Lord of Merve sat in the private study of Lord Dockstorm, His face remained solemn as he heard Lord Dockstorm walk in and take a seat before him. The old man's grey hair was visible in the dim light, a contrast to his all-black nightdress. The man looked at Lord of Merve's solemn face and sighed.
“The look on your face tells me I will not like what you're about to say,” Lord Dockstorm said.
“Haye, it has been long. You are getting old,”
“You too will get old,”
“Not soon, though. I wonder how you've been doing. I heard you had a visitor from the court,”
“Ah... You know more than most that I have no place in such things. I may have a lot of accomplishments in my life, but I am still just a baron. The royal court is no place for me,” Lord Dockstorm said. He wanted to be clear that he did not deal with Lord Rhog in any way.
“It matters not. Today, I've found a buyer for the Molshen land and farms,”
“Really? I didn't know I was selling,” the old lord laughed.
“I didn't know too until I made a split decision and said I’d look into it with you. So, what do you think about letting me out of this pinch,” Lord of Merve said.
“To be honest, I see a lot of potential in that property,”
“You saw a lot of potential years ago. I wonder if that potential will ever be realized,” Lord of Merve smirked.
“Alright, it's my wife who wants the land. It seems she has been interested for a while. I have tried to hold unto it for as long as possible. But, I don't quite understand why she won't be satisfied with a new necklace,”
“Well, you have tried long enough, don't you think? Besides, your wife playing her hand at properties is not what you truly want, right?”
“I...” Lord Dockstorm started to say.
“I know why your wife wants that land. You, more than anybody. Everybody knows she was gunning to marry Lord Torgenn in her youth, ignoring the shamefully forward Lady Beaumont, she and many others lost to an unknown woman from across the unending seas. When the late Lady Torgenn came into society, she gained the respect of men not women. She always felt she would catch up and dabble in things like the late lady did and yet even in death, she remains in the Lady Torgenn's shadow as just a wife,” Lord of Merve said.
“I... There is no basis for that speculation and it is not necessarily truth,” Lord Dockstorm felt his brows grease with sweat. The knowledge of his wife's rivalry with the late Lady Torgenn was not news; she even dared to fight when Lady Beaumont had withdrawn. But the way he puts it makes it seem like that land is but a way to pierce a sword in the late lady's grave and if she pierces deep enough, she may poke her way from past to present; and the Lady Torgenn of today even though titled differently, was more trouble than the one of past.
“Of course, it's not. Truth is fluid; it's a matter of perspective. What do you say, Lord Dockstorm? You must decide what is true for yourself,” Lord of Merve suggested darkly.
“Are you threatening me? Is this for the Lady Wickshire?” Lord Dockstorm's face turned grave.
“No, it’s not a threat. It's a suggestion from a friend to a friend. You can only use your hands to decide what is true. If you do well, your truth will become your wife's truth and the world will believe it too. Do you still intend to hold onto something that is encouraging people to speculate truth? Or you will let it go?” Lord of Merve asked.
“It's nothing at all. You can take the land and everything on it,” Lord Dockstorm caved, reaching into his drawer and pulling out a paper after a little bit of search. He handed it to the Lord of Merve and sighed.
“That is the deed to the property and everything on it. I have done a little bit of work on it; building a manor on it so we could reside in the capital at all seasons, so that price must be worth it,” Lord Dockstorm said. Lord of Merve looked at the deed in his hands and smiled.
“We will handle the little details tomorrow,” he said getting up and nodding slightly in a salute before exiting.
***
Walter led his family as they rode out of forest paths into farming plains. It took quite a while before he arrived at a country home paved in stone. He could hear his mother gasp as the cart stopped. His family touched the ground and stared up at the mansion before them. It may not be a viscount's home, but it was certainly noble. Walter walked towards Lord Morge who was standing by the doorway. His family followed his lead and went up to the dashingly dressed nobleman. They curtsied before him, except Walter who had forgotten the man in front of him was in fact, the Earl of Morge.
“Andy!” Lord Morge called and a dashing young man rushed over.
“Sir,” the man bowed.
“These are your new masters. Make sure everybody is familiar with the change. Take their things in and help them get comfortable,” Lord Morge instructed and Andy cautiously showed Walter's family inside. Left alone, Walter and Lord Morge stood silently, as if waiting.
“He has not handled it yet, I’m guessing. But there is yet to be any that can refuse me, especially when I say their master has sold the plantation and the deed is coming,” Lord Morge commented on Lord of Merve's absence.
Stolen novel; please report.
“What about the crates?” Walter asked.
“Apparently, the Dockstorm house wanted this for a second home at the capital's edge. It does have a country feel to it. They even had a vault built inside. I supervised the offloading of the crates,” Lord Morge answered, handing over a key to Walter. Walter frowned at the outstretched hand and refused it.
“You should keep it. The crates are safe here, so you hold on to the key,” Walter said.
“It is best if you hold on to it. You are the last person that would be in charge of this. That is exactly why you are the best person,” Lord Morge said.
“You expect it will be stormy soon?” Walter asked.
“No. I expect it will be calm. If the Mclears expose that they have lost that much of their fortune, they will be unable to hold their heads up in society. This is around the time people will just stay quiet. Given that I know those crates could not possibly be Her Ladyship's and the Mclears’ combined, I am almost certain there is a third person. That person is the unpredictable factor in all of this. We have no idea how far they will go. It is best for all to be silent for a while,” Lord Morge analysed. The two remained silent till they saw the Lord of Merve riding towards them.
“You took long,” Lord Morge said.
“He was a hard one, but it matters not. I have the deed,” Lord of Merve said cracking his signature side grin.
How he achieves it remains one of the greatest mysteries of Thriergor. He handed the deed to Walter, who looked at the sealed document and sighed.
“You should handle it. I'm not sure when you will be able to see Her Ladyship, but we will make time to report what is at hand. Make sure to keep low for a while,” Lord of Merve said.
“Let me show you the vault,” Lord Morge said and the three of them made their way into the mansion. Lord Morge led them to a small door tucked away inside a study. It was small enough to be covered by a shelf of books and remain unseen. Walter opened the door with the key in his hand. He saw the crates loaded in the space. Though he could clearly see that the vaulted room was large, the crates reduced its size greatly. Nodding, he looked back at the vault door, verifying how strong it was before they closed it back and pushed over a shelf to block its view.
“We have to return now. If you need to contact any of us.....” Lord of Merve started to say.
“Let's hope it does not come to that,” Walter said, dismissing the need to have to go there. He did not need to explain that being seen going to their townhouses would attract the attention of those looking. Nodding, the two lords took left.
It took a while for Walter to move, as he just stood still and let the silence wash over him. After reorganizing his thoughts, he walked out and went downstairs to what seemed to be a dining room. His family sat in silence; so still, one would wonder if they were being held captive. As if on cue, his mother rose as she saw him enter. Even though her lips moved not, her eyes full of excitement were loud enough for the entire family. Walter took a seat with them and his mother returned to her seat. They all kept silent for a while; staring at Walter as if he held in his hands, a verdict from a judge.
“Ask as you please. I will answer as much as I can,” Walter broke the silence.
“What is this place?” his mother said before any other.
“This is our new home,” he answered.
“For how long do we have to stay here? Who harbours us?” his father asked.
“Harbour?” Walter seemed amused. Right, he had told them they were on the run.
“Yes. How can we stay here when this is not our home? How long till we can return?” his father asked.
“How do you know we can trust these people? What if.....” his mother started to complain.
“You're smiling,” They all heard Amie say and paused. She was staring at Walter with a soft smile on her lips.
“You finally smiled, it has been long since last,” she said again and no one spoke.
“Sorry,” Walter said, but his smile did not disappear.
“No, it's good. I'm guessing things must be better now,” Amie said, her face maintaining a smile as soft as her voice. Walter thought of the irony of her words as he maintained his smile. No. If anything, he felt heavier than ever now. He had not slept all night yet sleep still found a way to delude him. He may never sleep, he thought to himself.
“Do you like the house, Ma?” Walter asked.
“Well, it's an empty shell for now, but I can see potential,” his mother said with a stiff face.
“No one is harbouring us. This place is ours for a while. The property is in my name. I am hoping mother still remembers how to run a large household as this seemed to be a larger one than our last,” Walter answered.
“Really? I can really...?” his mother started to say excitedly.
“What did you do to get it?” his father asked and everyone paused.
“The study up in the left-wing is out of bounds. No one must enter unless I tell you to,” Walter ignored his father's question.
“Do I get my own room?” Allen asked.
“Sure. This place should be big enough. I am yet to know how big it is. The plantation and the farmers are under our care. Everything here must move as it should. That’s the best way to keep eyes away. I think father can help me out there,” Walter said.
“You have not answered my question. I have never run a farm. How should I know how to run a plantation?” his father said.
“You can learn slowly. One thing is for sure. You cannot return to your old job. We have to be totally disconnected from our past. We will stay as long as we have to and no less. We have the task of taking care of the household and the workers and that includes the farmers and their families. Mother would want to handle the household, you should see me if something is wrong, which I hope not. I, on the other hand, have today off from work but I will continue work tomorrow,” Walter explained.
“Why are you going back to work?” his mother asked.
“I have no intention of handling this plantation. This is your cup of tea, don't drag us into it,” his father said.
“You should look at the books. Ask someone to show it to you. The lords already gave instructions to stay away from the study up on the left wing. But every other thing should be accessible to you. This house will not move if we all do nothing. Then people will start asking questions. I will take the room on the left wing close to the study. I'm going to have a long sleep. If I can,” Walter said and got up to leave.
“You still no answer all our questions. You expect us to just change for you?” His father's face said it all; He was angry at the sight of Walter's departing back. Just then, Walter paused for a moment.
“Nothing is going to happen to us. I worked hard, and circumstances got us this place. Here, Amie can learn all that mother has to offer, and mother can run a large household like she's always wanted to do. You can be the owner of a plantation and lead a farming settlement. Allen can learn right.
I see nothing wrong with the decisions I made. My work needs me to be here at this moment, and I saw a chance to take you all with me and change our lives a little. No one will come finding trouble as long as we don't look for trouble ourselves,” Walter said slowly. Even though his back remained to them, they could hear his voice clouded with stress. He left them and went towards the west wing.
After checking that he had locked the study, he moved next door and entered a large room, larger than anything he had ever seen. He did not give himself time to look around as he collapsed into a soft new-laid bed and closed his eyes with a soft prayer on his lips; begging sleep to bound him in its embrace.