By the beginning of sumr, things had gotten worse. Two months had passed by with the Walis receding further and further. Now, there was no doubt that the hay harvest was ruined, unless the sky decided to loose a flood on their heads.
Unfortunately, that wasnt the last of their ill tidings. A rchant had co crying foul after Sir Wardd imposed a ruinous toll on him. Thomas was now telling him and his father of another such complaint. It seed that all the rchants thatd used their road to the northeast in the past fortnight had suffered from this toll to so extent.
They were seated around his fathers desk in the study and the knight sighed at Thomass words. So Ward summons trouble again.
What should we do, Father? Lucan said. This will hurt our eastward trade. The rchants need to co and go to the Union smoothly if were to maintain our asure of trade. And with the drought, the harm he is bringing us is twofold.
Hes grasping for whatever he can, his father said. Everyone is at tis like these.
Can we talk reason to him? Lucan said.
His father snorted. Ward isnt one for reason except when it serves him.
Can we do sothing then? Lucan said.
His father shook his head. He has more n, and weve only begun to be of comparable wealth lately. He also has many more friends than we do. If Im not wrong, hes recently gotten closer to Arpague.
Perhaps we may persuade him to lower the toll to sothing reasonable, Thomas said. We only need it to be sothing bearable for the rchants.
Theres no harm in trying, Sir Golan shrugged.
We need to do it today, Father, Lucan said. Every day he keeps imposing that senseless expense on the rchants is a strike to a reputation we have only just begun to build.
His father nodded. Let us ride to his estate now then.
They hastily donned proper clothing and no armor, since riding there in the latter would carry aning. Going like this would assure Sir Ward that they were there to make amicable conversation.
They sent for their horses to be prepared, and while marching down the hallways of the keep, they t Lilian who simply curtsied to his father and favored him with a smile, though she couldnt hide the inquiring look on her face.
Wont be long, he whispered to her as they passed.
The ride to Sir Wards estate was mostly uneventful, except for what they saw once they reached the end of the road Lucan had built beyond the bridge. There, they saw that Sir Ward had extended it with his own road into his territory. It was more shoddily made, but it was flat and solid enough to support heavy wagons.
This complicates matters, Thomas said.
Yes, his father said.
Why? Lucan asked.
Before they could answer him, they saw two riders coming towards them. It seed that they had been expected.
The two riders were armored n-at-arms who hailed them. His father ca to a stop, and Lucan and Thomas followed him.
The n-at-arms trotted towards them and made to talk but his father spoke over them and they grew quiet at his heavy voice. Im here to speak to your sire, not you. Go fetch him.
The two n didnt seem happy with his words, but one of them turned around and rode away nonetheless.
They waited a considerable amount of ti before they saw the knight approaching on the horizon. He wore clothes as they did, and he was accompanied by the man-at-arms sent to fetch him and a softer-looking man that Lucan assud was his steward.
When the knight arrived, he began with a jab instead of a greeting. I had a feeling the winds would blow mongrels my way this spring. Its good that I posted sentries, eh? He nodded aningfully at his father as he mouthed the insult, then he nodded at his n with the last word.
Need their protection, do you? his father returned the jab montarily, nodding at the two n-at-arms that still flanked Sir Ward, then glancing back at Lucan and Thomas who were obviously unard. Lucan was beginning to think that there was more to this than what he knew.
Sir Wards face darkened and he gestured angrily with his head. The n-at-arms heeded his unspoken command and left them, riding into the distance, though Lucan knew they wouldnt be too far to call back.
Word has reached that youve imposed a toll on all tradesn passing by? Sir Golan said.
As is my right, Sir Ward said.
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Sir Wards steward decided to speak then, and Lucan noticed that he was older than hed appeared from a distance, though he was still younger than Thomas. As per the kings law, should a proper road range over a vassals fief, then the vassal may impose a toll of passage if they have borne the expense of the roads establishnt or if otherwise permitted by the king.
Thomas was quick to respond to his counterpart. Thats not all there is to it. One must also apprise the king of their imposition of a toll should the throne not be aware. With how fast youve imposed this one, I doubt the king has been apprised of it yet.
The missive is already inked, and a courier will be riding to Eldham today, the steward said.
All inevitable tolls, by land or water, must be permitted by the king before being imposed, Thomas insisted.
rchants may use the kings road should they wish to avoid passing through Sir Wards territory, the steward said. Sir Zeshs fief is reachable by the road due west. Our road is certainly not an inevitable one.
Thomas grew quiet only for a mont then said, Per the kings right to all tolls and passages, any toll imposed through the aforentioned law must be taxed for the thrones benefit.
The steward showed them a faint smile within which even a child could see malice. Of course a tribute is being tallied from this toll to be presented to the king. He glanced at his sire who grit his teeth.
Enough of this nonsense, Sir Ward said, quieting both of them. A toll is imposed on my land. That is of no concern to you, Zesh.
Dont play the fool, Lucans father said. You know it is of much concern to my estate.
I will not yield it, Sir Ward said. Dont tire yourself out for nothing.
Then lower it to sothing reasonable, Sir Golan said. Dont ruin the whole route for yourself and us.
There was a pause, during which one might imagine that the concerned parties were thinking, but for so reason, Lucan couldnt see contemplation on Sir Wards face, only contempt.
After the andering quiet, one word echoed in their ears.
No.
Sir Wards eyes were eting his fathers, and an unseen battle seed to be taking place there. Then, as abruptly as the word had been spoken, his father turned his steed around and began riding back to their estate.
Lucan and Thomas had no choice but to follow. After theyd gained so distance, Lucan spoke. Father, is that all?
He wont change his mind, his father said. Hes all too glad to spite .
That Lucan said. Why is that, Father?
His father glanced at him and stayed silent as they rode.
What grudge is there between you, Lucan persisted.
A sigh that might as well have been growl escaped his father. Years ago, my father betrothed to his sister without my knowledge. She was a sweet girl, but I had not chosen her and it was not to be. I broke the betrothal, perhaps a little rashly instead of properly.
This was before you t Mother? Lucan asked.
I was not too happy with Father nor with the betrothal after I was told of it, his father said. But I only broke it after I t your mother.
Lucan nodded slowly.
Ward challenged to a duel. He felt his sister and their family were slighted by what I did.
Lucan gazed patiently at his father.
He lost.
And not a very dignifying loss, Thomas added from the side.
His father looked at Thomas as though betrayed then he sighed and glanced at Lucan. I might have been provoked by Wards taunts and insults that day. As youve seen, hes not very well-mannered. And at that age, I was not very patient.
I see, Lucan said.
We will have to bear with it, his father said. At least for now.
Or we might seek royal arbitration, Thomas said.
That would take too much ti to matter, his father said. The rchants will be avoiding Wards estate by then.
Lilians father will be returning from the east soti this sumr, Lucan said. If hes not told of this, his caravan could suffer a significant loss.
His father glanced at Thomas.
The steward took a breath, giving himself room to think. We may be able to send soone to warn him. And making every rchant going east a ssenger for this matter would be wise too.
Word already spreads among them like a hay fire, Lucan said. We wont need to charge them with passing it on.
His father nodded. Then the matter with Maris is handled. As for the rest of it, like I said, we bear with it.
We might not have to, Lucan said, gazing at the distant hills to the west. They were north of the canal branch outside of their territory, but they also didnt border Sir Wards territory. Perhaps the venture in his mind would work, perhaps not. But there would be no harm in trying, considering their circumstances.
His father was looking at him quizzically.
Im not certain yet.
His father humd his acceptance. The knight was anything but impatient.
With his fathers leave, Lucan split up with them after they crossed the bridge. He followed the northern canal to the fisherns lake once more. There, he saw that more of the spire could be seen, much larger than the slight part theyd seen before. Other parts of the structure were even peeking out of the water separately around the spire. Lucan was growing less and less certain that they could keep this quiet. He turned his steed around and rode ho. Even with this bit of trouble on the horizon, he had other pressing matters to attend to.
So? Lucan said. He and Sawyer were on their horses, now watching the hills north of the estate. Theyd discreetly crossed the northern canal branch and followed it west until they drew close to the hills.
I believe I can. But
It will be costly, Lucan continued for him. Even I can tell as much.
Sawyer gave him a rueful smile and nodded. It wont be an easy venture, but I can have it done soon if all workers are spared.
You will have them, Lucan said. At least most of them. Anything may be delayed, except for the granary.
The rest will do, Sawyer affird. Then he smiled and gazed at the distance. A winding road through the hills. Sothing to truly test my skills.
Lucan looked askance at him.
Sawyer raised a mollifying hand. Im confident in said skills.
Lucan snorted and shook his head. Build the road, no matter what.
I will, Sawyer said, his tone aggrieved. Why must you doubt now?
I am not, Lucan said. Im simply charging you with making this road, no matter the circumstances. I wont accept failure.
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