Chapter 115 – Coldpeak
There was only the minimum good-natured teasing from me and my companions as we traveled the couple hours from Trademouth to the city with Baron Highfrost and his people. Angelina had ensured that, once Aymon’s seneschal and their guards were properly aware of how foolish it was to try and outdrink people a Tier above them, she gave them appropriate cures to take away their hangovers. And repeated assurances that the potion she’d given the two women would ensure that they would not be having any unexpected ‘blessings’ from their wild night left everyone feeling better.
There was a line of people trying to get into the city as we approached. Wagons, for the most part, though there were those on foot, or pulling carts with their own body. Mostly farmers and hunters bringing in food and game from the surrounding area to sell, but there were merchants from all the baronies there, as well. The King’s Anniversary was a major gathering, after all, and everyone would be looking to make a bit of extra coin from the celebration.
Of course, we did not approach unmarked. A collection of so many people on horseback, when most of those in line either had wagons, or were on foot? Even if my retinue didn’t count as being ‘exotic’, we would have stood out as being important. The fact that we each had one of our number holding a standard, with our colors on it, announcing ourselves as Baroness Pureheart and Baron Highfrost? It was little surprise that one of the gate guards walked past the line, to guide us forward.
Normally, such favoritism may have sparked some grumbling, but the fact that the barons were gathering, along with other nobles, was the whole reason for so much commotion being made in the city. Without our presence, the need for their goods and sundries would be far less. Plus, getting to see an Angel, Hellhound, and Dragon up close, and all together? That was a rare, nigh-unheard of treat for commoners. Even the vast majority of adventurers would not see such a collection, all in one place.
Once they were inside the gate, Baron Highfrost looked at me as we rode towards the High City. “So, Baroness Pureheart, what are your plans between now and the King’s celebration?”
“Well, first I must check in on my residence, and ensure that all is in order. And then I shall take some time to explore the markets, and see if there is anything which catches my interest. And I expect that people will wish to see me, for one reason or another. Politics, and all that.”
“Sadly true,” Aymon smirked. “Such is the price of nobility, alas. But at least you have plenty of companions around you. However, the reason I asked was because you have offered me and mine hospitality, and I have not had the chance to repay you, in kind. I would like to rectify that, if you would allow it.”
I chuckled, and said, “Ah, Baron, nothing would please me more. I will, of course, need to see what calls are made upon my time. However, even if we do not manage it before the end of the festivities, perhaps it would be worthwhile for us to take a roundabout route on our way home? A visit to our neighbor to the north, to help cement ties between our lands, would not be out of place, no?”
“True, true. And I expect you’ll have more than a few people wishing to speak with you. The King’s Spymistress will probably have someone already waiting for you at your residence. She tends to be on top of such things, and you’ve been rather conspicuous of late. Still, if we cannot dine together before then, I would be glad to host you in Castle Highfrost, and show you my lands.”
“And I will gladly accept,” I said, before we parted ways. While we both had residences in the High City, the area closest to Castle Coldpeak, where the upper classes lived, my place and his were in different sections of the district. Whoever planned out the city decided that having the six barons live too closely to each other when they were in the city was a recipe for problems. Considering the state of affairs between myself and Baron Longchaser, I had to agree.
Thankfully, Shadescar’s section of the semicircular district was on the far left side, with Highfrost next to it, followed, in order, by Longfield, the Northern Reaches, Windwater, and Ravenharbor. So, there was little chance of my just ‘running into’ Baron Longchaser before we were at the King’s celebration. Which was probably for the best, since I did not wish too have to defend myself in court after turning him into a mindless husk. While it would have been very satisfying, it would have caused more problems than that satisfaction was worth.
Coldpeak was an old city, and the layout reflected that. Castle Coldpeak, at the highest point in the city, was built against the side of the mountain, with part of the castle going into the rock itself. Outside the keep and the curtain wall, the oldest part of the city, known now as the High City, was bordered by another wall, with only two gates. The Lower City was divided into the Crafting District, the Merchant District, the Holy District, the Barracks, and the Slums, with another wall allowing for defense, with only a single gate. Outside the outer wall, there were more buildings, many of which catered to professions that were best kept downwind from the city, or otherwise removed from others. Tanneries, alchemist shops, and so on. It was also where the Catacombs were located.
There was a lot that could be done with, and in, such a city. However, right now, my concern was finding my residence, half-remembered from Mhyrsha’s last time in the city. I knew roughly where it was, but I hadn’t actually been to Coldpeak since waking in this world, and I needed to keep up appearances. There would be time for exploration and finding things to interest me later, once I was settled in.
My residence turned out to be a lovely two-story manor. The first floor consisted of a sitting area, dining room, kitchen, and three bedrooms and a private bath for the servants, as well as access to the basement, and the storerooms and wine cellar there. The second floor, however, had the master bedroom suite, with a private study attached, a large bath, and three rooms for guests or retainers. There was also a stable outside, with a small apartment in the loft for the groom. Two horses were already stabled, and there was both a cart and a carriage available, though the cart was not something a baroness would be riding around in. There was, however, enough room for our mounts, so that was good.
Wiscard
Human Male
Level 15 Monk / Butler
Titles: Wise One
Meriel
Human Female
Level 12 Wizard / Maid
Titles: Efficient One
Belon
Human Female
Level 16 Merchant / Chef
Titles: Silvertongued
Anselm
Human Male
Level 4 Ranger / Groom
Titles: Virgin, Well-Endowed
Four humans in black and white formal uniforms were waiting for me when I arrived at the house. Two men and two women, though one of the ‘men’ looked to be barely more than a boy, perhaps sixteen. These would be the staff for the house, the ones who kept it cleaned and maintained, as well as ensuring that the place wasn’t an easy target for thieves and vandals. Honestly, since this was the first time I’d been to the capital since becoming Baroness, these three had a rather cushy job, so long as they kept the place in order.
“Welcome back, Mistress,” Wiscard, the butler, said as all three bowed to me when I approached.
“Thank you,” I said, dismounting Godsmite, the horse I’d acquired after defeating the Eclanan warpriest in Bikar. “I trust there have been no problems during my absence?”
“No, Mistress. The guard patrols the High City frequently enough that it is not profitable for thieves to target a noble’s house when they spend all their time back in their lands, instead of at the capital. And the sorts who would seek to ply their wares to the nobility also either pick targets who are in the city, or they would have headed out to Windwater, instead.”
“Very good,” I said, as we entered the decently-sized manor. Well, all of us save for Anselm, who began leading the steeds to the stable, so they could be properly cared for. They spent much of their time in [Mount Storage Orbs], but it wasn’t healthy for them to not get some actual ‘free’ time, out of the orbs, when they weren’t being ridden. Plus, we had a stable and groom, so why not use them?
As for the house? The manor was nowhere near as large, or as spacious, as my manor in the barony, of course. And there was no warded ritual space here. The décor was fancy, but not ostentatious. And it wasn’t personal, either. These weren’t my choices, but things that had been left over from the old baron’s time. Thankfully, he tried to keep up an appearance of being ‘restrained’ when he was at court, instead of displaying the debauchery that had caused him to be so disliked by his people that he tripped going down the stairs and fell on a knife a dozen times on the way down.
Of course, no one believed that was what actually happened. But the only person who might have been torn up enough about it to look into the affair had been the old seneschal, and he wound up with an unfortunate case of ‘dead’. Heart gave out in the middle of sex, apparently. No one ever found who the woman was.
Mhyrsha’s memories told me pretty plainly how it all went down. She (me, now) had been the one to do both killings. The two deaths, without any obvious heir to take up the barony, led to the confusion I’d used to become Baroness. Simple, and easy. But not something I could do again, since more eyes were on me, from my recent advancements. I didn’t want to know what kind of big-time consequences might erupt if I tried that again, so openly.
“Mistress,” started Meriel, the maid, “How would you like to arrange the sleeping quarters?”
“I will take the master bedroom, of course. As for the others, they may split the difference how they wish, assuming I don’t bring one or more of them to bed with me.” My tone was matter-of-fact, as though I were talking about the weather, instead of telling my subordinates how I would be having sex with my party members, probably every night we were here. That wasn’t something that nobles, and their servants, were used to hearing talked about so openly. Especially with a noblewoman.
“A-as you wish, Mistress.”
Turning my attention back to Wiscard, I asked, “Have there been any messages?”
“Ah, nothing urgent, Mistress. However, there were a few individuals who knew you would be coming for the King’s Anniversary, and wished to leave invitations for you. Would you like to hear them now, or after you have had time to clean up and rest from the road?”
“We may as well have them now.”
“Very good, Mistress. First, you have an invitation to dinner tonight from Baron Hamlyn Ravenharbor and his wife, Janat. Their third child, Jasper, has recently come of age. His older sister, Alicen, is the designated heir, and the middle child, Joachim, is training as a knight. Jasper is of marriageable age, and they may be seeking a match, to help bind the baronies together.
“Second, General Ailuin Helecan, the commander of the military fief of the Northern Reaches, asked if you would be free for lunch tomorrow. He has heard of your travels, and would like to meet you. While he is known for his military bearing and spartan lifestyle, his chef is well regarded, and hearty meals are one of the few luxuries General Helecan allows himself.
“And third, tomorrow night, Princess Mariun wishes to invite you to the castle for a private dinner.”
I took a breath, and smiled. Those were some interesting invitations. “Wiscard, send word to all three that we shall accept their invitations.”