Chương 433: 428. Arrival - I

Kivamus met Duvas on the ground floor of the manor house. They didn't linger. Kerel was already there with three other guards, and they formed up around them in the usual box formation, shoulders squared and eyes scanning the courtyard as they moved. As they headed toward the manor gates, Kivamus caught the looks of servants and maids and a few off-duty guards who had paused in their work to watch. Curious faces. A few tired smiles. People trying not to look too hopeful until they knew for sure.

Kivamus smiled back at them as they passed.

"Our men are back!" he called out. The reaction was immediate. Someone cheered, then another, and within seconds the hall was loud with voices. A maid clapped her hands. An older servant laughed like he couldn't help it. Off-duty guards thumped fists lightly into their palms. Kivamus kept walking, a grin still on his face. On the way to the gates, he spotted Syrene near the side of the path, speaking with Leah.

Leah had a piece of sewing in her hands, paused mid-stitch, both of them turning when they noticed the movement of the escort. Kivamus didn't slow much.

"Syrene," he said, "bring losuvil powder. Make a fresh paste too, for anyone who needs it." Syrene nodded quickly, already shifting her weight like she was ready to run. Kivamus turned toward the maid.

"Leah, find Madam Nerida. Tell her the guards are back. We'll need a lot more food tonight." Leah set the sewing aside without hesitation and jogged off along with Syrene. They reached the manor gate soon after. The gate guards straightened and showed clear interest in joining the group the moment they saw Kivamus leaving the compound. Kerel shut that down with a single look and a rough voice.

He was amongst the most experienced guards here, with iron-gray hair and a face that always seemed like it was deciding whether someone was wasting his time.

"Stay at your posts," Kerel told them. One of the gate guards frowned.

"But—""The guards will be back here soon," Kerel said.

"You'll meet them after they come in. Do your duty until then!" The gate guards didn't look happy about it, but they nodded and stayed put. Kerel and the others led Kivamus and Duvas out through the gate, then turned southwest toward the village gate on that side. It was late afternoon. The sun was sinking toward the west, but even with it lower in the sky, the heat still pressed down. The ground had dried after the recent rains, but the humidity remained.

The gravel path under their feet—laid in the recent weeks—kept them from sinking into soft earth where the old track used to turn muddy. They passed through the market square. More shops were open every day now: the butcher, a baker, Kigeir's grain shop, Dalaar's store with iron tools and specialty goods, a few fresh produce vendors, and of course, the alehouse which doubled as an inn for any visitors.

The traders had started stocking up and cleaning their stores the moment the rumors had started spreading about the impending change in payment method from being paid in-kind to directly in coins. He didn't know how the rumors had started, but he had mentioned paying the guards in coins before they had left for the counter raid, so maybe those guards had told their families and from them, the rest of the villagers had found out.

However the rumors had started, people knew that there was money to be made in trading now, and no one with any experience in keeping a store wanted to miss the chance. Most of the shops and produce stalls didn't get many customers at the moment—especially during work hours—since the village was still getting used to having a market that wasn't just occasional, and would be open every day now. But within the week, everyone would be paid in coin, and Kivamus knew that would change things quickly.

Right now the market square was quiet, and only the crunch of the newly laid gravel sounded under their feet. The merchants sat or stood near their goods, watching the road more than the customers. In the evening, when workers returned, a few would surely come through to buy, or rather, barter whatever they could afford. But once the payments started, this vacant square would finally become a busy marketplace again.

Soon, they left the market behind and walked past the recently cleared area where burned huts and shacks had stood not long ago. The blackened remains were gone now after the recent rains, but the space looked empty in a way that still felt strange. Farther west, the small wooden compound of the goddess' temple came into view. It wasn't large, but it was there. That was where Father Edric lived with a few followers, blessing those who wanted it and helping where they could.

As they continued, Kivamus saw the southwest gate ahead in the distance. It was open by now, and a steady stream of people was coming in. He squinted into the light of the sun. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. A large figure stepped through first, easy to recognize even at a distance. Hudan. Behind him came more guards, moving in a loose line, weapons visible, posture tired but relaxed after finally reaching their home.

After around a dozen guards entered, a different group followed—thin, worn-looking people, walking close together. Duvas's voice went tight.

"Aren't they slaves?" Kivamus grinned.

"They have to be. That means the raid worked!" As they neared the gate, some of the returning guards noticed them. Hudan jogged over with Tesyb and a few others, boots thudding on the packed ground. Hudan slowed as he reached them, then stopped. He glanced back at Tesyb and the others who'd come with him, and his mouth pulled into a grin. He raised a fist into the air.

"Victory for Tiranat!" It was echoed immediately.

"Victory for Tiranat!" several guards shouted back.

"Glory for Tiranat!" someone added, louder than the rest. The chant caught fast. Voices rose. More guards joined in once they entered the gates. A few villagers who had been drawn toward the gate began cheering too, some confused at first and then smiling when they saw the guards' faces. The slaves who had come in stood nearby, watching. Some looked startled by the noise. Others looked like they didn't know what to do with people cheering in their direction. But the mood spread anyway.

A few raised their hands hesitantly, then more, and soon some were cheering along, even though it was the first time they'd stepped into the village. Kivamus watched them as the chant went on. Most were looking around with a cautious curiosity. Some stared up at the tall palisade walls and the watchtowers along the edges. Some looked toward the center of the village and murmured to each other. Many looked relieved, even if they were still nervous.

When the chanting finally settled a little, Kivamus stepped closer to Hudan, still smiling.

"So," Kivamus said, "is he dead then?" Hudan's grin faded into a scowl.

"That bastard's a snake," he said.

"He knows how to slip away anytime his life's in danger. Our scouts watched the place for a week, but he never showed up while we were there."

"Damn it!" Kivamus cursed. Then his eyes moved over the returning guards again, and his stomach tightened. He realized only part of the guard force was here. His heart beat faster, and for a moment he couldn't keep the fear out of his face. Hudan noticed his gaze.

"Feroy and the other half are bringing up the rear. They'll enter after all the former slaves are inside." Duvas still looked tense.

"And... how many did we lose?" he asked in a low voice.

"For this mission. When we couldn't even kill Torhan..." Hudan glanced at Tesyb, and that look made Kivamus's worry spike again. For a second, he wondered if the number was bad enough that Hudan didn't want to say it in the open. Then Hudan looked back at them and grinned widely.

"Nobody," he said.

"We lost nobody. No serious injuries either. One twisted ankle and some small wounds, but that's it." Duvas stared at him.

"You mean nobody died? All the guards have returned?" Hudan nodded, pride clear in his face.

"They did. We'd practiced scaling a walled compound for a week, and that mattered. Feroy's plan was solid, but having enough crossbows was the game changer once again. The bandits didn't stand a chance! We lost nobody." Duvas opened his mouth, then closed it again. He didn't seem to have words ready for a moment, then he gazed at the sky, murmuring a prayer of thanks. Kivamus just grinned.

"And this is how it should always be!" He motioned back toward the manor.

"Come on. Let's go to the manor. You can give me the full report there, and Madam Nerida is already cooking some good food for you all." Hudan glanced back toward his men, then back to Kivamus.

"Do you mind if some of us visit the temple first?" he asked.

"Most of the guards want to thank the goddess for the success in the counter raid." Kivamus nodded at once.

"Of course. Go on." Then he caught Hudan before he turned away, pulling him a step closer. He lowered his voice so only Hudan and Duvas could hear.

"What about… that?" Kivamus asked.

"Did you get anything?" Hudan's grin widened. He patted the side of his leather armor.

"Better than you can imagine." Duvas's eyebrows rose slightly. He understood. Kivamus's smile sharpened." Perfect! Go on then." Hudan and the guards moved toward the temple. Father Edric was already at the gates of the temple compound, looking at the crowd with curiosity and attention as the guards approached. Once the guards were heading that way, Duvas gestured toward the slaves clustered near the gate, still looking around and speaking quietly among themselves.

"I think it would help if you gave them a speech," Duvas said.

"Just something to welcome them." Kivamus considered it for a moment, eyes still on the stream of people entering. He nodded.

"Let's wait for everyone to come inside first." Before long, Feroy and the last of the guards came through the southwest gate following three, no five wagons! Two must be from Levalas' trip to Kirnos, while the other three must have been liberated from the clay mine. Nice! Once everyone was inside, the gates were closed again. Kivamus watched the crowd settle and tried to count them without staring too hard. There were more than 50 slaves for sure, and close to three dozen guards, apart from his own escort.

It was a large group, and it made the whole area feel tight and noisy even before anyone started talking.