Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World C.138 Muddy Waters - The pirates on the Bay (I)

Contrary to most Stahl's villages, Frostwave Bay lacked defensive walls, presenting itself as a seemingly simple and defenseless village, despite being the most important city in the entire East. Positioned between forested hills and the vast sea, the city had a natural protection from external threats. The only way to access Frostwave Bay was via the White Merchant Road, a land route that linked the city to the rest of the kingdom.

"Are you sure these numbers are accurate?" - Henry asked, reviewing the documents in his hands as they descended the forested hills. The bay had already been hidden from view by the dense foliage. Walking closely behind the mounted king, Benjamin nodded firmly - "Yes, my king. General Iosif provided this information, and we confirmed it with the soldiers who accompanied him." Henry extended the documents toward Benjamin, who hastened his steps to retrieve them - "Twenty thousand people... that's impressive, equivalent to the population of Mirante," Henry remarked, a hint of disbelief in his tone. "Did the General discover why the city grew so rapidly?" - Henry inquired, but before anyone could respond, Leier abruptly halted her horse and drew her sword, her golden eye scanning the surrounding woods with suspicion. In a synchronized motion, the soldiers sprang into action, the cavalry forming a protective circle around the king and the scribes, while the infantry secured the rear. "Stay behind, my liege!" - Leier said, her grip tightening on her sword - "Someone has been watching our movements for a while, but it stopped. They might be preparing an ambush." - Leier was like a shadow afraid of their owner dying.

For several tense minutes, they remained on high alert, but no attack came their way. They could only hear the sound of silence being broken by the distant sounds of the sea and rustling leaves - "Perhaps just a few scouts or a wild animal. No cause for alarm. Let's continue." - He said, his ears perked up and noticing that no human sound could be heard from the forest.

Henry's intuition proved correct. A scout, draped in what seemed to be made of a bear's white fur, ran through the forest with impressive speed and agility. She dodged the trees and used them to raise her speed, her small and slender body helping her achieve it. Her steps led her towards an objective direction, like a child exploring the familiar path behind their grandmother's house. She had to warn the city about these visitors.

Back on the White Merchant Road, the soldiers maintained their positions for another five minutes before they began to move again, this time with the cavalry surrounding the king while the infantry guarded the rearguard cautiously. They were on high alert. Leier, leaving the king's side, took charge at the forefront of the troops. They kept their weapons unsheathed, ready to react.

"So, was he able to understand?" - Henry inquired, deciding to let the soldiers focus on their duties while he concentrated on the matter at hand.

"Understand what?" Graham, tightly clutching the documents, stuttered as he asked with confusion, his eyes darting fearfully toward the forest. Benjamin, more accustomed to army movements and danger, promptly nudged Graham's head, bringing him back to the present. The question was directed at him, not at this clueless noble's offspring.

Taking the lead, Benjamin explained - "According to the General, this village was merely a fishing village a few years ago, with only a thousand residents. However, during the late king's reign, bandits descended from the hills and seized control of the village. The nobles responsible for this area were plainly sitting in the capital and paid little heed to the situation. The bandits exploited the trade of stolen goods to attract more people to the village, eventually transforming it into a thriving city using merchants' stolen goods, attracting more and more people to gather here. Furtherm-"

Henry didn't let him finish, his thoughts escaping his lips as the strategy of the bandits crossed his mind - "They needed a location to sell their goods more conveniently, away from the throne's reach. So, they chose the easternmost village, beyond the king's influence." - The king said, his fingers rhythmically tapping the reign in his grasps, before continuing.

"They monopolized trade in the entire East, essentially legitimizing their actions by taking control of the city and the structure of power. My father and his troops already had enough in his hands, dealing with the nobles, the barbarians and the problems in the other regions. He had no choice but to temporarily relinquish his control over this part of the kingdom." - He finished to the astonishment of Benjamin and the fearful Graham. They were raised feeling smart, but they were ashamed being called intelligent in front of this man.

"Yes, my liege" - Benjamin said, after a brief moment of silence, completely agreeing with the king's assumptions - "Their reign only ended when Iosif's reached the city, on his campaign to eradicate the bandits and clean the White Merchant Road."

-x-

The scout reached Frostwave Bay in record time, breathlessly shouting - "Troops! Troops are descending from the hill!" - as she darted through the narrow streets, dodging startled onlookers. "Troops on the hills!"- she repeated frantically, alerting everyone in her path. Reaching the wooden docks, where ships departed for fishing, she located a large bell and struck it three times with a nearby hammer, its resonating clang echoing throughout the city. The tolling of the bell conveyed everything the city needed to know. Panic swept through Frostwave Bay, as if its inhabitants had trained countless times for this scenario. Ships within earshot hastily returned to the docks, their sailors disembarking with weapons at the ready. Mothers ushered their children indoors, barricading their homes and peering cautiously through cracks in their windows. Men and women alike armed themselves, be it with swords, wooden staffs, or even kitchen knives, as if they were born bandits. -x-

"They were already expecting us" - Leier remarked, her gaze shifting towards the surrounded king as they descended the forested hills that guarded Frostwave Bay's rear. Even amid the descent, the distant tolling of the bell reached their ears - "It was indeed a scout."

Though unable to use his mana, Henry's keen ears and trained body allowed him to discern the bell's sound - "How many soldiers did the general leave stationed here?" - he asked, turning to Graham, who seemed to have snapped out of his fear after hearing Leier's words. There were no attack nearing them.

"Twelve soldiers, my king"- Graham replied, scratching his head lightly, ensuring his fear hadn't clouded his memory.

"Twelve soldiers in a city of twenty thousand residents, once controlled by bandits. They wouldn't be enough to suppress the citizens "- Henry murmured, shaking his head - "Unfortunately, there was no other choice. We needed the troops back in the capital."

-x-

Unbeknownst to Henry andhis troops, as the bells rang, a black-bearded middle-aged man, reeking the nauseous scent of fish, moved swiftly, fearful of being detected by the residents. Boarding a ship, he vanished into the ocean, his destination a mystery, evading notice by the townsfolk.

"I must inform the chief." - Those words escaped his mouth, as he left the area of the bay's protection.