B3 Chapter 5

Lucan and Lilian sat upon a long table laden with food. They both pretended to poke at what was on their plates, feeling the anxiousness permeating the air of Lord Arden’s hall. Lucan was glad to have the support of Sirs Wolfe and Upton, who sat on either side of them. He’d brought them to show the southern nobles that he had plenty of support to start. His alliance was two lords and two knights strong already, even if he would pretend that the two knights’ support was not dependent on winning the approval of those present.

“Why does everyone sit as though razors are sewn into their robes?” Lilian whispered into his ear. Ten nobles, including him, were present, split among two long tables across from each other. Aside from Sir Wolfe and Sir Upton, Lord Ravencroft and Lord Cassius were sharing Lucan’s long table. Regardless of which table the nobles occupied, however, they all seemed tense under the golden light of the chandelier hanging above.

“Word came two days ago,” Lucan answered in a similarly suppressed voice. “Duke Elmere has claimed the royal territories south of the eastern tributary in Prince Oswin’s name. He has also laid claim to all royal territories in the south, though he has not moved to occupy them.” Mostly because there was nothing of value there. Lucan and his aides had received word two days prior, though he reckoned that he ought to have Lilian present for such affairs more often if he wished to have her counsel in times such as these. “Lord Marquel has likewise claimed all royal territories north of the tributaries and around Eldham. The lines are being drawn, while a ruined capital is being held by an uncertain royal steward.” Though if he does not become certain soon, certainties will be made for him, Lucan mused.

He watched with some amusement as his betrothed stared at him with a gaping mouth before quickly getting back her bearings and straightening up. “Do you think war will come early?”

Lucan shook his head. “It is unlikely. Only a fool would imperil themselves by marching through winter.” He already felt a chill taking the air. It wouldn’t be long now before the season descended upon them. Soon, he would have seen twenty winters. He didn’t know why, but it carried some significance to have two decades of life under one’s belt, as though they’d proven they were strong or wise enough to avoid an early death.

“Ought this not make the lords more amenable to your proposal?” Lilian asked.

“All it does is make them more wary,” Lucan said, eying the tense gazes of the gathered nobles. “Though your words may have merit. A bit of fear can sometimes be of service to such affairs. It will not be enough, however.”

Lilian nodded, about to say something. Then her eyes shifted up to the lord’s seat. Lucan’s eyes followed, and they settled on the aged man. Lord Arden had been carried to his seat by servants, Lucan knew, though that had been done before the nobles had been allowed into the hall. The old man’s face looked ruddier than Lucan knew it to be, however, and he could swear he had been powdered and painted by his servants to look healthier. He had accepted every noble’s greetings without leaving his seat, blaming a flame of gout for his inability to stand. All the nobles, of course, forgave his pain, even if they were unlikely to have been fooled by his pretenses.

Lord Arden had perked up in his seat, and the movement seemed to gain the attention of all those in presence. “Lords and good sirs of the realm. I thank you for heeding my call. I hope the feast laid before you has gained your approval, though it is only a measly offering compared to your stations.” A friendly murmur echoed in the hall. The nobles hadn’t come alone, most of them bringing an heir or an aide. Lucan had to admit that food was rich and varied, more so than in his own hall, even if his mind had been occupied by other matters since they’d been seated.

“All those in presence are familiar enough with me to know that I am not one to make light of their time. I have invited you to my hall today for a matter of utmost significance,” the lord continued. “My estate has accepted an offer from Lord Zesh–” all eyes turned to Lucan, and it was nearly too much weight for him to keep a straight face, but he bore it.”–to join him along with Sirs Wolfe and Upton in an alliance which aspires to unite all those who bear duty in the South…”

As the good lord continued, Lucan took the opportunity to eye the men he would have to persuade today. Lilian followed his attentions and observed the nobles as well.

“Who is he?” she asked as Lucan looked at one of the lords at their table.

“Lord Ravencroft,” he said, his whispered words disguised by the lord’s speech. He had to wonder where the old lord found strength to speak for so long, considering how weak he’d been when he’d visited him. He knew that medicants and apothecaries had some concoctions that could assuage a man’s humors for a time. Though such things came at a cost. The lord’s voice echoed strongly in the hall. However, Lucan knew that such halls were built to accommodate the lord in such a manner, making it so their voice carried the farthest when he spoke.

“Is he an important man?” Lilian asked, still looking in Lord Ravencroft’s direction.

“All here are important men,” Lucan said, keeping a handle on his impatience. Lilian’s ignorance was expected, and he only had himself to blame for not apprising her of such matters before they came. He’d had little time though. “At least for us today. We must gain the favor of most of them, if not all. Lord Ravencroft is neither wealthy nor poor. He shares parts of the eastern forest with Sirs Wolfe, Upton, and Ryder. His estate lies to the southeast of Sir Ward.”

“How is their relationship?”

Lucan shook his head. “I have no word on that. Though I know that landbound trade from the Union sometimes passes through Sir Ward’s lands. The good lord does not enjoy such fortunes.”

“There must be some lingering resentment then,” Lilian said. “Perhaps you can find shared solace in your dislike of the unpleasant knight.”

“Perhaps.” Lucan nodded.

Lilian’s eyes followed his as they moved to the other lord on their table. He was a fairly handsome man, if Lucan were to judge, his face round and clean-shaven. There was no fat to the lord’s face, and it was rather tame instead of bony or angular. His light brown hair was combed back smoothly and he had spirited blue eyes.

Before his betrothed could ask, Lucan whispered, “Lord Cassius. His territory is nearest to Lord Arden’s, bordering it from the west. His estate is likely the most destitute among the present lords. I remember from my younger years that there was a rather infamous incident with their house. Their debts, owed to both merchants and local nobles, had mounted so high that their ownership of their own estate had been at peril. Their lands don’t produce any worthwhile goods, and the soil is harsh on crops.”

“Then he would be a simple man to win over, would he not?” Lilian asked. “No poor man would seek out a war to further impoverish themselves.”

“One might think as such,” Lucan said with a suppressed chuckle. “But there are opportunities in war, and a desperate enough man would hazard the consequences.”

“Then we may entice him with better opportunities,” Lilian was quick to say. “I can speak to my father. Surely, more merchants visiting his lands would bring benefits.”

“Perhaps…” Lucan paused. “I did hear some rumors a year or two back that smugglers were rather common at his borders with the Wilderlands.” He suppressed his voice even further before what he said next. “One might even presume that the good lord has some manner of understanding with these smugglers.”

Lilian widened her eyes. “My father told me that desperate merchants would take desperate measures, often skirting peril and the very edges of the realms’ laws. I did not imagine that nobles did the same.”

Lucan smiled ruefully. The longer he lived, the more he found that men, when pushed to the edge, were all the same. Or perhaps they all became the same once at that precipice. “It is not unheard of for some merchants to be allowed to trade through the border. The lords would turn a blind eye, and there would be a benefit or another for them. Such agreements never sound out of sealed chambers, however. They seem to be overtly common in Lord Cassius’s lands though.”

Lilian hummed thoughtfully for a moment, and Lucan found the act endearing since it mimicked his own thoughtfulness at times. After a few moments, she spoke. “That means goods are passing through his lands at least. It will be more reason for my father to visit or perhaps persuade some of his lessers to do so.”

“Indeed.” Lucan nodded appreciatively at her. He could only be thankful that she was willing to put her and her family’s foot in the matter so deeply. He needed all the aid he could get if he were to reap the support of his peers.

After they were done discussing Lord Cassius, Lilian’s eyes preceded his own, landing on a young man at the other long table. Aside from Lucan, he was the youngest noble in presence, at least if one did not consider the heirs brought along.

“Sir Caerlyn,” Lucan said. “His estate is the westernmost and the smallest among those present. They have modest holdings, but they are a formidable warrior house. My father speaks highly of them. The former Sir Caerlyn fell in the Battle of The Dam. His son,” Lucan gave a subtle gesture with his head towards the young man, “Sir Alvin Caerlyn is fresh in command of their estate, and I know not if he has grand ambitions or none at all.”

“Perhaps he might be lured by the promise of wealth as well?” Lilian suggested.

“Perhaps, but it is uncertain,” he said. “Fair fortunes visit our estate as of late, but we are not so prosperous that we can bestow it upon others so easily.”

“There are other ways, surely,” Lilian said. “Even sharing your ways and good word with those relations you have fostered can promise a small estate plenty of opportunity. The rest, they will have to earn on their own merit. You may help a man hunt, but he should not expect you to feed him too.”

Lucan agreed with a shallow nod. His skills of persuasion would be tested today. Hopefully, his betrothed had inherited some of her father’s, since she would be accompanying him, though some of the nobles may take exception to her meddling in their discussion, considering she was not yet ennobled.

Hopefully, those present would be reasonable enough in keeping their minds to the matters at hand, considering the dire circumstances the realm was going through.

Before they could continue their observations of the present nobles, Lord Arden finished his speech.

“...and it is only sensible for the man himself to lay forth the entreaty he has fostered.” The old lord’s eyes moved to him, followed by a dozen others. “If Lord Lucan Zesh would join me on the dais?”