Thud-thud-thud…
The ground trembled. More than three hundred beastkin knights charged toward Riverden City. The deafening thunder of hooves and the sheer force of their charge made the commoners at the gate shrink back, finally crying out and fleeing in terror.
James's pupils constricted. He watched the galloping knights, his expression turning grim. They were clearly trying to give them a show of force.
"Lord James, get back!" The soldiers gripped the sword at their waists, quickly moving to shield him.
"No need. Stand down." James waved his hand. He could not retreat; this was a matter of the Master's honor. Right now, he was the face of Sedona City.
"So... barbaric..." Martin sighed, but he also didn't take a single step back. He no longer feared death; his only lingering worry was for Camilla. He was just so tired.
Neeeigh!Thud-thud...
The beastkin knights thundered to a halt just four or five meters in front of James and Martin. A wave of wind and dust from their charge washed over the small group.
When the dust settled, only James, six soldiers, Martin, and his few knights remained at the city gate. The commoners had already fled deep into the city.
"Oh? Not bad, you've got guts." Sally's brown eyes scanned the men, lingering for a few seconds on the soldiers' equipment. Her impression: elite.
"Mister James, has your Lord arrived?" Perry asked, her eyes sweeping over them.
"Your Excellency, the Chief, our Master has not arrived yet. Please, enter the city and rest," James said with a calm smile. "He should be here soon. We ask for your patience."
"Entering the city won't be necessary. We can rest just fine out here," Sally immediately cut in. If there was danger inside the city, their cavalry's mobility would be restricted.
"As you wish." James nodded. He wouldn't force the issue; Martin was still the lord of this city.
"Your Excellency, Chief, I have quarters prepared for you in the city. Please, come inside and rest," Martin said quickly. As the City Lord, he couldn't neglect basic etiquette.
"No. I have too many men with me; we will not impose," Perry said coolly. She nodded to Sally, signaling for her to have the men make camp.
She refused to enter the city because she wanted to establish the "home ground" in her own camp. First, it was safer. Second, it gave her the home-field advantage. This way, she wouldn't be negotiating as a mere guest.
"Make camp!" Sally shouted. Their logistics team had herded several hundred sheep along with them, and they carried the skins. All they had to do was cut some wood for frames, drape the skins, and they'd have tents. It was simple and fast.
Perry turned her horse and rode to the east of Riverden City, where there was an open flatland perfect for a camp, right next to the Riverden River.
"Your Highness, their lord isn't even here. Our show of force didn't have much of an effect," Sally said, clearly annoyed.
"It's fine." Perry waved her hand, unconcerned. She was already thinking about the negotiation. This time, she absolutely had to secure a large quantity of salt. If they had iron tools, she needed to buy some as well.
She was even willing to trade warhorses for it. The tribe's salt consumption was frightening; a tribe of tens of thousands could go through several pounds of salt in a single day. Especially when boiling mutton. Without enough salt, the meat was tasteless and gamey. Having grown accustomed to those cans of fish recently, she was only just learning what real food tasted like.
The beastkin quickly set off to cut wood, while others went to meet the logistics team following behind them, mainly to bring over the sheep for dinner. It was now about three in the afternoon, with a few hours left until dark.
"Mister James, what do we do now?" Martin asked, turning his head. He had prepared quarters, but it was a pity the beastkin didn't seem to trust them.
"Let them be. We won't interfere." James waved his hand and shot a meaningful glance at one of the soldiers behind him.
The soldier nodded, turned, and entered Riverden City. He would use a carrier pigeon to send a report to the City Lord, relaying the number of beastkin and their attitude.
Time passed. After two hours, the beastkin had finally set up their camp. It was crooked and a bit ugly, but at least it would provide shelter from the elements.
"They're here! A ship is coming!" A sharp-eyed beastkin shouted.
"Oh?" Sally stood on her tiptoes, shielding her eyes with her hand. She saw a massive ship slowly approaching.
"How is that ship so big?" Sally said, astonished. She'd seen ships before, but never one this large.
"It seems our counterpart is no simple man," Perry said, stepping out of her tent, her eyes fixed on the distant ship.
She knew of fifty-meter ships; she had read about them in captured documents. But a ship this size was not something an ordinary noble could possess. This Sedona City Lord was clearly very powerful. She had already guessed as much from his ability to sell her so much salt, but this confirmed he was even more formidable than she had imagined.
"Your Highness, what now? Should we go on alert?" Sally asked, her expression grave.
"Yes. Relaxed on the outside, vigilant on the inside. In a moment, you will go and invite him to dinner." Perry nodded. She wanted to test him. If he was truly sincere about cooperating, he would at least accept her invitation.
"Yes." A smirk touched Sally's lips. She doubted he would dare to accept.
"If he doesn't accept, so be it. We will leave tonight." Perry's eyes narrowed. She had never believed in free handouts. The terms he had offered in their previous trades had been far too lenient, which she found incredible. It was as if humans had suddenly ceased to be greedy.
"Yes," Sally said seriously. She was convinced the humans were, once again, planning some kind of trick.
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