The torches on the cliff top swayed. Brin, the blacksmith, gazed for a long time at the silent darkness below the mountain, where only a few dots of firelight glowed.
The two bandit leaders beside him, Thorns and Broken Tooth, exchanged an uneasy glance.
Thorns licked his chapped lips: "Is Mad Dog really dead?"
"The envoy from the Legger family was also captured," Broken Tooth added, his voice tinged with panic. "Everything is over."
Brin, the blacksmith, touched the longsword at his waist, remaining silent.
The moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, and suddenly a few torches lit up at the bottom of the cliff.
Hakon, protected by several shield-bearing soldiers, walked to the edge where arrows could barely reach.
He dragged the Legger family envoy as if pulling a sheep on a rope, constantly tugging to make the lagging envoy quicken his pace.
Hakon's voice cut through the silence as he shouted loudly: "Hear me, people on the cliff!"
"The Legger family envoy, who made promises to you, is here with us!!!"
He kicked the envoy, who let out a painful groan and directly fell to his knees.
"All the promises he made to you are impossible to fulfill! And he will be sent to Torrent City immediately! To face judgment!!"
There was a commotion on the cliff top, with heads bobbing as people tried to hear Hakon's words clearly.
Hakon watched as more and more people gathered on the wooden wall, constantly recalling what Lord Arthur had taught him. He raised his voice to its highest pitch:
"Lord Arthur has decided!!"
"We will besiege you until you starve to death!! We have plenty of time!! No one will save you!! The Legger family won't even acknowledge this matter happened!!"
"This is your last chance!! Surrender!! Lord Arthur will forgive your crimes!!"
"Otherwise! We will kill you all!"
Thorns and Broken Tooth's expressions turned extremely grim. They had come here for money and the Legger family's promises, not to die for the Legger family. If not for the fact that there was only one path to this place, they would have run away long ago.
"He's right…" Thorns looked at the blacksmith and Broken Tooth beside him, "We must think of a way…"
Broken Tooth also spoke eagerly, looking at the two: "The Black Lion's army is about the same size as ours now. They might not want to attack head-on."
"We can talk now, at least to ensure our safe departure."
Broken Tooth gnawed at his non-existent, chipped teeth: "Or! We break through now!!"
Brin said nothing, only staring intently at Hakon below the mountain, his eyes reflecting the torchlight.
Seeing the strong reaction on the cliff, Hakon knew the time was right. He shouted: "If you want to talk! Send someone down now!"
"Alright!"
Thorns was about to agree.
"Whoosh!"
A sharp arrow shot through the air with a piercing whistle. A shield-bearing soldier reacted quickly and raised his shield. The arrowhead deeply embedded itself in his shield. They were almost at the edge of the arrow's range, and the force was so great that it shocked the shield-bearer.
The shield-bearing soldiers immediately raised their shields, protecting Hakon and the envoy in the center.
Thorns and Broken Tooth turned back in surprise, seeing Brin, the blacksmith, slowly lower the longbow in his hand.
"You're insane!!!" Thorns roared, "Do you want to kill all of us!!!"
"This is a nobleman's lie." Brin, the blacksmith's voice was as cold as ice, steady and emotionless. "Once we separate,
they will hang us one by one from the trees."
After he finished speaking, he drew his bow and nocked another arrow.
"Whoosh!"
The second arrow struck the shield, not to injure, but to send a decisive signal.
Hakon cursed Brin, the blacksmith, repeatedly as he retreated under the cover of the shield-bearers, quickly disappearing into the darkness.
The air on the cliff top seemed to solidify. Thorns and Broken Tooth stared fixedly at the blacksmith, their faces contorted with rage. This bastard had made a decision for them without consulting them.
"Who do you think you are?!!!" Broken Tooth bit his teeth, looking at the blacksmith, "Our boss?!!?"
"You piece of shit!!!"
Brin put away his longbow, ignored them, turned, and walked down the wooden ladder without another glance.
Thorns and Broken Tooth exchanged glances, seeing the unspoken message in each other's eyes. They quietly gathered their confidants, whispering about something, their gazes occasionally wary of Brin and his nine silent subordinates.
Brin felt the cold stares from behind him. He knew this would happen. He sighed and whispered a few words to his men, who immediately gripped their weapons and gathered together cautiously.
Daylight finally arrived, but the anticipated fierce attack did not materialize. Instead, there was endless harassment.
Arthur's army, like a swarm of annoying flies, buzzed ceaselessly around the Offshore Cliff, day and night, without interruption.
Lucien led a squad of soldiers, blowing the charge horn at the foot of the cliff and starting to ascend the mountain, causing a commotion on the cliff top.
When the defenders frantically mobilized their forces, they found that nothing had happened, and they retreated.
Half an hour later, the horn sounded again, as if an offensive was about to begin, but still nothing happened.
When they ignored the enemy and rested, the enemy actually began to approach the wooden wall. The bandits on the cliff were exhausted from being constantly mobilized, their nerves always on edge.
At night, the torment intensified. The soldiers below lurked beneath the cliff face.
They threw stones at the wall, making soft thudding sounds, and scraped daggers against the rocks, creating a teeth-grinding climbing noise.
All sorts of loud noises came from all directions, making it impossible for the defenders to sleep, leaving them utterly exhausted.
As soon as they showed any slack, the horn would sound below the mountain, and torches would light up again, as if an attack was imminent the next second. The mental torment was even more terrifying than physical depletion.
"Goddamn it!!!" Thorns kicked over the brazier in front of him, sending sparks flying. He rushed to Brin, his eyes bloodshot, "This can't go on!!!"
"A decision must be made!!!"
Broken Tooth followed, his face equally haggard. "Brin, either we break out and fight them, or we talk to them!"
The two of them completely failed to understand what this blacksmith was thinking. He wouldn't allow them to negotiate, nor would he allow them to break through.
"Breaking out is suicide." Brin's voice was hoarse. He automatically ignored the option of negotiation, and he hadn't closed his eyes for a day and a night. "Only death."
"Then talk!!!" Thorns roared, "What the hell are you thinking!!!"
"I don't trust nobles." Brin lowered his head, wiping his longsword, and slowly spoke, "A noble's words are all lies, their promises are worthless."
"To hell with nobles!!!" Thorns completely erupted, practically pointing at Brin's face. "We just want a way to live!! If you don't talk! We'll go talk ourselves!!"
"You can try." Brin raised his head, looking at them coldly. "My people won't participate. See if he'll let you go."
People from all three factions gathered, hands on their sword hilts, the atmosphere tense.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"