Chapter 43

King Edric's face lit up with a rare smile as General Rickard conveyed the Stoneborn Knights' victory over Seton "Golden-Eye" Bucker's pirate force. A wave of approval swept through the gathered war council as they grasped the significance of the decisive triumph.

"Excellent job, my lords," Edric exclaimed, his chest swelling with pride. "General Alric, ensure that Ser Amathar and Ser Fiorel receive proper recognition for their pivotal role in this initial strike against the invaders. Reward their bravery and leadership."

The assembled nobles and commanders nodded in agreement, already contemplating how to exploit this hard-earned advantage against Samuel's army. For a brief moment, the council chamber buzzed with somber revelry.

However, the jubilation was short-lived. The heavy doors of the chamber crashed open, and a frantic messenger stumbled inside. His eyes were wide with urgency, his breaths ragged as he delivered his news.

"Your Majesty!" he exclaimed, struggling to catch his breath. "We face dire circumstances on the western shore! We are... under attack!"

A tense silence enveloped the war council as every gaze fixed upon the disheveled messenger. King Edric stood from his throne; his hands clenched tightly on the armrests as he directed a penetrating stare at the scout.

"Speak quickly," Edric commanded, his voice sharp with urgency. "What news do you bring?"

The messenger bowed hastily, his words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Sire, it's Auberon 'Renegade' Carlton," he gasped. "His pirate horde has launched a massive invasion along the Salten Bay. They clashed with our navy's western patrol squadrons and... they broke through!"

A wave of shock and anger swept through the assembled nobles. Edric's expression remained firm, gesturing for the messenger to continue.

"We deployed more than a hundred ships to counter their attack," the scout continued, his face flushed with shame. "But Carlton's flagship, the fearsome Kraken's Bane, led a relentless assault that shattered our defenses."

The messenger swallowed hard, recalling the horror of the battle. "The carnage was unimaginable, Your Majesty. Carlton's pirates showed no mercy as they boarded our ships, slaughtering all who resisted."

Edric's features darkened, but he remained silent, allowing the scout to recount the full extent of the disaster.

"When the smoke cleared, over seventy of our vessels had been sunk or captured," the messenger concluded, his voice filled with anguish. "And while Carlton's renegades suffered losses, we only managed to sink nearly thirty of their own ships in the brutal conflict."

"But now, with this breach in our defenses, that villain has a clear path to raid our western lands and coastal villages. Thousands of lives are in grave danger, Your Grace."

A heavy silence settled over the council chamber as the gravity of the situation sank in. Coming so soon after their hard-fought victory against Bucker's pirates, this new crisis threatened to undo their efforts to secure the kingdom's borders.

Edric's unwavering gaze swept across his generals and advisors, assessing their resolve. Standing tall, he squared his shoulders, projecting a resolute determination.

"This is just the beginning of a long and difficult battle, my lords," he proclaimed, his fists clenched tightly. "Though our sailors fought valiantly, they were unable to stop this initial invasion. Now it is up to our armies and militias to confront this new threat with the same bravery and determination."

The room seemed to crackle with Edric's resolve, revitalizing the spirits of his war council. He nodded firmly at the messenger.

"Go back to your commanders and deliver this message - Auberon 'Renegade' Carlton and his pirates have stirred a storm they cannot withstand. We will meet their invasion head-on, unwavering and steadfast until this pirate menace is eradicated from our lands and seas forever."

King Edric's gaze hardened as he addressed his generals, his voice resolute with command.

"You know what needs to be done," he declared, his tone brooking no opposition. "General Alric, dispatch riders immediately to our nearest divisions. They must swiftly redeploy to confront this pirate onslaught."

Alric's jaw clenched in determination as he replied, "As you command, Your Majesty. The Lions of Maribor and the Dragonlords of Karnstead stand ready to move at a moment's notice."

"Excellent," Edric affirmed. "Ensure they are swiftly informed and set forth towards the threatened regions without delay. We will commit additional forces if necessary to quell this threat."

He turned to Rickard and Harrow; his eyes steely with resolve. "Rickard, begin reallocating our reserve companies to reinforce vulnerable coastal positions. Harrow, coordinate a strategic maneuver to ensnare Carlton's renegades between our advancing forces."

The two generals snapped crisp salutes. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Edric's gaze swept over the assembled nobles, his next words carrying the weight of their realm's survival.

"My lords, it is evident that the despicable Pirate King seeks to test our resolve with relentless invasions," he declared, his voice resounding with authority. "He believes he can wear us down with ruthless attacks."

The king's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. "But I say, we shall stand firm against this onslaught! While our corsairs may fend off the initial assaults, it is now up to you to rally the full strength of Maridian's noble houses!"

He pointed his blade toward the gathered lords, his eyes ablaze with determination.

"Gather your bannermen and muster every capable man from city, village, and freehold. We must replenish our forces and overwhelm these pirates with our united might! If we do not stop them now... there will be nothing left to defend in our kingdom."

The nobles straightened, exchanging solemn glances as Edric's words sank in. They understood the gravity of the situation - this threat surpassed all previous encounters with raiders and brigands. Their very existence was at stake.

One by one, the lords nodded in agreement, hands resting on the pommels of their swords as they prepared to unleash the full strength of their ancestral lands. There would be no compromise, no mercy shown to Samuel and his savage horde.

It was a call to arms, a declaration of war against an enemy bent on their destruction. With steadfast resolve, Maridian's nobles pledged to answer the challenge, echoing Edric's rallying cry with their own vows to raise their banners high and mobilize without hesitation.

For if they failed to unite against the looming threat, their cherished homeland would be consumed by the merciless tide of piracy, leaving nothing but ruin and despair in its wake.