CHAPTER 39
The next day, Lucan woke up with a familiar ache in his thigh. He was already looking forward to his next visit to the healer. Hopefully, the pain would subside after that.
Before they gathered in the tavern’s common room, Lucan took Ryder aside for a moment. “Remember Cedric?” The man-at-arms nodded. Having fought beside the freeblade in the Wilderlands and conversed with him in the inn they’d been before, he was undoubtedly familiar with him. “I want you to find him and tell him that we may need his arm. It will be dangerous, but I will pay him good coin, and it’s nothing that would bring the guilds down on him.”
Ryder bobbed his head. “What do you intend, my lord?”
“It will depend on how matters unfold, but you will know soon enough,” Lucan said. “For now, I want you to procure some real armor for us.” Ryder raised a brow, and Lucan continued, “I’m willing to part with gold. Get us some mail.”
“I see.” Ryder met his eyes with a grave look.
With a soft smile, Lucan patted his shoulder and left the room, joining the rest of their party downstairs. Venn and Georg were already there, the former looking as downcast as ever, and the latter looking grim. Georg had put his card deck on the table, trying to distract the boy with some games, and failing, it seemed.
Lucan joined them unhurriedly. “Tomis?”
“He’s back to scouting The Silver Blades,” Georg said
Lucan nodded, and the adventurer gestured at the table. “Care for a game of cards?”
“Why not?” Lucan huffed. It wasn’t like he had anything to do but wait.
Three days later, word arrived. The Golden Wheel and its allied guilds were ready to meet him. Lucan made himself presentable and left after sunrise, accompanied by Ryder.
The pain in his thigh had not yet grown tired of him, and a slight limp still haunted his stride, though he was feeling better already.
They reached the guild without trouble, being led to a small assembly chamber, much smaller than the council chamber Lucan had last visited. Here, Ryder was allowed to enter, though he was expected to stand aside along with the other attendants.
Once he was inside, Lucan observed those who’d been waiting, noting the familiar faces and the unfamiliar ones. Fendrel, the guild master of the Wheel, was here, and so was Mistress Yanna and Master Orin of The Blue Guild. Beside them, Lucan recognized the envoy of The Yellow Parchment who’d heeded his call upon receiving Master Saltner’s letter. Two more men were in presence, though Lucan recognized neither. He saw that they wore their colors proudly, however, and he recognized one he’d seen plenty around the city.
The Aegis of Patia, an adventurer’s guild that competed with The Silver Blades fiercely, though they were not as wealthy as the Blades, who were both embroiled in adventuring, mercenary work, and trade. He’d heard that the Aegis had many mages, at least compared to other adventurer guilds, and that their services were often coveted by guilds all over the Union, for their mastery of the arcane arts. If not for their young age as a guild and their limited means, Lucan would have expected them to be on the High Council already. They were not the only guild with mages in the Union, but if they continued the way they were, they would inevitably become one of the most formidable ones.
The last man wore dark brown colors and had a badge with a black horseshoe on it pinned to his chest.
“Lord Zesh,” Fendrel said upon his arrival, gesturing at the only empty seat at the round table. “Thank you for accepting our summons. Please.”
“My thanks,” Lucan said, taking the seat.
Fendrel gestured first at the man from the Aegis. “This is Guildmaster Sevaen of The Aegis of Patia. Their renown precedes them, and I imagine you have heard of them.” Lucan responded with a nod, exchanging an unspoken greeting with the guildmaster. Then Fendrel gestured at the other man he didn’t recognize. “This is Guildmaster Edmar of The Iron Shods.”
Lucan could swear that he recognized the name, though his memory did not serve him well on this occasion.
Seeing the struggle on his face, Mistress Yanna stepped in to explain, “The Ironshods are the foremost crafting guild in Varencourt. They will bear the duty of labor and planning when it comes to clearing the canal.”
“Ah.” Lucan gave her a grateful nod. “Of course, I have heard of the prestigious Ironshods.”
Guildmaster Edmar gave him a polite smile in response.
“Now that none here are strangers to each other,” Fendrel began, “let us proceed with the matter at hand.”
Nods met him all around.
“The agreement as is,” Fendrel continued. “Lord Zesh, along with his allies, will bear the responsibility of clearing the canal on the Barwalian side up to Silvergate.” More nods. “They will also ascertain safe passage for any travellers or merchants.”
“On this side of the border,” he gestured at Master Sevaen, “the Aegis will protect the undertaking and the trade route.”
Lucan met the eyes of the Aegis’s guildmaster, and they shared a nod.
“Our friends in The Blue Guild will handle the affairs in the High Council, granting us approval so that the undertaking is not unduly delayed.”
Old Master Orin, who’d been silent so far, smiled. “The wheels are already turning on this matter. It shall soon be in order.”
Relieved sighs came out of the rest of the guilds, and Lucan realized how much power the High Council wielded. It appeared that the whole undertaking could be delayed or even halted if the High Council decided to hinder it. He’d heard of how much freedom the guilds enjoyed in the Union, though it seemed that they were still tightly governed when it came to matters across borders.
“The Iron Shods, as discussed, will handle the matters of labor and see to it that there are no delays in the undertaking.”
“The Yellow Parchment, with their experience in shallow water trade, will aid us in preparing for trade along the canal.”
The Parchment’s envoy, a familiar face, bobbed his head. “We will move some of our boats overland when the time comes. The rest can be built here.”
“The expenses of this undertaking will be spread among us except for the Aegis, as agreed upon,” Fendrel continued. “The Wheel will bear more than half of it, but we will rely on our friends here to aid us with the rest.”
Lucan, seeing that all was planned, nodded, reassured. “How will the benefits be divided among you, however?”
Fendrel raised two open palms. “You needn't worry about such affairs, Lord Zesh. Agreements have been reached, and all in attendance are content.”
Lucan glanced around and saw agreement in the eyes of the guildmasters and envoys. It seemed that they were all eager to move away from this manner of discussion. Having already gotten what he’d set out for, Lucan didn’t dwell on it.
“Lord Zesh has promised that he and his allies will only impose a reasonable toll, unchangeable regardless of the territory crossed,” Fendrel said cheerfully, though the countenance of all those present made it clear that it wasn’t the first time they’d heard it.
Seeing that the guildmaster wanted him to reassure the others, Lucan nodded. “It is so indeed. I say, and my word binds me, that you need not fear, for the possessions of any merchant are safe across the southern territories of Barwalis. My allies have pledged to protect all who pass through, and the tolls are already agreed upon.”
Smiles sprang on faces quickly after he gave them his promise.
“Now that matters are clear for all,” Fendrel spoke, “let us seal this agreement.” He knocked on the table, and servants rushed in, placing parchments in front of them.
“Hands and seals, if you will,” Fendrel said.
Lucan read through the parchment, which seemed to set him and his allies as one party and the guilds as the other. It didn’t explain what kind of agreement the guilds had with each other. It did, however, name him as the deciding entity for his party and the Wheel as the deciding entity for the guilds’ side, which meant that they bore the foremost responsibility but at the same time stood to reap the most gain.
There was nothing concerning in the deed, and so, he first wrote his hand at its bottom, then dipped his signet ring into the prepared red wax slowly, imprinting on the parchment. The others followed suit. Each guild had its own signet, which was something that older nobles found vexing to no end. Lucan, however, was uncertain. Signet rings had long been the mark of a noble. The guilds were not acknowledged by any as such. But he was no fool. The guilds held as much power as any noble house, and the greatest among them stood on equal ground with some of the most powerful noble houses.
Once all hands and seals were placed, the parchments were passed around for assurance, then the matter was sealed.
Fendrel stood up. “With this, the agreement is struck. All parties are bound by law, propriety,” he glanced at Lucan, “and honor to fulfill their duties.” Nods met him, including Lucan’s.
“If there are no further concerns, let this assembly come to an end.” Of course, all matters had already been agreed upon, and no one raised any objections. A string of farewells echoed across, though a few meaningful looks were also exchanged. Lucan glanced at the guildmaster of the Aegis and tilted his head. The man blinked once with understanding.
“Lord Zesh,” Fendrel’s closeness startled Lucan. The man had slithered beside him while he was looking away. “I noticed you have been suffering from a tilt in your gait. Is something the matter? Should I send my healers and surgeons? I assure you, the Wheel has the best of Varencourt.”
Lucan waved him off with a polite smile, cursing inwardly. He’d fixed his posture and walked with as much strength as he could, enduring the pain so that no one would take note of his injury, yet still. “No need, guildmaster. I thank you for your generosity. It is a simple matter. I carelessly slipped down a few steps in the market.” He scoffed inwardly. I should have prepared a better lie in advance.
The doubt in Fendrel’s eyes made him even more regretful that he hadn’t. The guildmaster answered with a few polite words, wishing him well, then, seeing Lucan’s lack of interest, excused himself.
Mistress Yanna, having seemingly been seeking Lucan’s eye, glanced at a side room, and Lucan answered her with a blink that matched Guildmaster Sevaen’s.
There was much to discuss, it seemed. He would meet each of them and, hopefully, go home with a promise of more than he’d come with.
Home, Lucan thought. It’s about time. Only one matter remains.