Chapter 225: A Ravencrest
"How is that possible? My brother hated the pirates more than anyone! How could he join them? You’re lying!"
Joan shouted, her voice trembling.
Seeing her distress, Desmond softened his tone. He suddenly tore open his shirt, revealing a long scar stretching from his chest to his abdomen.
"Your brother gave me this wound, with a Latin sword. Would I lie to you about that?"
"No..." Joan shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
The old woman sighed. "Joan, after you were sold, your brother changed. None of us expected he’d end up joining the pirates. Now, the whole village curses his name."
Joan’s grief deepened. With a sob, she turned and ran out.
Desmond stood to chase after her but hesitated and sat back down. After all, Joan was now the Prince’s personal maid. Simon had hoped to reunite Joan with her family, but this outcome was far from what he’d expected. He sighed. "Desmond, visit the nearby fishing villages and recruit as many skilled young men as possible."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Desmond stood eagerly, then helped his mother out of the government office.
Once they were gone, Montey spoke up. "Your Highness, was handling Desmond this way really appropriate? Won’t other salt smugglers grow bolder now?"
He had remained silent earlier but couldn’t hold back any longer.
"Salt smugglers should be judged by intent. Those who traffic for profit must be punished harshly, but for villagers like Desmond, forced into it to survive, we must show mercy. Besides, I need capable men now, and you said yourself Desmond influences the fishing communities."
Baldwin nodded. "Exactly. And when challenged with duty to the kingdom, he stepped forward immediately. That proves he values justice over selfish gain."
Montey frowned but finally relented.
Simon’s expression then turned cold. "Montey, do you admit your wrongdoing?"
"This official admits his fault!"
Montey knew Simon was condemning his rash arrest of an entire village to pressure Desmond, a move that could have sparked public outrage.
While Desmond had bribed some villagers, others genuinely resented the government’s heavy-handedness.
"Since you admit it, your penalty is six months’ suspended pay," Simon declared. "If not for the urgent need for talent, I would have dismissed you."
Montey accepted the punishment with a strained smile.
After reprimanding Montey, Simon continued. "Where is the Ashenford shipyard? Take us there."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joan was still weeping outside. Simon decided to let her grieve in private, instructing her to wait at the temporary residence.
The three men left Ashenford, following the coastline east before reaching the shipyard.
The sprawling facility occupied a wide bay, with over a thousand workers toiling on the beach.
"Your Highness, this site is only five miles from Ashenford’s military camp. In case of danger, reinforcements can arrive swiftly. Additionally, five hundred soldiers are stationed here to guard the shipyard." Montey explained.
"How many troops does Ashenford currently have?" Simon asked Baldwin.
"Recruitment began last year. We now have about three thousand, the fewest among the six cities. And equipment like armour and weapons is severely lacking." Baldwin replied.
"That’s not enough. Ashenford will become a strategic stronghold second only to Brambleford. We need at least twenty thousand soldiers here." Simon said.
Montey hesitated. "Your Highness, Ashenford’s population is barely a hundred thousand. Three thousand troops already strain our resources. More conscription would cripple development."
"Then recruit from other cities. The shipyard’s security cannot be compromised." Simon insisted.
Baldwin nodded.
While pirates weren’t as dire a threat as the northern reavers, they were still a major headache. Without sufficient troops, repelling a large-scale raid would be impossible.
After inspecting the shore, the three toured the shipyard. As Harlan had reported, it was ready for production.
Returning to the residence, Simon found Joan with red-rimmed eyes.
"Don’t grieve too much. Perhaps your brother had no choice." He offered.
Joan’s voice was icy. "My Lord, no excuse justifies becoming a pirate. Our parents died by their hand; how could he serve their killers? If you ever capture him, let me execute him myself."
Simon studied her. The timid girl seemed hardened by the ordeal. "Very well. If that day comes, he’s yours."
Joan forced a faint smile.
Simon sighed. Had he known this would happen, he wouldn’t have brought her.
After three days in Ashenford, Montey and Desmond had scoured nearby villages, recruiting nine hundred men, every willing youth from the fishing communities.
How many would stay depended on their reaction to the galleons.
With the recruits in tow, Simon returned to Brambleford.
At the shipyard, they saw the galleons resting on the riverbank.
"Your Highness, these will be our warships?" Desmond’s eyes shone. They were the largest vessels he’d ever seen.
"Correct. Three are ready, with more to be built in Ashenford. Would you like to command this fleet?" Simon asked.
"Me?" Desmond’s excitement was palpable.
Simon nodded. A man bold enough to smuggle salt had the audacity he needed for long voyages.
"Yes!" Desmond’s gaze sparkled, already envisioning the glory of commanding such a mighty fleet.
After the recruits had explored the ships, Simon addressed them. "Those who wish to stay, board the vessels. Those who don’t may leave with travel funds."
A heavy silence followed. Then, one by one, two hundred men disembarked.
Desmond glared. "Cowards! Too scared to protect your own families? I spit on you!"
Simon stopped him. " Enough. Participation was always voluntary."
"Yes, Your Highness," Desmond grumbled.
Seven hundred men remained, enough to crew the three galleons. More would surely join once these ships sailed to Ashenford and began hunting pirates.
As Simon pondered, Baldwin called from below. "My Lord, an envoy from Prince Ravencrest has arrived."
"An envoy from Prince Ravencrest?"
Baldwin nodded. "Yes. He claims to be Prince Ravencrest’s eldest son, William Ravencrest"
"Him?" Simon pondered for a moment.
He then turned to Desmond. "Continue learning about the galleon’s structure and operation from Harlan. Accommodations will be arranged for you. Later, you’ll study navigation at the Oxford Academy."
"Your Highness, that won’t be necessary. We’re already experts." Desmond said confidently.
"Don’t be so sure," Simon replied with a smirk. "Once I teach you what real navigation is, you’ll understand its challenges."
Leaving Desmond and the others behind, Simon instructed that those who chose to leave be given travel funds. He then rode back to his castle.
In the main hall of the residence, a young man slightly older than Simon was waiting.
Outside, the leaves in the courtyard blazed like sunset. As William watched the servants moving about, a faint worry crossed his eyes. Your Highness, this residence is far humbler than our castle. Brambleford itself is unremarkable. The people here seem worse off than those in Velkaris." A scholar in a grey robe and square hat stood beside William. He was Steve Hills, a strategist serving Prince William.
"Brambleford was ravaged by reavers three years ago. Recovery takes time. In just three years, he’s stabilised the six cities and crushed the local aristocrats. This Simon is no simple man. Father specifically warned us not to slight him; we’re here to ask for his help." William said.
"Understood," Steve replied.
As they spoke, movement at the door caught their attention. Simon entered with an official in tow.
"William, it’s been too long," Simon called out before reaching them.
William and Steve hurried forward. "We pay our respects to Your Highness."
"No need for formalities." Simon helped William up and strode into the hall, followed by Steve.
After gesturing for them to sit, Simon asked with interest. "William, it’s been about five years since we last met. I believe it was when you accompanied your father to the capital."
"Indeed. I was young and foolish then, offending Your Highness in the castle. I beg your forgiveness." William said.
Five years ago, during a visit to the castle with his father, he had accidentally bumped into Simon, who was leaving after being scolded by Emperor Alaric. Simon had lashed out, and the two hot-headed youths had come to blows. Simon had later been caned by the Emperor.
If not for the cannons, his father wouldn’t have sent him to Brambleford, given their history. Yet Simon seemed unbothered now.
"No matter. I was immature back then. You must have found me ridiculous." Simon said. Knowing William’s purpose, he cut to the chase. "What brings you to Brambleford?"