It was around this time that Alexander contacted me, letting me know that they'd decided to live in the Mansion. And that my father will be talking to me. I thanked him for the heads up. Then I noticed Jaden staring at Snow. Excuse me, sir. That's my mom.
Either way, I approached him. He'd sat at a table to watch Snow perform. I wasn't sure what I should say to start a conversation with him. I almost wanted to warn him off Snow. But I decided that should be Dad's problem. I wasn't sure if he'd shown much interest in the woman or not, in a way she'd be able to understand.
"Excuse me, Mister." I said, looking up at Jaden.
"Yes, little Sir, how may I help you?" Jaden asked.
"I heard Mister likes to help people sometimes." I said, looking up at him.
"I've been known to do my charity. Was there something you needed help with?" Jaden asked.
"Uh huh. My friend and I came up with some ideas. I wondered if Mister Jaden would like to look at them?" I asked.
"Well, it seems like someone has done their research. Show me what you have." Jaden said.
"Please be kind, my friend is only nine." I said, climbing into a chair and setting my folder before him. I opened it. The city overview was the first page, which I moved over. And the policies were then shown clearly.
He looked over them, looking serious. He looked through every single page, and set down the papers. He looked at me and said, "Tell me honestly. Who had wrote this up."
"I did." I said. Then I lied, "My friend helped."
"What are you doing with your face? Did your friend do a terrible job or something? I'm confused." Jaden said.
"No. I chose to show you how it looks when I lie. Any lie. Not that you have to believe that. It'd be nice if my lying was believable." I sighed. "But that's irrelevant. I drew the plans and wrote the papers. This all came from my mind."
"Let's say I believe that. Why did you come to me?" Jaden asked.
"Because bad men will hurt my friend if he tries to do this. Also, I want to let you and him meet like-minded people, since that's a rare thing." I told him. In Leonin, I told him, "My friend is Nathan Denoir. The rumors about him being kind are true."
Suddenly, he gave a loud, "Ha!" This had Snow's attention. "If you have the plans, and you have the funds, why do we need anyone else?"
I blinked. "That's a good question..." I went quiet, thinking. "Because a man named Ivan can make good trade deals to make the City profitable for it's people. And Elder Alberich is part of the clan of Dwarves that will build the land. Also, I'm four. A gnome named Breena is particularly good at teaching farming stuff and animal husbandry. And Laura is really good at distracting Nobility. And Nathan is charasmatic, and I know who to speak with to get people in the City."
He smiled. "Excellent answer. A city needs people, and multiple to run it. It would have been extremely short sided of you to just agree with what I said."
"You tested me." I realized.
He put out a hand, "And I would be a fool to not. Let's make this official."
I took his monstrous paw of a hand. "Thank you for hearing me out. I have those people being looked for. They'll be invited to meet me at the Hearthry Estate, as long as they are found, in two days."
"The Hearthry Estate. I should have known. So that would make you Isarial?" He asked.
"Yes, I am Isarial Hearthry. I am doing this without my families assistance. They don't need this city to boost their wealth, and that's what would occur if they helped. I want people to majorly keep their hard won earnings and get schooling." I explained.
"Yes, I read the policies. And if your family is keeping their paws out of it, then I believe you can accomplish this." Jaden said.
"Dad has little interest in philanthropy." I replied. "I'm sure if I asked they would help, but I won't ask unless I fail."
"With the lineup of people you described to me, I doubt you will." Jaden said.
"For these plans, would you have a preference about who is the face of it? Who runs it majorally?" I asked. "The city will be lower down than the Kingdom can legally tax and claim. But my plan to make them overlook it is to have a town above it."
"As for a face, that's hard to decide without meeting all the parts." Jaden said.
"Very fair." I agreed. "Do you have any questions?"
"You've told me where the meeting is, and when. As well as who may be attending. And you've shown me what we will be discussing. I think we'll be fine." Jaden said.
"I thought you'd have questions about a four year old being capable of all this." I said.
"I feel I should. But you came well prepared." Jaden said.
"You're trusting." I said. Snow had stopped playing and walked over to us. Plight approached with her. "Thank you for hearing me out."
"Some would call it naivety, but I call it trusting my gut." Jaden replied.
"It's only naivety if you get taken advantage of. Since there will be time enough, once the plans are half done, I'll start seeking people to move there." I told him.
"That's good timing. I think that will work out just fine." Jaden said, he then looked at Snow. "You played beautifully."
"Thank you. I've played all my life." Snow replied.
"Would you happen to be anyone's personal bard?" He asked.
"Not anymore. My previous employer was killed." Snow replied.
"It would be incredibly unfortunate to have such a talent and not be paid for it." Jaden said.
"I'm happy to play. I'm unconcerned with wealth." Snow replied.
"Is that a no?" Jaden asked.
She smiled, "I don't believe I was asked anything? I was sure we were just chatting."
"Well then, let me be very clear. Would you like to come and be my personal bard?" Jaden asked.
I was looking at Snow. Her features weren't readable at this moment. She leaned closer to Jaden and said something to him that I couldn't hear. She then stood up, and picked me up from the chair. She placed the folder back in my hands. I also couldn't read Jaden's face, but he didn't look displeased. Snow excused us, and we left.
We headed home, as I had nothing else planned. It was lunch time by now. And I was burning with curiosity. I wanted to know what she said to Jaden. If she was interested in the tiger. But I kept my mouth shut. Uncle had joined us for lunch as had Dad. The conversation was light, and I covered what we'd been up to so far.
Towards the end of dinner, Snow said, "Oh yes, that reminds me. The tiger was quite interested in my talents as a bard."
I was surprised she said anything about it. I felt anxiety creep inside of me. What's Dad's reaction going to be? James looked up and said, "Oh? How interested?"
"Offered a position as his personal bard." Snow said casually, "Judging from his expression, very interested."
James cleared his throat and stood up. "May I speak with you in the hall for a moment?"
"Certainly." Snow replied, unconcerned, standing up herself. She petted my hair.
They stepped out of the dining room together, uncle shot a look towards them. I mind linked to Plight, 'Can you hear Dad and Snow?'
'Why do you ask?' Plight replied.
'Because I am extremely curious about what they are talking about.' I replied.
'You want me to eavesdrop?' He asked.
'I don't consider it eaves dropping. If he wanted it fully private he'd go to his office.' I said.
'Alright.' He said uncomfortably. He then relayed their conversation to me. Dad asked her to be in a relationship with him, she accepted after telling him she had no interest in being a playing, like bards usually are. They also agreed to being affectionate with each other.
They came back in after he finished relaying it to me, and I thanked him and apologized for making him uncomfortable. Dad didn't say anything about it, and neither did she. They simply sat and finished what remained of their meals. Dad informed me that I should be joining Sylvia's twins at the mansion for playing, training, and learning three to four days a week.
After lunch, Uncle was gonna bring me to his office to train. Hearing that, Snow asked if she could bring Plight to his office to 'train' him. She'd had to change it from beat to train. He accepted, he didn't care. She called for Plight and he came, in front of the office doors, Snow leaned her head against Dad's should briefly, before the rest of us went inside Uncle's office, which was really a training room.
It was when I was listening to Snow's instruction while training Plight that I realized he was perceived as weak by Snow. That's why she had taken personal interest in training Plight. She was gentler in her instruction. Though, it had been a few minutes of her attacking him mercilessly before she began instructing.
I turned my attention back to my own training, which I'd been doing on auto run. I'd never bothered to train my body in this manner before, but it was just physical, so I could let my mind wonder. Uncle may increase the difficulty if he noticed. I wasn't sure. By the name time I was tired enough to sleep.
Once I woke from the nap, I brought my lute and went to the library. Plight was being tutored by Snow in magic again. I sat by myself and worked on a simple melody, adjusting as needed. Snow made some suggestions to me after a moment, and I was able to incorporate them, which made playing a lot easier.
"Wonderful melody." Snow complimented.
"Thank you. You taught me to play a bit." I said.
"Yesterday? Or some future time?" Snow asked.
"Both. But mostly the other reality." I informed her.
"Your immense talent surprises me." Snow said. "People don't tend to be so good at a multitude of things like this. Is there anything you're bad at?"
"Yes. Being a good son." I replied.
"According to who?" Snow asked. There was an edge to her voice.
"Me." I said. "I wasn't close to Dad the first time, and he was very happy when I finally called him my father. I also didn't take the time to willingly get to know my mother last time. Still, I'm letting her go to the Arena.."
"Hey. You understand, but also don't that you're only four. Nothing is your fault that adults are doing. You're the wronged party here." Snow said firmly. "It doesn't matter that you're smart, or leave memories of an advanced life. Right now you are tiny and meant to be loved."
"That is the main reason I returned in time. I wanted to be loved." I said. "Everyone in the other reality accepted me, even if I was angry or rude."
"Has anyone rejected you here?" Snow asked.
"No." I answered.
"Good. I'd have to murder them." Snow said bluntly. She turned her attention back to instructing Plight, then.
After playing a bit more, I selected a few books and began reading. Dinner came and went, along with games afterwards. Snow showed no change in her treatment towards anyone, except that she was also affectionate with Dad.
The next day I went to the Mansion, leaving Plight to train with Snow. I wanted to keep Plight and Sienna as separate as possible, since they were basically married in the other reality. They deserved the happiness they could have with each other. Either way, Sylvia had moved a lot of resources to the Mansion.
There were more books available now. She had arranged a variety of tests for me today to see the extent of my knowledge. Some of it was easy, some of it confused me and some of it I had to ask clarifying questions. Sylvia seemed to jot down some notes. After I'd finished the tests and she'd gone over them, she made more notes.
Once testing was over, we all got a light lunch, a nap for me, and we moved on to sword, and bow lessons. Along with basic self defense. Then music lessons, mainly because they all wanted to play with Alex. I had not brought my lute, hadn't thought to. But they had plenty of extras. I wasn't really used to compliments past, 'You did well,' but I kind of liked it.
I returned home before dinner with a packet of notes and the test results for Dad. So, I went directly to his office, where Snow was, and brought him the packet. "Sylvia said to give this to you."
"Well, let's take a look at what she thinks of you." Dad said, taking the packet and looking it over. "Well, she is in agreement that you are a very smart boy. You stand above most people three times your senior in a few fields of study."
"So I'm started than twelve year olds? I don't know how I feel about this." I joked.
"My guess is she went off your souls age rather than your body." Dad said.
"So in some things I'm smarter than an 51 year old?" I asked.
"It would seem so, my boy." Dad replied.
"Must be because I could rely on yours and Uncles wisdom." I said.
"Is there a particular field of study you wish to dive further into?" Dad asked.
"I'm not sure. My sole focus for a long time has just been to be useful. I know healing well, I know medicine, I know poisons and a variety of ways to build things. I also know how to navigate land and infiltrate places." I gave a list.
He raised a hand. "A list of what you know is not what we need. I'm gonna give you an assignment to write a list of what you want to know. Not to be useful, but because you want to."
"I can try. I usually learn things on impulse, like wood carving." I said.
"Crafting things is something many people do for pleasure and monetary gain." Dad said.
"My math could use some improvement." I said.
"Well, mathematics is something I can help you with." Dad told me.
"How much did you beat up Plight today?" I asked Snow since she was here.
"Quite a bit." Snow said. "But he is improving."
"And why in particular are we beating up Plight?" Dad asked.
"Less harsh training than Dirthin would dole out to him, I'd say." Snow said. "I didn't make him bleed."
"Making someone bleed isn't always the worst." Dad commented.
"True. If I actually aimed to hurt him, I'd break his self esteem first." Snow said.
"Tearing down a man's self esteem is indeed a quick way to hurt them." Dad noted.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you." Snow said.
"Well, I am glad that you will not hurt me." Dad told her.
"You're far too pretty for that." Snow replied.
He cleared his throat. "Thank you."
"Do Leonin women always call men pretty?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. I just feel like he's a very pretty man." Snow said.
"Well, you are a sucker for a pretty face." I commented.
She actually got a little flustered and said, "Guilty, yes. Clearly I have a refined taste."
"As refined as gold, my dear." Dad replied.
My parents were flirting, and I was red faced. "Aren't people who have kids already usually not as attractive?"
"Normally yes." Snow said. "But I like the way your Dad treats you and I. It makes him much more attractive, in my opinion."
"If the two of you enjoy my company so much, then.... should I retire?" James asked.
I wasn't sure if he was joking or not. He probably was. "If that's what you wanted to do, I think you'd do so." I said.
"I'm pretty confident that by this point you are working because you enjoy it, rather than necessity." Snow said. She placed her hands on Dad's jaws. "Don't quit doing something you love. Though, I will admit I adore attention." She released him.
"Then I suppose I should start training a replacement. At least an underling I could attempt to trust. This will be difficult." Dad said.
"Are you joking?" I asked.
Snow kissed his cheek and said, "Donxt look at me. I have zero interest in anything but playing around."
"No, I am not joking. I refuse to repeat the same mistakes of the past in this case the future. I will do what I can to be a better father to you." Dad said.
"You can do both, Dad. You're already making time for Snow and I." I said.
"I know myself. If I don't step back from this business, I will drown myself in it. Then I will be of use to no one. Least of all the people I should be there for. I won't step away entirely for some time, but I will find someone who can take over when I do." Dad said.
"Alright, Dad." I said.
"Bt the sounds of it, no other James has done this." Dad commented.
"Not that I know of. The other reality he and his wife took their kids camping twice a year to teach hunting and survival skills. And after dinner was game night most of the time." I told him.
"Good steps. But I'm looking for something a little more permanent." Dad said.
"To my knowledge, I'm also the only one who received any personal tutoring from you, not that you've experienced that, but I remember you getting on the floor and teaching me about maps. You taught me personally to read and write as well." I told him. "It's one of my favorite memories, is learning about maps."
"Well, this time around, it will be mathematics." Dad said firmly.
Snow looked very pleased with our conversation. Being a brat, I said, "I know one thing Dad is very, very bad at."
"And I know several things I am bad at. But what are you referring to?" Dad asked.
"Dad isn't good at cooking." I said.
Snow giggled.
"Ah, yes. My culinary skills are quite lacking. I have been instructed several times to stay out of the kitchen." Dad said.
"Don't feel bad. With as food obsessed as I am, I can cook to fill a belly, but not to please the mouth." Snow said.
"Then it is quite a good thing I have people who are skilled at that. They've been getting a lot more work lately." Dad replied.
"I suppose your house hold has increased a lot." Snow commented.
"That and Dad used to only drink coffee in the morning and a small dinner at night." I said.
She looked horrified. "I could never."
"I require very little to function. I also don't need to sleep." Dad told her.
"Why?" Snow asked. Her curiosity obvious.
"I needed more time to get more done, so I made a wish." Dad told her. Which was more than I knew.
"Oh. Hm. An interesting decision." Snow said. "You're still cute, though. Least you aren't a vampire."
"You don't like vampires?" I asked.
"I have nothing against anyone." Snow said. "Currently anyways. Vampires are generally greedy and monstrous. Then again, so are people."
"Then again, so am I on the occasion. I've been called worse than greedy and monstrous." Dad commented.
Snow shrugged. She wasn't going to judge him. "Eh. I think the worse I've been called is albino trash. At least that's the only one that's ever bothered me."
"I pity the imbecile that would call you such." Dad said.
"One part of it is true." Snow said.
"True. A single part of that is factual." Dad agreed.
"Did either of you know that house spirits hate white anything?" Snow asked.
"Now, why would they bother to do such a thing?" Dad asked.
"No idea. They tend to attack white animals and bear grudges against white hens." Snow shrugged.
"Well, it seems the spirit of the mansion doesn't hate.. at least you." Dad replied.
"True. It thinks she's funny." I said.
"Does it? Why?" Snow asked.
"It knows about everything you did while living there." I said.
"Oh. Mostly, I played music, threatened Marshall, read and was up to mischief in the night." Snow said.
"And what sort of mischief were you up to?" Dad asked.
"Oh, cheating his employees out of valuables, or into getting me books, sneaking around to every part of the house- except the treasury, I also moved things around just to piss Marshall and the butler off." Snow said.
"Was the butler a particularly rude fellow as well?" Dad asked.
"It took one time to make Marshall never 'Here kitty, kitty,' me. The butler continuously did so, even after I beat him up and belittled him." Snow showed her irritation. "And yeah, he was a dickhead."
"I wonder if when they assaulted the mansion if they ended him as well. Or if they simply released him as well since he was staff." Dad commented.
None of us knew that information. Snow shrugged and I said, "I don't know."
"Well, there are those who we can ask when we see them next." Dad replied.
About this time, Marie let us know dinner was ready. So we headed out for the meal. After dinner I spent some time with Plight, since I felt like I was neglecting him. Soon enough, I went to bed. The next day, after breakfast, I started trying to figure out what I wanted to learn.
I wrote down all the things I was aware of that were fields of study, then I crossed out what I knew well. I contact Nathan with my magic items, letting him know there would be a meeting today to discuss the future city. Which he said he'd find a way to be a part of. I told him about when I was expecting it to occur, which was just after lunch.
Then I started organizing everything for my meeting, and informed the doorman to expect company for myself. Once lunch time came, I informed my father of my completed preparations for the meeting, I expected to get Hearthstone a governing support system.
He asked if I wanted him to be there or not for moral support or if I wanted to handle it myself. I hesitated, Snow commented that she'd keep an eye on things. That's when I replied that I guessed it would be ok if he didn't, though Jaden was going to be a part of the meeting. Dad decided to attend.
After lunch, Dad brought some papers to the room I'd set up for the meeting, and Snow found herself a spot. Lightly strumming an instrument. Nathan was the first to arrive and join us. Sitting to my right. I had copies of the policies at every spot along with drawings and specifics of things they'd be most interested in.
Ivan was the market area, Breena was the farming and medical areas, Laura's was more the school and quality of housing. For Jaden it was some fun things that would be available for the citizens. Nathan got to look over the drawings as we waited for them. Around thirty minutes later, Ivan and a proxy for Laura showed up. Followed by Jaden, then Breena. I invited them to sit as they arrived.
"Welcome, my name is Isarial Hearthry, and this is my friend Nathan." I then introduced each of them by name and specified that the one is a proxy, "I have invited you all here today through the Silver Shilling, because I wished to show my determination to not involve my father in this project that I am welcoming select like minded people to join in on. If you would, take a moment to have a look at the papers before you, and we can proceed with questions."
Dad was on my left, and had his hand resting on top of his papers with a sly grin on his face. Meanwhile, everyone began having a look at the papers before them, even Jaden, since he was curious about the new pictures and specifics.
"You understand that building this with this intention is borderline treason, correct?" Ivan asked.
"It's interesting to see a human child talk about such things. I didn't know your kind could develop so rapidly." Breena commented.
"I am a product of the environment my Dad provided me. I only want to provide for others the same opportunity I have been granted, while being greedy enough to keep my Dad's attention for myself. This is Nathan's dreams put onto paper, and holds a future you all are hoping for. A massive break for the disadvantaged." I said. "As for the treason bit, I will be following legal due by reporting the town as soon as it's inhabited. If there is pushback, I will apply to be an Adventurer to keep the King's hands tied, and the Denoirs out of the town."
"There will be push back. This kingdom has no desire for change. Entire families go missing and no stops it. Merchants are forced out of the capital for not paying ridiculous dues. No one stops this. No one demands change. We would need a revolution to keep this city safe. The king would never allow this to last with out a fight, it challenges everything he has put in place." Ivan argued.
"I hear you. The merchants pushed out can simply take up residency in the city after it's built up and you've invited them. The king will be happy as long as it's income for his treasury. Besides, it will also lower the crime rate in the towns and city that exist now." I pointed out. "Most thievery is done by starving people just trying to feed their families while their earnings are pinched just to pay for their measely shack. Not to mention what gets paid to the church, majorally by the disadvantaged."
"Yes, but people talk. This city will flood with citizens to it's breaking point, but before that the revenue to the king will shrink because his citizens are leaving. That is what I'm referring to when I say the king will not allow this to happen. As soon as his treasury wavers he will try to stomp you out." Ivan responded.
I smiled. "He may try. But he will never touch what's mine. For defense, I will have people who are at least half as good as my Uncle as guards for the city. I will also have magic defenses that will detect negative intent... and remove it. Over population will not be an issue, that's what the governing system is meant for. To be clear, we aren't going to deny people citizenship, but having to work or study to keep your citizenship will avert a majority of people."
"Understand that you are stating complete protection, jobs, stability for homes, all while cutting out nobles in the Kingdom." Ivan said.
"Do you want nobles involved? If so, a small coup can be had easily." I said. I rested my hand on Nathan's arm lightly, an apology.
"I am simply stating that change on thus scale doesn't happen without a fair bit of blood." Ivan clarified.
"I realize that I am just a small child right now, but I assure you, I am most certainly a Hearthry, and we do not shy from bloody conflict. I am not afraid, and I am making allies that will be instrumental should the King or Nobility get upset." I said, smiling. "That said, my Dad is right here. If what's mine should fall under threat, Reinier's Fall will look like a circus show."
Jaden was looking greatly amused by this exchange. I knew Ivan would appear to be a hard sell. Truth was, he was already on board, just wanted to push back some and find out more. A small detail occured to me.
"To be clear, this town and city will be located in a goblin den. It's going to be cleared out and cleaned up, then built. This means only one entrance via the Kingdom. However, there will be two exits." I clarified.
"How far along is this project?" Breena asked.
"A thought currently, but as soon as I introduce Jaden to Elder Alberich, the goblin den, a cave, will be cleaned out and construction started. In six months or so, depending on construction, is when I will invite citizens to begin moving in." I answered her.
"He's very concise and it's so comforting." Breena said, looking at Jaden.
"Yes, he's a little more well spoken than when he came and saw me the first time." Jaden said.
My face turned red. "Cats are cautious. I didn't want to put you off immediately by not acting my age."
"I understand your meaning." Jaden said. "And your intent. So, I won't hold it against you."
"I appreciate it. It's very difficult to act in a simple manner with so many. Especially Ivan, because he pushes." I said.
"Even a child knows I am no fool." Ivan said.
"Yes. I also know you're extremely intrigued." I replied.
"And why would I be extremely intrigued? Not saying you're wrong. Just curious." Ivan replied.