Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 111: Life in the palace(1)

Alpheo's days in the palace were the dream life of every man . Each morning, he woke to the scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and exotic fruits spread lavishly across long tables at the grand banquets held in his honor. Servants moved in hushed efficiency, ensuring that his every need was met before he could even voice it

During these meals the princess' mother always stared at him , as probably the thought of marrying her daughter to a no-good mercenary ate her from the inside. Alpheo could see however , they were both surprised by the manner in which Alpheo spoke and acted, as they expected something a little more vulgar from someone so beneath them.Of course he did many mistakes, though most of them were minor , but for the most part, Alpheo behaved as a good-mannered guest.

He ate heartily at every meal, indulging in the rich fare, but his mind never lingered long on food. His thoughts were consumed by the endless work ahead of him.

When he wasn't feasting, Alpheo worked tirelessly on the reform of his military band, transforming them , especially the new recruits into soldiers. He spent countless hours in the training yards, personally overseeing drills, restructuring ranks, and evaluating the men under his command, while replacing the officers he had lost at Saracena . These soldiers, who had once fought for nothing more than coin, were now being offered something far more valuable—land. Alpheo had vowed to reward them with plots of land after the end of the third year of service.An offer that was obviously given only to his oldest band of soldiers and not to the new recruits. 

Apart from building loyalty, Alpheo also sought to increase his army's strength, and he did so with the ransom he had recently secured from the nephew of the Prince of Oizen. That bounty, along with future dealings with Sorza, gave him a solid foundation. Currently, he had 23,000 silverii in his coffers, a sum that eased his efforts but also reminded him of the precarious state of the palace's finances, which he was displeased from founding empty. 

Despite the financial strain, Alpheo had managed to increase his numbers significantly. The bowmen now stood at 100, the footmen at 400 men, and thanks to the horses he had claimed during the last battle, he had outfitted 150 light cavalry, with still 30 horses to spare. While the bulk of the equipment—armor and weapons—had been scavenged from the battlefield, he still needed to procure bows and javelins for his men, though the cost in overall was less than a few hundred coins.

The effectiveness of the javelins during the last engagement had left a lasting impression on him, making the sum of money appear quite cheap considering the advantages bought by them. He made it a point to himself in ensuring they would play a larger role in his future tactics, knowing the devastating impact they could have in breaking enemy ranks.

Despite his focus on military matters, Alpheo also knew the importance of solidifying his political position. In the evenings, after the wear of the day, he would often find himself seated across from Princess Jasmine, sharing quiet moments over cups of fine wine. Their conversations were surprisingly engaging, far removed from the formalities that often marked royal discourse. Alpheo had quickly realized his initial evaluation of the princess had been correct: Jasmine was more than a pretty face and a royal title. Her sharp mind and quick wit surfaced in every conversation, and she effortlessly matched him word for word, and he could see she was also pleasantly surprise by his.

But while Alpheo admired her intellect, it also unsettled him. A woman with a mind as sharp as Jasmine's was more bad than good regarding the circumstances. He knew their betrothal was still on uncertain ground. The alliance between them had been forged more out of necessity than political advantage. Jasmine was astute, perhaps too much so, and Alpheo feared she could see through the cracks in their shaky foundation.

As he conversed with her, he often found himself wondering if she suspected his unease, his awareness that the trust between them was still fragile, and whether she was merely biding her time, waiting for him to make a mistake. Still, he continued to play his part, knowing that their alliance was as important to his survival as his reformed army. Every word, every gesture had to be carefully measured, even as they shared wine and words together.

"So, Alpheo," Jasmine began, her voice as smooth as the wine they had been sipping, "when do you plan to march and deal with our... problems?"

He set the cup down, taking a brief pause before answering. "In a few days," Alpheo finally said, his tone measured. "My preparations are still ongoing, and if I move too soon, they could unravel. I have to be certain everything is set in place."

Jasmine's brow arched slightly, her fingers trailing along the stem of her glass. "You're being careful, I see. Caution is wise, but waiting too long could send everything to the wrong path "

Alpheo's eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained neutral. Was she testing him? Prodding to see how he behaved if pushed to action? He couldn't tell if she was offering genuine advice or trying to push him into acting prematurely. She could easily try to seize power the moment I step out of the city, he thought , then if I were as so stupid as to besiege the city after my return, any lord with the desire to be the prince consort will be more than happy to raise troops in her defence. He had thought about consuming the marriage before, however, he went against the idea in the end . If his marriage was to be accepted, it had to be grand and witnessed by many lords, not in a secret room in the keep with guards, courtiers and rats attending.

"Rest assured, your grace" Alpheo replied smoothly, "the timing is calculated. Every delay serves a purpose. Marching too soon would only weaken my position. When I leave, I want to make sure that no one—" his eyes briefly flicked to hers, "—disrupts what I've started.After all I have to give time for our man to do his work. "

She smiled, a slow, almost feline smile. "Of course. I have trust regarding your mind on warfare.I unfortunately lack in such ability" Jasmine leaned forward slightly, her gaze locking with his. "Still, I'd hate to see you carry the full weight of this campaign on your shoulders, and I know the more men one has the better it is . I can send men to support you in this short campaign you foresee"

Despite his wariness, the offer was tempting. More soldiers meant a better chance of success, and for the moment, he needed that advantage.

"Your offer is generous," Alpheo said, keeping his voice calm though his thoughts churned. "The more men I have, the better, just as you said. May I be given your permission to recruit more men then?" 

'I could also use that to leave more loyal men inside the city...' he thought as he sipped from his cup

Jasmine's smile widened ''I'm glad you see it that way, of course you may. Together, we'll handle these issues swiftly and pacify the situation."

Alpheo nodded, but inside, he remained on guard.She needed him right now, but who would say in the future, after he dealt with all her enemies? He needed to strengthen his position, that was for sure...

He lifted his glass once more, raising it slightly in her direction. "To a swift resolution, then."

"To victory," Jasmine replied, her gaze unwavering.

As the conversation between Alpheo and Jasmine lingered in a charged silence, a soft knock echoed from the door. Jasmine, her eyes never leaving Alpheo's, called out, "Enter."

The door creaked open, revealing a young servant, his head bowed in respect. "Your highness," he began, voice quiet but clear, "Lord Shahab Filastin requests permission to enter the gates."

'Here comes my soon to be granfather...'

Before Jasmine could respond, Alpheo leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Should we go and welcome him together?" he suggested, his voice smooth but with an edge of caution.

Jasmine hesitated for a moment, considering him , then she quickly understood he wanted to make sure that his army stayed outside,she nodded, rising gracefully from her seat. "Very well," she said, smoothing her gown as she stood. She knew she was in his hands, there was no need to plunge the dagger deeper. ''I would like for us to wait for my mother ''

''Of course'' Alpheo said as Jasmine exited the room. 

Alpheo followed suit, his thoughts racing. Shahab Filastin... he should be an ally ...for now. He couldn't afford to take chances, not with anyone until he was given proper reason to lower his guard.

'I'd like to ensure that my men are the only ones posted on the walls', he thought glancing sideways at Jasmine. 'It would be the most prudent thing...'

''I would prefer that most of the men following your granfather remain outside, I would not want any trouble to arise between us two, given also our past events...'' Alpheo murmured to Jasmine

Jasmine's lips curled into a faint smile, but she gave no indication of disagreement. "Of course," she replied. "We wouldn't want any misunderstandings....."