Salt and Blood [A Pirate LitRPG]

When dead men march to war, the ocean weeps and the skies tremble. An army which fights knowing it will not return alive is the most terrifying force in this world

-Excerpt from 'Studies on War and Rebellion' by various contributors

Rose patted the tough scales of the war-doori before leaving it in the care of the stablemaster. The journey to Greengate had only taken a day at the speed the powerful beasts travelled.

"Do you need me to join you?" Rose asked Everyn, as the two walked out onto the streets of Greengate.

"No, I'll handle my father. If he wants more explanation I'll find you, but he should consent. He hates Minenblum more than any of us," he replied.

Rose gave him a sideways glance.

"Well, more than most of us," he corrected himself.

"Alright, I trust you. I'm going to meet my father and speak with my uncle. Perhaps he has some knowledge that might help us. I should tell them about the tidestone engine, too. Perhaps they can figure something out with the knowledge," she said.

"Good plan. Let's meet tonight at the Black Cauldron."

"Sure. See you later," Rose said with a wave as the pair parted ways.

***

"Rose! You have no idea how worried I've been," her father exclaimed, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

"About what? Your daughter can handle herself just fine," she replied with a pout.

"Oh I'm sure. A father is supposed to be happy sending his little girl off to do battle against a monolithic navy and not have a care in the world," he snorted.

"Well, you have to admit she has been handling herself well," her uncle interjected, ruffling her hair. "I'd wager it's those Minenblum bastards that need to be worried about themselves instead."

Her father sighed deeply, holding his head in the palm of one hand. "I know. I know. Just… don't do anything stupid," he said, looking Rose in the eyes and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Promise me you'll stay alive, even if that means giving up the fight."

She wasn't sure how to reply. Rose didn't think she could turn her back on a fight, knowing what the consequences would be.

However, she knew her father was only worried about her safety. So she told him what he wanted to hear. "Of course, father. I'll stay safe," she replied with a smile.

"Good girl," he chuckled. "Now, let's eat! Eat up, there's plenty more where that came from," he encouraged with gusto, already raising a hunk of meat to his gob.

They were at one of the finest restaurants in the city—her uncle's treat. He had insisted on it the moment she had turned up at his place.

Rose wasn't particularly hungry but she wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to scarf down a load of sizzling, spiced meat. It wasn't quite up to the Nasar standard that she'd grown used to, but it was enough to satiate her.

After eating what was likely her body weight in meat, potatoes, and grilled fish, she was near catatonic while reclining in the comfortable padded chairs of the restaurant.

It was a much needed break from all the chaos and bloodshed that had filled her life lately. Looking at her happily chatting father and uncle, a smile crossed her face. This was what she was fighting for.

Run? Stay alive? What's the point if I can't fight for what's mine? The day I die is the day my legend ends and it's only just begun.

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***

"Everyn! You've returned. My heroic son," the king proclaimed, raising his arms and sitting up straight on the throne.

The few advisors and councillors present turned to face the crown prince, a curious cocktail mix of expressions on their faces. Some were delighted at Everyn's victorious return, while others had faces as if they'd just bitten into a sour grape.

Even at a time like this, while we face extinction, they still have time to fight amongst themselves, he cursed them in his head. All in support of that layabout brother of mine who can't even deign to show his face while the nation is in danger.

"Yes Your Highness, I have returned. We have brought back news of victory and even the spoils of war. A mighty ship of steel and arcane craftsmanship from the hands of Elmer Saff himself!" Everyn announced, grinning when he saw the various hangers-on startle.

"Magnificent, my son! What a glorious achievement. You shall be rewarded. Speak, what do you desire?" the king replied with a beaming smile, standing upright and clapping thrice.

"Father, I do not have any need of personal merit. In truth, the person who contributed the most in this battle was not myself, but Rose. She defeated and killed two commodores single handedly, although I did manage to deal a lethal wound to one of them beforehand. If anyone is deserving of a reward, it is her," Everyn replied, slowly raising his head to meet his father's gaze.

Instantly the room lit up with chatter and gossip. He saw wide eyes and disbelief on the faces of his father's advisors. Everyn didn't give a damn whether they believed him or not—they were unimportant, power-hungry fools.

"Truly? If your words are true, then she does indeed deserve a grand reward. We will have to summon her here. Go, bring the girl," the king said, resting his chin in the crook of his fingers.

"Father, there is another matter. A request. The ship we acquired is large and powerful. Despite the deaths of my two guards, we were still able to bring it back thanks to the advanced navigation machinery, but it would be far more effective with a full crew," Everyn began.

"This ship should be turned over to the government for research," a rat-faced man with curly black hair and a wispy beard interrupted. "Not risked in the crown prince's foolish crusade with his pirate lover."

"Advisor Errenstorm, I would caution you against such insults," Everyn snarled. "Rose is fighting for her nation against powerful adversaries, putting her life on the line, while you cower here in Greengate. If you want to research the ship, then send a few engineers with us on our voyage when we set sail. However, we need its firepower to strike our enemies where it hurts."

He would have preferred to punch the detestable bastard in his rodent-like face, but keeping his cool was more important. He needed his father to agree to his request.

"What do you mean, my son? Strike them where it hurts? Surely you don't mean to say…" the king suddenly trailed off and stared at Everyn with wide eyes.

"Indeed. We intend to take the fight to Minenblum. We cannot cower here on our island while they send fleet after fleet to burn our villages and cities to the ground. This fight of theirs only continues while Malthax's citizens support him and that old bastard Elmer Saff," Everyn replied, fire in his eyes. "If we show them how it feels to fear for their lives, perhaps they won't be so vicious."

The room erupted into cries of shock and protest. Everyn's gaze never wavered even as he was insulted and decried as a madman.

"Your Highness! This is folly! This ship could be the key to advancing our arcane tech in defence of our coast. To throw it away like this… I fear that pirate wench has poisoned the prince's mind!" Advisor Errenstorm exclaimed.

"He's gone mad!" another councillor cried.

"I like it! Burn the bastards!" a different man hissed.

"Silence!" the king demanded, raising a hand to quiet the crowd. "Whether my son has gone mad or not isn't for the likes of you to decide. End these treasonous insults at once or you will find yourself without a place in my halls. You should know better, Errenstorm," he added with a glare.

"Apologies, your majesty," the man said with a bow. "I let the situation get the better of me. This war isn't healthy for any of us."

"Indeed. Which is exactly why we should support Everyn in this plan. The girl is right. If we cower behind our walls while our citizens are blown apart and slaughtered, it will never end! We must show those overbearing warmongers what it means to try and conquer the Emerlan Isle," the king declared, slamming a fist against the arm of his throne.

Skill up!
Diplomacy 11 > 12

Everyn smiled. Perfect.

"However, we can't risk all of our best men on such a risky endeavour. You will have the third through fifth squadrons of the royal regiments under your command, Everyn. And you will take your brother with you. He needs the experience."

Everyn clenched his jaw. Not perfect, he cursed. The last thing he needed was to babysit his cowardly little brother while they were in a life or death battle. Nonetheless, his father's word was law.

At least he had agreed with the plan. He suspected that even without the support of the army, Rose would have decided to attack Eastfel Bay with just the four of them.

"As you wish, Your Highness. We will show them what it means to declare war on the Emerlan Isle," Everyn said, taking a knee and lowering his head.