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Salt and Blood - Chapter 156
🕑 Added 2025-04-25 13:20:31 +0000 UTC<< Chapter 155 | Table of Contents | Chapter 157 >>
2.62 - New Alliances
Sometimes a random coincidence can change the course of history forever. The right person, in the right place, at the right time can make more difference than a million soldiers, a lethal weapon, or an innovative invention
-Excerpt from ‘Silversea Saga’ by Norris Howell
“I thought I was clear when I told you to remain on deck at all times,” Commander Greavis said, his frown deepening as he spoke.
Rose suppressed the urge to giggle at his wrinkled face, reminding her of the old fishermen from home who would lecture her as a young girl. Instead, she used an irrefutable excuse.
“Apologies, Commander. Lady problems,” she replied with a sheepish smile.
His cheeks reddened as he heard her. He coughed and mumbled something into his hand. “Understood. This is First Class Commander Ackron. He will be leading the investigation. Please comply with his requests,” the man explained, leading the new arrival onto the ship.
“I see the barrier vanished at a rather appropriate time. If I was a more suspicious man I might think it a little too convenient,” he said to Rose as he stepped onto the deck.
“What can I say, Commander?” Rose replied with a shrug. “I suppose it simply ran out of energy to sustain itself. It was a mysterious technique.”
“I’m sure. Commander Ackron wishes to speak with you and the princes in private. Wait over there while we talk with your soldiers to corroborate the truth of your story,” he said.
Rose noticed his general mood and tone seemed friendlier than when they’d met, making her wonder what he’d been told in his brief time away from the ship. Hopefully it was good news for her.
She tried to think about how to best lay the foundations of cooperation between her country and Derridas when the other commander came to speak to her. She would probably just do as little as possible before giving him a way to contact her uncle, given that he knew better than her in these matters.
Everyn and his brother walked over to join her after a few moments. The younger prince seemed nervous, but Everyn was largely unbothered by what was going on.
“What do you think about all this?” he asked Rose, as they sat on the poop deck watching the soldiers being interrogated by the new commander.
“I’m not sure. Greavis’ attitude changed a lot after he returned with his superior. Whatever happens, as long as we cooperate we should be back on our way home soon enough,” she replied.
“Agreed.”
“How can you both be so calm!?” the second prince suddenly exclaimed. “We’ve been captured and taken prisoner by an enemy nation. Our lives are in danger. You need to do something!”
Everyn scoffed at his younger brother’s outburst. “What would you have us do, little brother? Fight our way out of the blue factory and leave more enemies in our wake? Do you think our nation is so mighty that we can wage a war on two fronts against nations larger and more populous than our own?”
The second prince had a face like a kicked dog at his elder brother’s scolding, but he pressed the issue. “Do you think it would cause a war if we just run away? It’s hardly a big deal. I’m sure father can just send them some money to smooth things over.”
“Gods, you’re still a fool. That battle toughened you up a little, but it seems there’s still a long battle ahead if we want to make a true leader out of you,” Everyn sighed, shaking his head at the impetuous youth.
“Spoken like a brat with a silver spoon up his arse,” Rose chuckled. “You think every problem can be solved by throwing money at it.”
“You-!” he spat, before Everyn elbowed him.
Cursing Rose wasn’t in his best interests and despite his fear and anger he realised that after Everyn’s reminder. At that moment the new commander, Ackron, strolled up the steps to the poop deck.
The three of them stood up at his arrival, greeting him with nods. As princes of a foreign nation, saluting him wouldn’t be appropriate but they weren’t sure if he was friend or foe yet, so a friendlier greeting wouldn’t have worked either.
“At ease, I’m not here to make more trouble for you all. Commander Greavis wasn’t aware when he apprehended you as the news only arrived before you docked here, but we heard of the attack on Eastfel Bay,” he said with a bright smile.
He walked up to each of them in order, shaking their hands warmly as though they were old friends. Rose was still confused but went along with it nonetheless.
At the very least his friendly attitude and manner of greeting meant they weren’t about to be interrogated like criminals. She wasn’t sure why a Commander of Derridas would be so pleased about their attack on Minenblum.
Of course all nations were competitors on the stage of trade and military might. However, as far as she knew the relationship between Minenblum and Derridas had never been outright antagonistic.
“I suppose you know that was our doing, but I wonder how you made the connection so fast, Commander Ackron? Our little crew isn’t exactly built to take down cities,” Rose said with a wry smile.
“Well it was fairly easy to connect the dots. The reports from Eastfel Bay said the attack was led by a young girl with hair like fire and a crew mainly consisting of soldiers dressed in the uniforms of the Emerlan Army. As you can see,” he said, waving an arm over the gathered crew, “you fit the bill.”
Despite her satisfaction at being recognised for their actions, Rose was a little concerned at how fast the news had spread. She knew that it would get out soon enough, but she had thought they could at least reach home before that happened.
On the other hand, this gave her an even greater chance at forming an alliance. It was abundantly clear from the commander’s reaction and treatment that there were no ties of friendship between Derridas and Minenblum. In fact, the opposite was likely true.
“If I might ask to clear up my doubts, why are you so pleased about the news? I wasn’t aware that there was enmity between your two nations.”
Everyn nodded at her question, having wondered the same thing himself. He was educated on the geopolitics of the Bluestone Sea, despite it being his least favourite subject.
“You are right that there is no outward conflict. However, it is no secret that Minenblum is an oppressive beast. They refuse to allow trade with other nations and any ships that want to pass through their waters have ridiculous tariffs imposed on them,” Ackron explained, his brow creasing as he spoke.
“When the first attack on the Emerlan Isle happened, we all thought it was an isolated incident. No offence, but your nation isn’t exactly the most powerful and it was only a matter of time before someone tried their chances at conquest.
“However, there have been worrying reports coming out of Aughold. A discussion between agents of Derridas and Zoria concluded that it was a certainty that our two nations would be Minenblum’s next targets if the Emerlan Isle fell. Hence, when I heard that Greavis had brought you in I knew I had to meet the heroes who struck at the heart of the bastards’ homeland.”
His admittance left Rose somewhat stunned, but proud of her foresight. Having the other nations follow in her footsteps and join the cause was one of the main goals during the attack on Eastfel Bay.
With this news, she had now succeeded in everything she set out to accomplish on this journey. With a warm smile on her face, she took Commander Ackron’s hand and shook it once more.
“I’m glad to hear it. I had hoped that if we showed our neighbours that Minenblum isn’t the invincible giant they appear to be it would inspire confidence and perhaps alliances. I don’t have the authority to speak for my country, but Crown Prince Everyn here does. My uncle is also one of the governors and I can take a message to him from you or your superiors,” she said, making Ackron’s expression brighten.
“I’m pleased to hear it. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, your highness,” he said, giving Everyn a shallow bow as befitted his station.
Even though Derridas was a superior nation to the Emerlan Isle, a commander of the army still needed to show respect to a member of a royal family. Everyn didn’t care for propriety however waved a hand dismissively.
“No need for that, Commander. I’m glad to receive your praise. I would need to discuss any official terms with my father and the council, but I would be honoured to convey Derridas’ wish for cooperation with them,” Everyn said.
“Amazing. Let us disembark. I’m sure you wish to be on your way home with haste, but these things can’t be rushed. You’ll be put up in the best accommodations and your soldiers will be taken care of to the best of our ability. On the way, I want to hear about the battle! As a warrior, I only wish I could’ve been there myself to strike those arrogant fools low,” Ackron said, his voice brimming with passion.
Rose chuckled as they followed after him into the city proper. Everything's falling into place. If both Derridas and Zoria join our cause, victory is all but assured. Soon you can rest in peace, mother, Rose thought to herself.
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