[b]Chapter 7: Southern fools[/b]

"You are to deliver these to each fort along the border. None but the garrison commanders may view these." Leofric concluded as he pressed the royal sigil against the sealing wax on the letter infront of him on the table. He had prepared an additional nine of these letters and he extended them to the soldier standing on the opposite end of the table. The soldier grabs the letters and tucks them down into a courier satchel hanging by his side. He then salutes, and departs the king's quarters.

Next to the door stood Sir Arthur, leisurely leaning against the wall in patience. He pushes himself forward and shuffles across to Leofric's desk as soon the courier had closed the door behind him. The knight grabs a nearby chair and scoots it across to take a seat, under creaking protests. "Well?"

Leofric turned his attention to Arthur shortly, before he rose up from his own seat and turned to look out through the window. From his quarters he had a decent view of the town and the land stretching out beyond the walls. The weather had begun to clear, but at this time of the year the sky was almost perpetually grey. Fitting for the mood and situation he found himself in.

"If they intend to march on us then there is little point in negotiation now." Leofric frowned. Raylia was the southern nation bordering the Northlands. He had never fully understood why they started a war other than through sheer aggressiveness and will to expand. They had been at odds for years, and while skirmishes were common along the border, there had been no major advance from either side for quite some time, and Leofric had begun to grew tired of the persistant, smaller nation harassing his country. He turned on his heels again to face Arthur.

"But this time I will end the war, Sir Arthur. I'll torch that entire wretched nation if I have to." the king snarled in bitter frustration and sat back down into the chair. The anger dissipated as quickly as it had arrived, and Leofric twitched a frown. "We won't ride for the capital now, there is no time. But I do have a task for you, Sir Arthur."

The knight nodded, calm as ever.

"I will keep my force here in case the border requires assistance, but five hundred men won't be enough to alleviate the pressure Raylia will bear down on the forts." Leofric paused, a few digits drumming against the table in thought. "I entrust you with this, Arthur. You will gather the army and rendezvous here when you are done. You'll leave immediately."

Arthur stood up from the chair and slammed a clenched fist over the heart in a salute. "Yes, Sire." the knight replies and turns around, though he is stopped briefly by the king's addition.

"Arthur. Every man that you can find."