The manor, a beacon of the village's newfound prosperity, stood majestically against its pastoral setting. Its history was etched into the stonework and whispered amongst the villagers. Commissioned by a noble from the capital who later abandoned it for unknown reasons, it was then snapped up by a group of the village's merchants for a fraction of its worth.
As Roan approached the main hall, the voices of intense conversation reached his ears. Inside, Lynna was in deep discussion with two guests of honor. Lady Elara, every bit as dignified as the tales had suggested, sat with an air of formality. Veran, whom Roan had heard of through Lynna's descriptions, seemed entirely at ease.
Clearing his throat, Roan attempted to get Lynna's attention, "Hey, sis..." but she was absorbed in the conversation.
"The population's growth is astounding," Elara observed, unfolding a chart with numbers and projections. "From a small hamlet to what's almost a town now. Such rapid growth, particularly in these remote areas, is quite unusual."
Veran chimed in, "Indeed. Such changes don't happen by accident. There's definitely something driving this."
Curious, Veran turned to Lynna, "Any thoughts on what's causing this growth spurt?"
Lynna chuckled lightly, "You might find it interesting. The mayor attributes it to a variety of factors. The village is thriving – everything just seems to click. Trade is flourishing, new houses are springing up, businesses are opening, and you should see the number of babies born recently!"
Elara noted, "It's quite uncommon to see so many positive elements align like this."
Lynna grinned, "It's like we're on a lucky streak or something."
Veran smiled warmly, "It's a unique combination, indeed. There are challenges, but also plenty of opportunities ahead."
As Roan was about to interject again, he was interrupted by a tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted over. A young maid, with chestnut curls and an apron delicately embroidered with floral patterns, approached him holding a polished silver tray. "Sir, would you care for some 'Golden Meadows' tea? And perhaps a biscuit from the northern bakeries?" she offered, her voice as soft as the melodies of spring. The biscuits were perfectly golden with a gentle sprinkle of sugar crystals that caught the light.
"Sir? Me?" Roan answered in surprise; maids weren't a common sight in his life, especially not in such grand settings. The exquisite scent of the tea and the almost artistic appearance of the biscuit, however, quickly shifted his attention from his initial astonishment. Taking a tentative sip of the tea, he was immediately met with a symphony of flavors; the brew was rich and aromatic, unlike any he'd tasted before. Biting into the biscuit, the light, buttery texture combined with a hint of sweetness made him momentarily forget his surroundings.
Lost in the delightful experience, Roan's inner voice piped up, I'll just take another round, just a quick sip... Wow, this is some divine tea. Just a couple more biscuits too. Okay, Roan, focus. Important thing to report... after one more biscuit.
Elara smoothly transitioned, "Also, the rise in demand for unique items from the Valoran Kingdom has significantly boosted your economy. Spices, silks, and unique artifacts have become highly sought-after commodities in the capital markets."
Veran, nodding in agreement, added, "Precisely. The recent road development towards the south, in alliance with the desert tribes, has opened a corridor of prosperity. This village, positioned advantageously, reaps significant benefits from these trade exchanges."
Lynna's eyes lit up in recollection, "Ah, that reminds me! I've seen those merchants. They wear a distinctive attire, flowing robes of rich colors with intricate patterns, and they bring with them these unusual beasts – tall, long-necked creatures with a hump on their backs."
Elara clarified, "Those would be camels. They're perfectly adapted to desert terrains. As for the merchants, they've come a long way. What were once disparate tribes have now coalesced into a thriving network of merchants, trading not just goods, but mercenaries, knowledge, even culture and games."
As she spoke, a loud slurping noise echoed from the entrance of the room, causing Elara to glance in that direction with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Roan, completely engrossed in his tea, seemed blissfully unaware of the attention he had momentarily drawn.
Veran continued, bringing the conversation back on track, "One of the main reasons for their presence here is the newly carved route through the Mountains of Verlon. It reduces travel time significantly, and your village may have become like a pit stop."
Lynna's eyebrows raised in surprise, "Through the Mountains of Verlon? It must have cost quite a sum to carve through the Mountains! But it does make sense now. The surge in travelers, the village's amazing market size..."
Roan took a deep breath... he was now ready to share his urgent discovery, when a guard approached him.
The guard's eyes lit up with recognition of a kindred spirit.
"You, sir, you're a farmer, aren't you?" the guard asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
Roan nodded, "Aye, been tillin' the land all my life. Why?"
The guard smiled broadly, "I grew up on a farm before joining the guards. Have you heard of the new double plow tilling method? My family told me it's doubled our yield this season."
Roan's eyes widened, "Double plow? Now that's interestin'. Back at my plot, we've just started crop rotation."
The two immediately delved deeper into the nuances of farming, engrossed in a conversation that momentarily made the grandeur of the manor and the urgency of Roan's discovery fade into the background.
As their discussion proceeded in parallel, Veran pulled out another document. "Speaking of faith, I've asked your church about the recent years records of miracles, particularly those of Steia's healing. The numbers, surprisingly, are on the low side."
Elara glanced over the data. "Such fluctuations aren't entirely out of the norm, especially given the current growth phase the village is experiencing. Many factors could play a role, including increased medical knowledge or alternative remedies."
Veran agreed, then added thoughtfully, "With your village growing so fast, maybe it's time you consider honoring other gods alongside Steia. Perhaps we could request the mayor to establish a church dedicated to Tenor. After all, the god of progress may have had a hand in your village's fast development."
Lynna's gaze turned distant, memories flooding in. Growing up, they had always looked to Steia for guidance and blessings. Even in the midst of her challenging years at the Academy of Magic, her faith in Steia remained...
She finally broke her silence, her voice a shade softer than before. "Are we sure it's necessary?"
Elara offered a gentle smile, "Traditions evolve, Lynna, as do beliefs. Embracing Tenor doesn't mean forgetting Steia. It simply means adapting to the village's changing needs and aspirations."
Roan, having enthusiastically discussed the finer points of plowing and harvest cycles, finally realized he had allowed himself to become sidetracked once again. The urgency of his discovery rushed back to him. He abruptly excused himself from the conversation with the guard and turned back to the group, his expression serious.
"SIS!, we need to talk," he said, his voice cutting through the ongoing discussion.
The room fell silent as Lynna, Elara, and Veran all turned to look at him. Roan felt a gulp rise in his throat as he realized he had interrupted them quite abruptly. Yet, that was his plan all along, now he needed to find how he could report what he found before they killed him with their stares.