Chapter 53: Sneaking Into Jenkas

In front of the officer's tent, 100 Luxenberg soldiers adorned the uniforms of their captured prisoners. The man in charge of this 100-man unit was Captain Nowak, a trustworthy officer who had been with Victor since the defence of the old military outpost.

Captain Nowak and his men were tasked with infiltrating the city as deserted soldiers who had fled the battle or escaped imprisonment. They were to report to Osiris and the Maximillian family what had happened at the battle and mix in some lies with the truth.

They will say that they were defeated due to an overwhelming ambush by the combined forces of Luxenberg and Cassell, their army standing at almost 100,000 combined soldiers. Both Osiris and Osmund would die in the carnage alongside half of their army.

By telling the Maximillian family this they could panic and make mistakes. They could overestimate Victor and his army or they could lose their will to fight. No matter the outcome, sowing doubt and chaos was the intended goal, any other benefits from this mission were a bonus

Although it was a plan that could produce good results, there was a high level of risk involved. If Osiris was as intelligent as the rumours believed then it would be hard to convince him who they were and what had truly happened. There was a decent chance the plan could backfire instantly.

Looking at his assembled soldiers, Victor began to address them. "Soldiers! This task I have assigned you is certainly full of risks, I will not keep that fact hidden. There is the possibility that you will be discovered and die, but if you succeed in this mission, many of your brothers in the Luxenberg army will die attempting to take that city. Many of you assembled have been with me since the days of our military outpost. I have the utmost faith in you men!"

Impassioned by their lord's words the soldiers cheered. They were aware of the dangers faced in this mission but regardless of that, they were more than ready to serve Victor's faithfully. 

Saluting their lord, the unit under Captain Nowak's command set off for the capital city of Jenkas. It was a 3-week journey for the soldiers. Through nasty rain and blistering winds, Captain Nowak and his men, unfazed by such cruel weather carried on their arduous trek.

The 3-week journey blew by in an instant. No matter the harsh weather conditions the Luxenberg soldiers disguised as Maximillian soldiers finally reached the city of Jenkas. The city was magnificent. Its towering walls stood vigil while a bustling and thriving city went about its business.

Grand houses and cleaned paved roads decorated the city. People dressed in modern and pristine clothes waltzed around the city in a jolly fashion. At first Captain Nowak and the soldiers were fascinated with such a splendid city but their gawking got cut short when guards approached them and questioned them.

"Hold their soldiers! State your business here at once!" The head guard interrogated. Captain Nowak stepped forward and responded in an exasperated and urgent tone. "We have come from the southern border. We have urgent news for the Maximillian family. Please escort us immediately, this dire news can not wait." 

Confused the head guard continued to question the soldiers. "What could be so urgent that you openly demand an audience with the Grand Duchess and her sons?" Captain Nowak took a deep breath and spoke, his words sending the guards into a panic. "Our army was brutally defeated. Victor Luxenberg and his army almost 100,000 strong are a week from our position. We are unsure of what happened to Grand Duke Maximillian or his eldest son."

Shaken by such words Captain Nowak and his men were hastily escorted to the Maximillian palace where they were granted an audience with the Grand Duchess and her 2 sons. Beatrice, Osiris and Benedict met the soldiers in the palace courtyard.

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you soldiers here?" Beatrice asked in an annoyed tone. The soldiers before her were muddy, smelly and uneasy on the eyes. Captain Nowak stepped forward and bowed to the family. This made him feel sick but it was necessary. 

"Grand Duchess. My name is Aleksander Nowak, I am a soldier from the Grand Duke's army. I bring grave news Grand Duchess. Our army has failed, more than half of the men were killed in a brutal ambush. Victor Luxenberg and his army are a week away from arriving here. They have 100,000 combined soldiers."

The Maximillian family went pale. Their army was defeated and the enemy was now marching upon their city. Frantically the Grand Duchess grabbed Nowak by the shoulders and asked, "What of my husband and son?" Putting on an act, Captain Nowak looked demoralised and in an apologetic tone, he answered her question.

"Grand Duchess forgive me for being the person to tell you this but both your son and husband died in the ambush. Many could not escape the hellfire brought down upon us. We were originally captured but with the assistance of many of the prisoners we were able to escape and bring you this news."

Beatrice fell to her knees and began to sob loudly. Benedict acted uninterested in such grievous news, while Osiris on the other hand remained calm. Interested in what the soldiers had seen Osiris asked them to explain the battle in great detail.

Captain Nowak and a few of the other soldiers, detailed the Grand Duke's plan and how the battle progressed. They sprinkled in a few lies here and there but mostly kept to the truth. All the soldier's stories were consistent and did not deviate from what Victor instructed them to say.

Taking a bold approach Victor bent one knee and addressed Osiris. "Through the laws of the continent, you are now the Grand Duke of Maximillian. I Aleksander Nowak swear my loyalty to you Grand Duke Osiris Maximillian." Seeing the captain's approach the other soldiers bent the knee to Osiris.

Benedict was annoyed by such theatrics and returned inside the palace while his mother began to comfort Osiris. Pleased by such a show of loyalty, Osiris ordered the men to rise. In a cool and stable tone, he said, "You men have worked hard to return. I shall see that you are cleaned and attended to. I will need your help when the Luxenberg army comes." Nodding at his words the soldiers were escorted to be attended while Osiris and his mother returned to the palace. 

In the following week, the city began preparations for the siege. Supplies were pooled into the city and any man who could hold a musket was drafted into an emergency militia. 10,000 infantrymen, a few hundred cavalrymen and 20 guns were now the garrison of Jenkas.

As the guards patrolling the walls looked out on the horizon they saw the formidable-looking army of Luxenberg and Cassell fast approaching.