Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 252: Pacifying the region

Chapter 252: Pacifying the region

Two weeks had passed since the fall of Arduronaven and the execution of Lord Vroghios. In those days, Alpheo had scarcely known rest. From dawn until the darkest hours of night, he immersed himself in the colossal task of solidifying control over the region and dealing with the mess he had caused . The weight of responsibility bore heavily on his shoulders, but the drive to complete what he had begun burned brighter.

Immediately following the city's capture, Alpheo had divided his army into two forces, sending them to the keeps and strongholds of Vroghios's sworn lords. Their task was clear: extract oaths of loyalty to House Veloni-Isha or crush any defiance. Letters had been sent ahead, each marked with Alpheo's seal, offering terms of fealty quite lenient as they exempted them from paying any tax for one year before resuming the previous rate of tribute they yearly paid to their lord.

The first force, led by Shahab, achieved remarkable success. Three of the five lords who had served Vroghios quickly swore their loyalty, accepting the terms presented to them without resistance. With little more than a show of strength and diplomacy, and apparently the prestige that came from his house, Shahab managed to pacify the northern territories under Vroghios's former dominion.

As a gesture of submission, these newly sworn lords offered men to Alpheo's army. While they were neither many nor well-equipped, they represented an acknowledgment of their allegiance.As soon as he received them Alpheo immediately got to work , equipping them with armor and weapons looted from the battlefield. They were promptly integrated into Xanthios's forces, where they were now undergoing rigorous training to prepare them for the subsequent march he planned as soon as the entire army converged back into the city. 

The second army, under the command of Jarza and Asag, was tasked with securing the southern territories. Their mission was met with mixed results. The first of the two lordships they approached submitted without resistance, swearing fealty to Jasmine without hesitation. The second, however, proved far more obstinate, perhapse feeling like he could get better terms . Dismissing the army's threats outright, the rebellious lord forced Jarza and Asag's hand. Without further delay, the castle was stormed, its defenses overwhelmed, and the lord taken captive as a hostage along with the whole family.