Chapter 116: Mercenaries's Preparation

Chapter 116: Mercenaries's Preparation



Rourke returned to the outpost with his small group of scouts, their footsteps crunching softly on the forest floor. The sun had risen higher now, casting a brighter light over the camp. The mercenary camp was a hive of activity, with men going about their tasks, sharpening weapons, preparing meals, and tending to the horses. Rourke headed straight for the large central tent, where Garrick, the leader of their band, would be waiting. His men followed closely, their faces set with the same grim determination that Rourke felt.

Pushing aside the heavy canvas flap, Rourke stepped inside the tent. The air was cooler within, and the dim light of a single lantern illuminated the rough-hewn table where Garrick sat, poring over a map. The leader looked up as Rourke entered, his expression unreadable. "Rourke," Garrick greeted him with a nod, his voice gravelly. "What did you find?"

Rourke took a deep breath, trying to put the strangeness of the situation into words. "Ferm... it's not what we expected, Garrick. The city's been rebuilt. Completely."

Garrick's brow furrowed in confusion. "Rebuilt? What do you mean?"

"It's like a new city," Rourke explained, struggling to convey the enormity of what they had seen. "The buildings are all new, the roads are smooth, and there are soldiers everywhere. But these soldiers... they're different. They have weapons I've never seen before-no swords or bows, something far more advanced."

Garrick leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. "Soldiers? What kind of weapons?"

"I don't know exactly," Rourke admitted, frustration creeping into his voice. "But they're organized, disciplined, like a proper army. Whoever's behind this, they've turned Ferm into a fortress."

A tense silence filled the tent as Garrick considered Rourke's words. His fingers drummed lightly on the table, his gaze fixed on the map before him.

Garrick nodded, sipping from his cup. "Good. We'll need every scrap of intel they can get. In the meantime, we'll prepare the men. I want everyone on high alert. No one goes anywhere alone, and everyone stays within the perimeter. We can't afford to be caught off guard."

Rourke could see the wheels turning in Garrick's mind, the leader already planning their next move. It was one of the reasons he respected Garrick so much he was always thinking ahead, always considering every angle.

"And Rourke," Garrick said, his tone serious as he set the cup down, "if it comes to it, I need you to be ready to lead a small team into the city. We might need to get our hands dirty to find out who's pulling the strings."

Rourke straightened, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll be ready. Just say the word."

Garrick gave a curt nod. "Good. For now, make sure the men are prepared. We don't know what's coming, but we need to be ready for anything."

With that, Rourke turned to leave the tent, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead. He moved quickly through the camp, relaying Garrick's orders to the men. Weapons were sharpened, supplies were inventoried, and sentries were posted at every conceivable point of entry.

As he passed groups of men sharpening swords and checking armor, Rourke paused to speak with a few of the senior mercenaries. "Double the perimeter watch. I want sentries at every fifty yards. No one moves without a partner, and any unfamiliar movement or sound is to be reported immediately."

The men nodded, their faces serious as they hurried to carry out his orders. Rourke continued through the camp, making sure everyone understood the gravity of the situation. The usual rough banter and laughter that filled the camp was gone, replaced by a tense silence as the mercenaries prepared for the unknown.

Rourke's mind kept drifting back to the city, to those strange soldiers with their mechanical weapons. He had been in countless battles, and seen more than his fair share of strange and deadly things, but this... this was different.

"I wonder how powerful those men are."