Fleet Returns

On both banks of the Great Fish River, the air was filled with the clamor of human voices and the incessant bleating of cattle, horses, and sheep. It was quite noisy, but Victor, standing on the riverbank, didn't find it bothersome. After all, these were the cornerstones of his future territory.

"Lord Victor, our food supplies are critically low. We initially brought enough provisions for the first batch of 2,500 people to last two months. However, we've captured over 4,500 herdsmen in these two battles. Combined with our existing population, the territory now has 7,500 people, and our grain will only last for another 20 days. Even if the fleet returns immediately, it will take them 20 days to get back, not to mention the time needed to prepare the fleet for its return journey, which will take at least another day," Powell reported, sweating profusely.

"No need to worry. James still has some food reserves. He didn't bring any serfs this time, only soldiers and supplies, so his food is plentiful. Go find him, write him an IOU, and promise to assign Engineering Team One to build a stronghold in his territory. Just a promise will suffice. He plans to spend the winter here with his men anyway, and his food should be enough for us to last until the second fleet returns."

Powell felt a lot more at ease. Since the boss said so, he'd just follow his instructions.

"Also, Powell, arrange for five hundred horses to be sent back to Bole County. Mostly draft horses, with about 50 warhorses. Bole County might need more draft horses in the future." Victor thought of something else and called for Ron.

"Ron, can you select some of the captured civilians who are good at taking care of horses, preferably with their families, and send them back with this batch of ships? They can look after the horses on the journey."

"No problem. If you don't have too many conditions, I can pick out 500 people for you. I suggest that for horse care, you don't necessarily need young, strong adults; older individuals would also be fine."

Victor shook his head. "That's acceptable, but it's best to find those in good physical condition. They'll be on a ten-day boat trip back to Bole County, and poor health could lead to problems. I want them to help out when they return to the territory, not just to reduce our food consumption."

"Don't worry, I'll go back and arrange it now." Ron said and left.

At this moment, Victor rode his horse away from the riverbank and took a leisurely ride along the edge of Wood Fort Town. Grape was young and loved to run. Victor rode her every day for a walk, to relax himself and to please his mount.

Then, Victor saw two cavalrymen on the west side of Wood Fort Town circling a Barbarian youth. Victor was curious and urged Grape to gallop over.

As he got closer, Victor realized that one of the cavalrymen was his personal attendant, Michael. Because they were at the stronghold, Victor was confident in his own martial prowess, and the territory was short-handed, so he had sent out his personal attendants and guards to participate in various tasks around the territory. He recalled that Michael had been assigned to Jack to help with patrolling the territory.

"Michael, what's going on? What are you two doing?" Victor asked directly. Michael, despite his serf background, was cautious, intelligent, and an excellent learner. Victor didn't believe Michael would deliberately target a Barbarian youth.

"Lord Victor, what brings you here?" After speaking, Michael was about to dismount and salute, as was the other cavalryman. Victor waved them to stop.

"Tell me, what's the story with these two youngsters?" Victor moved closer and noticed that the Barbarian youth being surrounded looked very young, only about ten years old, but his build was like that of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old. He was holding a baby girl of one or two years old, and his clothes were tattered.

"Lord Victor, this fellow keeps trying to escape. This is the third time we've caught him. You've been so kind to them, and he's still ungrateful. Please allow me to kill him now." As Michael spoke, he reached for his sword.

Victor quickly stopped Michael and turned to ask, "Young man, what's your name, how old are you, and who are you holding?" He found this Barbarian youth quite interesting. Even when Michael was about to draw his sword, his eyes didn't flinch; he showed no fear.

"My name is Paru, I'm about 11 years old. The one in my arms is my sister, her name is Little Mouse, she's two years old." The youth spoke in the common tongue, not the Barbarian language, and his sentences were clear and well-organized.

"What's your relationship with Paru of the Green Grass Tribe? Why do you want to escape? Can you guarantee your survival alone with such a young girl?" Victor was intrigued by the name Paru, feeling he might gain unexpected insights.

"I was also a slave in a noble's house in the Duchy. I didn't have a name. Paru of the Green Grass Tribe saved me and gave me a name, telling me to call him 'teacher.' Little Mouse was found by me at the tribe's abandoned infant site, and I gave her her name; she is my sister. I'm very good at finding things on the grasslands, and I'll do my best to keep Little Mouse alive. Teacher taught me that tumbleweeds are the freest; they go wherever the wind blows. Paru is like a tumbleweed; don't be a slave, be a free person." Little Paru spoke excitedly, his eyes firm.

Victor walked directly in front of Little Paru and, smiling, patted his head. "No wonder he died so cleanly. It seems he has passed on what he wanted to leave behind."

Then, Victor continued, "Little Paru, what do you think freedom is?"

"Freedom is not being treated as a slave, being able to do what you want and what you like."

"So, escaping is something you want to do, but is finding food on the prairie alone to support yourself and your sister something you like to do? You should know that winter is coming soon. Relying on yourself then, even if you search for food all day, it will be difficult to feed both of you. Do you think you would enjoy doing such a thing?"

Little Paru hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.

"Is there anything you like to do, Little Paru?" Victor continued to ask.

"I like riding horses, running around, seeing different places, observing the differences between every patch of grass on the prairie, what the soil is like, what kind of grass grows, and what animals there are." Little Paru spoke of his aspirations.

Victor nodded. "In that case, you should come with me. I'll be inspecting various parts of the territory during this time. I'll hire you to do what you enjoy. I won't treat you as a slave, and I'll find someone to take care of your sister. Your compensation will be the provisions to sustain you and your sister. What do you say?"

Little Paru hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Alright, Michael, go find the manager of the herdsmen's camp and have him find a Barbarian woman to look after this little girl every day, with a reward of one jin of wheat per day. After that, you'll be responsible for accompanying Little Paru and patrolling the territory with me starting tomorrow." Although he didn't fully understand Victor's intentions, Michael still actively carried out Victor's orders.