Horizon of War Series

Chapter 81: The Whispers in the Wind

The Whispers in the Wind

Audrey

After the meeting with Sir Morton, Audrey finally understood why Isolte, her Knight Master, had chosen her—a scrawny little servant from the outskirts of Elandia. She had assumed it was because she was born Centurian.

Located where the old capital of the first Imperium used to be, Centuria was worlds apart from the eastern part of the Imperium. Its people considered themselves more cultured than the rest of the human realm. The Centurians were reserved in attitude, never expressed disapproval directly, and were considered more courteous.

Little Stephania was anything but that. So, for her first year with Isolte, she held back from being herself. She tried to become the perfect Centurian girl: reserved, diligent, and unquestioning. Until one day, Isolte told her she was too stuck up.

Hearing that, Stefi dropped her facade, surprising Isolte with her brash and daring attitude. It was a fond memory that still warmed her heart. However, she now understood that Isolte had chosen her solely for her inborn power.

She had thought their special relationship, her hard work, and trust had led Isolte to make her an esquire. But now, knowing that Isolte could see her gifts, their relationship felt superficial and hollow.

“Talk to me, Drey,” Lansius said as Margo closed the door, leaving them alone in the small hall next to their bedchamber.

“It’s Isolte,” Audrey replied, sitting on the daybed. “I thought she chose me not for something I was born with.”

“I didn’t want them. I hate them. Every kid hated me. My uncle hated me. And the various masters I’ve served never let me work in the main house, only in the barn,” she said bitterly.

"Drey, that doesn't make what your Knight Master did for you any less valuable. She simply never had the opportunity to explain her reasons."

Audrey took a deep breath and rose, walking to the window to let the breeze calm her. After a moment, she glanced at Lansius. “You’re right. It’s foolish to linger on or blame her for this. She met an untimely end. That’s all.”

Her eyes narrowed as another thought crossed her mind. “But what about Hannei, or that Hunter Sir Stan invited?”

Her question led Lansius to massage his temples. The loss of trust was clearly bothering him.

“There are always layers of secrecy in Toruna,” Lansius replied after a while.

Audrey sighed, anger and frustration welling inside. "Too bad we can't confront them," she muttered.

“We don’t need to,” Lansius responded. “It’s fortunate that Sir Morton exercised such caution. We can keep this matter under wraps. They have their secrets. Now we have ours."

...

Lansius - Council Chamber

“No, I’m coming and that’s final,” said Audrey, placing her hands on the table.

“Somebody needs to lead Korelia,” Lansius argued.

Audrey looked at the other three council members and insisted, “Sir Justin, Calub, or Cecile can handle that.”

The trio shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Trying to keep the atmosphere from growing more tense, Lansius spoke in a half-pleading tone, “They’re not the Lord of the castle. But you are the Baroness.”

“I’m sure the Marshal holds high enough a rank,” said Audrey.

Sir Justin shook his head. “I’d rather go with My Lord. Though I may not possess your war acumen, I believe I’m competent enough to execute whatever plan you may have.”

Lansius drew a sharp breath. "The problem is, there's no plan. I must go and see for myself. At best, I've only got a diversion. Besides, Korelia is at even greater risk. I need capable people here, and you three are the best I've got to prevent riots."

Lansius noted how the weight of responsibility made the three slump in their seats.

Calub cleared his throat. “Sir Justin, I believe you have something to say about your mercenary friend?”

"Oh, right," Sir Justin said, his enthusiasm returning. "My Lord, I was thinking of inviting more of my Arvenian allies into Korelia. Men-at-arms and cavalry."

“As long as they’re loyal. But won’t that put us in competition with Lord Arte?”

Sir Justin paused for a moment before answering. “My Lord, not all Arvenians wish to return to Arvena. Given the current situation, many are looking to start anew, even in far-off places like Lowlandia.” Breaking a smile, he added, “Many are inspired by you, who made a name for yourself.”

Lansius was rather stunned. “Inspired by me?”

“That is correct. You’re a rising star, and everyone wants to align themselves with you,” Sir Justin replied.

Calub added, “I believe this is also why Lord Jorge and Lord Robert are competing to gain your trust, as are the guildsmen I’ve worked with. Even Tribesman Batu understands that.”

Nodding, Lansius slowly realized how his rising fame was starting to make a difference.

“That’s why you can’t afford to lose, My Lord,” warned Cecile cautiously. “A loss would undo all of this. Please reconsider your strategy for Korimor.”

“She’s right,” said Audrey. “In the end, Nicopola and Umberland are not your responsibility.”

Lansius sat there in silence, reevaluating his choices. Only afterward did he shift in his seat and lean back in his chair. “There’s no other way. I fear that more Nicopolans will move through Umberland, and while Korelia may remain safe, the entire east of Lowlandia might destabilize. It’ll invite new power and ruin our chance of peace.”

His words put his top retinue in check, but the Baroness wasn’t backing down. “So be it,” she said firmly. “Cecile, please tell Dietrich to prepare the light cavalry.”

Cecile rose and headed for the door.

Lansius opened his mouth to speak, but Audrey cut him off. “You promised.”

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Fighting off his guilt, Lansius tried to reason, “Please, be reas—”

Audrey cut him off again. “I’m pregnant!”

“What—WHAT?” Lansius shot up from his seat, his knee hitting the table. The pain was only eclipsed by his shock.

Cecile stopped at the door and turned around, her expression one of surprise. Lansius glanced at her, and she shook her head, signaling she had not been aware of this news.

Calub and Sir Justin sat awkwardly; normally they would offer congratulations, but the situation was far from normal.

"I don't want to raise my child alone," Audrey said awkwardly with cheeks flushed.

“But how? You haven’t even had your period this year,” Lansius asked, wincing from the pain but still in disbelief.

“Tsk--” Audrey clicked her tongue again.

Cecile snorted, Calub coughed awkwardly, and Sir Justin turned to look out the window, suppressing a laugh.

Eh...?

Lansius looked back at Audrey, who was avoiding his gaze and whistling nervously.

“Youuu!” he growled after realizing the lie. He felt drained and sank back into his padded chair.

I give up…

There was nothing that could restrain Audrey from exercising her authority in Korelia. As a Baroness and Captain, she could easily assemble her forces and follow him to Korimor. “Fine, if you’re that stubborn, you can come,” he relented.

“Alright!” Audrey slapped the table as if sealing a deal.

Lansius rubbed his temples and said, “Promise me never to do that again.”

“I promise,” Audrey softened, grinning broadly. “The next time you hear it, it will be real.”

The mood in the chamber improved drastically, and Calub seized the opportunity to excuse himself. "If you'll excuse me, My Lord, Lady, and Sir, I need to double check the supplies for the campaign."

"Gratitude, for the efforts," Lansius responded.

Calub looked at Lansius with a hint of worry but said nothing. Turning to Cecile, his fiancée, he offered a warm smile. "You should stay. I'll pass the word to Dietrich."

"Gratitude. Wear your hat out there; it's hot," Cecile replied, holding the door open for him.

“Will do,” said Calub, exiting the chamber.

Turning back to business, Lansius continued, “Cecile, since I’ll be away, could you write a letter for me?”

“Yes, My Lord.” Cecile retrieved a quill pen, ink, and parchment.

Lansius had promoted Cecile to Chamberlain due to her growing competence and his trust in her. Like her father, she had a knack for reading people, catching subtle gestures and unspoken cues.

Although Calub never officially held the position of Chamberlain, Cecile was taking over the bulk of his job. What remained was the treasurer role. The transition had been smooth, possibly due to their abilities or their close relationship.

While it wasn't good practice to employ husband and wife, Lansius was so out of talent that he had no other option. Only now he understood why nepotism was so prevalent in medieval times.

When Cecile was ready with the ink, quill pen, and parchment, Lansius dictated a letter to a guild in Midlandia, outlining his purchase order for the first two prototypes of spinning wheels.

Despite the crisis, he couldn't abandon his project. Developing, improving, and maturing a design requires a significant time. When peace ever arrived, he wanted this to be ready.

Soon, the letter was completed. Lansius promptly placed his hands on the table and addressed the room. "May I have your attention," he began. "Tomorrow, after meeting with the two lords, I will lead the remaining cavalry to Korimor. I'll rendezvous with Sir Harold to try and secure the area. Stay vigilant for trouble, both external and internal."

Lansius looked at each of them and saw nods of agreement. “Sir Justin, while I’m away, your priority is to maintain peace among the captured men and the forced laborers. To ease your burden, I’ll take a dozen of them who have shown a willingness to switch sides.”

He then turned to Cecile, adopting a more solemn tone. “If food becomes an issue—as we’re unlikely to have a good harvest—feel free to order more grain. Lastly, please look after Lady Felicity.”

After concluding the council meeting, Lansius noticed Audrey conversing with Cecile and Calub. He realized she wasn’t usually this obstinate.

Is it a wife’s intuition?

He felt the urge to intensify his preparations. Korimor could be far worse than he had imagined.

***

As Lansius had expected, his plan to lead a small reinforcement to Korimor came as no surprise. Furthermore, the two Lords had been in Korelia for an extended period and were quite ready to return home.

Soon, Lansius received word that the two Lords had decided to return the following day, likely to avoid the appearance of trying to occupy Korelia in his absence.

What he hadn't expected was a request from Lord Jorge. The Lord of Three Hills expressed his desire to tour the castle before departing from Korelia, and Lansius was happy to oblige.

He instructed Cecile to gather the old staff, many of whom still held fond memories of Lord Jorge and his family. With time running short, he then sent a rider to invite Lord Jorge to visit.

Accompanied by several horsemen, Lord Jorge rode to the castle. Upon arrival, only one knight, one squire, and a servant followed him inside. “It is very gracious of you to let me walk around the castle,” the dashing guest in full regalia remarked.

“Please, the castle is yours, My Lord,” Lansius replied as they strolled through the century-old corridors.

“Don’t address me so formally; I consider myself your peer,” Jorge said, clearly amused.

“I can’t do that, My Lord. I’m merely a vagabond borrowing your castle,” quipped Lansius.

Jorge chuckled at the jest and paused at an old stone column. “The castle feels larger in my memory. Now, even the corridors seem narrow, and the courtyard small,” he commented nostalgically.

Lansius could only nod in agreement.

“You would do well to enlarge this castle or perhaps build a bigger one,” Jorge suggested.

“I have plans for to build a Keep on the east side,” Lansius revealed. “When it’s finished, perhaps I should return this one to its rightful master.”

Jorge grinned at the offer. “This castle used to be my cradle, so I have some fond memories, but I won’t let my whimsical wish cause trouble.” Grabbing Lansius by the hand, he led him through the castle in a role reversal. With help from the old staff, they even found some hidden keepsakes from Jorge’s childhood.

Lansius felt a camaraderie with Jorge. Both were young leaders, burdened with immense responsibilities, striving to bring order and prosperity to their respective realms. There were matters only they, as lords of men, could discuss.

In this regard, Jorge treated Lansius as if he were a cousin, and Lansius hoped that this could serve as a solid foundation for their alliances.

As they were winding down in the Great Chamber, a messenger arrived, escorted by Sigmund. The messenger handed over a sealed letter in a cylindrical wood container.

A squire in Lord Jorge’s entourage accepted the letter and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” Jorge inquired, reading the letter from Three Hills and quickly dismissing it. “Ah, this nonsense again.”

“May I know what the tidings are?” Lansius asked.

“It’s silly, bordering on seditious,” said Jorge. “It’s unbelievable how even my family in the Capital was spouting unfounded rumors from the streets.”

Lansius listened seriously and Jorge took notice.

“It’s not worth your time, but if you’re interested...” He offered the letter to Lansius.

Lansius took the coarse paper and read the first part: The ageless one is dead, followed by other events that supposedly served as evidence. Some of the details were more convincing than Hannei’s last warning. He folded the letter and gave it back to Jorge. “It’s disturbing if true...”

“Indeed, but there might be some truth to it,” Jorge’s tone changed, now certain that Lansius was already aware of the issue.

“How so?” asked Lansius.

“In his previous letter, my nephew mentioned some unsettling changes in the capital. Ranking people went missing without a trace. Some even spoke of assassins.”

“It seems we’re living in dangerous times,” Lansius sighed at the grim news.

“Even for Lowlandians like me, this is starting to reek of the end of the Imperium,” said Jorge with a hint of frustration in his voice.

Lansius leaned back in his seat. "We don't have the power to intervene in the conflict. Not even Midlandia is that powerful. However, we can make Lowlandia a haven for our people."

Jorge nodded and raised his goblet without saying anything. Lansius followed and both drank their goblet.

“When will you depart?” Jorge asked.

“Tomorrow, as soon as my preparations are done.”

Jorge mulled and promised, “After I've reached Three Hills I’ll send my men to Umberland to see the situation. I’ll also post a messenger to link up with you in Korimor. While my troops are exhausted, I could still muster several hundred men-at-arms if you wish to use them.”

“Gratitude, but don’t let your guard down. Keep Sir Morton close at all times,” Lansius advised.

Jorge nodded, and the two lords continued their conversation. As the sun began to wane, Jorge declined the invitation for supper in the castle, preferring the company of his men.

As Jorge rode back to his camp with his entourage, Lansius couldn’t help but think about the weight of the rumors that had possibly spread to Elandia and Tiberia. Now, with threats at the border, feuding nobles, famine, and the death of the Emperor, the continuation of the Imperium seemed unlikely.

Lansius shuddered as the red sunset cast its glow over the entire western plains of Korelia. His entourage formed around him, shielding their lord and champion who would leave them the next day.

Without Lansius, many were worried about the fate of Korelia. So much was at stake, and pessimism grew that the glory days were already fleeting and an age of strife was returning.

***