Chapter 74: Gathering the Forces

Dawn was beginning to tint the sky with orange hues when Sebastião and Rodrigo left the house. The silence of dawn still hung over the city, but they both knew that soon the calm would be replaced by chaos. There was no time to waste. They needed to gather everyone who was willing to fight, prepare what was possible and arm themselves with the little hope that remained.

Walking side by side, they began to plan their next move. Rodrigo, despite his initial reluctance, had once again assumed the role of strategist. His analytical gaze scanned the streets and buildings around him, already mentally tracing possible defense points and evacuation routes.

"The first thing we need is precise information about the enemy," Rodrigo said, breaking the silence. "Where they are, how many there are, and what their exact intentions are. Without that, any plan we make will be incomplete."

Sebastião agreed, although he knew that obtaining such information would not be easy. "We have some contacts in the city," he replied. "People who know the hidden paths, who know what goes on in the shadows. If anyone can help us, it's them."

"We need everyone who's willing to take a risk," Rodrigo continued. "Let's start with the markets, taverns, any place where people are still awake. There are always those who talk too much after a few drinks, and maybe we can get something out of that."

With that decision, they headed for the central market, where the first merchants were already setting up their stalls for the day. The streets, still semi-deserted, would soon be full of life, but for now, it was possible to tell who was arriving too early or who had stayed up all night.

When he arrived, Sebastião approached a group of men carrying boxes of goods. He knew one of the oldest there, a fishmonger named Zeca, who always had a story or two to tell about the city's happenings.

"Good morning, Zeca," Sebastião said, trying to sound casual. "Have you heard anything new? I heard that there's been strange activity in the area."

Zeca, who was usually talkative, seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering. "I've heard some rumors, yes, but no one knows for sure what's going on. Only that people are disappearing on the nearby farms, and some travelers have arrived talking about a troop marching through the countryside."

Rodrigo, who was next to Sebastião, narrowed his eyes. "Do you know where those travelers are now?"

"They must be in the tavern on the other side of the square," Zeca replied, nodding. "But be careful, I heard they're not very friendly."

Thanking Zeca, Sebastião and Rodrigo headed in the direction indicated. The tavern was still partially closed, but a faint murmur could be heard from inside. Upon opening the door, they found a small group of men, clearly exhausted, sitting at a table, talking in low voices.

Rodrigo took the lead, approaching the travelers cautiously. "We're looking for information about what's happening out there," he said bluntly. "Anything you can tell us could make a difference." The men looked at each other, assessing Rodrigo and Sebastian. After a few seconds of silence, the one who seemed to be the leader of the group spoke: "We don't know much, except that there's a large armed force marching towards the city. They're well organized, and it doesn't look like they're going to stop here. We're just passing through, but I can tell you that you have little time to prepare." Rodrigo absorbed the information, considering what to do next. "Thank you," he said, bowing his head in respect. "And good luck on your journey. It seems we're all going to need it." Leaving the tavern, Rodrigo turned to Sebastian, his expression serious. "That's it. We don't have much time. We need to alert the city and start organizing defenses now." Sebastian nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility grow even more. The fight ahead would not be easy, but he knew they were not alone. With Rodrigo by his side and the city united, perhaps there was still a chance. And that chance, however small, was all they needed to keep going.