The imperial knights rode hastily through the streets of the capital. The separate groups spread out in an orderly fashion, following the plan of their commander who led the first group. Each of them would go to different regions, to huge warehouses that were in the peripheries, away from the eyes of nobles and knights. Some of them would be under the cover of a liquor or supplies distributor, or some old factory.
But there would be no disguise left that night.
Cadec chose the dawn to carry out his operation, to prevent innocent people from being hurt. The less chaotic it was, the better.
The warehouse that Cadec would personally take care of was the largest. According to the investigations, it was the one that had more mercenaries watching, there may be something other than weapons smuggled from Geledel. The mind behind all that plan was clever in choosing old warehouses for its operation, because they had been built in strategic spaces while maintaining a facade to be close to the homes of commoners.
At one point, the knights got off their horses and tied them to trees keeping them hidden. From that point on, Cadec and his men followed on foot, sneaking through the shadows so they could not be seen.
The night had fallen like a heavy and starless cloak on the outskirts of the capital. The streets, illuminated only by lamps and the occasional glow of the moon among the clouds, were taken by shadows that moved as the cold wind cut the air. The sound of muffled steps filled the silence, a choreography orchestrated to ensure that the impact was precise, relentless, definitive.
The First Prince moved ahead of the formation. Dressed in a dark suit that absorbed little light around, he was a figure among the ranks of soldiers who followed him. As they took advantage of the warehouse, Cadec raised one hand and the group stopped as a single body, immobile and attentive. He pointed a small narrow alley to two of his men, signaling them to flank the building from the sides.
The warehouse, with its pitched stone walls and sloping roof, blended into the surroundings, unnoticed by most patrols and citizens. But Cadec knew exactly what was hidden there. Next to the warehouse, stacked carts and boxes suggested an intense movement of goods. That would be enough to ensure the contraband, and Cadec planned to capture them while they were vulnerable.
"Hold your position until the signal" Cadec muttered, his eyes scanning every detail. He knew that he would need a single command for the operation to be fast and lethal.
As the team prepared, the sound of distant voices emerged from inside the warehouse, words whispered in haste, as if the men inside knew the fragility of their position. Cadec sketched a restrained smile when noticing the nervousness in those who made the load. The smugglers should be on the verge of panic, as rumors of a new offensive against the rebels and smuggling have circulated among nobles and underworld men in recent weeks.
The prince watched them carefully for a moment. They were mercenaries and rebels working together again. Just needed to know who was hiring them and then, finally could trap the head behind all that evil plan.
One of Cadec's lieutenants, a short and muscular man, approached in silence.
"Your Highness, we have visual confirmation of at least six men at the ends of the building. Our informants mentioned that they are armed. But there may be more of them keeping watch near the forest entrance."
Cadec nodded, keeping his gaze fixed on the warehouse. Such a path through the forest was certainly an advantage for the smugglers, since it would avoid the main road that led to the port of Baydenn. It should be well guarded, and therefore a direct attack would be suicide since they would leave them alarmed. And Cadec had no intention of ambushing them so recklessly by drawing attention to that road. Cadec signaled for the archers in the trees next to take position.
"Spread the troops along the perimeter. Block all escape routes" ordered Cadec, low and firm voice. "Do not let anyone escape."
The troops moved like shadows through the deserted street, surrounding the warehouse in a closed and silent circle. When everyone was in position, Cadec raised his arm, waiting until his men were ready for the attack. On the other hand, the prince held a small covered lamp, the only source of light in his possession. He lifted it up and covered it again quickly, twice.
It was the sign.
The sound of boots against the stone floor echoed all around the perimeter as the soldiers advanced, ramming through doors and windows with strength and precision. The noise of broken wood and glass mixed with the surprised screams of the smugglers, caught unawares in the middle of the transport of goods. Some of them tried to resist, but were quickly overrun by the strength and number of the Cadec's troops.
"It's an attack!!!" Shouted one of the mercenaries.
Cadec entered the warehouse, observing the scene coldly. Soldiers arrested smugglers while others inspected the goods. Amid the chaos, one of the men tried to escape through the back door, but was quickly knocked down by an archer positioned on the nearby tree.
The prince himself unsheathed his sword and fought against rebels who tried to buy time for others to flee. Not that it would do any good, since the First Prince was an excellent swordsman. The clean cut of his blows stunned his opponents, causing them to fall unconscious and wounded on the ground.
"Review everything" ordered Cadec, the firm and impassive voice. "I want every box checked, and anything that leads to a noble or rebel leader brought to me immediately."
"Yes, sir!" shouted the knights, their chests stewed in pride of a successful mission.
While the troops searched the place, Cadec walked through the corridors between boxes and barrels, observing the contents of the goods. He saw weapons, tissues and some vials of substances that seemed to be poisons or drugs. Among the chaos, he located a man leaning on a pile of boxes, trying to hide in the shadows.
"You" said Cadec, approaching slowly. The man tried to shrink, but the prince already had him in his sights. "Who is responsible for these shipments? Talk, or my patience will end before you have a second chance."
The smuggler trembled, his eyes wide as he saw the prince's cold and ruthless countenance.
"Yes... it was Earl M-Manson, he... he paid us to use the warehouse. And he said he had authorization... that it was all in the name of the Crown!"
Cadec uttered a cold laugh, moving away.
"Authorization of the Crown... I understand. Let's see how far this 'authorization' extends." He turned to the closest soldiers. "Take him for questioning. This man knows more than he is willing to confess."
As the operation unfolded around, Cadec went to one of the boxes where he found a sealed chest. He opened with force and discovered more documents piled. They were detailed records of the contents of the shipments, lists of names, and exorbitant amounts paid to mysterious figures.
"That... is more than expected" muttered Cadec, his eyes fixed on the records. He knew that he now had proof that there was a network of powerful people involved in smuggling. It was much deeper than a simple mercenary operation.
After ordering the documents to be taken under strong protection, Cadec took a last look at the warehouse. The scene of destruction and defeat filled him with a strange satisfaction, but he knew that it was still far from the end. Something in the air seemed... misplaced.
The silence that followed the sound of shouting and running was not the kind of stillness that announced a completed operation. It was a tense, brittle calm, as if waiting to break at any moment.
As he approached the warehouse entrance to make a final check, the sound of steps echoed in the distance, in an accelerated and threatening pace. One of the guards who stood watch raised the torch as a warning, the reflection of the flames in the alarmed eyes.
"Prince, they are approaching the warehouse... and they are not our men."
Cadec stopped immediately and cast a quick glance at the surrounding field. The shadows projected by the faint light of the moon revealed figures that moved furtively through the side of the warehouse. They were armed with swords and bows, positioning themselves with a precision that denounced their training. They were not just mercenaries; these men had been sent by someone who knew their tactics and wanted Cadec dead.
The prince raised his hand, signaling the guards to prepare.
"Everyone, to your positions! Prepare for the confrontation!"
The soldiers moved quickly, lining up along the inner walls of the warehouse and wielding their weapons. Cadec held his own sword firmly, every muscle of his body on alert. He could hear the muffled whispers in the shadows outside, the subtle sound of arrows being snapped into bow ropes.
Suddenly, a flurry of arrows cut off the air towards the warehouse. Cadec managed to dodge, and the arrows stuck into the wooden walls and surrounding floor. Before the group could react, the invaders stormed the entrances, smashing the doors with brutal force. The confrontation was immediate, Cadec's soldiers engaging in a fierce melee fight, trying to contain the advance of the attackers.
Cadec exchanged blows with the first man he approached, a soldier with covered face and sharp skills. The swords flickered in sparks, the impact of blows echoing through the warehouse. The prince deflected with precision and, with a swift blow, disarmed the man before knocking him down with a quick cut.
But for each enemy defeated, others took his place.
Among the shadows, Cadec noticed a figure that seemed to coordinate the attack. It was a tall, dark-hooded man who watched the scene with an unsettling calm, giving orders to his cronies with quick and calculated hand signals. The man's gaze met that of Cadec, a glimpse of recognition and challenge between them. The prince knew immediately that he was not just another mercenary: he was the leader of that attack.
Cadec deflected another blow and made a signal to one of his lieutenants, indicating the location of the enemy commander.
"Focus on that man! Without him, they will lose coordination!"
But the enemies seemed to have anticipated this move. Three of them simultaneously advanced on the prince, trying to isolate him from the rest of his troop. Cadec managed to block the first blow, but the second nearly tore his shoulder, and he felt the steel cut from his flesh. Cadec knew he needed to retreat, but he was cornered.
Before he could react, one of the attackers dealt a direct blow in his direction. Cadec managed to dodge, but the impact made him stumble backwards, almost falling. He cast a desperate look towards the group, realizing that the fight was unbalancing. His soldiers were also being dominated, the number of enemies much higher than expected.
The leader of the attackers advanced, smiling with apparent victory, and raised his sword in a deadly blow. But Cadec, with a last impulse of determination, blocked the attack and turned the sword, making a deep cut in the enemy's leg. The man screamed and staggered back, giving the prince the opening needed to reposition.
Cadec's soldiers, observing the determination of their prince, began to fight with more vigor, counterattacking with a renewed ferocity. Even so, Cadec knew that the only real chance of victory was to capture or neutralize the enemy leader and hopefully use this moment to disperse them.
With one last command, Cadec threw himself in the direction of the wounded leader, his gaze cold and determined.
"This ends now!"