Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 424: Ants on an hive(1)

Chapter 424: Ants on an hive(1)

Ten ships cut through the waves, their sails taut with the wind as they crossed the very sea where, just weeks ago, the Romelians and the Confederation of the Free Isle had waged their fateful battle.

The waters once churned with fire and blood, now bore silent witness to the rise of a new order. The Confederation had emerged victorious, and with the Imperial fleet sent to the depths, there was no disputing it—these waters had a new master.

The fleet followed a carefully charted course, the sailing road between Yarzat's foreign outpost on the distant continent and the open seas just above Harmway. Along the way, pirate ships—lesser ones, the kind that lurked in wait for easy prey—spotted the passing fleet. Yet none dared approach.

Their captains knew better than to test the strength of such a force.Against a fleet of warships of this caliber, they were but gnats against a storm.

And so, the pirate vessels kept their distance, content to watch as the ten great ships sailed unhindered, carving their way toward their destination, carrying with them both men and great changes.

Of course, this did not mean there were no forces capable of posing a threat. There were captains who commanded fleets of equal size, men who could, in theory, muster the strength to challenge them. But even if they did, the cost of bringing down such a force—if they even succeeded—would far outweigh any potential gains.

The risk simply wasn't worth it.

And so, ten ships were all that was needed for a quiet sail across the pirate-infested sea. A fortunate circumstance, especially for the guests being transported within—the outsiders—who, unused to the relentless sway of the waves, were busy puking their guts out over the rails.

Torghan heaved over the side of the ship once again, his body convulsing violently as another wave sent his stomach twisting in protest. His arms trembled as he clutched the wooden railing, knuckles white from the effort of keeping himself upright.