The morning carried with it the dry, warm breeze of Aserai lands. The sun rose steadily, bathing the sandstone walls of Sanala in golden hues as the city buzzed with its usual vibrancy. Merchants prepared their wares for the market, their calls carrying through the air alongside the faint scent of spices and freshly baked bread. For us, however, the morning marked the start of a new chapter—a solidifying of our group’s structure and our next steps toward securing stability.
Silvana and Leon had spent the better part of two days searching for recruits capable of acting as scouts. The bustling streets and myriad taverns of Sanala offered a wealth of potential hires, though sifting through them was no easy task. Finally, their efforts bore fruit. I stood in the courtyard of our rented quarters as a small line of recruits, ranging from wiry young men to weathered riders, awaited my inspection.
The first man to step forward was a middle-aged rider with a face weathered by countless days under the harsh sun. His posture was confident, and the faint smell of leather and horse sweat clung to him. He introduced himself as Jalil, boasting a decade of experience with the Jawwal riders.
“Show me your mount,” I said, gesturing toward the stables. Without a word, he led me to a sleek desert horse, its coat gleaming in the sunlight. The animal’s calm demeanor and strong frame told me Jalil knew how to care for it, a promising sign.
The next few recruits were less impressive. One man couldn’t hold his tongue about how his speed would outmatch anyone in Calradia, yet his horse looked malnourished and poorly maintained. Another seemed eager but lacked the confidence and potential necessary to act as a scout under pressure. I dismissed both, offering a curt but respectful farewell.
The final recruit, a young woman named Samina, caught my attention. She carried herself with quiet determination, her dark eyes sharp and observant. Her gear was modest but well-kept, and her responses were concise and confident. After a brief demonstration of her horsemanship, I decided she’d be a valuable addition.
By the time I finished my inspections, we had secured five capable recruits to act as scouts. They joined our ranks at a wage of ten denars per day, a price they seemed satisfied with. Silvana and Leon stood nearby, watching the proceedings with a mix of pride and relief.
“You’ve done well,” I told them, nodding appreciatively. “These five will be a solid addition to Nova.”
Leon grinned his usual roguish demeanor on display. “See? I told you I could find talent. Even if I’ve set the bar low with myself.”
Silvana chuckled. “Let’s hope they’re better riders than you.”
Their banter was a welcome reprieve, but I had little time to linger. There was still much to be done.
Later that day, I gathered the core members of our group—Silvana, Leon, Nathanos, and a few of our more experienced recruits—for a meeting. The dimly lit room buzzed with anticipation, the faint smell of oil lamps mixing with the scent of freshly brewed tea that Abda had thoughtfully prepared earlier. Sora and Abda were notably absent; Sora’s fever had left her bedridden, and Abda was keeping watch over her.
“Thank you all for coming,” I began, my tone firm but calm. “We’ve come a long way, but as we grow, it’s important to establish structure. Titles. Roles. Clear responsibilities.”
The group murmured their agreement, their faces attentive.
“We’ll keep it simple,” I continued. “We need commanders for our infantry, cavalry, and crossbowmen. These roles will ensure coordination during battle and give us a chain of command.”
I turned to Leon first. “Leon, you’ll command our cavalry and scouts. Your primary role will be reconnaissance—gathering intel and keeping us one step ahead of the enemy.”
Leon’s grin widened. “Commander of the cavalry? Has a nice ring to it.”
Next, I addressed Nathanos. His imposing presence made him a natural choice. “Nathanos, you’ll lead the infantry. You’ve proven your skill in combat, and I trust you to train and lead the core of our group.”
He nodded solemnly, his expression unreadable. “I’ll make sure they’re ready.”
Finally, my gaze settled on Silvana. “Silvana, you’ll command the crossbowmen. Precision is key, and your sharpshooting skills will set the standard for the rest.”
She smirked. “Don’t worry. They’ll hit their targets.”
With the roles assigned, I shifted the conversation to our next contract. The dim glow of the oil lamp cast flickering shadows across the room, adding a sense of gravity to the discussion. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and the faint smell of leather and sweat—a testament to our hard days of preparation.
“Our new employer is a merchant named Ameer,” I began, meeting the eyes of each person seated around the worn wooden table. “He’s based in Sanala and has recently found himself without adequate protection due to conflicts with the Jawwal riders. They’ve canceled many of their contracts, leaving him in a vulnerable position. That’s where we come in.”
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A murmur of understanding rippled through the group. Nathanos leaned forward, his broad frame casting a long shadow. “What’s the pay?” he asked, his tone direct but calm.
“He’s offering us 400 denars per day,” I replied, pausing for emphasis. “And an additional 2,000 denars upon successfully reaching Danustica in the Southern Empire.”
At this, Leon let out a low whistle, a grin spreading across his face. “Not bad. That’ll keep us fed and armed for a while.”
“It’s decent,” I agreed. “But the journey won’t be easy. There are risks involved.” I straightened, ensuring my voice carried to everyone in the room. “First, we’ll travel to Qasira, where Ameer will purchase the supplies he plans to sell. That’s just the start.”
I reached for the map spread across the table, its edges frayed from frequent use. Tracing a finger along the route, I continued, “From Qasira, we’ll board ships bound for Vostrum. That stretch of the journey should be challenging, as long as the sea remains calm and we avoid attracting attention. Once we reach Vostrum, we’ll have a short march to Danustica.”
Silvana, ever sharp-eyed, tilted her head. “And the risks?”
I hesitated, letting the weight of my next words sink in. “The main challenge lies between Qasira and Vostrum. To get there, we’ll pass dangerously close to the Kakdwip Islands. For those unfamiliar, it’s a lawless territory. No central authority. No enforced laws. The islands are teeming with criminals, pirates, and fugitives who’ve fled their kingdoms. It’s a haven for those who thrive on chaos.”
The room fell silent, save for the faint creak of the wooden floor as someone shifted in their chair. Even Leon’s usual grin faded. Silvana’s brows furrowed, and Nathanos crossed his arms, his expression grim.
“Crossing near Kakdwip will require us to stay vigilant,” I continued. “We’ll need to keep a tight formation and be ready for anything. Pirates aren’t the only danger there—bandits from the islands sometimes use small boats to board merchant ships. If they catch us off guard, they’ll leave us with nothing.”
Leon finally broke the silence, his voice light but laced with caution. “So, what you’re saying is, it’s not just a stroll along the beach?”
“Far from it,” I replied, my tone serious. “But the pay is worth the risk, and Ameer has promised to cover the cost of food and supplies for the journey. He’s desperate to reach Danustica with his goods, and we’re his best option.”
Silvana nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “It’s a solid contract. But what about contingencies? If things go south in Kakdwip, what’s the plan?”
“I’ve considered that,” I said, tapping the map for emphasis. “If we face resistance near the islands, we’ll use the ships to outmaneuver any small raiding parties. If it comes to a fight, we’ll need to rely on precision. Crossbowmen like yours, Silvana, will be crucial.”
She inclined her head, her gaze steady. “Understood.”
“On land,” I continued, “our scouts will play a vital role. Leon, you’ll need to stay ahead of the caravan, identifying potential threats before they can reach us.”
“Scouts are ready,” Leon replied, his grin returning. “We’ll spot trouble before it spots us.”
“And Nathanos,” I said, turning to him. “Your infantry will be our backbone. You'll lead the defensive line if we’re forced into a confrontation. Keep the caravan protected at all costs.”
“You can count on us,” Nathanos replied, his deep voice filled with quiet confidence.
With the plan outlined, I leaned back, letting the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. “This journey won’t be easy, but it’s a chance for Nova to establish itself as one of the most reliable mercenary groups in Calradia. Let’s make it count.”
The group exchanged determined nods, a shared sense of purpose filling the room. The air felt charged, heavy with anticipation, and the faint aroma of the tea Abda had brewed earlier. The sound of footsteps echoed faintly in the corridor outside, a reminder of the bustling city beyond our walls.
As the meeting concluded, Leon leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You know, Augustus, this sounds like the kind of job that’ll either make us legends or get us killed.”
I smirked, clapping him on the shoulder. “Then let’s make sure it’s the former.”
After the meeting, I made my way to my quarters, where Sora was resting. The room was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards. The soft glow of a lamp illuminated her sleeping form, her face pale but peaceful. Abda sat nearby, a book in her lap, her expression one of calm focus.
“How is she?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
Abda looked up, her gaze steady. “She’s stable. Exhaustion and fever from the journey. She needs rest, but she’ll recover.”
I nodded, relief washing over me. “Good. The last thing we need is our strategist out of commission.”
Abda offered a small smile. “I’ve given her medicine. She’ll be back to her usual self by tomorrow.”
For a moment, I lingered, watching Sora’s steady breathing. The weight of leadership felt heavier in moments like these, but knowing I had capable allies by my side made it bearable.
“Get some rest yourself,” I told Abda. “We’ll be departing in two days, and I’ll need you at full strength.”
She nodded, her expression softening. “Don’t worry about me, Augustus. I’ll be ready.”
As the days passed, our preparations for the journey to Danustica continued. The courtyard of our quarters bustled with activity as recruits practiced formations, loaded supplies, and tended to their equipment. The smell of oiled leather and polished steel filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the city streets.
I spent hours training with the recruits, sparring with them, and observing their techniques. Nathanos proved to be an invaluable asset, his experience and leadership commanding respect from even the most headstrong members of the group. Silvana, ever precise, drilled the crossbowmen relentlessly, ensuring they could hit their targets under any circumstance.
In quieter moments, I found myself reflecting on the path ahead. The contract with Ameer was a step forward, but it was just the beginning. Nova was growing, but with growth came greater responsibility. The weight of leadership was a constant presence, but it was one I was learning to carry.