“I fear we may have to move away,” Bolafra Noza told his wife and children.
As he spoke, he was looking at Oregano, the home he’d have to leave. It lay at the tip of a fjord, and it was the most prosperous port city in all of Noza Province. The city was at the southern end of the province, which was warm and hospitable compared to regions farther north.
The busy port made Oregano a trade center for Noza Province. Exports, such as the dried cod prepared in the cities to the north, were brought in on small boats traveling along the coast, then transported to other regions.
This all made the city so prosperous that many called it the jewel of Noza Province.
Oregano would also prove a difficult city to invade owing to its excellent defenses. A thin wall ran along a mountain ridge that surrounded it, with stone keeps positioned here and there along its length.
Bolafra Noza was about to throw all this away.
“You’re surrendering?” his wife, Aures Noza, asked.
“That’s what I’ve decided. We’ve been promised better treatment if we do—though I doubt we can continue as a knight family.”
“Then what’ll become of us?”
“I expect we’ll be offered land on Aisa Island, and I’ll ask to take our wealth with us. Even he should be willing to accept that compromise.”
“But...” His wife didn’t appear ready to leave behind the life they’d been living.
“It’s not a bad deal. Crusaders are already on their way, and I think we have a less than fifty percent chance of victory. If the Ho family is going to arrange our escape to Aisa Island, it’s an opportunity too good to turn down.”
“Father, I don’t like this.” Bolafra’s son, Thoma Noza, was a youngster of thirty-two with grand notions about being a knight.
“You wanted to lead the soldiers into battle yourself, didn’t you? Well, now you don’t have to. Truth is, Yuri Ho will probably find better uses for our soldiers.”
“Father, if only you hadn’t made that secret pact.”
“None of that, Thoma. What’s done is done.”
The previous crusade was still fresh in Bolafra’s memory. If two kingdoms standing united had failed, then a single kingdom alone had no chance. Any other conclusion was illogical.
That said, in under a month, Yuri Ho had conquered the royal capital and overthrown the Bof family. Though Bolafra still expected the kingdom to fall to the next crusade, he held on to some hope that Yuri Ho hadn’t yet shown the extent of his talents. That is, Bolafra believed that if there was any chance of victory, it lay within the mysteries surrounding Yuri Ho.
“Regardless, I’ve decided to surrender.”
“But father, how can we expect the Ho family to honor any promises they make?”
“Kien Rube will be there. He’s a man of honor. Besides, it’ll be an easy promise for them to keep. Better to go through with it than risk the damage to their reputations.”
This was the twisted logic within Bolafra’s mind. It was common for him to ignore the downsides of every situation because it helped him keep his sanity. It was the same thought process he’d used when deciding that the witches had brought him a realistic offer that was worth accepting.
“I think I’ll remain here, father,” his daughter, Minuet Noza, said.
Bolafra had one son and one daughter. The daughter was a young girl of twenty-five who’d graduated from the Cultural Academy the previous year.
“Why?” Bolafra replied. “Well, whatever your reason, I won’t allow it.”
“I have a fiancé—Lord Vilan Tomin.”
“That doesn’t matter now. We’re leaving this kingdom.”
Even if they stayed, they’d cease to be a chieftain family, which would overturn the original reasoning behind their betrothal. The time for strategic marriages was over.
“I love Lord Vilan from the very bottom of my heart. I beg you, please leave me here.”
“I won’t.”
“I see... Well, okay then. If I have no choice in the matter, I’ll give up.” Minuet had given in surprisingly easily.
“I shouldn’t have to say it, but you mustn’t mention any of this to anyone. No matter how much love you still hold for our kingdom, there’s a chance that our people won’t look kindly upon the special treatment we’re about to receive.”
“Very well. I’ll do as you wish, father.”
✧✧✧
“Minuet isn’t here yet?” Bolafra said.
He was eating a meal at a candlelit table with his wife and son, but Minuet was strangely absent.
“Perhaps she went to say her goodbyes,” Aures suggested.
The family lived a simple lifestyle, and only a few dishes were laid out on the table. Their meal that evening was roast venison. The table was made of simple wood with large knots, and the varnish coating had largely worn away. No chandelier hung from the ceiling. Displays of wealth would only invite envy here because the region’s people, including the nobles, were poor.
“I often worry about that girl’s judgment,” Thoma Noza said.
“Don’t talk about her that way,” Bolafra replied. “It’s not fair to expect much self-restraint from a young girl.”
“You don’t think she was spoiled by her time spent at the royal capital? You’re sure she’ll adjust to life on Aisa Island?”
“I’ve heard that Aisa Island’s a lot more active than it used to be,” Bolafra said as he lifted a small piece of venison thigh to his mouth. “And it’s full of beautiful hot springs. I’m sure our time there won’t be so dull.”
Bolafra had concerns of his own because he knew nothing about the Etto family that ruled the island. But he knew that almost all problems in life could be fixed with money. He’d need something more if he wanted authority over his own land in perpetuity, but a comfortable life as a rich commoner, rather than as a ruler, could at least be bought at a reasonable price.
“Hot springs? I’ve never cared for them. I’d rather stay here and make a name for myself fighting alongside our soldiers.”
“No. You’re this family’s heir. I can’t let my bloodline end so easily. The Nozas have endured since the days of the empire.”
Despite their disagreement, Bolafra was happy to know that his son had a knight’s heart. He’d shared those feelings once, but that time had long passed. Being head of a military family no longer appealed to him. Rather than gathering up strong fighters and heading out to battle, he dreamed of a life as a statesman who could win the respect of his people through wise governance.
Bolafra couldn’t stand war. During the fight against the previous crusade, he’d been living in tents and constantly on the move. The ordeal had ruined his health.
“We’ll be giving up our spears and starting a new life. I know it won’t be easy for you, but you’ll have to adjust.”
Just as Bolafra finished speaking, the dining room door burst open.
“What’s this? Enjoying some family time, are we?”
The man who entered was Vilan Tomin—a good-for-nothing son of a lord-of-estates. He had one arm wrapped around Minuet, who stood beside him, dead drunk.
“Vilan Tomin. What business have you here?”
“What indeed!” Vilan responded loudly as he slammed the door behind him.
“Eek!” Bolafra’s wife, Aures, shrieked as the door closed with a crash.
“Lord Bolafra, you can’t surrender,” Vilan spat.
Bolafra realized his mistake—he’d shared his plans too early. Instead of being compassionate, he should’ve confined his wife and children to the household.
“This is the Noza family’s household,” Thoma Noza said. “Your insolence won’t be tolerated here!”
“What? If you’ve quit being a knight, then it’s not your home anymore, is it?” Vilan shot back.