Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 257: Talks before swords

Alpheo sat comfortably on a simple wooden chair, his fingers drumming idly on the armrest as he glanced at the small table before him. Two seats had been arranged, one for himself and one for his guest—a modest setup that hinted at civility before a proper start for the siege. A pitcher of cider and two cups sat on the table, untouched.

He was mildly surprised that the lord of Bricaterun had requested a parlay so soon. Typically, these things dragged out, with defenders holding onto their pride and usually waiting for the attacker to call the parlay. Yet here they were, barely into the first stages of encirclement.

I suppose it helps kills time, Alpheo mused, adjusting his posture. Sieges, after all, were dull affairs. Long stretches of waiting punctuated by occasional skirmishes and endless logistical headaches. The chance to look his opponent in the eye and measure the man was a welcome diversion.

At Alpheo's side stood the various lords that he had chosen to witness the parlay with, them being , lord Shahab , lord Xanthios , lord Damaris , Jarza and Asag.

Egil, however, was notably absent, as he was out with his riders this time under Alpheo's orders , tasked with requisitioning half the food stores from each village within the surrounding territory. His orders were explicit: take enough to sustain the army but leave the people largely unmolested. Not a decision born of kindness—Alpheo knew the difference between mercy and strategy—but one made with an eye toward negotiation.

If this parlay turns sour, Alpheo thought, his mind neutral ,iron and fire remain at our disposal and are still an open option for the sorrounding land.@@novelbin@@

The creak of the city gates was the first sound to break the tense stillness. All eyes turned toward the opening, where a small contingent of men began to emerge. Alpheo, seated at the makeshift table set between the camp and the walls, rose deliberately from his chair, his gaze narrowing on the approaching figures.