The leaves started falling off from the tree, turning into beautiful amber colors that dyed the entire fields with the color of sunset. The people in the south were preparing for the harvest, praying to the lord for a bountiful harvest to finish their winter preparation.
" Crunch* Have you received the news regarding the new lord of Kent?"
The lord of Essex broke the rib with his hand, dripping meat juice on the plate while maintaining his calm face. During the sunny days, he heard the territory wars in the neighboring territories, igniting worry for his enemy.
" Nay, they are guarding their secrets tight. The merchants aren't opening their mouths either even with bribes."
The mood of the lord fell as he put his arm under his chin to think. He then looked at the meat in front of him, losing his appetite to eat more since his neighbors weren't exactly sheep.
" What about Welsh bastards? They are quiet this year. The Duke didn't even make a noise during the last gathering."
The knights didn't say anything to him because they couldn't answer his question. The only thing they had heard was that they sold large amounts of cattle and ration to some sort of merchants who had gone missing.
" The king seems to be enjoying this. Perhaps he is aiming for something. To his eyes, we are thorns in the end."
The advisor said calmly, looking at the lord with calmness in his eyes. He was afraid of the crown and would hide his fangs like venomous vipers in the bush. He would sink his teeth into the nobles and poison their minds to reap benefits.
Essex was a big piece of meat that he was eyeing for a long time and Essex also bared their teeth to him. The battle between them continued for years to take control of the the land, yet none managed to do that.
" Maybe we should put a leash on the new lord. He might be a useful pawn to scare him."
The lord thought of using Uther to scare the king, not knowing he wasn't messing with a dog but a wolf. He would rip his heart apart if he had the chance.
Near the eastern border of Essex
" Move it! Quickly!"
The soldiers pushed the giant carriage from the mud, looking at the city in the distance. The town was fortified to resist the attack from the outside but to face the elite force of 500 knights, 300 Vikings, and 500 infantrymen was too much.
" Halt! Raise the flags!"
The soldiers put the carriage down, quickly assembling the siege weapons while the knights raised the flags to show their affiliation. The guards of the town quickly spotted their flags, raising alarm along with their forces to battle them.
The cold standoff between the two forces started as the knight leader of the town came before them with his flag. He stopped his horse in front of Tove and Bo who were leading the army, demanding answers to his questions.
" This is the territory of Essex. You dare to barge in with weapons without permission."
Tove burst out with laughter at his remark, pointing at his town with his finger whilst pulling out his sword.
" Head of Maldon, I assume. You must Viscount Ersen.
Listen, we have captured your rats and know you have been spying on us to gather intel. You dare to question our integrity when you have none."
Ersen was filled with anger, almost drawing his sword to fight against him despite their physical difference. He didn't have his reason because it was absurd to attack another territory for spying.
" Don't spout nonsense, barbarian. My lord lived an honest life and we didn't do such low action. Cease your attack or you shall face the wrath of the great Essex."
Before he could finish his words, Bo jumped off from his horse while drawing his sword. Then he cut the head of Ersen's horse, making it spurt blood and dye Ersen with it.
He threw the corpse from him, raising him with his single pull when he was paralyzed.
" Walk and prepare. We will attack at dawn."
The cold voice reached his ears, urging him to return.