Chapter 5: I Have an Idea

Chapter 5: I Have an Idea

The brigantine slipped back into the mist, sailing toward Bretonnia.

Drakus lay in his bunk, wanting to sleep, but he tossed and turned, unable to find rest. With a sigh, he shouldered his halberd and prepared to head to the deck for some exercise.

On deck, Dastan Cold-Eye was still at the helm, while Edmund was leading the soldiers in training. Since they were already there, what else was there to do but train?

Drakus stood on the deck, waved at Dastan Cold-Eye on the upper deck, and shouted, "Edmund!"

The two men set aside their work, walked over quickly, and saluted. Drakus leaned against the deck railing, letting the sea breeze hit him, and asked, "How is the situation?"

"Young Master, the ship has set sail. We will reach the coast of Bretonnia in two months."

In this world, a day was twenty-four hours, a week was eight days, and a year was four hundred days.

Drakus nodded and looked at Edmund, who stood there with a blank expression, unsure of what to say. Drakus then looked at the severed head hanging behind the mast and said, "Make sure the head from the duel with Franis is well-preserved; that is his trophy. How many sets of armor did we seize?"

Edmund replied, "My Lord, I will have someone see to it. One White Lion breastplate is completely ruined, but we have two sets of White Lion armor and fourteen sets of light armor."

Drakus said with a bored tone, "Are we here to conduct serious business, or to have some fun?"

Dastan Cold-Eye understood immediately and said, "Young Master? Are you thinking of taking a stroll through our cousins' village?"

"What else? Send someone to call Renn over; let's discuss it."

The three Druchii said nothing more. Dastan Cold-Eye and Edmund fell into thought, while Drakus looked at the mast, bored.

Before long, Renn also walked over quickly.

Drakus said, "I have a plan, A big plan!"

Then, switching to Druchii, he added, "Since we're already here, let's find a village to wander through." After saying this, he stood up, walked over to Renn, looked into his brown pupils, and said, "There is something you need to do."

At night, the two moons, Mannslieb and Morrslieb, hung in the sky. A tranquil silence settled over the land of Ulthuan, bathed in silver, mist-like moonlight. Renn, wearing White Lion armor and carrying a great axe, appeared on the main road of the Ulthuan coastline. Looking at the flickering lights of the city walls in the distance, he took a deep breath and began to run against the wind.

The town was surrounded by a five-meter-high wall. The garrison on the walls noticed Renn's arrival and went on alert. Panting heavily, Renn ran to the city gate and propped his axe on the ground, gasping for air.

The Sea Guard captain on the wall watched him with suspicion, while the other soldiers drew their bows, aiming at Renn.

Renn looked up and said, "A group of Druchii pirates has landed. Our team participating in the White Lion trials was ambushed and scattered."

The Sea Guard captain was not easily fooled and asked, "Which house are you from?"

"I am a woodcutter from Tor Galed, not a noble."

"What is the name of the daughter of the head of House Rekai?"

Renn’s heart skipped a beat, but he replied, "How would I know if Lord Solka has a daughter? Do you think I'm a spy?"

"One last question: what is the name of Lord Solka's son?"

Renn shouted impatiently, "Kole! Are you done yet?"

The town's garrison commander, having learned of the situation, hurried up to the ramparts. Hearing the exchange, he nodded to himself. He leaned over the wall and asked, "How many Druchii pirates are there?"

"About forty or so. We broke through and got scattered. I came to notify you to increase your guard; I have to go back and find my companions. Lord Enna of House Lariel is still in the woods." With that, he turned to head back.

Upon hearing the noble name, the garrison commander’s mind raced. He said, "Wait, I'll send a century of Sea Guard with you."

The centurion of the century held a torch, observing Renn’s brown pupils with suspicion. Seeing they were not the black and purple pupils unique to the Kingdom of Nagarythe, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Renn led the century away, guiding these poor souls toward the ambush circle deep in the woods. Once they reached the spot, Renn said, "Should we put out the torches? It’s so quiet around here; are we being watched?"

The centurion looked at him skeptically and handed him the torch from a nearby soldier. "You take it and lead the way in front. Everyone else, extinguish your torches and stay close. Don't get separated. If there's danger, form a defensive line immediately."

Renn looked at the centurion with feigned anger, took the torch, and walked ahead. Suddenly, he stopped in front of a tree trunk and stared at it.

Then, Renn said, "There's a mark on the tree. My people are nearby. Praise the God of Deceit." As he finished, he threw the torch away, rolled his body, and flipped behind the tree trunk. An arrow thudded into the trunk where Renn had just been standing.

After firing the arrow, the centurion roared, "Ambush! Form up!"

The Sea Guard huddled together, using the tree trunks as cover to form a small square. The Sea Guard archers in the center of the formation pulled their bows halfway, but the woods were pitch black, and they couldn't see a thing. The Sea Guard breathed heavily, tense with nerves.

In the distance, Alissa climbed up from the ground, raised her golden serpent staff, and began to channel the Wind of Ghur, muttering incantations. Several Dreadspears also climbed up, forming a line with shields raised in front of Alissa.

The woodland was activated by the Wind of Ghur. A strong gale blew through the trees, and a storm of nearby branches and leaves swirled toward the Sea Guard. Branches whipped and thorns entangled them; the Sea Guard trapped within let out screams of agony.

While the Sea Guard were screaming over there, Drakus was distracted, muttering to himself, "So there are more than six spells? Is this 'Woodland Awakening' or 'Awakening of the Wood'? Aren't those Life magic spells?"

Alissa finished casting and leaned against a tree trunk, panting, cold sweat on her forehead. She looked at Drakus and said, "My Lord, I have cast the woodland awakening spell. Their formation should be in chaos."

Drakus teased, "You're looking a bit weak; you need to build up your strength." Then, he shouted, "Edmund!"

Edmund understood and shouted, "Attack!"

"Druchii, spear and shield!"

"Praise Khaine!"

It was the same old routine. The Black Ark Corsairs and the crew brought along began firing with their repeater crossbows. The Dreadspears and Bleakswords pressed forward with shields raised, while the Black Ark Corsairs and Beastmasters followed behind the spearmen and swordsmen, continuing to fire.

After the six-bolt magazines were emptied, the Black Ark Corsairs hung their repeater handbows at their waists and drew their weapons, fishing nets, grappling hooks, and barbed steel chains. The Beastmasters, after firing their harpoons, drew their whips.

The Sea Guard's formation had long since collapsed. Some were shot dead by incoming bolts, some had their eyes slashed by leaves, and others were tripped to the ground by thorns.

"Charge!"

Drakus also charged forward, wielding his sword and shield. The Black Ark Corsairs threw their nets and steel chains, and the melee began.

The slaughter had begun!

(End of chapter)