103 Why would they?
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Observing the absence of villagers and farmers in the farmlands, Count Bernarnt couldn't shake the sense that something was amiss. Rather than rushing in blindly, he made the decision to establish an encampment and take a step back to reevaluate the situation. Bernarnt understood the importance of caution and patience in such a delicate state, and he knew that waiting until the next day would provide him with a clearer perspective. Prioritizing safety over risking the entire campaign at its inception was the wise choice, and he was determined to proceed with prudence and care.
As the evening drew near, the army began to make preparations for a night of rest. Count Bernarnt and his loyal knight Godfrey took a moment to enjoy a private conversation over a meal and a glass of wine to satiate their hunger. The flickering flames of the nearby torches cast a warm glow on their faces as they spoke in hushed tones, discussing their plans for the coming days. The night air was filled with the sounds of the camp settling down for the night, and the two companions took comfort in the sense of camaraderie that surrounded them. Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
''So tell me, Godfrey, why do you think the rebels evacuated the people from the area?''
"My lord, it is difficult to say for certain why , there could be many reasons . However, if I had to speculate, it may have been to avoid any threat of innocent farmers being executed as threat to open the wall in case of siege. Although this would have never caused the rebels to surrender, it would have likely lowered the morale of the army. Alternatively, the rebels could be preparing an ambush and moved the people to prevent them from sharing information with us. Regardless, I am not really convinced on these, as there must be a clearer reason for their actions." Godfrey resoned ''What we know is that the rebels had a hand in the disappearance of the farmers. Since there was no sign of fighting, it seems that they evacuated the area , stripping the land of food and denying us resupply. Every option points to the preparation of a siege , but why is that?'' We have a clear line of supply, so it would be disastrous for them'' said the count to his knight , prompting Godfrey to hypothesize a reason ''Maybe they are looking to gain time , hoping that an army to support them will arrive'' said Godfrey, while playing with some bread in his hand .
''The only army that could support them would be that of the boy in northern Italy; however, it is unlikely he will desert that frontier to arrive here in the south since it would mean leading all his allies to certain doom.''
''Maybe they are waiting for the other regions to rebel and encircle us '' .
Godfrey suggestion that the rebels were hoping to gain time and potentially expecting other regions to rise up and surround the French army, made the count shiver with a bit of fear.
As the sun rose and the air cooled down, the army broke camp and prepared for the next leg of the march. Scouts were sent ahead to check for the presence of pro-Hohestaufen troops and assess the situation with the farmers and local inhabitants. The scouts claimed that there was no sign of soldiers or farmers in the area, indicating that the rebel army had left in a hurry. The army was still in the dark about the reason for the sudden disappearance of the villages and farmers in the region; nonetheless, their job was not to know but to obey , so ignorantly they marched ahead as ordered by Berarnt de Baux.
After hours of marching, the Provencal-French army reached the walls of the city of Cosenza. The Count ordered the army to take no unnecessary risks as they approached the city. Once they came closer, they could see that the rebels had already taken control of the city and were preparing for a siege. It had been their plan all along to force the army into rebel territory, making it impossible for them to secure the support of the local population or supplies. With the rebels already in control of Calabria and Sicily, the Count knew that the army was now deep in hostile territory, facing a potential siege and the need to find a way to conquer the city, continue their advance toward the rebel base, and stop any other attempt to undermine French control over the kingdom .
Cosenza was the first and foremost region where the conflict between Conradin and Charles' forces would begin, and the streets were ready to be stained with the blood of those who fought for the glory and future of their respective kings and nations.
The stones were set, and the first battle was about to commence. It would be a fight between two armies, both fighting for a leader who was not present with them but that was equally fighting in northern Italy.
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