The northeastern territories of the Kingdom of Aldo bordered the formidable Rocky Mountains, the highest mountain range in the known world. Nestled between these towering peaks and the kingdom's heartland lay the vast plateau known as the Eastern Highlands. While this region technically belonged to the kingdom, it was home to numerous barbarian tribes—some large, some small—who had long resisted integration into Aldo's culture. A handful of these tribes feigned allegiance to the crown, while others were openly rebellious, frequently raiding the borders. The kingdom had struggled to manage them, hindered by the difficult terrain, lack of supplies, and the ever-present threat of altitude sickness. Fortunately, the tribes were disunited, often clashing with one another, which had kept the kingdom safe—until now.
This year, however, was different. As spring arrived and the time for planting drew near, the tribes, historically at odds, united to launch a coordinated assault. The kingdom's border garrison was caught off guard, and by the time the news reached Rollman Fort, the situation on the highlands had deteriorated significantly.
In an urgent meeting, the kingdom's high command decided that the eldest princess would lead the army to drive back the invaders. Though the generals sensed that something was amiss—having never witnessed such a coalition among the tribes—they had no time to investigate further. With spring planting at stake, quick action was paramount.
The makeshift tribal alliance, despite its size, was no match for the well-trained regular army of Aldo. After more than a month of fierce fighting, the barbarians were on the verge of being pushed back to the plateau when disaster struck—"Greedy Wolf" Giles, a notorious warlord, turned the tide.
Inside a heavily guarded central tent at the kingdom's military encampment, tensions ran high as the generals gathered for a critical meeting.
"Your Highness, generals," began a man with a thin face, a hooked nose, and a well-groomed mustache, "that's all I know. You all have a general understanding of the situation in the capital."
A heavy silence fell over the tent, broken only by the sound of anxious breaths. Finally, a young general with striking brown hair spoke up, his voice cutting through the tension. "At least His Majesty has not fallen into the hands of the rebels. Is he safe? Where is he?"
"Rest assured, His Majesty is safe. The court doctor and the imperial priest are attending to him," replied Viscount Klein.
The young general nodded but chose not to delve deeper into the implications of the royal guards' betrayal. Trust was fragile among the ranks, and suspicions lingered about possible infiltrators within their midst.
As the silence continued, other generals began to voice their frustrations.
"I demand troops at once! We must crush these rebels and reclaim the capital!" one shouted.
"You mustn't act rashly," countered another. "Our war with the barbarians is not over yet. Splitting our forces would be a grave mistake."
"Let those scum run amok? Don't forget the military supplies in the capital—they're ripe for the taking!" another chimed in.
The arguments escalated, voices raised in heated debate until, at last, Princess Catherine Rodney, adorned in shining knight armor, silenced them with a commanding presence. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes were fixed on the map spread before her.
"Enough," she said firmly, commanding attention. "Before we act, we must understand the kingdom's broader reactions. Earl Merlin, what do you know?"
Earl Merlin straightened, nodding in acknowledgment. "Aside from those who have colluded with Giles, no other nobles or factions have openly sided with him. It's peculiar. Despite Giles' apparent strength, even with a surprise attack, our chances of winning are still 50-50. Fortunately, Duke Dodge has pledged loyalty to the crown and will fight against Giles."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the room. The Duke's territory acted as a crucial buffer between Giles and the capital.
"But with Giles' rebellion, other dark forces have become restless. Pirates on the northwest coast and bandits from the southern mountains are growing bolder, leading to widespread chaos. Many lords are preoccupied with their own troubles and cannot offer their support to the crown. Others are waiting to see which side prevails."
"Those traitorous scoundrels must be dealt with!" a general slammed his fist on the table.
"What is our next move?" Princess Catherine asked, her gaze unwavering.
Klein spoke up, "Your Highness, our first priority must be to recapture the capital. If the king remains a captive, it will severely undermine the morale of both the army and the people. Fortunately, Duke Dodge's resistance gives us an opportunity."
Catherine nodded, recognizing the wisdom in his words. She straightened, determination etched on her face as all eyes turned to her.
"Lester, you will lead a thousand cavalry day and night to Dodgeland. Ensure the old Duke has adequate defenses."
"Yes, Your Highness! We'll make sure the king is safe!" Lester responded, filled with resolve.
"Horman, send your scouts to the capital to gather intelligence on the rebels. Report back immediately."
"Understood!" Horman replied.
"Dawn, inform Chief Zherov that he may proceed with his plans. Should he succeed, he will be officially recognized as the Earl of the Highlands."
"At once, Your Highness."
"The rest of you, adhere to the plan we established. We must end this conflict within ten days."
"By your command," the generals echoed.
As the meeting concluded and the generals dispersed to fulfill their orders, Earl Merlin remained behind. He knelt before the princess, a look of shame on his face.
"Your Highness, I have failed. I did not detect the rebellion in time, and now the capital is lost along with His Majesty. I deserve punishment."
"You do bear responsibility," she replied sternly, "but now is not the time for punishment. We must focus on the threats ahead. From this day forward, our intelligence network will prioritize gathering information on Giles and his insurgents. We cannot afford any more oversights."
"I will rectify my mistakes, Your Highness," he vowed.
"And keep a close watch on those lords who remain undecided. I want no more surprises behind our lines."
"Of course, and I have a proposal regarding the local lords."
"Let's hear it."
"For those who have yet to show their allegiance, we should employ both open and covert tactics. Behind the scenes, I will enhance surveillance. Publicly, we can dispatch royal commissioners to their territories to highlight Giles' treachery while urging them to rally to the crown."
"That's a solid plan. We'll utilize the influx of nobles fleeing the capital to aid our cause. You will be fully responsible for this initiative."
"Understood. I'll get started right away."