183 Surprise Visitor (2/2)
”King Corco, an enemy commander has come to meet you.”
”What's going on?” Already half out of his seat, Corco sat down again. At first the scout leered at Tama, but Corco's ”talk” reminded him on his duties.
”An enemy vessel from the Narrow Sea approached our shoreline not long ago. Before it reached within cannon range, the ship let down a smaller boat to transport a single man ashore. He says his name is Arnao d'Ichilia, captain of the blockade fleet within the Narrow Sea, and he has come to negotiate.”
”...in that case, bring him here as soon as possible. Make sure he doesn't see the camp. We don't want my uncle to know about our plans or our numbers.”
”As you wish, King Corco.” Calmed by the king's own indifferent attitude, the servant bowed and left.
”What could that captain want?” Tama asked, still halfway to the entrance. All this time, the servant had just ignored her.
”Guess we'll find out soon. Sorry, but you'll have to hide again.”
Like a ghost, the girl moved towards Corco, towards the curtains behind his seat.
”Not to worry, King Corco. My position by your side will not change, even if I become invisible.”
”...good job?” a confused Corco said.
”Further, there is something I need to clarify: Our rescue mission to save Fadelio was, in truth, a success. He decided to stay, in part to guarantee the safety of the craftsmen under his care, and in part to force you into action.”
Corco was surprised by her honesty. After he had worked through his spy master's rare openness, he showed a forced smile.
”I thought it was something like that. He's done that sort of stuff before, you know? Though in this case, his actions are pointless. I wouldn't have left the craftsmen to die, and he should know that pretty well. They're too important for the future of Saniya. At least you told me the truth right now, when no one's around. Otherwise, I would have to punish him again for doing his job. I'll talk with him when he comes back and make sure he's more discreet in the future. Seems like he can't even trust his own family.”
”Thank you, King Corco.” Tama ignored Corco's sigh and disappeared into the background again.
__________________________
When Captain Arnao took the heavy jute bag off his head, he first scanned his surroundings. Despite his quick wit, the southern king had to disappoint him. His warriors had already drawn the tent's entrance closed, so there was nothing to see.
*No intel for you,* Corco thought as he waited for his opposite to speak. Even though he had shown the bravery to initiate negotiations in from a weak position, the man to his opposite was a nervous wreck. His eyes flitted all over the place and his face was covered with a thin film of grime. For a captain, he seemed hardly capable of anything, but looks could be deceiving. As for looks, he also appeared quite thin for a high-status warrior. This should be the reason for their negotiations.
”King Corcopaca, allow me to introduce myself: My name is Arnao d'Ichilia, High Captain of the United Fleet of House Ichilia. Although we have met as foes on the field of battle, this captain has always felt nothing but admiration for King Corcopaca's heroic deeds. Yes indeed, he is a great man of great stature, and thus this captain believes we will be able to speak well, for the good of all of Medala.”
”...so what do you want?” Corco really despised this sort of boot licking. Since the man was used to the Ichilia court in Huaylas, the king decided to humor his bad habits for now. If Spuria was any indication, that place must have been full of snakes. However, Corco's patience remained unrewarded, as the nervous Arnao droned on.
”King Corcopaca. Ever since the start of the war, both our sides have caused great damage to each other. Our great and noble sailors blockaded your passage across the Narrow Sea, and prevented the transport of King Corcopaca's further troops. In retaliation, King cut off our supplies and prevented our own landing efforts. However, this captain believes that there is no need for such mutual destruction among men of Medala. Both sides possess great honor and the spirit of warriors-”
”Get to the fucking point.”
Throughout the speech, Corco's body had sunk deeper and deeper into his chair, like a spring put under pressure. While he still hadn't exploded, he wasn't far off. In response to the rude interruption, Arnao remembered his position and swallowed heavily, before he got on his knees and spoke with tears in his eyes. Whether his actions were fake or real was hard to distinguish.
”This captain hoped that King Corcopaca could find it in his heart to lift the blockade of the shoreline and allow our ships to take on foodstuffs. Aboard our fleet, not even the rats are safe from the hungry stomachs of my men. The first few have already starved to death. Although the lonely islands are right besides us, we are forbidden from entry, on Lord Ichilia's order... thus, please King Corco, show mercy and allow my men to eat.”
Despite the impassioned speech, Corco remained unimpressed, If intrigued. Maybe this was a chance to lift the blockade. At least it was worth a shot.
”Okay, so what's your offer?” he asked in anticipation. A good few seconds passed while the kneeling captain only returned a dull stare.
”Please excuse me, King Corcopaca, I fail to understand.” Finally, Arnao's system rebooted, but he still came up empty.
”Your offer,” the king repeated. ”You know, since I'm giving you food to make sure you don't starve to death, what will you do for me in return?”
”That's...” the man's blank stare told Corco all he needed to know. This idiot had come here without any plan, hadn't he? With a groan, the king hid the pain on his face behind his hand.
”How about you stop the blockade then?” Corco suggested.
”That is impossible, King Corcopaca. Where would we go? All paths out of the sea are blocked off by your men.”
”Okay, then how about you just let my ships through? The Narrow Sea is pretty wide after all, despite its name. Just make some room and let us pass. Pretend you didn't see us or something.”
The captain's grimy, haggard and tear-stained face somehow became even more miserable.
”But... King Corcopaca, Lord Ichilia has ordered this captain to stand his ground at all cost. Insubordination is impossible.”
In response to the sheer lunacy before him, Corco balled his fists until they began to shake while he bit down on his lips, hard. It was all in a desperate struggle to not kill the idiot right on the spot.
”Please stop talking or my head is gonna explode,” he forced through his teeth while his fists pressed against his temples. ”Are you saying you came here, and your great plan was to... ask for help? How the fuck did you even come up with this shit?”
”King Corcopaca, please help us.”
”You're fucking kidding me!” At last the king exploded and jumped out of his chair. ”Did you actually come to beg your enemy to go easy on you cause you're not doing well? And you're not even offering anything in return? What the fuck is wrong with you? Get the fuck up! You don't need a spine, but a commander should at least have a brain, right? Guards! Get that idiot out of here. Don't let him come back until he understands what a negotiation is.”
After the idiot captain's head disappeared within another sack, he was led out of the tent by Corco's guards. The king watched in consternation, until he broke out into uproarious laughter. If all of Pacha's commanders proved this competent, maybe the war would be easier than he thought.