young man and a good general. He was dark haired and powerfully built. Havalon knew he would make a fine King. He would just have to win a Kingdom for the boy to rule. Griffyn was his heir, but Donovan deserved a country as well and Bandara would do nicely. Abberdon was his pride, but his boys were his joy. There was nothing in the world he loved more than his sons.
“Come, look at the map, and I will show you how we will defeat young King Cain and his Bandarans.”
The Princes moved over to the table, one on either side of their father. “How long do you think it would take for your armies to drive the Bandarans to Northham?” the King asked.
“I’m not sure, Cain was just reinforced by Bradford and Fox, that will give him at least ten thousand fresh troops,” Donovan said.
“It doesn’t matter how many troops they give him, he is very predictable and any offensive he mounts should be easy to counter. The new King of Bandara lacks imagination, Father. I would not think it would take us long to herd him anywhere.” Griffyn said with confidence.
Donovan looked over the map then shook his head. “Why, Northham, Father? I don’t see the point of it, there is nothing in the town of consequence.”
The King glanced at his son. “Listen and I will tell you.” Donovan pursed his lips and looked at his brother. Griffyn shook his finger at him and smiled.
“I want you to press the attack. Cain has help now, Fox and Bradford are no fools and the young Blackthorn will also realize what I’m doing if he has enough time to think. So keep the pressure on them, attack, attack, attack and keep driving them toward Northham Fox’s castle near the city. If you can rout them and do enough damage, they will take to the castle. Lay siege to it and hold them there, you don’t even have to take the castle, just keep them inside until winter. They won’t move after the snows come.”
Griffyn folded his arms across his chest he looked at his brother then his father. “What will you be doing while we bottle up the King and his army?”
Havalon pointed to Turill. “I will take the capital. Old Lord Blackthorn hasn’t sent his army north or so our spies say. They are camped just north of the capital, ten thousand men just sitting there while we are chasing the rest of their army all over northern Bandara. I don’t know what he is playing at but his troops are all that stand between Turill and us, if you can pin down Cain’s Army at Northham. I will defeat Duke Blackthorn and take the city.
I have been told by our spies the King has sent for the Royal Guard to bolster his ranks, leaving only the city watch to take care of the capital. How many men will that give the boy King?”
“He lost four thousand in our last battle with Bradford and Fox’s men and the Royal Guard, if they arrive in time, may be twenty-five thousand, give or take a thousand.” Donovan replied.
The King picked up a jug of wine and poured himself a cup. His sons said nothing, they knew when their father was thinking.
“Take ten thousand men each. I will take the rest and the five thousand mercenaries we hired, that will give me well over twenty thousand men. I will head east and wait for word that you have trapped the King, then I will ride on Turill. We might even get lucky and Blackthorn will send his men to try and save his King and I will take the city with no resistance.”
“Cain will slightly outnumber us, Father,” Donovan observed. “I thought you said the Bandarans would be easy beaten?” The old King grinned. Donovan frowned and said nothing.
“I know he outnumbers you in men. He and his general are inexperienced and our troops are far superior. I have no doubt you and Griffyn can handle them. If you get into trouble send word and I will reinforce you.”
“Father, I have a question.” Donovan said grinning. “Ask it then Son, I am tired it has been a long day.” “When we defeat Cain and you take Turill, which one of us gets Princess Raygan?”
“Yes, Father.” Griffyn said, excited by the turn of the conversation. “She was quite attractive when we saw her at the joust two years ago. She was a bit