Chapter 72: The First Step

The night wind blew hard as Sebastian left the tavern. The city streets, now plunged into darkness, seemed more deserted, almost desolate. The weight of the responsibility he had just accepted pressed down on his shoulders, but he knew he had no choice. He had to act, and act quickly.

Sebastian began walking through the streets towards the highest point of the city, where an old abandoned church stood. The place, forgotten by time, was known to few and avoided by most. There was something about the old building that frightened the superstitious, but Sebastian was not a man to be carried away by irrational fears. He knew that the place offered a privileged view of the city and would be the ideal place to start planning his strategy.

When he reached the church, he pushed open the rusty doors and entered. The interior was dark and dusty, but the structure still stood firm. He climbed the stairs that led to the bell tower, the only place from which he could see the entire city and its surroundings.

From up there, the view was impressive. The city lights shone like tiny dots in the darkness, and beyond the walls, Sebastian could see the vast lands that stretched to the horizon. He knew that the enemy would come this way, across the open plains, where he could move quickly and attack with full force.

But before he could think of military strategies, he needed more detailed information. He needed to understand who his allies were, who could be convinced to fight and, most importantly, who could help organize the defense of the city. Without a military leader, the inhabitants would be lost, and Sebastian knew that he could not lead an army alone. He needed someone with combat experience, someone he could trust.

As he descended from the bell tower, his mind worked quickly. There were rumors about a former soldier, a man who had retired from military life to live in peace in the city. They said he was a brilliant strategist, but that he had lost his will to fight after the death of his family in the last war. If he could convince him to return, he could have someone at his side who knew the nuances of war, someone who could train the townspeople and turn peasants and merchants into warriors ready to defend their homes. Sebastian decided that his next stop would be this man's house. Time was running out, and every second lost could mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of people. As he walked through the deserted streets, the old man mentally prepared himself for the conversation he was about to have. He knew it would not be easy, but he could not afford to fail. It was late at night when he finally reached the former soldier's house. The dim light of a lamp flickered in the window, a sign that someone was still awake. Sebastian knocked on the door, and a heavy silence followed the sound of his knuckles against the wood. The door opened slowly, revealing a middle-aged man with tired eyes and an expression that mixed surprise and distrust. "Who are you and what do you want at this hour?" the man asked, his voice deep but without hostility. Sebastian looked him in the eye, knowing that the words he chose now would be crucial. "My name is Sebastian. I'm here because we need you. The city needs you." The man remained silent, analyzing every word, every gesture of the old man. Then, with a deep sigh, he replied: "Come in. It seems we have a lot to talk about." As he entered the house, Sebastian felt a small flame of hope light up in his chest. He knew there was still a long way to go, but this was the first step, the beginning of a fight he could not avoid.