Chapter 13: Smiles, Swords, and the Shadowed Mountains
"I've been to the Blackrock Mountains twice," Marcus said casually. "The people there have many of the items I need."
After speaking, he seemed to realize something and added cautiously, "You wouldn't demand back taxes for the trade fees I paid there before, would you?"
"Relax. Only a robber would do that."
Rhodes smiled faintly. "It's just that some bandits have been roaming Blackpine Ridge lately. You should be careful."
Several caravans had indeed been attacked.
"That's true," Lawrence quickly confirmed. "I was attacked once myself. The lord rescued me."
Naturally, he omitted certain… details. What remained was nothing but praise for Rhodes.
Marcus's goodwill toward Rhodes deepened immediately. "You are truly a benevolent lord. I hope that if I ever fall into trouble again, I'll meet someone like you."
Rhodes smiled to himself.
My rescue fee is not cheap.
"Do you know how strong those bandit groups are?" Marcus asked.
"I'm not certain," Rhodes replied calmly, "but occupying my land and stealing within my territory is equivalent to robbing their lord. If I encounter them, I will eliminate them."
His expression turned righteous at the mention of bandits, though a trace of calculation lingered in his eyes.
"But you need not worry. I can have my knight, Durant—a mid-level knight—escort your caravan through Blackpine Ridge and into the Blackrock Mountains."
Marcus's eyes brightened. "If that's possible, it would be wonderful!"
Rhodes inclined his head. "How many more days will you remain here, Mr. Silverdove?"
"Three to five days. No more than a week."
For a caravan, time was money. Frostleaf Town was hardly prosperous; three days of trade was already generous.
"Traveling the wilderness is exhausting. Rest today. We can discuss the rest tomorrow."
Rhodes ended the conversation smoothly and turned to Lawrence. "Arrange lodging for Mr. Silverdove. Prepare proper food."
With no tavern in Frostleaf Town, Marcus had little choice but to accept the lord's hospitality.
As he left with Lawrence, he understood perfectly.
The knight would not work for free.
Still, he was too tired to bargain.
After Marcus departed, Durant stepped closer.
"Sir… are we truly escorting his caravan?"
Rhodes glanced at him, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Must you pretend to be slow?"
Durant coughed awkwardly.
"I assume you intend to deal with those people in Blackrock Mountain?"
Rhodes nodded.
It was the busy farming season. He had neither the time nor manpower for a large-scale operation. But this was an opportunity.
The people in Blackrock Mountain knew nothing about him. He had arrived only recently, and information traveled slowly.
They might not even know a lord now ruled Blackpine Ridge.
If Durant accompanied the caravan, he might locate their gathering place with minimal cost.
The Blackrock Mountains were vast. Finding a hidden camp blindly would be nearly impossible.
"Will you negotiate with them?" Durant asked.
"I prefer negotiations conducted with a sword at someone's throat."
Durant sighed. "Understood."
"Why not press the merchant harder for protection fees?" he added. "He seemed eager."
"Too much enthusiasm breeds suspicion," Rhodes replied. "We'll wait."
His calculated restraint would reassure Marcus.
Moreover, Rhodes still lacked sufficient intelligence. Decisions required information, not bravado.
"Spread the word," he continued. "Increase everyone's workload. Keep the townspeople busy. No one is to discuss recent events in the territory with outsiders."
Anyone wishing to trade must come through him first.
With so many eyes watching, he could not allow Marcus to glimpse the full picture.
In truth, the caravan was too weary to pry. Frostleaf Town offered no taverns, no entertainment—only food and beds. After dining, they slept soundly.
The next morning, Marcus was invited to breakfast.
Rhodes purchased farm tools, ten longswords, fifteen sets of chainmail, and twenty round shields.
The town's blacksmiths and carpenters could produce such items, but he needed them immediately.
He also bought daily necessities—and honeyed cheese.
There was no honey in the wasteland this season. Frostleaf Town had no cattle. He had not tasted sweet toast in far too long.
Most necessities were for the townspeople, to be redeemed later through work points.
With rye supplies abundant after tax collection, Rhodes did not trade for grain. Instead, he acquired vegetable seeds—and five hundred pounds of potatoes.
Potatoes were remarkable. Nutritious, fast-growing, cold-resistant.
Steam them, boil them, bake them—they were forgiving food.
They did, however, require fertile soil and careful tending. They were prone to pests and disease, less reliable than rye.
Rhodes intended to sprout and cultivate them personally. If the experiment failed, he could always eat the evidence.
Potatoes sprouted easily in cool, dry, ventilated conditions. Given proper storage, they would bud within a month.
Marcus, in turn, acquired hides, charcoal, and five hundred catties of rye, with the remaining balance paid in silver.
Throughout negotiations, Rhodes remained gentle and composed. Lawrence almost suspected his lord had been replaced.
Marcus praised him repeatedly, marveling that such a considerate lord governed Frostleaf Town.
By evening, the two finally sat together at dinner.
"I envy merchants like you," Rhodes sighed theatrically. "Earning gold while admiring scenery. I open my eyes each day to endless responsibilities. I haven't even had time to inspect my own territory."
Marcus nodded sympathetically. "It is planting season. After that, you will have more leisure."
In his eyes, Rhodes was a young lord newly come of age. Inexperience was natural.
"If you plan to patrol Blackpine Ridge," Marcus added thoughtfully, "be cautious. There are still fierce wild animals in the area."
Rhodes leaned forward, genuine curiosity flickering across his face.
"Tell me more. I haven't yet seen much of Blackpine Ridge. Are there other villages hidden there?"
(End of Chapter)