Chapter 447: The fall of the barony of Tuam
Chapter 447: The fall of the barony of Tuam
Einar who was on his horse frowned as he fired his revolver at a group of warriors who were running towards him.
All of them quickly ended up being shot to the head, making Einar sighed.
‘This is surprising. This is the sixth group of enemies that managed to escape from the vanguard.
I think I have to improve the methods of dealing with guerrillas of this type. ‘
Einar turned his head and looked at one of his snipers. “How long will it take to get to Tuam’s castle?”
The sniper took out a notebook. “According to the last report left by the vanguard, we should be about 7 kilometers from the castle.
Although we should arrive at noon, if we do not continue facing this amount of enemies, it may take us until nightfall. “
Einar sighed and stroked his nasal septum. “I want groups of 10 people to pass along the road and act as temporary guards.
That should be enough that our advance is not interrupted by enemy troops. “
The sniper nodded and began to organize the temporary guards. Dreide who was next to de Einar only raised an eyebrow.
“This method seems to be very efficient against the army. You don’t think it will be a real danger to be facing constant harassment by these enemies.”
Einar shook his head. “His strategies only serve to waste our time. It really is a waste of soldiers that the baron of this place is doing.
If you have correctly observed in all the attacks that we have been receiving since we entered this place, only two wounded per arrow have been caused.
They are not really dangerous, however they fulfill their mission of delaying us on the way, the temporary guards should be enough to be able to stop them without reducing our speed. “
Dreide then watched as Einar loaded his revolver. “Someday I may have a weapon like the one you have in your hands.”
Einar showed a smile and when he finished loading the revolver, he flipped the safety lever to avoid accidents.
“You can have a revolver when you are trustworthy. These weapons are specially created for those who deserve to defend themselves.
At this moment, I consider that your life is sufficiently protected with the repeating crossbow, not to mention that you are by my side.
So I firmly believe that for the moment you are fine, although if you show your courage and intelligence, I could allow you to shoot with it as long as you respect my rules.
Well, this weapon is extremely dangerous, because in inexperienced hands it can end the life of its operator. That is the difference between a crossbow and a revolver. “
After their little talk, the army continued on their way and shortly after noon they could reach Tuam Castle.
Baron Aed, who was at the top of his battlement tower, could see how an enormous army surrounded its walls. So he knew that the time had come to decide.
At that moment, one of his soldiers ran to where he was “Baron Aed, a messenger stood near the door to offer us a peaceful surrender in order to preserve our freedom.
If we refuse, we will only receive death that I tell the messenger baron. “
Baron Aed closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “We only have 300 defenders in the castle. It is completely impossible to win the siege, so it is best to surrender.
He mentions to the messenger that we are willing to surrender as long as they do not make us slaves.
I really want to invite this bloodbath, as it is completely useless to fight against such a superior enemy. “
Einar who was looking with his spyglass at the messenger was surprised to see that the castle doors were opening and the warriors of that place raised their hands as they left.
“I think I am glad to see a leader who knows he cannot win against us, if only most of the enemies were like him or the knight of the Barony of Cork.
This war would end quickly, but I suppose we have to thank those leaders who know they cannot win and have the courage to surrender. “
When Baron Aed left his castle with his family, he was surprised to see how a young red-haired man accompanied by a woman and a white deer approached him.
When Einar arrived in front of the baron, he got off his horse and looked at the baron with a smile as he spoke in Latin, “You should be the baron of this place?”
Baron Aed nodded “I am Baron Aed, although I suppose after surrendering I am just another man without a fiefdom, I appreciate that you are honoring your word not to harm us.”
Einar sighed and stroked his mustache. “I am a leader who respects his promises. It is very important that it be that way because the value of a man is in his ability to respect his own words.
If all other nobles were like you, that war would end quickly.
But let’s not talk about those who cling to a false victory. Now let’s talk about your future.
You may not know it or you may have heard it, but the Nordic nation has a different nobility than the Christian one. The title of noble can be kept as well as a place that is yours.
However, you will not have servants or any control over the population. Being noble no longer means that you have privileges before the law.
So if you commit a crime you will have to pay for it with what justice determines. I hope you can understand that.
Having already heard that I propose a deal, you can accept being a noble in the Nordic nation as long as you respect the rules or I can let you go anywhere to do whatever you want with your family.
As a reward in compensation for having conquered your castle, I will give you 50 gold coins. I consider that it is a fair amount and it can help you to start a life in another place.
Just remember that I will conquer these islands and invade the European continent, all this in order to avenge my wife.
I am giving you this preferential treatment for three reasons. The first is that your harassment tactic was interesting to fight.
The second is that you did not loot your population as in other places, so it was possible for us to see towns with people.
The last one is that you have given up.
Now, what do you choose? “
Baron Aed looked at his sons and subsequently looked at Einar. “If I chose to be a Norse nobleman, I could live in a quiet place with my family.”
Einar spread his hands with joy. “You could live in Iceland, a nice island and capital with hot springs where your family will not have a hard life.
I think it would be your best decision. Just remember that the noble title does not give you a higher status. “
Aed sighed and stroked his little daughter’s hair “He agreed to be a Norse nobleman.”