by Marcus Sloss
Training had started with the basics an individual foot soldier needed to know. Techniques for sword and shield had been the focus the entire time. There were no other weapons allowed on the field. I mentioned my greataxe once and it rejected soundly. The rational precise. We had to fight as a unit. No more random heroics, which was why we trained together for hours in the morning. We went over stances and balance at the beginning of every training session and today was no different. Stand on a log with one leg for five minutes while Baldwic would meander through the students with a stick. Fast slashes were countered with wooden short sword, shield, and on occasion completely dodged. If you did not manage to evade the painful stick it would mean a visit to the healer later. This section of the training was painful but required lots of focus. The class consisted of thirty mercenaries, mages, and villagers wanting the experience. I used the five minutes of balance to reflect on my combat changes.
The two teams of Nate and Una had shifted into one. The main team always had a few backups ready to go but for the main part, the roster was locked in. The dozen consisted of me, Nate, Lazra, Brad, Brad, Donnie, and Markus. We were the melee fighters. The mages consisted of Fwar was our healer, Victor our fire mage, Tammy our air mage, Winst our earth mage, and Janice our water mage. When we called out across the Empire for students and teachers to join our new academy the response was massive. It had to be explained to me then. Mages generally were more financially stable than regular humans. They also were more desired. As humanity retreated during the losing war into the sectioned off safe zones. It was evident that mages escaped death at a higher rate. Hence every city having more mages than ever before. Which changed a lot of factors for our species on Vin as a whole. The end result for me in Fernlan was our secondary mages academy to Deltan was a major success. I decided to immediately fill a mage for each slot into my rotation, and combat healers were finally here. There were a few I wanted to take on that waited in backup now. The issue was Fwar was recommended by King Horus and he stressed I utilize the man in my team. I acquiesced his request and now had a complete team.
We swapped to shield wall formation next. It consisted of Baldwic screaming at us to move as one. Every command he gave was standard English to start, eventually, we would swap to code words. The basics were the focus for now. The entire time he yelled he poked holes into our formation. If he saw an opening he would slam into the wall to break it. You may think standing in a line holding up a shield easy work, but it was not. Especially when we had to turn, split, or turtle. Repetition was the key. The mages complained a lot less than I thought they would. I was expecting them to be more about standing in the back and letting us protect them. Then again my battles were taught now in nightly lessons among many others from Horde experience. It made sense for them to not be like a troll. If closed in on they could kill with a lethality still. It made me proud of them and the entire team.
As one we shifted formations for a half hour, we were constantly on the move. Next was advance and retreat with timed thrusts. The goal was simple. Move the formation while inflicting damage. All my fights so far had been melee scrums minus the cavalry charge. Even that wasn’t a proper formation. It exposed how much luck, strength, and raw talent had gone into our victories. I mention raw talent because my hand eye combined with my purple aura made me near impossible to defeat even with training. After formations, we shifted to one vs one sparring matches in two rows. It normally was a lot of wood smacking shield. Baldwic always teamed up against me.
Today was no different than any other training session, he was going to come at me with a fierceness. I had no problem timing his moves and blocking his attacks. I also had no luck in landing blows on him. We would dance in our limited space desperate to get through the other’s guard. This was the only thing I was ever given praise for. Baldwic would mutter if he was still young he would be fast enough, but the man was viper quick.
It did highlight my consumption of purple aura. I went from not realizing I had super strength, dexterity, and speed to understanding the basics of it. It really was only the tiniest bit that I understood. The concept of pulling from my inner circle came from Krix explaining how to throw a fireball on that plateau in Malvia. For me, I would find my center and shift my aura. I was limited to what I could do without natural instincts. Most of my purple aura was still burned by reacting without calling on my magic. To say this flustered Baldwic would be an understatement, but I was working on mastering my power as much as he was trying to smash me with a stick.
The end of the practice was a single lap around Dais. I was halfway through my lap completely lost in thought about going to Streb today when the ambush was launched into an attack.
The trio of terror leaped to trip me up. Lance went for my legs, Sunny for my body, and Pearl for where I would have to dodge to. I was jolted to the ground in a tumble. Within moments I was pounced on.
“Food!” “Food!” “Food!” “Food!” “Food!” “Food!” The raining demands continued.
And so it went for the next five minutes. I left my lap to finish itself and raced for the base of Zenith. There was a supply of salted fish and Horde meat I was desperate to reach. As I got close I saw Lirkon and Lydia pretending they were studying a very interesting wall. They had stopped apologizing days ago, mainly because there was no point. The children were not pets, they were tiny griffins and there would be no tying them down.
When I slowed to jimmy the bar off the storage door… That yes was there because the crafty toddlers figured out how to open the door… the three piled up behind me. This was when the insistent nagging slowed and then died off in silence. I exhaled a phew sound as I reached into the door that was barely pried open. The storage room was decreasing in supplies and that was not good. I snatched one fish out for each of the trio.
“Wait...” I commanded. I had to be careful here. On one hand, I needed to be in charge while on the other momma and daddy did not want their children treated similarly as a pet wolf. I tossed the fish at Lydia and Larkin's feet and bolted. I raced for the showers in the market district. Hopeful the three needling babies were not my problem now.
A quick shower later under warm water felt so good. I cleaned off the sweat from earlier and went to a storage container I had claimed. A fresh set of clothes waited for me. That was one bonus of time proceeding here in Fernlan. I had gone over flushing toilets, but the mages said there was no need with the way the toilet house was arranged. It was nightly flushed clean and the smell never got too bad with the current system. I went and did my morning bowel and left the bath and toilet house feeling great.
I was constantly on the lookout for the damn triplets when I made it safely to the communal dining hall we had designated for group eating. The building was a few hundred feet deep and a hundred feet wide. Large table rows were lined up to allow lots of seating. There was no special table for me or an elevated platform for me to eat on. I went into a line like everyone else, got a plate of smelon, rice, fish, and an apple for lunch. It looked delicious and I would probably be getting seconds. And by getting seconds I meant definitely as a cook always delivered a second tray to me. That was about as special as I got in this place. I got a second meal like clockwork.
The tables were a mixture of full and empty with people congregating based on a few things. My team of twelve was seated already with eight present. I set my tray on the table and plopped down beside Nate.
“We saw the triplets nail you again. Those griffins are scary even when they are so tiny.” Nate said this between a few bites. “Tammy was mentioning you may be finally adding a fourth wife.”
Seven hells, of course, it would get around fast. I looked over at the blonde woman who had molded into our team smoothly. She had a hard working demeanor and I never found much to criticize her on. Until now, but no I was not actually upset.
“Addilyn is a great catch. I think it is silly widows are looked down upon. They are all women, it was archaic to lose your virginity
to your husband on my homeworld… Why are we talking about my love life? I heard you were interested in a certain healer I have in my employ. See, who is blushing now,” I chuckled.
“Jak is young, and soon to be married. There is a desire there for me though. Enough talk of love…” Tammy said with a waving of her finger. “Now that King Horus is gone… tell me we will finally get to fight. I heard healer Fwar is here and from what I know of you, we will be launching an offensive soon.”
“Today. In fact, as soon as this meal is completed inform the rest of the team we are headed for Streb. When I go to gear up I will have a scout sent in advance. Pack light but sufficiently. Standard battle gear.” I said between shovels of food into my mouth. My second plate arrived just in time. Perfect. “Even if nothing presents itself to kill we will go harvest some past ripe melons.”
“Cart?” Nate asked and I nodded while I ate.
“Maybe some baskets for the cart if that is our primary, can always leave them at Streb if scouts find something.” Donnie gave a decent input.
“Anyone got anything else besides standard gear?” I asked and we tossed around some ideas, but wound up settling on a four wheeled cart and baskets. I volunteered to be the mule for the way home. Streb was lacking most things including mules or horses.
I had yet to visit the outpost ever, only flown over it. My reports from the clearing crews that Duke Riza sent was that it was a lot like Xiq right now. A clean slate waiting for winter. I did know he shifted half the wolf population up there for release. How many remained or what they were up to now was an unknown. I did know that to the east of Streb that massive caravan still poured south even three weeks later. My last report was the slow goblins with supplies were forgotten in the back. It got my hopes up for fight and supply snatch.
We finished eating and I went up to the Inn. Bella, Velia, Pipi, and Addilyn were in my room when I entered. My combat armor was laid out ready to be equipped. My short sword and shield cleaned without gleam. Dual crossbows hung from my hips and my small javelins were set out. My backpack stuffed to the brim. It looks like my ladies knew I was off to war and were helping me with a primary issue I had. A lack of proper equipment and planning. Velia stepped forward with armored pants.
“We want you to inspect it all before you go. Addilyn sent her sisters away this morning while you were training. Long ago I knew our family would grow and we approve.” Velia paused her speech as poor Bella reached for a bucket and heaved. It was gross and the small room instantly stank. I proceeded to dress while she continued. “It will alter the dynamic of the family. I was wondering if I could manage Streb while Addilyn continues to administer Fernlan and Dais with Bella. The work here has been going so smoothly that I find myself in the fields instead of the books. I am sure that will change when our bellies swell and young ones begin racing around. For now though, I would like to turn Streb into a bison farm.”
I went to interrupt when I Bella gave me a head shake from above her bucket. I needed to listen. The display was clear and I kept my mouth shut as I inspected the backpack: daggers, a hand saw, a torch, rope, thinner string, a small shovel, preserved food, flint, water, and more.
“My plan is to buy calves from around the Empire. Not many for sale right now but there are enough to start a small herd which is the most that can sustain Streb anyway. There is an excess of males for sale at this age as they take more fed to mature and don’t produce milk. We buy an equal number and let them eat the rye. I did some research on grass. Rye is our best grass for the current season and I suggest you utilize it this winter in all three of your villages my lord. We normally fallow the fields here in Fernlan for winter but we have an excess of manure at our disposal with the griffins. Calia mentioned they were already fertilizing the fields since the harvest came in.” Velia said with a pause as she saw me recognize what that smell was earlier. “Yes, very gross work. I would give Calia a raise if we were flush with money. I spent some of our money on a few large sacks of the seed. It was not terribly expensive and we will grow the grass to a height of seeding hopefully. That is the plan anyway, to become an exporter of the seeds and utilize the stalks for feed. Which we are well off but not spilling excess coin. I will let Bella get into finances after my plan comes to completion.
“Grow rye in the winter, it will do best in a bad situation. This far south we will get three to four months of solid snow so it will still be a hard winter. If we strategically place lava stones we can keep the snow off though. It will be a learning winter for sure. The King said you had access to two other combat teams. Every day you go out I suggest sending them out on the outskirts of the other villages. Fell trees for more mushroom planks, and the underbrush for nests or bison feed. Keep pushing back the wild lands around Fernlan, Xiq, and Streb. You should wall all your villages to prevent any children from throwing rocks at potential foes and to keep your livestock from roaming.”
It was at this point I was able to slow her down. I knew this was probably weeks of planning being laid at me in one go. I was proud of my wives all the ideas were solid. I grabbed my upper armor piece from her and slid it over my head with arms up.
Velia checked on Bella who was still struggling over her bucket and then continued. “We can add your rats to all three villages. I had to admit it, but when I was starving I ate a rat. We all did. I told the girls already to avoid the gasp of shock. The reality is starvation brings out a different form of human, boy or girl, man or woman. I ate rat and it was filling and I slept well that night and every night after knowing I did so to survive. So that is the summary of my plan. Ryegrass in every field we can, planted before the snows. Then utilize three teams to increase wood, brush, and grass harvesting. Finally to turn Streb into a bison farm with calves. The primary focus is to grow them to breeding age. Then milk and food. Worst case we are buying an emergency surplus of protein. Bella is going to take over…”
Velia turned to Bella who handed off the paperwork she had in her hands to Addilyn. Velia nodded at her and swapped places so Addilyn was in front of me. Poor Bella looked miserable.
“The market for torches was in great demand for a while. My father buying most of your excess in a bulk order. The value has gone down with oversupply empire wide. Not that many underground cities in production yet. There is good news though. The lava rock’s slow production but vital warmth keep them in great demand. Everyone is bracing for winter, and the rumor is flying around the Empire that warm balls of magic may be coming to a market soon. You need to promote Baron Strin to a Count, and he submitted a request to increase production for winter. Mages are immigrating to Malvia for the extra work. The to be approved paperwork is on the board. Pipi can you grab it for our lord,” Addilyn said and Pipi walked to retrieve my paperwork. We waited for her while Velia patted Bella’s back. When Pipi returned the documents were set on the table and I signed them. Hurrah, Baron Strin was now a Count and fifty more gold was invested to increase the production of the vital heat balls.
“Your coffers have seen a boost from your diligent efforts, but your expenditures have been drastic. The imported fish that used to be paid for by the Emperor. Well, now it has fallen to you and King Horus. You were in that meeting, my understanding is a transportation tax is being applied to goods shipped via griffin. Simply put, the griffins and King Horus are asking for taxes no longer going to Deltan to shift to purchasing fish. So far it has mostly been your burden. The ogres right outside of Fernlan and the dead settlement from Malvia helped, but you’re spending more than you’re making at this point. It was not too big of a deal when you were killing stuff daily. My recommendations.
“Time to close out some workers contracts. You extended a few far too long at excellent rates to them. I understand there may be times where the excess personnel are warranted, but for the most part, the hard work here is done. Every day I see idle workers waiting for tasks. It is not their fault, but more of a circumstantial effect. You had to offer them nice deals to get them here,
but now that things have stabilized it is time to fix the outflow of coins. The best bet is to offer them a buyout or a reduced extension. Next, take off your open purchase offer. You are sweet Gryff and for the villagers of Fernlan more than a simple Knight. Yet as this place grows people are buying wants disguised as needs. Like end tables, and couches. I would reword the offer for essentials, like clothing for work, and reduce the furniture to beds only. What else did I notice?
“Oh… The horses, so I know it is not popular, but you got twelve too many here. Move a dozen to Xiq. You should do that before traveling to Streb honestly. I don’t think you can though… the reports I have been reading from father’s captains say Fernlan’s exterior is swarming still. Lastly the mage academy, you have yet to set a price for attendance. Master Mage Lamont has not set tuition because he wants you to set the rate. This means the students not only are being accepted in mass but for free. I ran the numbers, even with the extra ogre hearts being auctioned you will run out of funds by mid-winter assuming you change nothing. I recommend five gold, while Master Mage Lamont says ten gold per year per student. If a student is not from a wealthy family then do a long term loan, but there needs to be a cost for coming to learn here. If you add the tuition then the accounts will balance, until the teachers and instructors demand wage increases. Did you know the Deltan Academy rate is fifty gold per student per year? Think about that Gryff. Most will pay the drastically smaller fee with family funds. Mages are great earners and easy to get repaid by. Which adds into you offering student loans. They have never been offered by Deltan. Back when Emperor Igrad ruled before the war it was a common practice. The recurring income will help balance the treasury over the long term.”
Addilyn paused and bit her lip. She seemed hesitant to keep going. “Why the month wait my lord. Pipi and Bella have come to an understanding. Pipi said if spring arrives and we are still thriving then she will start on children. This is a great compromise and has bridged the division. My sisters are gone and as you can clearly see you could use my help. Bella was schooled in how to manage some household aspects but I have experience working for my father and as a widow of an estate.”