(Third-person perspective)
On the way to Moon drift port, we witnessed a dramatic transformation. What was once a small port village with only warehouses had become a bustling trading center, teeming with merchants. Aermir's army observed the scene before them; the changes in the town were evident in every corner.
Tall houses and warehouses lined the narrow cobblestone streets, their facades adorned with colorful flags and painted signs showcasing various trades. These buildings stood side-by-side, forming a labyrinthine complex that exuded prosperity and industrial atmosphere. Occasionally, inns would appear among these structures, offering rest to weary travelers, their doors open to customers from near and far.
Surrounding the town is a sturdy wooden fence, its walls reaching six meters high. This defensive structure bears witness to the town's growing wealth and clearly demonstrates that Moon drift port is no longer just a peaceful coastal settlement.
Merchants, sailors, and traders bustled about in an orderly fashion, creating a lively atmosphere. Market stalls lined both sides of the street, displaying a dazzling array of goods. Sailors haggled with street vendors, vying for cargo from distant shores. Barrels of salted fish and exotic spices rolled along the avenue, their aromas mingling in the air.
During maritime activities, a fleet of ships was anchored in the port, including ten of Aermir's own trading vessels. Beside them were twenty ships belonging to Essos and other merchants, demonstrating the port's growing importance in regional commerce. Flags of various families and merchants fluttered in the sea breeze, representing the diverse interests gathered at Moon drift port.
Although Aermir's trading ships were primarily used for cargo transport, their uses were more extensive than they appeared. Each ship possessed an astonishing carrying capacity, capable of carrying 800 tons of cargo. However, Aermir was considering using them for the upcoming campaign.
If these ships were converted to carry soldiers instead of cargo, each ship could potentially carry up to 300 soldiers, thus greatly enhancing the naval power that Aermir planned to use to invade the Three Sisters.
In this way, he could order his men in Moat Cailin to prepare another 1,000 soldiers, and then proceed to Moon drift port once they were ready.
As Aermir and the other lords marched toward Moon drift port, they were accompanied by a powerful guard of approximately 2,000 soldiers. This loyal army provided security for the nobles' journey. Among them, the House Umber, House Karstark, House Flint, and other families also brought their own guards of soldiers and knights, each with about 200 soldiers. Four hundred of them were Aermir's men, part of the standing defense force of Moat Cailin.
When Aermir and the other lords entered the fortifications of Moon drift port, a lively scene immediately unfolded. Paladins, Templar Knights, Drasil Knights, and all the soldiers joined the common people in reinforcing the town's defenses.
Protected by a wooden fence, they worked diligently, piling sacks filled with soil into an extra line of defense. In preparing for the future, the atmosphere was filled with determination and a shared sense of responsibility.
The rumble of wooden carts filled with sacks of earth echoed through the town's narrow cobblestone streets. Groups of men and women, young and old, lifted and piled up these sacks, building a sturdy barrier. Each sack full of soil was carefully arranged together, forming a protective barrier to help Moon drift port withstand the impending danger.
Harrick was the commander among his men, issuing orders with unwavering authority. His troops moved in unison, forming a well-trained and highly coordinated force. Those who observed him marveled at his strength when he carried two bags of soil at a time. Harrick's leadership inspired all who witnessed it.
Harrick's current strength is 17, and he may be able to further enhance it using the precious resources bestowed upon him by the lord—" Buff Gem." These small gems, engraved with intricate runes, possess the power to enhance a person's abilities. However, Harrick has not wasted these valuable and limited resources on mere displays of power.
The creation of these gems testifies to Aermir's unparalleled skill, a skill known only to himself. These precious gems require a complex process, infusing them with magic while etching runes—a unique method that imbues each gem with its own distinctive power. Aermir's mastery of arcane magic enables him to create these extraordinary items, though their applications are not without limitations.
One significant limitation is that Buff Gem cannot yet be used for offensive spells. Executing offensive spells requires a high degree of control over elemental forces to prevent the caster from finding themselves harmed by their own spells. Therefore, these gems can only be used for enhancement and amplification for the time being. He had experimented with using damaging spells, but when he tested them on prisoners, the spells would explode in their hands when they activated them.
The rarity and complexity of these jewels limit their production. These tiny, bean-sized gems are not mass-produced; each is a meticulously crafted work of art. However, their value lies not in their size, but in the substantial boost they provide. With just a touch, they can grant a significant 2.5-fold increase in strength or speed, but the downside is that they can only be used once; once the spell is cast, the gems turn to dust.
While Aermir's men diligently prepared for the impending invasion, the Three Sisters lords clung to illusions, believing their attack on Moon drift port would catch the defenders off guard. In their view, the escaped sailors who had narrowly escaped had failed to accurately assess the true size of the Three Sisters fleet. All they witnessed was the Three Sisters ' warships ablaze, intertwined with their own, while their enemies suddenly retreated.
The lords of the Three Sisters remained unaware of how their target had slipped through their fingers before their boarding operation even began. Their indifference to this perplexing escape stemmed in part from their confidence in their martial prowess and the speed of their warships. They believed that even if a few survivors reached safety in small sailboats, it wouldn't buy them much time. They reasoned that even a little over an hour's head start wouldn't be enough to contend with their powerful fleet. They estimated there would be no respite on the high seas and speculated that they could catch up with the escapees in just a few hours.
In this brief period, they planned to descend upon Moon drift port like a storm, determined to plunder the port city and feast on their spoils. Little did they know, they possessed a special item that could increase the speed of their small sailboats. Aermir had prepared fake shipwrecked sailors beforehand and used them early on, while the real sailors who had escaped from them had arrived at Moon drift port eight hours earlier and reported to Caygan, as most of them came from the Dark Raven Guard.