262 Bells (1/2)
Kotara was grand city. Its stone towers were tall. The walls were thick and well maintained. But behind the thick walls and intimidating towers was a city of beauty.
The tenements were a least three stories tall and mostly made of bricks. Each building had the usual conical roof the Wismarines preferred but the materials and designs dabbled with influences from other cultures. The streets were clean and wide and the sewage system was functional. They say you could cook food in the cobbles and not get watery stool after. The great port housed most of the Wismarine navy and hundreds trade and transport ships. The port had seen so much coins being traded so much that one would find a coin or two in the nooks if he looked hard enough. It was a city that was trying to rival Holm.
At least that was what Timothy heard from the stories. He didn't know if there was truth in these tales. All he knew was that Kotara is the last city in the line of Asiba River. The Great River empties into the icy shores adjacent to the city. It was Wismar's center of trade and soon it would fall into the Union's hand.
”Everything is ready sire” General Marvin said.
Timothy eyed the city one last time. The defenses were tough and would stand an assault for a long time. But there were more ways to capture a city other than assaulting the walls.
”Send them” Timothy ordered.
***
John heaved the reins of the two horses pulling his cart. Grumpy and beauty, he named the two. Grumpy was a brown Tulosan stallion with thick legs and a bad attitude. John had a complicated relationship with the horse. Beauty, on the other hand, was also a Tulosan stallion despite the name. His legs were long and a match to his slender body. And unlike Grumpy, Beauty was tamed.
Stones and potholes made their ride bumpy. The cart danced to every bump. And yet the two other men riding with him were silent and stern.
”Ease, brothers” John said. ”You'll give away our profession with those looks”
”Maybe they should know. Rooster's coming to peck their asses. That'll get them scrambling.” Jop said.
”And then we fail” said Elisar ”Good plan Jop. You just forced the Rooster a bloody wall assault.”
John smiled, regarding the two with glee. The three of them were in danger and a thousand things could go wrong. But they were calm. That was good. A calm and a clear mind would go a long way.
In a moment they reached the front gate of Kotara. There were no queues like what he expected. Wars are bad for trade as they say.
The five guards by the gate waved them to halt but John didn't. It was only when the cart was directly below the gate that he pulled the reins of the two horses. The guards were not pleased.
”Name?” One of the guards asked, the senior one based on the markings on his armor.
”John Wilkin”
The guard looked up. ”Castonian?”
”My name could be Tulosan, Vinti, Vanadian or Burondian and yet you accuse me of being a Castonian?”
”What then?”
”Vinti”
”And your cargo?”
”Wine. Cheap ones for brothels. Don't assume you'll get a Hadean bribe mate.”
”We don't accept Hadeans anyway. Whole nation's gone to the other side.” The guard then frowned. ”Why is your companion holding a lantern in the middle of the day?”
It is time, John thought.
He unhooked Beauty and Grumpy, jumped off the cart and led the two horses away. Jop and Elisar also did the same amidst the confusion of the guards.
Both Elisar and Jop mounted Beauty while he rode on Grumpy.
”Oi! Where are you going?” The guard shouted.
Jop threw the lantern on the cart. The three of them galloped as fast as they could. Grumpy kicked dust.
John looked behind after a few of Grumpy's wide strides. The cart was burning. The flame was large. And soon it exploded.
***