8 Organizing the new Arrivals. (1/2)
A week later, early in the morning, a big caravan arrived at Gragon. The caravan set up camp in an already harvested field. Soon all the landed knights and baron Monver arrived outside the central tent. The tent was large in size but not too big. It was made of silk and dyed crimson and. Next to the closed entrance stood two proud banners both also made of silk and dyed crimson with a black griffin embroiled in the middle. While red dye was somewhat expensive and silk was extremely expensive. The most striking feature was the guard's armor. They were both clad in high-quality full plate from head to toe.While the quality of the armor sets one there selfs was extraordinary. Both sets were actually products of an enchanter and as such, they were full with rune carvings which occasionally flickered with powerful arcane energies.
The entrance order was the same order as the order with which they picked their Exoristous. The ones waiting engaged into some casual conversation. Conversing from their Exoristous picks to the guard's armor to even the weather and the chance of rain. About an hour later it was Galahads turn.
The insides of the tent were rather stark. Two bookcases, three chairs, a simple wooden bed, a wooden desk, and a small chest. Behind the desk, a middle-aged scholarly man was slowly writing.
Galahad went inside the tent remained silent and bowed.
The sound of writing was the only noise in the room for ten whole minutes after that the man took out a thick folder and gave Galahad a piercing glare and spoke.
”You must be Sir Galahad. You may sit.”
Galahad nodded and sat on the chair.
The man then continued.
”I am the Logistics Centurion Daric von Margar. You may speak if I ask you a question. Am I understood?”
Galahad nodded.
Daric continued on.
”Good. Now please give me your ring and tell me your family motto.”
Galahad took off his silver signet ring and simply responded.
”Prosperity through adversity.”
Daric nodded he took the ring and said
”Do not disturb me until I give you permission.”
Daric then took out a golden signet ring with a red gemstone. He made the two signets touch and he seriously said.
”For the King”
He then continued
”Prosperity through adversity.”
After that, he remained motionless for five minutes looking mindlessly at the rings.
Five minutes later Daric stopped spacing out he lifted his head took out a piece of silver-colored wax and a piece of paper.
Daric then simply said.
”Your requests have been approved you just need to sign here.”
He pointed in an empty spot in the bottom of the paper. He then returned the silver signet ring. Galahad nodded as soon as the wax was melted Galahad used it to sign the paper. He then methodically cleaned his signet ring once again.
Daric then simply explained.
”Since this the first time you own Exoristous you should know that. Firstly Mistreating them is a crime as they are for the duration of their crime the rented property of the king. The fine depends on the severity of the mistreatment and the point value of the individual subject.
Secondly, you may order them around as you see fit. As long as your orders are not idiotic. All the orders you give get transcribed through the medium of your ring and checked three months before the next evaluation.
In the case they attempt to escape at the point they leave the range of a hundred kilometers they will automatically die. You can also inform us of any escapes and we will manually activate the instant kill mechanism.
In the case, you get murdered by an Exoristos negligence. The Exoristous which have been deemed as guards will immediately die. Only two Exoristos can be assigned as guards at your rank. In the case, you get murdered by an Exoristos every Exoristos under you will die.
Other minor crimes will increase their sentence time. If a prisoner reaches a certain level of criminality it will be taken off your hands and your points will be returned in full.
In the case of your death, the controller becomes the next person in the line for the fief. That is all. Any questions?”
Galahad though about it for a while and then he asked.
”What if they die?”
Daric simply responded.
”It depends on the reason for their death. In the case of natural causes, you don't need to do anything. In the case of death in combat if it is against external elements you don't need to worry about it. But if the reason is internal conflicts, you shall repay the king through either point reductions or through monetary means. Where one point equals to ten whole silver coins. With an important caveat, the last rule is only true if you are the aggressor. Or you are the one counter invading another lords territory. If that is all you have to ask you may leave. Exit through the back of the tent your Exoristoi have already been gathered.”
Galahad nodded and exited the tent through the back. There a foot soldier waited for him.
The soldier gave a military salute and said.
”Decan Man at Arms Roland Smith in your orders Sir.”
Galahad nodded and said
”Take me to my Exoristous.”
The soldier nodded and said.
”Yes, Sir. Follow me, Sir.”
Soon the soldier led Galahad at the south side of the camp. There gathered a crowd of about three hundred people. Mostly children, some women, and some adult men.
Galahad looked at the soldier and asked.
”So mister Roland how many people are there and what is there numbers?”
Roland gave a military salute and said.
”Sir there is eighty-one men, seventy-two women, and two hundred and two children. From which ninety-three are boys and a hundred and nine are girls.”
Galahad nodded and then Bellowed.
”Alright listen up. From today onwards you are my subjects. I have great plans for you and we shall leave in an hour but first, I want to know which ones among you are Boris O Prasinoktonos, Emaria Olia, Eledor Gragin, and George Derkan.
The crowd quickly split up and the middle and threw it came four people. A young dashing fellow, An old muscular man, a beautiful young lady, and a short grizzled man.
Galahad simply said.
”Please introduce yourselves from oldest too younger.”
The short grizzled man said
”I am Boris they call me Prasinoktono I am pretty vood at kill voblins.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”You definitely look the part. I hope you are ready to exterminate some goblins. I am planning to have you create a squad and start hunting them.”