Chapter 19
Specter
Lansius sat on the edge of his straw mattress bed, his back hunched and his gaze fixed on the dimly lit room. A half empty small jar of wine and an empty bucket were on the floor near his foot. The plan was to drink his sorrows away, but the taste of undiluted local wine was too horrid.
Outside, the last hour of sunlight peered through the open slit in the window. Lansius noticed the reddish-orange color and drew a heavy sigh.
Another day wasted…
His thoughts turning to the fruitless search he had undertaken and how it slowly turned him into a recluse. Day by day, he had waited for good news that never came. And each day, the cowardly decision he had made in Riverstead had come back to haunt him.
His stomach growled again, and the nauseousness returned. Lord Arte had granted him status, wealth, and the privilege of exercising his own will, but Lansius had squandered it all with his own irresponsibility.
With a heavy feeling, he fought the urge to lie down. He planted his feet firmly on the floor and took a few wobbly steps toward the table.
Guh…
He quickly took hold of the table to steady himself. Despite the proof of intoxication, Lansius stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. Rather, he attributed the weak knees to prolonged sitting.
Without meaning to, Lansius's gaze drifted to the table. Although it had been pristine upon his arrival five days ago, now a thin layer of dust covered its surface. Yet, the dust was the least of his concerns; sitting next to a jar of water and a wooden cup was an unassuming paper scroll.
The men he had hired were competent enough to submit a written report after their search. However, just like his own search, they had found nothing.
"There was no slave that fit the description." "Most likely she perished in the war." Lansius recalled the last conversation he had with them.
Anger sparked within him, but not because of the failure. He felt ashamed to maintain such a feeble and foolish hope for so long. The likelihood of finding Stefi alive was always grim. Before he had hired anyone, Lansius had visited the slave merchants in Feodosia. They could only offered their sympathies as they couldn’t find her either in their place or in their logs.
As Lansius reached out absentmindedly for the cup, he took a small sip of water and winced at its stale taste. Putting the cup down, his attention was drawn to the empty seat in front of him.
“Hey, if you’re dead, why don’t you tell me and save me all the trouble?” He blurted out at the empty space.
There was no answer but darkness that crept in as the sun inching closer to the west.
“Hmph, you’re probably floating freely and laughing at my misery,” he continued, but this time, the alcohol in his blood whispered an imaginary answer.
“Guilt? But what can I do in Riverstead? I’m no swordsman... To die at your side, is that what you want of me?” His heart pounding as he finally spoke some of his burden out loud.
“You’re not special. There’s nothing between us,” he denied his own feelings. "I’ve seen you naked once, but that’s nothing. I’ve seen plenty of naked girls before. Where? The internet. You don’t know? Hah! See... you know nothing about me.”
This time, there was no answer to his ramblings, only silence. Frustrated and ashamed at his monologue, Lansius retreated to the bed and held his head in sadness. Not even amnesia could erase the deep yearning he felt for a companion, and Stefi was the closest he ever had.
…
The last faint glow of the setting sun finally ebbed.
Lansius let out a long, tired sigh. Despite his misery, he couldn’t ignore the encroaching darkness. His earlier outburst had pumped so much blood into his head that he felt slightly sober. He grabbed his bag and lantern, and pushed the iron bolt lock open.
He went out looking haggard, without his brigandine just wearing a pale blue tunic. These days, he only left his room for a quick stroll to the baker at noon or for supper.
The corridor of the timber and stone inn was dimly lit, with only a single lantern casting a feeble glow near the stairs. The sound of creaking floorboards echoed as Lansius made his way downstairs.
Lansius quickly entered the dining area next to the kitchen. The innkeeper and her two kids were too busy to greet him. That was perfect. The least he wanted was for somebody to judge him by his looks.
For that same reason, he liked to come early. Today, there was just one guest in the corner. Keeping his head down, Lansius went to the small table by the window. As he was about to sit down, the man in the corner raised his cup. Lansius thought it was just a greeting, so he waved back.
“Lans, my man, you look unwashed.”
The man’s words sent a jolt down Lansius’ spine. He looked at the man and recognized the facial features along with the broken-white leather coat. “Calub!"
The alchemist raised his cup even higher as a smile formed on his lips.
Ignoring his suspicion, Lansius rushed to meet him. He had changed inns twice and used an alias, but a friendly face was something he yearned. Truthfully, he was worried about staying alone in Feodosia, especially with a sizable amount of money.
Calub carefully kicked the chair in front of him, and Lansius gladly took it. “So, how’s Feodosia?” The alchemist asked.
“Better than what I expected,” Lansius replied cheerfully, despite his issues.
Calub smiled. “It’s a small town but passed by many trade routes. You can find almost anything in here-” he abruptly paused. “Ah, what am I saying? Please pardon my ramblings.”
“What for...?” Lansius grew suspicious and asked carefully, “You’ve heard?”
Calub's response was solemn. "Lansius... I'm saddened that you can't find what you're looking for."
The mood turned heavy.
“And yes, indeed, I have some connections that informed me about it,” Calub continued while pouring spiced ale into another cup and offered it to Lansius.
Lansius took the cup, but sipped only a little as his stomach didn’t feel well.
Calub didn’t push for an answer, so Lansius mulled about his situation. Meanwhile, the kitchen next door bustled with activity, the sound of crackling of fire and clanging ladles from the metal cauldron. Also, the rich aroma from the meat puddings being cooked.
Calub refrained from pressing for an answer, leaving Lansius to freely ponder his situation. In the meantime, the kitchen next door was alive with activity: the sound of crackling flames and clanging ladles stirring a metal cauldron. It also filled the place with a rich aroma.
“So, how is Lady Felicity doing?” Lansius asked after he remembered just how much he owed her.
“She’s fine. She runs a tavern, you know. We should visit her, but perhaps not tonight,” Calub replied, and glanced at the innkeeper. “Can we get one bowl of porridge, please? For hangover.”
“That’ll cost extra,” the innkeeper replied without looking.
“Make it tasty then,” Calub said without asking for the price.
Lansius could only watch in silent. After some hesitation, he finally asked, “Calub, am I chasing a ghost?”
“Don’t say such a thing,” Calub uttered, but he didn’t elaborate. He knew better than giving Lansius a false hope.
A rather plump lass no older than fifteen arrived with two bowls of stew, a small lump of blackened meat pudding, and warmed up bread. Lansius hadn’t ordered, but each guest got the same meal.
“You better wait for the porridge,” Calub suggested while stirring at his stew.
Lansius nodded. He was grateful for his concern.
The stew was steaming hot, so Calub broke his bread and dipped it before eating them.
“Mm, how’s Sir Archie doing?” Lansius asked.
“Now you’re talking.” Calub dipped another piece. “It’s good that the squire is thinking about the master.”
Lansius exhaled sharply from guilt. He had accepted the honor as squire, but ended up like this. “He gave me freedom of will.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t include wasting your life away. Lans, shouldn’t you return to your master’s side?”
Lansius couldn’t challenge that notion. “Since you’re here… does it mean you come to fetch me up?”
Calub shook his head. “Last time was a contract, but I’m not joining the Arvenians.”
Something didn’t add up, Lansius thought. “But then, why are you looking for me?”
Calub paused for a moment. “Well, it’s not easy, but as I’ve said before, I have connections.” He pulled a thin brown leather wrap from his inside coat pocket and put it on the table.
“What’s that?” Lansius asked.
“An invitation.”
The answer puzzled him, but the content may hold the answer. “May I?”
Calub motioned him to do as he pleased. Lansius proceeded to open the rugged leather and reached out for a thick envelope inside. He noticed the purple wax seal that bore a crest of a regal-looking man riding a horse.
Lansius didn’t recognize the crest, but he knew that good quality paper was expensive. He looked up at Calub. “Is this for me?”
Calub nodded and Lansius carefully unsealed the wax, pulling out the paper.
He saw neat handwriting on the letter with distinctly legible and glossy black ink, clearly the work of a skilled scribe. Although it was an invitation, Lansius felt more like he was being summoned by the noble who sent it. “What does this baronet want?”
“I have no faintest idea.” Calub exhaled sharply. “Nevertheless... I thought it would be beneficial for you. That’s why I accepted the task of delivering that letter.”
With too much on his head, instead of responding, he tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew. He and Calub were comrades, but Lansius hardly knew the alchemist well. The fact that Calub now brought an invitation from a baronet in Midlandia was unsettling.
Who is he working for?
Calub didn’t press for a response and instead quietly ate his stew. The plump serving girl returned with a bowl of gruel and placed it in front of Lansius.
“Gratitude,” Lansius said to the girl, who bowed her head before leaving. He stirred the gruel with his spoon and noticed pieces of cheese and salted meat swirling around. Feeling somewhat calmer, he turned to Calub and asked, “What is this invitation about? Can I decline?”
“Of course,” Calub reassured him. “It’s not a summon. But why don’t you meet them first?”
Lansius hesitated, so Calub went on, “It’s clear that they have an interest in you. The Midlandia’s nobles may be ruthless, but they’re also fair.”
Upon hearing that, Lansius stopped stirring. “But I’m a squire to Sir Archie.”
“That’s exactly why you need to meet them. Your master needed Midlandia’s support. You’ll do well to build a relation with a baronet to help Sir Archie’s cause.”
Lansius couldn’t find fault in his friend’s logic, but he remained indecisive. “I need to consult this first.”
“By all means,” the alchemist remarked lightly.
"Will you accompany me?"
Calub smiled and replied, "I could, but I shouldn't. They are only interested in you, and we wouldn't want to make a rude gesture."
Despite Lansius’ questions, he didn’t feel like accepting. Now, he had a carefree life. Why would he risk it for something vague? However, a faint but novel ambition kindled inside him as he wondered whether there was anything left worth living for.
He had lost Stefi, but his family in Bellandia was another matter.
Perhaps this’ll pave the road to return home.
***
As the sun rose over the medieval countryside, a refreshing breeze swept through the fields, carrying with it a unique aroma of ready to harvest crops. The narrow path meandered through the golden fields, the stalks swaying gently in the breeze.
The sound of hooves against the dirt road echoed through the quiet countryside. Lansius rode inside a horse-drawn cart laden with goods. There was only him and the old coachman in front.
“There.” Suddenly, the coachman pointed to the south after they passed over a hill.
Following his hand, Lansius spotted a manor beside a small river, flanked by recently harvested farms, orchards, and a nearby village. “Is that where the baronet of Toruna lives?” he asked.
“This is Toruna,” the coachman replied.
Lansius opted for silence, sensing that the old coachman may have been struggling with disabilities. Instead of dwelling on the matter, he allowed himself to become fully immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the harvest season, a reminder of the bountiful fields of Bellandia. After a month of seclusion in Feodosia, he felt rejuvenated, his old self having returned.
“Always, good harvest. Land is blessed,” the coachman added.
Lansius politely nodded. The land was indeed prosperous, with a good population, and looked well-governed.
It took another hour before they reached the manor. The coachman stubbornly drove the cart through the vast courtyard and up to the entrance of the manor, as if Lansius were an esteemed guest.
The guest cursed this bad mannerism that may ruin his first impression. He saw two armed men accompanied them from the gate, but they kept their distance.
“Go on. Go down,” the coachman instructed.
Lansius carefully dismounted from the cart and gazed up at the imposing three-story structure that loomed before him. Though not a castle, it radiated an air of authority and grandeur. The walls were built with smooth, large grey stones, while the wooden parts were painted white, creating a striking contrast. At a glance, there were no vines or moss, making the entire building appeared immaculately maintained, as if it had been constructed only recently.
Now, this is a manor.
Compared to this, Lansius thought, Sabina Rustica was aptly named a rustic villa.
A surprised boy-page approached Lansius. “Eh, we expect a delivery, not a guest,” he complained innocently.
Lansius couldn’t resist a smile. "It's alright, I can wait outside." He pulled out a letter, showing the crest on the purple wax seal.
"Gratitude, maester, please wait here. Don't go anywhere," the boy said and ran inside. His footsteps echoed inside the cavernous hall.
Chapter 19
Specter
Lansius sat on the edge of his straw mattress bed, his back hunched and his gaze fixed on the dimly lit room. A half empty small jar of wine and an empty bucket were on the floor near his foot. The plan was to drink his sorrows away, but the taste of undiluted local wine was too horrid.
Outside, the last hour of sunlight peered through the open slit in the window. Lansius noticed the reddish-orange color and drew a heavy sigh.
Another day wasted…
His thoughts turning to the fruitless search he had undertaken and how it slowly turned him into a recluse. Day by day, he had waited for good news that never came. And each day, the cowardly decision he had made in Riverstead had come back to haunt him.
His stomach growled again, and the nauseousness returned. Lord Arte had granted him status, wealth, and the privilege of exercising his own will, but Lansius had squandered it all with his own irresponsibility.
With a heavy feeling, he fought the urge to lie down. He planted his feet firmly on the floor and took a few wobbly steps toward the table.
Guh…
He quickly took hold of the table to steady himself. Despite the proof of intoxication, Lansius stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. Rather, he attributed the weak knees to prolonged sitting.
Without meaning to, Lansius's gaze drifted to the table. Although it had been pristine upon his arrival five days ago, now a thin layer of dust covered its surface. Yet, the dust was the least of his concerns; sitting next to a jar of water and a wooden cup was an unassuming paper scroll.
The men he had hired were competent enough to submit a written report after their search. However, just like his own search, they had found nothing.
"There was no slave that fit the description." "Most likely she perished in the war." Lansius recalled the last conversation he had with them.
Anger sparked within him, but not because of the failure. He felt ashamed to maintain such a feeble and foolish hope for so long. The likelihood of finding Stefi alive was always grim. Before he had hired anyone, Lansius had visited the slave merchants in Feodosia. They could only offered their sympathies as they couldn’t find her either in their place or in their logs.
As Lansius reached out absentmindedly for the cup, he took a small sip of water and winced at its stale taste. Putting the cup down, his attention was drawn to the empty seat in front of him.
“Hey, if you’re dead, why don’t you tell me and save me all the trouble?” He blurted out at the empty space.
There was no answer but darkness that crept in as the sun inching closer to the west.
“Hmph, you’re probably floating freely and laughing at my misery,” he continued, but this time, the alcohol in his blood whispered an imaginary answer.
“Guilt? But what can I do in Riverstead? I’m no swordsman... To die at your side, is that what you want of me?” His heart pounding as he finally spoke some of his burden out loud.
“You’re not special. There’s nothing between us,” he denied his own feelings. "I’ve seen you naked once, but that’s nothing. I’ve seen plenty of naked girls before. Where? The internet. You don’t know? Hah! See... you know nothing about me.”
This time, there was no answer to his ramblings, only silence. Frustrated and ashamed at his monologue, Lansius retreated to the bed and held his head in sadness. Not even amnesia could erase the deep yearning he felt for a companion, and Stefi was the closest he ever had.
…
The last faint glow of the setting sun finally ebbed.
Lansius let out a long, tired sigh. Despite his misery, he couldn’t ignore the encroaching darkness. His earlier outburst had pumped so much blood into his head that he felt slightly sober. He grabbed his bag and lantern, and pushed the iron bolt lock open.
He went out looking haggard, without his brigandine just wearing a pale blue tunic. These days, he only left his room for a quick stroll to the baker at noon or for supper.
The corridor of the timber and stone inn was dimly lit, with only a single lantern casting a feeble glow near the stairs. The sound of creaking floorboards echoed as Lansius made his way downstairs.
Lansius quickly entered the dining area next to the kitchen. The innkeeper and her two kids were too busy to greet him. That was perfect. The least he wanted was for somebody to judge him by his looks.
For that same reason, he liked to come early. Today, there was just one guest in the corner. Keeping his head down, Lansius went to the small table by the window. As he was about to sit down, the man in the corner raised his cup. Lansius thought it was just a greeting, so he waved back.
“Lans, my man, you look unwashed.”
The man’s words sent a jolt down Lansius’ spine. He looked at the man and recognized the facial features along with the broken-white leather coat. “Calub!"
The alchemist raised his cup even higher as a smile formed on his lips.
Ignoring his suspicion, Lansius rushed to meet him. He had changed inns twice and used an alias, but a friendly face was something he yearned. Truthfully, he was worried about staying alone in Feodosia, especially with a sizable amount of money.
Calub carefully kicked the chair in front of him, and Lansius gladly took it. “So, how’s Feodosia?” The alchemist asked.
“Better than what I expected,” Lansius replied cheerfully, despite his issues.
Calub smiled. “It’s a small town but passed by many trade routes. You can find almost anything in here-” he abruptly paused. “Ah, what am I saying? Please pardon my ramblings.”
“What for...?” Lansius grew suspicious and asked carefully, “You’ve heard?”
Calub's response was solemn. "Lansius... I'm saddened that you can't find what you're looking for."
The mood turned heavy.
“And yes, indeed, I have some connections that informed me about it,” Calub continued while pouring spiced ale into another cup and offered it to Lansius.
Lansius took the cup, but sipped only a little as his stomach didn’t feel well.
Calub didn’t push for an answer, so Lansius mulled about his situation. Meanwhile, the kitchen next door bustled with activity, the sound of crackling of fire and clanging ladles from the metal cauldron. Also, the rich aroma from the meat puddings being cooked.
Calub refrained from pressing for an answer, leaving Lansius to freely ponder his situation. In the meantime, the kitchen next door was alive with activity: the sound of crackling flames and clanging ladles stirring a metal cauldron. It also filled the place with a rich aroma.
“So, how is Lady Felicity doing?” Lansius asked after he remembered just how much he owed her.
“She’s fine. She runs a tavern, you know. We should visit her, but perhaps not tonight,” Calub replied, and glanced at the innkeeper. “Can we get one bowl of porridge, please? For hangover.”
“That’ll cost extra,” the innkeeper replied without looking.
“Make it tasty then,” Calub said without asking for the price.
Lansius could only watch in silent. After some hesitation, he finally asked, “Calub, am I chasing a ghost?”
“Don’t say such a thing,” Calub uttered, but he didn’t elaborate. He knew better than giving Lansius a false hope.
A rather plump lass no older than fifteen arrived with two bowls of stew, a small lump of blackened meat pudding, and warmed up bread. Lansius hadn’t ordered, but each guest got the same meal.
“You better wait for the porridge,” Calub suggested while stirring at his stew.
Lansius nodded. He was grateful for his concern.
The stew was steaming hot, so Calub broke his bread and dipped it before eating them.
“Mm, how’s Sir Archie doing?” Lansius asked.
“Now you’re talking.” Calub dipped another piece. “It’s good that the squire is thinking about the master.”
Lansius exhaled sharply from guilt. He had accepted the honor as squire, but ended up like this. “He gave me freedom of will.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t include wasting your life away. Lans, shouldn’t you return to your master’s side?”
Lansius couldn’t challenge that notion. “Since you’re here… does it mean you come to fetch me up?”
Calub shook his head. “Last time was a contract, but I’m not joining the Arvenians.”
Something didn’t add up, Lansius thought. “But then, why are you looking for me?”
Calub paused for a moment. “Well, it’s not easy, but as I’ve said before, I have connections.” He pulled a thin brown leather wrap from his inside coat pocket and put it on the table.
“What’s that?” Lansius asked.
“An invitation.”
The answer puzzled him, but the content may hold the answer. “May I?”
Calub motioned him to do as he pleased. Lansius proceeded to open the rugged leather and reached out for a thick envelope inside. He noticed the purple wax seal that bore a crest of a regal-looking man riding a horse.
Lansius didn’t recognize the crest, but he knew that good quality paper was expensive. He looked up at Calub. “Is this for me?”
Calub nodded and Lansius carefully unsealed the wax, pulling out the paper.
He saw neat handwriting on the letter with distinctly legible and glossy black ink, clearly the work of a skilled scribe. Although it was an invitation, Lansius felt more like he was being summoned by the noble who sent it. “What does this baronet want?”
“I have no faintest idea.” Calub exhaled sharply. “Nevertheless... I thought it would be beneficial for you. That’s why I accepted the task of delivering that letter.”
With too much on his head, instead of responding, he tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew. He and Calub were comrades, but Lansius hardly knew the alchemist well. The fact that Calub now brought an invitation from a baronet in Midlandia was unsettling.
Who is he working for?
Calub didn’t press for a response and instead quietly ate his stew. The plump serving girl returned with a bowl of gruel and placed it in front of Lansius.
“Gratitude,” Lansius said to the girl, who bowed her head before leaving. He stirred the gruel with his spoon and noticed pieces of cheese and salted meat swirling around. Feeling somewhat calmer, he turned to Calub and asked, “What is this invitation about? Can I decline?”
“Of course,” Calub reassured him. “It’s not a summon. But why don’t you meet them first?”
Lansius hesitated, so Calub went on, “It’s clear that they have an interest in you. The Midlandia’s nobles may be ruthless, but they’re also fair.”
Upon hearing that, Lansius stopped stirring. “But I’m a squire to Sir Archie.”
“That’s exactly why you need to meet them. Your master needed Midlandia’s support. You’ll do well to build a relation with a baronet to help Sir Archie’s cause.”
Lansius couldn’t find fault in his friend’s logic, but he remained indecisive. “I need to consult this first.”
“By all means,” the alchemist remarked lightly.
"Will you accompany me?"
Calub smiled and replied, "I could, but I shouldn't. They are only interested in you, and we wouldn't want to make a rude gesture."
Despite Lansius’ questions, he didn’t feel like accepting. Now, he had a carefree life. Why would he risk it for something vague? However, a faint but novel ambition kindled inside him as he wondered whether there was anything left worth living for.
He had lost Stefi, but his family in Bellandia was another matter.
Perhaps this’ll pave the road to return home.
***
As the sun rose over the medieval countryside, a refreshing breeze swept through the fields, carrying with it a unique aroma of ready to harvest crops. The narrow path meandered through the golden fields, the stalks swaying gently in the breeze.
The sound of hooves against the dirt road echoed through the quiet countryside. Lansius rode inside a horse-drawn cart laden with goods. There was only him and the old coachman in front.
“There.” Suddenly, the coachman pointed to the south after they passed over a hill.
Following his hand, Lansius spotted a manor beside a small river, flanked by recently harvested farms, orchards, and a nearby village. “Is that where the baronet of Toruna lives?” he asked.
“This is Toruna,” the coachman replied.
Lansius opted for silence, sensing that the old coachman may have been struggling with disabilities. Instead of dwelling on the matter, he allowed himself to become fully immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the harvest season, a reminder of the bountiful fields of Bellandia. After a month of seclusion in Feodosia, he felt rejuvenated, his old self having returned.
“Always, good harvest. Land is blessed,” the coachman added.
Lansius politely nodded. The land was indeed prosperous, with a good population, and looked well-governed.
It took another hour before they reached the manor. The coachman stubbornly drove the cart through the vast courtyard and up to the entrance of the manor, as if Lansius were an esteemed guest.
The guest cursed this bad mannerism that may ruin his first impression. He saw two armed men accompanied them from the gate, but they kept their distance.
“Go on. Go down,” the coachman instructed.
Lansius carefully dismounted from the cart and gazed up at the imposing three-story structure that loomed before him. Though not a castle, it radiated an air of authority and grandeur. The walls were built with smooth, large grey stones, while the wooden parts were painted white, creating a striking contrast. At a glance, there were no vines or moss, making the entire building appeared immaculately maintained, as if it had been constructed only recently.
Now, this is a manor.
Compared to this, Lansius thought, Sabina Rustica was aptly named a rustic villa.
A surprised boy-page approached Lansius. “Eh, we expect a delivery, not a guest,” he complained innocently.
Lansius couldn’t resist a smile. "It's alright, I can wait outside." He pulled out a letter, showing the crest on the purple wax seal.
"Gratitude, maester, please wait here. Don't go anywhere," the boy said and ran inside. His footsteps echoed inside the cavernous hall.
