B3 Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Lucan moved on from Lord Cassius, his eyes roaming the hall, seeking his next quarry. Lilian, still attached to him, walked beside him, her eyes following his.

His gaze landed on Sir Caeryin, who was standing with Lord Thornvale. Lucan wished he could approach the knight at once, but some of the lords might take offense if he were to court a knight’s attention before their own. The knight would have perhaps been the easiest to persuade here. He was possessed of the least wealth, though he had the smallest estate to maintain. Still, there was much Lucan could have offered him.

His eyes then met Lord Drummond’s who seemed amenable to speaking, though he was conversing with Lord Sergrave at the moment.

Lord Cassius walked by him and Lilian then with his son, joining the two lords, which would at least not make it improper to pull Lord Drummond away.

“Him?” Lilian asked, taking a moment to think. “Lord Drummond, yes?”

Lucan nodded, giving her an approving glance. “Yes. His lands lie west of Lord Cassius’s. We now have the southeast in our hands, Lords Arden and Cassius. Perhaps fortune will favor us as we sweep west, taking the rest of them one by one.”

“This Lord, what would he need?”

“Nary a thing,” Lucan said. “I’m uncertain about his motivations, which is perhaps why we should speak with him soon. Perhaps we can discover them. Lord Drummond’s lands are rich in iron, copper, and tin. He is one of the wealthier lords in the South.”

“I see.”

Lucan’s eyes met the lords’ again, and he tilted his head slightly, receiving a single nod of agreement from the man. Then he took his betrothed and stepped to the side.

Lord Drummond soon excused himself from the conversation, dragging his son along with him to meet Lucan. Seeing the lord and his son approaching was an intimidating sight, since the boy–though young–was built like his father. Seeing two men larger than his father coming towards him had Lucan’s fingers aching for the touch of a hilt, but it was only a passing feeling.

“Lord Drummond.” Lucan dipped his head to the man.

The lord gave him an acknowledging nod. “Lord Zesh.”

“This is Lilian,” Lucan said, gesturing at her. “My betrothed.”

Lord Drummond gave her, too, a nod. “Lilian…?” he said leadingly.

“Saltner, My Lord,” Lilian said, curtsying.

“Saltner?” The lord hummed thoughtfully, perhaps attempting to recall houses from other realms.

Seeking to push past the moment, Lucan looked at the lord’s son meaningfully. The boy dipped his head towards him rigidly and nudged his father.

“Ah, where are my manners! This is Henry, my son,” Lord Drummond hastened to say.

Lucan acknowledged the boy with a nod. He knew little about him apart from his age, which Thomas had apprised him of before he’d come. He’d apparently just received his blessing, which meant he’d seen sixteen winters.

“Quite the undertaking you have on your hands,” Lord Drummond said. “I must admit, I did not expect you to live past summer once the matter with your father came to light.”

Lucan pressed his lips into a smile. The lord had attempted to keep that truth from him when his ranger had found it. If it hadn’t been for the smuggler who tried to sell that knowledge to him, he might have found out too late, or never. Eventually, he’d handed the smuggler some coin and let him go, though it hadn’t seemed to countervail the man’s horror as he’d bolted the moment he’d been given leave.

Lucan hadn’t forgotten Lord Drummond’s slight, which could have cost him his father, but needs must. And so he was speaking to him today, and would even be attempting to win his goodwill. “My father taught me to rise above expectations, Your Lordship. This undertaking is for all of us, not for me alone.”

“It would seem, yes,” the lord nodded sagely.

Lucan gestured softly with an open palm. “Have you thought of it then, Your Lordship?”

“I have, I have.” The man sniffed. “I cannot say I’m taken with it.”

Lucan cocked his head. “Why not?”

“You see, there’s not much to gain for my estate. What good may come of this?”

“Do you wish to be party to the coming civil war?” Lucan asked.

“I can’t say that it is my wish.”

“Then, Your Lordship, it would be prudent to seek those of like mind. Us. Together, we may not be pressed into this war.”

“I doubt Elmere will march all the way to the border to force me to join his ranks.” Then he snorted. “As for Prince Esmond’s lot, well, they are welcome to try flying here.”

“Perhaps Duke Elmere wouldn’t march south to press us into service,” Lucan said. “But perhaps he will, should he get the opportunity. Why must we chance fate?”

“Why?” Lord Drummond cocked his head. “Well, it would be prudent to not commit one’s self to something they do not fully understand, wouldn’t you say, Lord Zesh?”

“Ask and I shall answer, Your Lordship,” Lucan said with a smile. “Perhaps I can help you understand.”

Lord Drummond shook his head. “It is not a matter for answers, young Lucan. You say that we would defend our borders together, but we know not whose borders would be most threatened, whose estate is least defended, whose command is most…” he glanced at Lord Arden who was still stuck in his seat, looking barely awake, “in question. For the weak, this will shore up their weakness, but for the strong, it only thins their strength in defense of others.”

“Your Lordship,” Lucan said, holding on to his smile by a thread. He would’ve called the man foolish if he didn’t have to keep to propriety and win his support. “Just as one man can only do so much on his lonesome, so too can one estate only do so much on its own. No matter how strong those possessed of wealth are, they cannot be certain that their strength alone will be enough to ward off all that may challenge them in the times to come.”

“Ah, but you forget!” Lord Drummond grinned, raising a forefinger. “I am a man who likes to chance fate.” He guffawed.

Lucan frowned, but quickly hid it. “Well, Your Lordship, perhaps knowing that Lord Cassius has already decided to join our ranks may change your mind? Trade promises to flow through our lands. I have plans for the–”

“Ah, Dorian,” Lord Drummond raised hand, laughing again. “Of course, anything that promises coin might as well be sent by the Elders in his eyes. But you see, I need not worry about such things. I am certain that even as the war rages, those who want my ore will come to buy it.”

“Or take it,” Lucan interrupted, returning the favor.

“Ah, they can well try.” The lord chuckled. “I’m quite capable of standing in my own defense.”

“But together–”

“Together?” The lord raised a hand again, gesturing in the direction of Lord Arden then Lord Cassius. “In your ranks now, you have a lord with enough strength to stumble into his grave, and another who is one silver away from being abandoned by his own men. Tell me what this together can do for me?”

Lucan grit his teeth behind the curtain of a smile, saying nothing.

“If it is trade, then I can promise to let your trade flow between east and west unbarred, provided the proper tolls are paid of course,” the lord said as though extending a great boon.

Lucan kept his rigid smile and dipped his head to the lord. The man didn’t seem willing in the least, not without much more brought to bear. Perhaps if Lucan persuaded all the others, he would come into the fold, by the merit of overwhelming majority, but only time would tell. “I see. Then, Your Lordship, I wish you good fortune in the times to come.”

Lord Drummond gave him a slight nod, which meant he could leave the man with no impropriety, and he did. They had to seek greener pastures now, considering how thickheaded this man was.

Lucan had hoped to roll west from Lord Cassius, sweeping those territories in his path into the alliance. However, sometimes, one must recognize their own wishfulness.

His eyes roamed the hall once more. He found Lord Thornvale and Sir Caerlyn still inseparable. Then he saw that Lord Cassius was now in the midst of a heated discourse with Lord Sergrave, though he couldn’t hear its substance. Finally, his eyes fell on Lord Ravencroft, who was standing with Sirs Wolfe and Upton, having what seemed to be an amicable conversation.

Lucan led his betrothed towards his neighbors, letting go of past annoyances–even if they were not that far behind him–and smiling. Lord Ravencroft returned the smile as Lucan joined them.

“Lord Zesh!”

“Lord Ravencroft.” Lucan dipped his head, having lost count of how many times he’d done it today.

“We were just speaking of the silver mine discovered in the lands of these two fine knights. Good fortune of which I wish them more.” The lord chuckled. “Ah, but you have made the best of it, have you not?”

“Their good fortune has found me too, yes,” Lucan said.

“Indeed, quite sharp what you’ve done. Built a town, too, did you not? Even named it Silvergate.” Lord Ravencroft gestured at the two knights. “Quite something that the town is named after your silver.”

Lucan’s lip twitched. The lord’s words did not come with malice, even if they struck him as a bit improper. He knew the man was not of the intent to turn his allies against him, but any who heard him might not be so certain.

“House Zesh’s rise is of no detriment to us,” Sir Wolfe’s calm voice interceded. “Rather, we see it as a blessing.”

“Indeed,” Lucan said, giving the knight a respectful nod. “Together with our allies and neighbors, our fortunes rise.”

“Heh.” The lord grinned. “Well, what of me? Am I not your neighbor?”

“Of course, Your Lordship.”

“Then, should one such as I not expect these fortunes to find them too?”

“Of course, Your Lordship,” Lucan said. “It is our wish that all our neighbors and allies should rise to heights hitherto unrealized.”

“Yes, yes.” Lord Ravencroft nodded. “You’ve spoken of trade from the east. How would you see to it that such promise comes true?”

“I intend to treat with the guilds of the Union.”

“I must say once more,” the lord said. “I don’t see Ward here. How would you seal any agreement with the guilds without his presence or agreement? I doubt the guilds would be willing to cross the border further north once the war erupts.”

Lucan lowered his voice, leaning closer to the lord. “Well, Your lordship, I have my plans, and I see the necessity of apprising you of them, but I must impress upon you the importance of discretion.” He glanced sideways at a man outside their circle who was leaning in to listen.

“That is my steward,” Lord Raverncroft said. “He hears what I hear; but fear not, for what I will not speak, he never will.”

Lucan gave him a heavy nod. “I believe that with some shrewdly-planned labor, we may be able to clear enough of the canal for barges and small boats to commence swift trade through the border.”

“How can such a thing be achieved?”

“I have quite the skilled engineer in my service. He may handle the plans for our side of the canal,” Lucan said. “I am certain the guilds have their own capable people, but this undertaking cannot be wrought without an accord from both sides of the border and labor done in unison.”

Lord Ravencroft hummed, eventually nodding. “I see. Perhaps…” He paused, thinking. “This would take the goods through the canal between me and Ward, yes?”

“Indeed. And on this matter, how do you fare with Sir Ward, Your Lordship?”

“Heh, I know Ward has been belligerent with his neighbors.” He gave Lucan a knowing look. “But he knows to stay in his place with me.”

“I am glad,” Lucan said, still keeping his smile. “If this matter comes to be, we will need to be able to clear the canal without hindrance. And when trade flows in; it, too, will need to go unhindered.”

“If you can handle the guilds,” Lord Ravencroft said. “Then you may leave such matters to me.”

Lucan’s smile widened into a genuine one this time and he continued, “Of course, Your Lordship, such matters must stay discreet, lest those whose interests do not align with our own attempt to spoil these efforts.”

“Of course, of course,” Lord Ravencroft said.

“Then, may I assume that you are amenable to joining the alliance?” Lucan said hopefully.

“Ah, this…”

Lucan’s face fell. “Is something the matter, Your Lordship?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing,” Lord Ravencroft said. “But as promising as this undertaking for canal trade is, it is only that…a promise. One you cannot be certain to fulfill.”

Lucan nodded slowly for the man to continue.

“If it does not come to pass, then what do I gain from this alliance? My border with the Shattered Kingdom has been sound for years, with only brigands who don’t know better coming through, and some refugees slipping in when the wars get harsh in the east. I am more likely to be dragged into defending the southern border than its lords are to be dragged into defending me, and for little gain.”

“What would you require, then, Your Lordship?”

“Something that may bring my estate some good now.”

When Lucan cocked his head, the lord continued, “I have heard of your town, and of your lands’ prosperity as of late. The differences between our territories are not many, Lord Zesh. Can you not find a way to spread the wealth?”

“Ah.” Lucan nodded. “I see. Perhaps then, Lord Ravencroft, you would be amenable to a visit from my engineer? I am certain he can aid your estate in many a venture. Our waterworks alone have proven quite fruitful. If you would take my counsel, I would say that is the best venture to undertake.”

“Indeed, I would appreciate this generosity, as long as it bears fruit for me as it has for you.”

“Then my estate wholeheartedly provides it.”

“Grand!”

“Then we are in agreement?” Lucan asked hopefully once more.

“We are. We are.”

Lucan smiled and gripped the lord’s arm to seal their agreement, noting that the man hadn’t even asked about Lilian or glanced at her throughout the whole conversation. 

However, after their agreement was sealed, for some reason, Lucan had the suspicion that the lord had been amenable to the alliance from the beginning but had wanted to extract the most benefits he could before he agreed to join it.

With every persuasion he had to affect today, he only learned how much better he needed to become. Perhaps this evening would teach him just as much as his battles in the Wilderlands had.