Horizon of War Series

Chapter 172: A Distant Reply

A Distant Reply

Lansius

Riding in a carriage that had undergone further improvements, Lansius took Audrey, Ingrid, and Francisca to the workshop complex near the river that divides Korelia into west and east. In addition to experimenting with the magic earring, this trip also served to invite Audrey out, providing a change of scenery from her confinement in the Eastern Mansion. Now that her pregnancy was stable enough, her physician and the old nanny had given their approval.

Despite seeing her every day, Lansius remained captivated by Audrey's growing bump. Noticing his fascination, Audrey caressed it, prompting Lansius to also gently touch it, much to the delight of the other two passengers, Ingrid and Francisca.

The carriage wasn’t spacious, so Ingrid ended up covered in some of Francisca’s fur, though she didn’t seem to mind at all.

"This is a really smooth ride. What did you do to it?" Audrey asked, clearly impressed.

"We're trying adding rubber and corkwood as dampeners to the metal springs," Lansius explained casually.

Audrey nodded, while Ingrid and Francisca looked intrigued.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted as they neared the workshop complex. Guards stationed at the entrance readily motioned for approaching carriages and carts to slow down. The area was loosely cordoned off by wooden fences, providing some measure of security. Nearby, the newly formed second fire nightwatch brigade, the Fire Wardens, was stationed, further bolstering the area's security.

"Ingrid, do you mind telling Sterling we're going to the wire warehouse?" Lansius asked.

Ingrid turned and opened the speak-through panel, knocking on it twice. Sterling, hearing the signal, leaned back slightly to face the panel. "Yes, maester Ingrid?"

"My Lord said we're heading to the wire warehouse," Ingrid directed crisply.

The carriage then promptly veered right, heading towards a cluster of warehouses strategically spaced apart to mitigate fire risks. As they pulled up in front of one particular warehouse, the sudden stop drew curious looks from carpenters and masons working on an adjacent building.

"What are we doing here?" Audrey's tone filled with curiosity.

"Just a small experiment," Lansius reassured her with a smile.

Francisca jumped down first to secure the area, her presence stirring a buzz among the nearby workers. With Sterling and the half-breed, it was clear to everyone that the Lord was likely in the carriage. The three guards stationed nearby approached and snapped to attention for an inspection.

"At ease," Sterling commanded them with casual authority.

Lansius then emerged from the carriage, reaching back to carefully assist Audrey as she descended. Her presence, highlighted by her noticeable baby bump, immediately captivated the workers who lined up, their faces showing surprise and admiration.

"My Lord, My Lady," they greeted almost in unison. A woman from the warehouse staff stepped forward, speaking on behalf of the group, "Blessed be the child in your womb. May you always be in good health."

Audrey smiled warmly at them. "Everyone," Lansius addressed the warehouse workers, carpenters, and guards, "gratitude for your hard work."

Pleased murmurs filled the air as the group moved toward the warehouse, led by Lansius and Audrey, with Ingrid close behind, and Sterling and Francisca guiding the way.

The warehouse, constructed with local stone on the first floor and topped with a timber roof, was typical for Korelia where stone was abundant and quality timber was scarce.

As they walked, Lansius turned to the warehouse staff and asked, "We have thick copper wire, right?"

"Yes, My Lord, we've kept it as you ordered," the staff answered.

"Bring them to me," Lansius instructed, stopping in a spot well-lit by a large window.

As the staff jogged off, Audrey and Ingrid looked around. It was their first time here, and they were amazed by the rows of uniform wooden shelves of similar build and height that lined the walls. Each was meticulously labeled with a logo for efficient storage. There were two portable stairs made of light wood to easily and safely access the higher shelves.

The shelves were stacked with metal bars, pipes of different sizes, rolls of metal wires, and a massive quantity of barbed wire, all coated with thick, greasy tallow to prevent rust. Hays were scattered here and there, used to absorb moisture.

"What are those?" Audrey pointed at the multiple stacks of crates, some sealed with clay, others with ropes and a tar-like substance.

"They're for bolts," Lansius replied. "Each crate can hold six hundred normal-sized bolts."

"Why are they blackened like that?"

"They're sealed to ensure they remain sharp and in good condition," Lansius explained. "There are also crates for crossbows and spare strings."

Audrey raised her brow. "I didn't know sealing could help preserve things."

Lansius smiled at her curiosity. "In some villages, they store freshly harvested fruit in clay and dry it. It can last until the next harvest."

Hearing this, Francisca looked at the crates with interest.

Audrey noticed and turned to Lansius, addressing him formally, "My Lord. Francisca has planted several native plants in her garden. Perhaps she's interested in the crates. Would it be possible to spare her one?"

"Native plants?" Lansius was intrigued, muttering, "That reminds me of the plants the Lord of Dawn gave us."

"She's been tending them too with the gardener's help. She has a knack for gardening—used to grow her own yams back home," Audrey explained. Hearing this, Francisca approached and knelt, listening intently as they discussed her.

"Interesting," Lansius remarked thoughtfully. "I can spare a crate or two, but Francisca, let me inspect them first. It's best if we handle the sealing here since it needs skilled hands."

"I'll bring them over as soon as they're ripe," Francisca responded, her tail wagging with enthusiasm.

Lansius returned his gaze to the stacks of crates ready to be delivered to the Eastern Mansion, the Castle, and the Grand Keep. Sometimes he wondered if this was overkill. A thousand bolts cost him three gold coins, and now he had over a hundred thousand bolts.

It was an impressive amount of bolts, but still barely enough for five hundred of his crossbowmen, who, with an average firing rate of three bolts per minute, could expend it all in just one hour of fighting.

300 gold coins, the entire income for a small barony, for an hour's worth of ammunition. War is indeed costly...

While he knew the realistic number would likely cover several hours, as battles were rarely fought at a continuously high intensity, Lansius was accustomed to planning based on the worst-case scenario.

The warehouse staff returned, accompanied by another worker who carried two rolls of reddish-gold wire as thick as a quill pen.

Lansius examined them briefly and then announced, "Let's go outside and call for some help."

Audrey followed him without question, flanked by Sterling and Francisca, with the warehouse staff and a worker trailing behind.

Lansius glanced at her. "You might want an umbrella."

"That's unnecessary," Audrey replied, but Ingrid had already unfurled a lavishly decorated canvas umbrella she had carried from the mansion.

"Let me hold it for you," Francisca snatched it from Ingrid.

"Hey, I can manage," the mage protested mildly to the half-breed.

"No, no, you carried Margo’s bag for drinks; don't be greedy trying to do two tasks at once," Francisca quipped back, and the two stifled their chuckles.

As the group stepped outside, the sun was high in the sky. Turning to Sterling, Lansius said, "Find a nimble worker to put that wire on top of that building and hold it there. We’re going to test something."

Sterling did as instructed; he went with the warehouse staff and solicited help from workers at the unfinished building. It required some coordination, prompting Lansius, Audrey, and Ingrid to retreat into the carriage. Francisca climbed to the seat next to the coachman in front, momentarily unsettling the two horses, but she calmly continued to cover everyone with the umbrella.

Soon after, Sterling returned with a strand of copper wire in hand. "They’ve put it on the rooftop," he reported.

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"Did it take two rolls?" Lansius inquired through the half-opened carriage door.

"Almost, but there is some leftover," Sterling reported back.

"Good. Were the connections done neatly?"

"Exactly like the ones in the barbed wire," Sterling confirmed.

"Excellent." Lansius paused, giving Audrey a brief look before addressing Sterling again. "Could you spare us a moment?"

Understanding the request, Sterling nodded. "I'll take the coachman for a drink then," he said, accepting the two copper coins Lansius offered for the beverages. Knowing his way around the complex, he headed towards the kitchen and rest area.

Lansius then turned to Audrey, handing her the copper wire. "What should I do with this?" she asked, surprised.

"Hold it and then try the earring again," Lansius explained.

Audrey and Ingrid exchanged glances. The educator nodded, and Audrey grabbed the reddish-gold wire and closed her eyes.

"What do you feel?" Ingrid whispered after a moment.

"Something... I'm not sure," she frowned.

After a while with no progress, Lansius suggested, "Let's try touching the wire to the earring."

Lansius and Ingrid helped with the wire. Lansius fashioned it into a spiral so it would be blunt and flat, ensuring it wouldn’t graze Audrey’s ear if they slipped.

Audrey leaned closer, and once she was comfortable, she closed her eyes again to focus.

"Well?" Lansius prompted.

Audrey opened her eyes but shook her head.

Lansius chuckled, a light sigh escaping him. "Well, it was worth a try."

Ingrid looked at him curiously. "My lord, where did you get such an idea? Does copper enhance magic?"

"Just a feeling," Lansius reasoned, unable to explain radio waves, electromagnetism, or antennas.

They ended up testing it on Ingrid and Francisca, but they too had no luck.

"Maybe the other earring is without magic?" Audrey suggested.

Ingrid shook her head. "No, this kind of thing usually shares potency. It's a similar concept to a mage and their source. It isn't affected by distance or space."

"Probably my cousin's wife doesn't wear it," Francisca offered an explanation.

"Perhaps," Ingrid agreed, preferring a simpler explanation.

Lansius nodded, saying, "Francisca, can you write a letter to your cousin? We'll send a fast rider to Umberland to inform them."

"Of course, I shall make a letter," the half-breed replied firmly.

With that, Lansius called off the experiment, instructing the worker to roll up the copper wire. He decided not to put them back into storage, thinking to try it again at their mansion later.

...

After their little experiment, the group headed toward the market area. The carriage stopped several times as Sterling and Ingrid, also disguised, bought various food items from stalls that caught the Lady's eye. Her appetite had grown considerably, with strong cravings, especially for fruits and smoked fish.

While they paused, they watched children playing cheerfully under a cluster of palm trees in the new plaza. The children ran freely over the colorful mosaic marble, their clean linen fluttering in the wind, as their mothers filled their jugs with clean water. The city had recently unveiled its first working water fountain, from which clean water flowed from a metal spout shaped like a mythical duck.

Since its inauguration by the city's officials, the fountain had become central to the daily lives of the Korelians, providing fresh water for drinking, cooking, and washing, as well as a venue for resting and socializing.

The fountain’s base, made of stone, featured a basin with elaborate carvings and a column depicting Ancients, elves, dwarves, and grand progenitors. The figures of the Lord and Lady, serving as the patrons, were prominently displayed, wearing ceremonial raiments with their coat of arms chiseled into the stone.

Sitting next to him, Audrey leaned on Lansius and whispered, "Lans, what you did will be remembered for a long time."

Lansius smiled. "To see children playing freely like that, instead of protecting sheep from wolves with a wooden cane..."

"They'll be forever grateful," Audrey added, grasping his hand tightly. The two continued to observe the plaza.

Furnished with palm trees and elaborate marble mosaics from the local quarry, the fountain came at a considerable cost. However, it represented more than just a facility.

Lansius held the view that well-maintained and accessible public facilities, such as fountains, comfortable community spaces, and accessible libraries, enhance the quality of life for residents. They promote community engagement and foster a sense of ownership and civic pride among the inhabitants.

He would need this civic pride and good popular support if his experiment with the Shogunate were to succeed. In line with this, the construction of two other fountains was currently underway, with completion expected just in time for summer.

The fountains were powered by a water wheel that pumped water from the river into a three-story-high reservoir. From there, gravity facilitated the delivery of water via large and sturdy stone pipes underground into the fountains.

Lansius found similarities with how the Romans built their aqueducts and fountains. They used stone and clay pipes, especially after learning that lead pipes caused some cases of poisoning. While in this world lead pipes were also the go-to choice, due to their malleability and cost, Lansius had opted for more costly bronze pipes.

He didn't want to risk his populace with lead poisoning. Moreover, bronze was only used in bends or specific places, so it wasn't all that expensive.

The excess water from the fountain was used to irrigate the selection of native trees planted by the city and affluent families at the Lord’s suggestion. These growing greens provide more shade, trap moisture, and cool down the city. Additionally, this excess water supports the city's nascent waste system by flushing wastewater through the system and sending it outside the city into the recently dug moat.

Lansius then realized that Audrey hadn't made a sound, so he turned to her and found her asleep, leaning on the corner of the carriage. She looked so peaceful.

Maybe pregnancy made her sleepy...

No, wait, she's always been like this since we met.

Lansius' lips formed a smile, recalling how he often saw her sleeping during any lull, just like when they were wintering in Ceresia. It was a valuable trait in the military, where resting time in battle was at a premium. This was also probably the reason she could handle night watches with ease.

She looked so comfortable, so Lansius refrained from doing anything, afraid of waking her up.

Francisca, who shared the carriage, looked at him with approval, then returned her gaze outside, not wanting to intrude on her masters' privacy.

Lansius did the same and observed Korelia, which had transformed into a thriving city. The plaza, fountain, and trees again caught his eye. As he admired the simple yet powerful facility, his thoughts naturally drifted to the pipes and pumps. He recalled another reason why he had chosen bronze pipes: to provide his smiths with valuable experience in handling bronze—from alloy creation with tin, to mold making, casting, cooling, and finishing; there were many processes to learn and master.

Since last winter, Lansius had been planning to build large furnaces and a foundry, but he was uncertain whether medieval trade could supply and sustain enough raw materials to make it feasible.

This thought spurred Lansius to observe the sky. As per his instructions, the airship had been methodically surveying the area around Korelia, guided by the city's old records and nomads' stories about unique geological sites that had piqued their curiosity. The crew was searching for resources that might have been overlooked, which provided valuable experience, including for a new pilot trainee.

He mused that it was also a good use of the airframe. Since most of them were made from organic materials, Lansius did not expect it to last five years before a complete refit was needed, thus he felt the need to get his money's worth.

As he thought about the airship, his lips smirked. He was thinking about the new pilot in training. The candidate was simply unexpected.

Through the glass window, Lansius saw Ingrid and Sterling emerge from the market crowd near the plaza. They appeared successful in their errands and were heading back to the carriage, purchases in hand. They were still a hundred paces away when Audrey woke up. She blinked slowly and turned to Lansius, who smiled at her.

She inhaled deeply but slightly blushed, excusing herself, "Suddenly, sleep came to me so strongly." The squire in her was still very much alive.

"We're in Korelia. You can have all the sleep in the world," Lansius reassured her. Then he added, "Are you feeling tired?"

"I'm quite refreshed now," she replied reassuringly.

"Care to visit another place before returning?"

"Lead the way," Audrey replied with a wide smile.

***

Lansius

Not giving up easily, Lansius planned another experiment. He had ordered Sterling to take a horse to the warehouse to fetch more rolls of wire. He knew they only had one copper wire left, but iron ones were available as well.

Lansius, along with the rest of the group, headed toward the eastern wall where the airship hangar was located.

Fortunately, the airship wasn't scheduled to survey the land that day, so after some formalities, Hans quickly prepared it for a short flight.

As they waited in the crew's quarters adjacent to the maintenance warehouse, Lansius overheard Audrey asking the staff, "How's the new pilot in training?"

The crew glanced at each other and grinned. "Interesting," one replied.

"Charming," said another.

Lansius didn't join the conversation; instead, he climbed the section of the wall still under construction. More than just supervising, he wanted to see the airship from a higher vantage point. As he walked with a guard, the rhythmic chiseling of masons and the sight of workers installing stones filled the air, their efforts supported by a man-powered treadwheel crane that hoisted materials upward.

Navigating crude scaffolding and rough stone slabs, he marveled at the ingenuity of the carpenters and craftsmen who had erected not only the walls but also the connected hangar.

They had built up several meters, fortifying the inside of the structure with rammed earth on Lansius' orders to ensure the wall was thicker and sturdier. Reaching the construction's highest point, Lansius was suddenly drawn to a commotion from outside.

He saw troops outside the city wall in training. There he heard a familiar voice—it was Sir Harold's, who cried out, "If we can't make you smarter, then we'll make you harder."

It was a chilling cry as the knight and the best of his vanguard rushed into the fully armored columns of recruits. Sir Harold's small column methodically battered the larger column. The gap in skill and experience really showed.

"Sir Harold always believes that nothing beats real-time experience in warfare," the guard commented from the side.

Lansius chuckled. "Let's just hope they don't overwhelm the infirmary with bone fractures."

After more sightseeing from above, Lansius returned to ground level where he found Sterling and Hans had made the necessary preparations.

After some final measurements and discussions about safe procedures in case something went awry, Hans took off with the copper wire, now fashioned like an antenna strapped to the airship gondola.

Slowly, Hans kept the airship's ascent as vertical as possible. Roll after roll of copper and then iron wires were used. With some colored flags, the crew signaled Hans to stop, and he did his best to maintain altitude.

"Give it more slack; we don't want it to strain," Lansius ordered.

Then, when it was ready, Ingrid, covered by an umbrella held by Francisca, slipped in. She was the one wearing the earring since there was some risk involved from the wire snapping. For this experiment, Audrey had to contend with watching from the safety of the crew's quarters.

"Give it a try," Lansius whispered, looking left and right to ensure that no one was watching.

Since they were near the wall and far from populated areas, not many were watching them. The wire was thin and almost translucent from afar, so it did not attract much attention on the ground.

Ingrid closed her eyes to focus.

Lansius was about to ask a question, but she turned to him, her eyes wide.

"I have someone on the other end," Ingrid exclaimed. Lansius couldn't believe the experiment was working.

So, it had some basis in electromagnetism.

"Imagine the color red and send that to them. It's for: I found something," Francisca suggested excitedly.

Ingrid's shoulders shivered and her smile blossomed. "They sent colors to me, I see red."

Francisca giggled, pleased. "Let's send him a picture," she turned and found a scenic field in the eastern agriculture projects. "Send them that."

Ingrid glanced at Lansius, who nodded. It was just a farm and from that distance, it was merely a scenic beauty, nothing he needed to conceal. He then tried to come up with a way to mark the wire; if this was working, he might have to build a tower and would need the exact height, hoping it wouldn't be too high.

After a while, Ingrid had another excited reaction. "They sent a picture. It's vast farms with flowers stretching everywhere..." Her face turned troubled, she looked at Francisca, who commented, "Terraced farm?"

Ingrid shook her head, worry painted across her face.

"There are no vast farms in Umberland," Francisca said, her earlier excitement lost as she turned guarded.

"I don't see mountains or forest," Ingrid added, suspicion was on her face.

It was clear that they had contacted someone, but not the one they expected. Someone who still possessed an old relic like this and kept it working. Now, the decision was in Lansius' hands.

***