With only Doson's body in tow, General Trosa's formidable army set out once again, their green deer-head flag slowly disappearing into the horizon, surrounded by a phalanx of knights.
At the village entrance, little Lina waved her farewell to the departing knights, her small hand fluttering like a flag of hope. Old blacksmith Brian grasped her hand tightly, watching as the flag became a distant memory. His tense heart finally began to relax.
As his gaze shifted to Leon, who was following Baron Elliver, Brian felt a surge of relief that no calamities had befallen them. These three young men, hailing from faraway lands, had garnered the attention of the high-ranking nobles, especially General Trosa.
"What an incredible twist of fate," Brian mused silently. He had never believed in the tales surrounding the Nightmare Forest, but now, the very existence of that treacherous realm seemed all too real.
"Sir, who exactly is that general?" Leon suddenly realized he knew very little about the formidable old nobleman who had just left with his troops.
"That is Trosa Forrest," Baron Elliver replied, his tone imbued with respect. "Earl of the Stag of Eldosk and Leysen County, and he is known as the 'Kingmaker.'"
"Kingmaker?" Leon echoed, curiosity piqued.
"Indeed. It's an esteemed title granted by the king himself. Our current monarch, Redwin III, rose to power by overthrowing the previous tyrant with the old earl's support," Elliver elaborated, pride evident in his voice.
The baron then placed a reassuring hand on Leon's arm. "We'll delve into the kingdom's history later. For now, come with me. I have important matters to discuss. If you wish to become a true knight, there's much for you to learn."
"I'm eager to learn," Leon replied, determination lighting his eyes as he followed the baron to his temporary quarters in the village.
"Please, take a seat." Upon entering the room, Elliver gestured for the servants to assist him in removing his armor, a look of relief washing over his features.
"Would you like me to fetch Lohak and Azerien?" Leon asked, sensing the baron had something significant to share.
"There's no need. Let the injured lad rest. I've noticed that you naturally lead the group. Even though Azerien is a noble's son, you are the one guiding them. It's enough for you to hear the important details; it saves me the trouble," the baron said with a relaxed smile.
Leon felt a blush creep up his cheeks. "I don't deserve such an honor. You are our lord now; I'm hardly a leader."
"Don't overthink it," Baron Elliver chuckled, waving off Leon's modesty. "I won't question your loyalty over something trivial. Or rather, I don't expect much loyalty from you just yet," he added with a knowing grin.
"Sir, your generosity has not gone unnoticed. We are not ungrateful," Leon replied, maintaining his composure, though a bead of sweat formed on his brow.
What was the baron getting at? It felt like a test of sorts, and Leon hoped he wouldn't falter under the scrutiny of their new lord.
Baron Elliver's demeanor was both serious and enlightening as he addressed Leon. "I'm not questioning your character," he began, cutting off Leon's thoughts and proceeding with a leisurely air. "But remember, loyalty that can be purchased with favors is no true loyalty; at least not in my eyes. If mere titles and lands were enough to bind you to me, what's to stop you from betraying me for a higher offer?"
Leon absorbed the words, recognizing the familiar tone of higher-ups from his previous life, who would philosophize over drinks. This felt similar, yet the stakes were undeniably higher.
"What, then, do you believe true loyalty is?" Leon ventured, getting a grip on the rhythm of the conversation.
Instead of a direct answer, Baron Elliver posed a hypothetical scenario. "If I offered you even greater titles and unimaginable riches to harm Azerien and Lohak, would you?"
Leon's response was instinctive, a resolute shake of the head. His bonds with his companions were not transactional. "Not for all the gold in the kingdom," he affirmed, his voice steady.
"That's precisely my point," the baron smiled, pleased with Leon's conviction. "True loyalty is not swayed by greed or gain. And I trust their loyalty to you would be mirrored in your response."
Leon felt a wave of relief wash over him. Baron Elliver was proving himself to be a leader of depth and integrity, not just a figurehead distributing titles.
Changing the subject, the baron waved his hand dismissively, "Enough of loyalty for now. We will have ample time to prove ourselves to each other. Let's discuss something more immediate. What are your plans for the war horses in Selva Village? Would you keep them, or sell them?"
"If they are of use to you, they are yours," Leon offered without hesitation, his loyalty reflexively protective of the baron's interests.
Baron Elliver laughed, a rich, hearty sound. "Do you think I'd take advantage of my knights by claiming their spoils of war? However, have you considered the costs associated with keeping such prized animals?"
Leon paused, the practicalities of horse ownership dawning on him. "Are you suggesting we might not manage the upkeep?"
"Exactly," Elliver nodded. "I had my men assess them. You have nineteen Uriah war horses, including three of exceptional breed at the blacksmith's. Maintaining them would cost you at least two hundred gold crowns annually. Let's run through the numbers."
As the baron detailed the expenses involved in maintaining a stable of war horses, Leon could see the burden of such a luxury. The baron himself shared tales of his own horse farm; a veritable money pit, yet a passion he could ill afford to neglect.
Through this, Leon began to understand the responsibilities that came with his new status, not just the glamour of knighthood, but the gritty realities of feudal commitments and the costs they entailed.
Leon furrowed his brows as he listened to the baron detail the costs associated with maintaining war horses. It was quickly becoming clear that the romantic notion of knighthood was far more grounded in financial realities than he had anticipated.
Silently, he reconsidered their position. Raising horses wasn't merely like maintaining a chariot; this was akin to funding a small army. With only the small treasury hidden under Olivia's bed and their other assets, they could perhaps fund the horse upkeep for a year and a half at best.
"Sir, considering the annual income from the fiefs of Selva, Lonka, and Pleton that you granted us, is it feasible to support these war horses?" Leon asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.
Baron Elliver gave a patient smile. "Restoring Selva Village's agriculture swiftly, along with revenue from the other fiefs, could potentially cover the expenses. But have you considered the costs beyond the stables? Soldiers for these horses, attendants, servants, cooks, butlers, accountants, blacksmiths, and heralds; these are not insignificant expenses. And let's not overlook potential royal taxes or unforeseen levies during wartime. Even fully exploiting the manorial resources won't cover such exorbitant costs."
The baron's smile turned bittersweet as he reminisced about a time when his own family faced financial ruin due to political missteps.
Leon massaged his temples, the weight of his new responsibilities settling in. To truly make a difference and wisely manage their limited resources, they would need to make some tough choices. Ultimately, he decided to keep only nine of the horses, including the three of exceptional breed, and allowed Baron Elliver to purchase the remainder at a fair market price.
"You really learn the cost of managing a household only when you become responsible for one," Leon mused, feeling the pinch of every calculated expense.
Baron Elliver, sensing Leon's resolve, offered further assistance. "Given the current dire situation, I'll arrange for all able-bodied individuals from Selva currently serving at the border to return home. This should aid your efforts. From now on, you're the true lords of these lands. I won't meddle in your domain's affairs anymore. It's time for you to learn what it means to be a capable ruler."
His voice carried a sincere hope for their growth, "Before I leave, I'll assign a senior knight to mentor you. He'll instruct you on managing your territory and fulfilling your obligations to me and the kingdom. Don't hesitate to seek his guidance."
Leon stood, a mix of gratitude and determination in his eyes. "I will never let you down, sir." With a deep, respectful bow, he acknowledged the close of their discussion, stepping forward into his role with newfound clarity and resolve.
In both his past life and now, Leon knew it was rare and fortunate to find a leader who not only appreciated but genuinely respected his subordinates.
As the lord, nodded, signaling the end of their meeting, Leon was on the verge of leaving when a sudden memory halted him. He reached into his leather bag, pushing aside various small items to retrieve a crumpled piece of parchment from the bottom.
"My lord, in the excitement of recovering your family sword, I nearly forgot this. Alongside the blade, I found this peculiar scroll. Could it also belong to your family?" Leon asked, extending the aged parchment toward the baron.
Baron Elliver took the scroll with a hint of curiosity, unfurling the delicate paper to reveal an outline that seemed achingly familiar. His eyes darkened with complex emotions as he recognized the markings.
"Yes, this too belongs to the Thorn Flower Family," he confirmed with a heavy sigh, picking up a candlestick from the nearby table. Without hesitation, he held the parchment over the candle's flame.
Leon watched intently, his anticipation sharpening. Could there be a hidden message revealed by fire, some ancient secret or treasure map encryption?
However, the parchment simply caught fire and burned quickly to ashes, dousing any hopes of hidden mysteries.
"This unrealistic hope should have been abandoned long ago," Baron Elliver murmured, his voice tinged with resignation. "Forget this cursed artifact that has consumed the efforts of many before us. It's a hollow lie, unworthy of our pursuit."
Leon observed the baron's somber expression and nodded, his confusion giving way to understanding. He had not held any real expectations for the parchment, yet the finality of its destruction felt poignant.
He turned and descended the stairs, his mind shifting towards discussing their new lands and responsibilities with his companions. But as he reached the bottom, a familiar voice halted him.
"Boy, or rather, Sir Leon, are you available?" It was the burly man in armor, the sorcerer consultant whom General Trosa had introduced earlier. He seemed to have been waiting for Leon.
"Didn't you leave with General Trosa?" Leon inquired, his brow furrowing in mild confusion.
"It's no trouble. I can catch up with the general anytime. But first, let's see that crossbow bolt you mentioned," the sorcerer consultant said, his tone indicating a blend of urgency and curiosity.
Leon nodded, understanding the consultant's keen interest. The artifact had piqued his curiosity as well, leading him to wonder just what significance it might hold for this mysterious advisor.