Chapter 21

In the Lord's Hall, Gerald climbed the three steps up to his seat. He had returned to Ard the night before, victorious. As he sat down, he ran his eyes over his aides who stood below. There were more attendants than usual today. Renard, Robard, and Arthur were present as usual. There were two more people, though. Old Han and his second-in-command were present.

"Congratulations on your victory, your lordship," Renard was the first to step forward, slightly bending his back. "The bandits never expected your precise attack."

Neither did you, Gerald thought.

"Thank you, Renard," he said aloud. "It's all due to the bravery of Ard's soldiers."

Renard nodded and stepped back. Then it was Old Han who stepped forward next along with his lieutenant.

"This old man congratulates the lord on behalf of the garrison," Old Han said, bowing along with his lieutenant.

"And you have my thanks, Old Han," Gerald smiled.

Old Han nodded with a content face. "If you will allow me, my lord. I have duties to attend to," the old man said.

"Of course," Gerald said. "You may leave."

Old Han and his lieutenant bowed then walked out of the hall.

"Politics and gatherings. Old Han is fond of neither," Arthur said with an awkward smile.

"I don't blame him," Gerald chuckled. Then he changed the subject. "I trust the treasury's condition has come to your liking, Arthur."

"Yes, my lord," Arthur nodded fervently. "Nearly 13,000 gold. It isn't the fullest our treasury has ever been, but it's much healthier compared to before."

"I agree," Gerald nodded. "That's why we should start putting this gold to use. I want proper streets in Ard, Arthur. You can spend 1000 of that gold, but I don't want people to slip on the mud in the streets anymore."

"I will follow your command, my lord," Arthur said. "The gold should be enough for proper gravel to be laid in the streets."

"Good," Gerald said. Then he looked at his head knight. "Robard."

"My lord."

"I want silver badges crafted for the elite corps," Gerald said. "They will be attached to their armor for recognition. I also want different armor crafted for the corps. The best armor there is."

"By your command, my lord," Robard saluted.

"Their compensation will also be increased by half," Gerald continued. "Arthur will see to that."

"My lord, the Warriors' compensation is already high," Arthur said. "I believe increasing it further is unnecessary. Our treasury fares better now, but expending too much might hurt us."

"The corps's men are limited, Arthur. They will hardly pose an issue for our coffers," Gerald said. "This must be done, and it must be known to the public that the corps receives favorable treatment. Their victory against overwhelming numbers should be spoken of in every corner of Ard. I want more young Warriors in the corps, and I'm sure there are at least some more in Ard. They just don't think serving me is worth risking their lives. Glory and gold are the only things that will attract those who don't serve me already. Let it be known that the elite corps is recruiting any Earth Warrior younger than 30 years of age. Any ones older than that can only join the regular army."

"As per your command, my lord," Arthur said with a helpless expression.

"Now, let's discuss other matters," Gerald cleared his throat. "While my relatives flock to congratulate me for my victory, my cousins, Grina and Estor, have not even sent a letter. When I first arrived, they didn't attend my ceremony of inheritance. They have not once come to pay their respects to me."

"Give the word, my lord, and I will lead men to seize them myself," Robard said with a solemn face.

"I would have to advise against that, my lord" Arthur said, his voice louder and almost panicking. "If your cousins are seized or imprisoned without a suitable reason, the other branches of house may stand against you. It would be a great hindrance to your leadership if that happened."

"And disrespecting the lord of the house isn't a suitable reason?" Robard argued.

Gerald raised his hand to stop them. "I agree with Arthur," he said. "The branches of the family are deeply rooted in every part of Ard. Some of them even handle the affairs of the keep for me. Old Han's lieutenant who was just here is also part of a branching household of the family. They are everywhere. In the army, in the garrison, amidst the civil servants, and even in the keep. If we act rashly, then we'd unsettle every one of my relatives."

Arthur sighed in relief once he heard Gerald's words, while Robard just stayed silent.

"Your lordship," Renard spoke. "May I suggest a course of action?"

"Hmm?" Gerald eyed Renard curiously. "Go ahead."

"Why not summon them here?" Renard said. "If they don't comply, then your lordship would be justified to act against them for disobeying you."

"And if they do come, then they'd have to answer to me for their previous absence," Gerald said, nodding. "A good suggestion, Renard."

Renard smiled and lowered his head.

"Very well," Gerald continued. "Arthur, inform my cousins that they are to be present in my court tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord," Arthur said.

"Alright, this assembly is concluded," Gerald waved his hand. Then his aides bowed and left the hall.

Gerald soon left the hall as well. He headed to his study but stopped abruptly when he saw one of the maids walking in the hallway to the study. "Wait," he said, remembering something.

The maid who was just about to leave stopped. "My lord?" She looked quite puzzled. Gerald had never spoken with any of his maids before, nor had he taken liberties with them as most lords did.

"Have you seen Yanna?" Gerald asked.

"The young one, my lord?" the maid asked. "She left two days ago and hasn't returned."

Gerald nodded then left the puzzled maid standing in the hallway and walked to his study. I hope they are well, he thought.

When Gerald reached the door to his study, he was stopped by another maid who came running.

"My lord. My lord." She scurried towards him.

"What is it?" Gerald raised a brow.

"The man your lordship have had us care for is awake now. The head maid said that we must inform you if he wakes up, my lord."

Gerald was pleasantly surprised. "Good. I will go see him now."

Gasper was in one of the chambers of the keep. Gerald had given a command to have him under the care of maids without them questioning who he was, and a physician would regularly visit him.

Gerald pushed the door open and walked to the bed. Gasper was lying on his back, his injuries wrapped in smooth linens. His eyes were open but he didn't move. When he spotted Gerald entering, he tried to sit up but grimaced and gritted his teeth in pain.

The physician standing by the bed wanted to say something but hesitated and kept quiet.

Gerald waved his hand. "No need to torture yourself," Gerald said, shaking his head with a chuckle. "You're relieved of saluting me until you recover."

"Yes, my lord," Gasper said with some effort.

Gerald looked at the physician and said, "How is his recovery?"

"His recovery is going very well, your lordship," the physician said after bowing. "The injury to his shoulder is negligible, but the rib injury will hinder his movement for a while. I believe he will be able to walk freely in a fortnight. And hopefully, he will be able to go to battle in a month. He won't be at his best, but he will gradually recover his strength from then on."

"Alright," Gerald nodded. "You may leave now."

"Yes," the physician bowed again and left the chamber.

Gerald turned to Gasper with a smile. "I heard that you killed Black Dog yourself."

Gasper chuckled hoarsely. "I did. The archers of the house might have given me a hand, though."

"They gave you more than just a hand," Gerald snorted while nodding at the wounds.

"The wounds were necessary, my lord," Gasper. "I wouldn't have been the victor if it hadn't been for those arrows."

"Regardless, you have done more than just your duty. You deserve a reward," Gerald said.

"Ahem," Gasper took a breath. "May I request something, my lord?"

"Of course," Gerald nodded. "What do you want?"

"I want to reassure my father of my well being. He most likely thinks that I'm dead since the battle more than two months ago, and I'm his only son. He had a lot of expectations of me. I'm afraid my death would break him."

Gerald's face was troubled for a moment. Informing Gasper's father might bring unnecessary troubles. There should have been no survivors from that battle. The fact that Gasper was a dead man in everyone's eyes was the reason it was easy for him to command a bandit crew without anyone relating it to Gerald. Also, it wasn't wise to alert whoever acted against Gerald's father in the mountains before. Perhaps they thought Gasper had died in the mountains. Letting them know that he was still alive would bring no good.

"You may send him a discreet letter," Gerald said, sighing. "He would recognize a letter sent by you, yes?"

"Yes," Gasper perked up but quickly winced in pain. "Thank you, my lord. My father knows how to be discreet. I will let him know that no one can be informed of my survival. I'm sure he wouldn't mention the letter to anyone, for my sake."

"Very well," Gerald said. "Now I want you to rest. Soon, you will return to your crew and claim the east as your hegemony."

"But what of the other bandits, my lord?" Gasper asked. "I don't think they'll let me have the east for myself that easily."

"They are still shocked for now," Gerald said. "They won't try moving their men for the time being. The east will stay free of bandits until you return there."

Gasper nodded.

"The other crews will be too busy forming an alliance when you return to the east," Gerald continued. "It won't be too difficult gaining their recognition at such a time. They will be saving their strength for me, so they won't act against you without having to."

Gasper was listening while in bed, but Gerald could tell that he was still thinking about his father.

"Write that letter when you can," Gerald said. "I will have someone deliver it. We will speak about the other matters at hand soon. Rest well." Then he left Gasper's chamber.

Gerald sighed as he headed back to his study. The bandits in the east were just the simple beginning. The territory had to be cleansed of all bandits. And now the bandits were no longer ignorant of his intentions towards them. They would be more vigilant. There would be no more surprise attacks.