Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 436: Settling for a price(1)

Aven stood atop the wooden palisade, his arms crossed over his broad chest, the wind tugging at the fur lining of his cloak. He exhaled sharply, the sound almost lost in the crisp morning air, and scratched at the stubble along his jaw. "Honestly," he muttered, his voice low and gruff, "I didn't expect this to be more than a waste of food and time."

Beside him, Aron leaned against the rough wooden beams, his sharp eyes scanning the bustling camp below. Unlike Aven, his build was leaner, his demeanor more measured. He hadn't believed this would work either—not at first. But now, as he watched the settlers gather their belongings and prepare for the journey ahead, he couldn't deny the results. "It wasn't easy," Aron admitted, his tone thoughtful. "But apparently, it was worth the effort."

From their vantage point, the camp sprawled out like a living tapestry. Families huddled together, their meager possessions bundled in cloth and leather.

The air was thick with anticipation, mingled with the faint scent of woodsmoke and porridge. This was no longer just an idea or a gamble. It was real.

Aven let out a low grunt, his gaze shifting to Aron. "You do a count yet?"

Aron nodded. "Two thousand, one hundred and sixty-three."

Aven whistled, the sound sharp and appreciative. "Hells, that's more than I expected." He smirked, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Seems like the prince will be happy about this."

"Let's hope so," Aron replied, his tone dry but not without a hint of satisfaction.