***
Week later. During this time, Balthasar found ten people who will work at the enterprise. It was a simple matter, especially for a clan heir.
Most of the time had to be spent on selecting a leader for the Vigilant Observer project, in this case a user of magical energy was needed, and it was desirable that it be a mage, not a knight. Still, magicians have fewer restrictions on working with magic tools, and they are better suited to testing finished products.
In addition, the future head of the clan perfectly understood that the enterprise would not be engaged in the creation of only one device, in the future there would be other projects in which it would be more convenient to hire an experienced person.
«That's the end of the training, get to work,» said Aaron, after he gave the last instructions to the hired workers of the enterprise. — Lawrence, I'll ask you to stay, we need to discuss a couple of working moments.
«Okay,» nodded a tall, forty-year-old man with a thick, slightly unkempt beard. «I'll give you instructions and I'll be right back.»
«Yes, you have half an hour, don't be late,» the boy waved him off, not at all worried that he was giving orders to a man who was good for his father.
Lawrence bowed deeply and then silently left the room, closing the door behind him. Only Aaron remained in the room, and his brother, who was sitting at the table with a tired look...
On the table in front of him was a pile of papers, these were various documents that had yet to be processed. All in order to get the site on which the enterprise was opened, in the possession of Balthazar personally, and not the Bach clan. The bottom line is that then this site will not have to be reported to the Moiser clan, which is obliged to know what its vassals own.
They decided to open the enterprise not far from the house, there was a building nearby that served as either a barn or a warehouse. In general, various rubbish accumulated there ...
We chose this building for two reasons. Firstly, because there is no need to spend extra gold on buying or renting, only on repairs. And secondly, because this is the only way to keep its existence a secret. Everything would be easier if the enterprise was launched on the territory of the clan. But alas, small clans, at least those that are subordinate to the Moiser clan, are required to live in one of the cities, to protect their master.
The Bach clan has a residence in the capital — in the city of Urich, in which the academy is located. It is also the headquarters of the Moiser clan, and three other vassals from the minor clans live here. There are seven more cities, which, although they are actually located on the territory of the vassals, are personally supervised by the middle clan. The rest, less significant cities, are under the control of subordinate clans.
Small clans often do not live on the lands granted to them, and their management is transferred to trusted officials, periodically arranging inspections, collecting taxes, and making important strategic decisions.
The Bach clan owns the lands in the north, there have never been cities in those parts, only three large villages. The soil there is not particularly fertile, rather cold in winter, high humidity, many lakes and rivers.
The holdings, from the rest of the territories, are separated by snow-capped mountains and a single narrow passage, making the area isolated from the neighbors in vassalage. On the other side of the land of the Bach clan is washed by the Veridian Ocean, but this does not help at all with the problem of isolation, since ships simply do not sail there.
In general, no one wants to live there, because in such conditions it is very uncomfortable to exist ... It is better to move to a more fertile and warmer region, and not so remote, as if abandoned by the world.
Merchants appear once a month, bring essential goods, spices, tools, and buy fish caught from the inhabitants, often already salted, smoked, or dried. As well as meat, cheese, and wool, which are of a very high quality. Although the land is not suitable for farming, pastures are ideal for raising sheep, pigs, cows, and horses.
In addition, the inhabitants are also engaged in hunting, gathering, and various crafts. On the territory there is a forest of solid size, in which both ordinary animals and magical ones live, not particularly dangerous, but well scaring people away. Villagers are engaged in gathering on the outskirts, and hunt small animals, often without magical energy, there.
«As I understand it, you seemed to be satisfied with the candidacy of Lawrence, right? Balthazar asked, leaning back.
«More than that, he is a decent man, calm, perhaps even too much, not to fuss, listens carefully and does everything right,» Aaron nodded in agreement. — I think there will be no problems with him, but I'm not sure about the workers ...
— What's wrong? asked the older brother.
"Don't underestimate ordinary people... You checked Edgar Lawrence. In addition, he is not a fool, he knows that secret information should not be disclosed, but we don't know anything about these guys at all, «the younger brother explained his thoughts. — At first, but always better, you need to look after them, otherwise you never know, because of some trifle, all plans will go down the drain.
I think it's paranoia...
«Maybe so, but we are sorely lacking loyal people,» Aaron sighed. «Grandfather has many such warriors in his retinue, who sometimes revere him more than his relatives, mother and father. But we are different ... We don't see similar people at all, so keep your eyes open and trust only those closest to you.
«You are too hardened by life for a child of seven,» Balthazar snorted. «But I'll take your advice, it won't get worse for sure ...
«Okay, let's go,» the younger brother waved him off. — Better tell me, did you agree with your grandfather?
«Yes, he agreed to give us a hundred recruits,» the elder brother nodded. «True, he was confused by the fact that we need those who have not yet been enlisted in the clan squad ...
«Experience sometimes gets in the way, rarely, but it happens,» Aaron explained. "We don't need experienced knights who are already trained to fight... We need talented guys who we ourselves will train to suit our needs.
Balthazar thought about his brother's words, and then got up from the table and said: — All right, stop talking, let's go home, have dinner, take a bath, and sleep well. Tomorrow we have yet to meet and look at these same recruits ...