Chapter 138

Clear Clouds, Lurking Shadows

Umberland Mountain Pass

After an hour of riding along a rather expansive mountain path, Lansius found himself greeted by a peak where Dietrich paused, turning to the Lord and Lady with a proposal. "My Lord, Lady, would you care to take a moment for a view from above?" he asked.

It was a minor detour from their intended route, yet Lansius, recognizing the strategic value of a bird's eye view, agreed without hesitation.

The Lord and Lady, along with a small entourage, veered off the main path. Due to the boulders, they dismounted and proceeded on foot. The guards went ahead to secure the area, while Audrey initiated a conversation, "You sure treat those men well. A house and land."

"Well, somebody needs to grow crops. And according to the records, they're the best we've got," Lansius explained, holding her hands firmly since the rocky path could be slippery with moss.

"Is that why the scribes have been so busy?"

"Yes, they've been poring over the records, compiling a list."

She reflected, "Five hundred names is quite the list."

"Indeed. And there are several hundred more for the other two villages."

"How are they selected?" she asked as a strong wind buffeted them.

"It's based on their farming knowledge, their work in South Hill, and whether they have families following as camp followers."

Audrey nodded. "And for the rest of the men? What will you offer them?"

Lansius smiled. "What do you think?"

"Money?" she ventured.

"That or a bit of land, though not in Umberland, as it's not mine to give."

They descended steps into an opening that provided a clear view of the land below.

Ahead, Dietrich's pace quickened until he reached a prime vantage point. "We're fortunate," he exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face. "This morning, clouds obscured the view, but now, the skies have graced us with clarity."

Before them, the landscape unfolded like a vast tapestry. To the east was Elandia, its lands a vibrant mix of lush green and dark olives.

"It looks serene and beautiful," Audrey remarked, her hazelnut eyes shining with radiance.

"No conflict, no hunger, no wars," Lansius added.

One Umberland man drew their attention by pointing his hand toward the west and declared, "My Lord and Lady, Nicopola."

The horizon to the west was a complex mosaic of squares—patches of farmland, clusters of villages, and the distant silhouette of towns and, perhaps, cities. There were rivers that sparkled against the sunlight. The cold mountain wind breezing past them completed the picture.

Lansius, with a strategic eye, surveyed the expanse, noting the key positions, the lay of the land, and how it could potentially influence military decisions.

"It's even more beautiful," Audrey observed from beside him.

"Have you ever visited there?" Lansius asked.

"Unfortunately, no. My master and I frequented Elandia, but never Nicopola."

Lansius took a moment to appreciate the sheer majesty of the surroundings. From this height, there were no markings of troubled years and chaos.

As the moment passed, he turned back, signaling it was time to continue their march.

...

They returned to the mountain path. Carla, insisting on joining, was ready with Audrey's ringmail. As agreed, she would wear it instead of the plate armor that was deemed too constrictive. Meanwhile, the ringmail was easily adjusted for comfort.

The entourage's return was unexpectedly greeted by Servius and a crowd of men, the Dragoons from Nicopola, who had unintentionally blocked the way.

Seeing this, the men from Lowlandia under Dietrich quickly formed a human barricade, anticipating trouble. However, the crowd greeted them, "My Lord, My Lady," and then knelt to show they meant no harm.

Servius, with one knee on the rocky ground, pleaded passionately, "My Lord, you've seen Nicopola, my birthplace, the cradle of my ancestors. Won't you guide the province and save its people?"

"Servius, this issue again?" Lansius sighed. He wanted to rebuke the man but noticed even Audrey gave him a look.

"So, you also subscribe to this idea?" he muttered, hinting at his disappointment.

"Lans, call me a naive squire, but I know this is bigger than mere greed," she argued.

"Does nobody here feel that we're becoming reckless?" Lansius raised his voice, posing the question to his men and entourage. "We just united Lowlandia, and now we're going to risk it all for some adventurous ideas."

Audrey didn't respond, prompting Servius to voice his concern, "My Lord, if we remain idle, more people will die. Yet, you have the power to turn the situation around."

"Servius, you're aware of my limitations. I cannot take on two provinces and expect to govern both. My staff is stretched thin, lacking adequate provisions and talent."

"We could ration until the next harvest," pleaded one of the Nicopolans.

Another stepped forward. "We have good talents in Nicopola, My Lord. You need only to save them."

"They'll be loyal, My Lord," a third one spoke up, followed by a chorus of agreement.

"If My Lord is still troubled by the lack of an ally, then allow me to ride now. I'll go west and won't return until I can secure an alliance with the Lord of Dawn," Servius suggested.

"Are you out of your mind? We have yet to see if the bulwark truly surrenders, and nobody knows the latest situation in Nicopola," he tried to talk sense but looked around and saw the people remained hopeful. Everyone seemed to support this movement. Not even the Lowlandians were against it.

Aghast at the reaction, Lansius asked Servius, "What makes you think I'm capable of saving Nicopola?"

"Your capability is beyond doubt, My Lord. Korimor, South Hill, and we're even now learning about how you thwarted a coup in Three Hills. Your acumen alone is proof enough and your generosity is well known."

"I gave the houses and farms so they could provide food for the bulwark. My intent was only to seal the mountain pass, not to venture beyond that," Lansius clarified. "If I venture there, then many more will die, and there's no guarantee I'll be able to help."

Servius' response was to open his arms wide, saying, "Most of my men have lost so much. What difference do more deaths among us make? What bothers us is losing our birthplace forever."

Hearing him, the men eagerly nodded.

"You can always return in better times," Lansius calmly argued.

"But by then, different warlords will occupy the land. Another Sergio or even worse could emerge. Now is the time, My Lord. Conquer it. Take part of the province, and we'll be loyal to you."

At that notion, the men cried in unison, begging the Lord to consent to their wishes and demands. So much so that Lansius was overwhelmed. He never expected to witness such unwavering commitment from his men.

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While he knew it was fueled by material reasons, he understood there were other motives, something beyond glory or gold.

Land is more than just a place to live; it's also the heart of a culture and a way of life. He recalled, realizing that for these men, the land was worth more than he could possibly imagine.

Audrey came into view, her expression serious. "I pity them, but I'll obey your decision." Her hand rested on her hilt. "We're on the march, and time is fleeting. Say the word, and I'll bring them to order."

Dietrich's men moved forward, attempting to disperse the crowd, but the Nicopolans unexpectedly drew their swords.

Tension hung thick in the air as Dietrich's men also reached for their blades in response.

"Everyone, hold! Calm down!" Servius warned.

"Enough!" Lansius echoed. The standoff paused, all eyes on him as he walked past Dietrich and his men toward Servius. "Brothers against brothers," he openly rebuked them before pulling Servius to his feet.

"My Lord," Servius rose with anxiety and regret, knowing they had almost clashed.

"Servius, let's make our decision after we secure the mountain pass. We also need the latest information on Nicopola. I refuse to commit to anything blindly."

Lansius spoke with conviction, yet internally, he was in turmoil. He had unwittingly walked into a possible mutiny without any prior suspicion. This failure made him question his judgment. He realized he had significantly miscalculated and even probably misplaced his trust.

As he stood there, supervising his men to return to their marches, Lansius continued to grapple with an internal crisis. He saw that the motivations of the Nicopolans had shifted. Initially content with food and surviving the winter, they now, in Lansius' eyes, appeared greedy, desiring to retake a portion of their home province.

Lansius had thought he could trust them, especially the men under Servius, whom he had better armed as a precaution against the more numerous Nicopolans from other factions. But now, they were the ones pushing to return.

He just couldn’t believe it. Instead of valuing the safety in Lowlandia, these people were willing to risk everything to return to Nicopola. This was certainly a serious issue since the sheer number of Nicopolans in his army could overpower his loyal Lowlandians. Even a portion of his Dragoons were of Nicopolan origin.

Only now was Lansius acutely aware of the precariousness of his position. In the event of a mutiny, they could take him or Audrey hostage, demanding their support along with the baggage train and supplies for their return to Nicopola. It would be a disaster for his House and a blow to his Grand Alliance.

For now, there was nothing he could do but try to find a solution and maintain control. However, he wasn't infallible.

The way Servius and his men conducted themselves had made Lansius lose his trust. Distrust began to gnaw at his heart and cloud his judgment.

***

Ancient Bulwark

While the situation with his own troops was still tense, beyond everyone's wildest expectations, the Nicopolans in the bulwark surrendered without a fight. They saw hundreds of mounted cavalry and the blue and bronze banner, which they had learned to fear from survivors of the battle of Korimor, and lost their resolve.

Some even recognized Servius as a free legion commander, thus there was more trust between the two sides, who had never actually met in battle.

Unfortunately, this situation did not bode well for Lansius, who needed time to devise a solution. He understood that in the absence of a mutual enemy, the differing stances between him and Servius' men could lead to an internal conflict.

Lansius did not wish for a purge and intended to solve the crisis before it escalated. However, he had yet to formulate a plan regarding their request. Worse, neither Sir Harold nor Sir Justin was here to give him counsel.

While he was deliberating, the troop's physician went to the bulwark. After some time, he returned to report, "These men suffer from an excess of black bile, manifesting in foul, sometimes bloody, bodily waste. There are also those whose bodies are overrun with cold and damp humors, experiencing violent expulsions and the wasting away of the body's heat."

Lansius, who knew next to nothing about the four humors and medieval medicine, asked, "Maester, can you confirm that this is a common malady and not something different?"

"Yes, My Lord. It's a common and known malady, treatable by keeping them warm, consuming hot food, pepper, and if they're strong enough, warm wine."

"No bloodletting?" Lansius needed to make sure.

"Only when there's a high fever, My Lord."

Lansius nodded. "Then I entrust them to you."

Soon, he received word that the negotiation, handled mostly by Servius, proceeded smoothly in favor of the Blue and Bronze. The two hundred surrendering Nicopolans traded the bulwark for half rations and safety. Furthermore, they were directed to work as seasonal laborers in the three villages in western Umberland.

Putting his conflicted trust aside, Lansius provided the newly surrendered people with tents and instructed them to sleep outside, as the bulwark was deemed unsanitary. He ordered them to drink and cook using only boiled water and not to pollute the creek with waste. He also instructed them to wash and clean a good distance away from any water source, using buckets.

As promised, Lansius assured them that he had agreements with the beastmen, who, in reality, were half-breeds.

Regarding the bulwark, Lansius barred his men, except for a group he had hastily trained, from entering. This was easy to enforce, as the foul stench was overwhelming. They began their work of cleaning the site slowly but surely.

Based on new verbal reports, he also planned to recruit twenty Nicopolans who seemingly had recovered from the plague as helpers in the bulwark. In exchange for their service, he would give them full rations.

As sundown reached the mountain pass, the Lord returned to his tent, which was pitched some distance away. As a precaution, he had forbidden his troops from drinking raw water and from making contact with the plague-ridden party.

Once inside, Sterling brought in a messenger who informed him that the main army, along with the rear guard, was camped not too far from them. Sir Harold had even formed a contingent that continued to march, and they would join the Lord's camp before midnight.

What Sir Harold did, without knowing their condition, had put Lansius into a corner. He had to decide soon before Servius and his men became suspicious or reacted poorly. However, he had no idea where to begin.

As Sterling escorted the messenger out, he glanced at the open entrance of the tent, which framed the bulwark against the setting sun in the distance. He grabbed a chair, went outside near the tent entrance, and just sat there, staring at the imposing bulwark.

The noise from the camp, busying themselves for supper, provided a comforting background that helped calm him. Soon, glowing orange lights from lanterns beneath the battlements illuminated the narrow windows, making a section of the wall seem to come alive. It was then that Audrey returned and found Lansius sitting outside.

She briefly questioned the guards, but they only shook their heads.

Lansius paid no mind. Audrey finally walked up to his side to see what had captured his attention.

"Life is funny," he mused, craving something strong to drink. "I thought I was going to spill the blood of hundreds just to secure Umberland and that wall. But as it turns out, I almost got it for free."

"Then you should be happy," she remarked plainly while looking ready to accept a rebuttal.

"On the contrary, I'm not feeling happy." Lansius snorted. "It's odd—I've secured the mountain pass, the very objective I set out to achieve. But why do I feel... undone?"

"It must be because of the Nicopolans," Audrey said without hesitation. There was no doubt in her voice.

Lansius looked at her, admiring her courage and admitting, "I feel stupid."

The wave of subdued chuckles and chatter from the troops beginning their supper quickly masked what he had said. Only Audrey was privy to it and she replied, "You're not at fault. They must've been carried away by the situation and changed their minds."

"Speaking of which, have you changed yours?"

She sighed, then clarified, "I support their cause but not like this. It feels like they're trying to force-"

"They could take us hostage, trading us for the baggage train and supplies... I trusted the wrong people. I should've known; they even betrayed Sergio," he lamented. A strong mountain wind swept through their encampment, causing the blue and bronze banner to flutter, its pole shivering.

"Lans, we're not staying idle. Your men and I have devised suitable countermeasures."

"Why? Has the situation worsened?" he asked without concealing urgency.

"There's distrust between the Lowlandians and Nicopolans. They saw what happened and were displeased." She gently grasped his arm, adding, "The Korelians are fiercely loyal. The mere thought of Nicopolans drawing swords against you is unforgivable to them."

Lansius returned his gaze to the bulwark, feeling his plan and his army slowly unraveling. "One misstep could plunge us into a massive purge," he cautioned her in a weary tone.

"The responsibility ultimately lies with them," said Audrey firmly.

"But what about the aftermath? We depend on these Nicopolans for many tasks and roles. Do you think they'll just stand by if we purge their comrades?"

"We could establish a court and solely punish the instigator," she proposed.

Lansius took a deep breath. "Is there no other way out?"

She met his gaze. "But you said you don't trust them anymore."

Lansius saw the frightening determination in her. This is her world. She understands it better. Perhaps punishing the ringleader is the right course of action.

Looking at his troubled expression, she asserted, "Yet, you must know that Servius tried to stop them."

"I know. Not all is his fault. The problem lies with the group he commanded. I armed and equipped them better, I even trusted them as a safeguard, but they..." He felt betrayed by their changing goal.

"Then how will you react?"

"I don't know," he revealed. "I know I don't want to entertain their idea of going into Nicopola, but I also don't want it to end in a bloody internal conflict."

Audrey then leaned toward him. "We've prepared for the worst, but I think there's still a chance to reconcile."

Her shift from a firm stance advocating countermeasures to reconciliation struck him as odd before he realized it. Did she just play the devil's advocate...?

"Are you testing my resolve? Where are your words trying to lead me?"

Audrey offered a stiff smile and reassured him, "I am on your side. I've prepared a countermeasure and suitable men to carry it out if you need it. However, I'm also advocating for talks; perhaps we can view their reaction as just a spur of the moment."

Lansius nodded. His judgment had been clouded by distrust, and his lack of experience made it difficult to think clearly. But now he could start to see what options he had. "Perhaps, we could..."

"I'll rein in the Lowlandians if you can regain full control of the Nicopolans," she suggested. "The problem is whether you can trust them or not."

Lansius struggled to contain his dislike, but he finally agreed, "I had better meet with Servius."

"You have to, otherwise many innocents will suffer," Audrey responded. "But remember, when you need it, do not hesitate. It's better to lose a hand than the whole arm."

With the conversation ended, Lansius closed his eyes and let his mind drift to Korelia, away from the chronic mess he faced in Umberland. He recalled his plans to transform the city. The waterwheel should be completed by now, and the possibilities for improvement were staggering.

A thin smile formed on his lips as he reminded himself that he had completed his task in Umberland by securing the bulwark and the mountain pass. Objectively, there was nothing left to do but to return home.

***