24 Bubbling troubles and unexpected solutions. (1/2)
The rest of the week went by rather quickly. After all, managing and sorting all the new arrivals was a rather hard job. The day the next batch of refugees arrived Karlos requested entrance. Galahad quickly granted him entrance to the great hall.
Karlos then bowed and said.
”Sire, someone referring to themselves by the title Magos and the name Erfiadis has come here looking for an audience.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”Allow him entrance. I am curious why is here.”
Soon after Magos Erfiadis scurried in and bowed deeply. he took down his hood revealing his face for the first time. He looked rather unimpressive his face was rather thin and pale with even his eyes being small, dark and sunken in his face adorned with large black circles. Even his poor hairline was rapidly receding hairline. After standing up he said.
”Greetings Sir Galahad I have come over to your warm home asking for work and a place to stay.”
Galahad looked thoughtful for a second before looking towards Karlos and asking.
”Karlos what happens when a Magos loses his position below his lord?”
Karlos responded after a mere moment of contemplation.
”Well, it depends on their skill set but generally they are recalled to Mertinia. After returning there they reassessed and send to a different settlement depending on their current skill set or they are kept in Mertinia as administrators if they are senior and capable enough.”
Galahad then looked back at Erfiadis and asked.
”I assume that Emanuel purged you. So why should I allow you to stay here and get embroiled into direct conflict with him? Additionally, why didn't you return back to Mertinia? I am sure you are both old enough and capable enough to get a position in a fief larger than a Baronetcy.”
Erfiadis nodded and responded.
”Sir Galahad is indeed wise beyond his years, the reason I decided to remain is to offer my services to an exceptional individual such as yourself.”
Galahad narrowed his eyes and responded.
”We both know that this is empty flattery. You have one more chance, to be honest with me before I order two guards to come and act as a friendly escort back to Gragon to whatever fate Emanuel is planning for you.”
Erfiadis sighed deeply and responded.
”Alright alright, I shall be honest with your Lordship. You see Sir Galahad, I have already created a series of connections in the last decade on the frontier. Connections which will not be especially useful if I am relocated to a town near Mers for example.”
Galahad nodded and responded.
”That is indeed true but on the other hand in this deal, I need to get something. I don't need a steward I have one the same applies for a diplomat. What is my gain by getting you under my employment?”
Erfiadis responded simply.
”The aforementioned connections and my advisory abilities.”
Galahad shook his head and responded.
”I don't trust you enough to make use of your connections and I don't how valuable they are. As for advising the previous issue rise up. Additionally, I am already well advised. I need something concrete that will make this worthwhile.”
Erfiadis shook his head and responded.
”I have nothing else that can be of use.”
Galahad nodded and responded.
”Then I am sorry but I need to decline your offer. Karlos please escort Magos Erfiadis out.”
Karlos nodded and quickly both Karlos and Erfiadis had left the hall.
After about half an hour Karlos returned.
Galahad then asked.
”Do you think my decision was correct?”
Karlos thought for a moment before responding.
”In one hand he was a liability but on the other hand, he had significant connections and owns a percentage of the trade post. In short, he would be useful to have under your employ but also a hidden dagger in our midst.”
Galahad nodded and responded.
”Indeed I think the same thing and this time I decided to be cautious. Especially now that I would be away for such a long time a man like him would be too much of a risk.”
Karlos nodded.
Galahad then looked back at him and asked.
”So how many refugees this time?”
Karlos made an akward smile and responded.
”Another hundred.”
Galahad sighed and said.
”This is getting out of hand. Any ideas?”
Karlos nodded and said.
”Well, sire the bad news is that if the numbers continue like that with the batch of the next week our wheat supply will only last for ten months. While our Ale supply for five. At this point, our population has a lot of women and children and much fewer men. In two months time, we will have even less.”
Galahad sighed and asked.
”Is the copper tank ready?”
Karlos nodded and said.
”It is Sire, Nicolas and George will start the enchanting process tomorrow.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”Good, When they are finished, We will have the two priests do a ceremony wishing for healthy water. I will also have the first drink. On the other hand, we will need more farmland and my fief is reaching it is limits soon the forest around it will technically belong to the crown. Which means I will need to purchase more land.”
Karlos nodded and said
”Sire if you will. Why don't you make Galahads tower the center of a village? You can make your first knight that way. It is an easy solution.”
Galahad nodded and responded.
”While this could be a solution we need someone to become a knight. Honestly, I can't think of anyone Boris and Martin are needed. George is technically a criminal. All the other major figures here are either criminals or workmen. And I require Theodore to be by my side and the same applies to you Karlos. Nickolas would be the easy solution but Nickolas can't be knighted. Because he has honorable deeds under his name. Only the king could do such a thing. Who then ?”
Karlos thought for a moment and responded.
”I do actually have someone in mind. The most capable member of your entourage. When it comes to forests. Mister Ludwig.”
Galahad thought for a while and said.
”Hm yeah, Ludwig could do he can technically have a heroic deed in the shape of the battle for Highkeep and is physically fit. But he would never wear armor and go into battle on horseback.”
Karlos nodded and said.
”The fact that this region is so far away from conflict must have helped you create this false image of knights. Not all knights are front line fighter. While yes it is true most of them are especially those from knightly families. But occasionally gifted commoners get knighted and some are raised from the ranks of bowmen. As such most of them continue to use the weapon which they are skilled in using.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”I understand your point. But that means that I can't take him with me. On the trip”
Karlos nodded and said.
”This is indeed unfortunate but he could perhaps suggest another skilled hunter that could come with you. Maybe one of the Exoristoi? I mean from what I have heard you still haven't picked your bodyguards.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”Hmm, indeed this could be a good idea. I will probably end up picking the scout and one of the guards. It is about time. Then it is decided, summon Ludwig we will need to talk about his ascension to knighthood.”
After about half an hour Ludwig reached the great hall.
He entered the hall and bowed deeply.
Galahad motioned for him to stand back up
Ludwig stood back up and said.
”Greetings, Sire I would like to ask why did you call for me. Is it perhaps to report the current sightings in the forest?”
Galahad thought for a moment and responded.
”Yes, indeed please report anything of importance ”
Ludwig nodded and said.
”In terms of hunting grounds, we need to always move outwards. Since the forest is shrinking so fast. Thanks to the quick expansion of the settlement. But at least the forest has come to relative stability after the migration but as it is not hunting season yet we don't need to worry about prey. So we are mostly acting as scouts and vermin killers thus far. No major goblin activity has been sighted but there are some strugglers here and there.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”I see well done. Now I would like to ask you about any capable scouts besides yourself of course preferably an Exoristo or Exoristi?”
Ludwig thought for a while and said.
”Talenia Dentrathil she is one of our best hunters and scouts. For her, the forest is her second home. The only things she is lacking is a true killer instinct and truly great bow skills. But when it comes to tracking and scouting in rough terrain she is the best she is the elfkin after all.”
Galahad nodded and said with a hint of skepticism.
”But she is a woman even if she is an elfkin and as we all know a woman's place is not the frontline.”
Ludwig shrugged and responded.
”There is plenty of capable scouts Sire but none is as good as her. Additionally, a scout like her isn't normally in the frontline.”
Galahad sighed and said.