Chapter 195 - 137 : Year 31 - 36 Duke Vendettit (2)

Chapter 195: Chapter 137 : Year 31 - 36 Duke Vendettit (2)

The doors opened, and a man in his late forties entered. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a firm jaw, a straight nose, and dark hair threaded with grey at the temples. His face had the composure of a man accustomed to carrying responsibility, while the controlled way he moved betrayed the years he had spent in martial training.

He wore a well-fitted dark coat over a reinforced tunic, with a narrow gold border along the collar and cuffs. At his waist hung a sheathed sword, and a small badge bearing the ducal crest rested against his chest.

He was the Duke’s second son, one of seven sons and the most gifted martial artist among them. At forty-eight, he had already reached Force Tempering, placing him among the rarest and most powerful practitioners in the kingdom. He had inherited much of his father’s strength and the discipline needed to make use of it, but he had also learned to approach the duties of the household with a careful mind.

He stopped at a respectful distance from the platform and bowed.

"Father."

The Duke finished the line he was writing before setting the pen down.

"You have something to report."

The second son straightened. "We’ve received further news from Veymont. There are also reports concerning the merchant arrangements you approved."

The Duke reached for another sheet. "I thought I had already given you permission to speak with our merchant houses about sending representatives to Veymont. Has something changed?"

"The arrangements are proceeding. The merchants are willing to send people, though some still want better assurances about the roads before committing to larger shipments." His son paused, then continued. "The other reports concern Count Lucian and his vassals."

That brought no immediate change to the Duke’s expression. He turned the sheet over and read the last few lines before answering.

"Speak."

"Our agents have been following the situation in Veymont, particularly the delayed tribute from the Viscounts. The drought has left several estates in difficulty, but not all of them are suffering to the same degree. One of them, Viscount Garran Ashcombe, sent less than expected and offered only a general account of his expenses. He claimed the shortfall was due to road maintenance and security, but there were no detailed records to support the explanation."

The Duke dipped his pen and began another line.

"And Lucian has done nothing about it?"

"He has asked for the records to be examined. Two clerks were even sent to compare the accounts with the toll records, the road work, and the guards assigned to the area. He has not accused the Viscount of anything." His son paused. "Other obligations have also been delayed. Some of the Viscounts have asked for more time, while others have contributed less than the house expected. The drought explains part of it, but there are signs that the Count’s difficulties are making some of his vassals less willing to meet their obligations."

The pen continued moving across the page.

"And what’s Lucian response to this,

has he requested our assistance?"

"No, Father."

The Duke finished the line, placed a small mark beside it, and finally raised his head. His eyes settled on his son.

"Why do you think that is?"

The question was delivered without emphasis, but the younger man did not answer immediately. He knew better than to offer the first explanation that came to mind merely to fill the silence.

"Because asking us to intervene would mean admitting that he could no longer manage the situation within his own territory and his vessels along with the resources available to him," he said at last. "The Count is responsible for the order of his own lands. If he asks us to send soldiers or martial retainers, he will have to accept that our officers may need to oversee the operations. Our involvement could help him bring his fief under control, but it would also give us a greater say in how he manages his territory."

The Duke watched him for another moment.

"And what happens if he refuses our help until the situation is beyond his control?"

"Then the cost will be greater for everyone. The roads would become harder to secure, trade would suffer further, and the trouble among the Viscounts might spread. By then, we might have to intervene whether he welcomes it or not."

"Good." The Duke lowered his gaze to the papers again. "At least you understand the difference between offering help and taking over."

His son waited.

"Continue watching the situation. Let see how Lucian handles Ashcombe’s actions. Though a struggling Viscount may fall behind in his payments without intending to challenge his Count. But if a man has begun using his Lord’s weakness to avoid his dues, and is left unchecked others might follow."

"Understood, Father."

The Duke turned to another document, then added, "I take it that Lucian has also asked for more time to deliver this year’s tribute."

"Yes father. His message says that the drought reduced the income of several districts and that some of his Viscounts have not yet gathered enough to meet their tributes. And that his house has also spent heavily on grain purchases and security."

The Duke’s pen stopped.

"I see."

He leaned back slightly, the chair giving a quiet creak beneath him. For a moment, he looked beyond the desk toward the distant city walls.

"I owe his father that much. He lost both his father and his uncle in the war we fought for the kingdom. The old Count was a close friend of mine, regardless of the fact that he served beneath me. He was a man of good standing, and he did not abandon his duties when the kingdom needed him."

The Duke’s gaze returned to the papers before him.

"Lucian has done well to keep his fief going through these difficult years. I see no reason to punish him for what he cannot recover in a single season. Give him more time to pay the tribute."

His son inclined his head.

"Would you like me to arrange for a contingent to be sent to Veymont? A few companies of ducal soldiers, supported by martial retainers, could strengthen the roads and help his commanders deal with the more organized groups. We could restore order more quickly than the Count can manage with his present forces."

The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger but in consideration.

"That is not a bad proposal. But what would it cost him?"

The second son understood the question. "He would have to accept our officers’ involvement and account for the way our troops were used. Depending on the situation, the Viscounts might also begin looking directly to us rather than to him."

"Exactly." The Duke rested the pen across the open document. "If we send men now, we may solve one problem and create another. Lucian still has functioning garrisons, his roads remain open, and he has not lost control of his domian. Let him continue while he can. But I will not have him pushed to the point where the whole territory suffers because he is too proud to ask for help."

He turned back to his son.

"Prepare a reply. Grant him the additional time and tell him to keep a close watch on his vassals. Let him know that assistance is available if he needs it, but make it clear that he must consider what our involvement would mean for his authority. I also want a proper account of the condition of his lands, including the roads, mines, and delayed payments. We have reports from our own people, but I want to hear how he understands the situation himself."

His son bowed again.

"I’ll have the letter prepared."

"Bring it to me before it is sealed."

"Yes, Father."

The second son turned and left the study. As the doors closed behind him, the Duke returned to his papers.