Chapter 69

Year 163 – Fall – Quintus Mensis – 46th day

Rock Eden, town of House Strahlend, land of the Cordillera

Each day, the citizens were cleaning the snow in the morning and mining gold in the afternoon. In a few days, Bilfrith Krain had seen more gold move around to be minted into Utos than in his entire life. Carts of gold were being left on the side of the road like it was nothing, to be later picked up by the same miner. Since his vassalization, Bilfrith Krain’s work had been near to nonexistent. Thorkel and his men had been following Rock Eden’s military training and had received high-end military equipment.

Bilfrith Krain was taking a walk in the highest garden when a henchman came to him.

The henchman – “A million apologies, Sir Krain, but Lord Strahlend requests your presence.”

Bilfrith Krain – “Where is he?”

The henchman – “In the main hall, sir.”

Bilfrith Krain – “Good, you are dismissed.”

The henchman – “Yes, sir.”

Bilfrith Krain looked at his reflection in the large artificial pond of water. He tried to make a proud face, yet he couldn’t. He spat in his blurry reflection and left to meet his new lord. When he arrived, Lord Strahlend was eating. A girl was playing a strange instrument filled with tiny ropes.

Lord Strahlend – “Bilfrith, tell me, have you been enjoying your free time?”

Bilfrith Krain – “It is mundane and cold, yet the small lake doesn’t seem to freeze. Why is that?”

Lord Strahlend – “It is highly saturated in salt. It will partly freeze eventually. It slows down the evaporation of the water, and before anything, it is needed for the Celestial Traders to land with their supplies six months out of eight.”

Bilfrith Krain – “I suppose they won’t pass again this year?”

Lord Strahlend – “They passed about four or five days before your arrival, and no, they won’t pass until next year. Well, in any case, I have a mission for you.”

Bilfrith Krain – “And what might it be?”

Lord Strahlend ate a few more bites of chicken and drank another sip of wine before grabbing a tissue to wipe his mouth. Once he was cleaned, he clapped his hand, and a servant came to pick up his unfinished meal.

Lord Strahlend – “I never get tired of these things. You must know what it feels like, right?”

Bilfrith Krain – “I’ve never felt the need for it.”

Lord Strahlend – “I recall the Frey had a large ale production.”

Bilfrith Krain – “Indeed.”

Lord Strahlend – “Then we shall take it back as well.”

Bilfrith Krain – “What do you expect of me?”

Lord Strahlend – “Yes! The mission . . . Bona-Fide is undergoing an uprising due to a certain cultist who arrived last year. In order to maintain control within the capital, the Union has agreed to some requests of the citizens. Most of these requests don’t affect us directly, but among them is the request to halt the conscription until next year. Therefore, the Union numbers are limited to fight the Kalator rebellion. That being said, the Union has an army of conscripts with two years of experience stationed in Fort Kwerih. They are 800 in size, and I have provided Bona-Fide with more funding in exchange for the command of that army. I’ve required it to be moved to Fort Wind-River, on the Ponterona’s border. As my vassal, you will go there and take command under my name. Your task will be to train them and lead them to battle with the coalition army of the Union. Once we have Avem, this army will be stationed in Avem under your command and will allow you to set the stones in place so that we can remain in control of both the Vale and the Frey.”

Lord Nikolas Strahlend then pulled out a letter with the Union seal on it and gave it to Bilfrith Krain.

Bilfrith Krain – “What does it say?”

Lord Strahlend – “It is an approval by the High-Magistrate of Bona-Fide to give me command of those 800 men. You could be there at any time, but Fort Wind-River is an estate of House Ponterona. To avoid unnecessary complications, I’d rather you arrive there early. You will be able to pass the whole winter there and wait for my orders.”

Bilfrith Krain – “You want me to travel through Fresh-Bay?”

Lord Strahlend – “No, you will go south through East-Burry, then west through Shatter-Wood, and finally north to Fort Wind-River. It should take you about 22 days to reach your destination safely. The Union army is to depart from Fort Kwerih 20 days from now, so they should reach Fort Wind-River around six or seven days after your arrival, which will give you plenty of time for the formalities. You’ll have strong horses for the travel as well as a few more of my soldiers.”

Bilfrith Krain – “And what will happen to my men?”

Lord Strahlend – “Thorkel will be in charge of their case. You’ll get them back once your task is completed. Take it as an opportunity to make these 800 men yours. It would be a shame to let them run back to the Union after so much effort. You can promise them a good life within the Vale. Nothing too frivolous, of course, but a good life nonetheless could be in their reach.”

Bilfrith Krain – “I’ll make it happen.”

Lord Strahlend – “Good.”

Bilfrith Krain – “When am I to leave?”

Lord Strahlend – “Today. I made bags with your clothing. Three of my henchmen and eight of my soldiers will go with you. You will also have to carry a large shipment of grain to the fort to replenish their reserves. They already have sufficient salted pork from what I’ve heard, but their grain is running low.”

Bilfrith Krain – “I will carry my duty and take back Avem.”

Bilfrith Krain then bowed before leaving the room.