Chapter 11
The Gateway City
Pik, Konge Province, Titan
"The trade of obligations is one of the pillars on which society is founded. From the greatest to the least, the bonds of obligation tie us together and guide our actions. Any man who would ignore such bonds severs these ties and is like a ship without an anchor."
-Excerpt from the assorted writings of Mark the Guardian
Mark was overseeing the men ready themselves to head out once more when he saw Lord Sigbjorn approach with a handful of attendants. Lord Sigbjorn, much like Lord Bard in Hellebard, stood in for the Duke of the city. He was a man aged beyond his years, who struggled to walk with the aid of a stout oak cane. So as not to unbalance himself, he did not salute as he approached. He spoke through a monk, Brother Matteus.
"My lord greets you, Lord Mark," Brother Matteus said. "He regrets that he cannot show your host more hospitality than he has. Unfortunately, he cannot be as open-handed as Lord Thormund."
"We are guests in this land and thankful for what blessings we have received," Mark replied.
In truth, he had considered cutting across the pasturelands west of Stridoks to arrive at Castle Titan more quickly, but Thorstein insisted that he follow the lakeside road and approach the castle via Pik, lest he dishonor Archduke Orestes—who was also the Duke of the city—and his vassals. Mark feared another reception like the one they received at Hellebard, but while Lord Sigbjorn did not have the same wealth as Duke Thormund to lavish on his guests, he nevertheless did what he could to be a good host.
"My lord is grateful for your understanding," Brother Matteus said.
With the pleasantries out of the way, Brother Matteus looked to Lord Sigbjorn, who nodded for him to proceed. They had not come mere to seem off their guests, it would seem.
"My lord has a request of you, Lord Mark," Brother Matteus said.
"What would he ask of me?" Mark asked, hoping the request was nothing too unreasonable.
Lord Sigbjorn looked over his shoulder and said something, prompting two youths to step forward. Mark remembered them from the jarl's table the night before. They were the Lord Sigbjorn's second and third sons, Floki and Vili.
"My lord wants his sons to study the foreign ways of battle," Brother Matteus explained. "Master Vili my lord would have accompany a man called Boscano, the captain of a mercenary band in the employ of His Grace the Archduke. And Master Floki he would have accompany you, my lord."
Mark looked at the two boys and said, "It will be dangerous. I cannot guarantee their safety."
"My lord says that he has not sired cowards."
"It will be difficult for them to communicate," Mark said. "I have few men in my company who speak Nordish."
"They both know some Latin, my lord" Brother Matteus replied. "I taught them myself."
Though Mark felt some resistance to the idea, he realized that in the interest of diplomacy, it would be better to acquiese.
"Tell Lord Sigbjorn that he has been a gracious host and for the sake of friendship between our two nations and our two houses, I will do this for him. Though I cannot guarantee his sons' safety, I will do everything in my power to ensure they are returned to him."
After Brother Matteus relayed this to Lord Sigbjorn, the jarl nodded, then swapped hands for his cane so that he could extend his right hand to Mark. The two of them clasped wrists and so the pact was forged between them.
"I will show them no favoritism," Mark said. "They will be treated as my own squires, no better and no worse."
"My lord says it is good," Brother Matteus said. "He is a firm believer of the words 'He that spareth his rod hateth his son.' He says to beat them soundly if they should not obey."
"I hope it does not come to that," Mark replied.
"My lord will be sending a man-at-arms and an attendant to accompany each son. He offers a half-skilling a day for the upkeep of each man and a skilling for each son so long as they are in your care. My lord offers the first month's worth in advance and will pay the remainder upon their return. The amount has been entrusted to me."
"You are coming as well?" Mark asked.
Brother Matteus nodded.
"Yes, my lord. I am charged with Master Floki's lessons when time permits."
"You are aware that the men of the faith in this company are Antiochians, are you not? Will this be a problem?"
"Will it be a problem, my lord?" Brother Matteus asked in turn.
"So long as you start no disputes, I will allow none to be started with you," Mark said.
"Then surely I can keep my peace, my lord," Brother Matteus replied.
"That will do," Mark said. "And what of your provisions?"
"I am provided for, my lord. I even have my own rouncey."
Mark found this curious.
"Is it usual for a monk to have a horse of his own in these lands?" he asked.
"I am my lord's horse breeder and so I am permitted a riding horse," Brother Matteus replied.
"I would think your lord would be loath to part with you."
"No more than to part with two of his sons, my lord."
"How long will it take to reach Castle Titan?"
"On a swift horse, you can easily make it by noontide, my lord," Brother Matteus replied, "but with a company like this, you may be able to arrive by sunset. If you do not mean to push your men too hard, there is an inn at the crossroads, not large enough to accommodate the entire company, obviously, but it will serve as a good place to set camp."
"I will keep that in mind," Mark said. "We will see what things look like when we reach the crossroads. Give my regards to Lord Sigbjorn."
"Yes, my lord," Brother Matteus said. It sounded like he said something suitably flattering, then he turned to relay Lord Sigbjorn's parting words. "My lord bids you farewell and wishes you good hunting."
Mark nodded to acknowledge Lord Sigbjorn's well-wishes. The two then exchanged salutes and Mark returned to the formation with the new additions in tow. When he arrived at the formation, Sonia—who had been left to oversea preparations—looked curiously at the Titian entourage.
"What's this?" she asked.
"New friends for the road," Mark replied. "Lord Sigbjorn has asked me to take two of his sons with him."
"What's he hoping to get out of it?"
"He wants them to learn from experience."
"I suppose it's the best teacher," Sonia said, "but why'd you agree to it?"
"Such exchanges are perfectly normal," Mark replied. "It's all part of diplomacy."
"Is bringing back dead children also a part of diplomacy?"
Mark did not like the way she said it, but she made a fair point.
"Lord Sigbjorn is aware of the risks," he said.
Sonia looked at the two boys and asked, "Are they?"
"I can only hope," Mark said. "The younger will be joining some mercenary company when we reach the castle. The idea is to learn how the men of other nations fight."
"Not a bad lesson if they manage to live to do something with it."
"We can't do much for Young Master Vili once we hand him off, but while they're in our custody, we'll look after them the same as we would our own."
"You probably think that goes without saying?"
"I would hope so."
Sonia shrugged.
"I guess I should just be thankful you haven't opened an orphanage in our ranks, though you may need to once this is over with."
Mark smiled weakly and said, "It's your sunny outlook that keeps me going in trying times."
Sonia gave him a playful punch to the arm.
"You ready to go, Master Templar?"
"Ready as ever, Lady of Leon."
Motioning with her head, Sonia said, "Your boys should have your mount."
"Yes, well, it would be unfortunate if they were caught neglecting their duties when I want to make a good first impression," Mark said.
"I don't think you have to worry about that and if you do catch them slacking, a sound beating will set them straight."
Mark shook his head.
"You know, you should have talked with Lord Sigbjorn more. It would seem you two are more alike than you think."
"Maybe I'll keep that in mind the next time we're here. Now, come on, daylight's a-burnin'."
"I'll be right there."
Heinrich and Petrus came leading Mark's horse, saving him the trouble of going to them.
"She's all ready to go, milord," Heinrich said.
As much as he trusted his squires, Mark still double-checked everything before mounting as he always did. He made it a little more obvious what he was doing for the benefit of Floki and Vili. He did not know how conscientious they were trained to be, but if they did not already know it, now was as good a time as any.
"Always check your work, then check it again," Mark said in Latin, "and do the same for the work of others. This is as true for the lowest serving man as it is for a king."
The two youths were silent, prompting Brother Matteus to reprove them.
"Come now, young masters. What do you say?"
"Yes, m'lord," Floki said, while Vili mumbled a close approximation of the same.
Mark motioned to the two of them and told his squires, "You may remember these two from last night. They're sons of Lord Sigbjorn, Floki and Vili. They will be travelling with us to the castle. Floki will be joining us on campaign."
He then said to Floki and Vili, "These are my squires, Heinrich, son of Friedmar, and Petrus, son of Junius. While you are with us, you are brothers. None is greater, none is less. They will help you and you will help them. Understood?"
Heinrich and Petrus were prompt with a "Yes, milord," and a "Yes, Master," respectively. Floki was a little more halting with his reply, the same sort of subdued, "Yes, m'lord," with Vili response being largely unintelligible.
"We are in your care, my lord," Brother Matteus said. "May God speed your way."
"Godspeed to us all," Mark replied. "Now, follow me."
Mark led them to the head of the formation and once they were in position, the horns sounded and the command to move out cascaded down the line. And so they set out for Castle Titan and the end of the first leg of their journey.