Chapter 25

A breeze caressed Gerald's face as he sat in the keep's garden. It was a kind day in the middle of the summer, merciful in its heat and generous with its winds. Gerald enjoyed the cool breeze with his eyes closed. A month had passed since the battle in the east. After the battle, the other bandits had hidden in their camps most of the time. He assumed that they were expecting him to strike while the iron was hot. They would then unite together to repel him. But confronting them wasn't a choice he was planning to make. He wasn't going to risk too many losses, not against bandits.

"My lord," a restrained voice drifted from behind as if trying not to startle him.

Gerald turned back and saw Gasper saluting him with a smile. "Gasper," Gerald said. "I've been waiting for you. Come and sit."

"Yes, my lord," Gasper said, approaching Gerald and taking a seat across from him.

"You have mostly recovered, yes?" Gerald said.

Gasper nodded. "My Warrior strength hasn't returned, but nobody can tell that I'm injured anymore."

"Your strength won't matter for the time being," Gerald said. "You have Uncle Rudolf with you to keep trouble in check. Bandits believe in strength. As long as your subordinates don't sense weakness from you, no one will rebel against your leadership. Most of the ones you have are just desperate refugees, though. I only sent Uncle Rudolf with you out of caution."

"I understand, my lord," Gasper said. "I've begun recruiting more men a few days ago as you've commanded."

"How many so far?" Gerald asked.

"500 men," Gasper said eagerly. "The silver has beguiled them, and promises of gold have given them even more spirit."

"Good," Gerald said. "Recruit as many as you can, no less than a thousand. You will be returning to the forest camp soon. Your crew has to grow enough to be recognized as the hegemon of the east."

Gasper rubbed his wrist as if thinking of something. "But," he began. "I believe those numbers are hollow, my lord. Even if I have more than 2000 men. They hardly know how to fight. Their brief training wouldn't amount to much in real combat."

"True," Gerald chuckled. "But it doesn't matter. You will have many opportunities to sharpen your men. For now, I ask no victories of you. You must become my hidden hand among those bandit crews. If they see strength in you and your crew, they will want you as an ally. They are still shaken by what happened in the east. That's why no one has claimed the empty territory. Even Robben Luwin has been cautious and hasn't stretched his hands there."

"If I may ask, my lord" Gasper said. "What will I do if I manage to ally myself with the bandits? Will I only inform you of what I know about them? After all, even if I become their ally, I don't believe that they will ever fully trust me. They wouldn't let me lead them into ambush, and turning them against each other isn't possible anymore."

"It's alright," Gerald said. "You would have to know the answer to that either way. Even if you can't lead the bandit crews into ambush, influencing their decisions will be enough for us. Influence can be a deadly weapon. Black Dog's decision to attack the Big Mountain brought the two bandits' downfall. A single decision can bring victory or defeat. So when the decisions are made, I want you there among the bandits. It also wouldn't harm knowing what they are thinking and if they are scheming something."

"Yes, my lord," Gasper said. "I will strive to gain their trust."

"I have prepared some arms for your new men," Gerald said. "You can talk to Arthur before leaving. He will tell you where to find them. I've handed you 1000 gold before. If you need more coin later, let Uncle Rudolf know."

"I will follow your commands, my lord," Gasper said.

Gerald smiled. "Your letter was delivered yesterday," he said. "I suppose your father should no longer be in mourning. You are a good son, Gasper."

"No, my lord," Gasper shook his head. "He is a good father. All he wanted was a good life for me. He wanted to have pride in his son. And now I endeavor to not shame him. He has given me everything." Gasper grew silent for a moment, his eyes wandering in thought. "Sometimes he would tell me about his days as merchant with a reminiscent smile. I know that he loved his trade. He abandoned it for me, and he spent almost every coin he had so that I could be what I am today."

"Is that why you didn't want to die?" Gerald said mildly.

"There was . . . " Gasper trailed off, his face anguished.

"There was no honor in that death," Gerald said. "Right?"

Gasper raised his head and met Gerald's eyes with guilt. "If I had died, he would have had nothing left. He always wished for me to become a knight, but I would have died at the hands of brigands. He would have found no pride in my sacrifice. I would have only brought him grief."

"There was no honor in dying that day," Gerald said with a smile. "And there was no shame in living through it. You judge yourself ruthlessly, Gasper. Unlike what you might believe, your father raised a fine man."

"Thank you, my lord," Gasper said, his voice shaky.

"There is nothing to thank me for. It is only the truth," Gerald said. "You have gifted me the heads of two bandit leaders. You only have to gift me with more, in due time. Then you will return to Ard a proud son."

Gasper stood and saluted. "Yes, my lord."

Gerald nodded for him to leave. After Gasper left, Gerald couldn't help but think of his days in the Andross empire. It was Uncle Rudolf who would come to his rescue at times of doubt. Whenever he'd questioned his value, it would be Uncle Rudolf who would assure him that he wasn't worthless. Perhaps Gasper could benefit from his time with the old steward.

"Should I have told him that I will have to attack his crew soon?" Gerald murmured to himself.