175 New Toys (1/2)
As Corco watched the ships move towards the coast, a cold, sudden breeze rushed in from the south and cut into his face. The wind had turned again. Throughout the second half of the year, the weather had been much warmer than it should have been, but winter had finally found its way to Medala.
Soon, the fleet had moored along the new piers his men had constructed for this purpose in the last few days. However, the fleet was much smaller than what he had expected. As Corco stepped onto the wooden planks below the ships, he spotted a familiar face above.
”What happened? Where's your brother?” he shouted towards Princess Sumaci, who had traded her green dress for sturdy sailor's cloth. As she looked down, the girl first appeared annoyed, but her features eased as soon as she saw him.
”Why thank you for your concern, King Corco. I have indeed returned safe and sound.” She leaned over the railing towards Corco, and her long hair fell down to frame her blossomingsmile.
”Look, this is no time to play around. You're missing around half your ships. Where's your brother?”
Although he couldn't really complain if the Verdant Folk had taken back half their fleet, it would still be a problem for transportation if they had just halved their commitment in the middle of a military operation. Even worse, they might have been the victim of a sudden storm, as the sudden turn in weather would suggest. In that case, they might have lost half their shipss, which would make him not only unpopular with the Verdant Isles, but also with all the southern lords who would have lost their warriors in Corco's risky endeavor.
”My brother is fine, as are the ships you are so worried about. And I am serious as well, great king. I am only a small, helpless damsel in bitter need of a husband. Would no one have pity and consider my feelings?”
After she had spoken, the helpless girl vaulted down and landed her heavy boots on the pier besides Corco.
”A damsel commandeering a ship?” Corco grinned. In truth, he had a bit of fun with the banter, but there were important issues to discuss. ”Maybe it would be better to speak in private.”
A while later, they sat in Corco's tent, each with a hot mulled wine before them. Although it was the first cold day, his current attendant had already been prepared by the time he returned.
”Right, so where did you keep the rest of my fleet, damsel?” Corco asked Sumaci who held her cup in both hands and slowly sipped the spicy wine.
”...we were split in half on our way back. Northern ships have set up a blockade in the Narrow Sea, so only the supply ships have made it through. Wacoca took charge of the second fleet which transported the southern warriors and was forced to turn back.”
”Bullshit,” Corco stated in a calm, kingly manner.
”Would you mind your language in the presence of a lady?” Sumaci asked, though her grin told him that she didn't really mean it.
”Oxen feces then. How can they have enough ships for a blockade? We've closed off the mouth to the Narrow Sea as soon as I came back with your extra ships. Rapra Castle lets us control the entire area, so how did they sneak that many ships through that quickly?”
After she had contemplated her wine a bit more, Sumaci looked up, one finger on her lower lip.
”Maybe they have been around for a while and were anticipating your crossing. After all, not only King Corco can come up with plans.”
”Makes sense.” This was getting annoying. He really needed to consider the potential moves of his opponents more. ”It wasn't Pacha though. Divitius?” he mumbled to himself.
”Food has been readied.” From the tent's corner, Tama carried two steaming bowls of stew to the damsel and the king. So long as he hadn't taken care of Nahlen, Corco wouldn't be dumb enough to eat the communal food. ”And if this servant may be so bold: Who has planned the blockade matters little for now. We are stuck behind enemy lines, understrength and with no supply lines. These issues need to be rectified.”
After she had spoken, Tama walked past Corco and took a seat half a step behind him.
”That's right. We can still puzzle over causality once we've solved our crisis. Not that it's too much of a problem, really.”
”Not much of a problem?” The spoon already halfway up to her mouth, Sumaci looked up with large, clear eyes. Meanwhile, the meat on her spoon had seen enough of the girl's indecision and decided to take the plunge back into its old home. With a comedic splash, it disappeared back into the stew.
Somehow, Corco managed to not laugh and instead shrugged in indifference. ”It's a shame your brother isn't around to witness my glory, but the other lords would only get in the way anyways with their infighting. Even at full strength, we'd struggle to win a direct confrontation against Pacha's army, so it's much better to have a smaller, more united and more agile force.”
”Unless there is another rebellion, no?” Sumaci's sneaky grin had returned, this time framed by the steam from her food and drink.
”You've heard about that?” Corco raised an eyebrow. How could this girl get her hands on confidential information?
”Were you not around when my father called me an obedient girl? Well, I have done the right thing for our family and set up some... sources. The Verdant Folk hear many things, King Corco, many more than you expect.” After she had showed off enough, Sumaci stuffed her face with the stew and chewed in one cheek. At least she could have maintained the illusion for a bit longer.
”You're a pretty good spy, huh?” Ignoring Tama's derisive scoff, Corco smiled again. Though he was glad that apparently, his spymaster was well aware of his guest's movements.
”Indeed,” Sumaci mumbled past all the food in her mouth,”it is one of my many talents.”
”Well, you shouldn't worry too much about the holdovers from that incident. I already have some of my best people on the job.” While Sumaci sank back into the food, Corco spied over his shoulder to Tama and saw her grin and nod in response. He really hoped he hadn't misplaced his trust in this instance. As he turned back, Sumaci was still immersed in her meal, still uninterested in etiquette. Of course she knew the etiquette and had displayed it in the past, but she seemed aware that the king didn't really care much for formalities.
”Now, for an issue you can actually help me with. We need to take inventory. Most importantly:” Corco leaned forward. ”Did you carry the snow shoes, skis and amber glasses with you on the ships?”
”Those bundles of sticks and stones?” The girl looked up again, confusion all over her sauce-stained face. ”Yes we did, though I do not see the point of these toys, much less bringing thousands of them.”