Lora of Two Worlds

When Gareth and Roland reached the outer barracks, fighting had already broken out. Corin had sent word to Jian and Mo. When agitators tried to lead the men toward the General's mansion, the Askar men had stepped in.

They weren't eloquent. They settled things with fists: "Spreading rumors! The farms are gone, or did you eat them? The Odenheims lost things, they won't get them back?"

"The Odenheims fed you for years. The house has one crisis, and you rebel? Are you even human?"

"Little bastard, you dare hit back?"

The agitators lost their crowd. Guards who'd been swayed, seeing the Turkic men defend the General, began to doubt:

"The General didn't say he wouldn't pay. Going to pressure him now, that's biting the hand that feeds us."

Some joined the Turkic men, blocking the rabble-rousers.

By the time Gareth and the generals arrived, the brawlers couldn't find the original instigators. They'd vanished.

As Gareth left, Zara Wende walked him out, tentative:

"Lord Roland, will the Odenheim farms come back? I didn't dare ask the General. Give me the truth. How long can pay hold?"

"We've funds outstanding. Several months, no problem. The General plans to offer a bounty, recruit squads from the guards to hunt Weston Gray. Let the men participate in the chase. General Zara, don't fall behind."

Zara Wende smiled: "Of course. Serving the General, we'll send our best."

This was Lora's idea: let the outer guards join the hunt for Weston Gray and Susannah. More visible than using only inner guards. Even if they didn't catch them immediately, participation reduced resentment.

Before winter, their various revenue lines would bear fruit.

After a chaotic day, the barracks settled. Gareth climbed the old apple tree, dropped into Yewholm. The courtyard gate was open. The door was open. Inside, a woman's voice...

Lora's voice?

"Brother, you're here? Come see the toothbrush I made."

Casual as could be. Didn't she plan to explain why she was in Leon's house?

"Made today?" Roland pretended calm. Took the toothbrush. A reed handle with rows of boar bristles.

"These are... pig bristles..." A bit crooked.

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"First attempt. No experience. But the concept is there. The toothpaste is from a medical text, cleans teeth, reduces swelling and pain. I've prepared two sets for your cousin and Lyle. Yours is in your room."

"You two are living it up. Don't you want to know what happened outside?"

"Did they catch the agitators?" Leon asked.

"Two inside. They were duped, following orders from someone who's vanished. The outer camp, too chaotic by the time we arrived. They slipped away."

No catches, but their suspicion was confirmed.

"The lender list has been sent to Augustburg. Prince Jasper's household and the Duke's household will investigate. Someone's targeting the Odenheims, they won't sit idle. The faster we find Weston Gray, the better. Those farms have been managed for years. Especially Mother's dowry, East Estate."

The Countess's dowry: two farms east of Lohenheim. One large, one small, separated by a low hill. Sunny, well-watered. The family called them "East Big" and "East Small", collectively, East Estate.

The lender had wanted them fast. The pledge term was only twenty days.

Ten days had passed. Three days after St. Agnes' Eve, the farm would automatically become the lender's.

Lora set down her toothbrush. Sighed:

"What can make a fortune in that time? Gold-mining, selling toothbrushes, selling iron-plate cooking, none of it's fast enough."

Leon was silent too. He'd sent men south to find gold-mining engineers. He'd also arranged the herb tea-garden purchase. Funds already transferred via bill of exchange.

"The lender is Windsor Yves... great-grandson of Windsor Bohun. The Waleran family's wealth came from Windsor Bohun's extortions as marcher duke of Southmarch." Leon said, cold:

"When my brother the King took the throne, Windsor Bohun sent thirteen gemmed belts, over three thousand silver ingots, two hundred thousand bolts of fine silk. Became my brother's 'loyal minister.' He'd been in bed with Voss since my Alvin's reign."

Windsor Bohun had returned to Augustburg and become chancellor twice, Voss's outside ally.

The Thane Plains Waleran house, deep roots, wide branches. Wresting East Estate from them wouldn't be easy. One step at a time.

They reviewed every revenue option. Only one path remained: borrow from the two princely houses in Augustburg. But the sum was large, and without explaining the future income source, the Countess might refuse.

"Mother needs to know eventually. Tomorrow I'll write to Brendan and Carl, have them sound her out." Roland ended the discussion. Took his sister home.

The next day, Hugo found a restaurant location for Lora. Not in the South Market, but in Highwood Quarter, where eateries, wine houses, and entertainment halls clustered. By coincidence, directly across from the The Gilded Lily.

"Good location. But the Odenheims can't be seen here."

Lora didn't even step down from the carriage. She smiled at Keane, sitting on the carriage step:

"Manager Keane, please go inspect it yourself. From now on, you're the manager of this iron-plate restaurant."

Keane blinked. Then, remembering they'd just passed the The Gilded Lily, understood. He jumped down. The carriage moved on.

The iron-plate setup was simple, installed in the back kitchen, not displayed.

Keane took to his new role. He aimed to open before St. Agnes' Eve, riding the festival crowd.

He'd been a covert guard, anonymous by trade. Since joining Lora's service, Shawn had been the visible one. Keane, quiet, easy to overlook.

Most importantly, on the northward journey, Lora had taught him iron-plate cooking. She'd praised his talent.

"Pick a few sharp-eyed waiters. You're not just earning money, you're watching the The Gilded Lily. No proof yet, but something's off about the Salt family."

Lora handed Keane a menu:

"These are the basic dishes. Meat and vegetables. Once you've mastered these, improvise."

"Yes, sir. I'll do both well."

Lora gave Hugo a ten-percent share, making him co-manager. On opening day, he booked the entire second floor. His wine-circle friends and Sparrow Club members, all invited to "Lohenheim Iron Plate."

Manager Keane's identity, no one would notice.

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