The dark green sea, the constant smell of salt, fish and gunpowder. The countless cigarettes and empty rum bottles lying on the ground. The polluted and abandoned appearance of a small port town. Besides being the home of the exiles, Innsmouth was the only port town without a properly established government. Its whole way of functioning is based on who has the most money and influence to pay. If one were to define a hierarchy there, it would certainly be the militia at the top.
Many travelers or traitors to their nations make the mistake of staying in Innsmouth. For the weak and unaware, this city could be more hostile and treacherous than the Cermina underworld itself.
The mainstay of this port city was established from former Cermina and Lotvian leaders. Although they do not fully cultivate the same culture as both, the traces of selfishness and lack of human ethics still run through the veins of its residents.
Even carrying all these demerits, Cermina's political and financial trust with Innsmouth was strengthened.
Hundreds of Cermina soldiers would run back and forth non-stop. The work was incessant and everyone there was getting ready by doing their best for war.
Arsenals were being prepared. Chariots, wagons, gunpowder, bladed weapons and firearms being properly organized for their respective squadrons. On the outskirts of Innsmouth Bay, more than 15 Cerminas armored ships were moored, all heavily armed with cannons and harpoons.
On land, troops of soldiers divided into ranks being instructed by their commanders. Each troop with its own specialty: archers, marksmen, spearmen, swordsmen, mages, doctors, and machinists, among others.
Among the Cerminian troops, many mercenaries from Innsmouth and Lotevi were organized among them. These men were capable of doing anything for money, even taking on wars that were not their own.
The blood-red color of the fabrics of their uniforms contrasted with the dark gray of the rusted iron of the Cermina soldiers' armor. The sight was intimidating, and everyone knew it.
All nations had strong warlike pillars that ensured the safety of their development, but none of them compared to Cermina. A nation based entirely on violence and domination. Cerminians might run out of food, but never without their blades. Power was the food, and the blood of the enemy was the liquid.
Cermina was relentless.
While the troops worked, four male figures stared at the infinity of the green ocean. Four tall men with authoritative posture and dressed differently from the others. Red and black capes with Cermina's symbol, fur and spikes on their shoulders. There were the most respected generals of the entire Cermina nation: Krauser Vautour, Norgard Chasseur, Tyr Kirve and Fenrir Kirve.
Although they had the same ranks, Krauser held the rank of governor of the nation. Norgard followed the hierarchy as vice governor and head of investigative intelligence and infiltration, Tyr as general of war and legal and illegal economy, and Fenrir as head of international relations.
Everyone in Cermina knew that for these men to be in their positions, much blood had been spilled and much betrayal had to have been done.
The silence among the four generals at that moment revealed the personal reflections of each of the men. Each of them saw the war in a different way; they all had something to gain, but much to lose.
-Apparently they succeeded. - Fenrir broke the silence as he saw the figure of the Deep Spear ship taking shape as the fog on the horizon dissipated.
-It would be strange if they failed. - Tyr answered his brother with a certain rudeness in his voice.
-It seems your pupil led the mission well, doesn't it, Norgard?-Krauser's look at Norgard was indecipherable.
-We don't know if he's still alive. - Fenrir played subtly with the situation, without losing his serious posture.
-I doubt it. There is no one on that ship capable of killing Von.- Norgard Chasseur continued to stare at the approaching ship. His eyes were also indecipherable.
-Not even Niero?- Krauser looked again at the ship, like Norgard.
-No one. - Norgard was lying when he said that. He knew that only one person on that ship could kill Von, and that person would not be Niero.
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-ATTENTION EVERYONE! WE WILL ARRIVE IN INNSMOUTH IN THE NEXT 20 MINUTES, SO I ASK YOU TO GATHER YOUR BELONGINGS SO THAT THE DISEMBARKATION WILL BE CALM AND WITHOUT PROBLEMS. IF YOU FORGET ANY OBJECT OR PIECE OF CLOTHING, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE SHIP. WHEN YOU LEAVE THE DEEP SPEAR SHIP, YOU WILL BE UNDER CERMINA'S GUARDIANSHIP. YOU WILL BE PRESENTED WITH A FEW CHOICES: BECOME A CERMINA CITIZEN OR BE EXECUTED. IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT CHOICE IS IT? BE AWARE THAT YOUR FAMILIES WILL BE INFORMED AT SOME POINT OF YOUR CURRENT CONDITION. YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE ADVISED TO TRANSFER THEIR SAVINGS SO THAT NONE OF YOU WILL BE HARMED BY THE MISSION. THIS IS NOT CHARITY, WE JUST DON'T WORK WITH SLAVERY. BE USEFUL, BE CERMINIANS AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE NORMALLY. - Gior used the ship's loudspeaker to inform all crew members of the arrival of the Deep Spear on dry land.
Lizandra and Tilian supervised all the cabins of the ship, hurrying the crew members who had not yet organized themselves, and making sure that everyone was ready to disembark.
While the other Cermina assassins ensured that the ship was organized, Sophie and Von were in the cabin packing their respective bags, both in total silence.
The last few days had been extremely difficult for Sophie. As the days passed, silence had become commonplace between her and Von.
Sophie had given up trying to approach him in any way, and Von remained focused on every step he took. His every move was calculated. Every breath was thought out. No word was used in vain. Von failed several times to give in to Sophie's charms. Even though he tried to convince himself that it was all just physical attraction, he knew that this was the quickest way to death.
Relationships were for weak people, he had always believed that. All the deep bonds he had created in the course of his life had ended tragically, and with this he had learned to reject any kind of emotional attachment.
Neither he nor Sophie would benefit from this closeness. The potential of both was going to be wasted in this relationship, and he didn't want that.
The reality that Von denied himself so much was that he was terrified of suffering for Sophie's death. Just remembering her wounded body in his arms, as it was in the forest, made his heart break. He would not want to feel that again.
The sound of Sophie's boots against the wooden floor of the cabin echoed. The redhead walked silently to the door. Again no words were spoken.
Von looked at her as she stepped out of the cabin and slammed the door hard. If he was feeling bad about the whole situation, Sophie was probably feeling worse.
As he finished packing his bag, Von took his broken blade-glove with his right hand. Now that was a good reason to have a broken heart. His favorite weapon had been destroyed.
Von had a philosophy of his own: "Everything once broken will never be the same. "
With this in mind, he walked to the small window of the cabin, took a deep breath, and threw the glove through the window.
His smile fell apart the moment he remembered what was to come. He had killed Niero, and he would have to justify it. In addition, he had to explain why Niero's katana had become just an ordinary weapon. But there would be no exact explanation for this.
Von picked up his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked to the cabin door. He looked back to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything, and then closed the door.
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The ship Deep Spear was docking at the Innsmouth pier. Dozens of men were in position to tie up the gigantic ship so that they could unload the people, and especially the "cargo" that was unknown to the people outside the ship until then.
After all the ropes were tied and the ship was properly positioned by Gior, a ramp was placed so that the people could get off.
In a line, the crew members, including Denver, went down the ramp, and as they set foot on land, they were escorted by some lieutenants in front of a nearby warehouse to be oriented about their new living and working conditions.
Then Sophie went down first, then Lizandra and Tilian. The redhead thanked the heavens in thought for being on solid ground. She hated sailing, she always felt seasick. Even if she was getting used to the passage of time, she would always prefer the stability of land.
The three assassins walked toward the four generals, who looked at them seriously.
The Cerminian assassins lowered their gaze in respect for their superiors, and didn't utter a word until one of the generals said something.
Not a word was spoken.
After a few long minutes, Von and Gior got off the ship and walked towards the other seven Cerminians.
-Where are the others? - Krauser's tone of voice revealed a certain dissatisfaction.
-Dead.- Von answered directly to the point. There would be no reason to make up the facts. Facts are facts.
The four generals looked at each other, looking curious and a little surprised at the death of four of Cermina's best agents. General Norgard stepped forward, standing next to Von.
With a look that could be defined as disapproval, Norgard Chasseur only said one word.
-Report.-