*Birds chirping*
"Milord, it's time to wake up."
"Hmm? Oh uh I guess I must have fallen asleep while studying. What's the hour?"
"Hour milord?"
"I'm asking about the time.. um what was your name again?"
"Ah my name is Hans Milord. I've recently been appointed as your butler in charge of your daily needs. As for your question, the sun's shadow is casting towards the west so it's bright and early milord."
{a sundial?}
"Oh Hans the miller's son right?"
"Ah yes milord how did you know?"
"As a lord it is a must to know your subjects, especially those closest to me."
{good thing I learned about the fort's residents while studying, I just need to match names with faces now.}
"I'm truly honored by my lord. Ah I nearly forgot my reason for being here. Breakfast is ready, milord."
"Breakfast? I thought there's a famine, Hans."
"Well yes but as noble it is one's duty to uphold your social status milord."
"Hmm.. very well I'll head down to the dining hall as soon as I'm finished."
{If I'm to believe these texts, there is no doubt this is not medieval Europe. Although there are similarities between this world and the Middle Ages there is no mention of Christianity nor catholicism. Instead they worship four different gods: the god of war Prometheus, the goddess of wellness Adriana, the god of wealth Aetherion and last of all the god of wisdom Morpheus.}
"By the gods.. it's gonna be harder to explain to the guys huh. Welp that's all for now I'm quite hungry."
Liam finished his study and headed towards the dining hall examining his fort as he walked, there's no doubt in his mind this fort is the top of the line for a baron of this era. His father and great grandfathers made sure of it, by a mixture of heavy taxation and their frugality. What he didn't understand is how 35 guards and 25 men at arms can guard not only his manor but his entire realm. Considering barons usually have less than a hundred men he isn't doing too bad but a count can field an army of 500 if you add levies they can even deploy 1000 men!
"Oh I'm so screwed I should have done my research before sending a messenger to cut off trade with count Edward.. I hope he doesn't take it to heart a brother is broke you feel."
As Liam reached the dining hall he took his place at the head of the table and called for his meal. It didn't take long for a servant to enter with a tray of food. As the young servant girl laid his plates onto the table Liam couldn't help but stare at her.
{Um this is breakfast… It's just bread, cheese and wine. Eh at least the servant's pretty}
Liam wasted no time digging into his meal, the reason being the duel will be held at noon. Only a few hours from now, after his meal he requested an extra plate so he could take it to Oswin.
"Yo morning, if you're gonna win this duel you need some calories brother."
(Oswin slowly wakes up)
"Oh it's you Liam, so how's it looking, what part of Europe are we in? They look German. It reminds me of the fatherland."
"Ah well about that it's not quite as easy as I thought sir… have you ever heard of the god of war Prometheus or the god of wisdom Morpheus?"
"I've heard of those names before Greek gods but Prometheus is the god of fire and Morpheus the god of dreams."
"Well it would appear not here, there are another two new gods in addition to them. From what I've read we are not in Europe but a continent called alfredia in the year 653 of the Cambridge era. It would seem like it's been 600+ years since this continent has seen a tribal empire, after the empire collapsed the tribes declared war on one another and fought for their independence forming their own kingdoms. No king has been declared emperor since at least not a self proclaimed emperor. I know this is a lot to take in, just focus on winning today okay."
"So when's my duel?"
"It'll take place at noon shouldn't be too long, are you alright to fight? if you're not feeling up to it I could try to delay."
"No, I'm fine. Like you said, you shouldn't bring too much attention to yourself."
"Oh um about that captain… I might have made an enemy of the nearby count before thinking… but! He has no claim to my barony; the king of Stoneheart would not allow an attack! On the bad note.. the baron of Dekediyurt does have a "casus belli" against us. Apparently our territories are in dispute. My so-called father held him back but after his passing last year the only thing that saved this boy baron from invasion was the winter season. If the baron does attack he'll definitely gain the blessing of Count Edward.. the best season to start a war is spring or summer considering we both had bad harvests he may attack during the summer season."
"God damn it Liam what the hell were you thinking! You were my second because of your calm and collective thinking.. this is unlike you to be rash."
(Liam sighs)
"Yeah.. but it's far too late, we need to gather the crew today. Make sure to put on a good show so the boys can hear your call."
"Good luck captain."
(DING DING DING)
GATHER AROUND FOLKS THE BARONS DECREE IS HERE!
(DING DING DING)
As the town's bells rang every citizen within the town stopped their activities and began to head towards the town square, aware of the meaning of rung bells. It will be another announcement.
"Oh god I can't take this anymore"
"I don't have anything else to give"
"More taxes, that's all these bells are for!"
"What'd you expect from a boy I'm surprised he hasn't done this sooner"
"UHM.. BY THE POWER BESTOWED UPON THE HOFFMANN FAMILY BY HIS LORDSHIP KING MAXIMUS THE THIRD! IM TO ANNOUNCE THE RESUPPLYMENT OF OUR GRAIN THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF HIS LORDSHIP BARON LIAM HOFFMANN!"
(The crowd cries in joy)
"IN ADDITION! THERE WILL BE A BOUT OF PROWESS HELD TO DETERMINE THE FIRST KNIGHT OF THE HOFFMANN FAMILY! THE BATTLE SHALL COMMENCE SHORTLY!"
(Towns folk chatter)
"A duel?!"
"A knight?!"
"Do we even have a real swordsman?"
The town square erupted in discussions on who could be the opponents. To become a knight you'd have to show immense value to one's liege not just in loyalty and honor but battle prowess and prestige! As the crowd settled down the duelist began to enter the town square.
"Isn't that Fritz the town's guard!"
"NO! It can't be.. that guy's an asshole! He's going to be knighted?!"
(Crowd grumbles)
"Wait, what the hell is that drunk Oswin doing?"
"Um I.. think he's heading towards the square."
"You can't be serious! This is a joke! A corrupt bastard and a drunk?!"
"Does that mean one of them will become a knight?!"
"THIS DUEL WILL BE FOUGHT USING BLUNT SHORTSWORD AND SHIELD! ON THIS CORNER FRITZ OF THE VILLAGE OF LLYN! ON THE OPPOSITE CORNER OSWIN THE UNKNOWN SWORDSMAN!"
"SOWRDSMAN?!"
"Crowd stares in dismay"