Ampelius gestured to the mouth of the bay. “Just north of Greatport, on the coast, there is a small cove where the waves are gentle. The shore is sheltered there, though it's far too shallow for a great beast like this, or a heavily laden merchant vessel. You can anchor there, and set up camp. It's perhaps an hour's ride north via the road. If your wares are good enough, merchants will come to you.”
Ampelius shrugged. “You'll lose some price on the goods themselves, having to deal with middlemen instead of straight to buyers, but you'll not have to pay the city tax, and many merchants will buy in bulk.”
Elias thought about it, resting his hands on the rail. Sighing, he pushed himself back. “Very well. I've got the bounty contracts in my desk. Let's go.”
~ ~ ~
Elias stood on land, letting his legs grow accustomed to the lack of swaying that was life on a ship. The Leviathan was moored securely to the large, ancient stone blocks that made up the pier, the ropes that held her in place as thick as his arm. She jutted out into the bay a fair bit, but not enough to block the traffic of the port; such a thing would be impossible, due to the sheer size of the bay.
The four other ships that had followed him were sailing back out of Greatport, to the place indicated by Ampelius. It would be more of a hassle to get their cargo unloaded and sold, but if they sold it from where they made camp, then they could avoid the duties imposed by the port. Martin, Jonas, Jenna, and Geoff were overseeing that part of the operation, while he left Jonas's second mate in command of the Leviathan while it was docked.
Ampelius had offered to host Elias for a meal, to acquaint him with the current events in Lonwick. After so much time away, he had explained, there were things that Elias should know before settling down to business. Elias had accepted the offer, and once the ships were on their way, he disembarked his ship and entered the city proper.
The city seemed even more massive now that he was in it. Wood and mud brick buildings crowded the streets, and a sea of merchants, sailors, soldiers and civilians flooded nearly everywhere. He didn't think he'd ever seen this many people in one place before, even in Port Greenreef.
He towered above most of the people flowing about him, but they paid him little mind. Humans, elves, and dwarves made up the vast majority of the people doing business near the docks, with even a few half orc slaves, chained and shackled as they carried crates to and fro. While he hated the concept of slavery, he hated orcs even more. He walked past them, heading into the city.
The port authority building was a great stone structure, built out of the same heavy gray blocks that made up the docks, and it towered over the surrounding buildings. A wall that was perhaps twenty feet high surrounded the building, with a catwalk on the inside upon which guards could patrol. The main gate was a tall archway, an iron portcullis drawn up, leaving the building open to the public.
The door was locked, so Elias banged on it with his fist and waited. As he stood in the courtyard, he overheard several soldiers discussing a recent battle.
One of the soldiers, a grizzled looking man with a scar across one eye, took a deep swig from his waterskin. “We routed them right good though. Can't let the shitskins make it to Greatport.”
A younger man shook his head. “These scouting parties are just the tip of the spear. Ain't a damn thing we can do against the Felle if they attack in full force.”
The grizzled older man tied off his waterskin, hanging it back on his belt. “Bah. Fuck that. We got plenty of elves up north would come this way if those pigfaces decided to make a stink. As long as we keep nipping 'em in the bud, they ain't gonna do a damn thing.”
Another man, slender and in a full hooded cloak, shook his head as well. “You know that's not the truth. They wouldn't be able to send a detachment from Silva Aestas in time to stop an attack here in Greatport, and besides, the king would rather let us burn than risk losing Castle Lonwick to a siege.” He rolled the string of his bow in his hands, fidgeting with it. “Can't say I'd blame him too much. Lonwick is the greater prize. It's what I'd do. Call in the troops to fortify Lonwick, and rebuild once the Felle were routed.”
The scarred man belched and wiped his mouth. “That's why you ain't the king, because you don't know what's good for ya. If the king loses Greatport, he loses shipping, he loses supplies, and he loses a shit ton of people who could carry a spear. I say we lead an army south to smash them back into the desert. Orcs die just as quick as any man.”
The cloaked man sat back, leaning against the wall. “And men die as quickly as any orc. There's a whole lot more of them than there are of us, not to mention the ogres and trolls. There's also word of demons and dark wizards in their midst. Mark my words, there will be a war, sooner rather than later, and we're not ready for it.”
The younger man dropped his hands, exasperated. “Well, what the hell are we supposed to do then? It's not like we can give the word to march south and route them. We just sit here on our hands and follow orders, waiting to burn in a siege?”
The older man shook his head. “Nah, again, fuck that. I've got a cousin lives north of Fairhaven, has a farmstead there. It's far enough away from all of this shit, we won't have to worry about it. It's on the coast, so the Northmen don't give a shit about it, see? Lonwick can't reach us, and chances are, neither can the Felle.”
The cloaked man fiddled with the handle of his knife, which was sheathed at his hip. “That's desertion. A man could lose his head over that kind of talk.”
The door to building swung open, and a short, plump man blinked up at Elias, squinting in the sunlight.
“What's your business here?” he asked, his voice thin and frail.
“I was invited here by Commodore Ampelius. I have come to see him.”
The plump man nodded, opening the door all the way. “Yes, yes, come in. He said he was expecting a visitor. Up the stairs and to the left. He's in his office.” With that, the man waddled over to a desk piled high with ledgers, and proceeded to ignore Elias, leaving him to find his own way.
As promised, Ampelius was seated in a sparsely decorated room, more functional than decorative. However, he had a platter of roast beef and bread on one end of a rather large desk, and a carafe and two goblets on the other. He looked up from a parchment as Elias enters, and gestured to a chair that sat across from him. “Sit. I'll be finished with this shortly.”
Elias took a seat, not at all pleased with the elf's commanding tone. It was to be expected, for sure, as Ampelius commanded at least ten ships full of soldiers for the royal navy, but Elias was not among them, and owed this elf no allegiance. He waited for the commodore to finish his writing, keeping his mouth shut.
It was only a few moments before Ampelius sprinkled some sand on the wet ink, and set his feathered quill down. Clasping his hands together, he looked Elias in the eye.
“So, Commodore Elias, welcome to Greatport. I do apologize for that business this morning, but with the country at war, one cannot be too careful.”
Elias nodded. “I understand you did what you must do.”
Ampelius smiled. “Quite. As someone who commands others, I am sure you also understand that what happens at my post definitely concerns me.” He took a slab of beef from the tray, and lay it on a slice of bread. “With that in mind, what concerns me now is why there is a small army of sea elves just outside of my city. What's your purpose here in Greatport, Elias?”
Elias frowned, not wanting to give in to this elf. He reminded him of the people he knew back in Silva Aestas, his home town. Haughty, entitled, and bullies to whoever they felt was beneath them, which more often than not included Elias.
“My business is my own. I seek only information and a market for my wares.”
Ampelius took a bite out of his meal, and pointed at Elias as he spoke around it. “You have a thousand warriors, five warships, and enough goods to fund a small war when they are sold, and you seek only information. I find that difficult to believe.”
Elias's frown de
epened. “It's not my concern whether or not you believe me.”
Ampelius set his food down and regarded Elias thoughtfully. “This isn't some backwater outpost like Greenreef or Jetty, Elias. This is Greatport. It is an extension of Castle Lonwick itself. Here, what you do and why you do it is my business. I am authorized under orders of King Alberic Leonus himself to defend this port and the surrounding waters by any means necessary. If I deem it so, that could include confiscating your ships and cargo, and imprisoning your warriors.”
Elias tensed, growing angry again. Who was this elf to threaten him? “You would have quite a fight on your hands if you tried, commodore.”
Ampelius nodded. “That's true. My forces would, of course, prevail, as I outnumber yours ten to one, but an outright battle on the edge of Greatport is not what either of us seek. So let's cut the bullshit, stop the posturing, and be honest with each other. You lead a force of warriors that, if left to run amok, could cause some serious trouble for my king, my people, and me. Don't you see why that concerns me? I just want to know why you've come.”
Elias scowled. “The Felle had invaded Greenreef, using the pirates as tools to do their bidding. We crushed them, but in doing so, we lost many, friends, family, and lovers. Some few escaped, and sailed back east, here, to the mainland. We followed them to seek vengeance, and eradicate the Felle wherever we find them.”
Ampelius nodded, and picked his food back up. “Now that makes more sense. Please, eat. I feel rude eating by myself when I invited you for a meal.”
Elias took a slab of beef and set it on a slice of bread, as Ampelius had done, and took a bite. It was tender, moist, and almost melted in his mouth. It had been so long since he had eaten beef, and the taste was heavenly.
Ampelius watched Elias as he ate, studying him. “I invited you here so that I could bring you up to speed on the current events of our great country, so it is time that I do that. As I am sure you've gathered, we are at war. Or, rather, on the brink of one. Orcish scouting parties are becoming more and more frequent, to the point where they seem more like advance patrols. It's everything we can do to intercept and destroy them, and there is word from the south that there is a much larger force massing. Since it is beyond our borders, there's not much we can do about it yet. Our forces are best reserved in Lonwick and Greatport, to defend our people here, but there is a war coming, and it will be coming soon. I would assume that your Felle adversaries have joined up with the rest of their ilk in the south; no word of them has come from the north, and our southern contacts have been silent as of late, either having gone missing or refusing to return south.”
Elias nodded, listening to Ampelius as he spoke. It would make sense that Darius Tessermyre wouldn't have sailed into Greatport as brazenly as Elias had. If the Felle were still in the south, then that was likely where he would have gone. However, Elias didn't have the numbers to assault them directly.
Ampelius continued, as if reading Elias's mind. “Your thousand elves would stand no chance against their forces. I do not recommend marching south. Not only would you be annihilated, but it could be the spark needed to set this whole shit storm ablaze. We need more time to fortify our cities, and recruit and train more soldiers.”
Elias shook his head. “No. We're going north, back to Valtheim. I have close friends up there who will aid me, I am sure.”
Ampelius nodded appreciatively. “Some Northern cavalry wouldn't go amiss, no doubt. Gods know that we don't have the horses for them here.”
Elias frowned at that. “No horses?”
Ampelius shrugged. “Most of the horses have been taken to the capital, to reinforce their cavalry. Most of what we kept here was acquired by the Royal Army. We're left with footsoldiers, archers, navy, that's it.”
Elias sat back, troubled. “I had meant to purchase a thousand horses, to ride north.”
Ampelius chuckled. “Well, that's not going to happen. Most of our remaining horses are in reserve. I can spare a score, perhaps two, but they will come at a premium.”
Elias scowled. This was not what he wanted to hear. His travels just got a lot longer.
Ampelius saw Elias's expression change, and sighed. “Look. There's not much to be done for it. I understand your frustration, I really do. My recommendation? Sail your ships up to Jetty. Dock them there. They might not be deep enough to handle your flagship, but they could take your other four. That gets you closer to your goal in the North, it gets you out of my city, and it lets me focus on protecting my people.”
He put another slab of beef on a slice of bread. Pausing, he looked at Elias pointedly. “I meant what I said when I told you not to march south. You will certainly die if you do, but so will your men, and likely thousands more. Do everyone a favor, and keep yourself north of Castle Lonwick.”
Chapter Two
5th Waning Harvest Moon, Year 4369
Jonas, Elias, Jenna, and Martin stood inside of a large pavilion, around a simple wooden table, a map of Lonwick and the Northlands spread out before them. Geoff was busy organizing the transfer of cargo from the ships to the shore; Pearls and shells, obsidian, dried tropical fish, fruit, and pork, gemstones, corals and many other goods unique to the islands. These wares would fetch an excellent price here on the mainland, and help to swell their already considerable coffers. Wars were expensive, and Elias had no intention of running out of gold.
Their camp was on the shore, on a broad flat plain above the waveslope north of Greatport. The sea was to the west of them, and the mountains rose swiftly to the east. There was a wide, gravel path that led from their campsite to a more significant road that ran north to south, terminating in Greatport to the south, and leading to the Northlands. It was along this way that merchants and traders came to purchase their goods.
Elias set stones on the map as he spoke. “According to Commodore Ampelius, the Felle Army is amassing south of Lonwick, in the southern end of the valley.” He set a jagged black stone on the map. “We know that there is a contingent of soldiers at Greatport, a significant number, though we don't know exactly how many. Ampelius hinted at about ten thousand, as he said he outnumbers us ten to one. We also know that the royal army has been pulled back to Castle Lonwick.” He set a gray stone on the bay at Greatport, and a red stone in the center of the valley, northwest of Greatport. “We don't know how many soldiers are there, except that it's at least ten thousand, plus they have cavalry. That's why we can't buy the horses we need.”
Elias set a white stone to the north of Castle Lonwick, near the great mountain at the north end of the valley. “Here is where I grew up, Valtheim, at the foot of Mount Stromgard. Brandt, son of Brynjar, is king there. He has three thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry at his disposal, not counting his bannermen. At least, he did when I was there last.”
Jonas stroked his white-streaked beard. “That's not that many men. We may only have a thousand, but for a king to send away his army... well, he wouldn't be a king for long. Especially if he had a rebellion on his hands.”
Elias shook his head. “We wouldn't ask for all of them. Perhaps a thousand riders and two or three thousand warriors. It'll be a large favor, I know, but Brandt as I were as brothers. If he can, I know he'll agree.”
Martin bit into an apple, nodding. “Aye, four thousand Northern warriors would come in handy during a skirmish. We could come straight down the valley, introduce ourselves at Castle Lonwick, and then head south.”
Jenna crossed her arms over her chest. “If it's a battle we can win. Five thousand against how many? We still don't know how many are fighting for the Felle army, and we have fewer men than we did when we took the Hollow Island.” She shook her head. “I still think it's foolish to battle an army when it's one man we're after.”
Elias looked up at her from the map. “If Darius is with them, he is likely surrounded by his soldiers, who also threaten our passage through Lonwick. If we do not come to aid our country, we may well see it fall while we seek our vengeance.” He
gestured out the opening of the tent, towards the camp where hundreds of sea elves were busy at work. “They seek vengeance as well, and we can't pull it all from the hide of one man.”
Jenna frowned. “How many more lives will be lost in this pursuit?”
Jonas stepped forward and looked over the map. “Fewer than if we let the Felle ride unchecked through Lonwick, and those that would be lost wouldn't be warriors.” He traced a finger from Greatport up the coast to Jetty. “I daresay we'll pick up a mercenary group here or there that will swell our numbers. Maybe some headstrong lads looking to make their names in a war. Might have as many as two thousand fighters by the time we reach Valtheim.” He sighed. “I suppose now the only thing we can do is some reconnaissance. We need to know exactly what we're up against.”
Elias paced around the table. “Jonas, you and Martin are used to traveling fast and light together. Take four warriors with you, and buy six of the fastest horses Ampelius will sell you. Ride south and find out what we're up against, then report back to me by the Full Autumn Moon. That's a little over three weeks away. Meanwhile, I'll ride north to meet with Brandt.” He lifted a cup of water to his lips, taking a long drink. “It has been far too long since we've seen each other.”
Jenna sat in a chair near the wall of the pavilion. “Let us pray that he remains in power to be seen.” She picked up an apple, rolling it in her hands. “And while you ride north, and Jonas rides south, what of the warriors here? We can't leave our goods unprotected, and it will take some time to sell them all.”
Elias rubbed his chin. “We'll need a force to remain in the camp, to ward off any highwaymen. A hundred warriors should be sufficient. We'll also need someone here to oversee our cargo. We'll need the gold; nobody fights for free. Once everything is sold, they can march north and rendezvous with us in Rockhill.”
Jenna sighed. “I suppose that's Geoff and me.”
Thunderbolt (Dynasty of Storms Book 2) Page 2