The courtyard was sparsely filled, a motley gathering of ragged individuals who had heard the call but remained uncertain. Kaelan stood tall in front of them, surveying the scene with a cool, calculated gaze. The city of Blackthorn had turned its back on noble customs, but Kaelan was determined to offer something far more important than empty promises.
For a moment, the silence was oppressive. The air was thick with the smell of decay, and yet, there was a faint hope flickering in the eyes of the few who dared to remain. Kaelan's mind raced briefly. How many more days can these people survive in this lawless state? His father's disappearance and the chaos left in its wake echoed in his thoughts—he could feel the weight of their desperation in the air.
He cleared his throat and spoke, his voice steady but commanding, resonating in the stillness.
"I will not ask for your loyalty just yet," Kaelan began, his words deliberate. "But I will offer you something that has been long absent in this city: security. A place where lawlessness no longer holds sway, where your lives are not at the mercy of criminals or tyrants. In exchange for your hard work and faith, I will change the system here. I will bring back order, and you will no longer live like animals, prey to those who would take advantage of your misery."
A faint murmur rippled through the crowd, some eyes shifting toward the ground. Doubt lingered, but Kaelan pressed on, pushing past the unease.
His voice hardened, making sure every word hit its mark. "Consider the value of a coin," he continued. "One copper coin could buy you a loaf of bread. That's a day's work for a laborer. Ten copper coins would secure a night in a low-tier inn. A silver coin, which is worth 100 copper, will buy you a decent meal and a full day's wage for a craftsman. And one gold coin? That can purchase a high-quality sword or buy the loyalty of a knight for three months."
Kaelan's thoughts briefly drifted. Five thousand gold from the Coming-of-Age Ceremony… and another five from the Dukedom… it's a solid start, but if I'm not careful, it'll be gone in a season. I need to build something stronger. His lips tightened. His wealth, while substantial, wouldn't be enough to solve everything on its own.
"But what is the value of gold in a city where even the law is a commodity?" he continued, his eyes narrowing, catching the gaze of a few skeptical faces. "If you're willing to trust me, I will offer more than just a meal or a place to sleep. I will offer a future where your hard work has meaning. Where your contribution to rebuilding Blackthorn is rewarded in something more than mere promises."
The crowd shifted. Some eyes hardened with distrust, while others flickered with a spark of interest. Kaelan's plan wasn't just to secure their loyalty with food but with something more tangible—something they could understand and build upon: a currency they could rely on, if only for a start.
"You may not trust me now," Kaelan said, his voice deepening, laced with a subtle challenge, "but I ask you to trust the idea. If we rebuild, it will be together. If you step forward, I will provide food, safety, and opportunity for a better life. But first, you must show me that you are willing to take that first step."
A ripple of hesitation passed through the crowd. Some stayed frozen, eyes flicking nervously to their neighbors. After several moments, a few took tentative steps forward, their faces guarded, but their resolve firming up as they made their choice. Kaelan nodded and motioned for them to step aside.
"Good," he said, his voice unwavering. "You have made the right decision. You will not regret it."
Kaelan looked toward a table set up nearby, the most basic of offerings—loaves of bread. He pointed to the men who had stepped forward. "You will receive food," he said, "Two loaves of bread each. Take it now, and when you are done, we will speak again."
The men moved to the table, eyeing the bread warily but clearly hungry. The sight of a simple meal stirred something in the crowd—skepticism, but also hunger.
As they returned, Kaelan continued.
"I see many of you still hesitate," Kaelan said, his voice strong. "If you believe that you will be left in the dust, let me offer you one more chance. I will not simply ask for your labor. I will offer you sustenance, safety, and a future. What I ask in return is your belief—your commitment."
He turned, walking slowly through the crowd, his eyes scanning those who still remained apart from the rest. His mind ticked through strategies. His wealth, though considerable at 10,000 gold coins, was not infinite. He would need to use it wisely—investing in infrastructure, trade, and, most importantly, securing loyalty.
"The system here is broken," Kaelan said, eyes flashing with intensity. "You live as slaves to the lawless, and the only currency in your lives is fear. But I offer you a chance to change that. To claim control over your own lives."
The challenge hung in the air like a thunderstorm, and the tension was palpable. One by one, people hesitated, eyes flicking nervously to their neighbors. After several moments, a few more brave souls stepped forward. But not all.
"Tomorrow," Kaelan continued, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, "we begin the process of rebuilding this city. You will come back and show me you're willing to work, to invest in your future. I will assess your skills, your abilities, and your resources. But let me make one thing clear." He took a deep breath, knowing this would be a defining moment.
"I will show you, with action, that things are changing here," he said, his voice steady. "You will see that those who have exploited you for far too long will answer for their deeds. By morning, there will be evidence of what I mean."
A few confused murmurs rose from the crowd, but Kaelan's gaze remained sharp. "I will not simply talk of change. I will prove it, and you will witness it firsthand."
The crowd fell silent, the tension thick. Kaelan's words echoed like a storm approaching.
"Those who trust me will find their lives changing for the better," he said, his voice ringing with finality. "Those who doubt me… well, they will learn the hard way."
With a final, piercing look, Kaelan turned and motioned for his men to gather the first group who had agreed to work. "Now, take your bread. Tomorrow, we build. Tonight, we act."
As the crowd dispersed, murmurs of disbelief and tentative hope began to spread. Kaelan's eyes remained focused, his mind already turning toward the night's task. He would show them, not just with words but with action, that he was the one to lead Blackthorn back from the abyss.