136 66. Journey to the North-lands.

****

Blake was training his and Ross's men in the new fleet after completing the latest consignment to the south,

Ross gave him a report that was addressed to him,

Blake read the report, smiled and commented, "It seems there will be stormy days ahead. Of course, it is only applicable to our enemies. I was anyway getting bored with raiding all those petty pirates these days."

Ross reminded him, "That can wait for later, We will first travel north and occupy that island first. It will be our base in case of emergencies. We still have a few days, From what I know from Jake, it will take Duke Fjord's men 10 days at least as they will most likely be preparing for war. It would be better to have a base there first."

Blake laughed as he remembered, "Hahaha, Yes, Yes, I almost forgot about the island in dreams of smacking the face of that arrogant Duke with these new weapons. I guess we will toast those Monsters over there first and then the ass of our enemies."

Ross nodded and gave him a letter, "Get ready immediately. We have immediate orders from Lord John, so we don't have time to slack. we will go to that island first thing in the morning. I have already prepared all the supplies for our Journey, your men are loading all the goods in the ships. Meanwhile, All the new and upgraded weapons have been installed on the ships as well. There are a lot of preventive measures taken this time around."

The first thing Blake reacted to was. "Hey, are you the captain or am I the captain? And how come even my men are listening to you already in just a few days?"

Blake's subordinate, Bran the captain of one of the ships answered, "Boss, he has bribed them with those new wines provided by Count John. He also gave some potion to them which will help them at night. I wonder where he gets all these crazy things."

Blake cussed as he heard Bran, "Damn these traitors, already behaving as if they are soldiers of North-frontier Domain."

One of the other captain named Judd cussed as he drank the Moon wine, "Stop your nagging, We know you have a barrel full of that new wine you bought last time secretly with Ross."

Blake cursed as he heard from Judd, "Damn it, I can't even trust this new boy."

Bran hesitated and spoke as he heard Blake, "Boss, it was actually me who told them about your barrel."

Blake rolled his eyes as he heard him, He sighed and asked Ross, "Well, give me that letter."

Blake read the letter and gave serious orders this time around, "Okay, you bastards, this time we will be hunting some exotic species up in the north. Last time when we were chased by the Duke and royal dogs, I mean last time when we were adventuring up north, we lost a lot of men and barely survived so this is time for payback to those assholes. This time we will be toasting them with our new weapons and having them for dinner. We will also create a base for Lord John this time over there so that we can have a backup base in case of emergencies. We will have a lot of travel this time around. Meanwhile, our war with Duke Fjord is near so I hope every one of you gives your 110 percent this time around. We only have 10 days before Duke Fjord launches his attacks in the seas. Are you guys ready for some action?"

Judd spoke in drunken manners as he heard him, "I don't know, well I am going anyway as I would like to roast those monsters. Especially that 3 colored bird. That ass of a bird almost made me into dinner last time around."

Blake Facepalmed as he thought, 'Once again one of these assholes ruined this lord's awesome speech.'

Bran commented as he heard, "Boss, though the speech wasn't awesome but I will always be supporting you."

One of the new boys named Swann from Ross's team roared as soon as he heard Blake, "Yes, Boss, I am ready."

He was a bit confused as he saw that no one was reacting. Judd laughed and spoke, "I guess you are new boy. You will learn with time."

Blake almost had tears in his eyes as he heard Swann.

Blake sighed and spoke in a grave tone as he left without saying anything, "Anyway, all of you, be ready by tomorrow. We will depart at dawn tomorrow. So be prepared for the journey, I don't want any problems later on."

This time all of his men roared when they heard him, "Yes, Boss."

Judd and Bran then started giving orders after Blake left, "Come we have a lot to do before our departure."

Swann was a bit confused after watching this scene. Bran smiled as he watched Swann.

Judd smiled and explained to the kid, "You see we don't like his arrogant speeches so we always keep his speeches under control. You will understand with time. Anyway, back to work kid."

****

The journey towards the northland seas.

Ross smiled as he breathed the sea air for the first time.

Blake asked him as he saw Ross on board enjoying the view, "So this is the first for you, eh?"

Ross nodded and expressed his thoughts, "It is quite beautiful. I bet it would be exciting adventuring in the seas."

Blake reminded him as he thought nostalgically, "Don't fall for its beauty or you will someday be swallowed by it if you are immersed in it way too much. This sea is filled with immense wealth and dangers."

Blake then asked Judd, "Judd, are all the preparations for the sea monsters done?"

Judd answered, "Already done, Let those monsters come, all they will eat is shit or those ballistas. Here, already one of those hydras are coming for our ships. The northern seas are quite dangerous compared to eastern seas."

Blake smiled and answered, "Well, it is still better than those monsters on the islands. These are still manageable most of those times. You are only itching to use those ballistas."

Judd grinned and spoke, "Aren't you excited as well, boss?"

Ross shook his head and broke Judd's happiness, "Nah, he already tried them. But I guess he too is interested in using them live in the seas."

Blake nodded and gave permission, "I guess its a bit of both. Okay, you can just use that ballista once the situation in the sea changes. Let that Kid Swann have a shot from that weapon."

Judd smiled and didn't agree as he thought, 'I guess he wants to groom this kid early on and let him have a feeling of using this weapon.'

Judd nodded and called Swann, "Kid today is your lucky day, you will be the first guy to inaugurate this weapon on the main ship. Make sure to learn about its operations from Mark and use it when our scout spots a wild beast in the sea. You will shoot first and think later, don't get mesmerized by their beauty. They are very dangerous. The Island we are going to is the same. Small animals are more dangerous over there as many of them are poisonous. And as those animals can survive in such a dangerous habitat, they would naturally be dangerous. I lost quite a few men over there. However this time, it's our turn to reign terror to those beasts"

Swann thought as he saw that Blake too nodded and gave him permission to shoot at the hydra.

He thought, 'I guess I am quite lucky this time around to have Captain Blake as our admiral. I won't be wasting this opportunity given by Boss. To become stronger I have to use all the opportunities that are available to me.'