The Blue and the Crimson
Canardia Castle
More than seventy pairs of eyes, belonging to nobles, guests, retainers, and castle staff, followed Lady Ella, the newcomer from Dawn, as she walked across the carpeted floor of the Great Hall toward the Lord and Lady. Despite the weight of every gaze upon her, she remained composed, her eyes steady, her steps measured and confident. Her long red hair accentuated the soft shimmer of her pearly white dress, hinting at her distant origin.
“Lady Ella of Dawn,” the herald announced as she curtsied before the Lord and Lady.
“My Lord, My Lady,” she greeted softly.
“Lady Ella,” Lord Lansius greeted in return, his gaze shifting briefly to Petra, the accompanying former Saint Candidate, who quietly joined the crowd without drawing attention to herself. Then he turned his eyes back to Avery’s granddaughter.
“You asked for a formal audience, and I shall hear it. Please, speak.”
“Gratitude, My Lord. On behalf of my grandfather, the Lord of Dawn, we of the House of Dawn, who dwell from the shores of the Middle Sea to the plains of Nicopola, wish to extend our pledge of amity and strength. It would be a great honor to stand in concord with the Shogunate, to be counted among its close allies, bound by honor and mutual accord. Let our banner stand beside yours, in shared purpose.”
Her words stirred a wave of murmurs throughout the hall. Some faces brightened with quiet amusement, finding pride in how swiftly the Shogunate’s power was growing. Yet others cast wary glances and whispered among themselves, doubting whether such expansion was wise. To accept new allies meant stretching their strength and resources farther than ever, perhaps too far for the still-young forces to sustain. For to join a Shogunate was not only to swear allegiance, but also to expect its protection. And even now, the Shogunate faced several conflicts of its own.
After her speech, Lady Ella produced a letter sealed with red wax bearing Lord Avery’s crest. Sir Omin, already anticipating the gesture, stepped forward, received it with both hands, and delivered it to the Lord and Lady.
Under the watchful eyes of the court and amid soft murmurs, the Lord broke the seal and read the letter. He found himself impressed by the neat cursive, the script rivaling that of his best scribe. Everything about it appeared genuine. He handed the letter to the Lady, allowing her a moment to read before passing it to their squire, Carla, with quiet instruction to deliver it to Lord Robert.
“Lady Ella,” the Lord began, his voice a little hoarse, “before I make my decision, tell me about your House banner.”
Small talk amid a formal petition might have seemed out of place, yet Lady Ella, showing a touch of her grandfather’s natural shrewdness, took it in stride. She welcomed the chance to speak, explaining her House’s heraldry, granted by none other than the Ageless’ own ministers. It was a rare opportunity to elevate her House’s standing before the assembled court, for few coats of arms were ever made under the Emperor’s personal gaze.
As the court listened, their impression of House Dawn grew more favorable, yet the Lord only nodded softly. Despite the grand tale behind it, that wasn’t what he had meant to ask.
“Tell me, do you happen to have an older banner, perhaps a rectangular one, kept somewhere in your castle?” the Lord asked.
“Rectangular banner?” The red-haired lady frowned, as did many others in the hall. Even Lady Audrey glanced toward him but refrained from commenting.
Lord Lansius kept his focus and clarified, “A banner with an eagle, its claws holding a large orb and an anchor, an iron device that—”
"Holds ships fast upon the waves," she finished his words. “My Lord, how do you know that?”
The Lord exhaled sharply. Meanwhile, the court, not expecting this development, broke into soft murmurs, and anticipation filled the air. After all, how could their Lord know of something kept by another House? The House of Dawn lay far beyond his sphere of influence, a distant land seldom spoken of. It was one of those Houses on the furthest fringe of the Imperium, bordering the Middle Sea, which separated them from the Beastmen continent. Moreover, it was a House known for keeping its secrets close.
Instead of answering, the Lord asked, “Is the color of the banner red?”
The Lady paused, as if searching her memory, before replying, “No, My Lord, it is blue.”
At her answer, murmurs rippled through the court. The Lord had nearly guessed right, but not quite, and a subtle wave of relief and quiet amusement spread among those who thought he had finally been proven incorrect.
Yet the Lord did not appear bothered, as if that too had been within his expectation. “If it is blue, then there should also be a large laurel on both sides of the eagle and orb.”
Lady Ella covered her mouth to hide her gasp, and the court fell silent.
The Lord let Lady Ella process what he had said, and after a pause, she spoke. “My Lord, you said it was red the first time. That too is correct.”
The forty-six court members, along with the squires, guards, pages, servants, and maids, were awash with murmurs of excitement and speculation.
Yet the Lord now seemed puzzled. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, “You have both banners?”
“My House’s original banner bears the eagle, orb, and anchor set upon blue, with laurels. But another House carries the red, without the laurel.”
The Lord’s widened eyes did not go unnoticed. The revelation had clearly struck him.
“How many other Houses?” he asked, his voice rough.
“I believe there are eleven Houses, My Lord.”
Her words stunned the Lord, and he broke into a dry cough, prompting his squire to offer him some water.
After he drank, Lady Ella, with his permission, went on to recount the tale of her ancestors, who, caught in a storm, had found themselves marooned upon an island. There, they discovered a fishing village beset by pirates and freed it. From that place, they built a base to help neighboring islands fight off raiders. Over time, they found others of their own kin scattered across the seas. Their years of war against the pirates won them fame that spread to distant shores, eventually reaching the Emperor’s ears.
At that time, the Ageless was visiting Nicopola, newly reclaimed from the Beastmen incursion. He invited these celebrated pirate fighters to an audience. Though he never met them personally, sending his ministers in his stead, he granted Lady Ella’s ancestors the baronial lands that the House of Dawn still holds today.
...
Lansius
Eleven? He blurted the word inwardly, his heart demanding quietly how such a thing could be possible.
Was there some kind of portal that had brought these Marines into this world?
At least one thing was certain. From the song Lansius had heard the night before, and from the banners, Lady Ella and Lord Avery were likely descendants of the United States Marines, who, like him, had been thrown into this world. However, apart from that, everything else raised more questions than it provided answers.
The first issue was that the event Lady Ella described had taken place nearly three hundred years ago. Meanwhile, in Lansius’ timeline on Earth, less than a century had passed since the Marine Corps’ colors changed from blue to crimson red. To his recollection, that color shift had occurred before the Second World War.
The thought reminded him of his old discussion with Valerie, how time likely flowed differently between the two worlds.
For them to carry both blue and red banners meant there had been Marines arriving from different timelines, separated by at least twenty or thirty years. It fit with Lady Ella’s story when she said her ancestors had found other kinsmen during their war against pirates. That would mean the portal, or whatever magical cause it was, had opened several times, in multiple places, likely connecting to different points in Earth’s history.
But why only Marines?
Ignoring the dull pulse of fever in his head, Lansius had to admit that Lady Ella’s story explained a few more things, such as Dawn’s obsession with airships. Her ancestor’s blue flag suggested he had come from an era when Earth still saw airships as the future of flight. It was no wonder he had tried so hard to rebuild them, perhaps even possessing the knowledge to do so and passing it down through generations.
He tried to think of a question to dig deeper, but since the event had happened centuries ago, it was unlikely that Lady Ella would know the answers. To her, her ancestors had been marooned. But Lansius knew better, like how the orb she had spoken of was, in truth, a globe of a world she had never known existed.
“Lady Ella,” he called to the young red-haired girl.
“My Lord?” she replied, curiosity clear upon her face.
Lansius swallowed dryly and said, “You must be wishing for your curiosity to be answered. So, let it be known that your ancestors were marooned the same way I was several years ago.”
Soft gasps rippled through the hall. Many exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. They had all heard that Lansius was once a young knight from one of the Eastern Kingdoms, lost during an errand to Arvena before joining Lord Bengrieve to punish the Lowlandian raiders. Now they learned that he had come from somewhere even farther, beyond the Eastern Kingdoms entirely, a true foreigner to the Imperium.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The revelation did not shake anyone too deeply. After all, nobody but Lansius knew that he was not exactly marooned from a shipwreck, but marooned from another world.
From his side, Audrey turned her gaze toward him, her face showing slight concern. He gave her a small nod, acknowledging her concern.
“My Lord Shogun,” Sir Omin stepped forward, his tone cautious, “despite your shared origin, so to speak, I must remind you that you are under no obligation to defend them.”
“I share an origin with them, but that doesn’t mean I share blood or kinship with them.” Lansius then addressed the court. “My House’s loyalty lies with the Shogunate, and my responsibility extends only to my vassals and my subjects.”
Most of the court and his retinue looked pleased, though many still harbored doubts.
With Lansius’ stance made clear, Sir Omin turned toward Lady Ella and spoke. “Lady, has the Shogunate not already provided enough assistance?”
“Pardon?”
“Since last year, we have sent one hundred warhorses annually to Dawn in exchange for the airship. We also granted your House the opportunity to purchase more from the horse markets in Korelia, which you exercised.” Sir Omin paused to let the court digest his words. “Moreover, when your House expanded northward, did we not send that same airship, along with our best knights and men, to fight beside yours, earning the highest merit and honor in the taking of Kapua?”
“Indeed, you are correct.”
“Hasn’t the Shogunate also been providing military aid for your House’s campaign in Corinthia?”
“It was to safeguard the southern trade routes, in which the Shogunate is also a willing participant and member. Moreover, the Lord of Dawn had made it clear that assistance from the Shogunate was not required.”
Lansius, Audrey, and the whole court watched their exchange with keen attention. Though he personally wanted to leap to Lady Ella’s defense, Lansius chose restraint. He needed to understand how his retinue and court perceived the matter.
“Alas, to wage war on a barony seems a rather excessive solution, don’t you think?” Sir Omin asked the hall, earning many nods and murmurs of agreement.
Even cornered, Lady Ella did not lose her composure. “Yet it was the Shogunate that drank the wine from the grapes we toiled to grow.”
“Fair point,” Sir Omin conceded. “But let it be known that Corinthia has already strained our resources as we prepared to suppress possible rebellion, and the war with the Mountain Clans has absorbed what remains of our Lowlandian strength. We are in no position to offer further protection to another distant land.”
“Your concerns will be noted,” she replied evenly.
Sir Omin gave a thin smile at her brief retort, which had weakened his argument. “Lady, I believe there is little need for the House of Dawn to join the Shogunate. Even as allies, we already provide warhorses, airship, and our finest knights and men to your cause. Is that not enough? The airship and Sir Morton are currently in Kapua again for the second time, are they not?”
“We are forever grateful for the assistance in Kapua, especially to Sir Morton and his men. However, it would be unwise for the Shogunate to see the protection of our land, which we have upheld for hundreds of years, as a burden.”
Lady Ella wished to add more, but Sir Omin had already turned toward Lansius. “My Lord Shogun, it would be wise to consider your stance. We have given plenty of support, yet we cannot be used as a shield after one raises a sword against their neighbor.”
Lansius exhaled in his seat and turned to Audrey, who, aside from an acknowledging nod, refrained from giving her stance. The next person he looked to was Lord Robert.
The Lion of Lowlandia noticed and gave a small nod before casting his gaze across the hall. His commanding presence drew attention without a word. Then he spoke. “My Lord, I must say that Sir Omin has made a fair point. The Shogunate’s protection, should one adhere to its rule, will certainly extend to the city of Kapua. While this has never been stated outright, I believe it was never the intent for the Shogunate’s forces and resources to be used in defense of conquered lands.”
Lansius gave a nod and, as the irritation in his throat returned, let out a dry cough that prompted him to take another sip of water.
“My Lord and Lady, may I present my words?” Lady Ella asked, her tone measured yet resolute.
Lansius, already expecting her to defend her cause, gestured for her to proceed.
“As I have said before, the Dawns have guarded our land for centuries. Our march to Kapua was not an act of conquest but one of necessity. More than our own survival, we are what keeps the mercenaries and raiders of Nicopola in check. Without our presence in that region, the Shogunate’s western flank would soon be overrun. This is no idle fear, but certainty.”
Her stark truth gripped the hall.
“When they have stripped the Dawn’s fertile lands bare, where else will the Nicopolan raiders and armed refugees go but to your borders? Don't Sir Servius and his Gray Legion count among your allies? And what of Umberland? But worse still…” Her voice sank lower, seizing the hall’s undivided attention.
“Our common enemies, the Mountain Clans, will use these desperate souls as tools and drive them upon your cities. Does any among the Lords or retinues wish to see Three Hills and Korimor under siege? The Lowlandians now enjoy the peace bought with the Dawn’s blood and labor. The safety of your western border is paid for by the sacrifice of our men in Kapua. So I ask, is it not just and proper to join arms in this crisis?”
The hall fell silent. No murmurs followed, only uneasy glances traded among nobles, guests, and retainers.
At last, Lady Ella lifted her chin slightly. “Should the Dawn fall, the Shogunate will inherit a fast-growing crisis, and all here will regret not having a strong and steadfast ally, native to the land, with roots deep and loyal men already entrenched in the region.”
As Lady Ella finished speaking, Sir Omin commented, “Lady, it is a compelling argument. However, all your words hinge on the premise that Kapua remains under House Dawn.”
“The Dawn will win Kapua,” Lady Ella interjected, her voice carrying enough conviction to turn every eye in the hall. “In fact, we probably already have.”
Her words sparked immediate questions and speculation. Lansius watched in silence, suspicion growing in his mind that the Dawn might possess some long-range means of communication. He resolved to ask her in private and see whether he could learn their secret.
He turned to Audrey and met her gaze. Neither spoke, and after a moment, Lansius turned to Lord Robert.
The Lion of Lowlandia stroked his white-bearded chin. When he noticed Lansius and Audrey looking his way, he said, “Well, last I checked, Umberland is an ally, though not exactly a member of the Shogunate.”
At that, Sir Omin chuckled, finding Lord Robert’s practical mindset a breath of fresh air. Still, he said nothing, allowing Robert to continue.
“If the Nicopolans or those damned smugglers attempt an invasion, we can stop them at the bulwark or within the Umberland Mountains. This time we will be ready.”
Audrey finally spoke. “But what of Sir Servius? Would that not mean abandoning him and his Legion?”
“We can let them retreat to the mountains and join forces with the men from Umberland,” Lord Robert replied.
Lansius drew a sharp breath. He had just sent the Legion a convoy of pasta. He wanted the towns and cities under their protection to prosper. “Gentlemen,” he said, his voice cutting through the chamber and drawing every gaze toward him, “there is far more at stake than the tally of who gained more. I think we must prepare accordingly.”
“But, My Lord,” Sir Omin argued, “we must not lose our focus. At present, we have the threats from the Monastery, Edessa, and northern Midlandia. In such a state, the war treatises advise restraint. To engage in distant ventures would be to risk our strength for fleeting glory, and perhaps even gamble the Shogunate’s survival.”
Lansius fixed his gaze upon Sir Omin, whom he had only recently made his third and, for now, final Banneret. “That is a wrong strategy.”
His words stirred the hall, and every trained man present looked puzzled.
“Then please, enlighten us, My Lord?” Sir Omin asked, eager to listen.
Lansius drew a deep breath before he spoke. “A defensive war is indeed more advantageous to fight. It is also morally just and, by all measures, the most responsible course to take. We can enjoy the support of our allies and our people to stand with us. To defend within our borders means we know the land and have fortifications to withstand and stop the enemy. Moreover, our supply lines are short and strong, well within our radius of action. And with the people’s support, they will move unhindered and safely. Everyone who has studied war knows this.”
Around the hall, several officers and knights exchanged nods, murmuring their agreement as if confirming a well-learned truth.
“However,” Lansius continued, “it is also a costly war to fight. To wage war within our own borders means our farms, villages, and towns would burn. Villages would empty as the people fled, and cities would suffer great disturbance in every part of life. Even if they are not razed, many fields would lie neglected, trade would stop, and the people’s way of living would fall into turmoil. Such ruin means that even in victory, we would bear the cost of war for many years to come.”
Despite the seeming contradiction, many were surprised by how easily they followed his reasoning. Several had been nodding, while others looked down in thought. The guests murmured among themselves in low whispers. Meanwhile, some of the younger ones tried their hardest to memorize what the Lord had spoken, knowing it might prove valuable in their future.
Lansius continued, “Thus, it is my opinion that, whenever possible, it is far better to wage war beyond our borders, to keep our own domain secure and our people’s lives protected. That way, even if our army is defeated, our land and our folk remain largely untouched.”
Murmurs spread through the hall as the men exchanged thoughtful glances. Lansius let the moment linger, his eyes meeting Audrey's.
“It seems you have made your decision?” she asked.
“Do I have your support?” he replied.
“Even if I were not, you would still find me riding beside you,” she answered softly. “But on this, I agree. It is better to fight on the enemy’s territory.”
“The treaties only spoke against it because to invade another’s domain requires great skill and preparation. Most lords fail in that regard. Besides, no treatise wishes to be seen as encouraging lords to wage wars upon their neighbors,” Lansius said, his tone measured, yet the words carried a trace of amusement that drew a faint smile from Audrey.
When the murmurs in the hall finally settled, Lansius turned to Lady Ella, who stood calm and ready, her composure drawing silent respect from all who watched. Looking at her, Lansius thought briefly that he would be fortunate if his son grew to be as formidable in court.
"Scribe," Lansius called.
The scribe at his desk turned and bowed his head. "My Lord."
"Write this for me," he instructed. "On this day, House Lansius formally accepts the Dawn as part of the Shogunate. However," he continued without pause, "the Dawn will still require the approval of the majority of the Lords before they are formally recognized among our ranks."
The decision made the hall stir again with comments and murmurs.
"My Lord, heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Lord of Dawn and our House," Lady Ella replied. Her voice was clear and confident, yet carried a note of relief.
Lansius then turned to Lord Robert. “Lord Robert, let it be known that, in this, I waive the other members of the Shogunate from the duty to march against the Nicopolans, as the matter lies beyond our traditional boundaries. That burden will fall upon my House alone.”
Lord Robert let out a low chuckle. “We cannot let you go alone in this. White Lake will stand beside you, and I believe Three Hills and Galdia will do the same.”
At that, Lord Robert’s gaze shifted toward the son of the Lord of Galdia, a knight about thirty years of age who stood among the gathered court. The young man met his eyes and gave a firm nod in approval. His father was currently guarding the eastern flank against a remote but still possible Elandian incursion.
“Korimor will also join,” Audrey added firmly.
A new wave of murmurs spread through the hall. Moments ago, many had doubted whether the Dawn should be allowed to join the Shogunate, but now they were warming to the idea, some even sounding supportive.
“Sir Omin,” Lansius called.
“My Lord.” The third Banneret stepped forward.
“Harvest will end soon. I plan to begin next year’s voluntary mobilization earlier. It seems we will require more men to protect the realm. They shall train through winter in whatever fortifications we have across Midlandia.”
“Yes, My Lord. How many men do you require?” There was no tone of opposition.
Lansius felt the gaze of all his retinue and guests. “Last time, we recruited three thousand, with another three thousand in reserve. I had assumed it would be enough, but I was mistaken. The number was too conservative. As the One Day Rebellion and the conflict in Kapua have shown, we are not at peace. What we face now is merely another calm before the storm. I doubt that being prudent with resources will do us any good when war comes knocking at our doors. And I fear there will be a time when we are besieged on all fronts, both within and without.”
The grim truth was mostly well-received by his court. Many had served with him since Korelia.
“The Imperium is no more. We stand alone. Thus, I shall raise our Midlandian forces from three thousand to ten thousand, and our reserve from three thousand to ten thousand.”
Lansius' decision, one he had weighed and recalculated countless times, stirred a range of reactions. Surprise and mild concern were common among the guests, but among his men, the mood was divided. Some wore somber faces, others showed a quiet spark of anticipation. Those who felt the thrill knew it was necessary. Those who looked grim knew even this might still fall short.
With the matter settled, Lansius took his leave to retire early, citing other duties without mentioning his health. The court watched with due respect, dipping their heads as he and Audrey departed from the hall.
That night, despite rest and plenty of water, the fever deepened. By dawn, Lansius was bedridden. Unease quickly spread through the castle.
***
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