Delita Zalbaag, the third son of baron Orlando Zalbaag has arrived in Zalsac. With him a retinue of forty men. Wearing padded armor and a cloth helmet, they march through flattened road of the region. Weary from their long journey men of House Zalbaag, all tired and dusty.
The Barony of Zalbaag, known for its rich coal and iron deposits is one of the more powerful barony in the land of the Order. Alongside the Ih Leviathan, they rule the northern side of the country in peace.
Their ancestry can be traced to Jacques Zalbaag, a miner born from peasantry and was a devoted believer of the Order of the Three Seas. Joining various crusades in the past when the Order was still a nihilistic monastic organization.
From the Lyzanese Empire of men to Il Elthomar of the Elves, the Order's crusade reach far and wide. As long as knowledge of infidels are heard, they mobilize the crusaders.
Jacques Zalbaag for his continues achievements in the crusades was awarded knighthood then lordship after his final feat of slaying a vampire lord trying to assassinate a high-ranking member of the clergy. From there, his descendants pioneered towards north where they amassed enough achievements and founded the Barony of Zalbaag.
Proud of their ancestor achievements, they named the land they now called home after their surname.
Today, Delita Zalbaag visits the seat of power of House Ih Leviathan for a simple purpose, to rally Prewell's support in his claim to the seat of House Zalbaag.
In spite of being the third son of Orlando, he believes that he is the legitimate heir. After all his eldest brother, Barnabeth Zalbaag is born out of an affair, his mother a maid to his grandmother. Although legitimatize by his father, his status as the heir is shaky at best.
Whilst he and his second brother are true kin in blood and parentage, his second brother has been known to be impotent.
Often hanging out with dandies back home, visiting various inns and whorehouses. For an unknown reason, his brother suddenly stopped going out with his friends.
Then suddenly, news of his brother's impotence spread throughout their land.
From a small whorehouse to their family castle, his second brother neither denied nor confirmed the news.
Soon all possible matches for him were gone, from an outgoing dandy to a homebody.
So a legitimize bastard and a suspected impotent man, those are his enemies for the title of baron-ship.
Delita is confident in his ability in claiming his father's title. He is no great knight like his ancestor, but being to rally many of hid father's soldier to his side is something that he is proud off.
Along the fact that he was able to get Alex the only bronze knight in his father's retinue. The one who handles the military affairs of the barony, to vouch for him in leading a delegation to Zalsac.
Delita is more than willing to bet that he'll win in the succession war.
Marching across the land, a lone castle stands. Gray in color and surrounded by vibrant gold, the Saint Gerald Castle came into the Delita's view.
In the same gray stone of the Andal mountain that his family's seat of power is built upon with.
As his entourage came into the sight of the castle. From afar, movements can be seen around the castle walls.
It is possible that the men guarding the castle are alerted by their arrival. After all, they did not conceal their presence as they approached the castle.
Ending his musing, Delita along with his entourage reaches the gate of the castle.
____________________
Saint Gerald Castle
Castle Gate
"Greetings, Lord Delita. I'm Ecish the head servant of House Ih Leviathan. My Lord has been waiting for your presence." An old man with well built physique, bowed as he greeted Delita.
"Thank you for your warm welcome, Sir Ecish. I'm flattered to be taken seriously by the Lord Baron." Delite beamed as he heard of Ecish words. As the third son, it is not uncommon to be not taken seriously by the members of nobility. After all, he's neither the heir nor the heir replacement.
If something unfortunate happened to his father's heir then his second brother will take his place.
As for him, the third son, he will have to find his own path.
As both finished showing pleasantries to one another. Ecish commanded a servant to bring the men of House Zalbaag to their arranged temporary residence.
As for Delita, Ecish led him through the castle. Walking along the long corridor and heading towards the end of the corridor, where a huge door frame holds to wooden double doors.
On both sides of the door stands two guards wearing the standardized armament of the soldiers of the barony.
Delita have seen the men of Zalsac before. Still, such a sight amazed him, the ability of House Ih Leviathan to create a one unified standardized attire and armament for their soldiers left him in awe. Especially to be capable of providing iron helmets to each one of them.
You have to know that Zalbaag is the one which possesses an iron mine and a coal mine, not Zalsac. At Zalbaag at most one or two veteran are given iron armor pieces. To equip hundreds of men with such gears will affect Zalbaag's economy.
Iron and coal could be exchanged for food and necessities. Although a strong-armed force is required in the North because of the Great Forest of Pluma, it's not worth investing in protective gears. Especially considering you can just replace the dead manpower with cheap labor such as slaves.
As Ecish and the dazed Delita arrives, the two men pushed open the wooden double doors.
The sight of a grand hall came into view. Massive stone pillars with flags of house Ih Leviathan coast along the sides of the great hall, as a red carpet laid on the across the floor heading towards a raised wooden platform at the end of the hall.
A chair made of ancient wood is placed a top of the wooden platform.
Prewell sat on the wooden chair, staring at Ecish and Delita as they made their way to him.
His right elbow placed upon the chair's arms, as the right hand supports his tilted head. Back leaning against the chair, left hand tapping its arms, whilst his legs wide open.
The baron of Zalsac sat upon his seat with comfort as a cold and rigid aura oozes out of him. His eyes stared at Delita, as a feeling of judgement was felt by the third son of Zalbaag.
'So this is the rumored baron of Zalsac. Exactly like how the rumors say of him.' Delita agreeing with the rumors regarding the reputation of the baron in front of him.
"My lord, I bring you Delita of house Zalbaag." Ecish bowed together with Delita. He introduced the third son of house Zalbaag, as an arm was placed towards his chest and another gesturing towards the Delita.
Prewell nods as he waves his hand towards Ecish signaling him to go to the side.
"Son of House Zalbaag, what brought you to my dominion?" Prewell began the conversation by going straight to the point as he usually does.
"Lord Prewell, I'm happy to be allowed in your presence. I came upon your land to levy your support in my claims towards the barony of my father." Answered Delita
Face flat but inner self in turmoil, an unexpected answer. A brand-new information and a bad one at that. The Region is already in chaos because of the increasingly estranged relationship of the Order and the Nobility.
Now here comes someone trying to involve him in a mess he had no apart of. A possible succession war, this person before him is asking his support in a succession war. His eyes twitched as his head aches. 'Nobles… really a pain in the head.'
Attempting to get more news regarding the status of Orlando Zalbaag and the current situation in Zalbaag. He asked questions in a roundabout way.
"Your father Orlando is alive, and your elder brothers are also alive. You expect me to support you over your claim, as the third son of your house.
Do you want to tarnish mine and my house's reputation?"
Delita already expected the initial rejection. After all, if someone also levied his support over a mess like he is currently trying to spark. He will also reject such a notion. After all, without benefits what's the point in joining in such a mess to begin with.
But that's if he was offered no benefits for his support. As it happens, after he became the baron he will be capable of mobilizing the resources of the territory.
Giving those resources in exchange for military support and acknowledgment of his legitimacy as the baron of Zalbaag is a great deal. After all, this is a once a lifetime opportunity.
If his brothers did succeed in claiming the title of his father. The only other option is direct rebellion with that, even if he became a baron. He will not be taken seriously by the rest of the nobility.
At least if he fought his way this time, it will prove that he is far more fitting to be his father's heir. His reputation will still take a hit, but not as much as directly rebelling against his liege lord.
"Lord Prewell, my father lay in bed, his condition worsening by the moment. My eldest brother is a legitimized bastard, his claim as an heir is shaky at best. My second brother, a known impotent. He will be unable to continue the family line if he became my father successor."
"Lord Prewell, I swear after I succeeded my father. You will receive two fifths of Gascon's iron and coal. I'll also increase the fee Zalbaag will pay for the passage and transportation of goods heading towards neighboring ports through Waldr."
Prewell hearing the news of Orlando's condition and the status of the first and second son of Zalbaag became more aware of the situation.
'A succession war is unavoidable, the first son looked down upon by his own brothers and retainers, a second son unable to continue the family line, and a third son with ambition of becoming a baron' With a sigh, he began to think on what Zalsac's stance will be regarding the matter.