Chapter 429 - A Surprise In The Barony Of Kilmallock
After the duel, Einar looked at the corpse of King Cenn and sighed before pointing to the enemy army. "I hope you can fully comply with the things established in this fight.
If you surrender your weapons and leave peacefully with your hands up, I will respect your rights and you will not be treated as slaves. You will be able to maintain your freedom and that of your family.
Not only that, but they will also be able to live peacefully in the kingdom of Ireland, even having the opportunity to go to Iceland to find a new life. "
The Irish warriors dropped their weapons and left in order. As the soldiers of the Nordic army left, they reviewed them and place ropes on their hands.
Despite this, the process was quite peaceful. For his part, Einar supervised that some soldiers dug into a hole to be able to bury in it the corpse of King Cenn.
This is because he planned to keep his promise.
When all the enemies left the city, hundreds of soldiers entered and, respecting the population, they went directly to the center.
Where they placed a wooden flagpole on which the Nordic flag was placed, which fluttered in the wind.
At that time, Einar personally covered King Cenn's body with a white sheet and left it in the hole, placing his sword over it in a position reminiscent of medieval burials of nobles.
After this, he placed his hand on the bible of the Nordic religion and began to pray in Latin. After doing a complete ceremony, Einar finished with the phrase.
"Requiescat in pace"
Einar then took a handful of earth and threw it on the king's corpse, at which point the soldiers began to bury King Cenn.
Turning his head, he looked at Ansgar, who was next to him.
"I want 3,000 soldiers to go to the baronies of Kilmallock, Nenagh and Ros.
Once they have arrived, they will have a duty to see that the baronies surrender peacefully.
In case they refuse, they have permission to start a small siege. Just send a messenger to send reinforcements.
It should be easy enough to make them surrender because with the crown of King Cenn I am sure they will not try to do something against you.
For my part, I will begin to conquer the towns that are nearby, also send a messenger to my father-in-law to send troops.
We have about 2 weeks to finish pacifying this region before we go to Ennis County. "
Ansgar looked at Einar doubtfully "Why not directly attack Ennis County or send messengers demanding their surrender."
Einar sighed and looked seriously at Ansgar. "Because we cannot divide the army too much, not to mention that it is quite dangerous to leave the baronies unconquered.
This mainly because if they are revealed, they could try to ask the kingdom of Athlone for help, which would make us be in a double war.
But with your army it will be enough to besiege them or make them surrender peacefully.
Not to mention, Ennis County only shares a border with Ireland's second largest nation, which is the real enemy to defeat.
Because if you support Ennis County, we could completely destroy your army and thereby directly enter your kingdom.
I am sure that at that time the kingdom of Athlone will not attack us, so my father-in-law will be able to bring troops to reinforce the occupied territories.
Although we can end this war as quickly as possible, we will not have won until we have completely destroyed the enemy resistance.
Which will take us longer. Either way is a problem for the future.
You have the mission to conquer those baronies. You can take with you 5 onagers with Nordic fire. Remember that you should only use it if necessary.
Also, take the priest Walter can be a great help to convince the fools, just keep it carefully that the priests of the Nordic religion are difficult to educate. "
Ansgar made a military salute and prepared his 3000 soldiers to be able to go to the first barony, which was located in the east and was the Barony of Kilmallock.
When he had the soldiers ready, he began his journey through the swamps.
Although unlike the main army, he was only able to use 500 soldiers as a vanguard and some local people to guide his way.
During that day they traveled almost 20 kilometers, so they had to rest in a place where there was no swamp water.
That night, Ansgar took out his flute and played one of the songs his daughter had taught him. While doing so, he was thinking of his wife Teresia.
For since he had traveled that road alone through the northeast of Iceland, they became completely inseparable.
When he finished playing his song, he drank some herbal liqueur and went to sleep as he would arrive at the castle of the barony of Kilmallock tomorrow.
The next day, he got up and started on the road. After advancing for a while, he reached the exterior of a castle with stone walls about 4 meters long.
Although it might look like a large castle, it was in a deplorable condition, so Ansgar was curious as to why a castle in a border area was not very well cared for.
When surrounding the castle, Ansgar sent a messenger to inform of the death of the king and of his possibility of being able to live in good conditions once they agree to surrender the castle and its weapons.
When the messenger arrived at the castle, he realized that there were two guards in a state of malnutrition who looked at the messenger with some apathy.
"What do you wish?"
"I am a messenger from Konungar Einar. I come to report that King Cenn is dead, as he did it in a duel where he fought with King Einar.
According to the duel treaty, warriors who lay down their arms and surrender to the Nordic army will be forgiven. "
One of the guards threw down his sword and threw to the ground. "As long as you give me food I am not interested in being a prisoner. Just get me out of this damn place.
We haven't eaten anything other than wheat with dirt for days. "