Section II
Chapter 24
[February 21, 1356]
(Hungarian-Transylvania border)
Cato: We used to work for the viceroy of Partium. When we learned of his plans to take over Transylvania, we decided to put a stop to it.
David: I see. That would explain how much you knew regarding the Hungarian army. So, he's the only one involved in all this?
Cato: Yes, he's been keeping a tight lid on all this. If the king knew about it, his conquest would end for sure.
David: I'm surprised he can keep it a secret from rest of Hungary.
Richard: You see, there are those in Transylvania that would welcome this war.
David: You're kidding! Who would want their nation to be stuck in a war?
Richard: There are those that believe they can benefit from the war. The drop in relations would greatly hinder the integration of Transylvania into Hungary.
David: By invoking war, they ensured that the integration would be set back several steps.
Richard: Correct! However, I think we need to get away from here first. We don't want to be caught in the crossfire.
Andra: I know a cave nearby. My father usually take me there to see the waterfall.
David: I know that cave too. As luck would have it, that cave has a passageway that's being used as a smuggling route into Hungary.
Cato: That's exactly what we need!
Richard: Silent!
Richard listens carefully and hears some men heading their way.
Richard: No time to talk. We must get away from here. They are close by.
David immediately frees the horses and sends them on their way. He then crouches down with the others. Richard looks a David with a smile and continues to listen to his surroundings. The nearby men, hearing the horses, starts pursuing the animals. Once Richard is sure they are far away, he continues the conversation.
Richard: Good thinking, David!
David: Let's save the compliments for later. I would rather get out of here. I'll lead the way to the cave.
Quietly, the party follows David as they make their way through the woods. The war cries from earlier have died down and the party concludes that the engagement is likely over. This is a dangerous period as they might encounter stray soldiers on their way to the cave. An encounter would give away their position and endanger their lives. An hour has passed and the party has been fortunate to avoid any soldiers. It is during this time that the party can hear the sound of water.
Andra: That's the waterfall I was talking about.
Cato: I'm worried about this place though.
Andra: Why?
Cato: If I was invading a foreign territory, I would make sure I have safe water supply. A waterfall would be one of those water supplies. We may have some problems up ahead.
David: I agree with you there. Luckily, I know a backdoor to the place. Chances are the soldiers wouldn't enter too deep into the cave if the water is more accessible outside.
Cato: I hope so. I doubt you can take down too many soldiers with your crossbow before they start cutting you down.
David: Don't worry about me! I can handle these so called soldiers. I've fought mercenaries that make them look like babies.
Richard: Less talking, more walking!
David: Alright!
David leads the party quietly through dense bushes until they arrives at a small cave entrance. David signals the others to wait outside as he enters alone. Few minutes later, he crawls back to the entrance.
David: As expected, the soldiers set up camp outside.
Andra: Wouldn't setting up camp inside the cave be better?
Cato: Not if you want to be surrounded and be starved to death. These soldiers have the brains to think of that scenario. I'm a bit glad that we don't have to deal with them.
David: Me too. I saw one of them returning from a hunt and he has some pretty good catches. These guys deserve more credit than I've given them.
Cato: Let's go! I want to be inside Hungarian territory as soon as possible.
David: Agreed!
David leads the party down the narrow passageway until they come to a fork. The party goes to the left passageway and continues forward in complete darkness. Given that the passageway is well made, the party still cover lots of grounds despite how narrow it is and they soon see an exit with light shining through. David once again goes forward first to check on things. Not long after he goes through the exit, he calls back towards the rest of the party.
David: Let's go! The weather here looks great!
Everyone else start making their way through the exit. Once they are outside, they see themselves on a cliff overlooking a forest and a city stood in the distance. The sun, as David stated earlier, is shining brightly.
David: If I'm correct, I would say we have entered Hungary.
Cato: I agree with you. That city over there is Arad.
David: How do you tell?
Cato: I've passed through that city in the past. It's situated on a small plateau which seems to make the city rise above the forest.
Andra: We are heading there, right?
Cato: No, we will be bypassing it and make our way directly to Buda. When this is all over, I'll take you to Arad.
Andra: I'd like that.
Andra give Cato a kiss on the cheeks before following Richard and David down a narrow pathway. Cato follows them as they make their way down the mountain to the main road below. The downhill trek proves to be tougher than expected but the party still arrive at the bottom at midday. Just as they make their way to the main road, they across a trading caravan. Richard walks towards them when two men from the trading caravan draw out their swords.
Richard: I mean you no harm. I just hope we can purchase some food off you. We haven't eaten for a long time and need some food. We have ducats to pay for the food as well.
Guard: Those three are with you then?
Richard: Yes, we are traveling to Buda to see the king. However, we lost our horses and our food. Luckily, we still have ducats on ourselves to buy food.
At that moment, a cat jumps off one of the carts and walks towards Richards.
Pebbles: Meow!
Richard: Hi there! Nice to meet you!
Francisco: It's been too long, my friend. I didn't expect to see you robbing me.
Richard sees a man getting off the cart. At first, he doesn't recognizes the man.
Francisco: I see. You forgot about me. I'm not surprised. I'm Francisco. Does that remind you of something?
Richard: Wait, your father used to be my father's boss, isn't he? Last I heard, your family was hunted down and killed.
Francisco: There are survivors. So, why are you here?
Richard: I need to see the Hungarian king. I have important information that I'm sure he would want to know.
Augustyn and Sophie get off the cart as well. Sophie gets her cat while Augustyn joins the two men.
Augustyn: What's so important that the king must know of?
Richard: And you are?
Francisco: This is my future son-in-law. Let's get to the point, shall we?
Cato: I'll explain.
Cato surprises Francisco and Augustyn as they hadn't expected him to creep up on them.
Richard: This is Dominik. He's the one that discovered the information.
Cato: The viceroy of Partium wishes to take Transylvania all for himself. To do so, he has kept the war a secret.
Augustyn: I always knew he was a snake. To think that he would try this. I will take you two to the king then.
Richard: I thank you. However, we aren't going to cover lots of grounds with the carts.
Augustyn: Don't worry about those. In an hour, we will have everything prepared.
Richard and Cato return to Andra and David and explain to them that they would be traveling with the trading caravan. Once the party get on the cart, the caravan continues on her way. While the party eats the food they were given hungrily, Francisco tells Richard of his misfortunes.
Francisco: My family has always been liked in Venice since we use our wealth to aid those in need. However, there are other families that saw our actions weak. They longed to remove us from power so they can take our wealth. Thus, they banded together with the criminal organization there to put some false evidence on some of the trading ships we owned. The evidence would be used to show that we were joining forces with foreign powers to take over Venice. We weren't given a chance to prove our innocence as they quickly began the slaughter. My daughter and I managed to get out thanks to my wife's sacrifice.
Richard: Looks like they haven't changed one bit. Venice is definitely a cruel place to live in.
Francisco: The power struggle has become more intense since the arrival of the Papacizza family.
Richard: I assume that you were still running until your daughter agreed to marry Augustyn?
Sophie: I haven't agreed to anything.
Francisco: Their marriage is guaranteed. However, we need to make sure that the Papacizza stop sending people after us.
Augustyn: I'll make sure that you and Sophie will remain safe. You can count on it.
Richard: You found a fine son-in-law.
Francisco: What's your story?
Richard: Not much. I escaped with my friends to Hungary. We started making a living off selling services and wares. We had a peaceful life until Dominik entered our lives.
Cato: You say that as though it's a bad thing.
Richard: I'll just say he made our lives that much more exciting.
Augustyn: Enough talk, we should get on our way. Everybody get off the cart.
Following Augustyn's orders, the group get off the party to see themselves facing an infantry company.
Augustyn: I don't like being out where I'm vulnerable. So, I requested some soldiers to escort me back. Let's go! I hope you all know how to ride on horses.
Without another word, everyone get on a horse and start on their way. With the soldier escort, the group covers lots of ground. Everyone remain quiet the whole time as they don't want to waste time on the road. Clouds start to gather above them soon. The rain comes down hard not long after but the group continued their journey. They hope to make it to the Pecs-Szolnok border so they can make it to the Hungarian capital the very next day. After a few hours of traveling in rain, the group arrive at a military camp. They dry off before eating their dinner. Then, they head to bed so they can start early the very next day.