The Elder Lands
Chapter 59

Lucan walked Lilian back to the keep before returning to the bailey to welcome his favorite merchant, Ainsley. The young man wasn’t the wealthiest in his trade, but he returned to their estate more than any other tradesman. Lucan had gotten familiar with him and had even bid him farewell when he’d left before winter. He was now a welcome sight, particularly because Lucan saw him as his next quarry after Maris Saltner.

He received him at the bailey’s gate, glad that the young merchant felt at ease entering their walls instead of being wary of some rogue tax falling on his head.

“Master Lucan!” the young man said. His dark hair had grown slightly longer but was still swept back like it had been last time. “A pleasure to see you again.”

“Yes, it is a pleasure, Ainsley,” Lucan said. “Welcome back to our estate. Come come.” He gestured inside.

The young merchant guided the mule pulling his cart into the bailey proper, gazing at his surroundings with wonder. “I see much has changed already.”

“Yes, hopefully for the better,” Lucan said.

“I’m certain it is so,” Ainsley said. “Your ventures are cause for pride, Master Lucan.”

“That’s too high a praise,” Lucan smiled. “I’ve been fortunate, and I’ve had the aid of men with more wisdom than I.”

Ainsley nodded smoothly, tying his mule to a post as they came to a stop. He looked at the laborers working on the new palisade once more. “There will be plenty of land after this, I reckon.”

“Indeed,” Lucan said, glad that the young man broached the matter himself. “There might even be some opportunities for friends of our estate…”

“Oh?” Ainsley looked at him quizzically. “Is it so? What kind of opportunities?”

“Well, one could perhaps be granted a piece of land to build a modest house on,” Lucan said, speaking slowly. “Laborers and building materials are present, and even our engineer would be happy to aid you.”

“Ah…” the young merchant winced. “That would be… I believe that would be beyond my means. To own more than one home would be too wasteful. I’m still putting my first foot on the road, Master Lucan. Your invitation is much appreciated, though.”

Lucan kept his smile, not yet surrendering the fight. “It wouldn’t need to be a big house.” He gestured towards the expanding part of the bailey, deciding to make use of their earlier conversation with Maris Saltner. “Something of humble size for the summer would be a boon to you and…your family.” Lucan realized that he didn’t know whether the young man had family or not. He’d spoken to him more than once, but the matter had never been broached.

Ainsley gave him a rueful smile. “I’m not yet wed, Master Lucan. But perhaps someday. It would be an honor to be given leave to live in your estate, but the costs…” he shook his head.

Lucan nodded regretfully. “I see. That’s unfortunate. Though, you wouldn’t have been alone in taking this opportunity. Master Saltner will soon be building his summer house here in the new bailey. I was hoping that you’d replace good company here with him and perhaps even with more merchants like yourself in the years to come.”

The young man’s eyes widened, and Lucan could see the incredulity of disbelief in them. “Master Saltner…Master Maris Saltner?”

“Yes, that would be him.”

“That…” Ainsley stuttered. “Truly? He will?”

“He is here. You may ask him yourself,” Lucan said, gesturing towards the keep.

“Yes,” Ainsley said. “Right. I saw the caravan. I had planned to ask among them who it belonged to. To think that Master Saltner himself is here. That is quite…”

Lucan found the speechlessness of the young merchant amusing, but he wanted to strike the iron while it was hot. “I believe the opportunity to be Master Saltner’s neighbor is a rare thing. Even after the bailey is expanded, the distance between your dwellings would be of no significance. That is, if you were to change your mind on the matter.”

Speechless again, Ainsley opened his mouth like a fish, as though wanting to take back his refusal of Lucan’s offer. “What would this entail?”

Lucan couldn’t help but grin. “You are free to choose an appropriate piece of land within the new walls. You shall buy your own building materials. You’ll replace acquiring them easy. Master Sawyer, our engineer, would be happy to aid you in the undertaking, for fair compensation of course, and so will the laborers. We will demand no coin from you until a year is past. Then, you will have to pay rent for the land and nothing more. Your property and wealth will be safe even from us so long as you follow the King’s law.”

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Ainsley pressed his lips, glancing fitfully at the keep, perhaps still unsure.

Fortunately, Lucan’s father and Maris Saltner emerged from the walkway at this time. Lucan thought it a pleasant twist of fate and gestured towards them. “Perhaps you’d like to meet Master Saltner?”

Ainsley nodded mutely and vigorously.

They approached the two older men before Maris Saltner spoke with a wide smile, but Lucan didn’t miss his quick scrutiny of Ainsley. “Ah, Lucan. I was just asking after you. You must take care of my Lilian. I entrust you with much and expect that you honor that trust.” He pretended to see Ainsley just then. “Who is your companion there?”

Ainsley bowed slightly but then fumbled it when he realized that he had to bow to Lucan’s father first, turning and bowing deeply to the knight then bowing again to the merchant. “Master Saltner, my name is Ainsley Rooklet, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Lucan chuckled. “Ainsley is a traveling merchant and a friend. He intends to build a small dwelling here too.”

Lucan could swear that Maris Saltner looked surprised for a moment before leveling an admiring gaze at him. “I see.”

“Such a privilege to neighbor you, good master,” Ainsley said.

“I suppose the pleasure is mine,” Maris Saltner said. “Who do you speak to in the Alley?”

“It would be Master Risse,” Ainsley said.

“Not a native to Eldham then,” Maris Saltner nodded, continuing the conversation that was already beyond Lucan’s understanding. He assumed it had something to do with their trade, but he didn’t know what the ‘Alley’ was.

“Aye, Master Saltner,” Ainsley said. “I mostly visit the Tower for my dues.”

“Ah, Arpague then,” Maris Saltner said. “Master Vilton I presume?”

“Aye,” Ainsley said with a compliant nod.

Maris Saltner hummed for a moment nodding approvingly. Approving of what? Lucan didn’t know. The merchant spoke without regard for his confusion, however. “Well, young man, now we must speak of familiar matters.” The older merchant gestured to Lucan and his father. “You may replace your footing with the caravaneers. I’ll be out shortly to pat the horses.”

“Of course, Master Saltner.” Ainsley bowed to them all once more before hurrying towards the bailey’s gate, no doubt anxious to speak to Maris Saltner outside.

Lucan turned to the two older men, an unspoken question on his face. The merchant turned to the knight, deferring to him.

“You and Lilian are now formally betrothed,” his father said, wearing a serious countenance. “I’ve assured Maris that you will bear this responsibility well and behave as befits this bestowal of trust.”

“Indeed,” Maris Saltner said. “You must look after my Lilian while I’m away, young Lucan.” Then he turned to Sir Golan. “She will be in your care.” At the knight’s firm nod, the merchant continued, “If I may be excused, I must go and pat the horses.” He gestured towards the bailey’s gate

Lucan’s father nodded again and the merchant left to check on his caravan.

Lucan was fixing his father with an incredulous stare. “While he’s away?”

“He’s leaving his daughter in our care. He doesn’t want to expose her to the coarseness of long travels, or so he says. I suspect it was his intention since before he left Eldham.”

“Why?” Lucan said, his incredulity only increasing. “It…I don’t understand.”

“I believe he is conducting himself how he expects nobles to,” his father said. “Except, he doesn’t realize how humble our estate is.”

“Perhaps he doesn’t see our estate as humble,” Lucan said, glancing at the keep and remembering how the merchant had looked at it when he’d arrived this morning.

“Perhaps,” his father said.

“But there’s no political obligation for him to leave his daughter here as some nobles might,” Lucan said.

“I suspect this is more about his aspirations than about what is true,” his father said. “And if we must entertain his fantasy, then so be it. He promised quite a considerable dowry, perhaps even enough for you to cut one of your channels all the way to the Vincemare.”

Lucan couldn’t help but huff in amusement. “So… where will she be staying?”

“Thomas has surrendered his chamber for the cause,” his father said with some mirth. “I hope his old bones can endure the humid chamber by the cellar.”

“That could barely contain a privy!” Lucan said.

His father shrugged. “Can’t have your bride-to-be curling up in a…” he looked at him thoughtfully, “privy, I suppose, can we?”

Lucan raised his brows in disbelief then shook his head.

“Regardless, she is in my care and our guest,” his father said, giving him a meaningful look. “And she will be treated as is proper.”

Lucan shrugged. “Have you known me to conduct myself improperly, Father?”

“He wanted to keep a guard with her,” his father said severely. “I refused, of course, and told him that it would be an insult to me if he insisted. She will have her maid with her and a butler…whose vocation I heavily doubt.”

Lucan gave him an understanding nod. “At least it will be an opportunity to become more familiar with her.”

“Yes,” his father said. “She is not uneasy on the eyes, so I imagine it won’t be difficult for you to grow sweet on each other.”

Indeed, she wasn’t, Lucan thought.

“Onto other matters,” his father said. “Thomas has discreetly told me that we need to speak to him today. There’s been something concerning going on with the refugees.”

Lucan winced. Every time something went wrong with the refugees, part of the blame would be laid on him.

He hoped it was a trivial matter, for his own sake and theirs.