Before Our Time - Feast For Strangers

Prologue

"My Lord , a knight wants to speak with you."

"Bring him in Alexander" 

"Yes , My Lord." said Alexander.

He went to open the doors and through them busted a tall but fat man.

"Lord Ronald. What brings you here?"

"Are you not happy to see me , Henry?" said Lord Roland. " I bring you great news!"

Henry sighed. Ronald never brings good news , he thought.

"The Prince was murdered!" said Roland with a grin on his face.

"What?" said Henry. " Who murdered him?"

"Well , no one knows who the killer is. All I know is that we could finally attack the capital!"

"The capital?" asked Henry. " Are you mad? They have more fighters than you!"

"That is why I am here. I need your army." said Roland. "I'll bring them back , don't worry."

"And leave my castle unprotected?" asked Henry. 

"I didn't ask for all of it. Just a bit."

"You are completely mad if you think I will give you my army."

Roland looked at Henry.

"But you owe me! I saved you multiple times! I saved your son , didn't I?"

"Half. Son. And yes , you did. So I do owe you. But you have to understand my position. We have the second most warriors in these lands. Everyone asks my army to fight for their cause but--"

"We are family Henry. We've known each other since we were children! I taught you how to fight with a sword. I saved your half-son and after all of this you still don't give me part of your army?"

Henry sighed.

"Fine." he said."I will give you 5000 men. With your 2000 men and my 5000 , we will outnumber them."

"It's still not enough."

"What?" asked Henry. " How many men do they have?"

"4000 warriors..."

"We still--"

"And they have 10000 in the kings guards." 

"I gave you a fourth of my army!"

"And I still ask for more." said Roland."I already have boats ready. I just need your men. Please."

Henry thought about it , then said:

"I will give you 15000 men. No more."

"Thank you , my dear friend! My Lord! My--"

"Enough with this. I have to gather the men and send them to you."

"Yes , yes of course." said Roland.

Henry left the room and went to his knights to announce his decision.