Mastery Is Earned

The boat waited just outside the reed beds on the far side of the island. The people aboard wore a range of expressions. Some nervously polished their weapons, while others rested with their eyes closed, taking deep breaths to steady themselves.

Raymond sat quietly in the bow, watching the dense reeds ahead and listening closely to the sounds coming from the island.

As an extra precaution, he had even put on his coat of plates. Wearing such heavy armor while fighting fishfolk on an island was hardly wise, but in the end, he had decided to wear it all the same.

Teddy sat pressed close beside him. Every so often, he stared absently at Raymond’s armor, then lowered his head again, looking deeply worried.

“There’s no need to be nervous,” Raymond told him. “These fishfolk aren’t much to worry about. They shouldn’t be much stronger than goblins.”

Teddy scratched his head in embarrassment. “I’ve never fought a goblin.”

“Huh?” Raymond looked at him in surprise.

Goblins were everywhere in Blackpine Forest. Many mercenaries had fought them, and plenty even treated them as a source of income. The fact that Teddy had never fought one genuinely surprised Raymond.

He was about to say something when a long horn blast sounded from the other side of the island, cutting him off.

The sound echoed across the lake and gradually faded. Then came a second blast, followed by a third.

“There it is!” Derek rose, his expression somewhere between excitement and agitation. “Raymond, it’s time to move!”

Raymond waved him down. “Not yet. Give the fishfolk time to go reinforce the others.”

Derek considered this, apparently decided Raymond was right, and dropped back onto the boat. His hands rubbed together restlessly.

After waiting a little longer, Raymond finally waved to the others. “Let’s go. Keep quiet.”

They dipped their oars into the water and slowly guided the boat into the reeds. Stalks brushed along both sides of the hull as everyone stayed alert for anything nearby. No one spoke.

They reached a stretch of bank firm enough to land on without encountering a single fishfolk. Raymond went ashore first and checked the area. Once he was satisfied there was no immediate danger, he signaled for the others to follow.

They secured the boat, took up their weapons, and moved deeper into the island in a crouch.

The reed island itself was not particularly large, but the group remained concealed among the reeds to avoid discovery. The growth was much denser than they had expected, hiding them from view while also blocking their own sight. Raymond bent low and slowed his pace, pausing from time to time to listen. The others followed close behind.

“Wait.” Raymond’s voice was quiet but urgent as he gestured for the others to stop.

Everyone behind him halted at once and looked in the direction he indicated.

Rapid footsteps sounded ahead, heading toward the opposite side of the island. The thick reeds kept Raymond’s group from seeing either the creatures or their numbers.

Judging from the sound and what they knew of the island, however, the runners could only be the fishfolk occupying it. The others must have learned of the attack and were rushing to reinforce their companions.

Once the footsteps faded into the distance, Raymond looked back at Teddy and Derek’s men. He signaled with a glance, then headed in the direction the footsteps had originally come from.

They had not known which way to search, but the passing fishfolk had given them a much clearer lead.

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A few isolated fishfolk would have told them little. But if a large group had gathered in one place, there was a good chance their lair was nearby.

They encountered no fishfolk along the way. As they moved toward the island’s interior, the reeds ahead finally began to thin.

Beyond them lay a clearing dotted with several low, rocky mounds. A low cave entrance opened in the tallest one. It was pitch-black inside, and Raymond could not help feeling uneasy after his previous experiences in caves.

The fishfolk had also built a number of small grass huts around the cave. It seemed they truly had made the reed island their base.

Only four fishfolk remained on guard near the cave, with no others in sight. They did not look especially dangerous. The only real uncertainty was what might be waiting inside.

The cave appeared small from the outside, but for all they knew, the terrain might open into a much larger space within.

“Only four. Let’s take them all down at once,” Raymond told Teddy and Derek’s men. Some time had already passed since the horn signal, and every moment was valuable. They could not afford to waste any more.

Teddy and Derek exchanged a look before Derek nodded. “All right.”

Once he had their agreement, Raymond drew the arming sword at his waist and charged the fishfolk. The others rushed after him.

The four fishfolk were startled by the sudden attack, but they still fought back.

They looked fierce, yet their bodies were too small and thin to intimidate Raymond. His experience fighting goblins had also made him familiar with enemies of this size and how best to handle them.

Gripping his sword in both hands, Raymond raised it high and brought it down in a powerful chop at the nearest fishfolk. Despite the force behind the strike, it was fast and came from a difficult angle.

The fishfolk barely managed to twist aside before the blade struck its left shoulder. Its scales offered some protection, but not enough to stop the blow. Raymond’s sword bit into its shoulder blade and lodged in the bone.

Raymond kicked out hard with his left foot, sending the fishfolk staggering back several steps. The force wrenched his sword free, the blade scraping along the creature’s shoulder blade as it came out. While the fishfolk reeled in pain, Raymond thrust the sword through its throat.

The fight was over in seconds. No more than three seconds had passed between the first clash and the fishfolk’s death. Teddy, following close behind Raymond, had not even had time to react.

The other three fishfolk had engaged Derek and his men. The difference in size between fishfolk and humans was obvious, and the creatures were quickly overwhelmed and killed.

“Everyone done?” Raymond asked as he wiped the blood from his blade.

There had been only four fishfolk. Raymond had killed one, while Derek and Ben had each taken down another on their own. Warren and Robin had dealt with the last together. Teddy had been too close behind Raymond to engage any of them.

“All done. Easy,” Derek said with a chuckle.

“Don’t get careless.” Raymond shook his head and pointed toward the cave. “Anything could be waiting for us in there. The fishfolk leader might even be inside. I wonder how Henk’s group is doing.”

“Forget about them for now,” Derek said. “Do you see the cargo anywhere? Don’t forget why we’re here, Raymond.”

Raymond gave a self-deprecating smile and shook his head. Then he surveyed the clearing. “The cargo isn’t here. It may be inside the cave. If it isn’t—or if the fishfolk destroyed it or hid it somewhere else—we’re going to have a serious problem.”

“Should we take a look inside?” Teddy asked, moving closer.

Raymond glanced back at him and frowned. “Don’t stand so close. It’s not that dangerous here. If I feel something poking me from behind, I’d rather it be a blade.”

Teddy scratched his head sheepishly, chuckled, and took a small step back.

“I’ll go in first. Stay close behind me.” Seeing that no one else seemed eager to enter, Raymond took a deep breath.

The others tightened their grips on their weapons and nodded silently before falling in behind him.

Their apprehension made Raymond nervous as well. His expression grew solemn as he entered the cave.

The entrance looked pitch-black from outside, but the interior was not especially dark. Unknown plants covered the stone walls, giving off a dim glow that provided a little light.

The cave was not large. The floor spiraled downward along the walls toward a pool of faintly glowing water at the lowest point.

A school of newly hatched fishfolk larvae swam through the pool. They resembled tadpoles, with soft bodies and no limbs. Slightly older hatchlings had already grown arms and legs and lay on the slick rocks at the water’s edge.

The intruders seemed to frighten them. The hatchlings along the edge leaped into the pool one after another. A few bubbles rose to the surface, then the water gradually went still.

Only then did Raymond relax. Looking around the cave, he found all manner of goods stacked along its walls. Some sacks of grain had been ruined by water, their kernels sprouting or rotting. There were barrels of salted fish, cured meat, and cheese, along with harpoons, short knives, axes, and other tools stolen from fishermen.

The goods had not been placed at random. They were sorted into different areas according to their type and use. The discovery raised Raymond’s opinion of the fishfolk slightly.

“Everything’s safe. Next...” Raymond began as he turned around.

Before he could finish, rapid footsteps broke out behind him. Then something came whistling through the air at the back of his head.