B3 Chapter 13

Lucan woke up as though he hadn’t slept at all. He wasn’t tired, but rather, he felt as though he’d gone from slumber to wakefulness without that fog that impeded one’s mind before they reached proper awareness. He supposed that his mind was alert, perhaps expectant. Many things were happening now.

Harvest had come, and with it, dozens of merchants and a festival worthy of the large yield of crops with which they had been blessed. The expanded farmland had not disappointed him or his subjects. The open market in town was thriving, with the arriving merchants vying to earn a good spot to sell and buy from the townsmen. Those among them familiar with the villagers had already hastened to buy whatever crops they could from their acquaintances before prices could move out of reach.

Lucan learned that among the arriving merchants was Ainsley Rooklet, a modest merchant who’d been his friend since before the estate’s fortunes had risen so high. He would ensure he got some privileges among the fresher faces visiting his lands. They had aided one another on more than one occasion, and Lucan believed that the young man wouldn’t hesitate to stand with him again if need be, and more so if Lucan ensured that the young merchant’s fortunes rose with his own. 

He had some thoughts on that; perhaps having Master Saltner help him gain a seat on the Merchant House council would be prudent, though it could not be ensured, since the council would be elected by attending merchants. Still, his soon-to-be lawfather could influence his peers with his new title and his immense reach as a wealthy man among wealthy men.

Another happening of importance was that, as agreed, all members of the Gray Alliance had sent their letters to the two warring factions and their good friends in the realm. They would not take part in this conflict, and any transgression against one of the alliance’s members would be a transgression against all its members. Lucan had made certain that their noblest reasons for that were properly articulated in their unified message. They were to protect the kingdom’s borders against the belligerent Wildermen and the warlords of the east. They were also to ensure the safety of the Elder Root for the realm and for posterity.

Word had also been sent to his allies and family that his wedding was forthcoming, and all parties of significance had been invited. Only a few days separated him from his wedding, and that was why he was in this ethereal state, one where he slept and woke up fretfully. At least, though, it kept him vigorous in his wakefulness the past few days. Perhaps it was time to admit to himself, however, that he was…anxious.

He splashed his face with cold water from the basin and shook his head. It wouldn’t do to let himself fret further. He left his chamber and headed to his study. He had plenty to do today. There were questions to be asked, and perhaps some to be answered. He’d arranged for a meeting with Master Saltner again, but he’d be speaking to his aides first.

Thomas was already present in the study when he arrived, and Cordell quickly joined them. Lucan took his seat and sighed.

“Shall we begin?”

Thomas nodded and was the first to speak. “The market is crowded with merchants, if not full. I have not raised our dues overmuch, as you have commanded, though I believe we can, considering the circumstances.”

“I intend to consult with Master Saltner about this and other matters of trade today before we set it in stone,” Lucan said. “We must also prepare the town for eastern trade should I succeed in my endeavor in the Union.”

Thomas cocked his head abruptly. “You intend to apprise him of this matter?”

Lucan nodded. “We are nearly united. It would do him no good to betray my confidence or endanger the estate. We need the counsel of a seasoned merchant if we are to set forth properly in this matter.”

Thomas sighed. “Still, he will seek benefit from it.”

“Of that, I’m certain, but our choices are few. Ainsley lacks the experience to aid us, and while I trust him as a friend, we know not what burdens are weighing him and what benefits may entice him.”

“So it shall be,” Thomas said, dipping his head at last. “Another matter of import is the guards. They’ve been straining under the weight of all our arrivals, the market, the harvest.”

“Twenty are not enough?”

“I only have ten.”

Lucan looked at Cordell.

“Aldous has promised that they will be ready to join Master Thomas’s service by the morrow.”

“Good,” Lucan said, watching the old steward’s nod. “We wouldn’t want safety to become a matter of contention, or we might as well throw all our efforts down the river.”

“It shall not be.” Thomas nodded along, then continued, “The harvest was modest but expansive, considering all the land being farmed. The villages and hamlets are doing rather well at best, and acceptably at worst. Saltriver has rendered the last of its debt to the estate.”

“Good.” Lucan had loaned the village along the stream that fed the salt lake coin in the form of cattle to push them properly into the path of herding, but the drought had killed the hay harvest the summer before last, and that had nearly brought them to their knees, which had forced him to aid them once more and not demand a timely recompense of their debt.

Lucan nodded with some satisfaction. “Is that all of it?”

Thomas nodded. “Yes. You wished to discuss matters of trade with Master Saltner, yes? It would be wise to defer all discussion of it until then unless there’s something you intend to keep from him.”

Lucan shrugged. “Then let us defer it.” He then turned to Cordell, giving him a nod to speak.

“There has been nothing of note, my lord.” The sergeant-at-arms chuckled. “Which is often a good thing. Sir Ward has made no moves, and we have been meeting Lord Ravencroft’s patrols in the forest as planned. With your allowance for the refugees’ passage, we have not had to strain ourselves by chasing them away in the forest. The unsavory sorts have been few and far between, being mostly handled by the Sirs to our east.”

“I see, I see. And how has Otto been taking to his training?”

“He is coming into his boots now,” Thomas said with an approving smile. “He does not yet match his peers, but they cannot take him lightly in a spar anymore. And he does not lack in courage.”

Lucan nodded again. “Good, good.” He rubbed his chin, turning to Thomas. “Since there is not much else to discuss, have Master Saltner summoned so we may begin discussing our plans.”

Thomas dipped his head, and Cordell asked for leave, which he was given since he would not be needed for such affairs.

Not long after, Maris Saltner arrived, unsurprisingly dragging his son along with him. Thomas stood behind Lucan, and they both received him with nods. The merchant did not neglect to bow, quickly followed by Bartram.

Lucan gestured towards the seats across from him, which the pair took without hesitation.

“My lord,” Master Saltner said. “To what do we owe this summons?”

“To more than one matter, I have to say,” Lucan began. “First, I have an acquaintance, or perhaps a friend, among your younger peers. Ainsley Rooklet.”

“Ah, yes, I know that one. I believe he has a rather modest house near my own in Silvergate. What of him?”

“I believe you have begun to acquaint your peers with the Merchant House, yes?”

“Indeed.” The merchant nodded.

“Then I can expect a council to be formed soon. I wish for Ainsley to be on this council.”

Master Saltner frowned. “He is rather young, I will say. Why do you wish for him to take such responsibility?”

“He has aided me in the past, and I wish to help him come into his own now,” Lucan lied.

With a helpless shrug, the merchant said, “I wish matters were that simple, but our peers may not see it proper to have him there.”

“Is it so rare that a young merchant assumes a high mantle?”

“It is not,” the old man said with a sigh. “But I am already the master of the House, and if now you were to impose a friend of yours onto one of the council seats, the purpose of the council would be seen as futile by some.”

Lucan shook his head with a huff. In truth, he wanted someone else in the Merchant House whom he could rely on, but he couldn’t say so openly, even if Maris Saltner would quickly realize it on his own. So he said, “They should be happy that they have among them one who can bring any grievances or misgivings to the reigning lord. It only means another path by which they may seek their interests.

“Lucan,” Master Saltner said, his tone changing from formality to warmth. “I assure you that the estate’s interests are in good hands with me. You need not trouble yourself with such plans if that is your concern.”

“I am certain they are in good hands, Master Saltner.” Lucan raised an assuaging hand. “It is simply my wish for Ainsley to be on the rise.”

“There are other ways–”

“This is how I wish for it to be done,” Lucan interrupted him with finality in his tone. “You have said that you would be a good master of the House, that you would know how to handle your peers. Now you must prove it. I want Ainsley on the council.”

After a brief pause, during which Master Saltner frowned thoughtfully. Then he sighed. “Very well. It shall be done, my lord.”

Lucan hummed his approval and nodded. “Then we may move to more important matters.”

Seemingly intrigued, Master Saltner perked up. “Oh? And what matters may those be?”

“As you must already know, war is soon to consume the two northern thirds of the realm. Trade will all but disappear in those lands, and all of it will come to the Gray Alliance.”

“Some will hazard trade in the north regardless,” Bartram spoke for the first time. Upon seeing Lucan’s raised brow, he added, “There is much to be gained there at such a time.”

Lucan shifted his eyes from the younger Saltner to the older one, who shrugged and said, “In peril, there is opportunity. It is known.” He nodded sagely, as though he’d imparted some ancient wisdom. Then he continued, “But the alliance will be the only haven for all. Some will still prefer the Union to the east, for many have ties there, but all will know that trade flows smoothest in Barwalis here. They will have to choose, however, since there will be danger in travelling between here and the Union.”

Lucan raised a forefinger at that. “That is, in truth, the foremost matter for which I have summoned you, Master Saltner.”

“Hmm?” The merchant leaned back, his question posed though unpronounced.

“You see, we intend to open a path of trade to the Union,” Lucan said with a wide smile. “In full measure.”