Mercs:

The Baron | Greenblade | Bletcher | The Hoffmeister | Stiff | Smoke | Mental | The Guvnah | Vixen | Clamor | The Harvester | Randall | Lurin | Rilie | Ori | Mila | The Explorer | Twerk | Sharptooth

Apple Infantry: 120

Lothar met with two of his rogues. "You may think it petty. But I'd like to see this Colonel Wu dead."

"Understandable," said Smoke. "He did leave you at death's door."

"Do you envisage an obstacle?" asked The Baron.

"I do. Once we head for this settlement on the lake, they'll see us coming. Wu can easily escape on the water."

"So you want him dead beforehand?" Smoke asked.

"It's the only way. It means asking you to do it for me, rather than with my own two hands. But then, there's a certain symmetry in that. And it's not simply revenge. I anticipate removing Wu will weaken the Kuthenians." He took the potion from its case and raised it for them to see. "Magic poison. Might be useful."

They both looked at it with the same reluctant expression.

"I can't imagine I'll ever have another reason to use it," he said.

"Then you don't have much of an imagination," Smoke told him. "Save it."

***

Sharptooth was subdued as their squad travelled southeast from the camp, leaving the Wildwood behind. "You still missing Hubert, Sharpy?" Wilson muttered, patting the warg on the shoulder.

The Explorer led them through empty terrain, taking the long route to the lake. With no trees overhead, the sun beat down mercilessly. He stopped on a small rise, gesturing to where the still blue water met the shore. "That's their main settlement."

"Then this is where we leave you," said The Baron. "Best of luck with your endeavours."

The Baron and Smoke departed.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"What are they up to again?" Wilson demanded.

"Blackguard business," said Mental.

"Then why aren't you going, Mila?" he asked.

"It must be blackguard business of the killing kind," she said. "Not my specialty."

"What are we up to, then?" Rumblewind asked. The halfling and the two dwarves filled out their squad of eight.

"Halflings only half listen, it seems," Wilson grumbled. "Stiff went over this."

"I need telling at least twice," Rumblewind said. "Even then, I'm a bit hazy when it comes to details."

"Unprofessional," Wilson pronounced. But the halfling didn't appear to be listening.

"The imperials control the lake," The Explorer said. "But when Clamor and I investigated, we found their rowers are Sargassians."

Rilie looked horrified.

"Not the kind we fought, Rilie," Mila said gently. "When their old empire collapsed, the Sargassians dispersed to the far corners of Gal'azu. Some must have resettled out here."

"Except they've now fallen under the control of the Kuthenian Empire," The Explorer continued. "We found a small harbour, miles away from the main settlement. Here the Sargassians are kept as prisoners when they're not being used on the boats. If we release them, and capture the ships, we'll disrupt their activities. It's a first step towards taking control of the lake."

"And where is this harbour?" Wilson demanded.

Jaelin pointed. "It's not visible from here. But you see that cliff?"

"Aye."

"There's a path there that descends to the harbour and the prison. That's our objective."

The Explorer led them to the cliff, from where they could spy on the harbour and its small camp. Both harbour and camp were empty.

"So we wait for them to return?" Wilson asked.

"That's the plan," said Jaelin. "They returned in the early evening when I observed them."

Randall peered down. "Why not wait for them down there?" the dwarf suggested. "It would save clambering down this cliff walk and getting spotted."

"He's got a point," Wilson said.

Jaelin shrugged. "Alright, we can check the place out. But it might not be deserted, so be alert."

They picked their way down the cliff, The Explorer leading them with bow at the ready. They reached the shore with no incident. The wooden pier was new. A couple of cogs were tied there, perhaps in need of repair.

They moved on to the wooden buildings. "Stay with me, Sharpy," Wilson muttered to the warg. He had his axes ready, in case anyone was lying in wait.

They joined Mental and Randall and entered the largest building. A bad smell hit the gnome.

"So this is where they keep the Sargassians," Mental said, nudging a mean looking straw pallet with her boot.

"As slaves," said Wilson. Chains were anchored to the floor next to many of the beds. He grew hot and clenched the handles of his axes.

"These Sargassians don't want to be here," Randall said. The dwarf had a mean look about him. "I need to get some air and have a think."

Wilson left with him, and Mental told the others what they'd found.

Mila, The Explorer, and Rilie looked around a bit more before returning. "The guards' rooms are basic but comfortable," Mila reported. "About thirty live here."

"Quite a lot for us to deal with," Wilson said.

"These Sargassians might help us," Mental suggested.

"I would judge we're dealing with six ships," said Randall. "Twenty rowers to a vessel, with five Kuthenian guards."

"Sounds right," said The Explorer. "I watched one of the vessels come in. The rowers were led off in chains."

"Wait," said Wilson. "If the boats come in one at a time, we're only dealing with five Kuthenians at a time?"

The others looked at him as realisation dawned.

"This could be quite easy," Lurin said. "So long as we do it right."

Wilson watched the first cog pull into harbour, peering around the corner of a wooden building. He placed a steadying hand on his mount. Sharptooth could sense that battle was coming.

The Sargassians were led off in chains. Heavy-Hands had it right. Five armed Kuthenians shepherded twenty rowers towards their hut—straight to where the Apples lay in wait.

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