Chapter 111: Setting Out
Roderic stepped out of the estate, a deep yawn escaping his mouth.
The sun was still rising on the horizon, while a cold breeze struck his face.
’Damn...’ he thought. ’I guess it’s becoming that time of the year, huh.’
Letting out another sigh, he continued walking towards the courtyard.
It didn’t take long before the sound of voices and horses entered his ears.
As Roderic turned the corner, his gaze landed on fifteen knights, fifty soldiers and his four retainers.
But his attention quickly shifted past them.
Several large wagons stood near the gates, each filled to the brim with hundreds of metal bear traps and caltrops.
Roderic’s smile immediately widened.
’Perfect,’ he thought, rubbing his hands together. ’This is going to be fun.’
His imagination was already running wild.
Roderic felt like he could finally complete one of his childhood dreams of being the Easter Bunny!
Except, people wouldn’t be happy when they found his Easter eggs.
His amusement was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.
’’Young lord!’’
Roderic glanced to the side.
Edmund was already making his way over towards him, pen and paper in hand.
’’Everything’s ready,’’ he announced. ’’We can set off once you give the command!’’
Roderic nodded approvingly.
’’No problems?’’ he asked.
’’Nothing important,’’ Edmund replied, shaking his head. ’’The last of the supplies were loaded earlier this morning, and all the horses are ready.’’
Roderic nodded.
’’Good job,’’ he said, patting his attendant’s back.
His gaze moved across the courtyard once more.
Soldiers were climbing into empty wagons, while knights had started mounting their own horses.
Then his gaze suddenly stopped on someone.
’Ah, come on,’ he thought, frowning. ’What is this now?’
Arthur stood near the front of the group, dressed from head to toe in armor.
Even his warhorse had been brought out.
’Nope,’ Roderic thought, shaking his head. ’This is not happening.’
Without another thought, he began walking towards his father.
It didn’t take long before Arthur noticed his approach and turned around.
’’Good morning,’’ he said happily.
Before he could utter another word, Roderic opened his mouth.
’’Yeah, morning,’’ he replied, looking him up and down. ’’Why are you wearing armor?’’
Arthur’s brows furrowed slightly.
’’Because I’m coming with you,’’ he said slowly.
A brief silence fell between the two.
Roderic just stared at him expressionlessly.
’’No, you’re not,’’ he finally said.
Arthur’s expression immediately stiffened.
’’Roderic—’’
’’You need to stay here,’’ Roderic interrupted. ’’Baron Deres will send over someone to negotiate for Margaret.’’
Arthur fell silent.
Pointing back at the estate, Roderic continued.
’’And considering you’re still the baron, you’re going to have to receive him and agree to the deal.’’
Glancing back towards the gathered men, Arthur’s expression shifted slightly.
It was obvious he wasn’t particularly pleased with the idea.
’’You intend to handle everything at Riverwood yourself?’’ he asked.
Roderic nodded once.
’’That’s the plan, yes,’’ he replied casually. ’’I’ll help with the evacuation before trapping the place.’’
Arthur stared at him for another moment before finally letting out a sigh.
He too knew exactly how important Margaret was to Roderic’s plan, after all.
’’Fine,’’ he said, rubbing the back of his head. ’’I’ll remain here.’’
Roderic smiled slightly.
As he began turning, Arthur’s voice stopped him.
’’Roderic,’’ he said slowly. ’’Don’t take unnecessary risks.’’
Roderic’s smile slowly grew into a grin.
’’I’ll try.’’
That answer didn’t reassure Arthur in the slightest, though.
Just then, something seemed to pop up in Roderic’s mind as well.
’’Oh, right,’’ he said. ’’Whatever they offer for Margaret, take it.’’
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
’’Regardless of the amount?’’ he asked hesitantly.
’’Yes.’’ Roderic nodded. ’’Though I doubt Aldric will be stingy when it comes to his sister.’’
Nodding slowly, Arthur glanced back up at his son.
’’Understood.’’
After hearing that, Roderic finally turned back to the waiting men.
Without another thought, he placed his hands around his mouth.
’’Alright!’’ he shouted. ’’Let’s move!’’
Within moments, the front of the group began moving.
Roderic quickly made his way to his carriage and sat in the front this time, his retainers surrounding him on horseback.
...
The journey to Riverwood Village was thankfully rather short.
A few hours later, the first wooden houses appeared in the distance.
But unlike the last time Roderic had visited, there was little activity in the surrounding fields.
Instead, dozens of villagers had gathered near their homes.
Wagons stood scattered throughout the village as families loaded whatever possessions they could bring with them.
Furniture, sacks of grain, tools and anything else deemed valuable were piled together.
The mood was understandably miserable.
Children clung to their parents while livestock were herded towards the waiting wagons.
Even the village streets felt strangely quiet despite the hundreds of people moving through them.
No one wanted to leave.
But they all understood the consequences of staying.
An elderly farmer stood beside one of the wagons, staring silently at his home.
Roderic could practically see the reluctance on his face.
’Can’t blame him,’ he thought. ’He’s probably lived here his entire live, after all.’
Being told to abandon everything he’d worked for was like a punch to the gut.
Unfortunately, there simply wasn’t another choice.
Roderic let out a sigh before glancing at Frederic.
’’Send two riders ahead,’’ he commanded. ’’I want them to watch the roads near Deres territory as closely as possible.’’
Frederic nodded right away.
He rode off to the front and passed on Roderic’s orders.
Before long, two riders broke away from the main group.
Roderic narrowed his eyes slightly.
’We can’t get surprised by them,’ he thought. ’If they send out their army ahead of time and we don’t know...’
As the carriages slowed to a halt, he shook his head.
Having pushed away the thoughts, Roderic jumped off the carriage.
’’Alright, everyone,’’ he shouted. ’’Spread out and help the civilians.’’
’’Anything that can be transported goes into the empty wagons. Food and livestock take priority!’’
The soldiers immediately sprang into action.
Roderic watched them spread throughout the village before turning towards the wagons filled with traps.
For now, they would remain untouched.
There was no point setting anything up while hundreds of villagers were still walking around.
’One thing at a time,’ he thought. ’If everyhting goes right, we still have plenty of time.’
A faint smile flickered across his face as he glanced at the peaceful village surrounding him.
’Let’s enjoy the peace while it lasts.’
Soon enough, this entire place would become a battlefield.
Maybe even sooner than he’d expected.