The Elder Lands

The next day after the sun met its zenith, word reached the keep that the neighboring knights were approaching the territory. There was a brief storm of activity as Lucan, his father, Lee, and Thomas donned proper attire and took their prepared steeds out to meet them. Until they returned, Cordell and the rest of the men-at-arms were to patrol the fief and wait for any word from the South.

They rode along Lucan’s road to the northwest, spotting the procession of their three neighboring knights as it crossed the canal.

Sir Wolfe, Sir Upton, and Sir Ryder rode together. They were having an amicable conversation, which Lucan found ironic considering what was to come. They spotted them as they made it to the same side of the canal.

The three knights came to a halt, forcing their trail of men-at-arms to do the same. Sir Wolfe was the first to speak, raising a hand. “Greetings, Golan. What seems to be the matter? I see you’re still here, so things can’t have turned dire down South.”

“Brothers,” Sir Golan said. “Elders be praised for your safe return and greetings to you all. If I may, I would speak of a matter of import that concerns you two.” He flicked his gaze between Sir Upton and Sir Wolfe.

Both knights frowned at the same time, sensing the odd air around Sir Golan.

“And what is this matter?” Sir Upton said evenly.

“Ride with me, will you?” Sir Golan said, turning his horse around and riding in the direction of their territories. The three knights followed him, riding ahead and leaving Lucan, Lee, Thomas, and the travel-weary men-at-arms to trail behind them.

Lucan watched the foursome of them talk while riding ahead of him. At first, they were calm and quiet enough not to be heard, but soon enough Lucan saw agitation in the postures of Sir Upton and Sir Wolfe, the two knights eventually erupting into an intense argument that died out as his father intervened.

They rode in silence even as they passed by Sir Wolfe’s manor without stopping. Lucan heard some whispers exchanged among the knights, echoed by more whispers exchanged among the men-at-arms behind him. Then he saw a rider coming out of the manor behind them and urging his horse to reach them. He was an older man, the sides of his hair forsaken to grayness and the top fighting for its life.

The man quickly trotted up beside Sir Wolfe, and Lucan realized that he was the knight’s steward. There was a vigorous conversation between them, which Sir Upton not-so-subtly glared at, followed by silence again.

Lucan let his eyes roam over their surroundings. The forest was on their left across the canal and open plains of green and yellow were on their right; distant hills loomed over the plains, marking the beginning of Lord Arden’s territory. The air was empty from the noise of animals, which further enhanced the foreboding feeling of their party’s quiet. Lucan felt a tension in the air that wasn’t unlike what he felt during a calm before a storm.

The tension reached its height when they finally caught sight of the ridge that marked the border between the two knights’ territories. They crossed over the low end of the ridge and circled to the side that faced Sir Upton’s Eastern territory.

A rider from Sir Upton’s lands soon found them, this time younger and with a full head of black hair. His face was shaven clean and he swiftly brought his horse to trot beside Sir Upton, affirming that he was the knight’s steward.

They were now standing in front of the largest part of the ridge and both stewards were pointing at something ahead of them. Lucan eventually spotted the unnaturally formed cave amidst the dark crags at the foot of the ridge. Someone had dug a decent bit into the side of the ridge and there was a dark hole with unknown depth within sight. Lucan doubted it was very deep, though he knew nothing about mining. And so Perhaps he was wrong and this was a naturally formed crack in the rocky slope.

“It’s clear that the vein is on my side of the ridge, Osmond,” Sir Upton said with an even tone. “By custom, its bounty belongs to me. Do not fight me over it, my friend.”

Sir Wolfe turned on his peer with a twitching face, his horse following his body and squaring off against the other knight’s steed. “Ha! Such a daring swindle. I know what’s written on your royal deed, my friend. I was there when the King’s aide inked it. It reads ‘...and his fief to begin from Sir Ryder’s fief by East and to end by the mapped ridge to the West.’” The knight paused for a moment leveling an intense stare at his opponent. “And mine? Mine reads ‘...and his fief to begin from Sir Upton’s fief by East and to end where the mapped stream twists’. This whole ridge is my land, and anything within it mine by right.”

“This ridge has always been a middle ground between our territories, Osmond. Don’t be unreasonable. This side of it is my land, and the other side is yours.”

“Only when it was of no consequence did we see the convenience of treating it as a mere barrier,” Sir Wolfe said. “Now we must observe the King’s law, Upton. And by law, this ridge is mine.”

Lucan saw the few men-at-arms that had been in the knights’ territories trickling in from both sides, armed and armored and quick to bring their steeds behind their sires.

Lucan tensed, realizing now that perhaps they should’ve brought their own men-at-arms too. Not a moment too late, the men that had been riding behind him began to trickle behind their sires as well. It was now a proper face-off that could lead to something bloody if they couldn’t find their way out of it.

When reason failed them, the two knights quickly exchanged angry shouts that were barely understandable. Sir Wolfe was particularly agitated and Lucan knew the man had a quick temper, and he feared this would quickly descend into violence

His father finally spoke, interrupting the rapidly heating debate. “My good brothers, we have been neighbors for numerous years and peers for many more. Let us not devolve into baying at each other just yet. Perhaps you could both bring your deeds so we can scrutinize them properly.”

“I’m not bringing a poorly worded instrument for him to abuse into taking what’s mine,” Sir Upton said, his tone losing its evenness and turning heated. “This ridge has been a dividing line between our fiefs for more than a decade. I refuse to be robbed here today.” He turned towards Sir Wolfe again. “You. You and your men have never even crossed to this side of the ridge before, yet you have the gall to claim that what you’ve never seen belongs to you.”

Sir Wolfe snorted and nodded towards the entrance of the cave. “You’ve never seen the silver in that vein, and yet you have the gall to claim it, don’t you?” He glanced at Lucan’s father and said, “Golan, as you can see, he will not bring his deed. He hides behind obscure matters of convenience and even claims that the King’s decree is flawed. This matter should be easy to judge. Stand for what’s right as you always have.” He turned to the fourth knight, Sir Emerson Ryder, who’d been silent so far. “And you, Emerson, will you not stand for what’s right?”

The latter knight had brought his men to the side, away from the conflict, obviously wishing to stay out of it, though he failed to hide the signs of envy on his face.

Lucan couldn’t blame him. He was envious of the rich bounty himself. He didn’t know how large the vein was, but even the most minuscule one would have been of great value to their fief. Perhaps he should have prospectors brought to their territory to properly scrutinize every nook and cranny. It would certainly be prudent. And no doubt expensive.

Lucan’s focus soon returned to the addressed knight and he saw his even face scrunch up in thought before he shook his head firmly. “My estate will have no part in this. I know less about your borders with Alfred than I do about the secrets of adamantine. Forgive me, Osmond.”

Sir Wolfe huffed and shook his head in disgust. Lucan was equally perplexed with Sir Ryder. The man had refused to even attempt a mediation between them like his father. It seemed he didn’t even want to exert any effort to keep the peace between his two peers. Lucan also understood Sir Wolfe’s disappointment. If both his father and Sir Ryder could be persuaded to side with him, then this matter would be much easier to resolve in his favor.

Lucan rode up to his father’s side, followed by Lee and Thomas. He wanted to be there to support him should things turn violent, but he also had his own say in the matter. And the only way to deliver it would be through his father.

As the two knights returned to growling at each other, Lucan came up beside his father and whispered, “Father, why don’t they split it?”

His father glanced at him and whispered back, “How would they? And look at them, even if your eyes are deceiving you, your ears can’t. Which of them seems amenable to a division of the claim?”

“What happens if they don’t reach an agreement at all?”

“It could turn bloody until it catches the attention of the King, which it would soon enough, considering the raw state of the Southern border.”

Thomas chose to enter the conversation now, his whispering tone softer than theirs. “Or one of them could choose to elevate the matter to the royal court presently, likely Sir Wolfe.”

Lucan turned to the steward who’d come up beside him. “And what would happen then?”

“The King would arbitrate between them,” his father said with a heavy voice.

“And likely end up claiming the mine to himself in contention and passing them a pittance,” Thomas added.

Sir Golan grunted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Lucan wasn’t that surprised by Thomas’s words. He would be tempted to do the same in the King’s place. A silver mine, however small, was still a boon to be appreciated. If Sir Wolfe and Sir Upton could come to an agreement, then they would both be wealthy men, though the King would still demand a tribute from them, as the mine hadn’t been known to be part of these lands when he’d bestowed them upon his knights. If they’d been lords instead of landed knights, there’d have been nothing to fear. But considering that the lands they dominated were still part of the royal demesne, the King still had much leeway in matters such as these.

“That’s it,” Lucan hissed, loud enough to get the attention of Sir Ryder who was standing aside, watching the brewing affair. “There’s something worse than getting half the mine. Getting none of it, or nearly so. If we could use that, perhaps we can impose an agreement.”

His father hummed and Lucan was surprised to find Thomas nodding. The steward spoke after Sir Golan glanced at him for counsel. “If both Sirs could be compelled to think reasonably, then they might find the idea favorable. Though someone of enough strength and presence will need to be witness and enforcer to such an agreement.” He gave Sir Golan a meaningful glance.

The knight sighed and nodded. The two contending knights were still arguing but he interrupted them. “Enough.” It wasn’t a yell or even an admonishing shout, but Sir Golan’s voice echoed in the ears of everyone standing under the looming ridge with firm intensity.

The two knights paused for long enough to hear him and he continued, “Upton, to claim that the vein is yours simply because it’s on your side of the ridge is incredulous. For all we know, it extends across and beneath the whole ridge. Wolfe would only have to dig however far is needed to reach it from his side.” Sir Golan then turned to the other knight. “And Wolfe, you must not deny the truth of Upton’s words. This ridge has been the dividing line between you nigh a generation. Let us find a middle ground.”

“A middle ground?” Sir Wolfe snarled. “By the Elders, Golan. It’s on my land! If there’s to be law under the sun, then men must heed it. How can you believe that splitting the claim is fair or just?”

“It is the only way either of you will be getting anything out of that hole in the ground,” Sir Golan said, his voice harsh and heavy. “What will happen after you finish your bout of shouting and cursing? Neither of you will see gold nor dirt from the damned trove.” He gestured at the mine’s entrance. “Elders know that if this matter is not resolved today, it never will be. And what could you hope to achieve after this? Bring it to the King’s court?”

“Aye, I will!” Sir Wolfe growled.

“And then what?” Sir Golan said. “Do you think you will be granted the mine and all of its bounty? You cannot be that artless.” Then he pointed with his head at Thomas. “If my man knows what happens when this matter reaches the throne, then so does yours.” He nodded at Sir Wolfe’s steward, whose horse was fidgeting in reflection of its master’s anxiousness. The man rode forward to his knight’s side and whispered something.

Sir Wolfe’s face tensed and Lucan could swear he heard the man’s grinding teeth. He eventually huffed in exasperation and turned his horse to the side to confer with the steward.

Perhaps out of deeper wisdom, Sir Upton hadn’t gainsaid Lucan’s father. The knight had kept to his silence, his eyes shifting between the other knights and the present stewards. His own steward, the youngest in attendance, had brought his steed up beside him quietly and was whispering in his ear.

“A fair split between you both,” his father continued. “You ought to come to an agreement before sending word to the King so he may demand his just tribute.”

Sir Wolfe suddenly barked something at his steward, whose horse reared back in fright before being calmed down by the old man. The knight then turned to his father. “I refuse, Golan,” he yelled. “This is not just.”

“Perhaps not just by letter, my friend,” Sir Golan said. “But it is fair. And it is the only path to prosperity. Take it or I will send word to the King myself. I will not tolerate this place becoming a battlefield while the Wildermen bear down our necks from the South.”

Sir Wolfe’s steward rode up to his master once more and began furiously whispering in the knight’s ear.

Sir Upton chose this time to speak. “And how would this division be undertaken?”

Sir Golan grew quiet for a moment, his thoughts ebbing and flowing on his face, then he answered, “Each one of you is to send an equal number of workers to dig up the ore. What your men dig up is yours.”

Sir Wolfe who was still visibly seething finally acquiesced and entered the discussion. “How would that ascertain any fairness? With the mine on this side of the ridge, it would be easy for silver to be smuggled out without my knowledge.”

Sir Upton’s own temper finally showed itself as he leveled a glare at the other knight. “Mind what you say, Wolfe. We have not even begun to dig the damn metal up and you’re already leveling accusations against me.”

Sir Wolfe scowled then a dismissive snort escaped him. “I’m not accusing you of anything. It’s a simple matter. What’s to prevent some common smugglers from availing themselves of this arrangement of ours,” he lied. Lucan noted that the knight was venting his anger now, and perhaps enjoying the sight of an incensed Sir Upton.

Before the latter man could retort, Lucan found it appropriate to suggest something, hoping his father wouldn’t later admonish him for speaking out of turn. “A foreman from each side,” Lucan said softly. The others barely picked up his voice and turned to him curiously. So he cleared his throat and spoke more firmly. “Sirs, each of you could choose a foreman from among your men. Every fortnight, the oversight of the miners and the camp would change between them. This would affirm a certain amount of clarity and authority for you both.”

Lucan’s father glanced at him approvingly before nodding at the other knights. “Is this agreeable?”

The two knights didn’t nod too fervently, but they didn’t show any signs of disapproval either.

Sir Wolfe’s steward, perhaps emboldened by Lucan being allowed to speak, said, “Who would arbitrate in case of a dispute?”

“I will,” Sir Golan said without hesitation. “You must both accept me as arbitrator and witness to this matter.”

The steward nodded, content.

“Very well,” Sir Upton was the first to provide his agreement.

Sir Wolfe chose only to grunt his agreement instead of providing it in words. Lucan had to hold back a chuckle. It was difficult to imagine that this was the same man he’d hunted the Labyrinth beasts with. But while he was amused at this truth, he was not overly surprised. If he’d learned anything from the royal court, it was not to judge people until an ugly matter such as this reared its head.

Not too long after, at his father’s behest, the two knights dismounted, stepped forward, and grasped each other's hands firmly to seal their agreement. Lucan’s father too dismounted, came between them, and put his hand atop theirs to formally be their witness and an upholder of the agreement.

What remained of daylight was spent in pleasantries as the three stewards strived to smooth over the disharmony that had taken the two estates, though they could only calm the surface of turbulent waters. Lucan didn’t doubt that this matter would be remembered, but at least now it wouldn’t be a matter of eternal dispute or a festering grievance.

He eventually found himself riding home with his father and his two aides as the sun dipped beyond the horizon. The trot was silent as everyone came to terms with the affair, and perhaps because it had been quite the headache too.

Lucan couldn’t help but talk though. “I must say. Even though I’m not privy to the utmost depths of their characters, what I saw of Sir Wolfe and Sir Upton today has surprised me.” He’d been familiar with the two knights since childhood, yet this affair had shown him more than he’d imagined to be hidden within the two men.

Surprisingly it was Lee that responded. “Put enough wealth in front of any man, and you will see a different side to him. Even after this bounty is split and the King’s tribute delivered, both knights will be wealthy enough to provoke the envy of every other knight in the Kingdom. It would not go amiss to say that this mine in its entirety could have even laid bare the greed and hostility of properly wealthy lords if found on their lands.”

Lucan’s father nodded in agreement.

“How much will the King’s tribute be?” Lucan couldn’t help but ask.

“It will depend upon many considerations,” Thomas said. “But I expect it to be half.”

“Half?” Lucan choked.

“Yes,” Thomas smiled ruefully. And Lucan heard his father grunt, obviously not disagreeing with his steward.

“Half of half for each knight then.” Lucan couldn’t hold back the frayed chuckle this time. He shook his head and watched as the sky turned a deeper blue by the moment. At least he’d fulfilled his purpose today. Now only the matter of the jewelers remained to seal it.