Horizon of War Series

Ex Veteri, Novum

Lowlandia

It was a beautiful spring, with a slight persistent chill lingering in the air and blooming wildflowers in the pastures all over Lowlandia. Hundreds lined the roads to Korelia from the East and the West, many experiencing this journey for the first time. Despite the hardship of crossing the great plains, they were captivated by the convenience of resting places that appeared strategically located at a day's march, even in the middle of the plains.

Upon arrival, travelers were enveloped in nomadic hospitality, treated like honored guests with offerings of fresh water, warm meals, and lodging—all for a mere three copper coins. This fee included the famed mare wine and enough water for the onward journey. The nomadic family also offered select merchandise; purchases of leather goods, wool, or trinkets often resulted in free additional food provisions for their travels.

The host's warmth made the travelers feel safe despite coming from different backgrounds. There, they often encountered other groups heading in the opposite direction, messengers, and even cavalry on patrol, which bolstered their sense of security further.

With Korelia now becoming the political seat of Lowlandia, dozens of messengers and their escorts commuted daily into the city. Along with them, official merchants and cargo haulers operated their trade between domains now unified under one leadership. Their meetings with the lord's men further emboldened these would-be migrants. They learned what Korelia had to offer, what the Lord and Lady had achieved, and their grand plans for the city.

The journey from Three Hills to Korelia typically took fifteen days on foot, though many preferred to extend this to twenty days, taking long rests at scenic resting spots. From the White Lake region, the journey was shorter, with half the route veiled in thick vegetation due to the proximity of White Lake itself, tapering off as they moved further away.

For the migrants seeing the city for the first time, they were immediately greeted by the new city walls, which were still under construction. The presence of the walls instilled a sense of safety and bestowed a grand prestige on the city, rivaling that of Three Hills.

Coming to the powerful-looking eastern gate, each traveler had their details recorded in the gatehouse. They were issued permits and then were free to enter the city. Straight out of the gate, the travelers were welcomed by the sight of a burgeoning city with a vibrant market area. New buildings were everywhere. Rows of shops with freshly painted facades stood under colorful canvas canopies, where traders from every known region hawked their goods.

And then there was the plaza, adorned with colorful mosaic marble and featuring a graceful water fountain at its center. The area around the fountain, surrounded by palm trees, provided a cool shade frequently used by citizens to relax after work. They sat around on carpets, enjoying the melody of folk songs and the dramatic flair of street performers, which included minstrels and even acrobats.

The social gatherings in the plaza gave Korelia its appeal, further enriched by the rich aroma coming from the market district. The city hosted a large variety of foods as merchants who supplied the three lords often had surpluses to sell. Thus, the city offered goods from every region: wheat and wine from Three Hills, fresh fruits and ducks from South Hill, barley, venison, and salted fish from White Lake, and rye and smoked fish from Korimor.

These goods complemented Korelia's own offerings of salted or fresh meat-based meals. With the ease of obtaining a rich selection of ingredients at affordable prices, the number of food stalls continued to grow. This favorable business environment allowed cooks from as far as Umberland and Nicopola to start their own stalls.

After their supper, travelers often headed to the city’s bathhouse to cleanse and unwind. The migrants who had settled there had fostered a tradition of recommending that newcomers take a refreshing bath before retiring to their lodgings.

While most of the bathhouse facilities would close after sundown due to the costs of illuminating such a large space, the small indoor bath remained open. This cozy haven offered warm water baths at a modest price, becoming a favored spot for late workers, guardsmen, travelers, or anyone who needed to wash up.

For the would-be migrants, this warm bath felt like a cleansing ritual.

"From the old, the new," the bathhouse worker would say to newcomers, encouraging them and wishing them a better life.

For those in need of alcohol, the city boasted an enviable selection. With multiple lords bringing their own suppliers, there was a wide array of drinks available: from the expensive mead made purely from honey mixed with either fruit juice, floral water, or spiced water, to local ales, Three Hills' wine, and the exotic nomads' mare wine.

Drinking stalls and taverns sprang up everywhere to cater to Korelia’s burgeoning population, which had soared with the arrival of migrants since last fall. Even early this spring, hundreds more arrived, all seeking a better life under the rule of three lords.

As the last tavern closed and its guests retreated, the night blanketed the city in the middle of the steppe. When the stars gave way to daylight, Korelia awoke to a bustling scene of trade and commerce, offering abundant opportunities for those literate in the languages of trade or construction.

From the eastern banks of the river, the city's emergence as a manufacturing power was evident. Workshop complexes, waterwheels, blacksmiths billowing smoke, and warehouses occupied dedicated areas. Manufacturing jobs were plentiful, allowing masterless smiths and apprentices to learn as they worked.

The ruling House offered a myriad of opportunities, including for breeders and farmers. The lands of Korelia, a steppe with limited fertile areas only between the hill and the river, were now being transformed. New lines of trees and shrubs were taking root, and fields were grazed by sheep.

After much study, the Lord had decided on four crop rotations, a method previously unknown in Lowlandia. Unlike the traditional three-crop rotation used in Midlandia, this new approach includes two main crops and replaces fallowing with the planting of fodder and grazing crops.

Farmers working on these lands were eager to see the results of this new method. The Lord's staff had told them that the fodder and grazing crops would help repair and maintain the soil's fertility more effectively than simply letting the soil rest and allowing wild grass to grow. Hearing this, they were hopeful that the combination would change the barren land to grow wheat or other grains.

The details were as follows:

1. Main Crops: Wheat or rye, cereals that required rich and fertile soil, were planted first.

2. Fodder Crops: After harvesting the main crops, turnips and other root vegetables were planted. These broke up the soil and helped reduce soil compaction from the previous main crop. At the same time, their root structures also helped bind the soil, protecting it from the harsh steppe winds. Additionally, they were effective in reducing weeds and, once harvested, provided a convenient source of livestock feed for the winter.

3. Secondary Crops: Barley or oats followed the fodder crops. These staple grains, more tolerant of poorer soil conditions, helped clean the soil of weeds after the root crops. They also provided sustenance to the population without overly burdening the soil.

4. Grazing Crops: Clover or legumes were planted where the secondary crops had been harvested. These plants rested, maintained, and enriched the soil. They also provided a grazing area for livestock, further ensuring the ability to breed year-round without needing to graze outside, thus allowing premium grazing ground to be dedicated to horse breeding.

This year, the city had begun to welcome horse breeders and traders from all over Lowlandia. With the major Houses and the knights—who were their primary customers—now concentrated in Korelia, they had no choice but to follow. The lords' move had created conditions for the city's horse market to thrive.

Furthermore, being stationed in Korelia opened new avenues of opportunity. It was known that the lord of the city maintained good relations with the nomadic tribes, and the nomads had pledged to bring a yearly tribute of a hundred horses. Upon their arrival, there would be ample opportunity to purchase high-quality horses and mares for breeding.

Adding to the allure, rumors circulated that the three Lords would hold an annual race and horse contest after the harvest. This event was highly anticipated, as horse racing had long been a favorite entertainment among the lords and people of Lowlandia.

Now, the city, which was once nothing more than a dusty fortified hill on a frontier plagued by wars, was the fastest-growing city in the south of the Imperium. Its citizens and migrants were looking forward to a great year.

***

Lansius

One month had passed since the first meeting. While the three lords were always welcome to visit each other, it was decided that they didn't need to meet daily, and such meetings didn’t have to be formal. Often, they gathered in the Eastern Mansion’s garden for casual chats or to resolve minor issues.

At other times, they walked near the wall construction site or the new agricultural area to exchange ideas. Thus, meetings in the Great Keep were reserved for important discussions or monthly gatherings.

Each lord managed the affairs of their household and domain via a fast and reliable horse messenger system. This system, pioneered by Lansius with the help of nomadic peoples, made sending mail and small packages both reliable and ultra-fast. Despite great distances, they could send mail in just six days and urgent messages in three through a horse relay system.

Surprisingly, Korelia had also developed a robust trade network. The firewood merchants, utilizing the lord's established postal route—which provided convenient resting spaces, protection, fresh water, and resupply—had evolved into a significant trade network. Previously, they traded only firewood for bathhouse services, but now they also transported a vast array of commodities to make substantial profits. Thus, the small caravan of several carts had grown to a dozen, ready to meet the demands of the growing city.

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Lansius would need every bit of efficiency if he wanted to keep the populace happy and the industrial heart of the city well-oiled. Speaking of oil,

"Reports of naphtha from Calub," Sterling said, offering a missive inside the eastern mansion's second floor hall, where Lansius managed his domain's affairs.

Seated behind a large table, Lansius took the missive and glanced at it, noting that Calub had found a supplier all too glad to provide oil to Korelia, despite the hostility in Midlandia. Turning to Sterling, Lansius said, "Next."

"From Sir Gunther," Sterling offered another missive.

Ah, thankfully, just a thank you note for the spring bed mattresses. Mm, he did hint about his worsening condition.

Lansius placed the missive to his right to remind himself to ask Farkas whether the former lord was living comfortably and if he needed special care due to his old wound. While House Gunther was no longer relevant, Lansius felt that people would judge him if he mistreated those who had surrendered to him. "Next," he instructed.

Sterling offered another missive.

Soon there was a pile of items to consider:

- noble area's reports

- dedicated firemen service

- reports on guild that proposed gambling den

- reports on agriculture projects

- duck breeding progress

- the city library matters

- new letter from Dawn

- correspondence from the Hunter Guild

- reports on workshop expansion

- decisions regarding city wall features

- current treasury valuations and appraisals

- Dame Daniella's report

- and even paint color choices for the Great Keep.

Lansius stared at them, trying to prioritize his concerns, then remembered Lord Robert. "Sterling, do you have any news about the Lord of White Lake and Francisca?" he asked before he forgot about it.

Instead of answering, Sterling glanced at Audrey, who was seated on a soft couch next to Lansius.

Audrey offered a thin smile. "They exchanged stories, snacked, and traded gifts. Lord Robert seems to treat Francisca as an honored guest," she reassured him.

Lansius nodded but added, "I hope that's not a mating ritual."

Audrey and Sterling chuckled softly.

"The Lion of Lowlandia isn't that kind of man. He could have pursued more but chose to marry only once, despite having only a daughter," Audrey replied.

"A good role model," Lansius muttered, earning an approving smile from Audrey. He then turned a concerned gaze toward her. "And what about Sir Harold and Francisca?"

"What about them?" Audrey responded, her smile evolving into a sweet grin. "There's no innuendo between them, which is only to be expected. Sir Harold is more noble than most; he wouldn’t take advantage of his charge."

"But My Lady, the charge seems enamored," Sterling commented, amused.

Audrey giggled but gave no further comment.

After that brief distraction, Lansius returned to his work, organizing the letters and planning a working schedule. Many tasks required a visit and supervision, as well as decisions. "So many things to look after," he muttered.

"We still have several more just arriving," Sterling added.

Lansius was stunned. "This is not all?"

"Carla is still working with the apothecary to detect poison," his squire reminded him.

"Ah," he murmured. With hostilities from Midlandia, the council had urged him to be extra careful. He was about to sort his priorities when the door swooshed open.

A young man, his personal scribe, entered and greeted him as he caught Lansius' gaze. "My Lord,"

Lansius exhaled, preparing himself, then asked, "What do you have for me?"

"The crossbow smiths need your attention," the young scribe explained, offering no missive. It was simply a verbal request.

"Sterling, make sure to remind me to visit the crossbow smith," Lansius instructed.

Sterling nodded, and Lansius motioned for the scribe to continue.

"My Lord, word from the market: you have yet to decide on the horse market."

Lansius mulled it over before giving his answer, "The Korelia horse market will be seasonal. It will be available for auction this spring. If anyone wishes to buy horses, they can do so when the tribesmen arrive."

The limited time window was designed to allow the nomads to share in the profits, rather than letting horse traders hoard most of the earnings. By making the market seasonal, everyone would be encouraged to participate, enhancing the opportunity for knights and esquire families to connect directly with the nomads, who were the main producers.

By eliminating the middleman, Lansius hoped to empower his cavalry by providing reasonably priced, high-quality warhorses for their main steeds or spares. Moreover, this limited time window would also simplify the process of ensuring that taxes were paid.

Having settled the matter of the horse market, Lansius asked, "What else do you have?"

"I have reports on the city fountains as you requested, barbed wire production, and also an airship report from Hans," the scribe offered three missives.

He took the papers, glanced over them, found them complicated, and set them aside. He then turned his gaze to the scribe, who seemed eager to say more. "Don't tell me you have more," Lansius frowned.

"My Lord, just a small request."

"Yours?" Lansius responded as if it were a slight betrayal.

The scribe sheepishly stifled his boyish grin. Audrey and Sterling were also amused, finding it all too funny that Lansius' guidance was needed for so many things.

Inhaling deeply, Lansius said, "Spit it out."

"Your story about the Trojan War. There are so many requests, even if it's only for a chapter or two..."

Lansius massaged his nose bridge. He had forgotten about the Trojan War; he barely covered their crossing to Troy. And they loved how Odysseus didn't want to go there, even to the point of faking insanity, plowing the field, and sowing salt on his farm.

I did too many projects...

Audrey looked at him, quipping, "I'm glad to be pregnant and have none of your work."

Lansius chuckled and retorted, "That was before. Now you're educated. I shall delegate half of this to you."

"The decision is for the Lord Shogun to make, not his wife," she retorted back, nervously.

Lansius chuckled with a tired voice before saying, "I told you, I'd rather live in the woods and chop wood daily than do this."

Knocking was heard at the door, and Sterling opened it to allow a guard to approach.

The guard in ringmail bowed and reported, "My Lord, the guildsmen have assembled and are ready for you at the Grand Keep."

Lansius turned to Audrey, who replied, "Go on, this can wait."

Placing a weight and a clean sheet of paper on top of the stack of missives, Lansius rose and said to her, "Wish me luck."

After descending the flight of stairs, Lansius stepped out of the mansion. His entourage was ready, but he longed for a moment of respite in the garden, weary from all the work. As he neared the garden, his gaze landed on a stack of wood and an axe embedded in an unfinished log.

Without a particular thought in mind, he approached, suddenly placing his boot firmly on the log. With a swift motion, he grasped the axe handle and pulled it free with ease. His entourage watched with a mix of concern and curiosity but Sterling’s silence reassured everyone.

Feeling the weight of the chopping axe in his hands, Lansius assumed the correct stance, raised the iron overhead, and then drove it downward. The axe sliced through the wood, splitting it cleanly in two with a satisfying crack. He caught Sterling's eye, who immediately understood what his lord wanted.

"Next," Lansius quipped, his voice steady.

Without a word, Sterling placed another log on the stump. Lansius readied himself again, muscles tensing, and delivered another powerful blow, the axe's blade biting into the wood with a thud.

The gathered onlookers—servants, guards, and maids—murmured among themselves, initially surprised at why the Lord was chopping wood, but soon became captivated by his rare display of strength.

They whispered theories about his need to vent frustration—some speculated it was due to the sheer volume of tasks he faced, while others suggested that with the Lady being pregnant, his frustrations might also be personal, given that he had not taken any concubines. A few jestingly said that he needed to pump himself up before meeting with the guild.

Whatever the reason, Lansius continued to chop, log after log, his strokes rhythmic and forceful. He stopped only after he had reduced a sizable stack to neatly split wood, his brow glistening with sweat. With a final, forceful swing, he planted the axe into the tree stump, then loosened his tunic, revealing pronounced muscles on his arms rippling under his skin.

Turning to his entourage, his chest heaving slightly from the exertion, he announced, "Time to head to the Great Keep."

***

Guildsman Caine

Following last year's debacle, where a guildsman's attempt to promote gambling nearly invoked the lord's wrath, it became clear that leadership among them was necessary. They quickly found a suitable leader in Caine, who not only came from one of the largest guilds in Midlandia and was well-liked and respected by many but also had a good relationship with the Lord of Korelia. Thus, he became the de facto head of the guilds. His primary roles were to organize and cater to their needs, and keep their members in line.

Caine felt they were grossly unprepared to handle the changes ushered in by the Lord of Korelia. Like any guildsman and merchant, he noticed how Korelia—and indeed, all of Lowlandia—had been gradually transformed following the Lord's plan for the shogunate last summer. Now, the shogunate encompassed five regions along with several allies. Moreover, as the new political center of Lowlandia, Korelia had become a hub of activity, attracting a steady stream of messengers, guests, visitors, merchants, and talent seeking opportunities.

Just recently, many were thrilled to learn from the gatehouse records that more than five hundred people had traveled to the city to stay. For guildsmen like them, a larger market meant more money to be made. Furthermore, it was solid proof that Lowlandians were comfortable and had put their trust in the Lord of Korelia’s rule.

In such a short time, they witnessed the transformation of Korelia from a remote, unwanted town into the most promising city in Lowlandia.

Now, the guildsmen waited in the vast hall of the Great Keep, chatting as they awaited the lords' arrival. They had not yet greeted Lord Lansius since the spring festival, and for many, this was their first business meeting of the year.

There were activities, and soon the herald took the stage: "May I present to you the Lord Shogun of Korelia, Lord of White Lake, and Lord of Three Hills."

The guildsmen all bowed their heads as the three lords entered. The Great Keep now featured an elevated wooden platform, lacquered to a high gloss, where the lords would sit on their designated chairs.

Lord Robert and Lord Jorge took their places to Lord Lansius' right and left, respectively. Lansius' seat, however, was elevated a step above the others. Each lord had a small table before him, and from the audience's perspective, the arrangement resembled a courtroom. Even Caine felt a slight nervousness.

To many observers, it was evident that this was not the Lord of Korelia they had known last year. Though Lansius still donned his comfortable blue tunic, the air around him had changed. His influence and prestige had expanded across nearly all of Lowlandia. It was clear that his growing power was bound to attract more lords, drawn by the myriad of benefits of aligning with him.

Caine, who looked like an experienced clerk with neatly combed hair and a sharp nose, along with his fellow guildsmen, began their greetings and soon dived into the South Trade proposal. Only after a session of questions did the Lord motion with his hand to stop the inquiries.

"My dear guildsmen," Lord Lansius began, causing everyone to focus on him. "Based on your enthusiasm, I think there's some miscommunication."

Caine and his fellow guildsmen exchanged glances.

Lord Lansius continued, "I'm telling you about the South Trade because I don't want to offend you. I would rather you know it from me than from other sources. However, the caravan that'll pass through Korelia will have exclusivity rights."

"Exclusivity?" Caine blurted out, surprise painting his face.

"Correct," the Lord said as he gazed at him. "It means you are gravely mistaken to think that you can trade with them. Their goods are sealed to be traded only in Navalnia, and from Navalnia to the archipelago beyond it."

Colors drained from the guildsmen's faces. They had been dreaming of astronomical sales and fat profits all last summer, yet it was all just a silly misunderstanding on their part.

"They will be under my protection, but I merely collect toll payments, escorts, and supplies as needed," the Lord continued.

Even Caine paled. The South Trade was the biggest trade opportunity he had ever faced in his lifetime, offering a direct route from the furthest reach of the Imperium into the neighboring kingdom to the south. Previously impossible due to warring lords, this route had now materialized, yet they would be barred from it.

At the urging of his friends, he asked, "My Lord, could we explore any avenues for trade with them at all?"

"Unlikely," Lord Lansius muttered, leaning back in his chair and gazing at his two lordly allies. "We only care about the tax," he quipped dismissively, eliciting chuckles from the two lords.

All the guildsmen present felt their stomachs churn. Even though it was hypothetical, the potential loss of profit—passing right under their noses—was too heartbreaking.

"Unless you want to become an active part of this venture," the Lord muttered, his eyes flashing with a predatory gleam.

While many of his fellow guildsmen turned hopeful, Caine swallowed hard. He knew that they had fallen into the Lord's trap, and he too would come willingly; the lure of profit and progress he could provide was too great to resist.

***

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