and imprisoned, Jarl Theyor along with them.
Two thousand and five hundred of their force had lain in the first and second tiers, and had simply not had time to react to our surprise attack. The rest resided in the third and fourth, and half of those most likely were still asleep when we got there.
I and Percival reunite with Nathaniel and Jericho just after the battle. We set about trying to find James and do so with hardly any trouble, as he was trying to find us as well. Day has broken by the time we get everything done that needs done, such as disposing of bodies, transporting all prisoners into the cells, and gathering all weapons dropped in the battle. Still, we and most of all the other men manage to get a wink or two of sleep in the bunkrooms of the Acropolis, after eating a hefty breakfast.
We spend the day in a lazy limbo. Tonight, it has been announced, there will be a feast.
All five of us attend: James, Jericho, Percival, Nathaniel, and I. We wear our armor and weapons as part of the celebration, as all of the others in attendance do.
We sit in a huge arched dining hall. The table is shaped like a large squareish horseshoe, and soldiers sit all along the outside. Hralfar sits at the largest chair in the very center. Commander Magnus sits on his right side, and I sit on his left by his request. Percival sits to my left, followed by Nathaniel, Jericho, and James. Foods of all kinds sit on the table, waiting for the Jarl to finish his speech so they can be eaten. The center of the room remains clear.
The Jarl stands and the room goes quiet. “We, and I,” he says in the silence, “Owe this victory to one man. Thanks to his intelligence, daring, and invincible spirit, we have taken the city of Amgid against all odds! Were it not for him, we most likely would not be standing here now, and definitely not so many of us!” He raises his goblet. “To Kadmus Armstrong!” he says.
The soldiers in the hall echo his toast, “To Kadmus Armstrong!”
Before they can drink, however, I stand and say, “I am thankful for the praise, Jarl, but I must admit that I did not do this on my own. I have to pay the tribute to my friends Percival, Nathaniel, and Jericho. Secondly, I thank all of you. It would have been extremely difficult for me to storm the Acropolis by myself! To you!”
They call out after me, “To us!” Then the bottoms of their various drinking utensils go up in the air. As tankards, goblets, and cups hit the table, the Jarl announces, “Let the feast begin!”
There’s a roar as the soldiers gleefully reach for roast pig, assorted fruits, potatoes, and soups. The clank of silverware becomes background noise and the soldiers begin conversations with one another, creating a constant, somewhat loud, hubbub.
“It was your plan we followed,” says the Jarl as he sits down.
I nod humbly, but say nothing.
Commander Magnus gives me an ugly look from the Jarl’s other side, but says only, “Pass the rolls.”
I grab one for myself and hand the platter to her with a fake smile.
I hardly load my plate. Then I hardly touch my food.
Jarl Hralfar looks at me when his conversation with Magnus comes to an end. “What’s the matter, Kadmus?” he asks.
I shake my head and take a bite of roast pork.
He reads my mind, leans over and says quietly, “Your father would be proud.”
“Would he?” I ask.
“Yes,” says the Jarl.
“Would he really?” I reiterate. “The things I’ve done? The people I’ve killed?”
“The people you’ve saved,” Hralfar corrects. “I would not be here right now were it not for you. That’s why I made the toast to you tonight. It’s to you that we owe our victory.”
“If my father had lived, I might not be here myself,” I say quietly.
He nods.
“But he is not here because I failed that night.”
“What’s done is done,” he says. “And we must move on.”
“He said that he knew I would be able to do what needed done,” I reply. “He said that he knew I wouldn’t fail.”
“Continue on this path, and you will do great things.”
I think for a moment. “I want to take you up on your offer,” I say.
He raises and eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I will become a captain.”
He smiles and nods. “Good, Kadmus. I need you here.” Then he