Chapter 31

I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air. The morning sun was turning my armor into an oven, and the world began to tilt. I was so hot I was seeing spots in front of my eyes, my vision swimming behind the narrow slit of my visor.

“Come on, Amos. I’m just getting warmed up.” Chris said. He leaned casually on his training spear, his own light leather armor barely damp with sweat. I couldn't see his face through my helm, but I could practically hear the grin on it.

“You try putting on thirty kilograms worth of steel, and then we can talk,” I said. I wheezed as I forced myself to my feet. Every joint of the armor groaned in protest—a sharp, metallic scraping that seemed to echo my own aching bones. I stumbled over to the water barrel on the edge of the training grounds, my boots heavy as lead weights.

Chris watched me with an amused expression. Jerk. “Nah, I’m good. My hide isn’t nearly as precious as yours. That stuff probably costs ten times my yearly wage.”

I dunked a ladle into the barrel, the cold water splashing against my heated face. “Since when can you multiply? I didn’t even know you could count.”

He scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Ha, I will have you know I am highly regarded among my peers for my academic prowess during the evening classes.”

“That shouldn’t be too hard,” I wheezed, leaning my weight against the wooden frame of the barrel, “since you are probably fifteen years older than all of them.”

“I’m going to tell your knights you said that.”

“Oh, you made it into the same class as them. Good on you. Who did you bribe?” I asked. I slumped onto a wooden bench next to the barrel, the metal plates of my clattering as I sat. This wasn’t even a full suit. How in the world did medieval knights do it?

“Just because you cannot hit me with the sword doesn’t mean you should cut me with your harsh words,” Chris said in mock hurt, clutching his chest with a dramatic sigh.

I waved my hand, the movement sluggish. “Fine, fine, just help me take off this armor.”

Instead of Chris. My servants immediately stepped forward to take the pieces as they were unstrapped, intending to have them cleaned and oiled. I had insisted that I be shown how to take care of my armor myself, and my people humored me with patient nods. But when it came to actually doing it, nobody would let me maintain my own gear. It was a lowly task, and heaven forbid I should stoop to such a thing.

So I had a young boy of around ten following me around. His name was Corbin. They didn’t have pages here, but I gave him the title.

I didn’t know what pages did during medieval times other than follow knights around and do things for them. In exchange for his service, he was paid a common soldier's wage and got to learn from me directly. And that was actually a bigger deal than I first thought. Once he figured out I didn’t mind him asking questions, a floodgate opened.

“Lord Bicman, why is the sky blue?”

“Why do stars fall?”

“How do pigeons know which way to go?”

It was a constant barrage every time we were together. I didn’t mind. I wanted these people to think. Sometimes it wasn’t possible for me to give an answer. Other times, I would flip the question around on him and make him think. I allowed him to train in the sword and spear as well. He would either end up as a knight or a scholar. Possibly both.

So as Corbin began meticulously wiping the sweat and grit from my breastplate, I continued to speak with Chris. “Well, I am leaving at noon. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Chris just rolled his eyes. “Amos, every letter and in almost every conversation we have, you end with that. I will let you know if I need anything. The men are doing well. In fact, some squads are better trained than those we let go down to the border. Lord Malcomp comes up here at least once a month to evaluate and give suggestions. The latest group of horses we have gotten are well-trained. The cavalry has been developing new tactics, and I would not want to be any group of soldiers going up against them.”

“What about the cloth armor to protect the horses from spears? Do they work?” I asked.

“Won’t know until it is tried in the field, I’m not going to risk a horse or a man by trying to jab a charging horse. But any group that tries to attack North Cove is going to be quite surprised.”

“Any serious injuries or deaths from training?”

I had watched their training, and it was brutal. I was worried that we would lose people, but the people in charge of North Point insisted it was necessary. Military matters were not something I was qualified to counsel on, so I just tried to learn as much as I could and throw out ideas that I had seen from military movies. I didn’t know much, but I hoped that something I said helped.

Chris shrugged, his gaze drifting toward the recruits drilling with spears across the yard. “A few serious injuries. Your doctors and nurses are getting plenty of practice on treating the minor stuff. And sometimes they get to practice on a bigger problem. I am not going to tell you because you worry too much. People get hurt in life, especially in the military. That is why they get paid more.”

“Fine, you're right, I worry too much. But I care about my people, so that is not going to stop.”

Chris smiled, a genuine expression replacing the mocking one. “And your people love you for it.”

*****

After observing the training in North Point, I turned towards the Village. The headman, Jacob, had done an amazing job maintaining discipline and order within the ever fluctuating populus. 

“How are the fields doing? Will they be able to support the population?” I asked as we walked between the rows of houses.

Jacob gave a nod. “Without a doubt, my lord. We will have extra. Unless you plan to keep all six hundred of the returning men here.”

“Those men will continue in rotation just as they did before the war. So no need to worry. We have enough food with the stores we are creating from the added population, as long as what you have supports the current one.

“Then we should be fine.” 

I nodded. “Excellent, and the road to the beach?”

“Slow, we only have a small crew working on it. Too many hands are needed here, and the soldiers are in training most of the time. since preparing them is the main priority,” he said in a slightly nervous tone.

I waved off his concern. “There is no rush, for now it is just a way to get supplies to you faster and put a fort there as a lookout. If we do manage to get this barony divided into two, then we will want to put a larger settlement there.”

Jacob rubbed his chin as we continued to look over the village's progress. “I think the biggest problem will be the switchback we will need to create. The ravine was good enough when they were bringing chalk down and an empty cart up. But it is a little steep for bringing supplies back up.”

“Again, no rush. But if it becomes necessary, we will get the demolition team to clear some tougher areas. Though we will have to clear out anybody who doesn’t know about it.”

Jacob shuttered. He had been at Pine Ridge when the Rabiss attacked and saw the aftermath of the cannons that acted more like bombs. “Are you sure they won't just bring the entire cliff face down?

I shrugged. “Maybe, but they are getting pretty good with the stuff. Last resort, though. The idea of word getting out about the black powder scares me more than a crumbling cliff face.”

I saw Baron Sophis walking toward us in the distance and decided it was a good time to end the conversation. 

Jacob walked off as Sebastian came along the dirt road. The Baron had a pleased look on his face. 

“Another village made in the same style. I am not sure I understand your fascination with it,” he said.

I matched his pace as we continued to walk.

“Most likely, it is due to our worldview. This layout and these homes are the most efficient way I know of to keep my people healthy and productive.”

“You will once again have to explain. I do not understand how your mind works.”

I thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain this. “There was writing I happened upon by a man named Maslow, who had a list of human needs. Don’t ask me what they are, I can’t remember. He thought that all men tried to obtain them. The more they obtained, the more productive they might be. Things like safety, food, and physical health were among the most basic.”

“You think that just by giving these things to your peasants, they will be more productive. I say it will create laziness.”

“Actually, I agree. These are rental properties, but they are all within an affordable range that a farmer could afford. The key was to make them cheaply, yet still sturdy, so that people would want to rent them. The way we make them cheaply is by cutting every board to the exact same length, every home needs the same amount of wooden pegs, and the same amount of stone and cement.” 

After thinking about it for a moment, Sebastian’s look turned to one of surprise. “I see, so you charge lower taxes so the people can afford the rent, but get the money back as rent instead of taxes. The people love you because they have a nice home, but you lose nothing because they will be paying rent that covers the taxes.”

“It is more of a rent-to-own type of thing. They pay a higher price than the home is worth, but within ten years, the home is theirs.”

“But then you once again lose revenue.”

“Each home is built on enough land so that it may be extended. The back wall of the home has a door in it. So when the family grows too big, or the wife complains, they can take out a loan and build onto their homes. At this point, the house can be customized to fit the needs of the individual or if they have become wealthy enough to make it unique.” 

We paused outside the guest house in the village. “You spend a lot of time considering how to make money from your peasants while keeping them happy. I think that may be more ingenious than your inventions.”

Not really ingenious, just modern capitalism in a feudal system. I could only pray I was doing it right and it wouldn’t all just fall apart.

“Please know that the first concern is for the welfare of my people. But that welfare comes at a cost, and that burden should be placed on those who receive the benefit. It is a circular effect.” I paused, “No, it is more of an upward spiral if gone correctly. Improve the lives of the people, and they produce more. As they produce more, I am able to give them more options to improve their lives at a cost to them. I benefit from the increase in taxes, and they increase their quality of living. It is what I call a win-win situation.”

His eyes lit up the way they did when he had an idea.  “Can I buy the plans for these homes from you?”

“One gold coin.”

He raised his eyebrows, “So cheap?”

I shrugged. “If I had asked for more, you would have just put your engineers to work designing one yourself. I do recommend you hire one of my more experienced builders to help oversee the construction of some of them, so they can gain an understanding of how things are done. I could even recommend one.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Sure, you will have to negotiate the price of his pay with him, but my goal is to elevate my people. Just remember that you will not only get a man who can build houses, but one who has been taught higher math and the basics of reading as well.

Now he looked even more eager. “Can he teach that math to others?”

“That will be up to him, he is not a serf. He has permission to leave my land and use his talents as he wishes.”

“Excellent, now I hate to rush this, but I must leave as soon as I get those plans and convince your man to come with me. I have much to do at home. It will be an 8-day journey to get there.”

“It was good to see you, my friend,” I said, stretching out my hand.

“Likewise, and good luck in the capital.” He said, clasping my arm.

I let out a rueful laugh, “Hopefully I don’t get eaten alive.”

“Some advice. Let your future bride worry about politics. You focus on what you are good at, painting. As long as her curse doesn’t kill you first.” 

He said it as a joke, but I could tell he was not above believing in superstitions. He was worried about me.

“If I get a knife in my back, it will not be Erica’s fault. I have made powerful enemies.”

“Do not forget about your allies. Your Uncle Johnathan has done very well at spreading the news of your accomplishments. Believe me, many in the capital are looking forward to meeting the Sage of the North.” He said with a grin.

“The what!?”

Weston Yarbeth

“We need to get rid of him, Father,” Weston Yarbeth Baron of Bicman growled as he sat across the dining table from his father. “He is tying my hands and preventing me from making money. He has twisted the laws of the kingdom to meet his own needs.”

This caused the Count of Yarbeth to raise an eyebrow. “From all reports, he is very exacting about the law. What law is he changing?”

“The law states that a noble has the responsibility to care for his people within reason.”

“So, he does not agree with the law. That does not sound like your other reports about the boy. He always seemed to be strict in following such laws.” The elderly man said, leaning forward.

Weston ground his teeth, “Father, it is not reasonable for me to feed all the people I have brought in. Not through the winter months of Bicman. Serfs know that the older ones must give up their food, and the babes will often die. It is why their women are always pregnant. He is twisting the law stating that I am not allowed to feed my serfs less than half rations during the winter months, and if they are laboring on any given day, no less than three-quarters. I must have adequate shelter provided against the cold for all my people.”

His father stayed calm, however. As if the amount of money and resources he would have to spend was a trifle. “And what are the consequences if you do not comply with this?”

“If I cannot support a family, then I must put the serf contracts up for auction within the county or move them back to where they originated from with enough supplies to make the trip. If I refuse, then he will enact the Lord’s Right of Intervention. Stealing my people for a pittance of the value of their contract.” Weston shouted.

Still, his father remained calm. “Do not raise your voice. This is a mere trifle. I fear the strength of our family name has made you unable to see things clearly. You are used to people stepping aside and catering to your whims. Now you find yourself in a new county and do not see a way to deal with this upstart properly.”

“We should kill him, Father. I ask that you put me in contact with your people.”

The Elderly man shook his head. “I am older than you, and yet it seems that I see more clearly than you. He is more beneficial to us alive than dead. We have already obtained the mine cart and wheelbarrow from him. That alone has increased the production capacity in the mine. Then there is the new type of waterwheel. And let’s not forget the armor. Even though I have no doubt that the king will demand the process, it will not be hard for us to obtain it. In fact, the king may be so displeased with the boy for withholding the armor from him, he may kill the young man without you having to lift a finger.”

Weston hated how his father treated him like a child. He had grown children of his own. If the king was going to kill Count Bicman anyway, then why not do the king a favor and get rid of him? Then they could plunder his secrets before anyone else. He bit his tongue. His father was not in a reasonable state. Nothing he said would change his father's mind at this point. The fool.

“Very well, father, we shall wait and see.”

“Someday you will rule that land. But first, we must gain leverage over the count. We must make him bow before us willingly.”