Wolves of Hader

Chapter 22

A strange army surrounded our fortress.

Without even forming ranks, they loitered about as if on a picnic, set up tents on the plain, and began cooking supper.

Although it didn't seem their intention was to attack us, it was an extremely unpleasant situation.

Even though they set up camp at a fair distance from the fortress, the terrain meant it was tantamount to surrounding us.

We waited for someone from their side to step forward, but no one did. In the end, Russell took the lead, and I followed behind as we walked out toward the strange army.

It was after we'd walked quite a way from the gate.

A man armored in plate strolled out leisurely. He was chewing on a toothpick, perhaps having just finished a meal.

"Are you Lord Hader?"

"I am Russell, a knight of the Hader family. This is Roger Hader, the third young master of the Hader family. What is your reason for surrounding us?"

"Is Lord Hader unwell?"

"I asked why you have surrounded us."

The man glanced over his shoulder.

Then grinned slyly.

"Well, no matter where you set up camp on this plain, I suppose it would look like a siege. Don't misunderstand. We are the Eastern Army, here for training on the orders of the Eastern Army's commander. The site for training changes every year; this year, we plan to begin military exercises on this plain in the spring."

"Eastern Army?"

"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Baron Ud'l, deputy-commander of the Eastern Army, and these soldiers are of the Urke family, also members of the Eastern Army."

Baron Ud'l gave a half-hearted salute.

Russell asked again.

"So you mean to conduct military training here?"

"What problem could there be if the imperial Eastern Army trains on unclaimed wilderness?"

"Do you think it's proper to train right on another family's territory doorstep? Anyone can see this could be misunderstood."

Baron Ud'l laughed again.

"It just happens that your family resides in the spot our army wanted for training. Nowhere is better for cavalry drills. I see no reason for the imperial Eastern Army to concern itself with the judgment of an exiled family when there's such an excellent location."

"Is this at Lord Urke's command?"

"It's not only Commander Urke's will; it is the will of the imperial military. Regular training is required yearly on army orders. If you have difficulty accepting the situation, take it up with the military authorities."

Baron Ud'l finished speaking and bit down on his toothpick.

There was nothing more to see.

"Let's go, Russell."

We headed back toward the fortress.

Russell kept pace beside me.

"Young master, this is unacceptable."

"Leave it. They won't attack us."

"They won't attack for lack of justification, but this is a clear act of hostility. Stationing troops in front of another family's territory is no different from declaring war between families."

"Is it because of pride?"

Russell was the leader of our soldiers and a knight.

Also a retainer of the Hader family.

"It's not a matter of my pride. They're openly showing us contempt. When there's conflict between noble families, that's how they ridicule and make us the laughingstock of society. If it were another family, enraged knights would've already drawn their swords."

"I personally don't mind."

Russell bit his lip.

Other families might be called cowards and ridiculed, but our family was already destroyed. We had neither soldiers nor knights left to fight.

"When Father returned from the western front, mother's family had been declared traitors to the Emperor. The Emperor ordered Father to slaughter Mother's family to prove he hadn't participated in the rebellion. How could anyone obey such an order?"

"The head of the family told you that, I see."

"Yes. By failing to prove it, he was marked as having joined the rebellion. That's why we were exiled here. Even the nobility must know our exile was unjust."

"Most are aware. They merely pretended not to know."

We walked side by side.

I continued speaking.

"So those who would mock us are only those who drove our family into this forsaken place. Aside from them, others may pity us, but they won't laugh—I'm sure they know our fate could just as easily be their own at any moment. Didn't you say, when we were in the polar region, that there's no need to care what others think now?"

"I must have let my emotions get the better of me for a moment."

I could somewhat understand Russell's feelings.

Our family had once been among the greatest in the Empire. To see such a family subjected to ridicule, no doubt the humiliation, shame, and anger came rushing all at once.

"They've simply blocked our path. To prevent us from fleeing. It looks like someone from the Syren family will be here soon."

"So the Syren family made use of another's troops."

"Yes."

I'd expected as much.

The Syren family couldn't get their own troops here.

"Does the count and the Syren grand duke know each other well?"

"They probably only exchanged greetings at imperial banquets. Count Urke is not someone with any needs; he has few connections with the capital's nobles."

"Then the count didn't accept this request to curry favor with the Syren grand duke."

Russell nodded.

"Count Urke shares no profits from the capital with its nobles. Thus, he has no reason to seek the Syren grand duke's favor, nor any risk of loss for falling into disfavor. He merely maintains relations as is convenient by occasional deals."

All the rights in the capital are claimed by those nobles. Since they'd never share those with Count Urke, there was no reason for him to cultivate connections in the capital.

So there must have been a deal.

The count was wealthy, so it wasn't for money.

Not entry to the capital, nor for trade rights.

"The condition must be a title."

Russell looked at me.

"A title?"

"There's no marquis in the eastern provinces. If our family disappears, there'll be a vacancy for the marquisate, so they probably plan to grant the marquis title to Lord Urke as a reward for fulfilling this request. It helps that the count is commander of the Eastern Army."

Russell fell speechless.

If the Syren grand duke, whose sister is the empress, wants it then awarding a marquisate to Count Urke is well within his power.

The Syren grand duke could always change his mind.

If Count Urke didn't know, he was being used; if he guessed, he's the type to shrug off any humiliation.

Of course, the condition might be entirely different. Or the count might have asked for nothing in return.

I intended to observe the count's disposition.

To see if he could be drawn to our side after this incident. Or if he was someone we should keep at a distance.

/ / /

Four days passed.

I was watching Count Urke's troops from the fortress watchtower. For all their talk of training, all they did was rest and cook meals all day.

Russell spoke.

"They say Lord Urke will arrive soon."

"I suppose he has business to discuss with us."

"He must know this situation isn't favorable for anyone—it's possible he just doesn't want to strain relations with the Syren family, so stationed troops here."

"I think so, too."

"Still, it must be an unpleasant humiliation for Lord Urke. A great lord is not one to take orders from anyone."

I'd have to persuade the count.

Then who could speak on the count's behalf?

"Lord Urke will testify to what transpires at the fortress. Aside from the count, is there anyone else who could give their account?"

"Deputy commander Baron Ud'l is Lord Urke's man. The only impartial one would be the staff officer dispatched from military headquarters."

"Staff officer?"

"Every army has a staff officer sent from the main headquarters. Officially, they advise the commander, but their real mission is to monitor local lords for rebellion. The Eastern Army is no exception."

A staff officer sent by military command.

"Oh, looks like Lord Urke is here now."

The count's soldiers were starting to stand. Inside the encampment there was a minor stir, then the soldiers parted to both sides and riders appeared.

"That fat man—is that Lord Urke?"

"It appears so."

The man in an ornate uniform with a large frame was Count Urke. But the air around those near him was hardly ordinary.

Seven armored men and a figure on a white horse.

Russell narrowed his eyes in recognition.

I realized as well.

At last, they had arrived.

"Doge is here."

The one in the middle on the white horse.

White uniform, crimson cloak.

He was the Syren family's hound and Art Syren's personal knight—Doge.

We descended from the watchtower and went out from the fortress.

Tension was visible on the faces of our soldiers. If a battle broke out, not a single fortress resident would survive.

Tok, tok.

Tok, tok.

Nine mounted men stopped before us.

Count Urke gazed at me and Russell with an indifferent expression, and the armored men stared only at the fortress.

The count was the first to dismount and walk toward me. Doge and the seven Syren knights also dismounted one by one.

There was a faint displeasure on the count's face as he approached.

"I was busy, so I come only now. Well, is Lord Hader in the fortress?"

He directed the question to Russell.

I replied.

"He is currently in another city."

The count turned his head toward me.

"Oh, so you're the Young Master Roger whom Commander Goose spoke of."

"That's right."

"When does Lord Hader return?"

"A few days more. Come in, please."

"Of course. Since I'm here, I should pay my respects."

"I will show you in."

Russell escorted Count Urke.

Once the count left, the man called Doge walked up to me. He looked utterly unremarkable. Doge greeted me.

"It has been a while, Young Master Roger."

"You know me?"

"Of course I do. How could I not recognize the boy who played with our Lord Art from childhood? You've grown quite impressive."

Doge grinned, baring his teeth.

A scent of cologne mingled with a metallic tang. The stench of blood clung to his body—so strong only he seemed unaware.

I told Doge.

"You'd best deliver the letter out here."

"What do you mean by that?"

Doge smiled amiably.

I smiled in return.

"If you enter the fortress, you'll die."

At my words, Doge's smile slipped.

He must be wondering if I meant it.