The World Dragon's Heir - Chapter 531: Axbridge Horns

Chapter 531: Axbridge Horns

Bottles of Rum were passed around as lunch was readied, and then Dominic heard the distinctive sound of military horns in the distance.

“That would be the Axbridge Border Patrol. Given the location here in the woods, there is some contention about which nation this location belongs to.

Sure, I trap it, but that’s different from building a house here.

There is nothing built west of Soutford for that reason, not even farms more than two kilometres out and in sight of the city.”

“Well then, I suppose that we should go say hello, before they start getting notions about military action that would spoil our drinking party.”

Dominic made for the door, and then out into the woods, toward the sound of the military horns. They were still a few kilometres out, but there should be a scout team much closer.

“Come on out, I despise having to wait for Commanders to arrive to begin the explanations.” He called.

After a moment, an Axbridge soldier with a rifle in his hands stepped out from behind a tree a hundred metres away, barely visible through the trees.

“Good enough for me. Greetings, I am Dominic Wavemates, the Duke of Wistover. I’m sure that you have many questions about the new house in the woods, but it really is a convoluted story.

Short version, magic relocated the entire Manor here, occupants and all, under an hour ago.

We’re not an invading force, and there is no Dagos Noble left living in it that is going to try to claim border territory from Axbridge.”

The soldier looked a bit confused. “Sir, are you not a Dagos Noble?”

Dominic shook his head. “Not at all. I am a Duke under the Cygnia Crown, holding Wistover Duchy in Stansia Province.

I am rather far from home at the moment, due to circumstances, I realize. However, I am certain that I can explain to your unit commander once they arrive.”

The scout nodded. “The Commander is on her way now. Be prepared, she can be, somewhat fierce.”

Dominic laughed a little at the thought. “That should not be a concern. I have some experience in such matters.”

The sound of mechanical horses picking their way through the trees caught everyone’s attention, and a woman in gleaming silver armour with a black tabard, trimmed in Axbridge purple and white, hopped down with her hand on the hilt of her sword.

“Situation.” She demanded.

“The Duke of Wistover has arrived here with a house due to unforeseen circumstances.”

The Commander simply stared at the scout for a second, then turned to Dominic.

“Elaborate.”

“We were besieged by a severe storm in Lytesin while attempting to stave off the flooding from the previous storm. A magical irregularity led to the entire Manor being transported to this location.

Occupants are myself, my advisor, the commoner staff members, and a group of civilian refugees who arrived hours before the anomaly.”

“Dagos Noble occupants?”

“None survived. Their bodies were removed from the Manor itself, so they should still be in Lytesin, within the walls, if they have held against the storm.

Dozens of tornados and water cyclones were spotted during the hours prior to our departure, and should one of them directly impact the structure, there is no guarantee that it will hold, as we had to hastily increase the height of the fortifications.”

“Understood. Now, if I can verify your identity?”

Dominic nodded and took out his badge of office, the simple silver emblem that Pops had made for him, and then the two Royal Decrees relating to him.

One for his title, and one for his marriage.

The Commander carefully browsed the documents, then smiled at him.

“It’s an honour to meet you, Duke Wistover. I would like to say that your wife is a hero to all of us who would take up the blade.”

Dominic nodded. “The Princess is among the finest Paladins that I have ever fought beside. I must say, it’s been quite an honour to be wed to her.

If you make it down as far as Wistover, our doors are open to you, feel free to come and meet her in person.”

The Commander actually blushed a little, her hero worship sending her mind into a short spiral at the thought of actually getting to meet the Princess.

She was not a Noble, but still held some prestige as a unit Commander of the Axbridge Army. However, that meant a lot of nothing once she left the country, unless it was for official work, and the King preferred to send Noble born soldiers for that sort of mission.

“Now, I must inform you that your travelling Manor is not truly within Dagos. You are on the Axbridge side of the border, and did not enter through an approved checkpoint.

Given the circumstances, I will not pursue a fine, and do not suspect that you are attempting to smuggle anything.

However, for the sake of official records, I must verify the headcount of the occupants of the Manor.”

Dominic nodded. “Of course. Please join me inside. You are just in time for afternoon tea.”

In the Manor, Amie laughed. They needed to stop getting new guests. The only way that Dominic knew how to greet them was with food, and he apparently hadn’t gotten around to reading the portions on commoner Military officers, or the most expedient ways to politely move them along.

It might not be a terrible choice, though.

If they were in Axbridge, that meant the occupants of the house could most likely stay. It might cause issues with the locals from Soutford, as it was right on the border, but offering shelter and a checkpoint for Axbridge patrols would make them much more amenable to the notion of letting the current staff continue living in the building.

In fact, they may well claim it as a full-time military outpost. If they did that, then the staff would have someone to pay them and bring supplies to keep the place running.

That would be much better than going to Soutford and trying to find work after the disastrous storms.