Everything was ready now, only the east wind was missing. Today, as long as he could lure that Kenmays Family's transport convoy into the city, Lorist guaranteed he could force that so-called Flying Feather Mercenary Corps to surrender, and then that large batch of transported supplies would securely fall into his hands. If the Kenmays Family knew that the supplies they had painstakingly transported to the Northland had all been made into wedding gowns for others, the Kenmays Family Head and his son, that Viscount, would surely have very interesting expressions.
Yesterday at dawn,
Patt said that when he arrived at Poplar Beach, he told the mercenaries stationed there about Lorist's purpose, and the mercenaries immediately raised a huge ruckus. That mercenary leader Hossi was still conflicted about whether doing this violated mercenary ethics, but his subordinates nearly drew knives over the reward of ten gold Forde per person that Lorist offered, everyone wanting to go. After a whole day of uproar, they finally used drawing lots to select nineteen mercenaries, plus the deputy leader
Lorist set his mind at ease; the mercenaries apparently weren't a problem. With such a high bounty waiting for them to claim, as long as mercenaries familiar with the Flying Feather Mercenary Corps exchanged a few greetings and words to lure the transport convoy into the city, ten gold Forde would be in hand. For poor mercenaries, this was a massive bounty sufficient to settle down and establish a livelihood, easily obtained — he believed they would all cooperate fully.
Outside the city walls, there were no longer slave laborers working. Miss Telesti had arranged for them to go outside the rear walls to gather stones, sand, clay, and various other construction materials. Only two hundred relatively obedient slave laborers were left in the valley to sweep up trash and clean the ground, so that once the transport convoy was secured, these slave laborers could be responsible for moving the supplies the convoy brought.
The original convoy in the valley, the former bandits' relatives, and those two thousand-plus people Lorist had brought from Maple Forest Manor and Northfield Town had also all withdrawn, setting up camp outside that rear wall. Lorist hoped to erase the traces his people had left in the valley clearing, so that the supposedly very suspicious Flying Feather Mercenary Corps leader wouldn't have any suspicions. For this, he also asked that mercenary leader Jim to inspect things, to see if there were any other places that needed hiding.
Jim walked a circuit around the entire valley clearing, and upon returning only made one suggestion: that Lorist needed to hide all the guards and sentries wearing iron chain armor, because mercenaries were poor and couldn't afford iron armor. If even two or three iron-armored guards were discovered, it would very likely make the Flying Feather Mercenary Corps' leader Adams suspicious.
At this moment, the Kenmays Family's banner with three interlinked gold rings fluttered atop the city walls. Twelve defensive ballistae were arrayed on the walls, and to prevent discovery, they were covered with blue-green waterproof oilcloth.
Josk leaned against a crenel of the city wall wearing a set of crude leather armor, a half-withered grass stem clamped between his teeth out of boredom. His task today was to guard the wall — once the transport convoy entered the city, he absolutely would not let a single person escape.
Lorist also wore a suit of gray leather armor. Today he was playing the role of
"Don't be so nervous," Lorist said to Steward Boris. "We've prepared thoroughly; we won't give ourselves away. You just act normally as usual. Isn't it just welcoming the transport convoy in, then saying a few words to that Flying Feather Mercenary Corps leader to complete the handover? Once that's done you can go on your way; I'll handle everything after that. Rest assured, I guarantee I'll protect your safety."
Lorist's assessment of Steward Boris was that this old man was very capable — tasks assigned to him were always handled in an orderly fashion. He was an excellent administrative clerk and management talent. His only flaw was that the old man feared death greatly; otherwise he wouldn't have surrendered so readily and then continued to serve Lorist wholeheartedly as before.
"Steward Boris, after this operation succeeds I'll send people to Red River Valley Manor Castle to bring your family out. This is my promise to you as a lord." Lorist said solemnly to Steward Boris beside him.
"My lord, thank you, thank you. I will certainly serve you wholeheartedly." Steward Boris was deeply moved, nearly brought to tears.
...
Around ten in the morning, two swift horses arrived ahead of the transport convoy. Jim, standing on the wall, recognized one of the riders — a member of the Flying Feather Mercenary Corps. They exchanged loud jokes and curses with the mercenaries on the wall from below, then informed them that the transport convoy would need about two more hours to arrive, requesting that the city prepare hot water and food for them. Then they declined the mercenaries on the wall's suggestion to enter the city for a brief rest, turned their horses around, and rode back to report.
Time passed slowly amid anxious, uneasy waiting. Before long the sun had climbed overhead, and finally, on the distant wilderness, an unbroken pall of dust rose up.
Another half hour passed, and the Kenmays Family's transport convoy was clearly visible. A dozen or so Flying Feather Mercenary Corps members, riding fine horses with white goose feathers stuck in their hats, came galloping in. They rode straight through the open city gate, then reined in their mounts on the open ground not far from the gate, dismounted, and began clamoring loudly: "Where are the people?" "Exhausted to death..." "Where's the water?"
Reining in his horse, he pointed toward the dozens of large tents arranged with chairs on the open ground to the left of the valley and said: "My lords, please go over there. Roast meat, wheat porridge, and smoked meat with boiled potatoes are all ready. Steward Boris even ordered us to bring several barrels of ale for you to sample. If you're tired, you can rest in the tents. If you wish to bathe, just give the word and we'll prepare hot water..."
A mercenary from the Flying Feather Mercenary Corps exclaimed in surprise: "Ho, your steward sure is thorough! I'd say this treatment rivals those high-end hotels or inns — aside from the lack of women, everything else is pretty much the same."
Another mercenary said: "Come on, let's go. What's with all the chatter? Better to down a few cups of ale first before the main force arrives and we don't get our turn to drink our fill..."
Good. Lorist watched this band of mercenaries head toward the tent area under Reidy and the others' lead. For now, everything was under control. These advance-scout mercenaries had detected nothing amiss, nor did they harbor any suspicion.
The transport convoy finally arrived. When it was less than three to four hundred meters from the city walls, a group of over a hundred Flying Feather mercenaries rode out from the convoy ahead of the rest, galloping to the foot of the walls. They began forming ranks not far from the city gate. A middle-aged man clad in chainmail with a leather half-cloak draped over it approached the gate with two attendants in tow.
The mercenary leader Jim leaned half his body out from atop the wall and called out loudly: "Ahah, I say, White-Haired Adams, what are you up to? Having your men form ranks — you trying to show off how imposing the Flying Feather Mercenary Corps is?"
The middle-aged man looked up, spotted Jim, and greeted him with a grin: "Heh, Hatchet Jim, so it's you, you bastard. Where's Hasky?"
"The boss is on that rear wall. Heard you lot were coming so he went over there. You know our boss doesn't think much of your Flying Feather Mercenary Corps." Jim said, then asked curiously: "What are you doing? Why not enter the city? Steward Boris prepared food and ale for you. Those dozen or so who came earlier are already enjoying themselves. Damn it, I'm stuck on duty here today, otherwise I'd really like to go have a few drinks..."
"How about I bring a barrel of wine up to the wall to find you later?" Captain Adams said.
Jim laughed atop the wall, baring all his front teeth: "That'd be great. Don't just bring wine — remember to bring some snacks to go with it..."
At this moment, the mercenaries beside Jim also loudly greeted the acquaintances they spotted in the Flying Feather Mercenary Corps…
"Hey, Jim, heard a few months back you lot suffered a setback in front of that
"Ugh, don't mention it. Lost dozens of men. Our mercenaries didn't lose much, only four died, mainly because we saw which way the wind was blowing and didn't fight to the death. Those peasant soldiers the Viscount conscripted lost over thirty. Honestly, that Norton Family manor castle isn't easy to take. By the way, why do you ask?" Jim asked.
"Mm, our Flying Feather Mercenary Corps will be garrisoned here from now on. We've been escorting supplies for over half a year, finally can take a break. In another month or so, when the next supply run comes, the Viscount's family army will also arrive. Then the Viscount will launch another attack on the Norton Family, forcing them to submit." Captain Adams said, looking up.
"The Viscount's family army? Won't it be those peasant soldiers again? If it's still those peasant soldiers, the Viscount will have made the trip for nothing again. Might as well stay here and defend the city, save the trouble of running back and forth." Jim mocked from atop the wall.
"No, this time the Kenmays Family spent a fortune in the capital organizing a force of nearly two thousand men, recruiting retired officers and soldiers, fully equipped. Once they reach the Northlands, the Kenmays Family's power will rise to a top-tier territorial nobility. Jim, my boy, do well, and you might catch the Kenmays Family's eye, become their Family Knight. Then you won't have to be a mercenary anymore." Captain Adams said.
Jim waved his hand from atop the wall: "Pah, I wouldn't hope for that kind of luck to fall on me. You know I hate dealing with nobles. Those nobles are all man-eaters who don't bat an eye. In their eyes, us mercenaries are all lowly scum, selling our lives for a bit of coin. This Cleaver Jim doesn't like dancing to nobles' tunes. Born to be a mercenary. Earning more coin, finding a good woman, settling down and having a fat baby is my greatest wish. Right, brothers?"
The mercenaries on the wall roared with laughter, chiming in their agreement, a few even shouting that one wife wasn't enough, Boss Jim should marry two, one woman couldn't handle Boss Jim's energy, and so on…
Captain Adams laughed and cursed: "You bastards…"
…
Lorist and Steward Boris descended the city walls, exited the city gates, and came before Captain Adams.
"Captain Adams, you've had a hard journey. Were there any damages or losses to the supplies?" Steward Boris asked.
"Heh, Steward Boris, hello. The supplies are all intact. Rest assured, our Flying Feather Mercenary Corps has an outstanding reputation; we wouldn't embezzle supplies like those low-life mercenary bands. Here's the manifest for the convoy's supplies; you can verify it." Captain Adams reached into his bosom and pulled out several sheets of beast-skin paper, handing them over.
"Hmm, Steward Boris, your complexion doesn't look too good. Did something happen?"
"The food at the construction site can only last three or four more days. Because of worry, he hasn't been sleeping well at night and caught a chill. Right now he's forcing himself to hold on; look, his whole body sometimes trembles. Just now I told him to rest but he refused…"
"Oh, so that's it. Steward Boris, you must take care of your health, don't fall ill." Captain Adams stared at Lorist: "Then, who are you?"
Lorist had long been prepared; he placed a hand on his chest and gave a salute to Captain Adams: "Captain, my name is Lorist. I used to be a mercenary. Steward Boris took a liking to me and promoted me to be his personal attendant."
"Hmm, not bad. You're a clever lad, actually managing to get close to Steward Boris. This is a good opportunity; perform well and you'll have a bright future." Captain Adams nodded approvingly at Lorist.
The transport convoy had arrived. Steward Boris said somewhat impatiently: "Captain Adams, I'm heading into the city first. You let them in too; food and tents have already been prepared inside. Let these lads get some rest early."
Captain Adams nodded: "Alright, I'll have them go in right away…"
Steward Boris had already walked off on his own, which fit his status as Viscount Kenmays's steward — he disliked dealing with mercenaries — leaving only Lorist standing with Captain Adams and two attendants, holding several parchment lists, watching the transport convoy enter the city.
By this time, Captain Adams and his hundred-odd Flying Feather mercenaries had already entered the city. After dismounting, the mercenaries were led off by Redy and the others to the tent area to eat, drink, and rest. Captain Adams and his two attendants, however, remained standing beside Lorist after dismounting, chatting idly as they watched the transport convoy stream continuously into the city and assemble on the open ground...
Over four hundred supply wagons — just entering the city would take about two hours. What made Lorist uncomfortable was that Captain Adams and his two attendants kept standing right beside him, watching the wagons enter one by one.
"Captain Adams, you can go rest in the tent area first. No need to stand here waiting. If anything comes up, I'll come notify you," Lorist said tentatively.
"No rush. There are still some of my mercenary corps members bringing up the rear. It won't be late to go after everyone arrives," Captain Adams said with a smile.
Fine, they'd tough it out together then. Watching those fully loaded supply wagons pack the open ground before the city walls tight, Lorist's heart slowly settled. Now only fifty or sixty wagons remained outside the city; once they all entered, and the Flying Feather mercenaries all went to the tent area, a single command would bring the ambushers rising on all sides, and the game would be decided.
Just then, a voice tearing at the lungs suddenly rang out across the entire valley clearing: "Don't come in! You've been tricked! They're the enemy! They're Norton Family people!..."