Chapter 43
A Warlord's Persona
Lansius and his riders reached the dense part of the forest. Their pace slowed due to the narrow path, a trail familiar to the riders who occasionally hunted deer, boar, and foxes.
The destrier neighed a few times, displaying curiosity about its surroundings. At one point, the horse even attempted to snap at a lizard hanging from a tree branch.
“Lans, I think even your horse is laughing at you,” Felis teased, patting the horse’s neck.
“No, the horse suggesting that I tickle this extra passenger some more.” Lansius moved his fingers in the air to emphasize his point.
“Hya~, no more, no more.” Felis shielded her waist with her hands like a child.
Lansius chuckled at her response while silently pleading with the forest not to drop another branch on him.
“Ah! Now I understand why your hands were so naughty,” Felis suddenly declared while they were avoiding low-hanging branches.
“What? My lady, my hands are on the reins,” Lansius defended himself.
“Before, when I fell, I felt your hands touching me all over,” she accused.
He suddenly remembered feeling something soft in his hand.
Wait, that wasn’t her waist?
“Erm... please don’t say things like that,” he pleaded, glancing nervously around. He had enough trouble with Audrey and he couldn’t afford a rumor.
Worse still, what if she tells Lord Arte or Bengrieve...
Shaming a lord’s spouse was a great offense. Enough to send a minor noble like Lansius to the chopping block. He gulped nervously.
His reaction was not lost to Felis, whose beautiful face regressed into wicked laughter. “I’ve got you now, Lans,” she declared, a victorious smirk on her face.
He sighed and conceded. “Name your price.”
***
As Lansius and Felis rode together and entered Korelia, the inhabitants respectfully slowed their pace and bowed their heads. Usually, Lansius’ route took him directly to the castle, but today, in deference to his guest’s wishes, they made a detour to an inn where Felis had stored her belongings.
Having served as a lord for several months, Lansius was familiar with the townspeople’s customary greetings. However, the atmosphere was different this time. Their responses were closer to reverence than simple acknowledgment.
The difference, he realized, lay in his companion. Felis, with her cascading golden hair and bright blue eyes, riding a warhorse, perfectly embodied the image of a high-ranking noble.
In a land where most nobles sported varying shades of brown hair, her golden locks were a distinct anomaly. Her appearance was so striking that even Lansius understood the townspeople’s reaction.
As they continued their journey, Felis sat comfortably, nonchalantly enjoying a Costard fruit which to Lansius resembled an apple. Three more of these fruits were neatly packed in a cloth resting on her lap, presenting an image reminiscent of a pampered princess.
Her interest in the fruit also made Lansius order one of the riders to take a young sapling to be planted in the Eastern Mansion.
Slightly embarrassed, Lansius guided the destrier carefully through the crowds towards the inn. All the while, the gaze of Korelia’s residents was fixed on them. Whispers and comments followed their path, with some people even trailing behind for a closer look. In response, Sterling and the other riders grew vigilant, reinforcing their perimeter with any guards who happened to be nearby.
Above them, the sky was favorably clear, with only a smattering of clouds.
Upon their arrival at the castle, the guards and staff mirrored the townspeople’s astonishment. The sight of a golden-haired woman was a rarity associated with the ancient northern dynasty. This dynasty was once known for its powerful great kings and lords before the era of the Third Imperium.
Although the dynasty’s power had waned and blonde hair had become less uncommon, reverence for their lineage persisted. The irony was that there was nothing royal about Felis’ heritage. She was merely fortunate to have been born with golden hair.
As they rode through the courtyard and into the entrance of the keep, Lansius spotted two familiar figures waiting. Felis, sharing his ride, noticed the presence of another blonde and exclaimed with joy, as if she had discovered another member of an endangered species.
What Felis’ saw was Lansius’ cup-bearer, Cecile.
“Greetings, my Lord, my Lady,” Cecile managed to say, concealing her surprise admirably. Lansius noted the grace with which she handled the unexpected situation.
As they halted, Carla swiftly moved to assist Felis down from the horse. Lansius disembarked next, aided by Sterling who had been shadowing him closely.
The powerful destrier snorted and whinnied as it was led away by the stable master, and all eyes were drawn to Lansius.
Seizing the moment, he introduced his companion. “This is Lady Felicity, fiancee to Earl Arte of Arvena.”
While the revelation stirred shock amongst the onlookers, Cecile managed a solitary blink before bowing respectfully.
“Hello, you may call me Felis.”
In response, Cecile chose to maintain formal etiquette, “Madam Countess.”
“Her marriage is yet to be finalized. So you could address her as a lady,” Lansius quickly interjected, sensing the tension.
Cecile nodded in understanding, “Yes, My Lord.”
Felis, ever cheerful, complimented Cecile with a great smile, “You have lovely hair. What’s your name?”
Flattered, Cecile blushed, “This servant is named Cecile, My Lord’s cup-bearer.”
Felis greeted her warmly, “Nice to meet you, Cecile. I look forward to your care today.”
“Cecile,” Lansius called her. “Find Lady Audrey and inform her that a friend has arrived. But do not mention who it is.”
Felis appeared delighted at the prospect of surprising Audrey.
Meanwhile, Cecile raised an eyebrow, but Lansius gave a confirming nod, and she proceeded to fulfill her task.
As Cecile led the way, Lansius escorted Felis to the Great Chamber. He chose a guarded corridor to avoid the Great Hall and any unnecessary attention. Lansius was showing Felis the Council Chamber when Audrey found them.
“FELIS!” Audrey screamed, rushing towards her, with Cecile trailing behind.
“Kyaa~ Audrey!”
The two women hugged each other warmly. Audrey, though shorter, was stronger, and she twirled the taller Felis around like a younger sister.
Leaving Lansius behind, the two descended the stairs. When he tried to follow, Audrey’s pointed gaze nearly made him trip.
Ok, understandable, have a great day…
Deciding to return to his chamber, Lansius took the stairs but paused as he remembered a previous promise. He let out a resigned sigh and called, “Cecile.”
“Yes, My Lord,” she responded, her voice void of any hint of annoyance.
He began to make an unusual request, “Could you ask Sterling and a few other staff to move the guest bed from castle storage to this room? Our guests, and Audrey, will be using my room.”
Cecile remained composed as she inquired, “Guests, My Lord?”
“Yes, there’s one more... She, too, is a friend of Audrey’s. But I must caution you, Felis is a gentle person. The other guest, however, is... more challenging.”
Cecile acknowledged, “I understand, My Lord… but if they take over your quarters, where will-“
“Oh, I’ll sleep in…” Actually, the Lord of the castle wasn’t sure either.
Hugo’s room is in disrepair... Calub’s? No, I don’t want to bother his room. He’s an alchemist and treasurer as well. He might have documents and I don’t want to disturb… Guest room? No, there are a lot of important guest messengers. A Lord can’t be spotted using the room next to them.
Finally, he settled on an unconventional choice, “… the Council Chamber. Would it be possible for the staff to prepare a bed there for me?”
“Of course, My Lord.” Cecile bowed her head a little.
“And don’t forget bedding and a blanket,” Lansius added, feeling a pang of guilt for imposing these tasks on the young girl.
She’s not even 17, this is considered child labor, right?
“Anything else, My Lord?”
“No, Cecile. You’ve been a tremendous help.”
“I’m grateful for your word of praises, My Lord.” She graced him with a smile, bowed, and went to fulfill her duties.
As he watched her leave, Lansius couldn’t help but marvel at how much his young staff had developed over the past few months. Aside from Cecile, the squires, in particular, had truly come into their own.
Under Audrey’s rigorous training, Carla, Sterling, and Roger had matured noticeably. Either that, or they had all sustained head concussions that somehow resulted in improved competence.
Roger’s spear wound from their last encounter had completely healed. Carla had tempered her impulsive tendencies, and Sterling had begun mastering Isolte’s Elandia-style fencing technique.
Lansius dreamed of knighting them one day once he received his official title from the High Court. As of now, he was only an acting lord, a mere pretender.
Their swift advancement inspired Lansius, although his own progress on horseback felt slower in comparison.
I might spend more time with Callahan tomorrow.
As he contemplated this, the blond knight appeared, following behind his daughter. “My Lord, my father wishes to see you.”
“Yes, Sir Callahan.”
“My Lord, Sir Justin has sent word that the East Lowlandia merchants are growing restless.”
“Ah,” Lansius mumbled. He had been delaying the meeting with the merchants, feeling he wasn’t ready.
The older man sensed the tension and asked politely, “Do you still feel uncertain, My Lord?”
“Indeed, Sir,” he admitted. “A lot is at stake, and I’m not confident enough.”
The merchants were a part of the parties involved in last year’s rising grain prices. Whether they were directly involved or not, they now came bearing gifts and honeyed words, proposing deals. Lansius couldn’t help but feel wary of their approaches.
“May I offer some advice, My Lord?” asked Callahan.
“Certainly,” Lansius responded, intrigued.
“My Lord, if I may be so bold, you often show too much gentleness towards those around you. While we, your retainers, appreciate this, it may lead to difficulties. Many might interpret your gentleness as a weakness, a soft spot to be exploited.”
Sir Callahan’s unexpected counsel struck a chord. Lansius nodded, murmuring in acknowledgment, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Don’t show your gentleness to the world, My Lord. Show it only to those you care. For all others, let them see the face of a conqueror,” Callahan advised.
***
Merchants from Eastern Lowlandia
As of the previous fall, three merchants from Galdia, Salceslia, and Edessa had been keen to engage with Lansius, smelling profits in the high grain prices.
While they were not the masterminds behind the price manipulation, they had spotted what the western Lowlandia merchants were doing and had played along, driving up the price even further.
They had hoped to exploit the vulnerability of the two Lords, Lansius and Robert, but they began to worry when neither sought their assistance. Price manipulation was inherently risky. They had invested all their savings into buying grain to sell it at a higher rate.
As prices rose, the poorer individuals simply couldn’t afford enough and bought less. However, this was expected. Their target wasn’t the ragged poor, but the nobles who need to prepare for the upcoming conflict.
Yet, Robert’s passive response and Lansius’ lukewarm reception cast doubt on their plans. The Lord of Korelia had deliberately left them in suspense for a week, during which they slowly became acquainted with the Korelian market and the city’s situation.
Witnessing Korelia survive last year’s crisis and transform into a budding salted meat industry was surprising, further eroding their confidence.
At last, today, a blond knight invited them to meet with Lord Lansius. They had thought this was the opportunity they had been waiting for, but instead of the castle, they were led into the trenches where the Lord had set up a training shooting gallery, complete with an overhead field tent.
While they were uncertain about this unconventional setup, they followed the knight and observed as Lord Lansius and his garrison of heavy arbalesters were cranking their latest cranequins - heavy crossbows that were loaded using metal gears and a lever.
“My Lord,” Callahan greeted, and the three merchants echoed his salutation.
However, Lord Lansius appeared indifferent. He kept aiming casually at a thin barrel target. As he loosed his heavy bolt, the rest of the garrison followed suit, resulting in a deafening cacophony of bolts launching and metal bowstrings snapping back.
The barrage of heavy bolts landed like rain on the wooden barrels, causing some of them to explode on impact. This display of force affected the three, who were taken aback by the powerful weaponry they rarely encountered live.
Without a pause, Lansius commanded, “Crossbowmen!” Instantly, twenty crossbowmen advanced, unleashing a thunderous barrage of bolts at the already ravaged barrels.
Once the resounding echoes diminished, Sir Callahan reiterated his message, “My Lord, the guests.”
“I heard you...” Lansius replied with a hint of impatience, tossing his cranequin to Sterling. “Load it up for me.” He then turned to the merchants, “What can I assist you with?”
The largest of the trio, dressed in crimson, stepped forward. “My Lord, we appreciate this opportunity. We’re here to discuss trade.”
“Trade? Do you have armor or better-ranged weaponry?” asked Lansius.
The three merchants exchanged glances before the same man replied, “We have horses, medicine, and grains.”
“Grains,” Lansius echoed. “How much for the grain?”
The merchants’ faces lit up at his question, their earlier worries seeming to evaporate instantly. They were well aware of the demand for grain - even a warlord like Lansius couldn’t ignore the need to feed his troops. “We can offer you twelve copper for a bushel of good wheat,” they announced, brimming with newfound confidence.
***
Chapter 43
A Warlord's Persona
Lansius and his riders reached the dense part of the forest. Their pace slowed due to the narrow path, a trail familiar to the riders who occasionally hunted deer, boar, and foxes.
The destrier neighed a few times, displaying curiosity about its surroundings. At one point, the horse even attempted to snap at a lizard hanging from a tree branch.
“Lans, I think even your horse is laughing at you,” Felis teased, patting the horse’s neck.
“No, the horse suggesting that I tickle this extra passenger some more.” Lansius moved his fingers in the air to emphasize his point.
“Hya~, no more, no more.” Felis shielded her waist with her hands like a child.
Lansius chuckled at her response while silently pleading with the forest not to drop another branch on him.
“Ah! Now I understand why your hands were so naughty,” Felis suddenly declared while they were avoiding low-hanging branches.
“What? My lady, my hands are on the reins,” Lansius defended himself.
“Before, when I fell, I felt your hands touching me all over,” she accused.
He suddenly remembered feeling something soft in his hand.
Wait, that wasn’t her waist?
“Erm... please don’t say things like that,” he pleaded, glancing nervously around. He had enough trouble with Audrey and he couldn’t afford a rumor.
Worse still, what if she tells Lord Arte or Bengrieve...
Shaming a lord’s spouse was a great offense. Enough to send a minor noble like Lansius to the chopping block. He gulped nervously.
His reaction was not lost to Felis, whose beautiful face regressed into wicked laughter. “I’ve got you now, Lans,” she declared, a victorious smirk on her face.
He sighed and conceded. “Name your price.”
***
As Lansius and Felis rode together and entered Korelia, the inhabitants respectfully slowed their pace and bowed their heads. Usually, Lansius’ route took him directly to the castle, but today, in deference to his guest’s wishes, they made a detour to an inn where Felis had stored her belongings.
Having served as a lord for several months, Lansius was familiar with the townspeople’s customary greetings. However, the atmosphere was different this time. Their responses were closer to reverence than simple acknowledgment.
The difference, he realized, lay in his companion. Felis, with her cascading golden hair and bright blue eyes, riding a warhorse, perfectly embodied the image of a high-ranking noble.
In a land where most nobles sported varying shades of brown hair, her golden locks were a distinct anomaly. Her appearance was so striking that even Lansius understood the townspeople’s reaction.
As they continued their journey, Felis sat comfortably, nonchalantly enjoying a Costard fruit which to Lansius resembled an apple. Three more of these fruits were neatly packed in a cloth resting on her lap, presenting an image reminiscent of a pampered princess.
Her interest in the fruit also made Lansius order one of the riders to take a young sapling to be planted in the Eastern Mansion.
Slightly embarrassed, Lansius guided the destrier carefully through the crowds towards the inn. All the while, the gaze of Korelia’s residents was fixed on them. Whispers and comments followed their path, with some people even trailing behind for a closer look. In response, Sterling and the other riders grew vigilant, reinforcing their perimeter with any guards who happened to be nearby.
Above them, the sky was favorably clear, with only a smattering of clouds.
Upon their arrival at the castle, the guards and staff mirrored the townspeople’s astonishment. The sight of a golden-haired woman was a rarity associated with the ancient northern dynasty. This dynasty was once known for its powerful great kings and lords before the era of the Third Imperium.
Although the dynasty’s power had waned and blonde hair had become less uncommon, reverence for their lineage persisted. The irony was that there was nothing royal about Felis’ heritage. She was merely fortunate to have been born with golden hair.
As they rode through the courtyard and into the entrance of the keep, Lansius spotted two familiar figures waiting. Felis, sharing his ride, noticed the presence of another blonde and exclaimed with joy, as if she had discovered another member of an endangered species.
What Felis’ saw was Lansius’ cup-bearer, Cecile.
“Greetings, my Lord, my Lady,” Cecile managed to say, concealing her surprise admirably. Lansius noted the grace with which she handled the unexpected situation.
As they halted, Carla swiftly moved to assist Felis down from the horse. Lansius disembarked next, aided by Sterling who had been shadowing him closely.
The powerful destrier snorted and whinnied as it was led away by the stable master, and all eyes were drawn to Lansius.
Seizing the moment, he introduced his companion. “This is Lady Felicity, fiancee to Earl Arte of Arvena.”
While the revelation stirred shock amongst the onlookers, Cecile managed a solitary blink before bowing respectfully.
“Hello, you may call me Felis.”
In response, Cecile chose to maintain formal etiquette, “Madam Countess.”
“Her marriage is yet to be finalized. So you could address her as a lady,” Lansius quickly interjected, sensing the tension.
Cecile nodded in understanding, “Yes, My Lord.”
Felis, ever cheerful, complimented Cecile with a great smile, “You have lovely hair. What’s your name?”
Flattered, Cecile blushed, “This servant is named Cecile, My Lord’s cup-bearer.”
Felis greeted her warmly, “Nice to meet you, Cecile. I look forward to your care today.”
“Cecile,” Lansius called her. “Find Lady Audrey and inform her that a friend has arrived. But do not mention who it is.”
Felis appeared delighted at the prospect of surprising Audrey.
Meanwhile, Cecile raised an eyebrow, but Lansius gave a confirming nod, and she proceeded to fulfill her task.
As Cecile led the way, Lansius escorted Felis to the Great Chamber. He chose a guarded corridor to avoid the Great Hall and any unnecessary attention. Lansius was showing Felis the Council Chamber when Audrey found them.
“FELIS!” Audrey screamed, rushing towards her, with Cecile trailing behind.
“Kyaa~ Audrey!”
The two women hugged each other warmly. Audrey, though shorter, was stronger, and she twirled the taller Felis around like a younger sister.
Leaving Lansius behind, the two descended the stairs. When he tried to follow, Audrey’s pointed gaze nearly made him trip.
Ok, understandable, have a great day…
Deciding to return to his chamber, Lansius took the stairs but paused as he remembered a previous promise. He let out a resigned sigh and called, “Cecile.”
“Yes, My Lord,” she responded, her voice void of any hint of annoyance.
He began to make an unusual request, “Could you ask Sterling and a few other staff to move the guest bed from castle storage to this room? Our guests, and Audrey, will be using my room.”
Cecile remained composed as she inquired, “Guests, My Lord?”
“Yes, there’s one more... She, too, is a friend of Audrey’s. But I must caution you, Felis is a gentle person. The other guest, however, is... more challenging.”
Cecile acknowledged, “I understand, My Lord… but if they take over your quarters, where will-“
“Oh, I’ll sleep in…” Actually, the Lord of the castle wasn’t sure either.
Hugo’s room is in disrepair... Calub’s? No, I don’t want to bother his room. He’s an alchemist and treasurer as well. He might have documents and I don’t want to disturb… Guest room? No, there are a lot of important guest messengers. A Lord can’t be spotted using the room next to them.
Finally, he settled on an unconventional choice, “… the Council Chamber. Would it be possible for the staff to prepare a bed there for me?”
“Of course, My Lord.” Cecile bowed her head a little.
“And don’t forget bedding and a blanket,” Lansius added, feeling a pang of guilt for imposing these tasks on the young girl.
She’s not even 17, this is considered child labor, right?
“Anything else, My Lord?”
“No, Cecile. You’ve been a tremendous help.”
“I’m grateful for your word of praises, My Lord.” She graced him with a smile, bowed, and went to fulfill her duties.
As he watched her leave, Lansius couldn’t help but marvel at how much his young staff had developed over the past few months. Aside from Cecile, the squires, in particular, had truly come into their own.
Under Audrey’s rigorous training, Carla, Sterling, and Roger had matured noticeably. Either that, or they had all sustained head concussions that somehow resulted in improved competence.
Roger’s spear wound from their last encounter had completely healed. Carla had tempered her impulsive tendencies, and Sterling had begun mastering Isolte’s Elandia-style fencing technique.
Lansius dreamed of knighting them one day once he received his official title from the High Court. As of now, he was only an acting lord, a mere pretender.
Their swift advancement inspired Lansius, although his own progress on horseback felt slower in comparison.
I might spend more time with Callahan tomorrow.
As he contemplated this, the blond knight appeared, following behind his daughter. “My Lord, my father wishes to see you.”
“Yes, Sir Callahan.”
“My Lord, Sir Justin has sent word that the East Lowlandia merchants are growing restless.”
“Ah,” Lansius mumbled. He had been delaying the meeting with the merchants, feeling he wasn’t ready.
The older man sensed the tension and asked politely, “Do you still feel uncertain, My Lord?”
“Indeed, Sir,” he admitted. “A lot is at stake, and I’m not confident enough.”
The merchants were a part of the parties involved in last year’s rising grain prices. Whether they were directly involved or not, they now came bearing gifts and honeyed words, proposing deals. Lansius couldn’t help but feel wary of their approaches.
“May I offer some advice, My Lord?” asked Callahan.
“Certainly,” Lansius responded, intrigued.
“My Lord, if I may be so bold, you often show too much gentleness towards those around you. While we, your retainers, appreciate this, it may lead to difficulties. Many might interpret your gentleness as a weakness, a soft spot to be exploited.”
Sir Callahan’s unexpected counsel struck a chord. Lansius nodded, murmuring in acknowledgment, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Don’t show your gentleness to the world, My Lord. Show it only to those you care. For all others, let them see the face of a conqueror,” Callahan advised.
***
Merchants from Eastern Lowlandia
As of the previous fall, three merchants from Galdia, Salceslia, and Edessa had been keen to engage with Lansius, smelling profits in the high grain prices.
While they were not the masterminds behind the price manipulation, they had spotted what the western Lowlandia merchants were doing and had played along, driving up the price even further.
They had hoped to exploit the vulnerability of the two Lords, Lansius and Robert, but they began to worry when neither sought their assistance. Price manipulation was inherently risky. They had invested all their savings into buying grain to sell it at a higher rate.
As prices rose, the poorer individuals simply couldn’t afford enough and bought less. However, this was expected. Their target wasn’t the ragged poor, but the nobles who need to prepare for the upcoming conflict.
Yet, Robert’s passive response and Lansius’ lukewarm reception cast doubt on their plans. The Lord of Korelia had deliberately left them in suspense for a week, during which they slowly became acquainted with the Korelian market and the city’s situation.
Witnessing Korelia survive last year’s crisis and transform into a budding salted meat industry was surprising, further eroding their confidence.
At last, today, a blond knight invited them to meet with Lord Lansius. They had thought this was the opportunity they had been waiting for, but instead of the castle, they were led into the trenches where the Lord had set up a training shooting gallery, complete with an overhead field tent.
While they were uncertain about this unconventional setup, they followed the knight and observed as Lord Lansius and his garrison of heavy arbalesters were cranking their latest cranequins - heavy crossbows that were loaded using metal gears and a lever.
“My Lord,” Callahan greeted, and the three merchants echoed his salutation.
However, Lord Lansius appeared indifferent. He kept aiming casually at a thin barrel target. As he loosed his heavy bolt, the rest of the garrison followed suit, resulting in a deafening cacophony of bolts launching and metal bowstrings snapping back.
The barrage of heavy bolts landed like rain on the wooden barrels, causing some of them to explode on impact. This display of force affected the three, who were taken aback by the powerful weaponry they rarely encountered live.
Without a pause, Lansius commanded, “Crossbowmen!” Instantly, twenty crossbowmen advanced, unleashing a thunderous barrage of bolts at the already ravaged barrels.
Once the resounding echoes diminished, Sir Callahan reiterated his message, “My Lord, the guests.”
“I heard you...” Lansius replied with a hint of impatience, tossing his cranequin to Sterling. “Load it up for me.” He then turned to the merchants, “What can I assist you with?”
The largest of the trio, dressed in crimson, stepped forward. “My Lord, we appreciate this opportunity. We’re here to discuss trade.”
“Trade? Do you have armor or better-ranged weaponry?” asked Lansius.
The three merchants exchanged glances before the same man replied, “We have horses, medicine, and grains.”
“Grains,” Lansius echoed. “How much for the grain?”
The merchants’ faces lit up at his question, their earlier worries seeming to evaporate instantly. They were well aware of the demand for grain - even a warlord like Lansius couldn’t ignore the need to feed his troops. “We can offer you twelve copper for a bushel of good wheat,” they announced, brimming with newfound confidence.
***
