The southern sea between the Kingdom of the Southern Isles and the mainland and the kingdom of Arendelle, it was waters tossed by various weather conditions, once it was ravaged by great storms, once the water was calm and its waters gently undulated creating a truly magical sight towards the sunset, this day was similar, the sea was calm the setting sun breaking through the few clouds reflected on the rolling waves, everything was calm and quiet, and a sailing two-masted single-decker ship with a green flag and Crocus, the symbol of Arendell, was sailing, a gentle wind was pushing the ship that was just sailing south along the trade route leading to the southern islands and to the southeast where the great desert peninsula joined the mainland and the great southeastern desert of Zwadish and the kingdom of Lowaron home of the curved swords.
That day was another calm day, everything seemed normal, another ship from Arendelle was on a trading mission, but the ship itself was not a normal trading ship, on board, apart from the sailors raising the two masts, and the captain standing at the wheel, many soldiers in green uniforms marched and the Crocus symbol on the chest, many of the soldiers holding telescopes were watching the horizon looking for something, one of the soldiers was sitting in the crow's nest and watching the horizon, finally he called to the captain under a black mustache and beard and he immediately turned the wheel and then called the squadron commander.
- Mr. Destin, I think we found something. Said the Captain, calling out to himself the black man in the afro standing in front of the mainmast, General Destin Mattias.
- you found something. Destin Mattias asked, focusing his brown eyes first on the captain and then on the direction the ship had sailed.
- I think so, Stanley, you see something there!. shouted the Captain.
A sailor in a white and red shirt and short brown trousers slid down the rope and quickly stood in front of the captain, giving what turned out to be bad information.
- I think it's bad, I saw the destroyed remains of our two merchant ships there. Stanley said, scratching his head and red hair.
- no!, just not that, but how, I haven't heard of any storms, our chubby sailors can cope with the element. Said Destin Mattias, standing at the edge of the deck, looking at the horizon, his hands clenched tightly on the wooden edge.
- what could have gone wrong. The Captain asked, but he preferred to wait with conclusions.
So the ship full of soldiers began to approach more and more visible wreckage, broken planks, damaged crates, and the floating material of trade fabrics became more and more dense until the very place where part of the destroyed ship could be seen, Destin Mattias watching everything more and more and gripped the wooden balustrade tighter, expecting the worst, and everything, his suspicions were directed at the southern islands from the start.
- is it possible, no!, without evidence you can't throw accusations to the wind. Destin said to himself, his brown eyes still focused on the battered boards of the two recently sunk merchant ships.
For many years there has been no reason to believe in the possibility of aggression from the Southern Isles, except for the treacherous prince of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, there has been no reason or indication of growing hostility with the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, no one can be accused without possible evidence and now the destruction could indicate anything, a storm, an attack, anything, but the question was why the attacker had not looted the merchant ships and sunk them, which obviously ruled out pirate involvement.
- I can cross it out for starters, these scoundrels, pirates never leave their loot to fate, if they were pirates, there would certainly be no fabric floating on the sea, Destin you hear me!. shouted the captain standing in front of the wheel.
- Yes, I hear, they were good people, I don't know, no!. shouted Destin, looking at the broken parts and the banner of Arendelle floating in the water.
- stop ship, sail down. shouted the captain.
The sailors quickly began to furl the sails, the green canvas was tied, the ropes were taut, the ship circled to starboard and stopped almost in place, and the soldiers and their leader Destin Mattias with a long stick pulled the soaked and tattered banner of Arendelle out of the water, but this was not the only banners that were pulled out of the water, not the only one, because under the green banner with the crocus symbol there was a second banner with a gray shield and the symbol of the Oak in the Sun, the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles.
- what is it, oak in the sun on a gray dial, they!. The captain shouted, looking with the general and the soldiers and sailors at the second banner with the symbol of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles on it.
- it's impossible what they would be doing here if it's them. Stanley asked, standing behind his captain.
- What does it mean. asked one of the soldiers, looking with equal intensity at the banner of the southern isles.
It was already clear to many, two merchant ships had been deliberately destroyed by warships from the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, the banner displayed, with the image of an oak in the sun on a gray shield, was quite obvious, the enemy attacked, sank their ships and certainly lost one himself from the ships, it was almost indisputable evidence of the guilt of the attack on the peaceful merchant ships from Arendelle, voices full of fear and anger could already be heard behind the general and the captain of the ship, many feared war, others wanted revenge for sinking the khan ships with their crew, and listening to all this, Destin Mattias clutched the banner of the south more and more, you grow full of anger and certainty of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles' guilt.
- Damn fools, what do they want, I thought they were peaceful, when I came home last year I thought our relations were peaceful, what are they planning. Destin Mattias said, frowning where his black afro hair ended.
- General, what are we doing, are we going back to Arendelle, we need to inform the queen, we need to do something. asked the captain, scratching his black beard.
- we have to go to the counterattack, we can't be passive. First Officer Stanley said quickly, demanding vengeance, retributive justice, like anyone who looked at the banner of the kingdom of the South Isles.
- wait, not all at once, yes, I know, we have concrete evidence here but. Said Destin Mattias, letting go of the enemy banner from a firm grip and looking at the sailors and soldiers in green uniforms.
- so what are you planning. one of the soldiers asked.
- I don't mind, it depends only on the queen, yes I know, we have proof here, but we can't act hastily, we have to deal with it diplomatically first, chubby is not my decision but the queen's, Anna must be strong today, fast sails to the mast. Destin Mattias said and then he went to the upper deck with the captain.
The sailors began to unwind the masts, the captain turned the steering wheel and the ship again began to cut through the gentle waves against the background of the setting sun, the waves gently carried the damaged parts of the ship and the vigilant eye of the general watched the remains of the destroyed ship for the last time, wondering about the purpose, cause, everything that could provoke the kingdom of the southern islands to attack their merchant ships, and the sight of the raked possessions for trade indicated incomprehensible action, but the proof was what it was, a banner with a gray shield, an oak tree visible against the sun, it was too important and strong evidence.
- so now we know why our ships never returned from the far south, from the lands of Zwadish and the kingdom of Lowaron. said the captain, looking only at the horizon, hands firmly on the steering wheel, feeling the sea under the feet of the wooden deck and the wind on his bald head.
- Yes, Kristoff was right, he was right to send us here, we should have taken care of it five days ago when the ships didn't come back after a week. Destin Mattias said to himself.
- I wonder why the remains are still in the same place, since the attack took place a week ago, it should look different, but on the other hand, these waters are strange in their own way and recently very calm. Said the captain.
- captain, after all, everything here was tied with ropes, or maybe our enemy wanted us to find it, there are too many questions here, but today I know one thing, I have proof and what our queen will do with it depends only on her. Destin Mattias said thoughtfully.
- may she be strong, may she quickly declare war on the Kingdom of the Southern Isles. First Officer Stanley said.
Hearing this, Destin Mattias quickly looked at the red-haired sailor with a strong-man look that made the sailor look to his right at the sea and the setting sun.
- tell me Stanley, do you think strength is in declaring war or taking care of citizens and avoiding conflict, I have seen some battles born of stupidity and fear, I saw it too late, wars are terrible. Destin Mattias said.
- so what do you propose, Destin, we lost a lot of good people here, you can't let their fate go to waste, the enemy must pay for it, you must also hit their merchant ships. Said the Captain in anger, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
- each of us is angry today, but we can't succumb to emotion today, I know one thing, we can't succumb to bad emotion, if we are overcome by lust for revenge, who will we become, war yes, if it is inevitable, but I will sincerely advise the queen not to take revenge on the ships of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, that's not how you do it. Destin Mattias said, turning his attention to the captain, the redheaded first mate, and his marching men.
It was a moment of deep reflection, a moment when everyone looked at each other, come on, everyone today was tormented by negative emotions, the general's words hit everyone, there was no one at the moment to hit the same and as mean as their enemy but he was angry and was already swimming in everyone's hearts, and the banner on the deck with the symbol of a gray shield and an oak against the sun could also be random, there were many possibilities here, but the anger took its toll.
Meanwhile, in the far south, between the southern island and the sea trade route leading to the desert lands of Zwadish, there was a green palm island, you can even call this place a paradise on earth, an island of palm trees full of sand and brown mountains was a quiet, peaceful and regular place, like the current sea , this is where the new colonizers from the Kingdom of the Southern Isles found their home, this is where the first settlement was founded a year ago and today this place was already very developed, there was a small port that could accommodate even ten smaller khan ships, and the settlement itself housed as many as forty houses with of wood, but the greatest treasure of the southern islands were the brown mountains where veins of silver were discovered quite by accident.
For Kingdom of the Southern Isles it was the apple of the eye, silver started to flow for a good month, its amount was not shocking, usually five crates were sent after a month of extraction, but for a month everything changed, no ship came from the island of palms, it was strange for a royal family, and that day, before sunset, a single-decker, three-sail warship was sailing to palm island on a mission, loaded with soldiers in gray uniforms, with a gray shield showing, oak against the sun.
Among the soldiers on the deck in front of the central mast stood Aldrich, a man in a brown uniform with gold insignia, this man with black eyes and a mustache, his brown eyes intensely focused on the visible black smoke billowing from the horizon where he saw an island of palm trees, a sight that could mean anything what's the worst.
Aldrich was no ordinary commander, he was the eldest son of the king of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, and the eldest brother of the infamous Prince Hans, and unlike his brother he was completely different, you could say he was different from all his brothers, because his calmness was always the most important, calmness and composure, striving for purpose and truth, these were his nominal dogmas, the most important principles, feuds today Aldrich, unlike soldiers or sailors, calmly watched the visible column of black smoke, he did not feel anger or fear, he was afraid only for his citizens and that what could go wrong, there were many possibilities, fire, arson, but attack was the least likely.
Although many of the walking soldiers began to whisper and even talk loudly, sharing their fear of an attack on Palm Island to loot the silver, Aldrich didn't take it personally, didn't believe it until he found evidence.
- We must be careful, Captain!. Aldrich shouted.
- Yes, Mr. Aldrich. Said the captain in a long brown tunic with a black hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth.
- is it possible to do it faster, time plays a very important role here. Aldrich said as he climbed the wooden stairs and stood beside the captain.
- it is not possible, and so our ship has reached its maximum speed, we are lucky that the wind favors us, it is a pity that today I cannot enjoy another sea journey, calm sea, gentle wind, such conditions can only be dreamed of. said the captain, gently and firmly holding the steering wheel, also signaling to his sailors who were tying more ropes to strengthen the three masts.
- basically the weather is perfect, but we have our duties there, don't forget, captain. Aldrich said pointing his right hand towards where the black smoke billowed more and more.
The captain did what he could, but the long ship, despite the favorable wind, was unable to exceed the already great speed, and every moment the ship approached the palm islands, the soldiers in gray uniforms and the sailors felt incoming fear.
First there was thicker and thicker smoke, then the image of a burnt settlement appeared, forty buildings burned to the ground and the remains were burned somewhere in the interior of the island, which meant only one thing, Palm Island had been attacked, the question was who and when.
- Could it be, Lord Aldrich, I think we're arriving too late. Said the Captain, guiding the ship between the ashes of the drifting wreckage of three merchant ships.
- I see, but who, moor the shaft in the port, soldiers. Aldrich said as he summoned fifty soldiers aboard.
Some of the soldiers drew swords and shields with the symbol of an oak against the background of the sun, others drew a crossbow and the sailors watched the forest and waters around for fear of the possible return of the unknown enemy and another attack that could occur at any moment.
The captain calmly drove the ship, his hands were clenched on the steering wheel and the sailors, according to his will, began to slowly roll up the masts, soon the long military ship was to moor in the port in front of the wooden enclosure where one of the several sunken merchant ships had once moored.
Some of the sailors sitting on the crow's nest watched both the sea and the forest and the destroyed village, practically every house was destroyed, collapsed and burned, and the destruction itself was chaotic as if it had been done by some wild animal and not a man, nothing was on its own but the bravest lay in front of the harbor, and that was the focus of Aldrich, the most commanding of the ship.
- silver, chests with silver, but how. Aldrich asked and the ship moored, the anchor was lowered and the ropes thrown by the sailors immobilized the ship, the wooden footbridge was lowered.
- now calm down, keep the formation, shield bearers behind me, crossbowmen in the back and keep an eye on the palm trees, the enemy could have left traps here so watch your step. Aldrich said.
Aldrich, holding a heavy triangular shield, descended the ship, leading his soldiers into the destroyed settlement, the first steps were rather nervous and hesitant, the cautious soldiers took their next steps on the trampled earth and sand where the stones were scattered, the crossbowmen watched the area of dense palm trees, expecting anything, an attack from a sheltered area, and leading them Aldrich headed only to what asked him the biggest questions, to the center of the settlement where two broken chests rested.
Two wooden chests lay quietly on the ground as well as their contents, silver nuggets were scattered around and practically untouched which was the most amazing thing here, because if they did, pirates would take all the possessions, but they couldn't be pirates since the precious metal was left among of destruction and black smoke billowing nearby, but that wasn't the most terrifying thing about it.
- I don't understand, quickly check the area, check the mines, and that smoke, quickly. Aldrich said, pointing in one direction leading to thick smoke and the brown mountain mine on the other side.
The soldiers moved on, shield bearers and crossbowmen divided into three groups, the first one stayed in the destroyed settlement, the remaining thirty set off into the palm forest and the leading Aldrich crouched in front of the broken chest taking a small piece of silver mined in the palm island mine, his intense look, his brown eyes focused on a lump of silver debating the cause, who, for what, what and why the silver did not disappear, in the first moments Aldrich, seeing from the deck of the ship, suspected of sabotage of his own people, believing that the colonizers decided to flee the island with all the spoil now, however, he was unable to understand what had happened here, someone destroyed the settlement, burned everything and yet did not touch the silver, he looked as if a real beast did it, the destruction of the settlement also indicates this, but the captain standing next to him in a brown tunic with his hat on, he had a different suspicion.
- Lord Aldrich, I don't think that what took place here was the purpose of thieves, it's something else, I once read about something like that in the animal world, it's a symbol. Said the captain spreading his arms around the image of the destroyed settlement.
- what symbol again, what are you talking about. Aldrich asked, turning his full attention to the ship's captain, who saw more than a mere attack in this.
- this is what predators do when they take over power in the herd or want to intimidate others, it is a synonym of strength, a signal for us, I do not know who did it, but if it is confirmed and we find something more here, it is a sign that someone wants to intimidate us, destroy us, declare war, I don't know what happened here, it's just my suspicion but. The Captain said, and Aldrich, listening to him, threw a piece of silver into the chest, looking at his servant with a look of fear.
- So you think our citizens, no!. Aldrich shouted wanting to run but everything was suddenly interrupted by the approaching soldiers, thirty soldiers suddenly returned and on their faces there was a great fear and something else.
- what happened, mine, smoke, tell me quickly. Aldrich said, hands clenched tight ready for anything, the worst.
- the mine is untouched except for burnt buildings but that's not the worst part. Said the first of the soldiers giving way to the second tallest and strongest.
- So what is it, tell me. Aldrich said, and the tall soldier walked over to his commander and whispered a few words.
Aldrich gasped at the thought, his brown eyes dull, his brow furrowed and his mustache and black beard quivered, but he still held his composure as the worst of the information hit him, and he stared at the suddenly extinguished place where not so long ago the ashes were smoldering, after all Aldrich took a few steps forward looking at the destroyed settlement, the harbor and the moored single-decker ship and after all he looked back at his soldiers in gray uniforms feeling in his heart that all the worst was behind him.
- heavy with news, but who, tell me if you found anything there. Aldrich asked, and his soldiers suddenly began to whisper something, to say something that made Aldrich put his hands behind his back and focus on what might have been above what his soldiers had found.
- come on, tell me what else you found, go ahead. Aldrich said, and the third soldier stepped forward to his commander and put his hands behind his back to retrieve what had been found in the ruined mine.
- Lord, we found only this, and this. banner, shield and more, it's a symbol. Said the soldier giving the commander probably the worst news because the symbols that were on the shield and banner were too well known to the lord from the southern islands.
- Arendelle, it's impossible. Aldrich said looking down at the shield he held in his hands, and his quick breath made his brown uniform with yellow insignia start to tremble slightly until everything stopped in complete focus and certainty.
- why, it's impossible, after all, we've always traded honestly with them, except for that steamer, Hans, my youngest brother, but maybe he was right, maybe he wasn't, then you have to explain it first, if it's possible today, soldier. Aldrich said handing over the shield and banner to the tallest soldier, already quickly arranging a plan of action.
- yes, lord.
- today we stay here, someone has to take care of it, tomorrow we go back home, and we're getting ready to straighten out the current evidence, you take care of the silver chests, I'll take care of that one myself. Aldrich said, directing all his attention to the ashes somewhere deep in the palm forest between the settlement and the mine.
- yes, lord. The tall soldier answered, they first took the shields and the banner with the crocus, the symbol of Arendelle, returning to the ship and the other soldiers began to work loading chests and mined silver.
As the sun went below the horizon and a light wind swept over the ashes, the stench of the destroyed buildings was still there, but that smell was to be nothing compared to what awaited deep in the palm forest, and it was there that Aldrich directed his next steps with the captain who wanted to stop him .
- Lord, it's not the right place, please, please don't go there. Said the captain, adjusting his black hat.
- someone has to do it, I have to do it, I'm responsible for it, as for my younger brothers.
but the lord himself abdicated the crown as the eldest son, it is probably not your duty anymore. The Captain said but quickly fell silent when he met his lord's sharp gaze.
- yes, I resigned because power is not for me, but I have my duties as a lord and commander, besides, I don't like to argue, that's why I gave up power, and now come if you have the courage. Aldrich said, passing broken and fallen palm trees on his way, walking confidently towards perhaps the worst sight of his life.
- I, I mean yes, I'm going, but lord, I have one question, what now, symbols, banners and shield from Arendelle, it's not a coincidence, what we're going to do, we have to do something and quickly. Said the captain.
- I don't know, I certainly won't declare war on them, not so soon, that needs to be clarified. Said Aldrich fighting his emotions, saving himself with inner peace, but his ordeal had just begun when his eyes finally saw something terrible.
- gosh what a stench, oh no. said the captain then retreated deeper into the forest but not Aldrich who began to breathe heavily and after all still watched the impossible.
- so how my lord, what orders, we are to talk to them, debate, Hans would have a different opinion on this. the captain asked.
- that's for sure, surely he would have already succumbed to conflicting emotions, anger, lust for revenge, I won't allow myself to do something like that, but you're right about one thing captain, we need to go back to our house, my parents need to know about it, they need to know maybe Arendelle wants to declare war on us, I don't know, but everything points to it. Aldrich said calmly, despite what he saw, he was still calm and focused, unlike his brother who would certainly be inciting war and would not seek the truth, would not seek to solve the problem in a way other than war.
- but lord, it means that we have to forgive them, sweep it under the carpet, I'm not going for such a thing.
- Captain, I'm not going either, but you can't be hasty here, you can't act emotionally and violently, my brother has already acted like this mainly and the fault of my younger brothers, and what it led him to, to great stupidity, but you have my word, for two days we go to Arendelle to straighten things out and knowing my parents and brothers surely the strike fleet will come with us if it's true you have my word I will personally lead you into a great battle if it's true Arendelle will pay for it. Aldrich said, fully focused on the sight before his eyes as well as the captain standing next to him.
At first, even Aldrich was about to give the order to do everything to strike at the enemy and take revenge on those who destroyed the innocent settlement, but his experience, everything he saw and read, made Aldrich again prefer to settle everything calmly, prudently, with tact and etiquette, but when what happened here is confirmed, nothing will stop him from bringing justice to the destroyers.
- if there is no other way, I will lead you to war myself. Aldrich said as he began to descend with some soldiers into a large pit.
As Aldrich began to work with the soldiers before nightfall, in the sky where the moon was rising, a black raven cawed over the island, his voice seeming to carry the worst of prophecies, croaking the coming war between Arendelle and the Kingdom of the Southern Isles war awaits, something that has been happening for years, and probably always and now the croaking raven carried with it an inexhaustible threat, indescribable evil, cawing, croaking a terrible future, even the soldiers marching through the destroyed settlement looked with fear at the raven flying in the sky, feeling fear and fear in the depths of their hearts, because war was what no one wanted, there were few who always strived for war and fed on it.
The raven flew over the island and circled, then flew towards the night east, flying into the unknown and its croaking carried omens, prophecies into space, and when accusations from both sides hit each, the war will consume both nations.
L
The world, the two kingdoms have already trembled, a great trial is about to begin and its main goal is one, war, the question is whether the current accusations are true or fabricated, it will soon be seen.