Lord of Rot

”To Roaring Castle?”

Just as Leech was discussing construction plans for the watchtower on the coastal headland with a craftsman, a message arrived.

”Yes, it’s—it’s a message from Lord Hawkwood Linsen,” Radish said with a nod.

Traveling from the Three-fork River to the Eastern Gorge, one could indeed pass through Porcupine Territory by taking a slight detour, but Leech hadn’t expected the Baron of Three-fork River Castle to make a special trip to visit him.

Because ”on the way” was a bit of a stretch.

”Alright, I’ll head back right away.”

Leech turned to the craftsman. ”Build the watchtower just as I described. It needs to be at least 120 feet high. Materials are not an issue; I will arrange for men to go to Pig Spine Valley to quarry stone.”

”Yes!” The craftsman nodded.

’He didn’t understand why a watchtower needed to be so tall. Did they plan to see the entirety of Porcupine Territory from up there?’

No one understood that Leech wasn’t just building a watchtower; he was laying the groundwork for a future lighthouse.

It would also provide convenient access to the crypt on the headland.

And it could serve as a roost for the birds Pitz was raising.

Sufficient height meant a greater line of sight. Once the docks in Porcupine Territory were complete, he would still have to worry about pirate invasions. A watchtower would eliminate that concern.

When Leech rode back to the castle, he saw Hawkwood Linsen waiting in the courtyard.

It had been some time, and he looked much healthier.

’The gloom of being a cuckold for over a decade must have finally lifted.’

”Good day, Lord Hawkwood,” Leech greeted with a smile.

”Good day, Lord Leech,” the Baron of Three-fork River Castle nodded in reply.

As Leech led him toward the castle, he asked, a bit puzzled, ”Why the sudden trip to Roaring Castle?”

”Lord Leopold has regained consciousness.”

”Regained consciousness?”

Leech had previously only guessed that something was wrong with Leopold’s condition, but he hadn’t been privy to the details.

Leech said, ”I thought he was just feeling unwell.”

”An old injury from his younger years,” Hawkwood said, shaking his head. ”I’m not entirely clear on the details myself. However, after he regained consciousness, his lordship summoned all the lords of the Eastern Gorge to East Port. I only found out because Agnes’s younger brother brought the news when he visited her at Three-fork River Castle a few days ago. I set out for Roaring Castle early and decided to stop by Porcupine Castle on the way. I was hoping we could travel together, Lord Leech. I imagine Porcupine Territory should be receiving a raven with the message any time now.”

Just as he said that, Leech saw Pitz hurrying over. He stopped nearby. ”My lord, a letter for you.”

Leech nodded, took the letter, and dismissed Pitz.

He opened the letter.

The message was simple, summoning him to Roaring Castle.

Still, the route from the Three-fork River to Porcupine Territory was hardly convenient.

”So, Lord Hawkwood, do you know what’s going on? Why has his lordship summoned us so suddenly?”

”Three possibilities,” Hawkwood said after a brief pause. ”First, the whole Black King affair in Iron Valley. His lordship is very displeased. It seems he even received a letter of inquiry from His Majesty the King.”

Leech nodded. He had considered this possibility.

’But Iron Stone City hired 2,000 mercenaries to deal with Iron Valley, so that should be resolved. The summons can’t be about that.’

”Furthermore, Lord Leopold... he might not have long.”

This was a deeply disrespectful thing to say. Leech looked at Hawkwood in surprise. From his limited knowledge of the man, Hawkwood was the very definition of a moderate lord—one who didn’t seek accolades, but simply to stay out of trouble.

’If he were to speak ill of his liege lord, he’d be the type to do it in the deepest secrecy.’

Most lords were that way, but Hawkwood was one of the most devoted to self-preservation.

He was keen on picking sides and making marriage alliances whenever possible. Fortunately for him, he had mineral wealth and a good location. Otherwise, Leopold would have crushed him long ago for such opportunism.

For Hawkwood to suddenly speak so frankly came as a shock to Leech.

But the scenario he presented did align with Leech’s own suspicions. The powerful and brilliant Duke of Radiant Sun had likely reached the end of his days. This summons was probably to announce his last will and have his vassals swear fealty to his son.

”And the third possibility?” Leech asked.

Hawkwood, however, pointed to the door ahead of them. ”Let’s talk inside.”

Leech pushed open the door and ordered that no one be allowed to enter.

They took their seats in the council hall. Before Leech could even ask, Hawkwood declared, ”He means to be King!”

”Lord Leopold is on excellent terms with His Majesty the King. Besides, some of his kinswomen are married into the Golden Bears. They’re all family. It seems unlikely.”

Leech shook his head as he spoke, though in truth... he didn’t believe his own words.

’Being a father or a son means nothing. For a throne, fratricide and patricide are practically routine.’

’If the Golden Thorn Sword Clan made a bid for the throne, every noble in the Eastern Gorge would support them, myself included.’

’My fealty is to the Golden Thorn Swords, not the Golden Bears.’

’To not support the Golden Thorn Swords in their bid for the crown would be a betrayal of my oath.’

Leech asked, ”Lord Hawkwood, where did you get this information?”

”It’s just speculation,” Hawkwood said, shaking his head. ”I’m more inclined to believe the second theory.”

Leech figured he had probably heard something somewhere but was unwilling to share the details. Perhaps the implications were too far-reaching, or the source was difficult to verify. It was even more likely he was saying it deliberately to gauge Leech’s reaction.

”Lord Leech, which scenario do you think it is?”

”The first one,” Leech said. ”The Black King of Iron Valley has displeased Lord Leopold, and by extension, the King. We’re being summoned to go to war.”