Chapter 24

Sinews of War

Autumn arrived in Korelia, signaling the coming of harvest. This year, despite lackluster production, the celebration was merrier than usual because of their recent victory and the official recognition.

The Imperium sanctioned Lansius' position as Baron and he immediately appointed his top retinues to Knighthood and Squirehood.

Hugo was Knighted in absentia as he was in Korimor. Liam and Carla were recognized as Squire.

But the most celebrated was Calub’s Knighthood. As a good treasurer who worked hard to make sure any payments were on time and without any shenanigans, he was popular.

His Knighted followed by his marriage to Cecile, the late Sir Callahan’s daughter who was fondly remembered by the townsfolk. Autumn was a happy day for Korelia’s people.

...

The festivities hid the coming of many master masons from several areas. They convened at the request of the Lord of Korelia. Many proposals were submitted and revised during the week-long harvest celebration.

Despite the rumors, the master masons found the Lord and Lady to be likable. They were down-to-earth and reasonable.

What they wanted was a functional and cost-effective design for a castle. The Lord especially disliked ornamental pieces that served no function.

This would undoubtedly hurt the master masons’ profit margin, but it sparked great interest. Most nobles wanted a castle to show project grandeur, wealth, prestige, or power.

That meant grand archways, alabaster marbles, or fine sculptors. Those were mostly artisans' work.

Master masons’ passion was to make a defensive structure. They found kinship in Lord Lansius whose approach was in line with their idea.

Aside from walls, the master masons designed multiple wells, cisterns, well-ventilated storage areas, and even several anti-tunneling methods.

There was no grandeur or a cutting-edge one. Instead, they relied on designs that were proven to work, things that were robust and easy to maintain.

When the blueprint was done, everybody realized that the Lord of Korelia wasn’t making a castle to live in, he was making a fortress.

***

Korelia Castle

The coaches, lesser carriages, and escorts were ready in the castle courtyard. Half of them bore the emblem of twelve silver dragons on a red banner. Others flew the banner of Arvena, two diagonal white and two diagonal blue with a castle in the center.

From inside the castle first came the squires, the knight, and then the Lord and Ladies, followed by the rest of their entourage.

They were having a small chat as they walked toward the courtyard. The discussion was light and filled with smiles and chuckles.

Lady Felicity in traveling attire stopped in front of the coaches and looked back at the castle. “I can’t believe it’s already been one year,” she said nostalgically.

The other smiled at her words.

“I hope this isn’t the last time I set foot on Korelia,” she said without sounding bitter.

“Lady Felis, you’re always welcomed here,” Lord Lansius reassured her. “Next time you visit, probably the eastern castle will be ready.”

“When that time arrives I hope to see little Lans or little Drey running around,” Felis said with a mischievous grin.

Lansius could only smile sheepishly.

“We’re working on it. I’ll send word when it happens,” Audrey answered without getting embarrassed.

The two Ladies giggled and held hands afterward. “Oh, My Lady, I’m going to miss you.”

“I as well, Lady Felis. Please take care out there, Midlandia isn’t safe. Always watch your back and remember to ask Hannei to help you out.”

The two Ladies spent some time saying farewell.

Meanwhile, the Lord was conversing with Sir Calub who was also in traveling attire. “Are you all set?”

“I am, My Lord.”

“You sure, you don’t want to bring Cecile with you?”

“It’s an interesting proposal, but we have our responsibilities. Maybe some other time.” Calub smiled while getting a glimpse of his wife.

“Well, I won’t bother you anymore, please say your farewells.” Lansius left Calub and Cecile to say their farewells.

The newlywed moved to the side and shared some private words between them.

The Lord found Sir Anci on the side. The two chuckled before even saying anything.

“You know I still can’t believe that Lord Bengrieve didn’t tell you that Hannei accompanying Lady Felis.”

“Probably slips up, but meh… probably intentional,” Anci replied and they chuckled again.

“Sir Anci, keep Lady Felis safe, and don’t you dare die.”

“Eazy! You too, My Lord.”

Before the sun was getting warmer, the coaches, carriages, and cavalry escorts started their journey back to Midlandia.

The castle staff, guards, and townsfolk were cheering and praying for their safe journey.

***

White Lake

Michael had been the favorite of the White Lake nobility since he was a boy. Born from a respectable House, he didn’t shirk study and duty.

However, his once stellar reputation was no more. Last year, as the Marshall he had lost the war against Lansius’ much smaller force.

Lord Robert had not blamed him, but that didn’t save him from the wrath of other noblemen. Many had lost their father, sons, or other relatives in the war.

Thus Michael had been removed from court and disgraced. Likewise, his betrothal to Robert's daughter was called off.

One year had passed.

In summer, the news of Lansius' miraculous second victory reached White Lake. How Lansius defeated six-thousand with just nine-hundred in a day was widely speculated by everyone. But it was clear that he was an unstoppable juggernaut.

In relation to this, Michael’s past defeat was seen in a better light. His reputation was slightly redeemed. However, Michael wouldn’t enjoy this newfound solace. He was going to leave White Lake.

Lord Robert had wished to maintain an amicable relationship between White Lake and Korelia. That was the formal pretext. Informally, Robert wanted to reinforce his prestige as Lansius’ main ally in Lowlandia.

Thus, as a gift for Lansius’ victory, White Lake had arranged the recruitment of seventy horsemen to join Korelia. Michael was deemed fit to be the leader of this group.

After Michael had fulfilled the summon, he met Astrid to say farewell. Their betrothal was no more, but Robert allowed their meeting.

The two met in the private garden. Only the usual lady in waiting and the old swordsman were present in the far corner.

Astrid rushed to her ex-fiancé once she had seen him entering the garden.

“Michael, your eye, is it not getting better?” Astrid asked about Michael's left eye which was covered with a leather brown eye patch.

“It’s alright, my Lady. I lost an eye but I gained valuable experience.” Michael smiled at her affection. It had been one year since they last met.

“But... your eye… Should I get someone to look after you?”

“There’s no need to bother you, my Lady. Your knight just wants to bid farewell,” he said softly while silently admiring Astrid’s beauty.

Astrid noticed Michael’s gentle eyes and cast hers downward. “Michael, I wish it could end differently for us.”

“It’s nobody’s fault but mine. I blame nobody for my misfortune,” Michael stated clearly.

For a time nothing was said between them. Michael looked longingly at Astrid. This was probably the last time they could see each other like this. Astrid was of age, soon she would be wed to someone worthy.

“I heard you’re joining Lord Lansius’ army… It’s a long journey to Korelia. Can I get you anything, medicine or a fur coat?” Astrid bit the side of her lips.

Michael felt Astrid's concern and was moved. He never thought Astrid still had feelings for him. “My Lady, if I could regain my honor back. Would you still accept my hand?” he said what he truly wanted.

Astrid blushed. She didn’t expect Michael would say those things. She looked elsewhere to calm herself down.

The garden was lackluster this fall, the Hyacinths and Daffodils were not showing their colors. But there was a small row in the corner where a type of flower dared to defy the rest. The white Cyclamen flower was blooming early.

“Sir Michael, don’t take too long or Mother will arrange another marriage,” she said in a formal tone.

“To the Lord of Korelia?”

“No, Lord Lansius has rejected my father’s proposal.”

“Outrageous! Surely there has been some mistake?” Hearing the girl of his life getting rejected made Michael furious without thinking.

“Michael!” Astrid rebuked him.

Michael coughed to mask his earlier outburst.

“The messenger said that the Lord of Korelia has two noblewomen in his court. Both are blonde and one even has the bluest of eyes.”

“High noble daughters?” Michael couldn't believe his hearing.

Astrid nodded and this made his jaw drop. Michael knew Lansius was a big shot, but he didn’t realize the difference was that vast.

Then there was no shame in serving him, Michael thought. This also meant that Astrid and Michael could still happen.

“I will do my utmost, my Lady. Please wait for good news from me,” Michael said with conviction.

“Don’t throw yourself into danger. I’m not worth your life,” Astrid replied while hiding her face.

“Farewell then, my Lady.” Michael bowed deeply and left the garden.

That day, Michael led seventy cavalrymen into Korelia. Few of his friends and long-time retinues were following him.

Their fortunes were tied up to him just like how Michael’s now tied up to Lansius.

***

Korelia Castle

This was Michael’s first time in Korelia Castle. He noticed the decorum wasn’t as strict or formal as in White Lake. He had wanted to present himself to the Lord of this castle, but the midday court session was over.

However, he was led to the training hall. Presumably, the Lord of Korelia was there, but Michael couldn’t find anyone befitting a man of his stature.

Michael sat on the bench and was intrigued by the training session which was fast and brutal.

The two combatants in full armor were ducking it out. They were clearly experienced from their quick footsteps and swift counter. But one was almost always at the receiving end.

A powerful blow knocked the weaker one down. The fallen combatant raised his hand to stop the fight.

“It’s a good fight,” Michael commented to the staff beside him.

“That’s the Lord," the staff informed him.

“Eh, really?” Michael was surprised that the Lord received such a beating on training. “Who was the instructor?”

“Oh, it’s the Baroness,” the staff said with a wide grin.

Michael dropped his jaw and the staff had their satisfaction.

The winner of the fight removed the helmet and revealed her face.

“You said you’re not feeling well today!” The one on the floor protested after getting up. Without the helmet, his well-known dark brown hair was there for all to see.

Michael easily confirmed the lord’s identity.

“Ha, excuses!” The Lady said with a grin and grabbed a goblet of water from a squire.

“Again,” the Lord said energetically after gulping his drink.

The two donned their helmets and sparred again.

….

“So you are Sir Michael?” Lord Lansius asked in an informal session. They were still in the training hall and the lord was still in his arming doublet.

“Indeed, My Lord.”

“The name sounds familiar, have we met?”

“I’m, Lord Robert’s ex Marshall. The ones whom My Lord had defeated last year.”

“Oh,” Lansius mumbled.

Michael could only nod.

“So what brings you up here, Sir Michael? Is there no feeling of hate toward me?”

“I have long buried that past, My Lord. I’m humbly only here to serve,” Michael said from his heart.

Lansius looked at him for a while before speaking. “Tell me, Michael, who do you truly serve?”

“I beg your pardon, My Lord?” The question wasn’t hard, but it was tricky. Michael knew better ask and hope for a rephrase.

“Who do you truly fight for, yourself, someone else?” Lansius clarified.

Michael’s single eye looked down while he gathered his courage. “It’s for Lady Astrid of White Lake,” he confessed cleanly.

“I knew her. Who is she to you?”

“Until last year, we were promised a betrothal. But-“

Lansius’ hand tapped Michael on the shoulder. “Not good.”

Michael’s heart sank. He realized he shouldn’t be that open.

“It’s not good for two lovers to be separated. Tell me, does Lady Astrid still love you?”

The words jolted Michael. “S-she told me to be quick, or else the Lady’s mother would arrange marriage to another man.”

Michael’s answer made Lansius chuckle. “Welcome aboard then. We shall talk later to decide on your post. I hope you’re okay with that, Sir Michael?”

Lansius offered an open hand and Michael gladly clasped hands with the lord. The matter from last year truly ended.

…

Michael had expected a spot in the cavalry, but he ended up in an advisory role.

It seemed that Lansius lacked retainers with good writing and documenting skills. Michael gladly accepted the role.

He knew that with only a single good eye, his fighting skill was limited. Without depth perception even aiming a crossbow was difficult.

His first job was to take over from Sir Calub who was on a double job to supervise his new manor while on a recovery trip to Midlandia.

Michael spent his days reading in the Small Council Chamber. There was a lot to catch up on. He didn’t need to read everything, but he needed to know where everything was.

Plans to make walls on the ditches' site were neatly stacked in a cabinet. Next to it were the plans for the new eastern castle.

There were also the usual records for grain storage, crossbow parts, and payments, all meticulously documented.

Knock-knock!

“Yes, come,” Michael answered.

Someone nervously peeked through the door. He was Michael’s personal messenger.

“It’s okay, Mikhail, you may enter. What do you bring for me today?”

“L-letter, Sir.”

Michael rose from his seat and approached the door. The rather short Mikhail refused to enter.

People who didn’t know Mikhail would take him as a boy due to his stature. Fittingly, he was also timid.

There were two reasons why Michael had picked such a man. First, they had similar names, which he found funny. Secondly was his fast running that rivaled a donkey.

Mikhail was useful for reconnaissance or things that required speedy feet.

If only he isn’t such a scaredy-cat.

“I-I’ll be going, now.” Mikhail shut the door behind.

Michael returned to his seat and broke the purple wax seal. It was directed to the Lansius House and not the Lord personally.

He read and suddenly rose in shock. The number of things happening outside of Lowlandia was mind-bending.

“How could this happen,” Michael reacted as he read the entirety of the letter.

Things turned south for the Imperium, so much so that Lord Bengrieve had to ask Lansius for assistance. Problem was, what Bengrieve asked was simply impossible.

Michael felt the chill in the air. He rushed to the door and ran to find his lord.

...

End of Autumn 4426, before the trouble in Centuria and Arvena could be addressed, two other provinces destabilized. Nicopola fell into famine after three years of bad harvest and brought the neighboring Elandia into turmoil.

The loss Nicopola and Elandia, each as large as a kingdom on their own, strained the Imperium’s lifeline. Strategically, the Capital was threatened to be cut off from the rest of its territory.

Like a whale on her dying breath, the Imperium took another breath and sailed down to the deep abyss, not knowing whether she could resurface again.

***