The town lay barren, with hardly any trees in sight, as vast fields of wheat stretched endlessly. Yet, the wheats, were all withered, signs of the drought.
Stephen and Roch had traveled a full day to reach the central town, a bustling hub surrounded by tall walls.
This was a town of farmers, with over 30,000+ living inside of it. As well as smaller towns, with many people.
Upon presenting Roch's plaque at the gate, they were immediately allowed entry. However, whispers followed them as they made their way through the streets.
Stephen was well aware that rumors had already spread—the new count, a bastard son, had dismissed many officials.
Despite these murmurs, they pressed on toward the manor, one of several estates belonging to the count's family.
Upon arrival, the manor was in poor shape, seemingly abandoned. Dust clung to every surface, and cobwebs hung in every corner.
Stephen surveyed the dilapidated building before turning to Roch.
"We're going out to eat tonight," Stephen announced casually.
Roch looked puzzled, immediately he replied. "My lord, you can't do that! As you know, it would be dangerous if you walk around the town with only one guard!"
"I'll be in disguise. No one knows what the new count looks like anyway, do they?" Stephen smirked.
"Well..." Roch sighed in defeat.
After adjusting his appearance, they made their way through the town. Stephen had given strict instructions to Roch not to act too stiffly around him, wanting to avoid drawing any attention.
As they walked, an older woman, cradling a child, called out. "Roch? Is that you?"
Roch halted. "Mum?" he replied, his voice softer than before.
Without warning, the woman—Jocelyn—smacked her son's head, her tone both stern and affectionate. "You finally remember your mother! Couldn't you have come to see us first before escorting the count?"
Roch glanced nervously at Stephen, who stepped forward with a warm smile. "I'm sorry, ma'am. It seems as though I've taken up too much of Roch's time."
Jocelyn eyed Stephen curiously, then smiled. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Roch's coworker. One of the vassal's of the count." Stephen said, scratching the back of his head. "Actually, I'm quiet hungry, I haven't eaten anything during the travel."
"Well you should have said so! Come, I'll take you to my inn!" Jocelyn led the way to her small inn, filled with farmers and townsfolk enjoying their evening meals.
The inn was soon buzzing with excitement as Jocelyn announced Roch's return, and the patrons crowded around him.
Jocelyn, meanwhile, sat Stephen at a table and apologized for the commotion. "Sorry about the noise. Everyone's happy to see him, it's been many years since he last returned home."
Stephen smiled. "It's clear everyone missed him."
Jocelyn nodded, a smile plastered on her face. "His father was furious when he left to become a knight. When the former patriarch saved him from a boar, he had made it his dream to serve the count's family. Stating that he had to repay the former patriarch for saving him."
Jocelyn chuckled and continued. "As his parents we flatly refused, but he left the house at midnight. Afterwards, he only sent us letters, and came back after five years. Afterwards he left again."
Stephen chuckled hearing the stories of Roch from Jocelyn. As he glanced at the townsfolk, it was evident that everyone was close.
The rest of the meal was simple—stale bread and basic provisions, a clear reflection of the ongoing drought. Stephen listened carefully to the conversations swirling around him.
"This drought's killing us. The soil's too hard to plow."
"Aye, and there's no way we'll survive if it doesn't end soon."
"Maybe the new count can help?" one person suggested, though doubt lingered in their tone.
"Don't be daft. He doesn't care about us."
"Maybe we can ask him, I mean he did get rid of that annoying fat-ass who was busy munching on food like a goddamn pig!"
Stephen kept his thoughts to himself, but he had already gathered what he needed—these people were desperate.
There was one reason why he decided to eat in the inn, it was to gather precise information about the people's current views of the drought.
Stephen chuckled, he finished eating, and stood up.
He gestured to Roch not to follow him, while he went out. 'The meal was bad, but at least I got some information.'
That night, he retired early, knowing that the real work would begin the next day.
---
The following morning, Stephen and Roch ventured into the fields. Wearing a farmer's hat, Stephen crouched down to inspect the soil.
It was completely dry. The nearby rivers and wells were no better, all reduced to barren pits.
'This situation is worse than I imagined,' Stephen thought. Though he had planned to implement trade systems, it would be costly, and even then, there were other factors to be considered as well.
Buying water from another territory would cost over millions of gold coins.
There would also be problems in the future that would arise, one was that, if they continue to rely on another territory there is a huge possibility that they might even sell the water resources doubling the price.
Thus, Stephen needed to plan out their water resources, so that they wouldn't rely on other territories, which could be potentially problematic.
But since the people are in dire need. Stephen needs to buy water as fast as he can from a neighboring territory.
"Roch, gather the townspeople at once," Stephen ordered.
Roch nodded and hurried off. Meanwhile, Stephen considered his options.
There were several crops he could introduce, but he needed something that would grow quickly, even under these harsh conditions.
He recalled reading about Pearl Millet, a drought-resistant crop that could be harvested within 60 to 90 days.
Stephen started walking back to the town, immediately murmurs began to arise among the people.
Everyone's faces could already be deduced that they didn't think that the supposed friend was the new count. Some were worried since they had talked smack about other nobles.
It already has been two months, since the drought started, and the former patriarch was already making measurements, but due to the events, all the plans were thwarted.
Thus, Stephen had to take care of it, since he was the new owner of the territory.
Stephen took his place on a raised platform and began to speak.
"I understand that these are troubling times for all of you," he began, his voice steady. "The death of the heir, followed by the former count, and now a bastard as your new lord—it's been a difficult period, I know. And then there's the drought, which has lasted for two long months."
The crowd remained silent, their faces a mix of doubt and fear.
"I came here today because I want to help. My name is Stephen Genest, and I am the 43rd Patriarch of this territory. I ask for your cooperation so we can make it through this crisis together."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, but Stephen pressed on.
Stephen gestured for Roch to bring the sack of Pearl Millets.
There were other crops he could introduce, but after much deliberation Stephen chose Pear Millets, which can grow in severe drought and can be the replacement for wheat.
Since this variety of food is mostly eaten by Asians and Africans, it isn't that fully established as a food source in many American countries.
It was mostly used for feeding animals.
"These are called Pearl Millet," Stephen explained. "This crop can withstand drought, and it grows fast—only 60 to 90 days. That's two to three months. Winter is five months away, which means we have just enough time to plant these and harvest them before the cold sets in."
The townspeople looked at the seeds skeptically.
Then, Jocelyn raised her voice from the back. "I'm in! Let's start planting now!"
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon, the crowd was buzzing with energy.
Men stepped forward to collect the sacks of seeds, eager to begin planting. Even the children joined in, helping wherever they could.
This town was the largest food-producing region in the territory, but Stephen knew he would need to spread the word to the smaller villages as well.
Volunteers offered to help, promising to carry the message to their neighbors.
As the people went to work in the fields, Stephen sent a messenger to Tristan. The message was clear—water needed to be purchased from a neighboring territory. Time was of the essence.
Stephen began to give orders to everyone.
He could have bought vegetables and wheat in another territory, but considering that they are the largest producers of wheat. The main source of food, even if he bought huge amounts of vegetables, it wouldn't be enough to satiate the people's hunger.
Since there were still wheat left from the harvest a few months prior, it could satiate the people while the Pearl Millets are growing.
---
Over the next two weeks, the town buzzed with activity. The water shipments arrived within a week, and careful measures were taken to conserve every drop.
Notices were sent out to all corners of the territory, urging the people to work together and follow the plan. With the help of Pearl Millet, they had a fighting chance to survive the drought.
Stephen had much more to oversee, but for now, the first steps had been taken. The future of the entire territory rested on his shoulders, and failure was not an option.
Stephen assigned Jocelyn and Roch as the overseers for the Pearl Millet production, while he had to immediately go back to the main estate. Since he had much more to do.
He hopped on the carriage, with a new coachman as he headed off back to the main city.