Attack on Fortress

Chapter 7: Explosive Confrontations

850, March 12th, 12:30 pm

Location: Wall Sheena, Mitras' Southern Private Estates, Lord Wald's Estate

In stark contrast to the devastated and besmirched Trost, The Wall Cities' capital of Mitras was experiencing a peaceful and serene day. The sun beating its soft rays on the land, the birds sing their daily, happy tunes and the pink flowers sway and dance to the breeze of the wind. Such a picturesque scene was currently available to the residence of a hulking, creamy white manor. It lay nested on a small island in the centre of a calm lake. This estate was home to a highly influential noble: Lord Bartholomew Wald.

"Come now! Take this seriously" Lord Wald commanded in a jovial voice.

Seated on a fairly large table before Wald's throne within the great hall, sat Lord Wald and his opponent. The room was littered with the colours of red and pink, with the most distinguishing piece of décor was the large banner depicting the Military Police Brigade's seal, the profile of a unicorn's head, draped behind the noble's throne. Lord Wald's smile broke through the fat rolls on his face as he scanned across the broad. The old-timey game of chess was his favourite, mainly because he always bested his opponent. Just like now, when he spied one small little white pawn left defenceless by his opponent. Seeing the easy kill, he took it without hesitation, "Very well, let another victory is mine" Lord Wald said as he took a white pawn and replaced it with his black Rook.

Seeing his opponent beaten, a smug expression Lord Wald laid on his face. "Dear oh dear. One would think our monthly rolls would see at least some improvement in your approach to the game, Pixis" Lord Wald gloated to the elder opponent, Dot Pixis.

The highest-ranking commander of the Southern Territory. A tall older gentleman with a bald head, a thick handlebar moustache and jaded wrinkled eyes. Despite his seemingly frail demeanour, the man holds a cunning and eccentric mind. An intelligence too few men in his position held.

As Lord Wald brought his wine cup to his mouth, Pixis brought his hand up to his bold head and showed a shy expression as he praised Lord Wald, "One would think so, yes? Clearly, my brain is inferior to yours, Lord Wald" Pixis said with a shy expression.

It was a fake expression. A poor one at that. Everyone in the room, from soldier to servant, saw through Pixis' ploy but Lord Wald. Everyone but the noble saw Pixis struggle to bite back his pride and continue acting stupid to impress said noble. A strange occurrence, most thought. Pixis was more skilled at schooling his features, but today it seemed he was at the end of his rope. This was most certainly the case, as Pixis thought internally. 'Bite it down. Power through it. Remember, funds and infrastructure are on the line. Lord Wald has a lot of weight, figuratively and literally, in the King's senate. Please him, and we get to add more ordinance on the Walls and enough money to fund another company or two' Pixis chimed in his head.

The fat lord laughed as took a handful of different flavoured pastries from the plate before him. He started to organise the small treats as he spoke in a cheerful voice, "Such obsequiousness from the single highest-ranking officer in the Southern territory!" The fat man then grumbled the treats from his fat hand. As he finished, he smiled and grabbed his glass of wine. "Tell me, seriously. How can you hope to thwart the Titans when you-"

A loud bang echoed through the throne room as a young blonde-haired Garrison soldier burst into the room and b-lined towards the commander. He halted and then saluted as he talked in a terrified voice, "Commander Pixis sir! I-I bring news!"

Many Military Police soldiers and servants present in the room gulped in fear and pity for the boy who interrupted their lord. Lord Wald looked at the boy in annoyance and rising anger, "I beg your pardon young man! I-"