B2 Chapter 75

Lucan woke up to an empty keep, at least for the most part. He did come upon one of the bailey’s inhabitants who was rendering service, but

Lucan woke up to an empty keep, at least for the most part. He did come upon one of the bailey’s inhabitants who was rendering service, but

Lucan woke up to an empty keep, at least for the most part. He did come upon one of the bailey’s inhabitants who was rendering service, but he found no one else. Not his father, not Thomas, not Cordell, nor any other man-at-arms.

He’d had to keep their feast guests company until they’d departed before daybreak. Then he’d decided to catch some shuteye before the time of his father’s summons, stabbing a pair of nails in a candle and setting them on a plate then going to sleep. He hadn’t expected to find abandoned chambers and empty corridors upon waking up.

A glance through a window showed him that the estate was suffering no turmoil, though he still couldn’t spot any of their men-at-arms. Remembering his father’s words to him before he left the feast, Lucan decided to go out of the town, behind the keep, where they would often go if there was a need for seclusion. Though most recently, they’d used the whole expanse as a camp for the mercenaries. Thankfully, The Silver Banners had left them already.

Lucan had to go down to the bailey, into the town, and leave through one of the gates, circling to the back of the settlement. It didn’t take him long to find his father. While it would be difficult to spot one man in the expanse from a distance, it wasn’t so difficult when that man had company, plenty of company. All the men-at-arms were there with him. So was Thomas. So was Lilian…

Lucan marched towards them, his uncertainty apparent in his step. The men were lined up, while Thomas and Lilian stood by his father. He walked up to them, not hiding the questions drawn on his face. “Father.”

“Lucan,” his father said. “You are late. But early enough, I suppose.”

Lucan didn’t contradict him, only nodding to the others in greeting. He felt the tense air around him, for a moment thinking that they all knew something he didn’t, but a glance at the men proved him wrong. Their faces were just as perplexed as his. Even Lilian seemed uncertain why she was here, and he could see the tiredness around her eyes, having slept little even if more than him.

“Now that you are here,” his father continued. “We may begin.”

Lucan eyed his father incredulously, his eyes shifting to Thomas who appeared to be the only one aware of what was about to happen. He chose not to question his father outwardly, however. Thomas’s eyes betrayed nothing, only giving him a reassuring look.

“You’ve all witnessed my ascension in a manner, even if not in the flesh,” Lord Golan Zesh said. “You have all sworn your blades to me.” He turned away from Lucan, choosing to face the men even without his eyes. “I would not exchange your loyalty for all the gold in the realm, for it is the backbone of this estate. It only gives me pride that you have given your blades as a symbol of faith in me as lord.” He paused. “However, I was raised by my father to be a warrior, as he was. All I have ever known is how to be one. It escapes no one here that without my eyes, I am no longer capable of being that. It was never in doubt that if I were to become lord one day, I would become a warrior lord as well. Now, however, all that raises me above the rest is gone.” His hand rose, extending towards Lucan and finding his shoulder without aid. “My son, however, is more than just a warrior. He has grown to be a builder, a warrior, and a leader. You have all followed him through one perilous battle after another, fighting and bleeding beside him. I need not praise nor justify him to you, for no words may outweigh what you have witnessed yourselves.” Lucan felt the hand on his shoulder squeeze him, and the disbelief on his face turned to incredulity. He’d known his father was not content with how he’d ended up, with all this, but he hadn’t expected this.

“That is why,” his lord father continued. “I announce my word to you today. I abdicate my seat to my son Lucan Zesh, rightful heir, and now, lord of this branch of the house and the fief that comes therewith. May any of you who object now step forward, or provide him the proper gift of loyalty.”

There was silence.

Silence that could gnaw at one’s ears and tickle one’s skin, for no man talked, and perhaps none breathed either. Indeed, the men hadn’t known of his father’s intention, not when he had only just been lifted to lord not a month ago. Lucan imagined that the only reason his father had waited this long was so he wouldn’t offend the king by passing on lordship in his court or openly enough that it would appear as defiance.

He gulped, uncertain if he ought to say something. His eyes swept over his men, all of them a blur, then they eventually settled on Lilian, who seemed as astounded as he was. Lucan caught a breath and waited for something to change. None of the men objected, but none of them did anything else either, though as staggered as they were, he did not blame them. That was until Cordell stepped forward from among them, drawing a sword from a sheath on his hip, and only then did Lucan realize that his father had had their men equipped with their ceremonial swords today too.

The estate’s chief man-at-arms raised his sword, first towards the sky then he turned it down, kneeling and stabbing it softly into the ground. He knelt to him. If his father’s words hadn’t driven into him what was happening, this did.

Only after Cordell’s gift did the rest of the men rouse themselves from their stupor, the sounds of their swords leaving the sheaths a cascade of noise. Almost as one, the men dropped to a knee, their swords–their gifts–mimicking Cordell’s.

Lucan stood there silent for a moment…before nodding. His hand rested on his father’s, showing his acceptance. Had he not wanted this? Oh, he’d imagined that his father would be lord for a hopefully long and healthy life before passing it onto him, but had he not always wanted this power? Had he not wanted to change their lot? Had he not built this town?

So he would accept it. He turned fully towards the men, giving each of them a proper nod to accept their unspoken oaths. He began with Cordell who was the first to get to his feet after being acknowledged. The others quickly followed him.

The rising summer sun glared at them with heat that would have been unbearable if not for the fading chill of night, and Lucan smiled at his men. “My first proclamation is this,” he said, his roaming eyes stopping on Cordell again. “Cordell is named sergeant-at-arms. He is to lead when I am not in presence.” Their oldest man-at-arms had been such in all but name, and it was about time to raise him to his proper place in a formal manner. Of course, Lucan had other powers in his hands now, such as his ability to knight those who deserved it. But while Cordell had rendered plenty of service for their house, they would need more justification, particularly because people forgot what was far and remember what was near. The sergeant-at-arms would have to do something of enough merit, and Lucan would knight him soon after while it was fresh in everyone’s memories. Lucan also had to be mindful of some things. Cordell was not noble-born. Raising a common man to knighthood had to be done carefully, requiring heavy merit acknowledged by other nobles. If done in an improper manner, his knightings could be looked at with scorn, and he could even be on the receiving end of some sharp words by other nobles. It would certainly offend some knights that those found ‘wanting’ could be raised to their station.

Their fresh sergeant-at-arms bowed to him all the same, gratefully accepting his new station, his bow followed by nods of acknowledgement from his younger peers.

Not long after, they all returned to the town, the men going to attend to their duties, while Lucan, his father, Thomas, and Lilian returned to the keep. And soon, Lucan found himself alone with Lilian, bidding her a good day. She didn’t neglect to show her happiness at his rise to lord, but he was eager to speak to his father and he bid her farewell, blaming his duties for his haste.

Getting back to the study, he found Thomas already waiting for him there, though his father was absent. Lucan gave the steward a quizzical look and the old man shrugged.

“He has asked that you visit him in his chambers after you are done with estate affairs.”

Lucan cocked his head, wanting to ask more but let go of the matter after a moment. He would speak with his father afterwards. He hadn’t expected him to withdraw from estate affairs so quickly, already retreating into himself. “Very well,” he said. “Let us begin then. Anything of import to apprise me of?”

“Only that the waterworks have been more of a boon than expected,” the steward said. “The old villages are expanding, though this has brought its own trouble with arranging proper ownership of land. They’re also drawing close to one another’s borders, particularly the old villages and the ones built as of late. I’m concerned about clashes between our old people and our more recent dwellers.”

Lucan nodded. “I suppose sometimes blessings bring their own troubles with them. Make certain all know that I will not tolerate transgressions, particularly ones that draw blood. Have the men–where is Cordell?”

“He should be here shortly.” A moment after the steward finished his sentence, there was a knock on the door, and Lucan called for his sergeant-at-arms to enter.

He wore his armor with a blue-and-white stripe stuck on his arm. “Apologies, my lord. The wife was overjoyed by the word I brought. She insisted on sewing something in for me.” He gestured at the stripe.

Lucan accepted his apology with a nod. “We were speaking of the discord that occurs between the natives and the refugees from time to time. The villages are expanding, and there is bound to be conflict. I will want the presence of your men to be more felt by those who might start trouble.”

Cordell came to stand beside Thomas, growing quiet for a moment. “Forgive me, my lord, but we are already stretched thin. Watching the road to the west, the forest to the east, and the border with Sir Ward takes nearly all of our men, and I daresay it is not even enough if we wish to keep an eye on them day and night.”

Lucan leaned back in his seat, stumped for the moment. Then he turned to Thomas, their eyes meeting. They’d once spoken of something, and perhaps it was time to bring it to the fore again. “Guardsmen?”

Thomas shrugged, though he didn’t seem against it. “It’s no longer just a motte-and-bailey. A town is expected to have guards to keep order. A guard will be much less of a burden on our coffers than a properly trained and armed man-at-arms.”

“Then let us begin recruitment. There are bound to be many eager men,” Lucan said. “Aldous may train them for a brief time before they serve.” He continued addressing Thomas. “You are to make certain these men are prepared to uphold our common law and to mediate conflict if necessary. But have folk know that if they choose to stir trouble regardless, there will be consequences.” He paused. “Speaking of which. I have had the thought of building a proper dungeon for a while now. We have relied on lashings and the cellars on occasion, but that will not do anymore.”

Thomas nodded. “Sawyer will weep with another undertaking piled on his heap, but he will have it done.”

Lucan gave him a nod. “Now as for the number of guardsmen we might need?” He and Thomas both turned to Cordell.

The sergeant-at-arms seemed taken aback. “How am I to know?” He turned to Thomas. “You should know how many it would take to keep the estate in order, should you not?”

Thomas sighed and soon followed it with a chuckle. “I suppose none of us know. May we begin by recruiting ten and see if we may need more?”

Cordell shrugged and Lucan could only nod to that. No need to expend more resources than necessary if ten would do for now. “Now for the matter of command.” He paused. Reason would have it that Cordell would be more fit to command armed men, but Lucan didn’t want his chief man-at-arms to end up bogged down by his duties so much that he couldn’t be relied on to go out and lead men. They would also have to recruit more men-at-arms with time, and so he would eventually have his hands full. His eyes settled on Thomas. The steward already had plenty of duties, but he’d just brought him help in the form of a keeper. Helena. Hopefully, that would lighten his load with time, even if it had not been the purpose of Lucan’s scheme.

“Thomas, you will command these men,” Lucan continued. “And should we ever be in dire straits, we may yet throw them into our defense, and then they would fall under Cordell’s command.”

The two men looked at each other and then towards him, nodding together. Cordell seemed happy to avoid commanding the barely-trained men, and Thomas wasn’t one to complain about his burdens.

Now, only one matter remained, to visit his father in his chambers.