Chapter 81

Gerald slashed at his opponent's ribs, lightning fast. But his use of the attribute wasn't enough to best Gasper. The latter blocked his strike softly, taking a step to the side and countering it with a low slash.

Gerald hopped back, barely avoiding it while giving Gasper a glare. The knight had gone easy on him, and he didn't like it.

Gasper smiled wryly and nodded with silent understanding. Then he stepped forward, descending on Gerald with a flurry of attacks.

A spar like this always refreshed Gerald. But he'd expected to be able to keep up with Gasper by relying on his attribute. His knight, however, destroyed all his expectations. He was nimble with his sword, and he never gave Gerald the chance to use his exceptional speed. A preparatory strike would always be met with a swift counter that shatters his rhythm.

He was about to change his tactic when they were interrupted.

"My lord!"

Gerald halted the spar and turned to find Arthur at the edge of the training grounds, carrying a fist-sized rock. He walked to his minister. "Did something happen." He glanced at the rock, and his question was answered through ear and eye. He heard it from Arthur and saw it in the rock.

"Georjay has found something, my lord," Arthur said. "Iron and tin."

Gerald received the rock and scrutinized it, turning it from side to side. He had no experience with ore, and he was clueless when it came to its quality. Forged steel or iron would have been easier for him to judge. "How good?" he asked Arthur.

The old minister grinned, looking uncanny. "I knew it once I saw it, but I still went to the smith just to be certain. It's iron of the highest quality, my lord. It's also what Georjay said. He thinks there could even be more near where he found this."

"Where did he find this vein?" Gerald said.

"West of the forest southwest of the basin, my lord."

Gerald motioned for a servant to bring chairs, and they sat down. He also gestured for Gasper to come and take a seat.

"Georjay has found two mines," he told his knight as the latter sat down. "I want you to send some of your Warriors to stand guard there, in case Westwell manages to sneak someone into the basin."

"Yes, my lord."

Gerald turned to Arthur. "How large?"

"Georjay says the iron mine is one of the largest he's ever seen. The tin mine also contains a considerable amount of ore, but it isn't as large. He hasn't stayed there for long. Apparently, he was too anxious to find more and has moved on farther west. He believes there is certainly more to be found, but I don't think we can be that fortunate."

Gerald nodded. Now he had to think of the difficulties. "How deep in the mountains are these two mines?"

Arthur smiled. "Not to worry, my lord. They're easily reachable. If we're to set a mining camp, it can be built in the plains, on the edge of the mountains. Georjay did mention that we might need to build ramps and scaffolds at the site though. It's an irregular area."

Gerald let out a breath and leaned back in his seat. It was simpler than he had imagined. With such quality of iron, the market area would have all it needs. The best copper from the Baronies, and the best iron from the basin. And he was already thinking of seeking timber from the north. Perhaps he could elude the Duke and buy the goods from his competitor after all. The Duke was busy with his new trade route, and he wouldn't notice something so trivial. "Begin the mining without delay. We still have prisoners from those bandit crews. Send them and also put some honest men to work there." He paused for a moment. "And ask the smith if he can craft some heavy armor for our men." His thoughts veered off, imagining a heavy infantry regimentin his army. It would cost him, but it would be worth the cost, he believed.

Arthur smiled apologetically and shook his head. "He can't, my lord. I knew he couldn't before I asked him today, and I was right. At most, he can make a few sets; but he neither has the skill to craft good heavy armor, nor the apprentices to craft many sets of shoddyheavy armor." The old minister grew silent for a moment, glancing at Gerald. "And we don't have the coin for that sort of undertaking, my lord."

Gerald sighed. "It seems we need a better smith."

"We would need a Master smith, my lord," Arthur said. "And they're quite hard to find. No lord would let us rob him of such a good smith, and we would never find them without work. Any lord's gates are open for them after all."

Gerald nodded. "But we need to find one. This is no longer a trivial matter that we can ignore. We must find a Master smith soon." He looked at Arthur who still seemed uncertain. "And we need more gold."

Arthur smiled and nodded. Then something seemed to dawn on him and he hesitated.

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Gerald cocked his head, noticing the odd expression on his minister's face. He stared at him, waiting for words.

Arthur seemed to make peace with his thoughts. He rested his eyes on Gerald and said, "there is coin that is due to the Viscounty, my lord."

Gerald raised a brow. He wasn't quite certain what Arthur meant.

"I once mentioned the property the House owned in the Royal Capital, my lord. Do you remember?"

Gerald nodded. "You said that my father sold most of it."

"But not all of it," Arthur explained. "Your grandfather bought land at the outskirts of the Royal Capital and built several vineyards there. Your father couldn't bring himself to sell them. However, we have not received a single copper from them for years."

Gerald grew silent for a moment. A few vineyards wouldn't be enough to provide the coin he needed. But the profits of several years combined could present a considerable amount. Perhaps he would sell them as well. The vineyards were no good for the House if the basin wasn't safe.

"That's not the only reason I mention the Royal Capital, my lord," Arthur said, staring at Gerald meaningfully.

Gerald looked at his minister quizzically. But when he met his eyes, a thought crossed his mind, forcing him to break into laughter. "Of course. It's difficult to find Master smiths anywhere, except in the Royal Capital, where a Grandmaster serves the King." He grinned to himself. There could be as many as a dozen Master smiths there, producing goods for the wealthy. He would have to find a way to persuade one of those smiths to leave the Royal Capital and return with him to a much lesser holding, but he would at least have a chance, since there would be several of them there.

"Exactly, my lord." Arthur nodded with a smile. "Perhaps we could send someone—"

"I will go myself," Gerald said.

Arthur seemed appalled by the thought. "My lord, you can't. You must always be in the Viscounty. We can't risk your absence or your safety. Also, there is always a threat from Count Westwell."

Gerald shook his head. "There is none. He won't seek conflict now while he's at war in the south, and if he does, you wouldn't need me to crush the meager numbers he manages to send."

Arthur rubbed his forehead, obviously in regret of speaking earlier. "My lord, I would advise against it."

Gerald shook his head, killing any hope his old minister still had. He would make this journey. He wouldn't mind seeing the Royal Capital, and he would like to see the vineyards for himself. Since he'd arrived, he still couldn't clearly see the balance of power in the Kingdom. In the capital, he could perhaps take a closer look.

ß----------------------------------------------------à

"Has he met her yet?" Lena said, spinning around slowly for Aya to observe.

"He has indeed," Aya said, tilting her head, scrutinizing the folds of the dress. "He's gotten to know her, but she tells me that he's not yet within her grasp. It will take time."

"No wonder," Lena said with a disdainful tone. "He wouldn't be so easy to sway. He's always at some brothel here or there. She will need more than just her body to catch his eye, and more so if she doesn't pleasure him as soon as he wishes. Are you certain she will be able to do it?"

"She is the best I've managed to find, Lena." Aya sighed. "What you've asked for is quite odd. Someone like that can't be found. They often find power and follow it themselves."

Lena pressed her lips and nodded. She stopped turning around and headed for the door. Aya was there before her, opening it then following her out.

There would be a celebration in a few days. As far as Aya had managed to hear from the gossiping maids, the Duke had insisted on hosting the festivities for one of his steadfast allies' first born. The latter had apparently born his first child after many years of waiting followed by many more of desperation.

After Aya had told her, Lena had decided to ask the Duke to allow her attendance. It would be a good place to get closer to the two older sons. Perhaps she could begin there.

They walked down one of the halls and were met by a lady who appeared to be a bit older than thirty. Lena recognized her right away; Baroness Rydia, the Duke's mistress.

The Baroness seemed engrossed in thought, and she walked right into Lena who'd come to a halt.

Lena stumbled two steps back, smiling weakly and curtsying. "My lady—"

"Watch where you walk, you little whore," the Baroness said. "Walk closer to the walls. You're no lady here." She glanced at Aya. "Take your filth and get out of my sight," she told Lena.

Lena wore a pitiful expression, nodding timidly. "Yes, my lady." She stepped to the side.

The Baroness snorted and walked past her.

Lena waited until the Baroness got out of sight then sighed, returning to her stoic countenance. She whispered to the fuming Aya, "poor woman. She really thinks the Duke will marry her." She shook her head.

Like her, Aya had gotten used to such treatment from some of thosein the palace and even some of the Duke's guests, like the Baroness. She brushed the recent insults off and she seemed puzzled. "Doesn't she have land? Wouldn't the Duke have her territory within his hands if he marries her? He has lots to gain and nothing to lose."

Lena shook her head. "Her territory is far, separated from the Duke's lands by several other territories. And it's not even that large. The Duke just prefers his bed companions to be of high birth. It is unlikely that he wants her barren Barony." She gave Aya a knowing glance and whispered, "you know how many highborn ladies he's invited to his bed."

Aya nodded.

"Let us not linger then," Lena said then began walking again.

They continued until they reached the Lord's Hall, where Lena would meet the Duke.

The attendant at the doors went in to inform the Duke of their arrival, shortly coming out. "You can enter. The Duke expects you inside."

Aya stayed outside, while Lena entered the hall.

White, decorated walls surrounded the wide hall. A gigantic crown hung from the ceiling, carrying dozens of candles; along with the candles adorning every step of the walls, they made the hall nigh as bright as day.

The Duke was in his high seat, and his minister stood beside him.

Lena curtsied. "My lord."

Under his pointy nose, the Duke's lips stretched into a smile. "Lena. How kind of you to visit my hall. But I'm assuming you're not here to greet me."

Lena held back a scowl. Whenever she met him, he acted oblivious to how much they had suffered because of him. She curtsied again. "My lord, I am indeed here because I have a request."

"Talk then," his eyes narrowed into a deeper smile. Obviously, he found the matter amusing.

Lena took a breath. "I wish to attend the celebration that is to be held a few days. I was wondering if you would allow it, my lord."

The Duke hummed, rubbing his clean chin. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Very well. It is time for those haven't yet seen you to see the next member of my family."

Lena nearly cringed at his last words. She wasn't ready yet. She needed to have a better grip on her surroundings and fate before being wed. She tamed her breath that had become rugged. She would have her chance. She just needed to be quick. The celebration would be a good place to begin.