The Elder Lands

“I understand that there’s more to be had here than just farmers’ grain?” Maris Saltner said.

“Indeed,” Lucan said, taking the reins of their side of the conversation now. He liked to think of himself as more adept at matters of commerce, when in truth, he knew that he was simply more concerned and immersed in them than his father. “We have a stockpile of salt, and fortune blessed our neighbors with a vein of silver which is streaming into our burgeoning town.” He knew that last bit was an embellishment, but he needed to raise the worth of their estate for what he would request later in their talks. “You’ll also find plenty of Arden wine offered up.”

The merchant nodded with appreciation. “Good. Good,” he said. “Unfortunately, we cannot yet take your salt. We’re headed east after our stop here, to the Union. Plenty of salt there and we’re not likely to turn a profit. On our way back, however, that ought to change, depending on the prices you offer, of course.”

Lucan felt something in his face twitch. How hadn’t he thought of this? The Saltner’s caravan was coming from the northwest, so it had every likelihood of heading east next, and selling salt there would be like selling water at a river town. On their way back, however, the merchants might see use in buying salt from a closer source if it’s cheap enough, saving themselves wagonfulls of goods and a reasonable distance. Thankfully, other tradesmen would be happy to take their stockpile of salt. “Thomas can apprise you of our prices, which are fair by testimony of your fellow merchants.”

“Very good,” Master Saltner said. “As for the silver, we will take as much of it as there is. And I will be happy to speak with Lord Arden’s representative. We also ought to speak of what we can provide you. We have brought a fair bit of goods with us. Rations, honey, dried fruit, and some exotic goods from the Heaven Isles. Ah, and we have some raw copper and iron.” He let out a sardonic chuckle. “And as it so happens, some silver too.”

Lucan reciprocated the merchant’s mirth then hummed for a moment and nodded. “We might be in need of iron.” He glanced at Thomas who stood behind his father. The old man gave him a subtle nod, so Lucan continued, “As for how much, you may speak to Thomas along with our smith afterwards.”

“Of course,” Master Saltner said.

Lucan let a brief pause separate their previous discussion and the one he wished to broach. Lucan didn’t know if he had a talent for persuasion or not, but he would have to eke it out of himself now.

“Master Saltner,” he said slowly.

“Please,” the merchant said. “As I told you before, no need for titles. We’re to be family not too long from now, hopefully.” He glanced at Lilian with a smile. She had been silent so far. Lucan didn’t know how she truly felt about this whole affair. No one had asked her what she wanted which, he assumed, might have irked her. A little worry crept into him when he wondered if she even wanted him.

The young mage only presented a polite smile for now. Lucan pushed down the anxious part of him. They would surely get to speak before the caravan leaves. Hopefully, then, he would get to know what she thought.

He brought his mind back to the conversation. “Thank you,” he said, not certain what to call the merchant now. It didn’t feel right to call a man as old as his father with his bare name, particularly because he could become his lawfather soon. He also wasn’t as familiar with him as he was with Thomas who he’d trained himself to call without title over the recent period. “I’m certain you have noticed the expansion proceeding in our estate, yes?”

Maris Saltner nodded.

“A new wall will soon encircle more precious land that can be built upon,” Lucan said. “We could perhaps include a parcel of land for housing of considerable size?”

The merchant tilted his head. “I’m not certain what you mean.”

He knew what he meant, but the merchant was leading him on, perhaps pressing his advantage in a most bothersome way.

Lucan entertained the merchant’s fancy regardless. He was the party in need after all. “Perhaps you would find it of benefit to have a house built here? We have laborers that may be hired and an engineer already working on other structures.”

“Ah,” Maris Saltner sighed. “But such a thing…it would be too hasty and you must understand, I have ties and obligations in Eldham. To spurn them is to bring ruin to my family. Now you wouldn’t want that, would you, Lucan?”

“No,” Lucan said, sighing internally. “Certainly not. But a house here wouldn’t need to be inhabited for every single day. You can be certain of its safety under our oversight. You already leave the capital on trading expeditions such as this, for months at a time, I reckon, yes?”

“Indeed, indeed. But–”

Stolen novel; please report.

Lucan’s father chose to interject at this time, something Lucan would be grateful for later. He cleared his throat and said, “Perhaps a summer house for your family?”

Maris Saltner turned to his father, raising a quizzical brow.

“The weather is quite cool here at the zenith of summer,” Sir Golan said. “No matter how much ice you put in your drink, nothing beats a good southern breeze.”

Maris Saltner hummed noncommittally, as though considering the matter.

Lucan chose to cut in before the merchant could conjure an excuse to extend the conversation and strengthen his hand. “Your wealth and possessions shall find no safer place. “As you said, we are to be family, after all.”

The merchant continued to hum, but nodded sagely at his words.

“Of course, for you, there’ll be no rent or homestead tax,” Lucan continued. “A privilege we would extend to no other.”

A smile split Maris Saltner’s face and he finally spoke, “I suppose a small residence here for the family would do no harm. You said there were laborers at hand?”

“Yes,” Lucan returned the smile. “And building materials are abundant as there are ventures already underway.”

“Very well,” the merchant said. “I shall speak with your steward about this too.” He then turned to Lucan’s father again. “I reckon we should speak of familial matters now? And perhaps young Lucan here can show Lilian around the fief?

Sir Golan nodded, and Lucan smiled, glancing at Lilian. “It would be my pleasure. If I may ask a question of you though…” he paused, uncertain what to call the man, “Uncle Saltner?”

The merchant nodded agreeably. “You may, of course.”

“I understand that not all the wagons in your caravan belong to you; there are other merchants of smaller means accompanying, yes?”

The merchant nodded again and Lucan continued.

“Must they pay for their place in the caravan?”

Maris smiled knowingly. He must have caught a hint of genuine curiosity in his question. “Some do pay for the privilege, though many simply contribute in their own way. Services, favors, more guards for the caravan. It’s a rather intricate affair.”

“I see,” Lucan said. “Thank you.”

It wasn’t long before he found himself walking a quiet Lilian through their bailey. She was keeping a polite demeanor that he still didn’t know how to judge. And he was just realizing that he had nothing of note to show her in their estate.

“It has been some time since we last met,” Lucan said, attempting to fill the odd silence.

“Yes,” she said softly. “You were smacking Thorley about, if memory serves me well.”

“He deserved it,” Lucan replied tersely.

Lilian had enough acknowledgement of it to look abashed, but she still spoke on behalf of the princess's retainer. “Thorley has sharp edges to him, but he is loyal. I would imagine for those of noble birth, that would be the quality of a good man.”

“It isn’t for you?” Lucan said.

Lilian shook her head. “I don’t believe I’m of enough wisdom or knowledge to pass judgment on the matter.”

Lucan thought better of his roughspeak and decided to attempt to smooth it over. “I apologize for my outburst back then. He put my men in danger…and I was livid.”

“Nothing to apologize for, Master Lucan,” Lilian said. “It is understandable, but I hope you also understand that any man, noble or common, would be astounded at the sight of a bit of mythril.”

“That, I can understand,” he smiled. “And please, Lucan is enough.”

“Thank you,” Lilian said, panning her eyes over their surroundings. “It’s so scenic. Back in Eldham, everything is so cramped as though stuck with Isle glue. Here, every building has a lot of leeway. And the hinterlands on the way here, they were very pretty.”

Lucan was pleasantly surprised. “Thank you,” he said. “I’m glad you find our estate appealing. Hopefully, you will find it appropriate for prolonged residence someday.”

Lilian blushed and gave a slight nod, casting her eyes in another direction.

“I would be happy to show you more of our estate, if you’d tell me what you wish to see the most,” Lucan said, hoping to change the matter of discussion and avoid worsening her flush.

That seemed to get her attention. “I believe I heard livestock before.”

Lucan winced. That was one of the places he’d been avoiding while walking with her. They had an enclosure inside the bailey that housed some cows, birds, and sheep. He’d hoped to avoid painting their family’s estate as a backwater, though he had no illusions about the truth of it.

Lilian surprised him further, however. “I would like to see them,” she said wistfully. “I have only seen such things on rare occasions.”

Lucan was struck speechless for only a brief moment before he spread a wide smile on his face and led her towards the enclosure. “It would be my pleasure.”

For the rest of the day, Lucan showed his soon-to-be betrothed around the estate. She wasn’t satisfied with seeing the bailey, though, and requested to be shown around the outlying farms. He was happy to accommodate her.

During their ventures, he stole a few scrutinizing glances at her. He had been so concerned about whether she truly found him acceptable when he hadn’t thought if he found her to be an appropriate bride. If one were to judge on comeliness, then Lilian would be very appropriate. Her features were delicate, with a nose and mouth that were both slight in an appetizing rather than a mousy way. Her charcoal black hair was long, a bit higher than the small of her back, with a singular small braid mingling with loose, silk-like strands.

Yet, it wasn’t appearance that decided such things, or comely people would have all been wed to each other. There were other, more important things to consider. But touching upon what Lilian herself had said, Lucan didn’t feel that he had neither the wisdom nor the knowledge needed to pass judgment on such matters.

Their walk was ending by sunset and they were approaching the bailey’s gate when he spied a familiar figure on the horizon.