Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

190  Conquering Aritreia

Six days later, Henry was mounted on his horse, leading a powerful force of dwarves, humans, and barbarians that marched behind him. The army made its way through the peaceful but eerie Screaming Valley, where bone-like trees cast long shadows over the snow as a weak sunlight shone upon them. Their heavy steps left deep and chaotic trails as they moved steadily forward.

"Descendant, we'll be arrivin' in two days" - Yngvi said, his voice carrying a hint of unease despite his efforts to sound confident.

Henry glanced over at the dwarf, who clung tightly to Olaro's back as they rode together. Yngvi held an ancient map of the Screaming Valley that had been passed down through generations and generations of chief dwarves, a relic from the days when humans first invaded the valley, kidnapping the a few of them and stealing their works before disappearing hundreds of years ago.

"We just need to follow this pa—" - Yngvi continued, but his words were cut off as the horse beneath him gave a sudden jolt. The map almost slipped from his hands as he clung desperately to Olaro - "Ye bald human with a grand beard! What're ye doin'? Let me get down!"- he shouted, his legs kicking as he tried to dismount, like a kid trying to get down of a toy.

Olaro couldn't help but smile, quickly masking it by rubbing his beard. Ever since his arrival with the army, the dwarves had taken to calling him "bald human", a nickname that struck a nerve. He had lost his hair at the tender age of fourteen, and it had always been a sensitive topic. Yngvi, naturally, had been the one to start it and he wanted to pay back this old dwarf.

So, when Henry asked him to carry Yngvi on his horse, Olaro couldn't have been happier. These dwarves had never seen a horse in their lives, and when he arrived with them, they all kept their distance, as if a bit afraid of it. One dwarf who attempted to mount a horse had quickly screamed to be let down and refused to go near it again. Noticing their fear, Olaro saw an opportunity for some mischief. Throughout the journey, he would subtly nudge his horse, causing it to jump or move suddenly, just to see Yngvi's panicked reactions. "Sorry, the horse must have been startled by something again. It's easily spooked. I'll try to keep it under control so it doesn't happen again. No need to dismount" - Olaro said, keeping his gaze forward, still trying to hide his grin. Yngvi glared at the back of the bald man before him, debating if he should punch him on the back of the head or just get down from the horse. In the end, he stayed mounted, tightening his grip on Olaro's back, fearful of falling. Henry, riding alongside, noticed the childlike smile playing on Olaro's lips but chose to remain silent. Despite the teasing, the two seemed to be getting along well. Henry turned his attention back to the path ahead, his mind focused on the walls that encircled the capital of Aritreia. He could already sense that the upcoming battle would be straightforward, with little resistance expected. Most of Aritreia's soldiers had been killed, and their noble commanders, the backbone of their army, had perished on Stahl's land. It would be an easy win and he would soon strike Luak's side.

-x-

Two days later, a colossal wall emerged on the horizon, draped in a thick blanket of snow and ice. It stood like a frozen sentinel that had been guarding the city behind it for centuries, without taking a single second of rest, while also separating both sides of the valley. Sharp icicles covered the whole surface of the wall, like a porcupine.

Though they couldn't see beyond the walls, Henry was certain that this was the barrier he had been searching for the last weeks. It protected the city nestled deep within the mountains, from all the strange dangers coming from the Screaming Valley. However, this was the easiest route if they wanted to take down the city. The main route was filled with traps and the lack of knowledge on the terrain meant that Henry would lose a significant portion of his army. Now, with the dwarves and a large contingent of troops, the city seemed vulnerable, at least from this side.

"It looks like the towers are abandoned" - Olaro commented, narrowing his eyes as he studied the wall's battlements. There was no one guarding the parapets and the whole place seemed to be silent and empty, not single living soul could be seen.

Yngvi, leaning forward from behind Olaro's broad back, tried to see as well. His old eyes looked carefully but also saw no movement. The silence was strange.

"The news of our invasion must have reached their capital by now" - Henry said calmly, though with a sense of confidence - "They've probably moved their soldiers to the main path up the capital, if they haven't already lost the will to defend this side over the years. The Ice Giants never reached this far because they have plenty of food where they are. So, there was never any reason to guard this side... until now."

Henry's words hung in the cold air, like an arrow ready to strike. He didn't want to waste any more time - "Leier!" - he called, and Leier appeared beside him, almost as if she had been there the entire time, like a shadow following him on their journey. Henry handed her a small pouch - "You and Mani need to go to the walls and place these seeds where the structure is weakest. Mani can help you find the right spots since dwarves are experts at building" - he instructed, expecting Leier to be annoyed at having to work with someone else. But surprisingly, she didn't seem to mind. In the past, she would have at least asked to go alone. "Yes, my lord!" - Leier responded, taking the pouch and quickly heading off. She pulled along a small, hairless woman as they raced toward the wall. Even from a distance, Henry could hear the female dwarf teasingly say, "Bald and bold Mani." It didn't take long before the two of them returned. Fortunately, Luna had worked on the seeds earlier, or they might have exploded during the journey. "Yngvi, can you do it?" Henry asked the dwarf. Yngvi immediately jumped down from the horse, taking a deep breath of relief, as if thinking, "Finally free!"

The old dwarf gave Olaro a slightly annoyed look before answering Henry, "Yes, descendant! I'll do it right away." He raised his hammer, which became covered in silvery snakes of energy. As he swung it down, lightning struck the walls, and a great explosion followed.