Their chorus rang out in a loud unified tone that almost made my ears bleed. But still, the sound they made, got me to smile with a shitty face.
I didn't look at Klein, but I could feel that guy give me an approving nod… I think.
"Okay, then get yourselves ready. I'll call on you guys when I think the moment is right, Dismissed!" I scream the order as they all salute before turning around systematically and leaving.
I turn to Oppet, "Mr. Gobbet!"
"Yes, sir!" He stood straight, "It's Oppet, sir."
"Doesn't matter. You listened, that's what matters."
"Al- Alright." Oppet smiled wryly.
I turn around and start walking as Oppet followed behind me.
"Since I have the command now, it would be obvious to appoint you as my second."
I stop and look at him, "Can you tell me why that's obvious?"
Oppet didn't hesitate, "It's because I'm good at my job and already know the grounds we're working on. Also, I'm good at making tea."
I give him a serious look, "I'll check that myself."
I start walking again, "You might wonder why I didn't choose anyone else?" He was about to deny, "The reason I didn't, because even after following me since start, some haven't shown any clear worth to me and truth be told, I don't think they could even if they wanted to."
The words clearly stung the group that was following/under Henry. Yet, it was Lucian that felt the most sting. Because out of everyone, it was him who had followed Henry since the start and also the one that Henry chose to bring along… though he had suspicions about why that was.
"Is that so…" That's all Oppet could say before figuring something, "Sir, your tent is that way. Why don't you go there and let me bring the papers to you?"
"My tent? It's there." I point to the largest one.
"But… that's Captain Klein's."
"It was, now it isn't." I correct him with a smile, "Did you already forget who's leading this band of shenanigans right now, Goblet?"
Oppet seemed to sweat and wanted to say 'It's Oppet'. But seeing the smile that seemed opposite of harmless, he stayed quiet.
Seeing his second-in-command already struggling, Klein sighed and went towards them.
"He's correct, Oppet. He's the senior officer and that tent belongs to him… right now."
"Thank you for understanding, Captain Klein." I give a nod of gratitude to the man who didn't seem the least impacted by my invasive nature, "Would you like some tea?"
"I see no reason to deny that." Klein nodded and I smiled further.
"Excellent, Hobbet, bring two cups of tea for both of us and make it quick, we have important matters to discuss." I say and gesture to Klein, "After you, Captain."
Klein and Henry went inside while Oppet wondered what the fuck had happened.
How can someone get his name so wrong?!
True to his words, Oppet brought us tea quickly and it was delicious.
"It's good, Oppet." I say, bringing a shy smile on the soldier-ish man.
Even Klein seemed to enjoy the man's tea. I could tell by the quiet and warm aura emanating from the cold guy. Probably how Oppet kept his job for so long.
"It's not the best, but it'll do for now." I say, breaking both Klein and Oppet's moment.
One sighed quietly while the other sulked. This was the first time someone had said like that about his tea… and the man was very self-conscious about his tea skill.
I felt his mood change but that was the truth.
'Nobody makes it better than my Anna… oh Anna, this second class and a bit sugared tea makes me remember your perfect tea.'
Klein seeing the dark mood on Oppet and the strange yet sad look on Henry, decides to start it. He put his cup down just loud enough to get our attention, "I believe it's time we start."
"You're right," I nod, "Oppet!"
Oppet finally hearing the right name coming out of Henry, instantly smiled, "Yes!"
"Bring me a map of the bases area and also of any information regarding them."
"Alright" He went out and quickly brought in a medium size map, a few scrolls and put them at the table, "This is the map and all letters our scouts got of that base."
I look at Klein, "You already got people to check them out?"
"Knowledge is Power."
My mouth almost falls at such a relaxed comment.
"You know; you'd fit quite nicely at the Vagrant Palace."
Oppet laughed, "That's exactly what the commander said about you, right Captain."
Klein only gave back an empty look to Oppet.
I smile at their behavior and look at the map first.
The map showed green scenery all around and a water path to the side. At the center of the greenery was a bad sketch of what looked like a three story tall building.
"That's the base?" I ask, pointing at the brick building.
"Why is there a three story house at such a place?"
"Some people like staying at quiet scenery away from cities." Oppet said and added, "And there's a small town only 4 kilometers away so there isn't any problem with food or other necessity." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novęlfire.net
I nod at the water path, "And the river course gives them edible water. So, I guess it is a good place to plan a retreat… unless you want to live their long term and get caught by bandits."
"What about the owner, any occupants?"
Oppet shook his head, "The owner had been killed by the bandits and there were only his wife and daughter left."
"There isn't a good ending huh."
Oppet shook his head, "From what our scout reported, the mother and daughter were tortured and played with every day before one day the bandits decided to kill them and throw them into the river."
"And they still drink that water?" I ask.
"The story's old and the river washed away all their remains long ago."
I sigh at that, "Sad story… what will happen to the building with its owner dead?"
Klein replied, "With no owner, it will go back to the lord of the region, that being Lord Seman." He saw a strange look on Henry and decided to ask, "Why do you ask?"
"Well... I thought it would be a good place to bring Margaret for vacation."
"…" Both Klein and Oppet looked at Henry and wondered bizarre things.
I ignore their looks and grab one of the reports and start reading it. I read a few of them before getting a general description.
On each of the reports, there wasn't much information other than when the bandits left, how many left, when they came back and how much food and people they brought back.
Yet combined together, I got a general number of the bandits. They numbered somewhere around 140-180 men and some women, mostly cooks and bed warmers.
"The latest report we got says that those bandits bought in some more prisoners." Obbet said, "A bit richer than the norm."
"Does that mean we'll have to restrict ourselves?" I ask Klein who shrugged.
"Depends on the situation… and how valuable the prisoners are."
I look back at the map and concoct a plan.
'Good men, information and almost zero restriction… I'm sure I won't fuck up.'