The Elder Lands

After the affair with the refugees had been handled, a few of them whipped and a certain bandit-whisperer hanged, Lucan and his father spent more time acquainting Maris Saltner and Lilian with the territory and its resources. Though their men-at-arms continued cleaning up the forest. The merchant was happy to gather more knowledge about their state of affairs, and Lilian seemed genuinely curious about everything.

Once two days had passed, Maris Saltner bade them farewell to recommence his caravan’s journey to the Union. He, again, urged Lucan to take care of Lilian while implicitly aiming that insistence at his father.

The caravan left them content, since its traders had bought an abundance of the local goods and sold some of their goods too. What they didn’t buy would be lapped up by the merchants flowing in with the turn of the season. The caravan’s presence for those two days had even raised the prices of some goods due to fierce competition. Lucan was happy to reap the benefits, though the jump in food prices was somewhat harmful to their estate at this time.

A new spring day soon came, and after a brief bout of training with his father, he was to be accompanied by Lilian once more. Today, they would ride out to see the hinterland of their estate.

He met her outside of the keep. The pleasant appearance of Lilian in her riding attire surprised him. She wore a short, white tunic that was tucked into riding trousers the same shade of brown as the horse provided for her. Her hair was tied into a long tail except for a single strand that swirled down the side of her face. She was giving him a beaming smile that made him think.

“May I so boldly assume that this isn’t your first time riding?” Lucan said with a bit of mirth.

“Yes,” Lilian said, her smile even wider. “I love riding. Even more so when it’s out in the wideness instead of inside a boring enclosure.”

“I see,” Lucan said. “I suppose I’m glad to be of service.”

“Thank you,” she said, her tone clipped with a mirth of her own, then she lowered her head in a mock bow that he would’ve normally found insulting.

Lucan sighed and led her down the walkway into the bailey. There, he was surprised to catch sight of Ainsley wrapping up his goods. He approached the young merchant quickly.

“Ainsley, my friend, leaving already?”

“Ah, Master Lucan and…”, he glanced at Lilian uncertainly.

“Mistress Lilian,” Lucan said. “Master Saltner’s daughter and my betrothed.”

Ainsley bowed smoothly and smiled. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mistress.”

“The pleasure is mine, Master Ainsley,” Lilian said.

Ainsley gave her a polite nod and turned back to him with a helpless smile. “Indeed, Master Lucan, I must be on my way today. I’m still at the beginning of my route, and while there’s ample opportunity here, I’m afraid I’ve used it all up for now.”

“I see,” Lucan said and mirrored his smile. “I apologize for my absence during your visit, but as you know, there were matters to attend to.”

“Make no apologies, Master Lucan,” Ainsley said. “Such things are to be expected when it’s someone of your stature. I’m certain opportunities will be abundant in the coming seasons.”

“Indeed,” Lucan said. “However, I have something to ponder with you.”

“Ah, of course!” Ainsley said, gesturing an invitation with his hand. “Please.”

“What may one do if they wish for those who make the coin to take this place for a home?”

Ainsley looked perplexed for a moment before a hint of understanding appeared on his face. “That would be quite the difficult venture, I’m afraid, Master Lucan. I don’t mean to offend, but the settlement is modest.” He glanced around the expanding bailey. “And, well, while there’s much to attract those like me to come and trade here, there’s little to attract them to live here. Except…” He glanced at Lilian hesitantly.

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“Except a merchant of great status being here,” Lucan continued for him. It was the truth. He’d only managed to persuade Ainsley to build a small home here because Maris Saltner would be building his own, and the young merchant would be a fool to miss this opportunity.

But that wouldn’t be enough for Lucan. He had to find a way to host the merchants here for life. And a chance of Maris Saltner being here in summer wasn’t enough for his plans, so he kept an expectant stare leveled at the young merchant.

Ainsley seemed at a loss for a moment. “Well, with trade already becoming stronger and stronger here, there are only two other things a tradesman might look for.”

Lucan nodded for him to continue, noting that Lilian was showing interest in what was being said.

“The presence of other merchants that they may find company and opportunity with,” Ainsley said with a rueful smile.

Lucan returned the smile. He already knew that and, maddeningly, it was a full circle.

“And finally,” Ainsley continued. “There’s safety, as one might imagine. Knowing that our wealth and person are safe from injustice and avarice is a foremost concern for those in my profession. The wealthier, the more concerned.”

Lucan nodded along. “And how may one assure you of such safety?”

Ainsley went silent, seemingly deep in thought. Even his eyes which had respectfully not left them since they’d arrived now wandered to look in a random direction. Suddenly he perked up. “It’s reasonable to believe that none would accept any assurances given by those who they fear most, yes?” Lucan nodded. The only one who could break a promise was the one who made it, and the merchants feared nobles the most. Ainsley continued upon seeing his agreement, “But, in the past, there used to be guilds in both Eldham and Arpague, as you know. They stood for the safety and prosperity of the resident merchants, and even some of those not inhabiting those cities.”

Lucan deflated and shook his head. “The guilds were disbanded by the throne. No vassal may breach a royal decree.”

“Of course,” Ainsley said with a helpless shrug.

Lucan fell deep in thought. There was no way to bring back the guilds without the king’s blessing, but perhaps there were ways around it. First and foremost, whatever he may put together must not be called a guild. Second, it must not appear to be a guild. And this far from the capital, it would hopefully not be too noticeable.

“Well,” he began. “What if there were to be a… merchant house here? A place where those of your trade could come together to converse about the difficulties of their profession, trade routes and such. Perhaps I would also visit such a place to commune with those who might need someone to hear them, and so that they may be privy to the circumstances that govern this corner of the kingdom when needed.”

Ainsley went quiet again, his eyes wandering off once more. Then he came back with slow, increasingly firm nods. He was smiling by the end of it. “I believe my fellows would find that quite appealing.”

“Very well,” Lucan said. “Would your fellows be willing to bear the expenses of building their merchant house?”

Lucan could swear that Ainsley held back a chuckle before he forced himself to speak politely. “Master Lucan, it would certainly undermine the purpose of appealing to tradesmen if you were to force them to bear the expenses. And in all appearances, it would not be a guild, yes? Gradually and slowly, the fellows of my trade would have to be introduced to the merchant house privileges without knowing for certain what it is.”

Lucan shook his head with a bit of mirth. It was wishful thinking to believe the merchants would part with coin when someone else could. Rather, he would have to bear these expenses since he was the one pursuing this matter. Still, if it fulfilled its purpose, then it would be coin well-spent.

“You’ve given me much to think about, Ainsley,” Lucan said. “Thank you for your counsel.”

“A pleasure to be of service, Master Lucan,” Ainsley said.

Lucan gave him a nod. “Let us not delay you much longer then. Farewell, my friend.”

“Farewell, Master Lucan,” Ainsley said, bowing his head slightly to him then to Lilian. “Mistress.”

“Master Ainsley,” Lilian nodded to him amicably.

They parted ways then, as Lucan and Lilian continued on their way out of the bailey where their mounts were waiting.

The stableman was waiting for them with the horses outside. He greeted them with a bow and settled their steeds for them as Lucan helped his betrothed onto her steed then moved to his own. Normally, one of the men-at-arms would’ve accompanied them, but they were still busy with the brigands in the woods. While the former peasants were no threat, they were scattered all over the forest, making it difficult to end them in one fell swoop.

As they prepared to begin their ride, Lilian ventured a question. “Why are you of such interest in bringing merchants to live in the estate, if I may ask.”

“You may,” Lucan said then went on to answer her. “Perhaps it’s wishful of me, but I believe that if merchants come to our territory, then their coin will come with them, and that should certainly contribute to the prosperity of the fief. In the end, even a merchant must spend at least some of their hard-earned coin somewhere. Not only so, but trade will certainly be strengthened if what I wish comes to pass. You can’t have dozens of merchants or more living in a settlement without them partaking in their beloved craft.”

Lilian seemed thoughtful for a moment then slowly nodded causing the swirl of hair framing her face to bob with the movement. “Wise.”

Lucan gave her a grateful smile and urged his horse onward.