Chapter 23: Back to home

Snow starts to pour down on us as we are marching back from Meath to Neverwinter. Too tired of riding, I'm lazily enjoying myself inside the carriage that I just bought in Meath, two of the wolves are sleeping near each other while the other one rolling around them. I'm very sad that I lose Beta in this war, maybe if there is any fighting, later on, I'll not bring the wolves with me, although they are quite strong, but a sword or stray arrow can kill them. I intend to make armor for them at first, but I don't know the technique involved in making armor for dire wolves.

Having nothing to do, I watch the scenery outside the window, snow has just started, and soon, I believe the hills and forests of Iceland will be covered in white, a beautiful color. I hope that no people in Iceland will have to die this year due to the cold and starve. By taking the vast plains of Meath, I've created a substantial source of food for my people. In addition, the productivity of farms in Iceland in recent years has increased dramatically from the past, food now is not a problem to us as it used to be.

A knight knock on the window, I open it and he informs me:

- Milord, we'll reach Neverwinter in half an hour. The scouts say that people have gathered in the main street to celebrate our victory, should I order to disband them? We can not protect you perfectly if there are many people.

- No need, send my words to Lord Commander Mushashi, ask him to use his men to maintain the street. He'll be able to react if there is anything unexpected that happens.

-As you command, Milord.

From the window, I can see Neverwinter, my home city, shining more than ever under the snow with white marble, blue banners in watchtowers, and my castle. The carriage soon reaches Neverwinter's gate and gets into the main road to the castle. I can see the people, women and men, children and elders shouting praising words and throwing different kinds of flowers to the soldiers. The popularity among the civilians of the Fortunian Army has been built since the Beastmen attacking us two years ago. I hear several shouts from the crowd that praise me:

- HAIL LORD IVAR.

- LONG LIVE LORD FORTUNA

I'm quite happy though, I open the window of the carriage to smile and wave my hands to them. I order my knights to throw gold coins to the crowd, I've gained so much from house Pyrell's wealth and the Treaty of Kursk, so sparing a part of them for my people is not a big problem. As long as I make them believe that wearing the blue cloaks is the most honorable thing in the world, I'll have fewer difficulties in progressing my dream of turning Neverwinter into a giant empire in the future.

It takes nearly one hour from the gate to my castle, mostly because I intend to move slowly to share the prosperity I gain from this war with them. When we reach the castle, I ask Charlie to lead the soldiers back to their camp to rest and distribute the loot. I decided to give my army 50000 gold coins, which is a huge amount of money since 1 gold coin is enough for a family to live comfortably for three months. The families of soldiers who unfortunately die will receive tenth the number of money compared to other soldiers.

I get off the carriage, my castle's servants welcome me at the door and bow to me:

- Welcome back, Lord Ivar.

Smiling happily, I get inside the castle. I intend to go to my chamber and sleep to my fullest after such a long journey, two weeks later is the day I summon the nobles, ladies, and lords in Iceland, Meath, and Summervalley to Neverwinter, I want to increase my influence in my newly acquired territories and put them under the law of Blue Order, an organization I create to maintain the order, avoid and punish criminals. But right before I open the door of my chamber, a maid appears, she bows lightly and speaks:

- Milord, your uncle, Lord Alfred Rosewood has arrived. He requests a meeting with you, your honor.

My uncle is here already? I'm quite surprised that he can come here right after I arrive. He might follow the Quintus river by boats and then use horses to get here. I stop for a moment and then I tell the maid:

- Lead him to my office. Prepare the best refreshments and most delicious food for us.

- As you command, your honor.

Haizz, seems like I have to delay my peaceful moment a little, I ask the wolves to get in the chamber and stay there, I'm going to meet my uncle, who has helped me very much in this war. Without him, I'm not confident to say that I could defeat the Royal Family that easily. Before getting to my office, I change my clothes to high noble ones with the help of several maids. I must admit that I still feel embarrassed, though. But due to my condition, I can't take care of myself without the help of others.

My uncle, Alfred Rosewood, has been inside accompanied by a Rosewood knight and one of my bodyguards, I've seen him once when he visited me when I was 5 years old. My memory marks him as a serious but hilarious big uncle. I greet him:

- Lord Rosewood, I'm very happy to see you here in my castle.

He turns around and looks at me for about 10 seconds, which makes me a little nervous since I don't know if I've said something wrong or not. But right after that, he laughs and comes to hug me:

- Haha, don't need to be so formal, Ivar. Acting like a little lord doesn't suit you.

- If that is the case, hello, uncle. I'm glad to see you. Thanks for aiding me in this war.

- We are family, Ivar. Of course, I'll support you no matter what

We get to our seats, take refreshments and drink. I continue the conversation:

- I will give you 30000 golds from the Treaty of Kursk, without your help, I wouldn't be able to win the war.

- I appreciate that, Ivar. My house's budget is a bit low after the war with the Heathen Kingdom. So, both of our houses have become independent. I come here earlier than others to suggest one thing, Ivar.

- And what is that, uncle?

- I want both of us to become an alliance, Ivar. Fighting alone, we can not survive, but together, we've achieved what we've never dreamed of.

I take another drink to delay the answer. I carefully consider, supporting house Rosewood is one of the things that I want. However, I don't want to become an alliance with them, I want something more. I lean forward the table and speak:

- I appreciate your offer, uncle, but I have to decline.

Alfred seems quite surprised, he certainly doesn't expect me to refuse since alliance is the best option for both of us at the moment since although we've defeated the Royal Family, we're also weakened by them. He asks me seriously:

- Why? Ivar, isn't it what we need to do at this time?

I stand up, look at him in the eyes and calmly speak:

- I don't want us to become an alliance, uncle. I want house Rosewood to swear fealty to me.