Chapter 55.-short report (Patreon)

The TOC hummed with its usual controlled chaos.

Harold stood at the map table, hands braced against the edge, watching the tribune shift markers across the basin. The wooden tokens looked too small for what they represented — entire centuries, villages, supply lines stretched thin across hostile ground.

A runner burst through the door, handed a slip to the nearest clerk, and vanished again before the door finished swinging.

"Update from Captain Hale," the tribune announced, lifting the note. "They have just crossed the river and are moving south."

Harold let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He was making good time with his wounded.

Margaret appeared at Harold's elbow, her arrival announced only by the faint rustle of papers. She had a way of materializing when news demanded immediate attention.

"Problem?" Harold asked without looking up.

"The caravan coming south from the swamps." Her voice stayed level, but he caught the tightness beneath it. "They were hit by a goblin raiding party. Larger than expected — almost 300, with hobgoblin leadership."

Harold's jaw tightened. "How bad was it?"

"Ten dead. 43 wounded, several of them badly. They're limping along, but they need healing potions before they can continue. Some wont make it to the Landing if they don't get more healing."

He straightened and turned to face her properly. "Where are they now?"

"About eight miles from Lord Corvin's village, if I have mapped his location well enough. Close enough to reach by nightfall if they push."

Harold rubbed his thumb across his knuckles, thinking. Corvin was a minor lord — one of the ones who'd been watching Harold's expansion with more curiosity than hostility. Not an ally, but not an enemy either.

"Send a forum post to your guy. Have them divert to Corvin's village. I'll reach out to him over the forum — offer him a trade. A large block of healing potions for his assistance, and he gets a share for his trouble."

Margaret was already writing. "How large a share?"

"Enough to make him think twice before refusing. Twenty percent of what we send." He paused. "And make it clear this is the beginning of a relationship, not a one-time transaction."

She nodded, her stylus scratching quick strokes across wax. "I'll handle the coordination."

"I know you will."

She slipped away toward the runners' station, and Harold turned back to the map.

The basin spread beneath him like a puzzle with too many missing pieces. Henri's forces were moving — he knew that much. The adventurers had bought him time, but time was all they'd bought. The real fight was still coming.

Footsteps approached from the corridor — lighter than Margaret's, quicker. Harold looked up as Adeline stepped through the doorway, a folded report already extended in her hand.

"From the northern village," she said. "Lira's update."

Harold took the paper and scanned it. His eyebrows rose.

"She's drawing ore from the mountains now?"

"She found a vein. A good one, from what she says." Adeline clasped her hands behind her back. "She's asking whether to ship raw ore or process it there first."

Harold looked at her over the edge of the report. "Why is this coming to me now? This could have waited."

Adeline's mouth curved — just a fraction. "It's a quick decision. I figured you could handle it."

He snorted. "Process it there. Ingots are lighter and worth more by weight. We ship metal, not rock."

"That's what I thought you'd say."

"Then why ask?"

"Because I wanted to hear you say it." She pulled a second slip from her sleeve. "I already got with Beth for the proposed shipping routes and Councilor Caldwell for the wagon schedules, waystation restocking, and guard rotations for the convoys. It's ready for your mark."

Harold stared at her for a beat, then let out a short laugh. "You're getting too good at this."

"Yes, you should pay me more." She held out the slip. "Sign it, and I'll have it moving within the hour."

He scratched his mark at the bottom and handed it back. Adeline tucked both papers away and turned to leave, then paused at the doorway.

"Your coffee's cold, by the way. I made a fresh pot. It's on your desk."

"Adeline."

She looked back.

"Thank you."

She nodded once — not quite a smile, but close — and disappeared into the corridor.

Harold let the moment settle, then turned back to the map. The tribune approached, a new report in hand. His expression had shifted — still professional, but with an edge beneath it.

"My lord. Update from the southern approaches."

Harold's stomach tightened. "Henri?"

"His forces engaged our adventurer force at the ridge positions this afternoon." The tribune consulted the report. "The encounter lasted several hours. Our people withdrew successfully through prepared tunnels after inflicting delays and casualties."

"How long did we buy?"

"At least a day, possibly more if those potions are as disorienting as you say. Henri's forces were..." The tribune paused, clearly choosing his words. "Disorganized by the engagement. They're making camp rather than pressing forward."

Harold felt something loosen in his chest. "Casualties on our side?"

"Minimal. A few respawns but no permanent losses." The tribune's mouth twitched. "The report mentions that our people were... singing as they withdrew."

"Singing?"

"Apparently, they composed several verses about Lord Henri's military capabilities. Or lack thereof."

Harold tried to hold it in, but the laugh escaped anyway.

"Of course they did." He shook his head. "Who was leading?"

"Mark and Evan coordinated. Josh apparently created significant terrain obstacles."

Harold's laugh died. "Josh was there?"

"According to the report, yes. He was extracted with the rest of the force."

Harold rubbed his temple. Beth was going to kill someone. Probably Josh. Possibly Harold for letting him anywhere near a battlefield.

"Send word," he said. "I want a full debrief from Mark and Evan as soon as they're able. And tell Josh—" He stopped, reconsidered. "No. Don't tell Josh anything. Let Beth handle that. I’m not touching that fight. Actually, where is Beth? I need to avoid that area."