Chapter 21
Liam's gaze shifted to Ethan's face, once etched with the untamed aura of a former mercenary, now adorned with the unwavering resolve akin to that of a seasoned soldier. Encouragingly, Liam inquired of Ethan, "What prompted this revelation?"
"In the artisan quarter where I reside, rumors abound of exorbitant bounties for the employment of blacksmiths and craftsmen. Those ensnared by this lure are dispatched to toil in a mine nestled beneath a distant mountain range. Many vanish without a trace for months on end. The peculiarity of this circumstance intrigued me, leading me to probe further. My pursuit led me to the clandestine villa where Mrs. An currently resides. Lo and behold, there lies a substantial vein of iron ore, surreptitiously concealed, possibly for many years, serving as the clandestine wellspring of their private mining operation," Ethan elucidated.
Liam's astonishment was palpable. The clandestine exploitation of an iron mine without formal disclosure was tantamount to treason.
"They are forging armaments, alongside the recent fabrication of large-scale cargo wagons and robust iron crates," Ethan continued. His peripatetic past and stint as a casual laborer at the docks endowed him with keen insights. He swiftly discerned the imminent transportation of substantial goods, likely of ponderous weight, necessitating the bespoke craftsmanship of durable iron crates. "I shadowed their movements once more, witnessing the transportation of completed wagons and crates to a location in close proximity to the villa. Moreover, they cleared a path on the villa's western periphery, overlaying a bed of gravel conducive to traversing heavy loads, preempting the peril of wagon subsidence into the mire."
Ethan's fervor was palpable as he rose to his feet, seizing a charcoal implement to sketch upon a wooden board adorning the office wall. With deft strokes, he delineated a rudimentary cartography of the villa's environs. Indicating westward, he gestured toward a narrow gorge wending its way seaward in the distance.
"Once a coursing river, this gorge now stands desiccated, its erstwhile bed smoothed by the sands of time, bereft of towering arboreal sentinels. With a modicum of clearance to eradicate encroaching foliage, heavy-laden wagons can traverse its confines unimpeded. Within a span of no more than three days, they shall reach the coastal terminus. I surmise arrangements have been made for an ocean-faring vessel to facilitate their departure." Ethan gestured expansively, indicating the far reaches of the wooden tableau. "During my tenure as a mariner, the ship's first mate imparted to me the art of charting seafaring courses. The oceanic currents in these waters are known for their capriciousness, beset by frigidity and tempestuous squalls. Only two months afford suitable conditions for maritime voyage, whereby favorable currents propel passage to a hitherto unexplored continent to the west. Their labor in clearing the gorge's passage these days suggests an imminent departure, within a maximum span of three days."
"By the heavens, what machinations brew within their minds? The western continent remains a myth, an uncharted realm whence no voyager hath returned," Liam exclaimed, perplexed.
Milia remained taciturn. She comprehended all too well that should Kenny and Anna prove traitorous to their unseen benefactors, there would be no sanctuary for them. The realization of establishing an independent realm upon the fabled western shores, erecting a new order, stood as their solitary recourse. Their manipulation of devotees through false deities, coupled with the vast coffers of gold serving as the cornerstone of their nascent nationhood, though audacious in conception, bore the seeds of plausibility.
Within the villa, Anna gazed pensively upon a goblet of ruby-hued wine, swirling its contents within the flickering candlelight. Her eyes followed the undulating currents within the glass.
"Are all preparations in readiness?" she inquired, her gaze fixed ahead, addressing the figure behind her.
Burke stood steadfastly by her side, extending a hand with arms at rest, his reply resonating with deference, "All is prepared. Kenny hath been apprised, and our departure is slated for the morrow's dawn."
"Indeed, we mustn't keep him waiting for too long. After years of careful planning, we have finally reached the climax," Anna's voice retained its characteristic softness and sweetness.
"Madam, are you absolutely certain you won't join us?" Burke inquired.
Anna shook her head gently, a subtle smile gracing her lips. "Where is he now?"
"He's gone to meet with his backers," Burke replied, a hint of mockery in his smile.
"Let him go. His time is running out anyway," Anna's voice remained remarkably calm, her expression revealing only a deep sense of melancholy.
"You've truly gone too far this time," Elder Gabriel's face remained stoic, his tone carrying a hint of reproach. But Kenny understood that Gabriel was likely displeased with him. The old man was always inscrutable, and he held the highest esteem within the Elder Council. Now was not the time to provoke him. Kenny put on a sincere expression. "I must thank you for your support among the Elders. With my citizenship restored this time, it'll be easier to plan for the future."
Gabriel snorted. "What future can you plan now? You haven't fulfilled any of the promises we made initially."
Kenny waved his hand helplessly. "It's all because of that meddlesome woman. If it weren't for her interference, our plan would have succeeded long ago. But regardless, you managed to keep yourself safe, didn't you? If I were truly convicted and they investigated thoroughly, you wouldn't have been able to escape either. After all, you were the custodian of the tribal treasury."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, looking at Kenny. He sensed a hint of threat in Kenny's words, but Kenny struck a chord with Gabriel's sensitive spot, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"I can only help you up to a certain point," Gabriel said coldly, deliberately lowering his voice. "Indeed, we cannot entirely trust the Lord Priest's words either. After all..." Gabriel tapped his temple with his finger. "I only did these things because I promised to follow him back then."
Kenny nodded understandingly. "It will take some time for Priest Osha to familiarize himself with the affairs of our tribe. As long as you can smoothly take over the security work of the River Domain, then the practical control of the OLVE New Alliance organization will still be in your hands."
"Liam is the temporary leader now, and he's not a reckless man. The situation in the River Domain is clear to everyone. He may not be willing to hand over such a large territory to someone else," Gabriel remarked, taking a sip of his wine. His implication regarding Liam's temporary leadership was unmistakably disapproving.
"The situation forced our hand. If you hadn't voluntarily elected him as the temporary leader, we would have been exposed easily," Kenny reassured hastily. "Now, to regain control of the River Domain, we need to find something for Liam to do, so he'll have to clash with the other tribes." Kenny wore a carefree expression, while Gabriel scrutinized the man before him, sighing inwardly. This person was indeed completely different from his old comrade, Dade.
In the early morning, as the sun rose from the horizon, the thin mist of the jungle had not yet dissipated. Indeed, there was activity stirring at Anna's canyon villa. Herds of horses neighed as they were harnessed to large wagons, people came and went from the villa, and heavy iron crates were carried out, one by one, and loaded onto the wagons. Kenny walked out of the villa, his expression alert as he looked around, the distant silence unnerving.
With a fleet of over twenty carriages prepared, Kenny mounted his horse, followed by Burke, who swiftly did the same. Kenny glanced back toward the villa's direction, casually querying Burke, "Hey, are you truly sticking with me rather than joining Anna's faction?"
"Whatever Lady Anna commands, I obey. Why not pose that question to her?" Burke replied with a cold edge.
"She'll rendezvous with us at the harbor in three days. Are your sailors ready?" Kenny brushed off Burke's impoliteness, turning his gaze once more to the villa's windows, but they remained vacant. He sighed, then took hold of the reins, leading the way westward.
Burke followed suit, signaling for the carriage convoy to proceed behind them, and together, they guided the convoy toward the western canyon passage.
As the mist dispersed in the wake of the sunrise, the silhouette of a small squad emerged from the hilltop. Draped in black, armed with short swords or longbows, and wearing sturdy short boots, they approached on foot. The lead female warrior surveyed the caravan below in the canyon, signaling to her comrades. All members crouched low, shadowing the path of the canyon on the hill, tracking alongside the caravan. Two teams, one traversing the canyon floor and the other on the mountain slopes.
Ethan darted from the midst of the small squad, closing the gap to Milia, the leader, and queried her in a hushed tone, "When do we make our move?"
"We'll strike once we're certain they're transporting illicit gold," Milia replied composedly. She had arranged for a few astute guards to set up interception barricades ahead. Those individuals wouldn't elude capture for long.
Ethan nodded, volunteering to scout ahead as the vanguard to assess the situation with the carriages. Milia assented, and they silently trailed the caravan's path beneath the canyon. When the carriages rested, so did the tracking team. When the carriages resumed their journey, the tracking team followed from a distance. And so, they journeyed for a day until nightfall, when the caravan found a spacious campsite at the bottom of the canyon. The tracking team halted and lurked in the tall grass of the night.
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