A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

"Well enough, I suppose," Oliver said. "There were a considerable number of men more than the soldiers had initially anticipated, though."

"Fort Dollem, wasn't it?" Lancelot said, interested. He seemed to be practically straining from his effort to show some amount of goodwill, after being offended by Asabel's insinuation that Verdant needed to moderate him earlier. "That's as well-defended a station as you'll find. How increased were the foe's numbers?"

"Oh, you've already heard?" Oliver said.

"Indeed. It was a formal request that the High King gave Skullic, after all. Anyone with an interest would be able to see what the mission entailed," Lancelot replied. "The original document supposed there to be a hundred men, if I recall."

"Ah," Oliver nodded. "So that's where the scouts got that number. Well, it was off. There were more than a hundred camped in the forest opposite the fort and a further three hundred inside. It took a while to get rid of them all."

"I see," Lancelot said to himself. "Well, I suppose I must say I'm surprised that Skullic had the foresight to send enough men, countering those raised numbers before they became a problem. There must have been what, three hundred of you?"

"Three hundred?" Oliver said. "Not all. He matched the original estimate of bandits and sent a hundred men, trusting that his soldiers would be able to overcome them."

"A hundred men?" Lancelot repeated, incredulous. "Another bold claim, Patrick. It's either one or the other. You can't seriously claim that you killed a force of four hundred bandits – well-defended bandits at that – in a single day with but a hundred men? Is Skullic mad?"

"That is indeed my claim," Oliver said easily.

"Four hundred men… And Ser Patrick," Asabel added, her tone thoughtful. "If General Skullic had the sort of foresight that he is famed for, then perhaps that worked according to his calculations, no?"

"Impossible. The sheer amount of casualties, even if it worked. Skullic hates needless death even more than most," Lancelot said resolutely. "This recklessness must have cost him half his number, at best."@@novelbin@@

"A few serious enough injuries," Oliver said, partially agreeing, "but no dead. Though, I do agree, it seems we were lucky."

"Insanity…"

He could have mentioned the Minotaur under the keep as well, but from General Skullic, he'd been urged to keep that a loose secret, at least for now. It didn't seem the proper forum to broadcast it regardless, not when they were already in disbelief over the initial numbers.

"So many…" Lasha murmured, hardly seeming to realize that she'd spoken aloud. Asabel gazed over at her fondly.

"So many indeed," she agreed. "The General must have rewarded you handsomely for that, Oliver. I've no doubt that you played a significant role in seeing it all resolved. You've won yourself a great amount of favour too, when the word of your victory begins to spread."

"He was generous," Oliver said, "he'll allow me the full hundred men to command next time I'm sent on a mission. A reward that I'm appreciative of. It'll give me the experience I need."

"What!?" Lancelot said, far louder than he intended to. The shock of Oliver's lazy announcement had forced him to stand up out of his chair. "You can't be serious? A hundred men? Already!?"

"A hundred men," Oliver said, nodding his confirmation. "I was as surprised as you." Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

"A hundred…" Lasha repeated, dazed.

"Madness," Lancelot said. "It's pure insane madness, my Lady! How could we ever involve ourselves with this man? Everything around him is a swirling bed of unnatural madness! We can't predict those tides, they'll drag us under!"

The Princess giggled politely at his reaction. "My dear Lancelot, how poetic you grow when you're distressed. A most endearing trait, might I say."

"His reaction is justifiable," Verdant said, the amusement evident on his face. "In my correspondence with my father, it would seem he too shares the same exasperation. Apparently, he's having an easier time predicting the weather in far-off lands, than trying to predict what Oliver is likely to end up doing next."

"He's spent that much time trying to figure it out?" Oliver asked, surprised. "I could have just told him."

"But of course, my Lord. Whether my father wills it or not, you're a centrepiece as important to the Idris House as one of its own family members. Given your relationship with Asabel and my service to you, the movements of Oliver Patrick are of pressing importance," Verdant said.

"Gods have sympathy for that man," Lancelot muttered.

"Congratulations," Asabel said warmly, clapping her hands together. It seemed that it had taken her a second to decide her reaction. "You certainly caught me off guard, Oliver, but I think celebration is what this boils down to, no? You were forced into a difficult position and now you benefit because of it. I'll find you a present to celebrate your promotion.

You're basically a Commander now, after all."

"Not truly," Oliver said. "It's only once a month. They might serve me then, but they aren't men to do what I will with. I need to build up my own number. Though, the experience of commanding large groups will definitely be beneficial to me, and I'm no doubt grateful for that. When we next ride, I intend to bring my retainers with me, if I judge them to be strong enough."

The Princess nodded her understanding at that. "It seems that you too are learning how careful we must be. I thought I was careful before, but alas… It seems the need to have strength and power in your corner is far more pressing than I had previously imagined – for both of us. To have something exclusively your own that you can rely on, that is a most important thing.

I believe you to be wise to be thinking of raising up a force, whilst you can. Would our dear Verdant be going with you?"

"I would hope to," Verdant said, glancing towards Oliver for confirmation.