A week passed, and as expected, the ones hoarding the food donated it to the castle stores. A few complaints came from people about unfairness and that they were entitled to store as much as they wanted, but I reminded them of what an inspection might do. To them and their families in the empire, they let it go and donated due to my unhidden threat. Those that complained pissed me off the image of the people I'm assigned to protect, having been forced to be skin and bones, flashed in my mind.
It is time for the lower-class folks, craftsmen, and women. I huff to myself and call in the next person to my office, a dwarf named Kalid.
"So you are the new lord. Nice to meet you, my lord. I'm Kalid," he says in a forced but friendly tone.
"Who is the one behind you."
"Aww, sorry for her manners."
"No need for formalities here, I reply. Call me Zeus. The same goes for the little one hiding behind your back; I'd assume it's your daughter, yes?"
"This here is Amanda. She is my granddaughter. The bandits killed her parents. She witnessed it.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," I say with a frown. "Did something I said displease you, my lord?" Kalid asks with a mixture of anger and nervousness.
"You didn't. I'm sorry, I've grown quite angry at the actions of the bandits. Now, down to the question of the hour: Why do you need to speak to me?"
"I have an offer for you. I have heard that you are growing Ankeirs army. I want to help by providing arms and armor at a discount." Kalid states
"Why do you wish to do this? Are you in a position to do so?"
Without hesitation, he replies to Vengeance for the first question. As for the second, I am the owner and head craftsman of the largest workshop in Ankier. I have the manpower if that is what you are asking.
"What kind of discount
labor cost? I will not charge for labor, Only the materials.
"Are you sure?" I respond with a raised eyebrow
"If my sword or arrow can kill one of the bastards who left my granddaughter almost alone like this, I will die happy."
"Then yes, I will accept; however, I will pay 25 percent of your labor costs as well as the cost of the material. Do you accept?"
With a yes, my lord, he turns to leave, but something unexpected happens. Amanda unlatches her grandfather and runs towards me. The guard reacts, which scares the grandfather. It is short-lived.
"STAND DOWN!" It is but a little girl who has seen the unacceptable! My rage booming, the guards, scared half to death, stand down. And the girl asks if I could kneel as if it were natural. I do as asked. She then places the crown made of flowers on my head
"I made this for you, big brother. Mom used to say the crown maketh the man. And the people make the crown. I thought it would fit you well, so I made one."
"Thank you, Amanda."
As I stand, I ruffle her hair. I boom, these two can come and go as they please! And when she comes of age, she will be taught how to help with this city's day-to-day. Kalid will proudly represent the town's craftsmen.
"Yes, my lord?"
"Let me explain. I want to let the people have representation no matter the social situation, at least here in town, and you will do that for the craftsman. I represent the nobles and government officials. I haven't met with anyone from the general populace yet, excluding you, Kalid and the others I choose will act as a council to me just as you will. I will give the final say after hearing the input from you and your counterparts. Work diligently for the people you represent and for me and, above all, for the kingdom!"
Another week passed, and there were no suitable candidates for the general rep.
"Next!" I shout as the door opens. A familiar face pops through the door. "Veronica!"
Where is Boch? I haven't seen him since he ditched me.
Oh, sorry about that. I called him and told him to grab me and take me here.
Wait, you called him.
Yeah, I can use telepathy, and so can he.
So why are you here
I heard from Kalid, and I'd like to be a representative.
"I thought you were a noble?"
"Wrong. I'm a commoner and was born here in Ankeir. in the slums, actually."
I'll consider it, to be honest. You are the first candidate, and I'll let you know in a week if you are selected. How do I contact you? Me and Boch are planning to settle here. We just bought a house at 114 Crosby Street.
A week passed, I guess Veronica it is. I'm going for a walk as I leave the castle gates behind. A guard stops me.
"My lord! You should wait for an escort."
No need, I reply casually and teleport out of sight. As I reappeared, I began walking the town. People were starting to look healthier. As for the mood, it is somber but has improved from desperate. Now, where is Crosby Street? Maybe I should ask. I see a woman and her kids and call out Ma'am, do you know where 114 Crosby Street is She looks around, failing to see me, and goes.
I must be hearing things."
I repeat the question, and her eyes go wide. Are you lost, young lad?
A little, I reply. I repeat the question: I'm looking for 114 Crosby Street.
114 Crosby Street, let me think, isn't that my sister's new address? Wait, who are you?
You're not a child of veronicas. Well, what can a kid do anyway? My boys are stronger. She debates and states matter-of-factly.
You can follow me. I'll take you there.
Thanks, I reply
She gives me a smile in return. She is Veronica's sister, a little more heavy set, and has a few gray hairs. But I'll keep that to myself.
As we reach the building, it's a lovely house not too big but homey, at least on the outside. Veronica's sister knocks on the door. A few seconds pass, and it swings open. Lo and behold, Boch doesn't notice me until a few seconds into talking about how I tagged along without her knowing. Who I am. Boch starts cracking up, which, in turn, makes her mad. Why are you laughing, kids? Cover your ears, you too, as she points at me. And covers her kid's ears. I do as I am told with gaps so I can hear.
"what's so fucking funny, you dick bag. fucking asshole. As Veronica hears the commotion, she comes to the door. Dear, you okay. You are as red as Zeus's blindfold. As she says this, her sister turns and stares at me. As if she figured it out, she goes Aha! And so you adopted, huh, sis?
"What are you on about Jessica?"
Then who's the kid behind me? As she points to me at this point, I burst out laughing. I can't talk, B B Boch, you explain! As I'm dying, Boch, I squeak out as Boch manages to stop laughing and get out,
"he's the town's lord and my apprentice."
"What." as her head slowly turns to me
I say thanks for "leading the way." with the most shit-eating smile I can muster
"what! You your. The new lord." As I pass her, I Introduce Myself
"Pleasure to Meet you. I am Zeus, lightless Gatsby, and yes, I'm the new lord, and this here is my new advisor to the dealings with the general populace. I say as I point to Veronica."
"Boch, I need someone capable, at the very least, to train and, at most, lead the troops. Will you do this for me?" I say with a little more formal tone than I typically use with him. He pauses
'I will train but not lead, at least not this time. Leading is your place."
"Now come inside. The food is getting cold, the kids have been chasing my cat for too long, and Jessica, snap out of it! Your mumbling is scaring me."
After a nice meal and some conversation, I head back to the castle
"My lord!" I hear as I approach the gates
"An urgent report came in the bandits' camp has been located." I guess the scout I sent came back. I hope she is alright. She had mentioned wanting time off for a wedding. I think I'll give her the month as a surprise.
I rush to my office, and a young scout stands with a bloodied arm. I, without hesitation, cast time. Mend it's a healing spell only I can use because it deals with time.
"Tell me what you have found I immediately asked after making sure there were no other wounds."
He begins speaking, "The news is grim, my lord. The bandits are in league with the Narboring country of Septure." They have at least 5,000 troops for the bandits. Another thousand, their army is 6,000 strong!"
We only have 4,000 trained troops, not including the other 1,000 that must be prepared. We are still at a disadvantage.
Do you have evidence of the bandits allying with Septure? Yes, my lord, as he hands me an emblem with a crest, I'll inform the king, but first, is she dead?
What, my lord? I don't understand the question
Gretta, the scout I sent, is dead, isn't she?
The "scout" lunges at me with a dagger.
I cast Time Lock, took said dagger, and cut the tendons in his heels. I cut his hands off and used a fireball to cauterize the wound. As I released Time Lock, the bandit disguised as a scout fell to the ground unconscious
guards! I call out, and in ten seconds, two guards appear
"My lord! Are you harmed?"
"Take this trash find no get the information I require! Yes, I am fine. Now move!
I sent her there. This is my fault. I mumble as I slump in my chair, feeling guilty.
As night falls, I once again sneak out. I assigned Gretta to the east in an area known as the Forest of Whispers. As a small patch of woods set in an out-cove of the mountains that border the empire, there is one way in and out. It was a place I suspected they could be based on the geography, and now I have a person to save because I feel responsible for her capture and how I know she was captured. The bandit I captured told us everything, including when she was caught. I hope they haven't done anything horrible to her yet. It is probably too late, but I will cross that bridge when I arrive.
As I get near the valley made of rock, I spread my senses and bingo cages. It isn't a pretty sight, to say the least; I'll spare you the details, but weirdly enough, the camp is mostly unguarded.
My blood boils at the sight. I teleport to the caged woman, who looks horrified at my appearance. I try to ignore them as I look for the scout not here. Huh, I guess I'll ask them. I look towards the woman I'm in front of. Was there a woman brought here within the last few days
Are you here to save us?
"Sadly, not yet, but soon."
She was taken to be used. I'm sorry, but she is probably not with us anymore.
Where do they take you to be used? There is a cave towards the back of this valley, but do me one favor: kill all of them there. Leave none to breathe, and I can die happy at that."
One more thing before I complete this task: the camp is almost empty. Why
go to the villages to get more women and booze every so often? Tonight is one such night! She shudders at the memory
She speaks up as if realizing something. "One more thing, can you kill me?"
I replied instantly that I can not, but I will free you of your shackles.
As I spread my senses, I found the cave and the one I was looking for. Anger flared through me. My blood boiled at the sight. I witnessed my killing intent flow like the river of time. The woman before me shuddered in fear as my face twisted into that rage. I instantly teleport away to where she is being used like a piece of meat. As I appear, the men stop and turn to see who showed up. There are 20 of them. They look at me wide-eyed.
"who.. I cut him off.
"I guess I wasn't ready for the horrors of this world after all! I should thank you for making me realize that not all is good in this world and that I was too leisurely with the people who were harming those I promised would be safe. A mistake I plan to rectify in the coming days, not that you will see it." As his hand approaches, I cast time stop.
My blade flashes like lightning, taking head after head as the last one falls. I look at the woman before me, beaten, bruised, and tormented. I realize the weight of my mission my station has on those I command. I cover her and teleport her to the barracks. With a quick explanation, I head back to save the rest and commit a massacre.