A Special Caravan
Three days later, in the afternoon, a dusty but rather peculiar caravan slowly drove into the temporary camp at the foot of Carnford Mountain, attracting considerable attention.
This caravan was quite large, with dozens of well-fed horses and oxen, as well as several hundred sheep. It was clear at a glance that they were merchants from the Blackstone Pass, a region rich in livestock, and even further north in the Worton Fort.
They frequently traded with the Skarn people on the steppe, exchanging grain, cloth, and ironware for cattle and horses—a well-known business.
However, what is noteworthy is that, in addition to these live animals, the caravan also included several sealed wagons loaded with heavy wooden crates.
The wooden crate was completely wrapped in thick, waterproof tarpaulin, making it impossible to tell what goods were inside.
The onlookers, including refugees and soldiers, were curious, but they assumed it was just other goods being transported by the caravan and didn't think much of it.
Upon arrival, the caravan leader immediately identified himself and requested an audience with Lord Karl, Karl received him in the castle's Lord's Hall.
The newcomer was a lean, dark-skinned middle-aged man with sharp eyes, displaying the vigilance and shrewdness typical of merchants who had spent years navigating dangerous border regions.
He bowed respectfully to Karl and introduced himself, "Your Excellency Lord Karl, I am Black, a merchant who does some small business around Blackstone Pass. We mainly deal with the Skarn people of the plains, and sometimes we trade some... well, ironware and the like for good horses."
Karl sat in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, and nodded thoughtfully.
He was somewhat surprised that the other party so bluntly mentioned the sensitive trade of "trading iron for warhorses," which was strictly controlled by the kingdom.
Those who can conduct such trade and emerge unscathed are certainly not ordinary people.
He asked calmly, "Mr. Black, you've come a long way, you must be tired. So, may I ask, what does my war-torn, devastated Carnford have that can attract you and offer you these... goods in equivalent exchange?"
He glanced deliberately at the direction of the caravan outside the window and continued, "As you can see, the last thing I lack here is manpower. For clearing land and farming, the hands of the refugees are enough for now. It seems we don't urgently need the cattle and horses you brought."
A knowing smile appeared on Black's face. He stepped forward, lowered his voice, and said meaningfully, "My Lord, you are wise enough to know that I have come here on the advice of Count Earl Rochefort of Fran City. The Count said that you might have a batch of... special 'goods' that merchants like us urgently need."
Upon hearing the name "Earl Rochefort," a sudden realization flashed in Karl's eyes. All the clues instantly connected: the unusual merchant from the border region, the mysteriously sealed carriage, the Count's introduction...
The buyer of the Sauron head has finally arrived.
Karl leaned back slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, and looked sharply at Black: "Mr. Black, I have quite a lot of 'stock' here. I wonder if the 'boxes' you brought and the 'sincerity' inside are enough?"
Black wore a confident and shrewd smile, typical of a merchant. "My Lord, please rest assured, since we dared to come, we have naturally made full preparations. Gold coins and supplies will surely satisfy you."
"Very good," Karl nodded, not liking to beat around the bush in business, and cut straight to the point. "According to our inventory, I currently have two thousand three hundred Sauron heads that have undergone preliminary lime treatment."
"Among them, the toughest nuts to crack are the heads of the Sauron Berserker, which number 283; the heads of regular Sauron soldier, which number 672; and the rest are miscellaneous soldiers of the Vanguard Camp and surrendered puppet troops, which number more than 1,300, specifically 1,345."
As Black listened, he was rapidly calculating in his mind.
He knew the market well; the heads of the Sauron were hard currency on the border, but their value varied greatly.
Sauron Berserker are the elite of Sauron army, each one exceptionally brave and extremely difficult to hunt. Their heads are the best proof of martial prowess and military achievements, and can fetch as much as 300 Silver coin, or 30 gold coins, on the black market or among nobles who desperately need military merit to enhance their prestige.
The head of an ordinary soldier in the army is worth between five and ten gold coins.
The Vanguard Camp troops, who constituted the largest number, were often tribal militiamen of the Sauron. Their heads were of the lowest value, usually worth only a few Silver coin, and were mostly used to make up the numbers.
As for the surrendered puppet soldiers and the driven-out Broomflower slaves, their heads were worthless.
Karl's ability to report the categories and quantities so clearly and accurately clearly indicates that he was not just making things up, but that he actually had real "goods".
However, given the gravity of the matter, Black, being a cautious businessman, had to personally verify the quality.
"Your Lord is indeed meticulous in your work, and your data is clear and impressive," Black complimented first, then made a request, "However, according to industry practice, for such a large transaction, I need to personally inspect the quality of the 'goods,' especially the heads of those ' Berserker,' to confirm their authenticity. I hope Your Excellency will grant me this favor."
Karl understood and readily nodded, "That's only right. Come with me."
Karl rose, and led Black and his two attendants, who looked like appraisers, through the inner passages of the castle to a secluded corner of the outer city.
There is a large, cool, and well-ventilated stone basement that was originally used to store pickled vegetables and miscellaneous items, but it has now been temporarily converted into a place to store heads.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a smell mixed with lime and a faint stench of decay hit me.
The basement was spacious but dimly lit. Rows of wooden shelves lined the walls, neatly stacked with numerous objects wrapped in burlap, some of which vaguely resembled heads. Each package was attached to a small wooden tag with simple information.
Among Black's entourage were indeed experts familiar with the Sauron; they themselves were Sauron.
These Sauron stepped forward without fear, and under the illumination of torches held by Karl's soldiers, randomly selected several bundles labeled "Berserker" heads, untied the burlap, and carefully examined them.
They examined the skull very carefully, checking whether the skeletal structure conformed to the characteristics of the northern Sauron people, who were generally more robust, with prominent brow ridges, like savages.
In addition, Sauron Berserker have unique tribal totems and honorary battle markings tattooed on their foreheads or cheeks with special pigments; the wear and tear on their teeth is also examined to determine if they are at the peak of their warrior age; and even the type of weapon and method of severance can be determined by examining the cuts on their heads and necks, thus indirectly indicating the intensity of their battles.
The inspection process was silent and professional, with only the sounds of turning over and whispering echoing in the air.