>>5723957>Epilogue>Garreg Mach War Room“Our men have been accounted for, Sir Leopold.” Emil says. While the rookie knight would have loved nothing more than to accompany the Sword of Seiros to Fort Merceus, he was instead chosen to stay behind to assist Sir Leopold in overseeing the monastery’s defenses. At first, he’d cursed his misfortune. Guard duty was both boring and beneath him, he felt. He should be there with the other knights, plunging his blade into the heart of the Empire’s defenses. Things had changed though, and while Emil still cursed his misfortune, it was no longer due to the potential of boredom.
“And?” Sir Leopold asked. He was sitting behind the large table in the center of the room. Several papers and maps were scattered about messily, being poured over by numerous frantic aides.
“We’re sitting at around 500 soldiers in total.” Emil responds. “100 of those are Knights of Seiros, while the rest are a combination of church soldiers and local volunteers.”
“What’s our unit breakdown look like?” Leopold asks.
“We…have a large number of horses.” Emil responds. “Lady Byleth opted not to take much calvary with her, feeling it would not help much for her siege.” Of course, it would likely not help us either, Emil thought to himself. “We could likely field several mounted knights. Otherwise, many of the remaining soldiers left to us are infantry. Additionally, we have very, very few winged units.”
“Is there any way that we could bolster our numbers before the enemy’s arrival?” Leopold rests his chin on his fist. “Are there any mercenaries residing in the monastery currently?”
“A few dozen, sir.” Emil says. “They’ve banded under a man named Rodolfo. He claims they’d be willing to lend us a hand…though given the circumstances, their fee is somewhat exorbitant. And of course, we have no guarantee they won’t just turn tail the second things get bad.” Which they already were.
“Pay them whatever they want.” Leopold says with a flick of his hand. “Beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, we can find use for such-“
“Out of the way!” A voice from outside of the room interrupts Leopold’s train of thought. The doors burst open as a familiar face barges through. The eyes of the Knights of Seiros and their aides fall upon the panting man, who has forced his way through the guards standing on the outside.
