July 21, 2022 – 4 minutes read – 791 words

Of course, some of those carriages were for the Eighth Army. I’m riding on horseback next to one of them. I’m focused on speed this time, less on stealth. The long coat Sonaris made flutters in the wind as my horse gallops with my black garbed troops following.

Soon the Eighth Army arrives at the first territory on their list. We overpower the gatekeeper of the town to prevent a warning from going out, then run to the lord’s mansion. As we surround the residence, the lord appears on the balcony.

“What is this commotion? This is the residence of the honorable Baron Pagenou. I have no business with you!” Baron Pagenou

“By the order of His Majesty the King! Baron Pagenou has been identified in a plot to rebel against the Royal Family! You are ordered to stand down and be taken into custody awaiting trial!” Pat shouts

“Hmm, I disagree! You, soldiers! This man has no sense of proper decorum and sensibility! Cut down that cur and follow a proper aristocrat!” Baron Pagenou

“Eighth Army! This one shouldn’t take five minutes! Take it down!” Pat grins

At my command, black dressed figures hop the fence and race into the mansion, easily capturing the Pagenou family. Well, excepting one.

“You, Patrick No-Name! So you aren’t satisfied with stealing my rank and demoting me to Sergeant, but now you attack my family? Augh! I demand a duel to regain my honor!” Scott Pagenou

It’s the son of the current Baron, Scott Pagenou. It seems he misunderstood his demotion and decided to blame me for it, instead of the person who actually decided it.

“Are you daft? The person who demoted you was Colonel Reedon! I was not told anything about the rank changes until it was announced! You were the one to turn a regular expedition into a meat grinder! Accept your failings!” Pat

This man had been asked to investigate and subjugate two trolls early on in my Army career. Instead of following Army doctrine, he caused mass casualties with an impromptu nighttime attack.

“That wasn’t my mistake! I was stuck with a group of worthless weaklings! Just because you had some talented solders, I was made to look bad! If I had subordinates of your quality, my plan would have worked! It was a conspiracy!” Scott Pagenou

“Your house has been assisting a plan to kidnap a member of the Royal Family and has failed to report it to the King. That’s the issue at hand and that’s why you’re being treated as rebels!” Pat

“It wasn’t my idea, so I can’t be found at fault!” Scott Pagenou

“That’s not how that works, you don’t know how anything works!” Pat

“Shut it! We’re going to duel!” Scott Pagenou

“Why would I waste my time dueling an idiot when I can just capture you and hand you over to the Justice Ministry? Were you dropped on your head?” Pat

“This is such a bother! I just need to defeat the upstart then I can move onto your lazy soldiers! I want to wrap this up before tea time!” Scott Pagenou

“Huh? Your whole conspiracy is being unravelled right now? The First Army is riding to capture Count Busch while the Second Army is going for the Hunterley’s. Who is going to help you now? Your top supporter, Major General Newgarden, has already failed and been removed?” Pat

“Hm! Those nobles are no weaklings and will emerge stronger than before! But your fate ends here, I’ll take you out!” Scott Pagenou

“Oh fine, I’ll have you tell me all about it later. This is a boring conversation anyway.” Pat

“En guard!” Scott Pagenou shouts while running at me with a spear

I easily break his grip with my shortsword then sever his right wrist.

“So weak…” Pat

I didn’t mean to comment, but I was so surprised. I thought he would have picked a move that played to his skills, but his attack was truly woeful.

“I was wondering if you had some trick to the attack, but you’re just completely disconnected from reality. I think this farce of a duel can end with the loss of your right hand.” Pat

“Auugh!” Scott Pagenou

The cretin won’t stop screaming, so I yakuza-kick him in the back of the head to knock him to the ground.

“Someone, stuff a shoe in this bastard’s mouth to shut him up! Tie off and wrap his arm so we won’t bleed out before he can be punished! What a loud idiot!” Pat

My first target ended without any issues.