97 A new beginning (1/2)

Stood by the window in the luxurious inn and staring out over the capital on a clear cloudless day with a sky as blue as an ocean.

Hartely could see his faint reflection in the clear glass superimposed over the vast stretches of land and multitudes of buildings that looked golden under the bombardment of the relentless summer sunshine, from where he stood, everything seem to be within his reach.

It felt like all he had to do was reach out and grab it.

After his unorthodox proposal to Zhi Ruo, he was now thinking of where to start building his power, a power that would disregard petty politics and leave a legacy that would not be forgotten for centuries.

”What are you looking at?”

Zhi Ruo's distant voice awoke him from his reverie, soon the beauty wearing a long red dress glided over and her faint reflection appeared in the glass next to Hartley's, without saying a word Hartley watched as their reflections standing shoulder to shoulder in the spotless glasswere superimposed over the capital like deities looking down at their dominion.

Zhi Ruo lingered by his side as she too stared at the breathtaking view,she quietly stood stock-still next to her fiancee with a feeling that no words were necessary.

”Just thinking.”

Hartley replied after a while, then turned and planted a kiss on the forehead of the first lady of ”House Hartley.”

It had been two weeks since the night of the banquet and most of the furore had died down, Hartley was now looking forward to setting down roots in the capital and begin his new journey.

Commander Genk had come to see Hartley a week after the banquet, with a bright smile, the scruffy haired and broad chested man had broughta dozen bottles of wine and a letter from the prince, the letter had stated the prince's intention to grant Hartely a hereditary fiefin the western part of the capital.

Commander Genk had almost force-fed the cheap wine to Hartley in celebration, the man was so happy, it was like he was the one being granted a fief.

Hartley could also tell that the commander had more to do with this decision than the man was willing to confess...

After spending a limited amount of time with the commander, Hartley had figured out that the man truly cherished fighting strength and detested politics, even though he wasn't stupid, Hartley had an inkling that the commander was a brawn over brain type.

The land was granted to Hartley on the condition of him swearing fealty to Prince Jian and his fief was to be considered a reward for services already rendered, the letter also included the promise of a recall for Viscount Sanzu back to the capital.

Hartley gave no objections to this news but he wasn't jumping for joy either.... he was supposed to be one of Viscounts Sanzu distant relatives after all. All he could think, was that the sly bastard had actually achieved what he set out to do.

All Hartley had to do was put his mark on the letter and it would be official.

The decision of swearing fealty to the prince as a vassal or buying a medium manor and building his forces from scratch was weighing heavy on his mind, the truth was, Hartley didn't know the first thing about administrative work or training troops, he had only concentrated on fighting his own battles and enhancing his own strength. Both situations had their pros and cons but what Hartley needed was time, so he had decided....

Hartley stood looking over the humble manor, by his side was Zhi Ruo and Qin Li, they too stood with amazed faces as they looked at the rundown manor as if it was some kind of treasure.

”What do yo think?” asked Commander Genk who stood to the side with a small troop of men twenty meters at his back.