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Chapter 57 - Feudal Fiefdom!

The following day, after bidding farewell to Baron Ellifer's departing army, Leon and Liam found themselves deep in conversation with Balf Philante, a seasoned knight left behind to guide them through the intricacies of their new responsibilities. The meeting took place in Brandon's resting quarters, a modest room lined with shelves of worn books and the scent of old wood; a fitting setting for the weighty discussion that followed.

Balf Philante cut an imposing figure. A broad-shouldered man with the look of someone who had seen many battles, his face bore the mark of one such encounter, a jagged scar that ran diagonally across his cheek, lending him a fierce, almost intimidating presence. His graying beard did little to soften his severe expression as he began to speak.

"Now listen closely, my young lords," Balf's voice was as firm as his grip on the hilt of his sword. "You have been officially canonized as Knights of the Fiefdom. This is no small honor, but with it comes great responsibility. You must always conduct yourselves in a manner befitting your title. The privileges of knighthood are not a license to act however you please. Should you break your oath or disgrace your position, the crown has every right to strip you of both your title and your lands." His eyes lingered on each of them, his words heavy with warning.

Leon, ever the diplomat, straightened his posture and responded respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Sir Philante. We will uphold our oaths with the utmost care."

Liam, full of youthful vigor, nodded eagerly, "I will too."

Brandon, though silent, placed his hand over his chest in solemn acknowledgment. Having grown up under the watchful eye of his father, he had heard such warnings many times before.

Seeing their earnest responses, Balf's stern demeanor softened ever so slightly. He waved a hand dismissively, "Don't let it weigh too heavily on you. Every knight hears this speech at the start of their journey. I doubt you'll follow the path of those foolish enough to throw away their honor the moment they taste power."

With the tension easing in the room, Balf continued in a more conversational tone. "Now, let's discuss your duties as knights. According to the kingdom's laws, each of you must possess a full set of armor, a long-handled cavalry weapon, a sword, a warhorse, and two packhorses as spares. This is the bare minimum required of all fiefdom knights."

Leon, Liam, and Brandon exchanged relieved glances. After their recent victory, they had more than enough equipment to meet these requirements, having seized spoils from the defeated Kantadar army.

Balf noticed their relief and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Good. It seems you're well-prepared. I won't dwell on the basics any longer. But remember, your obligations don't stop with owning a few horses and weapons. Each year, you are required to bring at least one knight squire to serve your lord for forty days, free of charge. After that, if your service extends beyond the required forty days, you'll receive a daily salary, twenty-five dirs a day, given your current rank as lower-level knights."

Leon's mind immediately began to calculate. Twenty-five dirhams a day... That's about 7.5 gold crowns a month. He mentally compared this to what he remembered of an ordinary farmer's earnings back in Serrian; knights earned more than a hundred times that amount. The thought made him realize just how expensive maintaining an army of knights must be. With the hundreds of knights that had accompanied Baron Ellifer's forces, the cost of the campaign was staggering. War, Leon thought, was a costly endeavor in more ways than one.

His thoughts stirred with curiosity, Leon raised a hand and asked, "Sir Philante, what happens if one of us is injured and unable to fulfill our duties? Or if, for instance, we are called away on urgent business outside the territory and cannot respond to a military summons?"

Balf's eyes gleamed with understanding as he nodded. "A fair question, lad. In such cases, you have the option of paying a shield tax; four gold crowns per month in lieu of your service. If you can't even send a squire in your place, you'll have to pay two extra gold coins. But heed my words," he added with a weighty pause, "If you truly aspire to rise in rank and honor, you'll want to avoid paying the tax. The battlefield, for a knight, is where you earn your glory and forge your legacy."

All three young men, understanding the gravity of his words, nodded in agreement. There was an undeniable truth in what Balf said, no title was worth anything if not backed by deeds.

With that, the grizzled knight continued to walk them through the remaining obligations of their new rank, from managing their lands to their responsibilities during times of peace and war. Each detail was essential, every word woven into the fabric of their future as knights. For Leon, Liam, and Brandon, this was more than just a lesson in feudal law, it was the beginning of a path that would shape their destinies.

As the sun filtered softly through the window of Brandon's resting room, the atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and responsibility. Balf Philante stood before Leon and Liam, his burly frame casting a commanding shadow. They were deep into a discussion about the intricate details of their new roles as knights, including the obligations tied to events involving the Thorn Flower Family and the royal family.

"Now, regarding your upcoming duties," Balf began, his voice steady and authoritative, "when significant occasions arise; like the heir's coming-of-age ceremony or a wedding, you'll need to prepare gift money. The amounts are predetermined and must be respected."

Leon shifted in his seat, trying to absorb the flood of information. The lecture-like atmosphere felt both daunting and enlightening, and he found himself wishing he could take notes.

"The three manors Lord Ellifer has granted you don't come with specific distribution instructions," Balf continued. "Before the enthronement documents are finalized, you need to discuss how you'll manage your territories. Just be sure to inform me of your decisions before I leave."

Turning to Leon and Liam, Balf added, "And you two, being born commoners, currently lack a family name. It's essential to choose one quickly. Otherwise, your canonization documents will have to be signed with the name of your territory, and that wouldn't do."

Leon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He had never given much thought to a surname. His mind raced as he considered options. He wanted something that resonated with his past but still felt appropriate in this new world. The idea of using "Al Johnson" flickered across his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

"How about something that feels closer to my original last make name?" he pondered, musing over the familiar sound of Leon Felux Johnson." It felt comfortable, but he hesitated.

Just as he was lost in thought, Liam interjected confidently, "Liam Felux."

Leon looked over, surprised. Liam seemed ready for this moment, his tall frame exuding a sense of decisiveness. "That's the name my mother used to call me, Uncle Balf. I will be known as 'Felux' from now on."

"Felux? A strong choice!" Balf nodded approvingly, jotting it down. His gaze shifted back to Leon, who felt the pressure of the moment.

"What about you, Lord Leon? No rush if you need time. I'll be around for a few days," Balf assured him.

Leon felt a rush of urgency. "No need for extra time." After a moment's hesitation, he declared, "Leon Pendragon." The name rolled off his tongue with surprising ease, the resonance of King Arthur's legendary surname filling him with pride.

"Pendragon?" Balf's brow furrowed in confusion. The term was foreign to him. Leon, realizing the knight's bewilderment, took a deep breath. He picked up his index finger and traced the letters in the dust on the table. "P-E-N-D-R-A-G-O-N. It means 'Head of the Dragon.'"

Balf studied the letters for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Got it. I'll remember that."

"Now that you've settled on your surnames," Balf continued, "you should consider designing a heraldic emblem to represent your identity. But be mindful, as lower-ranking knights, you cannot display personal coats of arms on the battlefield. You're only allowed to show the thorny rose flag of your lord's family."

Leon's eyes widened. He hadn't anticipated the weight of tradition tied to such symbols. "And what if we need flags?" he asked.

Balf gestured with his hand. "You can use pennants or swallowtail flags. Only when you achieve the title of 'Flag Knight' will you be permitted to showcase your personal or family emblems. Do you understand?"

Leon nodded, realizing there were layers of rules that governed even the most straightforward aspects of knighthood.

"Good," Balf said, his tone lightening. "That covers what I needed to convey for now. The rest of the details can wait until you've each recruited your own heraldsmen. They'll guide you on the customs and etiquette of Orlando's nobility."

As Balf finished speaking, Leon felt the gravity of their new roles settling in. They were stepping into a world filled with tradition, responsibility, and potential. The journey ahead was fraught with challenges, but with determination and the right guidance, they could carve their paths as respected knights.