Rise of the Horde - Chapter 360:

While Baron Ragab was busy within his office inside his abode, a sudden knock on the door peeled away his attention from the document that he was reading.

“It’s Retten, My Lord.” A voice came from the other side of the door after the knocking came to a halt.

“Come in.” The baron replied as he put down the document that was on his hand on top of the pile of documents that were neatly stacked on his table. Being a lord wasn’t all about enjoying a life of luxury unless you want to end your status as a noble quick. There would be many administrative tasks that you have to deal even if you have some capable retinues to aid you since the final decision would always rest upon your shoulders.

There have been many noble families that were quick to disappear in the wheel of time within the kingdom because of such recklessness, the lord only knows to enjoy a life of luxury while his people do the hard work and the outcome, a revolt as the lords had no idea what was actually happening within their own lands. A revolt from the common people within their lands, a revolt staged by their assigned servants to their supposed to be responsibilities, a revolt from their own soldiers and many more reasons not just revolts such as bankruptcy, famine and diplomatic issues with other nobles.

Retten slowly closed the door behind him, his old hands had thick calluses which were signs that he wasn’t just a simple man who helps the baron in running the territory but was also an experienced warrior. Although time had taken a toll on his body and he was no longer the same man that he was before when he was young who roamed the bloody battlefield without fear, he was still a strong fighter who could easily take down a few men with him before going down.

“The food is ready to be served my lord and a few more of the duke’s men had arrived including his most trusted commander. It seemed like they lost miserably against their foes.” The old warrior bowed his head while making his report.

A sigh escape the lips of the baron, “How many times have I told you already… Ditch the formality… There is no need for such things between the two of us…” the baron had a scolding tone in his voice as he spoke. He didn’t know how many times he already reminded Retten to drop the formality when speaking with him.

“Apologies, My Lord…. It is hard to let go of old habits…” the old warrior replied as he raised his head then smiled at the baron. No matter how many times he was told by the lord to drop such formalities, he still can’t get used to it as ever since he was young he was trained to do so towards their master. His family was in the service of the baron’s family for three generations now already and his father strictly drilled in his head that he must always abide by the customs of master to servant no matter what.

Retten was seven years older than the baron but it seemed like the passage of time didn’t take too much toll on their lord as he looked more than ten years younger than him. He was already fifty years old and had long since retired from the battlefield which means that the baron was in his early forties but he still looked so young like he was just in his mid-thirties.

“How many men does the duke currently have now?” Baron Ragab suddenly asked which quickly made the eyes of the old Retten spark.

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“Just over two hundred, My Lord…” he quickly answered.

“Should I inform the soldiers to make preparations?” the old warrior continued as he started making calculations in his head about the hunch that he had inside his head about the plan of their lord about the duke and his men.

“There you go again with your old habits… Just because I asked about their numbers that doesn’t mean I have plans of eliminating them… If I had such plans then won’t it be much easier for me to task the servants to add poison in their food and wine so that we won’t have to sacrifice anyone… Silent and bloodless…” the baron replied after he shook his head after hearing the response of his old friend.

“Great idea, My Lord…. The food should already be served but the wine can still be mixed with some poison… I’ll go inform the servants.” Old Retten turned around and was about to head for the door when the baron grabbed him by the shoulder.

“There you go again with your old ways… I have no plans of dealing with the duke and his men for the time being… I can’t risk earning more of the crazy king’s wrath… The hefty sum of coins that he had requested as payment is still straining our financial capability for going against him in order to keep her safe. There are too many risks.” The baron explained as he let go of his old friend’s shoulders.

“But My Lord, If we eliminate the duke and his men silently then it won’t be much of a problem and even if the king hears about it, it would just free us from the punishment that he placed on us which in turn would allow us to gather coins to raise an army to go against him.” Old Retten responded.

“I don’t fear the crazy king but the ones I fear are his guardians, the strongest warrior that the kingdom ever had is completely loyal to him and him alone for some unknown reason. And the uncertainty of the current queen’s attitude is also a risk. You have seen the report about the dark ones moving about in the kingdom and they may be related to the queen or they are under her commands. There are too many risky factors at play and I don’t have any confidence in angering the mad king even more than he is with us.” Baron Ragab continued to explain to the stubborn old man who seemed to be hell-bent on eliminating the duke and his men.

“You should have heard about the reports that the orcs who took control of the western portion of the kingdom is working with the House of Darkhariss. We could just wait for them to reach us and join forces with them to put an end to the mad king’s reign with lesser risk than us working alone.” The baron continued which seemed to satisfy old Retten.

“As you command, My Lord.”