Darezzo's Family

Darezzo's Family

During the period after reaching an agreement with Mayor Heni, the Guard's recruitment plan was suspended, and all soldiers were mobilized to begin leveling the road leading to the eastern side of Southshore.

Beside the remaining buildings of Nethander Stead, teams of humans began clearing away scattered stones, sweeping the ground, and pulling weeds. Several simple wooden houses were built. In addition to the frequent carts bringing large quantities of construction materials, the occasional small boat traveled upstream along the calm Hillsbrad River from the coast, unloading vast supplies.

The Stormpike Dwarves also sent their own craftsmen to help the humans repair the damaged watchtowers, while the Dun Garok garrison provided part of its forces to ensure the basic safety of the hardworking refugees.

However, cooperation between the two sides could only remain at this scale for the time being. According to information provided by Thalmar Stormpike, only once the humans of Southshore had firmly established themselves on both banks of the Hillsbrad River would the Stormpike Clan be willing to discuss the next stage of cooperation with Roderick.

Adrian and Red had been stationed at Nethander Stead for several days, accompanied by more than forty soldiers and over a hundred Northrend refugees working there. The defense of Southshore itself had largely been left to Alwyn and the others.

Yet Roderick's negotiations in Hillsbrad had ended in utter failure. Mayor Bownside was satisfied with everything in his town and declared that they could rely on their own strength to defend their homeland.

The sharp-tongued clerk, Heras Whitestead, even expressed contempt for Southshore's acceptance of aid from the Kingdom of Stormwind. Only Hillsbrad, forever independent, was a force that could truly represent the Kingdom of Lordaeron. Southshore was now merely a vassal of those southerners and had no right to meddle in Hillsbrad's affairs.

Any hope of having Hillsbrad's forces establish a defensive line near Southpoint Tower had gone up in smoke. In the end, Bondes, the foreman of Jade Mine, also complained that Southshore had recruited away all the northern refugees, causing the mine's output to keep declining.

The two sides ultimately parted on bad terms, reaching no agreement whatsoever. Those narrow-minded frogs at the bottom of the well in Hillsbrad simply had no idea what kind of disaster the Undead Scourge was. Roderick was helpless in the face of such allies.

They had vast fertile farmland and a productive mine, and had always lived comfortably. With Dalaran north of Hillsbrad serving as their shelter, the naive villagers believed the Undead were far away. The rest were mindlessly arrogant, expecting farmers who had only just picked up weapons and received no training to fight the Scourge. Roderick had no idea how their brains worked.

After recruiting most of the refugees here to reclaim land along the Hillsbrad River, Roderick had no choice but to admit that diplomacy with Hillsbrad had fallen into complete and utter failure.

Slightly dejected, Roderick returned home and found a letter from Darezzo stuffed by the door. It said that Darezzo's father wished to see him at their home and hoped Roderick would come as soon as possible after returning.

Darezzo's home lay southwest of the town, perhaps the most luxurious estate in all of Southshore. Iron fencing protected every building, and only a heavy iron gate allowed entry and exit.

Flett Family guards patrolled the courtyard constantly, each squad leading a ferocious wolfhound that barked viciously at the unfamiliar Roderick.

Roderick released a trace of a warrior's berserk aura, and the wolfhounds immediately tucked their tails and fled from his sight. No matter how the guards behind them tugged and shouted, they did not dare turn back.

After the butler led him into the hall, Darezzo, dressed in aristocratic house clothes, told Roderick that his father, Brady Flett, was waiting for him in the study on the second floor. As for the reason, he did not know much himself.

Brady Flett and his son, Darezzo Flett, had remarkably similar features.

They had long, sharp eyes, high noses, prominent cheekbones, and thin lips. The only difference was that the father had black hair, while his son had inherited his wife's fiery red hair. When they did not smile, such features gave people a sharp, harsh impression. Darezzo's gentle smile and red hair concealed this quality, but the Mr. Brady now facing Roderick proved it perfectly.

"Mr. Brady, what is it?" Space Marines hated this kind of aristocratic hypocrisy most. If there was something to say, just say it. Why put on such aristocratic solemnity? Though he used an honorific, his feelings were still plain to hear.

"I heard you've encountered some trouble lately, Captain Roderick." Perhaps irritated by Roderick's tone, Brady spoke bluntly.

"Is that so? What trouble are you referring to?"

"Young people are always impulsive. Your watchtower restoration work seems to have stalled because you don't have enough craftsmen?" Brady was not completely ignorant of the commotion Roderick had caused.

That was indeed true. The restoration of several watchtowers was progressing slowly. They had been left behind from when the Alliance armies fought the Orc forces. Most of the structures were built from enormous blocks of stone, constructed by stonemasons and accompanying mages. Southshore's main buildings were now wooden structures, and stonemasons were pitifully scarce. Only a few Dwarf masons were handling the work, so progress had stalled.

"You can solve this problem for us?" Roderick asked skeptically.

"When our fleet returned this time, it happened to encounter a group in Stormwind City that wanted to seek opportunities in the north. I asked around, and they are all skilled craftsmen." Brady's explanation sounded highly unreliable.

"Darezzo is the youngest in the Guard, and all of you have taken good care of him. The Flett Family is about to move to the Kingdom of Stormwind, so I am also willing to lend you a hand."

Although he knew there had to be some hidden angle to this, the arrival of these people could indeed greatly accelerate the restoration of the watchtowers. Roderick politely thanked him, then the butler led him to meet the craftsmen.

As they went downstairs, Darezzo followed as well. "What did my father say to you?" He looked somewhat nervous.

Although Darezzo was valued and doted on by his father, he was at an age of passion and rebellion. Years of knightly training had also left his ideals far removed from those of his family. This time, having to leave Southshore and abandon his career in the Guard, the young man had been in a cold war with his family for quite some time.

"Don't worry. Your father found us some craftsmen. He's done us a great favor," Roderick reassured him.

Only then did Darezzo breathe a sigh of relief. After exchanging a few simple words, they arrived at a side room in the courtyard. The butler knocked, and a burly man opened the door just a crack, staring at them warily.

"I'm Roderick, captain of Southshore's Guard. I assume Mr. Brady has already explained this matter. What do you all think?"

"Just call me Borg. We'll work for you, but wages are settled daily and can't be delayed." The man's terms were simple and direct: daily payment. It seemed his circumstances were quite strained.

"Fine. A small boat will come for you tomorrow. The work site is east of Southshore..."

"I heard. It's called Watchtower Village, right? See you tomorrow." With a bang, the door shut.

Roderick and Darezzo looked at each other. The man certainly was straightforward—he said goodbye and shut the door. Though he was a little strange, at least the work could finally progress faster. After leaving the Flett Family estate and returning home, Roderick resumed reading the intelligence Antoine had brought.