It took another two weeks before the news of Achim and Kesiah's rebellion reached the Capital of Armakea, Larkring.
Achim managed to convince two-thirds of the remaining fort leaders to join them, bringing the number of their knights to approximately 610. This was within Kyran's expectation— only short of around 60-70 headcount from those fort leaders who did not join.
As to those who refused to join, their decision was greatly influenced by the fort's location rather than loyalty to the King. They were near the capital's periphery; thus, if the King mobilized his army, they would be the first to suffer his wrath. The fort leaders could not afford that. It was also possible they would be the first ones the King would dispatch to capture Achim and Kesiah. Between the two options, the fort leaders believed accomplishing the latter was more feasible than defending against the King's army.
