Chapter 4
Riverstead
I really could use a book...
Lansius, for the umpteenth time, sighed from boredom. He had followed Stefi’s suggestion to clean and maintain his gear; his only spare cloth rolled neatly in the bag, the wooden bowl scrubbed clean, and he even air dried the woolen coats and blankets into a fluffy state. Yet, he still had time on his hands.
It’s been two months. How are the guys doing in Bellandia? I hope Tanya isn’t working too hard. I hate to see her nails and fingers dyed blue. And mother Arryn... Sigh, I wish I'm with them...
The unforgiving weather was the main cause of his brooding. However, it wasn’t always like that. Just two weeks ago, the weather had cleared up, and they were able to move around freely.
It was also when they received good news - the Arvena troops had successfully crossed the frozen river and won a decisive victory against their opponents. They were now marching towards Riverstead for a siege. Unfortunately, the weather suddenly took a turn for the worse.
Heavy snowfall pounded the region for a full week and no end was in sight.
“It’s snowing again,” muttered one of the two old men who stayed behind.
The other rose, looking worried. They headed to the barn door and shut it tight.
“I’m worried about the folks,” the second man whispered.
“They’ll be fine. Riverstead is four days’ journey from here,” his friend tried to reassure him.
“But what about their supplies? They must be running low.”
“Their provisions should last. There’s no need to entertain such a foolish thought.”
Lansius overheard their conversation and couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
We’ve captured the bridge, but maintaining a siege and taking a city is a different matter. Especially in a winter like this.
Lansius, Stefi, two old men, and two boys were in charge of a cartload of grains, small barrels of ale, cheese, and salted meat. They made up the Ceresia supply line.
Before the weather worsened, a group of men and mules would come regularly to resupply. But the last visit was ten days ago.
Keeping two-thousand men from freezing with just medieval technology is almost unthinkable. Men need more than just food, tents, and blankets to survive the winter. Without roaring fire, nobody will survive the night. And firewood is cumbersome and not easy to get.
His experience in Bellandia had taught him that firewood must be dried through the summer. A properly dried wood would make good heat with almost no smoke. Meanwhile, recently cut logs had too much moisture and produce less heat with lots of smoke.
With the path likely blocked by heavy snow, Lansius could only imagine the hardship that befell the men on the front line. The nobles could furnish themselves with charcoal heaters, but the common folks could only rely on foraging the snowy woodlands for dead branches. Meanwhile, the stacks of firewood in Ceresia lay unused.
No use to worry about it. I can’t do anything about it.
Surviving winter in the open was so perilous that wars were rarely fought in season. This made the siege of Riverstead especially risky.
...
Orange sunlight penetrated the cracks in the wooden wall to indicate that sundown was approaching. The two old men noticed and asked the boys to help with the chore.
The brats weren’t helping much, but the men enjoyed their company. They were as old as their grandchildren and their chattiness gave a much-needed distraction from war.
As the pottage simmered in the cauldron, the food preparation was finished. To pass the time before supper, one of them chopped wood while the other taught the boys some winter crafts.
Unlike them, Stefi expertly dozed as if without a care for the world. After sword training, lunch break, and a bit of horse riding; she treated herself to some siesta. In her defense, she had wanted another round of training, but Lansius opted out as his hands developed serious blisters and callouses.
By chance, Stefi turned in her sleep toward Lansius’ direction.
... She does have a cute side. Without the fierce eyes, she looks fragile, even innocent.
His stomach suddenly growled and ruined the mood. He caressed his stomach, to no avail. It was getting worse, but he didn’t know why. Without realizing it, his habit of drinking wine, even when diluted with plenty of water, was causing discomfort in his unaccustomed stomach.
Trying to distract himself from the discomfort, he looked at Stefi, but she had turned away once more.
The horse is fine too... A live animal documentary. Shouldn’t be too bad.
He shifted in his seat and watched the horse instead. However, the horse rarely did anything interesting. Only the occasional farting and neighing when she heard rats making noises in the ceiling.
Sigh, how I would kill for the internet and some films.
Quietly, he accepted the boredom and discomfort. He could try to converse, but they had exhausted their topics. Even Lansius, who was interested in the Imperium history, grew tired of listening the old man’s story.
The sound of a creaking door filled the barn. Lansius barely glanced toward the door when Stefi leaped out from her sleep.
Sword?!
Metallic flashes propelled Lansius into action. As Stefi rushed to the door with sword in hand, Lansius grabbed his sparring spear and ran after her. The two old men also scrambled for their weapons, but it was all for naught.
“Hello, boys,” greeted a familiar beardy face as he opened up the barn door.
“Thomas!” shouted the old man behind Lansius.
“Please spare me the blade,” Thomas said with a grin.
Stefi smirked and sheathed her sword. Lansius too recognized the man and lowered his guard.
Thomas was old enough to sport a full grey beard, but a protruding axe that hung on his belt proved he was still in his prime. Along with four other men, their horses, cart, and mules, they went inside to warm themselves.
Everybody asked about the frontline, but they just looked at each other with big grins and bright faces.
“Ah damn it, just say it. We won,” Thomas said in the most anticlimactic way.
Everybody couldn’t believe what they heard.
“Did you- “ Lansius tried to ask.
“We won!” somebody cut in and the rest followed. A wave of emotion erupted as they realized that the war was over. Youngsters and old men alike jumped in joy and danced happily in celebration.
Spring of 4423 was yet to arrive when the Arvena troops successfully took back Riverstead city after a short siege.
***
The trees were bare while the branches were bleached white by the frosty winter. Meanwhile, the road was still covered by a thin layer of ice. That was the condition when Stefi and Lansius, along with the Ceresia supply group, marched to Riverstead. However, today was the last leg of their journey, and their spirits were high.
Stefi rode on her horse while the coachman and the boys rode on the horse-drawn supply cart. Lansius, Thomas, and the rest walked on foot along with the mules that were laden with goods. By midday, the group reached the outer part of the city and found the cobblestone road, which made traveling much easier.
Riverstead’s tall towers and bridges looked imposing, even from afar. Lansius was thrilled by the magnificent city. As they got closer, the spectacle only grew more stunning, with colorful roof tiles peeking through the snow, rows of tall buildings, and white plastered walls decorating the cityscape.
“Hehe, you like it here?” Stefi teased as they passed the stone bridge that led to the city.
“This is awesome,” Lansius admitted as they entered the city.
“Wait till you see when the market returns to normal. They got everything.”
Despite being rather empty because of the war, the brightly colored shops and stalls piqued his interest. He looked around and got excited by how advanced the city looked compared to Bellandia.
“Come, let’s report before dark,” Stefi called.
They parted with Thomas and the rest of the supply group. It wasn’t a big deal, as they served the same Lord and stationed in the same town. Big chances they were going to meet often.
The two left the horse at the city’s stable and went looking for the Captain. After inquiring with several people, they finally located the Captain overseeing the reconstruction. Despite being well over fifty, he still maintained an imposing physique.
Upon noticing Stefi, the Captain motioned for her to come forward.
“No mule is lost or injured, sir,” Stefi reported.
What the- that’s not how to report?!
The Captain looked annoyed, confirming Lansius’ thought. “The goods, are they safe?”
Unable to answer, Stefi elbowed Lansius, who pulled a parchment from his bag and offered it. “The supplies from Ceresia Village are present and accounted for, sir.”
The Captain glanced at the parchment, but dismissed it. “Keep it for the Seneschal’s men.” And then back to Stefi. “Make sure the animals are fed and rested. We’re going to need them soon.”
“Another battle, sir?” she asked.
The Captain snorted. “The northern bastard still refuses a truce or surrender. The Lord is still hunting the remnants as we speak.”
“I see,” she mumbled.
“Will that be all?” the old man asked.
Almost fidgeting, she asked, “Mm, sir, any chance of payments?”
The Captain shook his head. “You’ll have to take it to the Marshal or his deputy. And they’re both away.”
She let out a sigh. “Sir, what about him?”
Her response perplexed the Captain. “What about him? A new scribe?”
Stefi grinned. “We're not sure yet, but the young Lord personally recruited him.”
Her word surprised the Captain, who took a second look at Lansius.
“I’m Lansius, from Bellandia village, sir.”
“Well, Lansius of Bellandia, what makes the young Lord want you as his retinue?”
“I’m not sure-“
“Don’t be modest,” Stefi cut in. “He can calculate real fast.”
The Captain noticed Lansius’ darker hair that jutted out from his hood but disregarded it, as it wasn’t part of his job. “Did the young Lord say anything more specific?”
The duo shook their heads in unison.
The man heaved a sigh as he pondered the situation. It wasn't the first time the young Lord had recruited someone on a whim and then forgotten about them. The Captain didn't want to deal with this, but it was such a waste of money and talent. After all, retainers were entitled to full payment, even though they hadn't done any work except to follow their Lord. "Oi, fetch me the scribe," he instructed his squire.
After waiting, an even older looking man appeared in his long blue tunic and brown robe. The Captain dictated a brief letter and gave it to Lansius.
“Give this letter to the municipal office tomorrow morning. That’ll be all,” he dismissed the duo.
Lansius bowed his head. But Stefi still had something.
“Mm, sir, what about me?”
“Let me guess, you convinced no one?” the Captain said jokingly. He had predicted that no knight wanted to take Stefi as their squire.
She shook her head and showed a fake sad face.
“Oh, begone,” he scolded her. “Just stick with this Lansius fellow.”
“Eh, really, I can do that?”
The Captain refused to elaborate and waved his hand to send them away.
...
“Well, I guess we’re stuck together,” Stefi said as they walked on the main street.
“So glad that we’re both employed,” Lansius remarked.
She chuckled. “Come, let’s head home before dark. I reckon there’s a lot to be done.”
That made him stop in his track. “Home? You got a house?”
“Of course, I lived here, you dummy. Well, it’s my master’s, but nobody threw me out, so...” she explained carefree.
“Doesn’t the city have a ...” He tried to find the word barrack, but he couldn’t find it in his vocabulary.
Stefi tilted her head.
Lansius seemed to realize that the word may not exist. “What’s the building where soldiers sleep?”
“Guardhouse? That’s reserved for guardsmen, and it’s cramped.”
“What about the other men-at-arms?”
“Oh, you mean billets. Yeah, the Lord could ask the townsfolk to provide housing for his men, but I guess right now, Riverstead doesn’t need one.”
The city was empty. Its people had evacuated when the war started last year. Some refugees had returned, but many would wait until spring or summer when the road was firm and passable.
The two walked down the cobbled path toward the lifeless, narrow alley. Not one in ten buildings had lights at their windows or smoke coming out from their chimney. They passed one tavern that was crowded with soldiers and city folks.
“Want to give it a go?” Lansius asked as he saw Stefi sniffed the heavenly smell of grilled meat.
“We can’t,” she exclaimed and walked away.
He followed up and asked, “Is the place expensive?”
“Two copper, but we need to keep frugal. Otherwise, we’ll go broke.”
Both of them sighed. Nobody expected the opponent to refuse a truce after defeat and kept up fighting. With the Lord and most of his troops continuing the mop-up, nobody in Riverstead could pay them.
“Isn’t Lord Arte in Riverstead?” he asked with hope.
“Lans, never ask money directly to the nobles. They’ll get irritated. The ones who pay are either the Seneschal or the Chamberlain. Both didn’t take part in the campaign, only their assistants attached to the Lord or the Marshal.”
“I see...” Lansius took her advice to heart.
The sky above them transformed from a mesmerizing golden hue to a breathtaking reddish-orange as the chilling wind whipped through the deserted alleyway. With empty pockets but hearts full of hope, Lansius and Stefi continued strode forward. Neither knowing what the future will hold for them.
Chapter 4
Riverstead
I really could use a book...
Lansius, for the umpteenth time, sighed from boredom. He had followed Stefi’s suggestion to clean and maintain his gear; his only spare cloth rolled neatly in the bag, the wooden bowl scrubbed clean, and he even air dried the woolen coats and blankets into a fluffy state. Yet, he still had time on his hands.
It’s been two months. How are the guys doing in Bellandia? I hope Tanya isn’t working too hard. I hate to see her nails and fingers dyed blue. And mother Arryn... Sigh, I wish I'm with them...
The unforgiving weather was the main cause of his brooding. However, it wasn’t always like that. Just two weeks ago, the weather had cleared up, and they were able to move around freely.
It was also when they received good news - the Arvena troops had successfully crossed the frozen river and won a decisive victory against their opponents. They were now marching towards Riverstead for a siege. Unfortunately, the weather suddenly took a turn for the worse.
Heavy snowfall pounded the region for a full week and no end was in sight.
“It’s snowing again,” muttered one of the two old men who stayed behind.
The other rose, looking worried. They headed to the barn door and shut it tight.
“I’m worried about the folks,” the second man whispered.
“They’ll be fine. Riverstead is four days’ journey from here,” his friend tried to reassure him.
“But what about their supplies? They must be running low.”
“Their provisions should last. There’s no need to entertain such a foolish thought.”
Lansius overheard their conversation and couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
We’ve captured the bridge, but maintaining a siege and taking a city is a different matter. Especially in a winter like this.
Lansius, Stefi, two old men, and two boys were in charge of a cartload of grains, small barrels of ale, cheese, and salted meat. They made up the Ceresia supply line.
Before the weather worsened, a group of men and mules would come regularly to resupply. But the last visit was ten days ago.
Keeping two-thousand men from freezing with just medieval technology is almost unthinkable. Men need more than just food, tents, and blankets to survive the winter. Without roaring fire, nobody will survive the night. And firewood is cumbersome and not easy to get.
His experience in Bellandia had taught him that firewood must be dried through the summer. A properly dried wood would make good heat with almost no smoke. Meanwhile, recently cut logs had too much moisture and produce less heat with lots of smoke.
With the path likely blocked by heavy snow, Lansius could only imagine the hardship that befell the men on the front line. The nobles could furnish themselves with charcoal heaters, but the common folks could only rely on foraging the snowy woodlands for dead branches. Meanwhile, the stacks of firewood in Ceresia lay unused.
No use to worry about it. I can’t do anything about it.
Surviving winter in the open was so perilous that wars were rarely fought in season. This made the siege of Riverstead especially risky.
...
Orange sunlight penetrated the cracks in the wooden wall to indicate that sundown was approaching. The two old men noticed and asked the boys to help with the chore.
The brats weren’t helping much, but the men enjoyed their company. They were as old as their grandchildren and their chattiness gave a much-needed distraction from war.
As the pottage simmered in the cauldron, the food preparation was finished. To pass the time before supper, one of them chopped wood while the other taught the boys some winter crafts.
Unlike them, Stefi expertly dozed as if without a care for the world. After sword training, lunch break, and a bit of horse riding; she treated herself to some siesta. In her defense, she had wanted another round of training, but Lansius opted out as his hands developed serious blisters and callouses.
By chance, Stefi turned in her sleep toward Lansius’ direction.
... She does have a cute side. Without the fierce eyes, she looks fragile, even innocent.
His stomach suddenly growled and ruined the mood. He caressed his stomach, to no avail. It was getting worse, but he didn’t know why. Without realizing it, his habit of drinking wine, even when diluted with plenty of water, was causing discomfort in his unaccustomed stomach.
Trying to distract himself from the discomfort, he looked at Stefi, but she had turned away once more.
The horse is fine too... A live animal documentary. Shouldn’t be too bad.
He shifted in his seat and watched the horse instead. However, the horse rarely did anything interesting. Only the occasional farting and neighing when she heard rats making noises in the ceiling.
Sigh, how I would kill for the internet and some films.
Quietly, he accepted the boredom and discomfort. He could try to converse, but they had exhausted their topics. Even Lansius, who was interested in the Imperium history, grew tired of listening the old man’s story.
The sound of a creaking door filled the barn. Lansius barely glanced toward the door when Stefi leaped out from her sleep.
Sword?!
Metallic flashes propelled Lansius into action. As Stefi rushed to the door with sword in hand, Lansius grabbed his sparring spear and ran after her. The two old men also scrambled for their weapons, but it was all for naught.
“Hello, boys,” greeted a familiar beardy face as he opened up the barn door.
“Thomas!” shouted the old man behind Lansius.
“Please spare me the blade,” Thomas said with a grin.
Stefi smirked and sheathed her sword. Lansius too recognized the man and lowered his guard.
Thomas was old enough to sport a full grey beard, but a protruding axe that hung on his belt proved he was still in his prime. Along with four other men, their horses, cart, and mules, they went inside to warm themselves.
Everybody asked about the frontline, but they just looked at each other with big grins and bright faces.
“Ah damn it, just say it. We won,” Thomas said in the most anticlimactic way.
Everybody couldn’t believe what they heard.
“Did you- “ Lansius tried to ask.
“We won!” somebody cut in and the rest followed. A wave of emotion erupted as they realized that the war was over. Youngsters and old men alike jumped in joy and danced happily in celebration.
Spring of 4423 was yet to arrive when the Arvena troops successfully took back Riverstead city after a short siege.
***
The trees were bare while the branches were bleached white by the frosty winter. Meanwhile, the road was still covered by a thin layer of ice. That was the condition when Stefi and Lansius, along with the Ceresia supply group, marched to Riverstead. However, today was the last leg of their journey, and their spirits were high.
Stefi rode on her horse while the coachman and the boys rode on the horse-drawn supply cart. Lansius, Thomas, and the rest walked on foot along with the mules that were laden with goods. By midday, the group reached the outer part of the city and found the cobblestone road, which made traveling much easier.
Riverstead’s tall towers and bridges looked imposing, even from afar. Lansius was thrilled by the magnificent city. As they got closer, the spectacle only grew more stunning, with colorful roof tiles peeking through the snow, rows of tall buildings, and white plastered walls decorating the cityscape.
“Hehe, you like it here?” Stefi teased as they passed the stone bridge that led to the city.
“This is awesome,” Lansius admitted as they entered the city.
“Wait till you see when the market returns to normal. They got everything.”
Despite being rather empty because of the war, the brightly colored shops and stalls piqued his interest. He looked around and got excited by how advanced the city looked compared to Bellandia.
“Come, let’s report before dark,” Stefi called.
They parted with Thomas and the rest of the supply group. It wasn’t a big deal, as they served the same Lord and stationed in the same town. Big chances they were going to meet often.
The two left the horse at the city’s stable and went looking for the Captain. After inquiring with several people, they finally located the Captain overseeing the reconstruction. Despite being well over fifty, he still maintained an imposing physique.
Upon noticing Stefi, the Captain motioned for her to come forward.
“No mule is lost or injured, sir,” Stefi reported.
What the- that’s not how to report?!
The Captain looked annoyed, confirming Lansius’ thought. “The goods, are they safe?”
Unable to answer, Stefi elbowed Lansius, who pulled a parchment from his bag and offered it. “The supplies from Ceresia Village are present and accounted for, sir.”
The Captain glanced at the parchment, but dismissed it. “Keep it for the Seneschal’s men.” And then back to Stefi. “Make sure the animals are fed and rested. We’re going to need them soon.”
“Another battle, sir?” she asked.
The Captain snorted. “The northern bastard still refuses a truce or surrender. The Lord is still hunting the remnants as we speak.”
“I see,” she mumbled.
“Will that be all?” the old man asked.
Almost fidgeting, she asked, “Mm, sir, any chance of payments?”
The Captain shook his head. “You’ll have to take it to the Marshal or his deputy. And they’re both away.”
She let out a sigh. “Sir, what about him?”
Her response perplexed the Captain. “What about him? A new scribe?”
Stefi grinned. “We're not sure yet, but the young Lord personally recruited him.”
Her word surprised the Captain, who took a second look at Lansius.
“I’m Lansius, from Bellandia village, sir.”
“Well, Lansius of Bellandia, what makes the young Lord want you as his retinue?”
“I’m not sure-“
“Don’t be modest,” Stefi cut in. “He can calculate real fast.”
The Captain noticed Lansius’ darker hair that jutted out from his hood but disregarded it, as it wasn’t part of his job. “Did the young Lord say anything more specific?”
The duo shook their heads in unison.
The man heaved a sigh as he pondered the situation. It wasn't the first time the young Lord had recruited someone on a whim and then forgotten about them. The Captain didn't want to deal with this, but it was such a waste of money and talent. After all, retainers were entitled to full payment, even though they hadn't done any work except to follow their Lord. "Oi, fetch me the scribe," he instructed his squire.
After waiting, an even older looking man appeared in his long blue tunic and brown robe. The Captain dictated a brief letter and gave it to Lansius.
“Give this letter to the municipal office tomorrow morning. That’ll be all,” he dismissed the duo.
Lansius bowed his head. But Stefi still had something.
“Mm, sir, what about me?”
“Let me guess, you convinced no one?” the Captain said jokingly. He had predicted that no knight wanted to take Stefi as their squire.
She shook her head and showed a fake sad face.
“Oh, begone,” he scolded her. “Just stick with this Lansius fellow.”
“Eh, really, I can do that?”
The Captain refused to elaborate and waved his hand to send them away.
...
“Well, I guess we’re stuck together,” Stefi said as they walked on the main street.
“So glad that we’re both employed,” Lansius remarked.
She chuckled. “Come, let’s head home before dark. I reckon there’s a lot to be done.”
That made him stop in his track. “Home? You got a house?”
“Of course, I lived here, you dummy. Well, it’s my master’s, but nobody threw me out, so...” she explained carefree.
“Doesn’t the city have a ...” He tried to find the word barrack, but he couldn’t find it in his vocabulary.
Stefi tilted her head.
Lansius seemed to realize that the word may not exist. “What’s the building where soldiers sleep?”
“Guardhouse? That’s reserved for guardsmen, and it’s cramped.”
“What about the other men-at-arms?”
“Oh, you mean billets. Yeah, the Lord could ask the townsfolk to provide housing for his men, but I guess right now, Riverstead doesn’t need one.”
The city was empty. Its people had evacuated when the war started last year. Some refugees had returned, but many would wait until spring or summer when the road was firm and passable.
The two walked down the cobbled path toward the lifeless, narrow alley. Not one in ten buildings had lights at their windows or smoke coming out from their chimney. They passed one tavern that was crowded with soldiers and city folks.
“Want to give it a go?” Lansius asked as he saw Stefi sniffed the heavenly smell of grilled meat.
“We can’t,” she exclaimed and walked away.
He followed up and asked, “Is the place expensive?”
“Two copper, but we need to keep frugal. Otherwise, we’ll go broke.”
Both of them sighed. Nobody expected the opponent to refuse a truce after defeat and kept up fighting. With the Lord and most of his troops continuing the mop-up, nobody in Riverstead could pay them.
“Isn’t Lord Arte in Riverstead?” he asked with hope.
“Lans, never ask money directly to the nobles. They’ll get irritated. The ones who pay are either the Seneschal or the Chamberlain. Both didn’t take part in the campaign, only their assistants attached to the Lord or the Marshal.”
“I see...” Lansius took her advice to heart.
The sky above them transformed from a mesmerizing golden hue to a breathtaking reddish-orange as the chilling wind whipped through the deserted alleyway. With empty pockets but hearts full of hope, Lansius and Stefi continued strode forward. Neither knowing what the future will hold for them.
