The Land Below our Feet II (Unleashed) COMPLETE

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission. ------------------------ No peace can last forever, and they knew it… After all, they hadn’t spent such a long time getting rid of the past menace to end up being so naive to think that they had won definitively. They were smarter than that… And they had learned from their ancestors’ mistakes. There would be no forgetting, there would be no relying on the false security of a momentary truce… They would make sure to be prepared this time… They had to. Ussiariah was determined to make each and every day count. He was fully aware that they needed to be at their best, and get on top of whatever new tactics they might face if they were to be attacked by outsiders once more. That was the main reason why he had sent a generous party of workers to resume the building of a large enough fleet at Ragthaer Cove. As he was determined to repel any possible attack from the earliest of stages. If there was ever a next time, he was going to make sure that their invaders would find it hard to even set a single foot on their sands. They were also manufacturing their own batch of guns and ammunition with the help of their Argantean settlers. Because the consummate warrior was not willing to be at a disadvantage when it came to arming his troops ever again. Ussi had spent the last couple of days overseeing the construction of their ships. He’d traveled to the port with the intention of assessing their progress the week prior, and he’d been pleasantly surprised so far by the way the labors were favorably advancing. It had taken them a full year of hard work and detailed design, as well as a large quantity of wood. But they’d ended up with a sturdy group of impressive warships, each of them equipped with a mounted set of artillery, especially tailor-made for naval tactics. -They’re beautiful, aren't they? – Jogru´s voice asked as he stood by the Commander and his beast, his brothers silently taking their places beside him. -They are – Ussi sighed, his eyes trained on the horizon, watching the floating vessels down the sea, as he remained immobile, with his arms crossed behind his back – Now we need to train our crew and make sure that they can properly sail, apart from operating the cannons... We've still got a long road ahead. -Well, we are ready to start whenever you are, Commander – The former tradesman replied - Are you sending the troops over anytime soon? -Yes, I'm going back to Lowland’s gate now and picking out the squads – The warrior agreed, mounting on his feline - They should be arriving right as the construction team finishes with the last details… So, waste no time and put yourselves to work immediately as they get here. -Will do, Commander! – The triplets had answered in unison, their voices filled with excitement. -Good – Ussi simply said, starting to steer his pet cat towards the shore – Once everyone is ready, sail to Lowland’s gate and dock the fleet there. You’ll find the new piers we’ve built quite accommodating... I want you all to act as our first line of defense from foreign threats. So, keep that in mind and rise to the challenge. He hadn’t spent much time longer there after that. Only enough to run a last inspection of the crafts and make some quick calculations inside his head. The next morning, he had started heading home with the first rays of light. He'd been mounting on Kohu for days, riding absentmindedly through the tropical landscape, when the glimpse of a sparkling stone lying on the ground caught his eye and made him smile. With a distinct clicking sound, Ussi had made his black beast halt for a moment and rapidly climbed off, picking up the large piece of mineral between his fingers, his eyes shining with amusement. It was a big chunk of jade, the same shade as the one Souna wore around her neck. His smirk grew on his face as an idea surged in his mind. The sun was almost setting when he arrived in the city. Tiredly dismounting his feline and freeing him from his saddle. Sighing, he rubbed the soft fur around his ears cheerfully for a few minutes before letting him roam around and rest. After being briefly greeted by the men guarding the entrance, he then walked inside the town and purposely made his way to a building near the edge of the village, firmly knocking on the door of the small residence. A young, golden-haired smith yanking it open a moment later. -C-Commander – He stammered surprised at the sight of him, stepping aside and letting the warrior walk inside the modest room – Welcome! What can I help you with? Ussi walked distractedly to the back of the shop and placed the gemstone on the counter. -You're a lapidarist aren’t you, Olrik? – He asked, gesturing at the piece of bright, precious rock – Can you cut this in half and set it into two identical pendants for me? -I certainly could – The artisan decidedly declared, grabbing the stone, and inspecting it cautiously – It should take me a day or two, though. -Take your time – Ussi replied, spinning on his heels and heading to the exit – Come find me when you’re done. With steady steps, he had then directed his feet to the training pit. Standing in the shadows and silently watching the recruits as they finished their last exercises of the day. -You’re back, Sir! – The jovial voice of Greghan, his Captain, greeted him from a few feet behind – How was your trip? - It was fine – Ussi admitted tiredly, rubbing the spot between his eyebrows – Our ships are almost ready. So, we need to pick the best men for our sailing crew. -Well, we have plenty of volunteers – His young Captain informed him – They are all eager to ride those foreign crafts. -They sure are – The warrior said, shaking his head – Yet not everyone is fit for naval tactics. We must choose carefully and make the most out of everybody’s strengths. During the past year, they'd been getting plenty of immigrants coming directly to their doors from all four corners of their vast land. Word had spread fast, and they’d gotten a steady flow of diverse people looking for a new start in life. The city soon repopulating with joyful newcomers, each of them ready to work hard and thrive in this rising town. When it was made known that the former Yahurian Commander himself was searching for capable warriors to start a new powerful army of his own, a lot of young and eager men looking to prove their worth had begun arriving daily to enlist themselves and join their ranks. After all, it was common knowledge that he’d been the one behind the recent freeing of their land. Everyone wanted to be a part of the defensive forces this time, and that had played a decisive role in the fact that they now owned a vast troop of hardened men to guard their gates and fortify their walls. But that didn't mean that they could get too comfortable, or ease their efforts at all… And Ussi was adamant about it each and every single day. Because no peace can last forever, and they knew it… Yet they could never have guessed that it would last so little.