The journey had begun, and as the group made its way through the winding paths, Kellan's thoughts drifted to the future that lay before him. He calculated his finances in his mind, knowing that every coin would matter in the days to come. He had gathered a little over 35 gold coins—32 from his rewards from the last two wars combined, and 3 from his savings after working as a knight for a whole year. A knight's yearly salary was 4 gold coins, and being alone had allowed Kellan to save most of it, despite the high cost of living in the capital.
His mind then turned to the promise he had made to his three companions. He had agreed to pay Gareth, Alden, and Finn 10 silver each as yearly pay—a little more generous than the usual rate for soldiers, which was typically 5 silver a year. But Kellan wasn't just looking for guards; he hoped they would become the founding members of his village, helping him build something lasting in Emberfall.
With his three companions by his side, Kellan knew that muscle alone wouldn't be enough to build a thriving village. He needed regular soldiers for defense, skilled workers to construct homes and infrastructure, and civilians who could till the fields and generate the revenue required to sustain the village. He also had to ensure there were enough resources to pay his troops and meet the king's tax demands.
A typical commoner family needed about 1 silver per year to live comfortably. Calculating the costs, Kellan realized that with his current finances, he could sustain 100 families for up to two years. This was exactly the grace period he had been granted as a new landlord before taxes would come due. The pressure of managing these resources and planning for the future weighed heavily on him. With all these responsibilities, he felt the pressure mounting. Being a landlord was far more complex and demanding than he had anticipated.
As the group traveled, Gareth and Finn struck up a conversation, their voices lightening the mood. "Where are we headed, Kellan?" Gareth asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"Pelun," Kellan replied, nodding toward Alden, who was leading the way. "Alden knows the path."
Alden turned slightly, hearing his name mentioned. "I had this in mind but why Pelun? Are we looking for some refugees there?"
Kellan shook his head, smiling. "That and there's someone I need to pick up in Pelun. After that, we head to Emberfall."
Alden, ever the strategist, considered their options. "Pelun is a start, but if we're looking to really build something, we should head to Baritos afterward. It's a port town with plenty of refugees from the war. We could hire troops and, if needed, even buy slaves to help with the land. The resources there will give us a strong foundation."
Kellan paused for a moment, weighing the suggestion. Baritos made sense. With its position as a hub for trade and people, it offered opportunities that Pelun couldn't. Alden's insight was sharp, as always.
"That's a wise suggestion, Alden," Kellan agreed. "We'll pick him up in Pelun, and then we'll head to Baritos. It'll give us a better chance to gather what we need."
The group continued along the road, the conversation drifting to lighter topics as they traveled. The group made good progress and set up camp by a stream in the evening. Gareth gathered firewood, Alden checked for threats, and Finn cooked dinner, filling the air with cheer.
As the fire crackled and the stars shone brightly, Kellan took the first watch, reflecting on his responsibilities and past battles. After a few hours, Alden took over, allowing Kellan to rest.
The next morning, they broke camp and continued their journey, the terrain growing rougher as they neared Pelun. By midday, the village was visible in the distance, and the group pressed on, eager to reach their destination.