Sir Miller, Sir Bill and Sir Hoffman, with their respective troops, assembled on time in the temporary camp outside Fort Esbai on the morning of the third day.
It is the obligation of the three men as vassals to respond to Simon's call and follow him on the expedition. Similarly, this is also the obligation of Baron Simon to Duke Amadeus, and it is also the obligation of Duke Amadeus to King Heinrich. .
Simon's requirement for these three vassals is that each of them should bring at least ten soldiers to accompany him on the expedition. For a knight with his own fief, this is a number that is neither too much nor too little. After all, in order to guard against attacks in the territory, Bandits, they still have to leave a certain number of soldiers to maintain order and protect their property and the lives of the people in the territory.
In addition to the twelve longbowmen brought by Bill, Miller and Fatty Hoffman each brought two armored private soldiers and eight spear-wielding militiamen. In addition, Baron Simon also recruited three light cavalry from Sir Gabriel's ranch as his scouts and messengers
Seeing that the vassals had already assembled their troops, Simon also began to assemble his own troops - eighteen armored private soldiers with spears, eight crossbowmen and thirty spear-wielding militiamen.
"Sir, I don't think there is any need for you to go on an expedition with so many people," Fatty Hoffman stood on the fort wall and looked at the increasingly crowded temporary military camp outside the village and the soldiers walking towards the military camp one after another, and said to Simon , "The Duke only asks you to bring fifty soldiers to report. If we include those three scouts, we will have nearly a hundred soldiers to follow this expedition, which is almost twice the number required by the Duke."
Simon said nothing.
He had some impressions in his vague memories of his past life. The current Prince Otto would make great achievements in the future and become a great empire founder. And this war, for Simon, is his opportunity to stand out.
"If we have more people, we will get more loot after winning the battle!" Klein said.
"Then what if we are defeated," Fatty asked. "War is always cruel. We may die or injure many soldiers!"
"I firmly believe that God will be on our side. Death and injury are not terrible. According to Father James, soldiers who die fighting against the infidels will directly ascend to heaven. Isn't this what most people expect?" Little Klein tried to argue with the fat man using the words Father James had taught him.
"But don't forget, we have to save as much strength as possible to fight against Count Lange and his in-law Count Wolfe," Sir Bill twirled his beard and took over the topic while thinking, "They are He covets Lord Simon’s territory all the time.”
"No matter what, at least we don't have to worry that Lange will attack me during the Duke's forbidden civil war period. What's more, he is now infamous both in front of the nobles and commoners in the duchy, and in front of the Servant of God Church. If What do you think will be the consequences of attacking a lord who is fighting invading pagans to defend Christians at this time?"
"He might be excommunicated?" Fatty Hoffman rubbed his hands.
"That is God's will. At least, it is a very bad thing to attack the territory of a lord who is on an expedition against the pagans while he is on an expedition." Sir Bill said while nodding.
At this moment, a figure wearing bright red wool clothes and another figure wearing gray monk robes climbed up the fortress wall step by step. The creaking sound of the wooden stairs attracted the attention of Simon and others, and everyone couldn't help but look sideways. go.
"Old Sheriff Kevin, Father James." Sir Bill turned sideways and called out the names of the two visitors.
"Good day, my lords and lords."
"Good day, Sir Simon, distinguished knights."
"Praise Christ," Simon responded.
Old Sheriff Kevin looked a bit older than when Simon first came to Esbai Village. Since the archers went into the woods to hunt almost every day, the bandits and bandits that were supposed to be dealt with by the Sheriff were all wiped out. Clean and leisurely, he usually only deals with trivial matters and disputes between farmers.
When Simon takes away nearly half of the soldiers in his territory for an expedition, the risk to public security will definitely increase day by day. At that time, old Kevin will be busy again.
"Kevin, during my expedition, you and the village chief of Krieger will be responsible for the security work in the areas around Esbaiburg and Foldburg." Simon said solemnly.
"Don't worry," Old Kevin patted the polished Sheriff's Hammer on his waist but could see many scratches from the years, "Krige is a good hand at tracking and archery, and I will be responsible for riding. The horse smashes the heads of the outlaws with a mace.”
"Sounds good," Simon patted Kevin's shoulder gently, "I know you may have had some conflicts in the past, but now, you are all in the same boat, and I hope you can work together to defend your homeland. , don’t stumbling upon each other secretly after I leave.”
"Don't worry, my lord, Krieger and I have reconciled long ago," Old Kevin smiled with relief, "I was really fascinated by the nonsense of these two bastards Duden and Adam. I lost my mind and I already apologized to Krieger, he is a generous man and he forgave me."
"May God bless you two all the best," Simon nodded and moved his eyes to Father James. "Father, I hope you can say a prayer for the soldiers before they leave."
"I was just about to tell you about this," Father James smiled gently. "The soldiers need the comfort of the Lord to calm their uneasy hearts before they go out to face the infidels."
"With the blessing and protection of the Lord, they will no longer be afraid of death." Although Simon said this, he still hoped that more of his soldiers could survive.
During this expedition Simon left behind Gabriel and his cavalry to defend the territory.
Simon doesn't have many cavalry. For a baron like him, cavalry is very useful and the cost of training is also very high. If Simon's few light cavalry were brought to the battlefield to face the Magyars on horseback, the casualties would definitely be horrific. This was something Simon could not bear.
Now the small manors of every fief knight in the barony have been built and improved. Rather than saying they are manors, they are actually just a circle of granaries, wells, warehouses and lord's residences surrounded by low pointed log walls, leaving only a large wooden door for entry and exit.
Trenches were dug around the manor, horses and obstacles were installed, and the arrow towers on both sides of the wooden gate had a wide view. Unless a lord leads troops to attack, ordinary bandits are completely helpless when facing such a small manor. Just one look is enough to make them give up their greed.
Simon's sealmaster and spymaster Ludwig will continue to be responsible for the diplomatic and intelligence work of the territory during Simon's expedition, especially to guard against Count Lange's spies. Langer is unlikely to attack in a big way, but it is very likely that he will sabotage secretly or steal Simon's property.
As for little Klein, as Simon's most trusted confidant, he has already proven his ability brilliantly in the last operation. However, during this expedition, Simon still planned to let him stay in the territory. The task left to him this time was to lead the long archers from Dihes Village to patrol the barony, suppress bandits, and supervise various operations in the territory. .
Little Klein is no longer an ignorant child. This time, he readily accepted Simon's trust and trust.
The doctor Arthur drove a donkey pulling a trailer to Fort Esbai. The wooden box behind the trailer contained marigold potion, owl potion, clean bandages and spirits, as well as jars filled with kerosene.
This time, the doctor Arthur will also follow Simon on the expedition. A knowledgeable physician who can properly treat wounds is an essential part of an army, especially in this dark age when doctors only foolishly bleed and administer enemas to induce vomiting.
Likewise, a medieval army was inseparable from its handymen.
Simon mobilized ten servants from Fort Verde and Fort Esbai to join the expedition as handymen. They filled baskets made of dry rattan with food in the kitchen, and then moved it laboriously to the trailer behind the carriage. In addition, there were wine barrels, cooking tools, camping tents, logging axes, shovels and other tools, all of which were moved bit by bit from the warehouse to the carriage by the handymen.
Just before departure, a messenger wearing a coat of arms of the Dorsten family rode a brown horse and arrived at Castle Esbai without any warning.
Sure enough, he was blocked by the guard at the door with a spear. The crossbowmen on the fort wall were ready with crossbow arrows, keeping a close eye on this uninvited guest. If he dared to make any rash move, he would be shot through the neck by the crossbow arrow.
"I am a messenger from Dorstenburg, sent by Mrs. Liv." The thirsty messenger explained in a hoarse voice.
"Mrs. Liv?" The two guards at the castle gate looked at each other.
"Let him come in, Mrs. Liv is the mother of Baron Simon." A private soldier from Fort Ford shouted down from the fort wall.
The two guards at the door quickly moved out of the way, and a servant wearing a dark green tight-fitting linen shirt led the messenger into the tower of the castle.
"Sir Simon, I have brought greetings to your mother, Mrs. Liv." The messenger bowed politely to Simon.
"Oh?" Simon was a little surprised. Since her relationship with Lange completely broke down, Mrs. Liv, who had occasionally exchanged letters with Simon in the past, has rarely heard from her anymore.
But in the final analysis, as a mother, I definitely cannot let go of my son before he leaves, especially on the great journey of expedition against the pagans, whose life and death are uncertain.
"My lady asked me to bring this to you." The messenger said, taking out a delicate small wooden box from the pocket on his waist and handing it to the servant next to him.
Simon took the small wooden box from the servant. Inside was a piece of red linen folded squarely. Opening the fine linen cloth, a small cross with exquisite gold carvings lay quietly in the center of the cloth, looking solemn and majestic against the red cloth.
Simon instantly felt his mother's heart.
"Please tell my mother that I like her gift very much. I will wear this cross, step on the blood of infidels, and return safely with honor and full of trophies!"
"I will convey it to you word for word, respected Baron Simon." The messenger saluted again, turned and left.
…………………………
Everything is ready.
Simon's soldiers finished praying under the auspices of Father James, full of energy and fighting spirit. The soldiers' families came to say goodbye, and Simon couldn't help but sigh, wondering how many people would be able to return to their homeland in a few months.
"Go, my warriors!"
Simon rode "Lucky", wearing only an armed uniform, and shouted to the soldiers.
Not only Simon and his knights, the vast majority of the soldiers were only wearing light armor, holding spears and carrying shields on their backs. The few private soldiers who were at the front wore separate armors. A piece of leather armor.
Since there were three scouts in front of this expedition, Simon and his soldiers did not have to worry about being ambushed on the march, so there was no need to wear a full set of chainmail and waste physical strength.
In addition, no group of robbers dared to attack a force of nearly a hundred people led by a lord on the road from Esbaiburg to Dusseldorf. That would be tantamount to suicide.
"Lord, bless your warriors for their safe return."
Looking at the soldiers who were gradually disappearing into the forest road, Father James's back looked a little lonely in the sunset. He was still reciting the prayer silently, then took out the silver cross pendant around his neck and kissed it.
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