Magnet for trouble

A massive monstrosity sat perched atop a steep and densely forested hill. Moss covered stone walls encircled the entire property.

These ancient stone walls were thick and wide and must have taken ages to be properly constructed to last for so many decades.

A section of the main wall crumbled into nothingness and would be the first thing on Tiamat's list to be repaired in order to strengthen the keep's defenses.

Now he wondered what Fiona thought about her new home because to him it had potential but what if she wasn't willing to look past the surface like he was?

Fiona was looking but it wasn't the brick and mortar she was staring at but what was coming towards them from the base.

There was a ragtag army of disgruntled villagers that numbered in the hundreds heading towards them, barefooted and dirty this angry mob could not be reasoned with.

She was convinced Tiamat was a magnet for trouble.

Even now danger was honing in on them and Tiamat looked unbothered while Fiona was sweating through her sundress, her distress growing.

Tiamat's men might be trained soldiers but the villagers outnumbered his troops by far.

Why wasn't Tiamat giving his men the order to retreat?

Surely they could leave gather more troops elsewhere and then return to face the hostile villagers.

It wasn't a cowardly move, it was just being smart. His men had been on the road these past few days and everyone was worn out and tired.

She herself was barely managing to stand straight as her joints still ached from riding atop Tiamat's warhorse.

Fiona wanted to run but where would she run to, it was like being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Gritzl came over to Tiamat's side, "It is just as you suspected my lord."

"I was hoping things would be different. Tell the men to get ready and stick to the plan," Tiamat answered swiftly.

Gritzl moved to obey his orders, barking out commands as expected of Tiamat's right hand man.

The soldiers followed suit as they rushed ahead to get into position and await further orders from their leader.

Every man was proud to be a part of Tiamat's army. He was known to be very strict when it came to discipline and his men respected his regime because Tiamat practiced what he preached.

They were willing to put up with his brutal training sessions because Tiamat only chose the best to join his elite army and that gave even the lowest level the foot soldier bragging rights.

All were proud to wear Tiamat's colors of purple and black because to be granted the honor to wear that uniform every man had to be in peak condition.

Neighboring territories begged the rising conqueror to form alliances as they would hate to meet his clan on the battlefield as enemies.

Clearly, the villagers didn't get the memo as they seem to have been awaiting their arrival.

They were armed with makeshift weapons such as fishing spears, hoes and pitchforks.

Anything found around their home that could inflict damage was brought along with their knives and machetes.

What had been done to infuriate this angry mob?

Fiona's questions went unanswered as Tiamat nodded to Gritzl. Tiamat's eagle eyes missed nothing and was on the alert.

Gritzl moved to face the crowd he swaggered up to them like he was fully recovered and was not still healing from a serious injury.

There was not a friendly face amongst the crowd as the look of outrage on their face was palpable so much for a warm welcome to their new liege lord.

"Throw down your weapons," commanded Gritzl.

"We will not," said a big burly man as he walked up to him and spat at Gritzl's feet, "We don't accept the cursed Black Flame as our leader."

He was obviously the leader of this motley gang of villagers.

Gritzl did not react to what the butcher had done, he held his tongue and fell back in line with the troops which Fiona thought was pretty admirable of him.

Tiamat gave the signal and the fighting began.

"What can I do to help?" she asked.

"Guard my horse," was the perfunctory response.

Did he really think her that incompetent but still she obeyed and remained by the horse for a change, this was no place for her to die foolishly trying to prove a point.

So it seemed like the men in this world cared more about their horses than women.

Deliberate or not, Tiamat's comment had angered her and distracted her from her fear.

Swords slashed against pitchforks and the metal clanging rang in her ears incessantly. Hacking sounds from men choking on their own blood mingled with war cries from Tiamat's soldiers as they rushed the villagers.

Gritzl rode on horseback and was a sight to behold as he fiercely smashed his way through the opponents.

She had never seen anyone use a war mace like he did so effortlessly making it look like it weighed nothing and gave immense returns.

The ongoing battle seemed to be edging its way in her direction and that's when Tiamat reappeared.

He monitored everything and missed nothing. Tiamat returned to her side and told her, "get on the horse."

He led them to a spot where they would be out of harm's way but still have a better view of the skirmish below.

There was no need for Tiamat to get his hands dirty. It would be a miracle if this debacle went on five minutes longer.

It was almost too pitiful to watch, as usual Tiamat didn't lose not even one of his soldiers.

When the villagers finally realized the odds were not in their favor as their numbers were rapidly dwindling they easily surrendered.

Tiamat was embarrassed that the people he swore to protect had so little faith in him.

He had not even set foot on Thornwyck castle grounds yet and he already felt like he failed as lord of the manor.

How was he supposed to entice Fiona to be his bride? If he was already showing his incompetence; that he was unaware of the storm that had been brewing in his own backyard.

It was going to be harder to win the loyalty of the villagers after what occurred today but Tiamat was not deterred.