After walking past the endless hallways, Kent arrived at the dining hall as directed by the servant.
Kent walked into the spacious room and saw many knights crowding around the place, some were eating their fill, some were chatting away with their companions, whilst the rest were entertaining themselves with songs and folklores.
Kent was quite satisfied with the atmosphere. It certainly made the previous empty castle much livelier. But he noted that he should make a dedicated soldier's barrack and mess hall. The size of the army would only expand as time moves on. The small dining hall in the castle wouldn't be a permanent solution.
The Lord observed the dining hall for a while before finding his butler chatting away with commander Deryk.
"Sebastian, Deryk,"
Kent gave them a greeting when he arrived by their side. The two men, hearing their lord's voice, immediately returned their greetings.
"Ah, good to see you again milord. Still fresh after the morning training?"
Deryk asked in a cheerful mood.
"All is well. What brings you such joy, Deryk?"
Kent asked, curious on his commander's spirited personality. Deryk was not a character that was hard to read, but a straightforward man that was direct in his meaning. It wasn't hard to see he was particularly happy this morning.
"Haha, what could it be other than my knights. I have never seen them so energized and dedicated to their crafts. It's all due to you milord."
"No, no. It was your efforts that made this possible."
Kent said, remaining humble and downplaying his contributions.
Deryk wanted to argue back, but he knew very well his lord was not someone that wanted to be in the limelight. If he had to be honest, Kent was the type that was better suited to working secretly in the background.
Then Kent focused his attention back on the butler. The old man was silently observing the conversation, respectful of them.
"Sebastian,"
Sensing this time to speak, the butler opened his mouth, informing him the reason for calling him.
"Milord, as time is approaching the end of the month. I think it's only right for me to inform you of the arrival of Lady Giselle."
"Sorry, who?"
Kent raised his eyebrow as he tried to search for any recollection of that name.
"It's only normal if you don't know this. But Giselle is the seafaring merchant from the East, travelling the vast land of Monia in search of undiscovered land and precious treasures."
"As previously agreed, between us and them, they should arrive at the end of the month. I believe you should be informed of this."
Kent's eyes shined as he heard this news. This was the opportunity he was waiting for. He clasped Sebastian hands in eagerness.
"Seb, you should have told me earlier. This was exactly what I was waiting for."
There was a reason to Kent's excitement. Trade was a crucial element of every settlement's prosperity. It was essential as it lowers the prices of goods as well as spurring innovations, encouraging markets to become specialised in their arts and crafts.
After all, it would be a hassle if you try to be self-sufficient, producing everything you needed by yourselves. Think of a farmer who reared cows for a living. Instead of only eating meat, he could trade his meat for grain that another farmer produced.
It is this ability of trade that allows the ability for locations or groups of people to focus on developing specialised areas of their crafts. Take Hestanar, a small-sized port city as example, the vast majority that Hestanians buy would be food supplies from the merchants due to the ongoing food shortage.
In return, the merchants often purchase… well, nothing at all. There are no specialised goods here that are popular. At most, merchants come here to pray on the cheap animal materials such as furs, and skulls, selling them elsewhere. This goes in hand with why Kent is so eager in creating a specialised industry here.
If Kent could create a niche market product with only him able to produce it, it would create bountiful job opportunities as well as inviting more merchants far and wide to come here.
Sebastian was taken aback by Kent's reaction but was pleased that he was of help to the lord.
"If you say so, milord"
Kent and his loyal retainers had a few more leisure conversations. Ranging from a few topics such as the weather, the new school, as well the general improvements that were felt citywide by the Hestanian citizens.
It was almost midday when Deryk left to attend his city-wide patrol duty. Sebastian left to direct a few of Kent's projects.
This left the lord alone in the vast dining hall. By then few soldiers were left hanging around, for most left for their afternoon work shifts or going to town for lunch. The castle, after all, didn't provide lunch or dinner, only breakfast.
To the few remaining knights that still hung around, Kent conversed with them in mild friendly discussions to understand their perspectives on the recent changes in Hestanar.
The response was just as he expected; though there was one thing he was disappointed at. It was the lack of jobs available in the city.
But Kent could only hold up his hands in difficulty. In this era, farming almost counts for half of the total jobs offered. Due to poor transportation ability in this era and the highs costs associated with transporting goods over a long distance, most settlements' food is only acquired within its nearby radius. Thus, most food was harvested from their surroundings.
Transporting goods is costly, not to mention the numerous toll fees implemented for those using the roads. There were also fallen trees and destroyed parts of the road that caused most roads to be maintained by the travellers themselves. Even more concerning was the possibility of bandit attacks, which was still an issue in this feudal era.
Kent thanked the soldiers before returning to his bedroom, located on the very top floor of the castle. He looked out from the stained-glass window and observed the people below. Kent observed the tiny people dragging their bodies to work.
Whilst he does agree that Hestanar has felt a qualitative change in lifestyle, much due to the implementation of children education. He does agree with the knight's assessment that too many people are without a job.
There was no land for farmers to cultivate, and this left most farmers gritting their teethes, spending all their savings to flee to nearby settlements to make a living. Others changed their occupations, doing whatever they could to make a living.
Kent shook his head as he criticised himself for such an oversight. As he lost himself in deep thinking, the lord looked up at the hazy clouds drifting in the sky, calm and chilling.
He observed the ground, darting his eyes beyond the city walls and onto the far distant plains and greenery. The trees were dressed in their carnival clothes, the gold and scarlet of the autumn days. They play about the earthy hues of the branch and trunk, proud flags in any sky.
As they do, Kent takes in the freshly calm air with that hint of an earthly aroma, the fragrance of calm and tranquillity.
In this peaceful state of mind, a phrase reverted in Kent's head – That Autumn is nearing its end, and Winter is coming.