____ Silas didn't remember much about the Northbank province, other than it had two major cities and was ruled by Baron Von Kruber, who had been his father's associate before the great crisis ten years ago. Like several other houses at that time, Von Kruber's clan also struggled with severe economic deficits in the wake of famine that devastated the country for two years straight. If the others were exacerbating their downfall with extravagant spending, his insolvency resulted from a combination of poor management and a series of failures to kickstart the realm's agricultural sector. One thing led to another, The Von Kruber could have well ended like Rosenving or Stritzel; the former ended up in bankruptcy, all of their fortune sized and their privilege stripped off, while the latter reduced to a minor house with a terrible reputation (some said the head of the clan regularly sleep with her pet bear, but Silas too occupied to get into details about someone else's hobby, nor care about it.) Anyway, the crisis could be averted after his father took over the Baron's existing debt and loaned him a generous amount of fortune to start a new enterprise again. Of course, the help came with its caveat, and nobody else was any wiser. The pragmatism behind his father's help was apparent with the Baron becoming his father's puppet and additional voice to strengthen his grip in Kindeance Representative Council. The leniency his father provided, combined with [i]alternatives[/i] to postpone the payment had lulled the baron wholesale. Years passed, yet debt remained. The Delving never forgets and so did their debitors before their piling obligations. And that was how Von Kruber became eternally indebted to his family. The amount had been so astronomical the payment was no longer about financial gain. His father practically owned Von Kruber. And his land. And his fortress. And perhaps every soul within the realm. Admittedly, the last part was his own conclusion. But it didn't take the wisest of man to draw such illations; of course the other nobles wouldn't want to dirty their hand with a matter as dangerous as keeping a prince hostage, and thus the most incriminating role was delegated to the most desperate of them all. It was underhanded indeed. But personally, Silas had no opinion about it one way or another. That was just how life works, and the reality in the upper echelon of society was full of sophisticated backstabbers who had no qualms with using dead bodies as stepping stones to earn higher standing. That realization reminded Silas of his father's mantra; when surrounded by wolves you have to be a bigger wolf, be a better pack, and trust nobody but your own family. As he contemplated, Kirsten pointed at a crowd of people standing on the roadside in the distance ahead. [b][color=#F6E1D3]"Look at those people. Do you know them?"[/color][/b] Silas did not know them, but he could guess who they were. A mercenary group, either hired by Von Kruber or their poor informant back at Hdur. There were at least ten of them, with some younger members taking the lead, and seemed itching for a fight. The party approached the group cautiously, and Silas was the first to dismount with saber still sheathed. Those men combined had no chance against him alone, but a bloodbath was not what he was here for. Thankfully the tension eased up when a slightly older man stepped forward. [b]"What's with the high-strung faces? Sheath your junk, We ain't beating anybody on this premises! Go back there, let me handle this. Admiral Silas Delving, correct? Pardon the boys, Ser, we had a rough night last nite so everyone is on edge." [/b] Silas raised an eyebrow at that sergeant. [b][color=FEF9A7]"Explain, would you kindly? Give me the full story."[/color][/b] [b]"Mhmm.." [/b]The sergeant looked at his men reluctantly before clearing his throat. [b]"So last night, some schmuck shanked our night watchers and caused a ruckus. Of course some of the men responded. Then a very tall orc appeared. She was as big as the bulkiest man in our rank. Green, and muscled, armed to teeth and wearin' plates. Matilda Grimsword, she introduced herself."[/b] [b][color=FEF9A7]"Ironsword you mean?"[/color][/b] [b]"Oh ja! She introduced herself as an important high-ranker of some sort from the capital. I know nothing bout her but the capt certainly did. They talked, so left them to settle their business. When the last time I checked there were sounds of canons being set off and fires in one of the houses. Then our men had a scuffle with that envoys." [/b] [b][color=FEF9A7]"Why did your men fight them? I thought you said they were from the capital."[/color][/b] [b]"I know, some know, but most didn't. Capt was so occupied with the orc lady that the other boys were not properly notified. When we heard the explosion and saw the dead and the wounded, they thought the enemy was attacking, and the only strangers in sight were those envoys.[/b] [b][color=FEF9A7]"How many men are in your company?" [/color][/b] [b]"Supposed to be no less than 40, yeah, give or take." [/b] It was a substantial number, but the deplorable tone in his voice said even forty men were not enough to contain [i]them[/i]. [b][color=FEF9A7]"What happened next?" [/color][/b] [b]"We dragged our captain's sorry ass out of the ruined barn. Messed up all over but alive. The brawl continued for a while but when we reorganized for a counter-attack, the envoys were already scurrying off to the forest. Probably afraid of fighting us all. To be honest Ser, the boys were extremely pissed, and I tell you not even a disciplined soldier would care about procedures and shit in the heat of battle." [/b] Silas rubbed his chin, nodding as if confirming the mercenary's story. Some details were omitted, he knew that, but the Admiral find no pleasure in forcing a man to truthfully admit that his group had their arses kicked by several foreigners. He knew the feeling. [b][color=FEF9A7]"Did you know what they were after? [/color][/b] [b]"Nay, but Capt certainly knows." [/b] He lied again. [b][color=FEF9A7]"Sure he does, but you said he is at Pesti. So I will ask you instead. What are you doing here?" [/color][/b] [b]"Oh, that will be to clear up the south path. Then to send his letter to the army. Had to smooth this thing up, the captain said. That one Madame Matilda guaranteed that we will not be persecuted and will be compensated for the collateral killings her party did, and-- I am sorry Ser, but the letter is secret. Kindly ask the Captain if you wish to know more."[/b] The answer irked him more than he had anticipated. Since then the word [b]secret[/b] was being thrown around this easily? It was the second time this day people failed to notice the significance of his nobility, and Silas had been inwardly wrestling with himself to not massacre these pathetic people right here, right now. Misplaced respect aside, there was a possibility Matilda had informed crucial information about the Prince to them, and neither his father nor the king wanted the information leaked, did they? More importantly, it was Silas who did not want it, because it will undermine the effort he was working on. Gulping down a breath to calm himself, Silas would let this one slide. Then again, what was the use if the rest of his company was not taken down as well? Did he really intend to do a massacre in broad daylight? In a populated civilian town? [b][color=FEF9A7]"I understand. But you said clearing the path? From what?"[/color][/b] [b]"Ivies, the worst kind of thorny plants that grew as if they were conjured from hell just this morning! It blocked the roads to both Pesti and Fanghorn. We hacked, burned, and trampled on them but they kept growing. I swear some of them had minds on their own. We rubbed tallow on our blades and lit it ablaze until the iron was red. It was angry, it moved like a horsewhip and attacked some of my men. It took hours for us just to get through." [/b] The admiral nodded. [b][color=FEF9A7]"So you suspected it was the envoys who grew the roadblock? Did your men see where they flee after the skirmishes?" [/color][/b] [b]"Can't say for sure, but who else? Where did they run? Probably to Fanghorn. Some of my boys saw their horses heading to the north. Are you looking for them any chance?" [/b] When a noble didn't answer immediately, one should immediately realize that they have done something impudent and seek forgiveness. [b][color=FEF9A7]"No." [/color][/b] [b]"well if you are, you should visit our captain. He knows more than what he lets on."[/b] The nosy type like this was the reason why Silas considered drawing his sword. Relax, no need to be drastic, there was elegance in patience, even when even dealing with boorish plebians. [b][color=FEF9A7]"I will keep that in mind." [/color][/b] The admiral left the man and mounted his horse. When they rode past him, the sergeant's next words came and go like they were not relevant to him anymore. [b]"Remember, Ser Silas, tallow on your sword if you want to get past them. You don't have to worry about the path leading to Pesti though, as we have cleared it for you." [/b] It was Kirsten who bothered to offer a smile and say thank you.