After a long session of talks I got the general gist of the situation while I was unconscious.
Hardvar has gone to Linchwood deep in Kendogan territory to investigate traces of the Loijon syndicate that appear to have escaped or been out of Dra during the purge, in that time he also came across the armies of Kendogan numbering in the hundreds of thousands moving towards the Rekarsus border.
Leyalt kept watch over Durlivan for a portion of time, however, he soon left for the border with the Gulf kingdoms. Rumors lead him into an investigation pertaining to a certain young king arisen in the deepest part of the Gulf kingdoms... Pelion. Small and inconsequential but as merchants have said, 'He is a demon of the battlefield! Soon the Gulf will fall!' He has been gone investigating personally for the last two weeks.
Lancard and Tensent's diplomats were enraged upon their return to their respective nations and demanded that the trade agreement be annulled however Nova threatened them with the ruin of their whole countries should they not honor the agreement causing them to go silently along with the secretive trading.
Alias took over Hardvar and Leyalt's tasks for the internal affairs department becoming the deputy head of intelligence and basically running the territory from the shadows while I was unconscious, many call him just 'Butler' now, too.
Nefamiti has been training the next generations of soldiers. Many of the refugees immediately went into either the church seeking aid or the army seeking fortune.
Marcus, Huantu and Netman have been patrolling the wastelands between Durlivan, Kendogan and Rekarsus due to reports of underground activity in the onset of the great war between them, Baroli decided to go along with Marcus and learn to command.
Yu has been busy with a 'secret project' with the help of the rest of the fairies.
Warren has established his own Internal and External affairs departments due to which Kitar is no longer left needing to rely completely on Durlivan's administration. He has also been expanding the army and reclaiming large swathes of Kitar's territory which had gone to ruin long ago.
Trigo has been working hard to keep the accounts of all three territories in the positive, or at least if they dip into the red that it's because of an investment that will take it back out in due time. Rafulnas had been slowly flourishing under his command as well due to the extra fall out from the increased trade here in the southern territories.
Keneth has been helping Trigo while also further establishing a communication network with other nobles from outside the empire and territory using trade as an excuse to make those close ties, specifically with low ranking nobles and officials from Lancard and Tensent.
Clay had been establishing closer ties with the officials and nobles that Keneth has befriended and is now in the beginnings of establishing secret trade contracts with them under the noses of their respective kingdoms, giving food from the large swathes of farmland in Durlivan's plains in exchange for the specially crafted gems and materials that can only be found in the mountainous area's known as Tensent and Lancard.
Senal appears to be with Anept in that he wishes to form an order, but not an order of knights, an order of builders. As it would seem, Senal is from a long line of builders, in the last war between Carrien and the barbarians of the far east wastelands his grandfather built large castles which saved large swathes of Carriens landed from being ruined by the scourge known the Wasteland tribes, thus getting a noble title in return for his efforts.
In his family, building has been a time-honored profession and as such he is very well versed and wishes to bring his talents to bear here in Durlivan in building a long, powerful defensive wall from one mountain to another blocking off the entire pass. The number of soldiers required to man such a massive wall would be enormous, but if completed and manned, it would be impossible to enter Durlivan's lands without going through it.
As for Satree... he's likely the one whose been most productive and capable of using the recourses afforded to him.
While being the youngest he is the most resourceful and has quickly risen in the ranks of the internal affairs department, delegating the responsibilities of his fields to others he has been focusing on dividing out housing for the people as well as writing up the contracts for their residency. Taking names, heights, ages, and families, he had taken a substantial load off Trigo's shoulders making it possible for him to actually focus on keeping everything in the green.
As for Nova. It appears that he's being swamped by requests for marriage. That is all he's having trouble with. That lucky bastard.
But then again, I have my Shion, so, I don't need any other women!
"Hah..." I sigh deeply while looking at Senal and Anept who're both sitting anxiously in front of me.
It's been two days since I awoke and they both continue insisting on funds for their respective orders and projects.
"Durlivans Knights Order," My eyes sharpened on Anept who promptly looked elsewhere, "I hear that despite not having funds you've begun attempting to recruit elites from Nefamiti's soldier school, is it true?"
Anept, looking anxious smiled and looked back at me, "It's... true... but you see! It's important for a lord to have his own personal knights! Soldiers simply won't cut it! Especially for such a great lord like you! It would be a disgrace-"
"-I will allow it. But! You may not yet use the name 'Durlivans Knights Order', you must first earn a name for yourself in the city and among the people to earn the right to declare a knights order, especially so if it's meant to protect the people, it must first be accepted by the people." I stared at him until he nodded.
His confidence basically shot from behind his eyes like skylights, "I, Anept Tepen, will make a name for myself and those I can recruit! When I return, I will have the approval of the people, I swear it."
He stood up happily but my qi locked him down causing him to pale, "Go and apologize to Nefamiti for poaching his students. Then to Shion for burdening her with unnecessary things. Lastly, go and help Trigo with his work for a week before you go out to prove yourself."
His face was white as he sheet as he left, a small smile formed on my lips, 'A week under Trigo should teach him some restraint when trying to push his ideals... hot-blooded youth sure looks easy, now...'
My gaze shifted over to Senal who by now is sweating.
"I believe that a dedicated order of builders would be a great idea!" He took the advantage and started talking, "With a dedicated order of builders, it would be possible to expand the city into the fields with ease! An already experienced group of-"
"I agree." I smile.
"W-what?" His mouth hung just slightly open.
"I agree." I repeated before leaning in my seat, "But not an Order of Builders, but, a Guild. Form a dedicated Laborers Guild. It will oversee the work distribution of building projects as well as handle its own finances. For building projects here in Durlivan, it will go through the Laborers Guild if they wish to hire builders. The quality of the builders will be guaranteed by yourself and myself. However, like Anept, you must first prove yourself and go work under Trigo for a week to better understand the paperwork needed."
Senal sat in shock for a few more seconds before standing up with a serious gaze, "I will immediately report to Lord Trigo for orders."
"Ah, and apologize to those I mentioned before." He nodded and he waved his hand.
Click... the door closed.
"Hah..." That should be it for my end of the maintenance for internal affairs.
"Come! We have a present!" Yu, who had been hiding behind some books in the study popped out with a great smile, "Come!"
Glancing at the stack of papers left on my desk pertaining to agreements of housing and the documentation of a few thousand refugees and ex-marked I sighed and stand up.
'A little break never hurt anyone...' My mind softened a small bit as I opened the window.
I took off my shirt and put on some black baggy pants along with a red sash around my waist.
Messing up my hair I then grabbed my sabers and strapped them to my back before jumping out.
Using my Qi I softened the fall and took off. It's midday but everyone is inside due to the heat and their work so no one saw me.
"Where are you going?" Or so I thought... Sir Clegane is up on the estate wall looking down on me.
He'd been coming and going from Durlivan at will the last two days since I awoke.
I smile and jab a thumb towards Yu, "She told me to follow her so... I follow."
Sir Clegane's gaze sharpened but soon let up, "Don't forget."
He threw a small box my way, "Don't forget...?"
I opened the box and inside there lay a beautiful pair of rings with blood jade stones embedded in them.
I look back up quickly but he's gone.
"My wedding... I said I'd marry her before! Oh my- I forgot...!" I quickly tucked the rings away and turned back but Yu blocked my way.
With a big smile on her face, she spoke again, "Follow! Shion!"
Why is she talking in single syllable lines? She wasn't like this before... is she that excited...?
Tap tap tap tap...
Footsteps!
I need to go, now. I jump up and over the wall.
With my current look, I just seem like a mercenary, no one should recognize me as the lord with this outfit.
Only my close aides should be able to...
"Lord?" I freeze. Damn it. I can't escape now.
I turn slowly turn around. Trigo.
I look to the sides and realize that I'm leaving from the side of the estate where the Internal Affairs department is.
"Trigo, I've dealt with Anept and Senal's requests, they won't be back asking for funds for at minimum a month." I casually say as I back away towards a nearby alley, at this moment I feel thankful for the complicated layout of the city.
Trigo's eyes sharpened and he raised an eyebrow, "Lord... are you trying to escape your duties?"
My smile freezes, "Of course not! I'm just looking for Shion... we have a uhm... come here..."
Trigo walks forward suspiciously until he's in the whispering distance, "...marriage... new year's is very close, maybe a few days... I need to get ready for the marriage..."
Trigo's mouth dropped, "Lord you... you're an idiot aren't you? The entire territory is already preparing for the marriage ceremony! Lady Shion has been planning it for a long time, she was certain you would awake before the new years."
My mouth opened but no word's came out, Trigo sighed and put a head on his forehead, "Haaa.... Well, at least it's good to see you're awake. Though I think you should really stop getting hurt so often, it makes everyone worried, your important to not only us, but to the thousands under your care, you know?"
...haa... that's right, isn't it? I am a lord. I provide safety for my people and attempt to bring prosperity for all under my rule.
Get it together, Agashi!
Now. Time to escape.
I smile and wave before vanishing from the spot.