13 Chapter 13: Lordship is troublesome
- Ector -
Ector was tense, much like everyone in the so-called council. He didn't put much stock into it, as only two of them had any knowledge of war and defense to offer, Arthur kept the others here as token participants in an effort to secure their loyalty.
When all was said and done, the boy would decide on his own, oftentimes discarding all of their counsels. It was not a bad thing, he thought, it saved them many times in the past. But in this particular meeting, he prayed for the young wizard to listen.
The old man had lived long enough, seen enough conflicts to know a pivotal moment when he sees one. This single decision would reflect the future of Arthur's command, whether he'll be known as a just and honorable leader of man or a bloodthirsty warlord the likes of which Britain has rarely seen.
Ector wished it was the former, he wished that it would be obvious, he wished that such a young boy couldn't have it in him to take such a path.
Sadly, Arthur was capable of endless cruelty to achieve his goals. He knew it, they all did. They all saw the massacre in the Fancy, a hundred corpses thrown in the seas.
"I have decided." A soft voice spoke, the finality coming from such a juvenile voice would be humorous if not for its speaker's ability to light them on fire if he so-wished.
The stone chambers had never felt so cold, the weary soldier repressed a shudder. No amount of fire, candles or clothing could appease him. Ector looked from the men to the servants to the calculating eyes of his commander before settling on the wooden table, a round table for their Arthur; yet the boy was no more a king than they were knights.
"We will not engage in needless slaughter" Arthur said, and at that moment Ector could've kissed him.
"As you wish." He spoke, bowing his head to hide the gigantic smile.
Boris grumbled, the violent fool that he was. But even he had enough sense not to directly oppose Arthur, such things were better left in the safety of his room away from the ears in the fort; ever eager to please their master.
Still, Ector was surprised to see so much faith from their leader. He pegged him as the machiavellian type, cold blooded and quick to the strike.
He knew him more than anyone else, Arthur was after all his leader/trainee/surrogate-grandson/savior/friend...cumulating so many positions should be illegal.
But was he even supposed to call him? Leader? Son? Student? Arthur never clarified, and did not refute familiarity...with him at very least. The old man was left alone to figure this out, and quickly realized that he was indeed too old for this shit.
"Send a rider to the village, one who speaks norse." The boy commanded.
"What of the hamlet?" Erwin asked, a smile on his face.
"Let them be." Arthur shrugged, "If the villagers are too belligerent, and ready themselves for our blades, we'll still have an easy target to pick off."
Now that was more like him, the old man could only smile ruefully. He would've sent envoys to both settlements in an effort to secure at least one trade agreement, knowing full well how foolish it would be. But here was a boy, a seventh of his age, ruthless enough to do what he must.
'Still, I hope they'll see reason.' He prayed in his heart for the villagers to accept this peace, for the sake of their kinsmen in the east.
Ector left the chamber with a calmer heart, good spirits and an exhausted body. He dreaded all the work he'd have to finish on the morrow, but found solace in knowing that Arthur would be even more busy.
The boy had to train his mind and body, keep his men faithful and good spirited, find a way to master his magic with no better instructor than a cowardly lard in the dungeon, make plans upon plans to guarantee their future, protect their present and overcome their past.
And even then, he was expected to sit on that uncomfortable looking chair and listen to a dozen ponce flatter and lie and argue and ask for more and more than they'd ever deserve like some sort of manor lord.
Ector paused at that thought.
"A Lord…" he muttered, was it what Arthur had become? Their Lord?
He certainly fulfilled a lord's duty masterfully, much better than any other one he served under; both squib or wizard. Of course, that wasn't such a high bar to surpass.
Most lords are either wastes of flesh leeching off their ancestors' feats, wizards with delusions of grandeur but enough sense to know battle with their own kind would lead to their doom. Many are blissfully unaware that the Lord of a manner is nothing but an overgloried business owner; stuck in endless paperwork. Many others ignore the 'War' part in Warlord, live their lives martially useless and end up dying in a ditch.
The old man didn't mind viewing Arthur as such, children younger than him held much greater positions in the past.
'If he's doing such a good job at it, we should at least give him the title he deserves.' He smiled, changing his destinations to the kitchens where Martha was doubtlessly socializing.
A day later, the entire fort knew they served a Lord in the North whose name was Arthur.
- Arthur -
He was anxious.
At dawn, an envoy was sent with a missive and the fort's hopes for peace. Finding a norse speaker was much easier than you'd think, with how many botched invasions the danes, swedes and norwegian attempted on the isles there was no lack of nordic influence.
Still, it did not make it any more likely for the settlers to welcome them.
If this attempt at diplomacy failed, he would be forced to mount an attack on the much smaller hamlet east of the fort. Those people who did them no wrong would have to fall.
He could blame it on the stubbornness of their neighbor, or some innate belligerence of the Norse people.
But he would not, the responsibility would be his and his alone to bear, it was something he accepted days ago when they still sailed The Fancy through unknown seas, unsure of whichever fate awaited.
'Now the die is cast, all I can do is wait and hope for the best.' He thought bitterly, feeling even more alone within his solar.
Herpocles's notes did not make for good companions, nor did they help his admittedly damaged sanity. He was always the first to say that sanity is overrated, but he unfortunately needed a measure of it to lead properly.
Ultimately, he closed the tome and left the room for some much needed fresh air. Finishing his daily tasks was a good enough reason to flee the stuffy solar, not that a lord needed one.
Yes, lord.
His people's newest fantasy had him claimed as some sort of prodigal entity sent to save them from oppression, an overly romanticized and idealistic view….he rather liked it.
He had craved a name to suit his position for quite some time, and Lord was short and sweet sounding. It had nothing to do with his inflated ego, and the possibilities his dramatic flair made him see with such a title.
His people enjoyed it very much, too.
They loved the structure and familiarity and sheer safety the word conjured. It lets them know where they stood, gives them solace in knowing their duties and defines their identity.
No more ragtag band of freed slaves and unsure newcomers, they were now cooks and guards and servants of Lord Arthur Black.
'I'll have to do something about this name.' he mused, it was bound to bring him troubles.
Strolling through the fort, he stops here and there to speak with his people, yet never strayed from his original goal.
- Daily Quest: Ector's training
Ector is always happy to help you train, though his methods are far from gentle.
Reward: +1 Sword +1 Physical conditioning +5 Reputation with Ector
Penality: Breaking poor Ector's heart.
It expected it to be long, burdensome and utterly exhausting.
It was.
- Daily Quest: Bullseye
Join Erwin and the archers for some target practice, his namesake definitely deserved the colossal titan.
Reward: +1 Bow and Arrow +1 Perception +5 Reputation with group: Archers.
Arthur agreed completely, the titan shifting powers were wasted on Armin.
Archery, however, was more pleasant than he thought. There was much satisfaction in a true shot, and the archers were some of his best warriors.
- Daily Quest: Man's best friends.
Dogs and horses are a special kind of awesome, spend time in the kennels and stables; help, learn and enjoy the fluff.
Reward: New skill: Riding New skill: Animal Training
Penality: Your soul is forfeit.
The penalty was mildly concerning, but he felt it was completely justified.
Dogs were justice, and it was a Lord's duty to see it through.
Horses were chill.
- Daily Quest: My Father Will Hear About This!
You have magic, use it for the good of your people. Use spells to make your men's daily life easier, effectively pissing on centuries of snobbism. 0/5
Reward: +1 Charms +1 Transfiguration +5 Reputation with group: Squibs.
Penality: -10 Reputation with group: Squibs.
A couple Wingardium Leviosa laters, the servants were happy to see heavy supplies delivered with no efforts but mortified at the idea of a lord toiling. A few more basic warming charms were enough to fulfill the quest's conditions, but he saw no harm in providing as much help as his magic could reasonably allow.
It was a lesson in magic's versatility, the Why and How of wizarding supremacy and advancements in spite of the very wacky laws of physics magic brought along.
And also a bit of humility pie, not that he deserved it of course...his awesomeness was perfectly justified in his humble opinion.
In any case, by the time a servant rushed to inform him of the rider's return he had raised his stats to a suitable level. The Day was still young, however, and he planned on resuming the grind with even more fervor if luck was on his side.
[Arthur Black
Title: Potential Wizard.
Mana Points: 65/150
Strength: 11
Perception: 12
Endurance: 13
Charisma: 14
Intelligence: 12
Agility: 13
Magic: 15
Magic Control: E+]
- Skills:
Martial:
Sword: 11
Spear: 1
Shield: 3
Bow and Arrow: 4
Armor: 3
Running: 8
Stealth: 12
Physical Conditioning: 12
Tactics 1
Riding 1
Governance:
Stewardship 1
Animal training 1
Magic:
Charms: 7
Dark Arts: 4
Transfiguration: 3
Sensing: 15
It was far more glorious than the pathetic numbers the scroll once displayed, he could barely hold back a self-satisfied smile.
Of course, it could be better.
'I need more governance skills, neglecting them now will doubtlessly end up fucking me in the arse sometime in the future.' He thought, making his way into his solar where Ector and Rick; the rider they had sent, were waiting for him.
He was greeted joyously, which immediately set his mind at ease. But the caution behind his right hand's eyes told him they weren't off the hook yet, life just couldn't be that easy.
Questions were asked and answers given, and while Arthur was more than happy that he needed not cut someone's head off, he still had much to think about.
'That's…troublesome.'
----------------------------
Author Note:
----------------------------
Hey! What's up?
Here's a chapter, now comment and leave me a stone if you want another one quickly.
------------------------------
This was the Author Note
---------------------------------
