"Hmmm… Definitely feasible… Going to be a big project… You sure about this, Boss? You're basically building an entire village here." Lokir asks.
"Yeah, we need a place to call home and the Tower won't hold the company forever. Why not make our claim here? It's safe, out of the way, and it's probably the nicest plot of land available." I say.
"You do know there was a necromancer like, right there?" Lokir says with a questioning look as he points at the ritual site.
"Hey, I didn't say it was perfect, just the nicest. Important distinction." I say with an awkward laugh.
"Whatever you say, Boss. But what's with all these towers? And a school?" Lokir questions as he points to the blueprints.
"I'm planning to take in some wizards and teachers for the kids. They may not be adventures, but they all have their talents and deserve to be nurtured. Also, this can serve as a training facility for new recruits and a place for members to expand their skill sets." I explain to him my reasoning.
"That's a pretty good idea, Boss." Lokir admits.
"Yeah, I'm known to have them on occasion." I joke before Inigo joins us.
"Lokir, is it? Do you know where Lydia is I have not seen her at all." Inigo asks Lokir.
"Yeah, she should be riding back with the Boss's horse from Jonestead… But it's strange that she's so late?" Lokir says with a little concern.
And it's then we hear a loud neighing sound coming from down the road that leads to the camp.
And all three of our jaws drop.
Lydia is walking over to us… With my horse balanced on her shoulders… Good God… WHAT DOES THAT WOMAN EAT?!?!
"My thane, you've returned. I grabbed your horse as Lokir asked." Lydia says as she sets down my horse who looks to her, then me, before walking away and getting a drink from the lake.
"Lydia… I didn't mean…" Lokir starts to say before sighing, "Thanks… You did great." He compliments.
"I was happy to help… Oh, you're back too!" Lydia exclaims in shock as her face flushes and she starts fiddling with her hands nervously as she recognizes Inigo.
"You are… Amazing. You beautifully strong woman." Inigo tells her in a daze.
"You… You really think I'm strong?" Lydia says with a cheerful smile as she twirls her hair coyishly.
"The strongest!" Inigo proclaims loudly.
"Oh, definitely!" I vehemently attest after seeing her carry my horse for what must have been miles.
"Com'on Lokir, let's leave the love birds to it." I say wrapping my arm around him and leading him off to walk around and map out some of my plans in more detail.
The night passes uneventfully though I notice for the first time, that my heightened werewolf sense are gone and it feels like the night is muted.
It's like in my old world when you would go from living in the city to being in the countryside. The silence was deafening.
I sleep for the night in a tent before waking up to the sound of the kids playing.
And I see a fluffy, white butt in my face.
"Crimson... Wake up..." I say, causing them to turn around and yawn at me before going back to sleep.
"Come on you little stinker." I say as I roll them off my chest causing them to land in an indignant heap on the dirt floor before giving me an accusatory growl.
"Don't you use that tone with me, buster! You're the one who ignored me in favor of Atris ever since I got back to the Tower!" I tell them as they look down at their paws and give a guilty whimper.
Crimson plops its head into my lap and gives me a pitiful look until I finally relent.
"Oh, alright. I can't stay mad at you." I say as I rub under their chin and scratch behind their ears.
After a few minutes of peace and serenity, I finally push myself off the ground and head out of my tent.
I'm greeted by the welcome sight of everyone finishing breakfast and Lokir handing out assignments for the day.
"Alright, everyone, you know what your jobs are for today. Oh, and look at that, our fearless leader has finally woken up to join us for breakfast." Lokir jokes as he goes off to measure the timbers off to the side.
"You're awake, I saved you some breakfast, Silvantus." Kasia says as she brings over a bowl full of food.
"Thank you, Kasia. Do you have any plans for today?" I ask her as I start to dig in.
"Other than straightening up around camp, no not really." Kasia answers as she sits beside me.
"Good, I was planning to go on a trip to Falkreath to handle some business and wanted to get you familiar with some of their businesses because I was considering making you the Steward of this little encampment." I tell her as I finish up my breakfast.
"Oh goodness, I'm not sure if I'm qualified for something like that." Kasia says in disbelief.
"Don't worry, it's nothing you haven't done before. All you'll need to do is purchase a few things, handle our sales once we have them, and make sure this place runs smoothly while I'm gone. Which I have complete confidence in your abilities to do." I reassure her.
"You really believe in me? Then I promise not to let you down!" Kasia agrees enthusiastically.
"That's the spirit, now let's get the kids and we'll all go on a trip to Falkreath." I say heading over to where Agni, Aventus, Lucia, and Sofie are playing tag.
"Papa! Papa! Are you going to play with us?" Lucia asks expectantly.
"Not yet, my little brunsum. We're going on a trip to the nearby town and we can play after I'm done with work." I say much to her disappointment.
"Don't give me that look, we'll get a treat at the Inn before coming back if you all behave. How's that sound?" I say with a smile eliciting a cheer from all the children.