Lucius was at the prow of the ship, feeling the cold northern wind cutting through his skin like razors. He knew that was just a prelude to the cold he would have to face on his journey, but he didn't care. He was determined to fulfill his mission, whatever the cost.

He looked out to the horizon and spotted the port of Sucundo, a small coastal town that served as the only stopping point for ships sailing the northern sea. He should have arrived there nearly two days ago, but his journey was anything but smooth.

The first two days at sea were calm, with blue skies and serene waters. Lucius took the opportunity to familiarize himself with the ship and the crew, mostly composed of warriors and experienced sailors, all hired from his grandfather's House Guato.

But on the third day of the sea voyage, everything changed. A pirate ship emerged in the middle of the night and, using the cover of darkness, swiftly approached, firing arrows at Lucius' ship. The captain tried to maneuver the ship to avoid the shots, but some hit the hull and sails, causing damage and slowing the ship down. Lucius saw some sailors attempting to retaliate with bows.

Before long, the two ships were side by side, and the pirates threw hooks and ropes to board Lucius' ship. Just before Lucius was pushed into one of the inner cabins by one of the soldiers from his household who was escorting him on this journey, he could see a horde of dirty, ragged men armed with swords, axes, and knives invading the deck, shouting and attacking the defenders.

Despite the horrible noises he heard during the battle, when it was all over and Lucius emerged from the inner cabin of the ship, he saw few dead or wounded sailors and also Sir Damian and the other two soldiers from his household unharmed. He realized that the warriors and sailors on his ship were of higher quality and discipline than the pirates, who fought in a disorganized and impulsive manner.

But he didn't know that was just the beginning of the pirate onslaught. In the following days, Lucius' ship was pursued and attacked by several pirate ships, which appeared suddenly and attempted to board it. The captain of Lucius' ship did his best to escape and counterattack, but the situation was becoming increasingly difficult. The ship was damaged and low on supplies, the crew was exhausted and disheartened, and the casualties were mounting. Lucius saw many corpses of sailors who died at the hands of the pirates.

He also felt fear. Fear of being captured by the pirates, of being tortured or killed. That's how he arrived at the port of Sucundo, after a week of terror and suffering. He was at the prow of the ship, looking at the approaching city. He knew there he could rest, recover, and prepare for the next stage of his journey. He also knew he could find some help there.

Disembarking from the ship, Lucius could get a good look at the city. Sucundo was a coastal port city, with the gray and rough sea crashing against the docks. The houses were built of sturdy stone to withstand the constant cold that plagued the city for most of the year. The city was a maze of narrow and winding streets, lined with buildings with steep roofs covered in snow.

The port was the heart of the city, with fishing boats anchored swaying gently with the rhythm of the waves. The fishermen, wrapped in thick coats, prepared their nets for the next trip to sea, their breath forming clouds in the cold air. The smell of fresh fish and sea salt permeated the air.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Despite the cold, the city was alive with activity. The local market was full of vendors selling fresh fish, warm bread, and hearty vegetables. People moved quickly, their faces red from the cold, but their eyes shining with determination to live and thrive in this challenging climate.

Lucius felt a mixture of relief and anxiety when the ship finally docked at the port of Sucundo. He looked around and saw the tired and grateful faces of the sailors who had survived that dangerous journey. Some of them knelt on the deck and murmured prayers to Yarapari, the sea goddess, thanking her for her mercy. Others cried, relieved to have escaped death.

Sucundo was the northernmost port in the kingdom, a cold and hostile place where the inhabitants were wary of foreigners. It was rare to see a ship with a noble flag here, and even rarer to see a ship as damaged and riddled with arrows as his. Lucius could feel the curious and fearful glances of the townspeople gathered on the dock.

Some of them ran towards the city center, probably to warn the guard about the arrival of the ship. Lucius didn't have to wait long to see a group of soldiers approaching. There were about thirty men, dressed in helmets, spears, swords, and thick leather and fabric clothes. They looked well-trained.

Leading the soldiers was a man in full armor. He was fat and seemed breathless from the effort of walking. He stopped in front of the ship and shouted with an air of authority and arrogance, "Who are you? Identify yourselves!"

The captain of the ship, despite the injury to his leg, made a point of limping up to the leader of the guards and making a respectful greeting. He took a leather scroll from his pocket and handed it to him.

The leader of the guards looked at the captain of the ship and asked, "What happened to your ship?" The ship's captain took a deep breath and replied calmly, "My ship was attacked by pirates at sea, but we managed to defend ourselves and make it here."

The leader of the guard frowned and said, "Pirates? Attacking a noble's ship." The leader of the guard looked at the ship again more carefully. He saw the battle scars, the arrows, the blood. He saw the wounded sailors and the bodies covered in bloodstained cloths. He sighed and said, "I apologize for keeping you waiting out here in the cold. Do you have a place to stay?"

The ship's captain quickly responded, "Yes, my master has a mansion in the city. I also want to request help from the city's doctors to care for the wounded." The leader of the guard nodded in agreement and allowed them to pass.

Lucius followed the ship's captain, who led him through the narrow and bustling streets of the city as people looked at him with curiosity. After a few minutes, they arrived at a small rustic mansion in the southern part of the city, which belonged to House Guato. It was a two-story building, surrounded by a stone wall. It had a massive wooden door with the Guato family crest. The ship's captain knocked on the door and was greeted by a servant, who led them to a spacious and cozy hall, where there was a fireplace.

"This is your accommodation, young noble," said the ship's captain. "I believe my mission ends here, and I wish you good luck."

"Thank you very much, captain," said Lucius, "and I apologize for the trouble caused by the pirates."

"You're welcome, young noble," said the ship's captain. "As for the pirates, it wasn't your fault. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to return to my post."

Shortly after Lucius nodded in agreement, the ship's captain bid farewell and left, leaving Lucius and his escort alone in the mansion. Lucius sat down on one of the sofas and sighed. He was exhausted, but also relieved. He had safely arrived in Sucundo after facing so many dangers.

He got up and was guided by one of the servants to his room, where there was a soft and warm bed. He lay down and closed his eyes. He thought of his family, his home, his mission, and fell asleep, as he hadn't done in days.