Soldiers Without Money

Although Herwenham's treasury had long since been stretched thin by years of war and corruption, and the people's livelihood within the city had withered, Count Boles still set a simple banquet in the somewhat empty hall of the Governor's Office to welcome the soldiers who had come from afar and wash the dust from the road.

The banquet could hardly be called lavish. It was mainly large chunks of roasted horsemeat, Black Bread, thin local ale, and some hard cheeses that could withstand storage, but to soldiers who had marched a long distance, it was already a rare hot meal.

Attending the feast, aside from Count Boles himself, were the newly appointed Pacification Commissioner Friedrich von Schmidt, Sir Ludwig, commander of the Eagle Nest Cavalry, and several senior officers from both sides.

The atmosphere could not be called warm, but it maintained a soldierly severity and etiquette.

Sir Ludwig, commander of the Eagle Nest Cavalry, was a middle-aged general of around forty, with a steady face and sharp eyes.

Within the Eagle Nest system, he was not a man of great renown, but his bearing was proper, neither servile nor overbearing.

He showed Count Boles, who sat in the main seat, the respect that was due, and toward Friedrich, who sat to one side in taciturn silence yet exuded a powerful presence, he displayed even more obvious esteem. Raising his cup of his own accord, he said, "I have long heard of Knight Schmidt's great name. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed deserved. Ludwig has been ordered to lead his troops here, and from this day forth, we shall obey the knight's deployments, join hearts and strength, and together pacify the bandit scourge."

Friedrich inclined his head slightly in return, his words brief and to the point. "Sir Ludwig