Version 2.0
As the hands of time unfurled their fingers, days turned into a passage of uncertainty. Whispers of distant conflicts and the echoes of distant lands began to drift into his realm, carried by the currents of rumour traders and messengers who sent ravens.
The first was of the Amber King's recent battle against the Marsh King. In the initial stages, the Amber King's forces had secured a decisive victory, their triumph seemingly assured.
However, while the Amber King's men were occupied with looting the enemy camp, the Marsh King rallied his men and orchestrated a swift counterattack. Chaos ensued among the Amber King's forces, leading to a reversal of fortunes. The Marsh King's warriors surged forward, overpowering their disorganized adversaries. The victory that once seemed certain slipped away, leaving the Amber King defeated on the outskirts of the marshes.
In the mountainous regions, the tales of conflict were equally grim. Reports reached Brandon's ears, detailing a series of brutal clashes between rival clans. One unfortunate clan found itself on the losing side of these conflicts, the leaders of the defeated clan were all executed including their entire family.
The surviving members of the vanquished clan, first the warriors, were captured and forcibly conscripted into the service of the conquering clan. Stripped of their autonomy, they were now compelled to fight for the very cause that had shattered their own. The women and children of the defeated clan became the spoils of war, taken as prizes to be claimed.
Next, Brandon received news of a new war. The Red King, not satisfied with his first war, initiated a fresh war by launching raids into the territories of the Widower King. Burning and destroying as he went. The Widower King now found himself on the defensive, forced to respond to these provocations and defend his lands.
The most significant news was the incredibly quick resolution of the war among the Fisher, Ryder, and Warg Kings. In a stunning turn of events, the Ryder King emerged victorious, showcasing a brilliant strategy that quickly granted him victory. He introduced a formidable new force into his army of swift and agile light cavalry.
This innovative addition, marked by quick mobility and tactical finesse, proved to be a game-changer on the battlefield. The light cavalry, personally equipped by the rider king with throwing spears, harassed flanks with spears and quick charges, or launched daring deep charges into levies. This newfound mobility left the Fisher King, and subsequently, the Warg King, struggling to contend with the unpredictable tactics of the Ryder King's forces.
The Ryder King's quick mastery of his force led to a string of victories, winning three consecutive battles. The first triumph was against the Warg King, followed by a successive win against the Fisher King. Whist in this pitched open battle the Warg King led a daring strategy trying to force the Ryder King into a battle of his choice as he raided, burned, and plundered his lands.
Unfortunately for the Warg King, he still lacked the means to fully counter the swift cavalry and succumbed to defeat again when the Ryder King returned after another victory. As a result, the Ryder King claimed outright victory and secured territorial gains from the Fisher King and Warg King.
Though the defeated kings could have kept fighting using their reserve of men they did not wish to commit further men with the uncertainty of winning, especially with such low morale. With this triumphant conclusion, the bloody conflict among the three kings came to an end.
Through not the end of conflict for the Warg King as seeing weakness the Glover King gave no warning as was becoming commonplace in wars now and attacked the Warg King's lands hoping for an easy and swift battle.
/
"That is all there is to report, my King," Theon states as they sit in the King's Solar.
"Thank you," Brandon says. "Tell me, how do you see the North progressing as you currently see it?"
"I really can't say, my King, but if I would hazard a guess, the North is going to become a cauldron of open conflict, wars, and death."
"No honesty or kindness shown to each other. I feel like I am the only one who wants the good things anymore," Brandon sighs. "I guess I will change that then. What of the progress in the medical team."
"Very well my King. I have gathered a large group of men and women who are interested, most are interested and very wanting to save their friends, brothers, fathers, and husbands. They are eager and willing to learn."
"Good work Theon, we are marching to war and so they shall learn on the move and through conflict. Send them to Jon and Edric so they can start to learn, then when we march Edric, and I shall take over their teaching."
"Very well my King, I shall organise it for you."
"With that in mind have you sent the letter to the Amber King, Theon?"
"Yes, my King. We have sent word that we will attack, and that we shall do pitched battle, my King," Theon states.
"Good. The North will have to suffer for a time but I believe that it will not be forever."
Theon smiles at Brandon. "It feels good to be by your side, my King."
"Thank you, Theon. Though you do know you can call me Brandon or Bran when we are not on the battlefield."
"Yes, my King," Theon states with no change in his expression.
"Very well, Theon. We march tomorrow," Brandon states, as he shakes his head while smiling.
/
Under a tinged sky with hues of dawn, Brandon led his men. Marching alongside him were Edric, Lyanna, Halvar, and Theon. The morning air carried the cool morning winds, and the Northmen, clad in armour under the glittering sun and warm heat, moved in disciplined formation.
Jon and Jocelyn remained behind, holding command over the reserve forces, and leading in Brandon's stead. His commanders led his men whilst Halvar, as captain of the scouts, led the forward scouting units, making sure that past experiences of the Red King's surprise attack, would not happen again.
As they advanced, Brandon and Edric took charge of their task to share their knowledge with the budding medical team. With no definitive leader among them yet, the responsibility fell under Brandon's guidance. The medical team walked among the baggage train, learning the theoretical teachings whilst waiting for the soon-to-be more hands-on learning.
After marching for many days before crossing the river, the Northmen moved through the shallow ford at the only crossing on the left side of the White Knife River. The rhythmic complaints of cold water called out whilst others called them out for being cowards.
Through the Amber King's lands, Brandon's army moved quickly, traversing landscapes marked by quaint villages and rolling fields. As they passed each settlement, Brandon made it a point to stop and converse with the village chiefs.
/
"Village chief," Brandon said. As he marched up the now-gathered crowd.
"You have already taken our men and our food. We don't have anything of value. What do you want?" An elderly and slightly hunched man asked.
"I believe you have me mistaken for someone else?" Brandon asked.
"You are all the same, take what you want, not like we can stop you away way." The man said then leading the group of villagers to the side.
"We are not here to take from you." Brandon smiled. "We will be on our way." Brandon nodded to the man before leading his men on leaving the village chief baffled as they left them alone.
/
The march continued towards the designated battlefield, with the scouts ensuring that the path ahead remained clear of ambushes or surprises. As they approached the rendezvous point, reports from the scouts reached Brandon with news that the Amber King awaited with his army on the battlefield, ready for the impending clash.