“It has been said that every journey begins at the first pace on the road. I disagree. Every journey begins when the traveler first imagines his destination, when the idea is born, and the route is charted.”—Private journal of Sangal “Wanderer” Harrowind

  Castle Tower, Cryptonia, Ground Plane

  It was a full three days before Jasper and his party were prepared to depart. There had been much discussion over what equipment and gear to bring along with them, how many guards would be appropriate and the order of march. Eventually Delgan and Titus had determined that a full ten-squad would be the best number. Half were veterans from Delgan’s troop and the others were five of the more advanced recruits. It had been decided the soldiers would travel in their typical everyday armor and weapons. As was expected among a lord’s retinue, there would be four banners carried, two in front and two behind for authenticity and ease of identification by travelers and their own people upon Jasper’s approach.

  Much like his jaunt into The Vill, Jasper’s guards and their horses were lined up and ready to depart before he exited the Keep. Titus stood by his mount and Calian followed Jasper down the steps to Notch, who stood saddled by the steps with Yuli holding his lead. The horse turned his head and nudged the young man as Jasper drew nearer.

  “Hey there, buddy,” Jasper smiled, patting the horse’s powerful neck. He began ritually inspecting Notch’s girth belt and the many straps fastening his saddle in place. “Ready to go for a long trip?” The steady beast chuffed at him and shook his head, making Jasper chuckle. “Yeah, me too.”

  “Now who talks to horses?” Calian grinned, performing much the same routine on Star’s tack. Jasper laughed.

  “He has bonded well with you, Lord,” said Yuli, stroking Notch’s face. “It is a good sign they trust one another.”

  “On that we agree, young satyr,” said Calian. He swung up into the saddle, his cloak flaring out behind him dramatically.

  “Calian, I do believe you are a show-off,” Jasper observed dryly, following his lead. He settled back into the comfortable tooled leather and adjusted the hang of his sword so the scabbard did not poke his mount in the side, then regarded Delgan, who sat waiting. “Captain, we are ready.”

  “Very good, my Lord. Lead us out, Jonno, Nima.”

  “Ser.” The former gave a curt nod and legged his mount through the gates at a walk before the next rows of soldiers followed. Soon it was Jasper and his companions’ turn. They fell into step easily behind the first squad, and the second half of the formation followed them. The gate guards waved through the arrow loops at them as they departed, and Jasper took the time to wave back.

  They rode comfortably through the morning along a road that turned into what felt to Jasper like an old hunting trail before coming to a bridge constructed of solid stone. Jasper thought the span had been brought up from the earth whole instead of assembled. The riders crossed with the sound of their horses’ shoes ringing out over the steadily flowing water. An hour later, they stopped to water their mounts at a stream and to take the opportunity to eat biscuits and sausage Harla had prepared for them. Their bellies full once again, they returned to the trail and continued on. Nearing the thirteenth bell, Jasper caught sight of their destination as the trees opened up.

  Fort Lillian stood on a hill that overlooked a valley on the side opposite the rider’s approach. When they drew closer, Jasper realized the far side of the fort was half-ringed by a wide moat. Like Tower Castle, Fort Lillian was an isometric design but was constructed in a square instead of an octagon. There were bastions at the corners of the fort, but they were the more common round towers. Jasper could see banners identical to the one Jonno carried fluttering in the breeze at each corner. Arrow ports could barely be made out at the distance, but Jasper could see figures moving along the battlements. A horn sounded when the wall guards spotted the mounted group. Titus sucked his teeth.

  “They should have seen us before now. A group of riders at high-sun with armor, helmets, and banners?” He shook his head in disappointment.

  “We’ll drill them better, or find better guards,” said Jasper. “Let’s see just how sad the state of the place is before we condemn them entirely.”

  “Of course, ser. I just expect better.”

  The gate portcullis clanked up, and the doors opened with loud creaks. Inside was a courtyard that surrounded a stone keep, not unlike the Tower, on a significantly smaller scale. There was no inner wall, but there was a guard barracks and a stable. A ten-squad of guards had hastily assembled on either side of the gate. The riders passed through them and pulled up in front of the keep. A trio of uniformed soldiers stood waiting for them. Calian elegantly threw back his cape and leapt from the saddle to take hold of Notch’s bridle for Jasper to dismount. Jasper slipped down and stretched his sore legs. It had been a while since he had ridden so far in a day.

  “Captain Titus,” said the man in the middle at the top of the steps. He raised a hand and smiled.

  “Captain Balthazar.” Jasper’s companion mirrored the salute. “It is good to see you my friend, and under such good circumstances.” The young man straightened and looked up at the older man. Balthazar was perhaps twenty years older than Titus, about the same height and build, but had a shock of gray hair and a salt and pepper beard that fell half-way to his waist over his tunic. He carried himself well, and his sword belt hung comfortably, his left hand resting on the pommel. Jasper gave him a broad smile as he came to the foot of the stairs.

  “I understand you are the gentleman in charge of this fine fort?”

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  “That I am my Lord, though I will confess she has seen better days.” Balthazar took his hand and glanced around at the interior with a faraway sadness in his blue eyes. “Things have been very tight, ser.” Jasper shook the warrior’s hand firmly, nodding.

  “That is what I have been told, Captain. Rest assured, resolving the Tower’s financial issues and getting proper supplies and repairs underway for any facilities under our direct supervision are top priorities.”

  “Glad we are to hear that, Lord,” Balthazar smiled. “We’ve been hurting for it, out here on our own.” He shrugged. “I can barely keep the walls manned.” Jasper looked around at the guards on the battlements and courtyard. The majority appeared to be well-disciplined and had assembled sharply, all things considered. A few looked more bedraggled or unkept, but that could be fixed with a good bath and a razor. The captain ran a tight outpost, despite having been hit with hard times.

  “We’re working on that too,” said Jasper. “Once Armsmaster Dorana has trained up enough of the militia at the castle, we will have them marched out here to reinforce you.”

  “Really?” Balthazar looked from Jasper to Titus, who nodded enthusiastically.

  “It’s true. There has been more progress made regarding the militia in the last month than has been done in nearly four years.” The old man laughed out loud and clapped his hands.

  “Finally! A man who understands the needs of his soldiers!” He gave Jasper a warm smile. “Titus wrote to me of your character, my Lord, but after so many years of bad apples—”

  “You can hardly be blamed for expecting another,” Jasper chuckled. “I am honored to be held in such regard already.” Calian appeared beside him, broad black hat in hand.

  “My Lord, we should proceed with the inspection of the fort if we expect to arrive in Weston at an appropriate hour. Despite our treaties with the orc Coalition of States at Fal-Ig-Han, I have it on good authority that some of our neighbors could pose a threat.”

  “Indeed, he is right, Lord,” agreed Balthazar. “The very reason for our posting here.”

  “Very well, let’s get started. “If you’ll be our guide, Captain, I’ll follow along as best I can while Calian takes note of what you need.”

  “Your will, Lord Jasper,” Balthazar nodded curtly. They started in the stables, which were well mucked-out, but the horses in the stalls looked far too old and worn down.

  “Calian, start there,” Jasper instructed. “If we do not have a way to communicate with our other forces, the fort can be cut off without a chance of support. Even with Pecunia to carry messages, we need a courier system. Not to mention the need to patrol our perimeter. Just sitting, the fort is a static defense that an enemy can skirt around.” Jasper had a flashback to studying World War Two history, specifically how the German General Erich von Manstein circled around the heavily defended French Maginot Line to attack France through the Netherlands and Belgium. This was a brilliant move on Manstein’s part, because he did not even have to engage the massive guns of the French or the hundreds of machine guns that had been placed to halt their advance. Jasper promised himself he would not make the same mistake as the French.

  “I will send word to my horse trader contact in The Vill upon our return,” Calian nodded. “He will give us a better bargain than most.”

  The next stop was the barracks. It was squared away, but the accommodation was subpar. The floor straw was old, and Jasper could see light coming through numerous cracks in the walls. The roof had been rethatched not long ago, but he could see there were several spots that had been attacked by some kind of termite. He pointed out the damage to the steward and then indicated the sad excuse for bunks. They were barebones frames with misshapen straw-stuffed mattresses with not enough straw. The fabric looked more holed than the rafters, and less comfortable.

  “What do you think?” Jasper asked Titus. The knight shrugged and shook his head.

  “Given the option, ser, I think I’d rather sleep with the horses on fresh straw.”

  “Agreed.” Jasper turned to Balthazar. “I’ll have Master Idein and a few of our carpenters sent over to help repair the structure, as well as whatever defects there are in the wall. We’ll commission better bedding as well. I’ll not have my people sleep no better than prisoners.” The soldiers who stood by at attention glanced at one another before grinning broadly. Balthazar smiled as well.

  “Thank you, Lord. I’ve sent gods know how many letters reporting our situation, but as I’m sure you are aware by now, your predecessor had more important concerns to deal with.”

  “I certainly am,” Jasper grumbled, shaking his head. “What’s next?”

  “The well is in good shape, Lord. That does not take much maintenance. The walls need some work, but as you said, the stone master can see to that.”

  “How is the armory?” Asked Titus.

  “Blades are decent. Those still here are experienced, for the most part, and we take good care of our kit.” Balthazar turned to Jasper. “If there is one thing I will not allow, it’s mistreated equipment. Unfortunately, our fletchers have run into trouble since the leak in the southwest tower ruined a large number of arrows we were assembling, and we’ve run out of beeswax to seal the damned things.”

  “We’re already working on it, captain,” said Jasper. “I’ve got Calian and his seemingly endless list of contacts hunting for specialists to help rebuild in areas we’re lacking.”

  “Marvelous,” Balthazar smiled, clapping Titus on the shoulder. “Aside from those things, we get along well. You’ve already addressed reinforcement, which was the primary concern. The smithy is a simple thing but serves our needs well enough. Ah, some additional chow can never go amiss.” Jasper turned to the steward.

  “Calian?”

  “Noted, ser,” said Calian, already scribbling in his small, leatherbound book. “What of the keep, captain?” Jasper looked up at the center structure. It was a long rectangle a lot like his own, back at the Tower, but much smaller and not as finely crafted.

  “No significant issues inside, ser. Some gaps in the walls, like the barracks.” Balthazar shrugged with a grin. “She’s a good fort, my Lord. Just old, like her captain.”

  “‘Old’ does not mean useless,” Jasper smiled back at him. “I’d share a drink with you before we set out again.”

  “Ale we do have, Lord,” Balthazar laughed. “I learned a long time ago that an army without some form of booze will find itself moon-brained. Come inside, and I’ll pour it myself.”

  The young Lord, Calian, and Titus joined him inside with his lieutenants. They spent some time getting to know one another while the horses were watered again. As it turned out, Balthazar was actually Titus’ mentor, and another knight of House Erikeen. Titus had squired for him for several years before following him to serve at the Tower. They drank again, and Jasper reiterated his previous order to the others in his charge to make him aware should any need arise, before shaking the captain’s hand a final time and mounting once more.

  “Unfortunately, Master Idein has an important project to attend to inside the castle, but Fort Lillian will be the first he visits once he is able,” Jasper promised.

  “Gratitude, my Lord.” Balthazar raised his hand. “We’ll raise a mug on the equinox.”

  “Oh, we can do better than that. You’ll raise two—all around! Along with those supplies I promised will be kegs of the best beer we have and several sides of beef!” The soldiers in the courtyard cheered, and Jasper legged Notch into a rear for dramatic effect. He knew how important shows of confidence meant to men and women who had been strung out on the line for so long. Jasper was happy to see a bit more pep in their step as he rode out with his six friends.