When Darian woke up that first morning in his rooms in Yasia Castle he quickly got ready to face his first true day as Baron of Yasia. He broke his fast from the night before in the long hall with the high ranking members of the baronial administration and the castle staff plus some of the baronies notable and notables from outside the barony who were visiting for business or other reasons.
Afterwards, he spent an hour in the castles yard practising his swords skills firstly on a dummy and then against an actual opponent.
Once he had finished with that he had a meeting with Osbern Bucci his seneschal, Armond his Stewart, and Walter Maminet the constable of the castle. Also present was Ruben Lange his secretary, Geoffrey Bolbec his herald and Arne Sinew, the former baron's treasurer who the Seneschal had hired temporarily to help with the transition between the two administrations. He was the only member of the former baron's staff to remain in the barony and he had a wealth of experience on how the barony had been run during his former employers 14 years as the Baron of Yasia.
"Amondo there are still several positions that have still to be filled, chiefly that of Marshall and we really should find you a squire.", Armand Asked.
"It would perhaps be best to have someone local be your squire, are there any suitable individual of the right age and temperament Arne?", inquired the Stewart"
"There are several individuals that come to mind but I would success that Ghilon Vesci would be the best option his father Sir Bricitic Vesci holds the manor of Muelan from you which may be the smallest in the barony but I consider it to the best run one as well."
"I am willing to meet him at least and if he proves satisfactory the position is his but what about the Marshalls job is there anyone actively seeking the position and if so can they be trusted?"
"There was one fellow by the name of Sir Robert Brammer but he seems a little too young for the position and is new to the island. He was knighted the year before the rebellion began and served Edric Picot the Count of Dlune well during it all, rising to the position of vice Marshall but his master died during the final battle and his son Fulbert dismissed him last year without cause. A distant cousin of his who served the Baron of Rinoh had died the year before and left him some property so he came to the island to dispose of it and decided to look for work here before returning to the mainland."
"If theirs one else interested in the role we might as well invite him over for a chat and see if he's at all suitable. None of the other positions in need of filling seems all that important Armond you can take care of them for me can't you?"
"I'll do my best sir."
"Baron we have a problem when it comes to the manor of Dunstow it turns out that the former lord's cousin Tihel Nesding is also dead and the line as far as we know ends with him."
"What are our options Osbern?"
"We can have another look at the collateral line to find a successor or we can declare the lordship extinct and find someone suitable to take it over."
"How long has it been since the previous lord died?"
"Just over nine months ago, I believe isn't that right Arne?"
"Just under actually."
"In that case, it's best if we continue searching for an heir for another three months before declaring it extinct. By the way who's taking care of it in the meantime Osbern, I don't want it falling into disarray."
"It's all taken care of Darian I have had my brother Froddo looking after it since we first got here but I need his help with other matters so perhaps we could allow the estate manager who was running it before we arrived and quite well to boot to take over once again until the position is filled one way or another."
"I agree, go ahead and see to it, is there any other business that we have to take care of today?"
"Nothing that can't wait until after the funeral, sometime in the next month you'll have to perform the ritual tour of the boundaries of the Barony and then visit the Islanders to be accepted by them as their new protector. But before that you'll have to hold court the day after the funeral and take everyone's oath.", stated his Seneschal.
"Any court cases in need of my attention or can they all be handled by the baronial courts?"
"Theirs only one case in need of your attention and that is merely a matter of whether or not to pass it on to the count and I suggest you do so but it can wait until after the funeral."
"Well if that's the case I have other matters to see to dismissed.