Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Journey to the Capital

Three days after meeting the Talons, various carriages arrived at our home for repair. The total number was around 120 carriages. A rate of 7 gold coins was agreed upon to revamp each carriage. This was a portion of the total military carriages in the kingdom of Capel. It was agreed that the maximum number of carriages we can handle at a time was 150 hence why 120 were brought. With the baron's generosity offering us our milling center back with an additional 1000 gold coins in damages, it is true to say that we were swimming in cash. However I can not forgive the fact that he tried to have my aunt executed, in due time I will have him pay what he owes. I have always had a long memory. This coupled with my unforgiving nature really does not work out in favor for all those who offend me. Time went by slowly and by this time, Mr. Duran and I had prepare a variety of weapons for my training. Being 7 years old meant that these were temporary weapons that I will soon outgrow them. I could not decide on what I wanted so we ended up making a long sword, short sword, a bow with arrows, a mage staff, a wand and a spear. Without knowing anything about dark magic, I could not understand if I was to play a support role or a main attacking and defending one. Mother was not really keen on having her 7 year old son live alone in the capital and so Nathan was requested to watch over me while there. Mother also decided to buy a house in a safe neighborhood where she could come visit once in a while to check on my progress. House hunting would take place when we all visited the capital for the first time in 2 weeks. We have already received offers to come and look at various houses from our middleman back at the capital.The reaction of the villagers after finding out that I am the next White Eagle has been very confusing. There is always a line of people outside our gate ready to offer tributes to me every morning. I mean we are not really hurting for cash to be honest and some of this people are not in a position to be offering anything to anyone for free. I don't think I am being unrealistic here but charity should always start at home. Another group has erected a shrine near the village center with a wood carving of an eagle painted white. I hear stories that they sacrifice pigeons and hens there at night to bring good luck. I mean come on, I know this is a world filled with magic but the line should be drawn at some point right? All in all everybody is dealing with the news in their own way.Two weeks have gone by, mother, Nathan and I are heading to the capital. The journey should take a least 6 hours. We do not have to worry about accommodations because a popular inn has offered to host us for free. It is a good marketing ploy they say, people will want to come here in an inn where the White Eagle once spent the night. So the journey began at the crack of dawn and it is expected that we are to arrive at the capital by noon. On the way we are discussing everything from business to the capital. Mother is going to take care of the business once I am gone and is also planning to buy a new plot of land specifically for the merchant business. It seems that the compound of our house really limits how much work can be done. It is also not very enticing from a security perspective where strangers have to pass through our home in order to work or purchase repaired carriages. The conversations went on and on until finally the capital was in view. We paid the toll at the city gates and entered the capital. This was nothing like our village center. The city was bustling with life, the population was easily over a million by my estimation. There was even a traffic jam or a carriage jam if that word even makes sense. Even in this world the city is divided between the poor and the rich man neighborhood. Yeah I mean it is to be expected after all we can't all be equal. There is a large number of shops selling all kinds of things here. With the number of carriages here, I think it would be ill advised not to set up a branch here to tap into this market. Ha, I have not even been here for 30 minutes and I am already thinking of establishing a business here. I was not interested in money my past life because as I saw it, it took a lot of effort and time to acquire. But here, it is almost too easy to pass up on such an opportunity. I also expect that once I have matured in age, I will set up a lab that will help me decipher the laws of this world. The lab in itself is not expensive what will be troubling is the resources that I will require in my research such as custom made equipment and rare materials. It is therefore important to earn and save a large amount of money to realize that dream.Having been to the capital before, Nathan led the way to the popular inn that offered to cater for our needs free of charge. We received quite a warm welcome to be honest. The owner of the establishment personally came to welcome us as soon as we alighted the carriage. He is probably trying to carry favor with me which honestly I don't mind because soon enough I am going to need someone with his skill set to navigate the city. He then handed me a letter as I was heading to my room. The staff were handling all my luggage. An invitation to the royal palace at the king's behest, that's a pretty bold move for someone who could not keep his wife in check if you ask me. So after I finished reading the contents, I passed the letter to mother who passed it to Nathan once she was done. "Well it is probably time to meet your father anyway." Mother said with a disinterested tone. "What about the witch? I am not too keen in meeting her." I answered. "Not much that can be done now. After all he is the king and her the queen. We shall meet with them tomorrow." Mother added. Normally mother would admonish me for calling the queen a witch but after her sister was almost executed, she has called her far worse names. We are going to relax today in preparation for tomorrows royal palace visit.