT AGAIN!

...

Richaud put on a brave face for the men on the walls of Castle Bastonne, staring imperiously at the skeletal siege towers constructed at a pace that was far too quick for his liking. The undead horde that littered the ground beneath the capital of Bastonne shifted and moved, not quite moving toward the walls, with the ladders they had already built, but not quite fully away to allow any reprieve for the besieged. Camps were maintained, and structures, barricades, and other concoctions were made, leaving those left within the castle to only watch as it happened before them.

Fiftully, Ser Ignace turned toward him, his young yet pale face conveying the thoughts of the skeleton crew that had been left to guard the castle after their liege lord's failed sally.

The castle steward didn't show the uncertainty that the greener-than-grass knight before he was and simply nodded. "Make sure to send word to the keep if there are any changes, Ser Ignace. Our future victory depends on it."

Ignace's eyes widened in disbelief. "V-...victory, ser?"

"Of course! Do you doubt the Lady? Do you not see that this is a mere test for the valor needed in the coming days?"

"But…but, lord Bohemond." Ignace's eyes turned back to the undead, stealing a glance before fitfully turning back to his superior. "H-he's-

"On his way and regrouping as we speak." Richaud said with complete confidence that drew a surprised look from not just the knight before him but also the other peasants and nobles within earshot, manning the walls.

"T-truly?" The wet behind-the-ear knight asked aloud, daring to believe. "Wh-when did? How did he…"

"The knights suffered a setback because of underhanded trickery from that vile churl, Lyle Spoletta. Our lord sent Bastien to inform us of this so that we can prepare and hold out for our lord's counterattack." Richaud then puffed out his chest to sell the tale. "Our lord has told us to hold out so that we may act as the anvil for the Beastslayer's hammer. If we hold out-no! Once we hold out and our liege lord arrives, we can dash this bastion of heresy against our walls in service to the Lady!"

Excited chatter began to break out along the walls, and the first signs of optimism began to break out, including Ser Ignace. After a moment, however, the optimism on the youth's face was replaced by confusion. "But…wait. If Lyle Spoletta only routed and didn't destroy Duke Bohemond's forces, why is he rushing a siege on our castle? Wouldn't he want to destroy the forces of our lord in the field?"

"Because he's desperate, you fool!" Richaud shouted before coughing and shaking his head, reigning in the desperation and temper in his voice. "Forgive me, lad, but I understand why you don't know. You're still not battle-tested, but know this. Lord Bastien himself told me that the battle was a close thing, and Lyle only won through deception and magical trickery. He must know he cannot hope to win another battle against Bohemond, so he hopes to take the castle instead of taking his chances in the field."

The young knight blushed, embarrassed, while others nodded along with the idea. "F-forgive me, my lord, I was just confused, is all."

"Think nothing of it, lad. You're doing the Lady's work, and soon, you'll have the chance to earn glory for all Bastonne in the coming days." Richaud eyed the siege towers once more before clearing his throat. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see to Lady Louise's safety. Remember to keep me informed of any changes as I asked."

Ignace gave a firm salute, his previous jitters now forgotten. "For the Lady, my lord." Many other knights and peasants gave similar phrases, nodding with confidence at the plan that was now in place. Smiles were once more on their faces as they chatted with one another at the opportunity to earn the glory that came with being warriors of the Bastonne.

Richaud marched back to the keep with a brisk face, making sure his mask of calm and confidence was in place on his face all the while. Eventually, he reached the inner portion of the keep, and worry began to creep on the steward's face, making the lines in his eyes and mouth that much more pronounced.

Finally, he reached the Solar, which was his in all but name, where he was greeted by the tense looks of Louise and Bastien.

Bastien looked no worse for wear after the battle with Lyle Spoletta, which told Richaud how long the lord hung around in the fight itself. Not that the steward could blame him, but it wasn't a good look. It took a great deal of tall tales and deceit to convince everyone at the castle that the act wasn't cowardice but following the order of Lord Bohemond. At this point, Richaud could only hope that his liege lord was dead, or Lord Bastien would soon find himself short of a noble title and a head to boot.

Louise looked stricken, even though she did her best to hide it. To hear that her cousin had been abducted was bad enough but for the battle to go south for her uncle. She'd lost her own family thanks to a beastman raid years ago, so to lose another possibly was taxing in of itself.

They both looked at him with bated breath before he eventually sighed. "I believe we have maybe a day. Two if we're lucky before the siege towers are complete."

Louise wanted to flop back into her seat, only to martial her expression and body. "And the men?"

"I fed them a lie that Lord Bohemond was martialling and regrouping his forces to save us."

"And they bought it?"

Richaud shrugged. "I think if I told them the Lady herself was coming to smite our enemies in battle, they would buy it. The poor sods are like drowning men, desperate for any land to grasp onto."

Bastien didn't say anything, looking at the main desk in the room with a furrowed brow.

Silence began to fill the room, dying and grasping for a solution to a problem that was right outside the castle gates. Eyes fidgeted towards one another, hoping someone would say something. Anything.

Eventually, the young lady gathered herself enough to say the dreaded words. "Lord Richaud…do you believe it is too late to negotiate with Lyle Spoletta?"

Richaud sighed, wanting to broach the subject, but quite finding the courage to do so originally, thankful that it was Louise that took the heat.

And take the heat she did when Bastien leaped out of his chair, suddenly alive from his still state. "Out of the question! To negotiate with the undead is to damn us! Damn our bodies and damn our souls!

Louise didn't back down, leveling a glare that would make her uncle proud. "Take care, Ser. We'll be damned if we continue as we have been these past few days."

"Listen here, girl!" The noble bristled, fully turning toward Louise. "You're only here as a courtesy to our liege lord. You play a dangerous game, inserting yourself in military matters you have no experience in

"Military matters?" Louise laughed haughtily, standing up and maintaining her high lady poise. "Our choice of using the military to resolve this situation has failed. My uncle…" Louise gathered herself, closing her eyes before pressing on. "My uncle failed. He failed, and we must pick up the pieces. As far as we know, Lyle still holds my cousin, the heir of Bastonne, who could very well be our new lord if my uncle Bohemond had passed in battle. If we negotiate with Lyle, he may continue to allow my cousin to live along with the rest of us."

Bastien whipped his head around toward Richaud, who flinched at the lord's gaze; Louise didn't miss the exchange, especially after the steward cleared his throat. "It would be a risky proposition, Lady Louise. Especially risky given that Lyle himself hasn't offered any negotiation himself."

"Why should he?" She asked exasperated. "He holds all the cards! Do you honestly believe we can resist him with the few hundred knights and peasants that we have left?"

"Most of those men are my men." Bastien boasted. "You'll find no finer men in all of Bastonne!"

"So fine that they abandoned my uncle in his hour of need." Louise needled back.

"We did it on his orders once he realized the battle was lost!"

"So you have claimed!" Louise nearly growled. "Yet it is strange that no one besides you and your men are here to dispute that!"

"You dare insinuate that I would abandon my own liege lord!?"

"I do more than dare! I-

"My lady, my lord! Peace! Have peace, I beg of you!" Richaud shouted, for once missing Bohemond's presence to keep the peace. "Now is not the time for this! It's especially not the time for this." The man exhaled once he managed to halt their feuding temporarily. "If I may. If we play our cards correctly, we can use the mine shafts underneath the castle to make a hasty retreat…it would come at the cost of most of the garrison but-

"Normally, I wouldn't be against an escape, but if Lyle does have my cousin," Louise swallows nervously. "Then he may have garnered the secret escape route from him. And if he did so-

The door bursts open suddenly, urging Bastien to draw his sword and Richaud a short sword on the desk. Louise suddenly hitches her breath, reaching for a dagger hidden underneath her skirt. Everyone in the room exhaled when they realized that it was just another knight who looked out of breath. "M-my lords…a-and lady! It's the Barrow Legion! They've sent out a white flag for parlay!

…

It was an unorthodox peace meeting, but given how tense things were, nobody was going to complain due to the circumstances. Lyle had demanded that the meeting be conducted near the tower walls, and for a moment, everyone had assumed that he meant him negotiating from the bottom of the castle with them on top.

They didn't consider that Lyle and two other necromancers beside him would be standing at eye level with them thanks to them being on top of a nearly finished skeletal siege tower, which allowed them to be on a similar footing to the siege walls.

Several men at arms and knights stood near the three heads of Castle Bastonne left, but their nervousness was quite apparent. The word of Lord Bohemond coming to their rescue was now in the back of their minds with the very present and physical threat that Lyle Spoletta had presented for them.

Bastien and Richaud wanted to truthfully put any knight or peasant out of earshot of this meeting, not wanting Lyle to spill the beans on how the battle really went. Still, they didn't want to risk attending a meeting with a necromancer without protection, even if said necromancer was unorthodox like Lyle.

And there he stood, hands folded in front of him and a smile on his face. Beside him were Fredericka and Sybille, looking imperious and cold as they could for the occasion.

A tense silence ensued before Louise decided to break it, wanting to know what the purpose of this was. "Lyle Spoletta." She began amicably. "I can see that your captivity here wasn't too hard on your complexion."

Lyle's smile cracked wider. "It was a short stay. Wish you came to visit before I left."

"It's as you said. It was a short stay. You hardly gave me the chance."

"Fair enough. My bad." Lyle grinned, flashing his white teeth.

Richaud decidedly did not care for the banter between the two and thus cleaved to the heart of the matter. "What are your terms, Spoletta? Either name them or do us the favor of not wasting our precious time."

"Oh…oh, I'm sorry. Are you trying to tell me how I should be conducting myself here?" Lyle asked rhetorically, looking mock offended. "Ah, what the hell, since you were so kind in asking, I'll get straight to the point. I want your unconditional surrender."

"Out of the question." Bastien barked immediately, bristling at the request. "We have five hundred men willing to break you on our walls to avenge our liege lord."

Lyle's eyes flickered to the former lord of Riffen, his body going still. "Bastien." Gone was the mirth Lyle he had previously. In its place was a cold tone that you would be customary in almost any necromancer. A coldness that Bastien showed no outward reaction but inwardly shivered at. "If your five hundred men are anything like the ones that tucked their tales and ran at the first sight of trouble, then this won't take long."

Before Bastien could retort, Louise made her voice known. "Lord Lyle…If I may ask, is my cousin, Emmerich, still alive?"

Lyle's tone softened as he turned away from Bastien. "He is. Not a hair on his head is out of place, dare I say."

Bastien scoffed. "And I suppose we should take you at your word."

Lyle didn't give a verbal response. He just glanced at Sybille, who smiled once she got the hint. One mental command later, and Soren was escorting Emmerich to join them at the top of their unfinished siege tower.

When she saw her cousin, Louise gave a visible sigh of relief, even Richaud allowed his shoulders to sag a bit at the sight of the lord apparent to castle Bastonne. Emmerich himself gave a tight smile. "Sorry for the trouble, cous."

Louise smiled, holding back tears. "All those days when I'd try to get you to play the prince rescuing me…"

"I should have given those sessions more effort." Emmerich shook his head with a rueful smile. "Mayhaps I should have listened to father more and stopped hiding from spars."

The mention of the Duke soured the momentary happy moment, with Louise's face becoming tighter. She couldn't bring herself to talk about it, so it fell to Richaud to pop the question. "My lord…your father did he…did he..."

"He's fine! Alive..." Emmerich began slowly, looking to Lyle almost for permission. When Lyle shrugged, the heir continued. "Father…father lives."

"Truly?" Louise gasped, not quite believing it. Richaud seemed stunned, while Bastien swallowed hard as if he had just sucked on a lemon. "Bohemond is alive? He's truly alive?"

However, Louise regretted her question once she felt the stares of peasants and knights in the back of her head, wondering why she was questioning such a thing. After all, they were told he was coming to their aid.

"H-he's wounded but alive. A-alive and unconscious." Emmerich stammered, his confidence flagging at the mere thought. "I-I tried talking to him, but it's like he's in a deep sleep. Th-they have a collar around his neck that's suppressing his g-grail p-powers from the Lady."

"I got the idea from Yasmine." Sybille boasted with an arrogant smirk. "One of the good things that came from being at her tender mercies. Though I guess my captivity could have been worse."

"And what have you done with Damsel Yasmine?" Richaud asked tentatively.

"Oh, worry, your silly little noble head no longer; she's still alive." Sybille tutted as if talking about the weather. "Since she was oh so kind to me in captivity, it's only fair that I return the favor."

Richaud and Louise could only hope that the witch wasn't abusing the damsel too severely, but you could never be too sure with necromancers. The truth of it was, that on Lyle's orders, Yasmine wasn't to be treated harshly, something that Sybille reluctantly went along with…but, that didn't mean she had to tell the nobles in front of her.

With all that being said, the nobles realized that even though it was great to hear that Emmerich and Bohemond were both mercifully alive, this presented a unique problem. They now needed to ensure they were safely back in Brettish hands, which meant one thing.

They had to play ball with the Barrow Legion. Something that Richaud grudgingly realized. "You'll…release Duke Bohemond if we give you the castle?"

Bastien, however, wasn't having it. "Richaud, have you gone as mad as a shroom-eating goblin? Duke Bohemond would want us to fight on!"

"Duke Bohemond is incapacitated! Hurt, and for all we know, in need of medical attention!" Louise countered, feeling her voice go shrill.

"Oh, don't worry, he'll be fine. We're personally making sure he won't succumb." Fredericka noted speaking for the first time. "You may not realize it, but we necromancers are quite adept at keeping things alive when we want to…and changing that rapidly when we will it."

The unspoken threat didn't go unnoticed, as the tension between the two parties grew to new heights, Richaud tried to keep the negotiations on course. "What is it that you desire for our lord and heir?"

Fredericka cleared her throat, continuing to speak. "As Master Spoletta mentioned. Your unconditional surrender. We desire you to leave Castle Bastonne, and in turn, you will receive Emmerich and Bohemond De Bastonne. However…" She began slowly, not wanting any interruptions. "Any other knights that have been captured in the previous battle must be ransomed by King Louen Leoncur himself, and in turn, they will be delivered to Corroune."

The nobles winced. They immediately understood the implications of the latter condition. It was a clever way of depriving the nobles of any chance of getting their best fighting men directly to mount a counterattack. This almost guaranteed they would have to plead for King Louen to pay for the ransom, but by the time Louen would have done so, Lyle and the Legion would have had time to fortify their holdings.

Lyle was giving them what they wanted but not what they needed. Something Richaud unfortunately had to go along with. "Anything else?"

Fredericka stayed silent, allowing Lyle to finish this off. "Yeah…Bastien stays."

Louise and Richaud immediately turned their heads toward Bastien, who stood stone-faced at the sudden demand, his vision going toward his countrymen to the man who was responsible for putting them all in this position. "Surely you jest."

"That's my offer." Lyle said coldly. "You get the pleasure of staying behind while everyone else runs free into the sunset."

Bastien began to sweat but maintained a confident facade. "Dare I ask why you're singling me out, you heretic?"

"The people of Riffen got some unfinished business with you. And I'm gonna make sure that it's hashed expeditiously."

"As if you care about the people of Riffen!"

"Ah, I see you're a bit slower than I thought, Bastien! If you recall, you proved to your own lord when you caught me that I do care about your people! Probably cared more about them than you ever did, as a matter of fact!" Lyle then leaned forward, smiling while baring his shiny white teeth. "I care about them so much that I'm gonna make sure they get their pound of flesh."

"Are you accusing me of killing my own people, necromancer? If so, then it would hardly be surprising to someone of your sad profession!"

Lyle didn't say another word. Instead, he snapped his fingers a few times, and the sound of footsteps began to come from within the siege tower. The three nobles squinted their eyes curiously only to look surprised, especially in Bastien and Richaud's case, as the one who reached the top of the tower was none other than the landless lord Gerome, with a noticeable bandage around his head. He seemed sullen and resigned but, at the same time, resolute.

Louise, however, spoke before the wounded lord could. "Lord…Gerome. It's good to see you healthy, hale."

To her confusion, Gerome only looked at her shamefaced. "My lady…I have come here to confess my crimes."

Confusion passed her features. "You cri-

"Hold your tongue, Gerome!" Bastien suddenly screeched out. "Remember, we had a deal!"

Gerome, however, ignored him, continuing regardless. "I was worried about your uncle, Bohemond Beastslayer, for not immediately looking to liberate Artois, where my family is currently being held. Lords Richaud and Bastien cut me a deal with me that they would convince your uncle to do what it took to save my family…if I joined on an expedition to exterminate half the population of Riffen with Bastien's own men…while selling the other half into slavery with the Dark Elves."

Silence ensued. Louise stared agape while Richaud stood ramrod and paleface for his crimes and illicit activities being laid so bare and open. What was telling were the reactions of the men in the garrison who were within earshot that heard it. Disbelief and shock were written on their faces. Had the accusation come from Lyle, they may have paid it no heed. But, to hear it come from a nobleman, even if he was currently in captivity… was enough to cause murmurs to start breaking out from peasants and knights alike.

And if that wasn't enough, Gerome still continued. "I sullied my privilege as a noble. And I sullied my oath of chivalry to the people I was sworn to protect. I… I'm not fit to call myself ser or any title." The man's voice trembled, but still he pressed onwards. "Lady Louise. I beseech you to allow Lyle Spoletta to give Bastien the justice he so rightly deserves, just as I will receive mine. If not for your uncle and cousin, for the people of Riffen who received no justice the day my sword contributed to taking their lives."

Gerome looked like he wanted to say more but eventually bowed his bandaged head, stepping backward and hanging the aforementioned head in shame. While everyone stood stunned at the sudden confession, Lyle pressed onward like a lion at the door, striking while the iron was hot.

"Here's how this is gonna go. You got two choices. You either open the gates and let me in, right here, right now, and follow my conditions, and I'll only kill Bastien. Don't wanna do that, then I go with option two. Option two is that I storm the castle, which leads to a good chunk of you dying, but before I do that, you know what I'm gonna do?" Lyle's voice dipped, his teeth bared once more. "I'm gonna kill your uncle, Bohemond Beastslayer, in front of you. I will not only kill him, but I'll do what most of my advisors are practically begging me to do, which is turn him into a wight of mass destruction. Because if I can't get to Bastien, I'll damn sure get to the guy who allowed Bastien to go runnin' around with his bullshit. Bohemond may not have had a direct hand in how his duchy has been run, but he's allowed it to happen, and for me, that's good enough." Lyle then tapped his wrist. "You got five minutes to give me an answer before ice him and the lot of ya. Tick, Tock."

The vicious threat sent chills down even Fredericka's spine, who found it unnerving that Lyle could go from a carefree, smart-mouthed youth who cared about the peasantry to a vicious Lichemaster in a matter of seconds. It only made her wonder if he was perhaps more suited for this role than she thought.

While she thought on this, Louise and Richaud shared a tight and sharp glance before turning their gazes to Bastien, who was noticeably backing up. His face was pale, but he was openly gritting his teeth as he kept a hand on his sword. "Th-this is an outrageous demand! I-I will no-

Before Bastien could back up any further, several hands suddenly latched onto and restrained his arms. Thinking that it was the undead, he struggled mightily, only to realize that it was his own men, his knights, who were tackling him to the ground and holding his hands behind his back. "Wh-what are you fools doing!? R-release me this instant!" His men lifted him up after they secured his hands behind his back and shoved the lord forward. One knight in particular had a wild look in his eyes. "T-take him! Take him and spare us, please!"

"Release me, you fools! You twice damned traitors! Why are you turning your damned coats now!?"

Before anyone else could say anything, men grabbed Louise and Richaud as well, drawing screams and curses from the two, respectively. One peasant in particular who grabbed Richaud screamed at the Steward. "You said Lord Bohemond was fine, you bastard! You told us he was preparing a counterattack to save us! Bastard! Traitor! Fuck!"

Louise herself screamed as men swarmed around her, while Lyle stared, somewhat stunned at how well his threat worked this effectively. Lyle thought he was doing a good job pressuring the other nobles into doing what he wanted. He neglected to realize just how compelling his argument would be to the other knights and peasants who now realized Bohemond wouldn't be arriving with a Hail Mary. Without that little lifeline of hope, the peasants and knights descended into a mob trying to save themselves, which made perfect sense now that Lyle thought about it.

Most of these men were Bastien's men. Men who were used to doing illicit activity like slaughtering their own villagers and making money even when it was through less than legal methods. Why wouldn't they take the chance to sell out their lord and nobles to save their skin?

As helpful as this was, however, Lyle couldn't let this get out of control. After all, if things started going off the rails, then who would be left to open the gate now?

Gathering a strong gust of Dhar into his palms, Lyle clapped them together, creating a harmless but audible shock of his magic throughout the air, stunning the growing angry mob before him as they felt their bones rattle.

"Gentlemen, Gentlemen, I appreciate the commitment here." Lyle said with a smile. "But, let's take the excitement level down a notch, shall we? Like I said. I just want Bastien. Not Louise, and not Richaud her. Just Bastien, and only Bastien. Keep him unharmed, and the rest of you guys can make tracks to your King, and wherever the hell he is.

Thankfully, the mob got the hint and followed Lyle's words, not wanting to draw his ire. However, one of the peasants couldn't help but look confused at him. "But…why you want to let this traitor, Richaud go? Lord Gerome, jus' said he worked to slaughter Riffen' 'imself didn't he?"

"I know what he said, and I know what I said." Lyle said amicably, with a grin. "Just do as I say, and you can all live to tell about this. Capiche?"

Richaud couldn't help but look surprised, especially after being called out so directly, but he wasn't one to look a gift-horse in the mouth so in turn, wisely decided to keep his mouth shut and allow this to play into his favor.

Losing Bastien was a shame but acceptable. Losing his own life was a different story.

…

A few hours later Bohemond Beastslayer, The Duke of Bastonne was being carted out in a wheelbarrow, where the bone collar that had been snagged around his neck was still in place. He looked pale with bandages all around his body, showing how effectively his grail magic was being suppressed. Thankfully for the other Bastonnians who had gathered outside the castle, they could faintly see their Duke's chest rising up and down to ease their spirits.

But, even though it was relieving to see their liege lord alive, it was humbling in a way everyone couldn't have imagined. There were around one hundred people left in Bohemond's castle after he left to fight Lyle and about two hundred when Bastien arrived. For them all to see a man who had physically overcome every threat and obstacle to not just Bastonne but to Bretonnia get broken down like this before them.

It sent the message home for who indeed won this conflict.

And for Lyle, that was good enough for him. Because it was part of the reason why he was willing to let most of these people go. Let them spread the word of his victory. Let them spread the word about how he won his victory. All the better.

As some undead snagged the restrained and now gagged Bastien, who fought futilely in his bonds, The group of Bastonnians could only watch as their lord was delivered to them in a cart, with Richaud watching the procession grimly, while Louise dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, trying to put up a brave front for her unconscious uncle who she at one point thought invincible.

"Get some apothecaries!" Richaud shouted as Bohemond's cart finally reached him. "Anyone who is skilled with herbal remedies or healing! And the Lady's sake, I know we don't have any magical practitioners, but someone try and get that damned collar off of him!"

Louise looked at Lyle, searchingly at him. "If you could…perhaps release Lady Yasmine as well. She's not a wicked woman like Bastien."

Lyle shrugged. "You're right. She's actually kinda nice, after I forget when she would kick me in the face." Lyle snorted. "Though I was kind of asking for it."

Louise put on her best pleading face. "Then, I beseech you lord Lyle, if you could show my uncle some respite-

"But, Yasmine ain't going anywhere." Lyle declared, dashing those hopes. "Don't worry, we're not gonna hurt her, but we'll be keeping her company."

Louise huffed. "And I suppose that we should trust your word?"

Lyle took offense to that and stared pointedly at her uncle in the wheelbarrow.

Realizing what went unsaid, Louise sighed. "You, sir, are insufferable."

"Oh?" Lyle smirked. "Would I be less insufferable if I was just some bloodthirsty, skin-flaying, and mad-cackling necromancer?"

"You'd be easier to understand, and that's all I would give you." Louise shook her head. "You are…a very strange man, Lyle Spoletta. An even stranger necromancer. You could have easily taken this castle without even having to parlay or anything of the sort. You could have killed my uncle and raised him as a wight or even tortured my cousin. Yet here we are, with the opposite of that happening, and you are giving us a fighting chance for another day. Why?"

Lyle raised his hands. "Is it that hard to believe I'm not as big of an asshole as you guys make me out to be?" Lyle's smile then dipped when he looked at Bastien being delivered to him. "Besides…we got enough assholes in this country, I think."

Louise gave a withering glare at the lord, who quite literally sold her people out and exterminated the rest. "On that, we can agree…but, tell me. Why IS it that you're allowing Richaud to leave alive? Is your grudge against Bastien so large that you forget those who allowed him to commit his crimes?"

Lyle smirked. "Consider it a test."

Louise scrunched her face. "A test?"

"When you get that collar off your uncle, I'm gonna be interested to see what he does with the man he trusted to run his duchy."

Realizing what he meant, Louise stood stunned as the implications sunk in. Satisfied, Lyle turned to walk back to his inner circle before Louise stopped him. "Lyle Spoletta."

Curious, Lyle turned around, only for Louise to smile and give a short, quick bow. "Thank you…for sparing my uncle and my cous…you didn't have to, but you did. For that mercy, I'm grateful."

The necromancer gave a winning smile. "The pleasure was all mine, m'lady."

"When we reach his Majesty… I'll put in a good word for you, and pray the Lady that for when he comes for you, your punishment will be a light one, given your actions." Her smile then faltered. "If not a light punishment. I'll at least beg that he give you a quick death."

The earth-native laughed uproariously, getting the attention of his advisors and others. "You have that little faith in me, do you? Even after I humbled your uncle a bit?"

"My uncle is one thing. King Louen is another matter altogether…also for my peace of mind, can you please send over my cousin? It'd be lovely to have him safe and sound."

Lyle turned his gaze over to the boy in question, just behind him, who flinched at suddenly being stared at. "Well? You heard her. Go on. I'd hate for you to make a liar out of me of not being able to keep my own word."

Tentatively, Emmerich stepped forward, his eyes staying on his father, who was being tended to by maids and other experts in remedies and a smith, trying to pry the collar off his neck. He then turned back to Louise, who was beckoning him over. "Come, Emmerich. The sooner we head to Couronne, the better."

Yet, to everyone's confusion, the boy hesitated just as he passed Lyle, who couldn't help but notice the heir's slow gate. "You uh…wanna get a move on Em? I'm kinda on a bit of a schedule here. Got places to go. People to see."

Again, Emmerich's eyes turned to his unconscious father before he finally sighed, shaking his head. Finally, he turned back to Lyle. "I'm staying with you, Lord Lyle."

"Ex-fucking-scuse me?"

Louise understandably looked aghast. "What madness is this? Emmerich we just got you back I-" She stared heatedly at Lyle. "What spell have you cast on him? Have you played me for a fool all along!?"

Lyle put his hands up. "Hey-whoa now, sweetheart! I had nothin' to do with this! He's lost his mind on his own, thank you very much!"

"I'm not mad!" The youth huffed in annoyance. "Louise, I have to stay. I…I have a responsibility to the people."

"The peo-Emmerich, what in the Lady's name are you on about?"

Emmerich turned to Lyle. "Lyle Spoletta...you…you seem like an honest, earnest man despite your occupation." There was a look of determination in the young man's eyes. "Tell me. What do you know of Bastonne? Or its people and its norms. Or anything of it, for that matter?"

Caught off guard by the sudden barrage of questions, Lyle scratched his head. "Well…you guys have a high opinion of yourselves. I don't think even the Artoisan's egos were as big as yours."

"So only a smidgen then…I beg you. Allow me to help you treat the people of Bastonne justly." Lyle's eyes shot up, along with Louise, who looked stunned at the declaration. "You're right…my father allowed a great deal of rot to overtake our duchy. A peerless warrior, he may have been, but he had his faults. Please, allow me to make up for them."

Lyle gawked at the boy. "Kid, are you sure you're not high right now? I mean, physically, you look fine, but did you get into one of the necromancers' stashes when I wasn't looking? They always cookin' somethin' up."

Emmerich sighed in exasperation. "No, Lord Lyle, I'm not 'high' as you put it; I'm where I need to be. Please…allow me to stay. If you're as kind to the common people as you claim and seem to be, then allow me to guide you on improving their lives and root out the corruption that has plagued in the duchy. My father…my father is incapable of physically ruling. I cannot abandon my people or my duty now. So…I will do what I must by protecting my subjects, even if I must put myself in harm's way."

On one hand, Louise was taken aback and impressed by her cousin's bravery…but on the other hand. "Emmerich, are you absolutely certain about this? Y-you're so close to freedom; we just got you back!"

"But, at what cost?" Emmerich shouted back. "I've heard the whispers of my father's vassals! That I'm a frail boy who hides away from his spars, from his duty, and from doing all that a lord must do! Contrary to what they believe, I HAVE done what I need! I've studied and buried my nose in books to learn about Bastonne's history, its population, and how we can improve it for years to come! Yet my father was never impressed, his vassals were never impressed." He took a breath, calming the passion and anger inside. "If I cannot improve the Duchy of Bastonne at its highest with my father, then I will do so when we are at our lowest. I…I have to do this. I just have to."

Louise looked like she wanted to say something more, protest, and scream at him like a banshee. Yet once she looked into Emmerich's eyes, she knew that it would all be for naught. She'd seen that look in his eyes. It was the same stubborn look that he shared with his father. Whenever he refused to be coaxed into sparring or reading a new book, he would find there was no pulling him away from the decision.

Growling in a huff, Louise stalked forward, her teeth bared. Emmerich flinched, thinking she would smack him, and even Lyle stepped back, not wanting to get in the blast radius of a woman's scorn.

Then, to Lyle's shock and disgust, Louise grabbed Emmerich by the back of his head and kissed her cousin full-on. Mercifully for Lyle, the kiss started almost as soon as it began, leaving Emmerich gobsmacked and Louise looking flushed. She then grabbed Emmerich by the collar as she stared at him hotly. "I swear to the Lady that if you die, I'll find a damsel to bring your spirit back so I can smack you into oblivion."

"Y-yes, cous."

She then shoved him away, sighing grumpily as she stalked away. "I'll watch over your father. Take…take care Em." And with that, she walked back to the Bastonnians, who looked ready to leave, lingering only to watch the drama that unfolded before them with wide-eyed and scandalous looks.

Emmerich's gaze lingered on Louise before he shakily turned to Lyle, who stared at him with a mild bit of revulsion. "The fuck is it with you guys wanting to get it on with your family members?"

…

AN:

Not much to say on this one, other than this officially marks the fall of Bastonne. It was a helluva lot more challenging for Lyle, but in spite of his victory, I can promise you that the shockwaves of his victory will resonate. After all, one doesn't become successful in the Old World without acquiring more than a fair share of enemies who want to see you cut down. Whether they see you as a threat, are jealous of said success or have a literal ax to grind with you, you're gonna have some people with beef sooner rather than later.

Also I hope you all had a very good Merry Christmas along with a great New Years. Again, I appreciate you guys sticking with me this long and continue to do so with the story I'm writing. Make sure to keep dropping those reviews and I'll keep dropping chapters!