Salt and Steel

The Golden Sea, South of Greenwater

The sun is up, the wind is strong and the steady sound of rowing was a lullaby to his ears.

Morgan filled his lungs with air and enjoyed its salty appeal. Other men hated the smell of salt. But Morgan? No, he's different. The smell of salt represents the sea, and the sea represents freedom.

He smiled and spread his arms. Good fortune comes to good men, he thought. The God of Fortune smiles upon him. For the past few weeks he received only good news.

First, Castonia had fallen into a civil war. The arrogant Timothy Castonia actually dared to declare war against his father amidst an ongoing war with Tulosa. Fool, Morgan mocked. The little lion cub thinks he can fight a war on two sides. Who does he think he is? Some sort of a war god? One victory and he already thinks highly of himself. The little lion will soon find out that his roar was just a cat's growl. Well, not that Morgan cares. Timothy Castonia's arrogance will benefit Calragi.

The second good news was equally-sweet. Morgan smiled from ear to ear when he first heard of the news. Marquis Connel had left Greenwater for Knightsend. Now the city was defended by a single cohort. It shouldn't take long before Morgan could plant the flag of Calgari in the city center of Greenwater.

Morgan turned around and walked towards the other end of the galley. The thumping of his boots against the oak deck of the galley demanded the attention of the rowers. Every single one of them would look at Morgan, show fear and respect in their eyes, and then turn away as if hiding from his gaze.

Normally, Morgan would stop and then scrutinize a soldier. He would then punish the lad for the smallest mistakes he could find. This habit of his had earned him the fear and respect of his men. But Morgan was not in the mood to do that today. He just passed beside them and reached the stern of the galley without stopping. He then looked at his fleet.

"What a sight eh?" he heard the voice of the single person in the fleet who doesn't fear him. He turned around and saw the smug face of Commodore Charles.

"I've seen better sights Commodore" Morgan said and leaned closer to Commodore Charles. "Back in the old days, eighty-seven galleys is merely enough for a royal escort"

"Back in the old days men are fools for thinking that quantity is everything" Commodore Charles shrugged.

Morgan didn't rebut. What Commodore Charles said was true. Over the years, he had seen the importance of a well-trained army. In the case of the navy, the effects of experience are more drastic. A few well-trained marines could sink an entire fleet.

Morgan again looked at the fleet. "Transport galleys" he sighed. "Ugly things"

"Ha! You stole the words right out of my mouth Admiral. Don't you just hate how their wide hulls waddle clumsily in the water?"

Morgan wanted to laugh after hearing Commodore Charles' description of the transport galleys.

"Ducks" He suddenly said.

"What?"

Morgan looked at the Commodore. "When we were little, my friends and I would refer to transport galleys as ducks. The way they move in the water because of their oars is similar to how a duck would waddle."

Commodore Charles grunted a laugh. "That is a unique perspective General. You have quite the imagination"

Morgan raised his brows. "Do you think I would be in my position if I didn't have imagination? Imagination is a tool Commodore. My life had been saved many times by my imagination. Did you know that I have suffered eight assassination attempts? I escaped the assassins because I can imagine events before they happen"

"Then how do you imagine this assault would turn out?" Commodore Charles asked.

"Bloody" he paused and wetted his lips. "The Castonians will fight to the death. Those bastards are tough, stubborn and proud. They will not give up just because a foreign fleet suddenly showed up. We will lose many men in the assault. But being tough, stubborn and proud doesn't make a man immortal, Commodore. They bleed as we do and they die like we do. We have more than ten times their number and I have heard that there are two breaches in their walls. By the end of the day, I would be sitting in Marquis Connel's chair, drinking my tea. His villa will become mine, his treasures will become mine and his city will become mine."

Morgan then heard footsteps approaching their direction. He looked towards the direction of footsteps and saw the First Mate. Since Morgan was the default Captain of the flagship, then First Mate Faye was technically the Captain of 'The Basilisk' when he's not around.

"I think I should leave" Commodore Charles said.

"No, stay" Morgan put his hand on Commodore Charles' shoulder. "You are my Second-in-command. Let us both hear what First Mate Faye has to say"

He then looked at the First Mate. "Speak First Mate Faye. What is it?"

The First Mate was shaking in front of Morgan. To this, he felt satisfied. "Admiral, I think.."

"No First Mate. Don't do that. It's either you know or you don't. Being indecisive only leads to failure. If you're wrong, then accept the consequences. If you're right, then reap the benefits. Life is that simple. So I'll ask you again, what do you have to say?"

The First Mate was silenced but after a while he puffed his chest. "Admiral we have arrived. The scouting vessels have reported that they can now see the walls of Greenwater."

"About time" Morgan commented. He then walked towards the center of the ship. Like before, his slow and heavy footsteps demanded the attention of the crew.

After reaching the center, he put both of his hands behind him. He loudly cleared his throat. After a moment, all eyes were on him.

"Our scouts have reported that Greenwater is within sight. Prepare your weapons because we will attack immediately." He paused and closed his eyes.

The salty odor of the sea calmed his mind. The splashing of waves against the oars was music to his ears. He opened his eyes again.

"Raise the sails and full speed ahead!"

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Prefect Ryon was looking towards the direction of Knightsend. It had been more than a week since Marquis Connel left with most of the soldiers for the Knightsend. Since his Cohort suffered the worst during the siege of Greenwater, the Marquis left him in charge of the defense of the city.

Honestly, Ryon was disappointed in the Marquis' decision to remain neutral in the civil war. He understands that Erik Connel, the son of Marquis Benedict Connel, was being held hostage by King Leopold. But not joining King Timothy still felt wrong. The Western Region should unite and support King Timothy. After all, it was Timothy Castonia who saved them.

Ryon sat on the crenel of the wall and took a piece of bread from his pocket. The thing was already a little moldy and Ryon was reluctant to eat it. Nevertheless, he opened his mouth and chewed the moldy bread. He can't waste food.

What a life, he thought. Boring, uneventful and dull. Staying here in Greenwater would probably rob him of his sanity in the end. This wasn't actually his first time to be assigned with garrison duties. But his entire being demands action. King Timothy is fighting against King Leopold. Marquis Connel is defending against the Tulosans. While he… Ryon sighed and smiled bitterly. He was doing nothing, stuck in Greenwater like a nanny.

"Sir!" a soldier ran towards Ryon and saluted.

"What is it?" Ryon asked. He immediately pressed his hands against the crenel and stood up.

"We… we have spotted ships sir! Dozens of them."

"What!?" Ryon exclaimed.

He was startled by the report. Why would ships approach the city? Because of what King Leopold did, Castonia's lost most of its trading partners. The ships shouldn't be merchants. Ryon's instincts were tingling. He didn't wait for the soldier's answer and ran towards the southern wall facing the sea.

After reaching the southern wall, he looked towards the sea and saw dozens of galleys approaching the city. Many soldiers were also looking at the spectacle.

Ryon squinted and saw that the galleys belong to the Kingdom of Calgari.

"Sir, should we send them a message and demand identification?" A soldier behind him asked.

Ryon was left speechless for a while. "No" he then said.

He looked at the soldier and frowned. "Sound the alarm"

"Alarm? But the protocol.."

Ryon grabbed the soldier's shoulders. "Sound the alarm! We are under attack!"