Chapter 4

Korelia

The Imperium that had lasted for over one thousand years was falling apart. Its rule diminished as it siphoned more and more wealth into the capital, leaving only crumbs for the rest of the populace.

As it decayed, the border regions were hit the hardest. Neglected, but pressured by harsh tax and labor obligations, many places became abandoned and left to ruins.

All over the continent, there were signs of unrest. The nomadic uprising in the western part was left unchecked by the Imperium for two decades. To the north, the ever tenacious northerners defied the Imperium Court and annexed neighboring provinces with thinly veiled pretext.

The year was Elven Calendar 4425.

Unbeknownst to many, far from the center of Imperium, in the backwater province of Lowlandia, a man sprang into the stage. His name was Lansius, a man from a foreign background with little else to add.

In the eyes of the Imperium, Lowlandia with its infertile vast plains and the Great Marshes to its south, was a frontier without importance. It was akin to a lawless region where the local lords warred amongst themselves with little regard for the rule.

After Viscount Robert's surprising defeat, he conceded Korelia to the new victor. It was a small fief with meager resources but had strategic importance. With a questionable patent of foreign nobility, Midlandia claimed Lansius as the new Lord of Korelia.

Lansius' emergence destroyed the power balance in Lowlandia and every nobleman in the region knew that conflict was inevitable.

***

Lansius, the Lord of Korelia

The blue cloudless sky over Korelia was something to behold. The place, the sky, and the climate were nothing I ever encountered before. Outside of the city, there was only grass that stretch for miles and miles wherever I looked. It was as if Korelia was the only city with humans in it.

As the sun grew higher on the eastern horizon, the light warmed my body. I sat still in front of a rectangular field tent whose gray-colored canvas flapped as the wind breezed. From there, I watched the entire scope of the defensive building project. Several hundred men dug around the west side of Korelia. Another hundred dug around the southern part of the town. There were also another hundred who cut and gathered wood for the picket fence.

Troops and townsfolk worked together in this venture. All were paid equally, there was no forced labor in this project. Some had said this kind of practice was unheard of, but I pay no heed to such sentiment. I had put some thoughts and believed it was better to spend more if it could gather trust, avoid sabotage, or prevent dissident.

Also, paid labor worked faster and was more reliable. They also managed themselves fairly efficiently. I had told them I needed the work to be at least halfway ready before winter sets in and they were fairly right on schedule.

Another factor was the quick harvest time in Korelia. The town didn't have big farmland, thus before winter, I had the town's full labor at my disposal.

A black billowing smoke attracted my attention. They were the blacksmiths’ whom I had invited from out of town. Korelia needed lots of nails and bolt heads for the projects. While the local smiths couldn’t produce swords or armors, they could do simple repairs and maintenance.

There was also another project under Calub to build workshops. We wanted to employ craftsmen, artisans, and volunteers to produce crossbow parts.

A horse neigh brought me back from my observation. I glanced and saw a friendly silhouette approaching.

“I see that you’re well enough to go outside today," Audrey greeted me. A hint of a smile was on her lips as proceeded to cover me with a fur coat.

“Ah, thanks.” The added warmth felt pleasant.

“Mm, perhaps you shouldn’t be out here for too long,” she commented.

“Do I look that pale?” I asked.

“Well, it’s always wise to prevent," Audrey said with a smug.

“You sound like Calub. Lemme check your forehead for fever," I said while resisting a chuckle.

My jest was shot down by her cold stare. “Not funny, you're bedridden on and off for almost two weeks. Everybody is horrified, you know."

“I know. I’m sorry to make you worry," I replied apologetically.

Standing to my right, Audrey looked stylish in her tailored black gambeson. Barely a few months old, it was a gift from Bengrieve, our benefactor. Contrasting that, a worn belt adorned her slim waist. The same belt that she had worn when we first met four years ago.

“Was the battle that hard on you?” she asked.

Our eyes met and as usual, I averted first. Her gaze was exceptional. She would win any staring contest if there was one.

“Well, the battle is gruesome, but what shocked me most is the aftermath," I confessed. That thought alone was enough to provoke some bad gruesome memories. Only around fifty fell in battle, but a hundred and sixty-one died afterward from blood loss, infection, and gangrene.

Despite Calub’s alcohol and my knowledge of sanitation, we still lost that many.

If only I had the gift of magic... I know it exists in this world, I've seen it with my own eyes.

“I seriously think that you got sick because you worked too hard." Audrey tried to console me.

“Is that so?” I replied with mixed feelings.

“You were doing so many things, taking care of the wounded, also the hostages.”

“What can I do? I can’t have our men bleed out. And we can’t treat Robert and his men badly since I wanted them as allies.”

“See? You're doing too much," she said softly. “Next time put more faith in your subordinates. After all, it’s not your first time leading men into battle.”

The last part troubled me somewhat. “The first time was against slavers. I have no pity for them. This time it’s different... I don’t have issues with Robert’s men.”

“Well, we're not fighting without a cause. It’s to get our home back, right? It’s a noble cause.”

Her answer didn’t bode well with me. However, modern thinking wasn't applicable here. I reminded myself that Audrey was born and grew up in this feudal world. “Trampling other people to advance our cause isn’t exactly noble."

It provoked a sigh and a bitter look from Audrey. “The nobles fight and men died all the time for lesser causes. A little blood on our hands is tame compared to them.”

She stated a fact, not a biased view. Nevertheless my stomach churl. “I’m not cold-blooded. Seeing men die haunts me," I said more to myself while looking at the distance.

“You’re a softie you know," she remarked casually.

“Sorry, but not sorry.“

“Hey, I didn’t mean bad." Audrey turned around to face me. "I mean, I actually liked it that way.”

Her words made me speechless.

“What’s the word…? Ah, compassion! Perhaps you’re the rare type of noble who could rule with one.”

“I take that as a compliment?”

“Rightly so, My Lord," she exclaimed while baring a rare cute smile.

Then I realized I too had been smiling. I had to admit that her compliment was effective.

Am I that desperate for a show of affection? A pat on the back?

The wind blew past us again. Audrey's shoulder-height hair swayed from the wind.

“Tell me, Audrey, are we doing the right thing? You know well that I just want a place to live, somewhere peaceful."

“You still thinking about returning to village life?” she asked with a straight face.

“I have to say that I still fancy the idea.” To live as a hunter in some distant village was my go-to escapist imagination. Away from the burden of medieval politics, free from responsibility and guilt.

“I only see hardships. Hunting weekly, butcher the game, stitch my own torn cloth. Stuck on rainy seasons and only visiting town a few times a year for supply," she said grimly.

That made me chuckle.

“I rather live in a big city with a servant who does groceries. But then I prefer to eat out when the weather's nice. Also, watch plays or go to the festival. Trust me, I’ve been there. Secluded life isn’t fun," she finished her tirade.

“And how about cooks, you often say it’s a necessity?”

“Indeed. I need one who would indulge me with a variety of seasonal dishes for lunch. Glazed fire pit roast for supper. And don't forget a maid who’ll help this lady bathe and dress.”

The image of this stiff-faced cavalry captain being pampered like a princess sent me into a fit of laughter.

Usually, she would hit me when I laughed at her expense, but this topic was an exception. She looked proud at her jest, even delighted. It was her dream and there was nothing wrong with it.

In reality, she already had her fill. Growing up without a family, losing her Knight Master, being a victim of war twice. Even almost sold into slavery.

“The castle is over there, princess." Half teasing, I pointed at Korelia, now our home and castle.

“Yes, I noticed, My Lord. Shall we return then? You know, the locals spoke ill of the winds in this season? They said it carried breath diseases, even miasma.”

I smiled at her suggestion. Frankly, I still wanted to observe the work, but I couldn’t reject her concern anymore. “Alright then, lead the way, Captain."

I stood up from my simple folding chair and followed her. A Page boy and the cup-bearer girl were ready with our horses.

Audrey and I rode while the entourage along with three guards walked behind.

“Tell me, do you hear any words from Anci?" I asked as we rode slowly toward the castle.

“From him? Nope. Should I expect some?”

“Nah, it’s fine. I’m just hoping for news, that’s all.”

“It’s not his style to leave words unless urgent," Audrey said about her compatriot.

“Hah, that’s true. Do you reckon he’s still in Midlandia?”

“Not sure. They wanted to reach Capital quickly, so they might travel now and spend winter in Elandia.”

Anci was summoned back to provide security for VIPs, including his own Knight Master. Traveling to the capital was usually safe, but these days there were outlaws and rumors of rebels.

Our horses slowly climbed into the hill. Soon the sturdy oaken gate came into view along with the stone curtain walls. Both had weathered and battered looks. The castle had endured many sieges. Some were victories, but many more were losses.

***

Korelia Castle

“What do you think about our Lord’s relation with Audrey?" Hugo asked Calub from across the table. There were only two of them in the Small Council Chamber.

“Eh, why ask that all of sudden?" Calub asked without removing his sights from the scroll at hand.

“Well, I just think it might be good if they marry." Hugo chuckled afterward.

“Ah, but the plan is to wed Lansius to a nobleman’s daughter and secure his position as nobility. I believe Lord Robert’s daughter is the prime candidate," Calub explained.

“I know that. But that plan will take a while. Right now, the gossip is wild, I tell you.”

“Really?" Calub asked while eying Hugo directly.

“Well, for a young and successful lord without a lover. There are whispers about his virility." Hugo chuckled again.

Calub scoffed. “Give the man a break. He should have a good reason.”

“That’s the thing. Why does he remains a virgin, it's unhealthy you know?" Hugo grinned, but he had exhausted the topic.

Without saying anything more, the two resumed their work. With Lansius still recovering, they were the ones who were dealing with day-to-day issues. There were troops to house, feed, and clothe for winter. Also, several other projects were underway.

Understandably, Calub did most of the work. As a member of the Merchant-Alchemist guild, he was highly educated. Meanwhile, Hugo's background was just a squire.

“Ugh... Not Good...” After a long time of silence, Calub groaned while dropping a scroll into the table.

“Workshops problems?” Hugo asked.

“No, it’s bigger. The food price keeps rising," Calub answered as he rested his back against the chair.

Hugo knitted his eyebrows. “But the harvest is not even last month?”

“Indeed, but the price won’t come down.”

“That’s funny... Then do we need to buy supplies from other towns?” Hugo threw his suggestion.

“I'm afraid we can't. The letters say it’s the same everywhere.”

“In all Lowlandia? Calub, this doesn’t sound right...” Hugo started to realize the gravity of the situation. Without food, their situation could destabilize quickly. "What can we do about this?"

“Not much I’m afraid. The merchants noticed the disturbance and kept their stock tight," Calub said pessimistically.

Hugo exhaled deeply. His instinct told him that these coincidences were somehow related. “Do you suspect foul play?”

“Indeed. We know that few lords are behind big merchants. I suspect they want to limit our supply. Probably they’re planning for a siege next year," Calub voiced his fear.

“Have our Lord heard about this?" Hugo asked while standing up from his seat

“Oh, spare him. The man just got better yesterday. I have no heart to tell him this,” Calub answered, but he knew that he was at his wit's end.

“I’ll talk to Audrey first. This is far too urgent.” Hugo left the chamber and went looking for Audrey.

He thought the situation was grave enough. Korelia townsmen weren’t wealthy enough to have food surpluses. Most depended on trading their livestock for grains to survive winter.

If grain prices were too high then nobody could afford it. The presence of their troops in Korelia would further escalate the shortage.

Famine was one of the most haunting words in their world. If those were to happen to Korelia, then every strategy they possessed wouldn’t save them from utter destruction.

***