B3 Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Lucan, along with his betrothed, drifted away from Lord Thornvale. His eyes looked through the hall and found Lord Drummond in a different corner, speaking to Lord Ravencroft. Lucan made to head towards the man, who was throwing glances his way, but he felt a pull on his arm.

“We shouldn’t go to him,” Lilian said, urging him to change his heading with a shake of her head.

“Why?” Lucan said.

“Father always said that negotiations begin before the first word,” Lilian intoned. “If we go to him now, he will have demands.”

“As has every other lord?” He raised a brow, side-eying his betrothed.

“He is last, however.”

“We need him,” Lucan said. “Our trade plans will not happen should he choose to impede them. He would also be a gap in our line, preventing us from being timely with our aid should one of the alliance’s number need it.”

“Yes, but he’s alone. Would it be wise of him to impede your trade when you are many? Would it be wise for him to buy your enmity?”

“Ah.” Lucan nodded. “And noble law will no longer protect him, at least not without a true crown reigning over the realm, but I doubt my peers would be eager to wage war on one of our own even under such circumstances. There’s little to fear for him unless he attempts to gravely undermine us.”

“Yes, that is reasonable. But reason is seldom the friend of fear. And now, he is fearful.” She showed him a subtle smile. “Believe me, my father has pressed many a peer of his into caravans by the rule of lasts, as he calls it. No one wishes to be left behind. No one wishes to be left alone. Fear rules even the wisest of men at times. Let him come to us. He will still make demands, but within, he will be subdued.”

Lucan gave himself a breath to think, walking with small steps towards one of the long tables, pretending to peruse the cakes on offer. “Very well. But if we intend to pursue this course, then it is better to make him as hasty as he is fearful.” He dropped the cake back on the table and guided his betrothed around it, taking them towards the stairs leading up to Lord Arden’s dais.

A discreet glance behind showed him that Lilian was right. Lord Drummond was scrambling to catch him before he ascended those stairs, being followed by his giant of a son. Lucan shared a sly smile with his betrothed and hastened his pace. He would make the lord work.

Both parties hastened towards the dais, and just as Lucan was about to take the first step, Lord Drummond’s voice came suppressed and harried. “Lord Zesh!”

Unhurriedly, Lucan retracted his foot, turning around as though surprised to be called upon. He raised his brows at the approaching man. “Lord Drummond, is something the matter?”

“Nothing of significance, I say.” The lord smiled, coming to a stop beside him and pretending to have no haste in his manner. “It seems you have spoken to the other lords. Have matters gone as you’ve wished?”

“Ah.” Lucan nodded, rubbing his chin. “I wonder what interests the lord in such matters. Surely, you care not for what is to be of our alliance, for you are of no mind to join it, yes?”

“Oh, well.” Lord Drummond shrugged. “A man can be curious, wouldn’t you say?”

“Indeed, indeed,” Lucan said. “Well, I am glad to tell you, Your Lordship, that all the peers in presence have chosen to join our ranks.”

It was Lord Drummond’s eyebrows that rose this time. “I see, I see.” He hummed for a moment then said, “And I don’t suppose you have found another path for your trade…around my estate, have you?”

“It would be to Your Lordship’s benefit to allow trade to pass through your lands, even if you wish to toll it. After all, much prosperity would be lost should you impede it.”

“Yes, but I would have my own terms, you see?” The lord smiled. “Different from any that you come to terms about in this alliance. I would not be beholden to any of your agreements.”

“Indeed,” Lucan said in a dragging voice.

The lord nodded, as though he’d won some invisible argument. “Who would lead this alliance then?” the lord asked conversationally.

Lucan cocked his head, looking at him quizzically. The man only shrugged slightly, gesturing with an open hand, as though asking him to bear with him. “There would be no leader,” Lucan said. Oh, he’d thought of it. He’d thought of it plenty. But it would be foolish to attempt to take that mantle, even if he was the one to arrange this whole affair. With so many lords senior to him here, it would be nigh unthinkable. The pride of many lords would dictate that they oppose him, even if Lord Arden supported him. Hence, he’d come to a different conclusion. “We would cast our seals on any matter or dispute, the majority deciding what we shall do. We will also have birds for each of our estates, so that small matters can be resolved promptly and without needless effort.”

“Is that so?” the lord said. “Interesting indeed.”

“Does the lord have any remarks, I wonder?”

“I do, in truth. I wonder if it is proper for knights to have an equal voice as that of lords,” Lord Drummond said.

“That is something for the members of the alliance to decide, I would say.” Lucan smiled.

“And what if I wished to be part of this alliance? Would you not consider a proper balance? I find it improper that a knight’s seal is given the same weight as mine.”

“I cannot make such a decision alone. If you were to become part of the alliance, then you would have the right to bring the matter forth, and it can then be decided by majority.”

The lord rubbed his chin. “I see, I see.” He turned to meet his son’s eyes, as though having a silent conversation with him, before turning back to Lucan and saying, “Perhaps we would be of the mind to join this venture of yours, for a time at least, provided that–”

“This is a bond, Your Lordship,” Lucan interrupted him. “It’s not something to which one commits lightly or for a time.”

Lord Drummond was only quiet for a beat. “Well, I have my terms if I am to join you. I am not one to be bound to the interests of others should they not share mine.”

“I assure you, Your Lordship. Our interests align.”

“If that is indeed the case, then I must ask about this matter of the tolls. I intend to set a favorable one–”

“Tolls are a matter on which we must all be level,” Lucan said. “Otherwise, lords bordering our most lucrative trade routes could cripple all trade by imposing unreasonable tolls for their own gains.” He didn’t miss his own hypocrisy then, having allowed Lord Thornvale to do precisely that, though he’d done it knowing that it would not be as damaging as could otherwise be believed. Trade would be flowing in the opposite direction of Lord Thornvale’s expectations soon enough. He would still get tidy sums for goods coming from the west, but that would be only half of a pie that the lord would have certainly wished to have whole, or perhaps, he would have less than half. Clever merchants would travel west heavy and east light to avoid the worst of the tariffs, Lucan imagined.

“All of us would be equal then, even the knights?” Lord Drummond said.

Lucan let out an exasperated sigh. Why was the man so set against knights? “Merchants between east and west are only compelled to pass one knight’s lands. Sir Wolfe’s. The rest, they may choose to visit or not. All tolls on the trade path will be equal. If there is to be any change, again, seals must be cast.”

Lord Drummond huffed, grumbling about seals and voices. “Very well, but I demand that these matters be put forth without delay.”

“Of course, Your Lordship. I will ensure that you can say your word and that the seals are cast today. We are all here, after all.”

“Good.” The lord nodded with a smile, as though having achieved an unspoken victory. Lucan let him have it.

After the man left them, Lucan led Lilian up the stairs, this time uninterrupted. “It was as you said.”

Lilian let out a relieved sigh. “Thankfully.” Lucan raised a brow at her, and she shrugged, saying, “I could only be so certain.”

He suppressed a chuckle and walked up to Lord Arden. “It is done.”

The old lord nodded slowly. “I am glad.” Then his unexpectedly spirited eyes met Lucan’s. “Do not forget.”

“My promise will be kept, no matter the cost.” Lucan held Lord Arden’s eyes, unfazed.

“Good.”

“It is time to announce it.”

“The hall is yours.”

“My thanks.” Lucan took a deep breath as conversing faces turned towards him and the hall gradually quietened. “Lords. Sirs,” he called. “Your time has been a generous gift, and your attention a precious one, and for both, I am thankful.” He paused, leveling a smile at all those who listened. “With a rejoicing spirit, I announce that The Grey Alliance is hereby formed, named after the Elder Roots’ shade and a neutrality which we shall represent. All lords and knights in attendance have chosen to join the alliance’s ranks. I shall now announce its tenets, implicitly agreed upon by all. On the matter of leadership.” He took a breath, discreetly glancing at those who hadn’t shown interest in the matter. Lord Sergrave didn’t seem like one who would vie for such power, caring more about his unending war with the Wildermen. Lord Ravencroft seemed ambivalent about the whole alliance, at least until it proved as beneficial as Lucan had promised him it would be. Lord Arden was, of course, not long for this world and hence was uninterested in taking the helm. Lord Drummond, Lucan knew, would certainly be interested, though the man didn’t have enough sway to make an attempt now. Lucan also suspected that Lord Thornvale had designs on it, his disposition laid bare by his dominion over Sir Caerlyn, but he was also a cautious man, and he would likely be subtle in seeking his prize. These were two men Lucan would have to watch, but hopefully, this wouldn’t strain the alliance too much.

Back from his spinning thoughts, he continued, “The Grey Alliance shall have no sole leader. Any matter of contention shall be brought forth for the voices of its members to settle. Seals will be cast, and the rule of majority shall be obeyed. For minor matters, birds shall be sent with sealed parchments. Hence, the last tenet of our alliance, which I shall begin with. Every member must have a bird for all their peers. It will be a somewhat costly affair, but it is necessary with the uncertainty of war looming on the horizon. It will also be the manner by which we will commune and watch for danger.” Birds were rare, since they needed to be reared at their destination, and such rearing was not cheap. The capital had birds for nearly every estate, and Arpague had birds for many. But most estates did not enjoy that privilege. Lucan and his father, before him, only had a bird for Eldham, and taking care of it had always been Thomas’s duty.

Upon receiving nods of agreement, Lucan continued, “As for our first tenet, it shall be mutual defense and the defense of the Elder Root, and it shall be uncontended. The second tenet shall be our neutrality in the realm’s civil wars. The third shall be unbarred passage for trade along the territories of the alliance. Lords may impose a fair toll, but it shall be even between all estates so no one would cripple its vein. The fourth tenet is the right of all to cast their seals for or against a matter of contention and their right to abstain from such contention.” He stopped, glancing at Lord Drummond, who met his eyes with anticipation. “On this matter, Lord Drummond has a proposal.”

The lord smiled, and a silence born from anticipation met his mirth.