Captain Ed, Julius, Remus and Duke Lucian convened for a meeting with Andrea standing behind Remus.
"You're a sight for sore eyes Lucian," Julius said to the Duke. "It's good to see you kicking around again in the world of the living."
"Same here, my Lord," Ed said. "I feared the worst."
"I appreciate your concern. Things could've ended very differently and I was lucky that Maester Leo happened to be around that day," Lucian said. "I'm set for a full recovery and thanks to my son, the Duchy seems to be in good shape."
The Duke gave Remus a small nod.
"Which brings us to the business at hand," Remus said. "The first item on the agenda is how to deal with Duke Sylvanus. He won't just sit still now that his plans have unravelled."
"I think that I have the answer to that," Ed said pulling out an envelope with an image of two crossing hammers in its red seal. "We captured the leader of the bandits and he is willing to testify that Duke Sylvanus not only armed and funded the bandits but is behind the duke's injuries. We can also present this letter as evidence to the king, he will surely give us some justice."
"No he won't," Julius said. "That snake has friends in high places. He'll just crawl out. We should prepare to go to war with him."
Remus cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"I have an alternative view. This might sound difficult but I think that we should use everything we have to give us an upper hand in trade negotiations with the Duke," Remus said. "Instead of making him an enemy, we should convince him that cooperating with us will further his interest."
"He made himself the enemy when he injured your father, the duke," Julius retorted.
"It wouldn't hurt to blackmail him a little bit," Andrea said. "Keep the bandit leader and the letter in our back pocket and make demands."
They all turned to face her with suspicion.
"You're a sneaky little one aren't ya?" Julius said to her.
"Should she really be attending this meeting?" Ed said. "This is for the Duke's advisors."
"She's my assistant," Remus said. "She attends meetings with me."
The Duke shifted in his seat and brought all their attention back to him.
"Those are all excellent suggestions but I have to agree with Ed," Lucian said. "Getting justice from the King is the proper way to go. On to the next item on the agenda then."
Remus took a moment to conceal his disappointment before speaking again.
"The harvest," Remus said. "Every other Duchy had a bad harvest this season, so the price of grain has risen to three silver coins per unit."
"How much grain do we have?" Lucian asked.
"20,000 units," Julius said proudly.
"We owe 3,500 units to Duke Sylvanus for his iron and coal and 3,500 units to the banking clan to clear our debt," Remus said.
"We also need to keep 2,500 units for the next planting season and another 2,500 units in our grain stores for the winter," Julius said. "That leaves a giant surplus of 8,000 units."
"I suggest that we send 5,000 units to the Oldtown to be sold at the Market and distribute 3,000 units to the families of the Southlands," Remus said.
"That's very generous if you're trying to win a popularity contest," Julius said.
"Also, it prevents the national price of grain from collapsing from 3 silver coins to 2 or even back to 1 silver coin per unit due to our unusually high output," Andrea said.
Again, they all glanced at her.
"All excellent ideas once again but we will be sending all the surplus to the Oldtown to be sold at the market," Lucian said. "We must prioritise the grain supply of the entire Kingdom over mere profits. Is there any other thing that we need to discuss?"
"I think it's time for me to go," Remus said.
They all glanced at him.
"Why would you say that? I want you here by my side," Lucian said. "We couldn't have survived another year without you."
"Aye," Julius said. "You're an important member of this household now."
"Why do you want to leave, Master Remus?" Ed asked.
"It's obvious to me that there can't be two decision-makers and it doesn't seem like my suggestions are being properly considered," Remus said. "If that's the case then I'm better off doing something else. Maybe it's time for me to make good on my promise and study with Maester Leo at the Citadel."
After a brief pause, Lucian finally said, "I understand."
"You may go with Julius to the Oldtown to sell the grain and deliver the letter to the King," he continued. "He will give you enough coin to take care of yourself."
"Am I the only one that thinks he shouldn't leave?" Julius interjected.
"The Duke has spoken," Ed said. "I wish you well, Master Remus."
The next day, the servants loaded the grain into wagons while Remus said his final goodbyes to his mother.
"Don't forget to eat three times a day and brush your teeth," she said.
"I will."
"Avoid alcohol no matter how much your friends pressure you," she said.
"I will."
"Also-"
"I'll be fine," Remus said. "Watch out for dad. He needs you more than I do."
"Say hi to your brother and sister when you reach Oldtown," Lucian said. "Even though I'm sure your brother will be off on some adventures and your sister will be too busy with work."
She hugged him with teary eyes before allowing him to climb onto the wagon.
The caravan began to move until it became a tiny dot in the distance.
"Why did you allow him to leave?" Aminala asked Duke Lucian.
"It's not safe for him here," he replied.