The mont Blake uttered the na, every trace of humor vanished from Kroll's face, replaced by a disbelief so stark it bordered on shock. For good reason, too—there was a logic to the free n's raiding habits, a pattern as old as their way of life. The southern principalities and the empire were the preferred prey, their lands ripe for plunder and their defenses weak enough to make the raids swift and profitable. Strike, take, and sail away into the safety of the open sea. It was a song the free n had sung for generations.Most tis small ships hit villages and temples, however bigger fleet targeted coastal cities.
True, there had been whispers of a few places in the southern principalities fortifying their defenses, villages fortifying themselves and a prince putting coin into spears and shields. But such exceptions were rare, and the rest of the coastline offered an endless buffet of easy targets. For every fortified place, there were ten more ripe for the taking, too fractured or poor to mount a proper resistance.
More importantly, none of these lands—the empire included—boasted a navy worth the na. Their coastal waters were a free man's playground, unguarded and unclaid. Rolia, perhaps, had a shred of mariti power, but even that was limited to a handful of small escort ships, protecting only their richest rchants. Hardly enough to trouble the swift and savage raiders of the sea, who most of the ti picked out smaller vessels
The south was a land of sheep waiting to be sheared, its rulers more focused on squabbling amongst themselves than defending their shores. It was this weakness that ensured the free n lived to raid another day.
But Azania? That was another story entirely.
Unlike the fractured principalities and sluggish empire to the north, Azania's waters were guarded by swift ships and sharp-eyed sailors, n who knew their trade and their enemies. Few captains dared to sail those treacherous seas, and those who did often paid the price in blood and wreckage.
The stories passed down by the free n's ancestors were clear: Azania was no place for raiders. Any ship foolish enough to test its defenses risked running headlong into one of the Sultanate's patrols. These were no lumbering galleys with poorly ard crews—they were sleek, fast vessels, with disciplined warriors ready to board at a mont's notice. A pirate vessel would be spotted long before it reached the shore, its strange design betraying its intent. By the ti the raiders realized their mistake, the Azanians would already be upon them, cutting off escape and bringing a quick, brutal end to their ambitions.
That Blake not only dared to raid Azania but returned alive—and with a haul so rich it left the free n speechless—was nothing short of legendary
Kroll shook his head, his expression a mix of disbelief and reluctant admiration. "Blake, I've always known you were mad, but I never thought you'd be this crazy. Azania? Of all places? How in the na of the sea god did you pull that off?"
Blake chuckled, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Luck, mostly. It was quiet when we landed—too quiet. We took what we could, fast as the wind , looted coastal cities on the way , and made for the ships before anyone realized we were there. The trouble ca on our way back."
Kroll raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Trouble?"
Blake nodded, the mory flashing behind his gaze. "We ran into resistance on the water—patrol ships, sharp and fast. But the gods must've smiled on us that day because the wind was with us. We outpaced them, barely, and slipped into the open sea before they could close the gap."
He paused, running a hand through his dark hair. "It's been decades since anyone dared raid Azanian land. Maybe their navy's grown slack in that ti, ill-maintained and unused to real threats. Or…" Blake grinned, his tone shifting into sothing lighter, almost playful. "Or maybe I've just been very, very lucky."
Kroll leaned in closer, his expression turning serious as his voice dropped just enough to convey the weight of his question. "Lucky enough to spot the imperial fleet on its way, though, eh?''
Blake shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against his cal. "Not quite, Kroll. That honor belongs to another—a captain, not I. He brought the news and gifted it to , a fine little offering to serve my house once more."
Kroll's brow furrowed, his curiosity unrelenting. "Once again?''
Blake chuckled, pushing off the cal and folding his arms as he t Kroll's gaze. " It was a captain of my father's, one who abandoned our house after the disaster at Rock Bottom."
Kroll blinked, the na of the infamous battle hanging heavy in the air. "Rock Bottom… That was a sad day especially for your house . Just you and Koros were left.Your father and brothers were good and hard n"
Blake's smile tightened, his voice cool and asured. "Exactly. He left after that, like many others. No loyalty when the tide turned, no spine when the storm hit.Was it not my father that gave him control over his ship? But now?" He gestured grandly, as if to take in the world he'd built. "Now I've proved myself. I've risen above it all, and suddenly, he wants to crawl back under my banner."
Kroll chuckled darkly, shaking his head. " Let guess—you let him live for the information?"
Blake's grin widened, sharp and unyielding. "Let him live? Of course. But forget? Never. He's serving under ; after all, it is always good to have more ships.I just need to make sure that he knows that there will be no turn-around now''
Blake straightened up, his grin taking on a self-assured edge. "Changing subject, I have now Thirteen ships, Kroll. Thirteen under my banner.True my father had 18, but give so more ti and I will convince so other captain to follow ."
Kroll let out a low whistle, folding his massive arms across his chest. " I can see, you've been busy."
Blake nodded, the faintest glimr of pride flickering in his dark eyes. "Busy enough. But tell , how long have you been here?"
"A week and a half," Kroll replied with a shrug. "Long enough to know the lay of the land and who's who among the free n. Long enough to see the tempers flare and the barrels run dry."
Blake tilted his head slightly, his tone casual, though his words carried weight. "And what about the competition?"
Kroll's grin widened, a knowing gleam in his eye. " I wondered when you'd bring that up. We both know you're not asking about wrestling matches or drinking gas.You want that position, too eh?"
Blake chuckled, his sharp smile betraying his intentions.
"The High Captain," Kroll said plainly, leaning in conspiratorially. "Every ambitious bastard here's sharpening their blade and their tongue, angling to command the fleet.''
Blake t Kroll's gaze, his expression unyielding.
"And you, Blake Elio," Kroll continued, his smile growing sly, "you're not here to watch, are you?"
''Of course not''
Kroll stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the gathered ships visible from the shore. "Very well, let give you a rundown.You're not the only one with ambitions, Blake. There's Harrick 'Stormcaller' with his seven ships. Old bastard's been raiding since before you were born, he is old and most fool thing that being old is equal to being wise.But that senile has more sand in his boot than wit in his head. Then there's Jorvan Saltbeard. Four ships,a noble lineage, and more allies than you'd think. He's got a quarter of the lesser captains eating from his palm. And lastly, Drennan Wavecleaver, with full dozen under his command. He's young, but he's got a good na and plenty of coins to throw around."
Blake leaned against a weathered post, "Let guess. They've all been organizing banquets, feasts, and giving endless speeches about glory."
Kroll chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not wrong. It's a show, Blake. Food, drink, and empty promises. But here's the thing—you entering the way you did, with those beasts and that cal? Brilliant. Word's must already have spread across the Call about the strange wonders you brought. You should raid the wave as it cos, there are still a few days before the call.Go for it and regain lost land, plus you are the one that sent the ship with the news, so I am certain that you have much more leverage than you think."
Blake raised a brow, his smile sharpening. "Then the spectacle served its purpose. Still Kroll what about you? Don't you feel like giving it a shot or—are you with in this?"
Kroll's grin turned sincere as he clasped Blake's shoulder with a calloused hand. "Always have been, lad. You've got my vote, and my captains'. We've followed you through thick and thin when we broke the treaty with the Rolians. Why stop now?"
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