William thought about the extent that Milla would be able to help. It seemed that she was the one who handled all the civic duties, so the requests that William’s party made should be feasible enough.
“Okay, Let’s start with my favor from you, Milla. I would like to request that a road big enough for carriages to traverse be set up between our two settlements. It doesn’t matter the material being wood, mud, or stone, so long as its a functional road that can facilitate trade and transport. Do you have trade deals with other settlements?” William said, hoping that Everglade did in fact trade with others.
“We do indeed trade with others. Roads would be useful for those agreements, but alas, the distance between those settlements is multiple tens of miles. We do know ways to build roads from condensed mud that is easily enchanted to not wear down from typical use, but the distances being so vast, make the endeavor fraught with dangers for those building the roads,” Milla replied, tilting her head slightly, visibly curious at how William would respond.
“I thought as much-” William said, lying slightly, but he continued, “- Greenwell isn’t too far from here. A couple of days travel at a typical pace and is made mostly of rolling hills that don’t have massive numbers of trees or dense foliage that could be used in ambush. That terrain would make it easier to spot bad parties early and evacuate any builders, and for any groups guarding those builders to retreat or take action, depending on the circumstances. What I’m thinking is that once we at Greenwell have a production plan and financial services in place, other settlements could access us faster than the typical means by passing through here. This should increase revenue from visitors overnighting or exploring the town until they leave for Greenwell.”
Milla smiled, and leaned back in her chair, stretching slightly and assessing William in silence, her eyes making it clear that she was impressed and interested.
It wasn’t long before she spoke again, tapping a couple fingers rhythmically against the table top.
“Your plan is decent. Roads would be a significant boon, and I could see a use for your services or others from your settlement to act as guards if we ever need to make more roads to other settlements. Gold would be involved of course. I’d be more than happy to work out a strategy to fulfil your request.”
William nodded at the women, scratching at the stubble on his face that had started to grow in a full coverage recently, before he replied, “That’s great to hear, though I’m curious. Why don’t you have your guards protect the builders and build connecting roads? Can the other settlements not provide people of their own to help protect the endeavor closer to their lands?”
Milla chuckled and shrugged as if the answer to why was the clearest thing in the world.
“Denlar could explain it more, but to summarize, we can’t afford to cut our defense forces anywhere to reassign to such an endeavor. As for the other settlements, Haven would consider the prospect, but only within their lands. They wouldn’t send anyone in their forces out beyond to protect another settlement. They would be more likely to hire some local adventurers, but the ones at Haven are typically not AU members in any way, and that is deliberate. Less legal and moral restrictions are in place without such a membership, which they except as a good trade for no access to AU services and protections. I wouldn’t trust that ilk at all. So to shorten the explanation down further, we don’t have the manpower to endorse such endeavors at present. Can I expect that Greenwell will help in protecting the construction effort when we undertake it?”
William nodded at Milla’s request. It was in essence protecting one’s investments, so it wouldn’t be an issue and he would even be willing to participate. Maybe he could drag a couple of other people from Greenwell out to get more experience while his party look after things in Greenwell. He was on the fence at the idea however, wondering how his anxiety would hold up not being with people he had grown close too. Then again, he had grown to care about the people of Greenwell as a whole. The settlement was theirs and a mark that they had left in the world that they now called home.
Milla spoke once more as she cleared her throat again and said, “That’s one request fulfilled, who’s next?”
William sat back down and stroked Stacey’s hand as she grabbed his. The pair watched as Jane looked between them and John, and after a moment got to her feet, making her request.
“We would like a city planner to attend Greenwell and assist us in drafting up building efforts, along with facilitating the aid or at worst, the hiring of builders to assist our own in training and aiding the construction efforts. Someone with more overall knowledge of the region would be a much more valuable asset to us. We would also like the services or education of a practiced blacksmith to teach some others among our people.”
William was impressed at his sister’s proposition. Her diction was clear and as she exuded confidence. William envied her then, hating his own anxieties and looking forward to growing in level so he could carry on progressing his Charisma growth. It was already allowing him to function better in GAEA, and who knew what higher stats in the attribute would hold?
“We don’t have any current changes to make beyond possibly building a new road-” Milla said, glancing at William before she continued, “-as such, it shouldn’t be hard to get one of the two city planners on board to aid you. As for the builders, it’s very much the same circumstance, so we can find a couple of the more seasoned individuals for the work, including a decent blacksmith.”
Jane gave her thanks then sat down, nudging John with her shoulder as she did.
John stood up and cleared his throat before he said, “We’d like some stronger material than the standard wood we use for our construction efforts if possible. The bandit attack demonstrated that the wood we have isn’t enough to handle the abilities of aggressors that wield fire magic and fire arrows. Do you have anything in mind? I’d love to have stone, but from what I’ve seen here, I’m guessing you use some different wood instead?”
Milla and Wylton shared a look, but Milla seemed to relax from her tight posture somewhat as Wylton nodded.
Milla focused on John and replied, “We have a specially treated wood that is resistant to all four elements. It is the wood we use in construction of our buildings. It’s an advanced Enchanter skill that doesn’t require etching to imbue magical properties. I don’t have much of an understanding of the skill or class as a whole whoever, so my knowledge is limited. I know that we can provide you with the finished result though. We would also be happy to pay for any lumber that you are able to transport here from your own logging efforts. It will free up some workers for other tasks here and create a form of trade. We will give fifty silver per log, though I would advise not putting more than four on a Rellzin carriage. The risk of injuring the beasts is greater if you overload the carriages. The wood will still be susceptible to physical damage like cutting and smashing, but is slightly sturdier than plain old wood.”
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John smiled and gave a thumbs up to Jane who smiled slightly, but rolled her eyes any way, eliciting chuckles from those present. Maya had a small smile but was still subdued. William knew that she had to get through the stuff in her head and thankfully, they wouldn’t be here much longer. He liked it in Everglade, but was eager to get back to Greenwell. The sooner things there were sorted and able to function without much management or aid on his part, the sooner he and friends could go and explore new places. He was eager to get his level higher. High enough that if Stonegate or the more imminent pain of Fort boulder became a threat, he could cause some decent amount of destruction as a dissuader to them. He managed to bring his attention back to the room shortly after that, thankful that on this occasion he was able to catch himself in his drifting thoughts. He really needed to get to his training, but that would have to wait for now.
John took a seat as the three councilors turned their gazes to Stacey. William patted her hand supportively, then let go so she could stand up.
“For my request of you, Councilor Milla, I would like to request the tools and supplies that would be used with the goods and agreements we have just made, along with any potential training on how to use such tools if they require the learning,” Stacey said, looking at William afterwards with a nervous smile.
William smiled warmly and gave her a nod, making her smile bloom further. Stacey moved her head back to face Milla again, who was in thought, but she managed to straighten those thoughts quickly and spoke once more.
“We had intended to send a small batch of tools and supplies to facilitate such means, but as part of your request, we’ll make sure you have plenty more to meet your needs. It will be enough to allow some scaleability for your operations. The tools required for your tasks are simple and straightforward, but you can consult the members of our populace that will be assisting in getting Greenwell set up. Is that agreeable?” Maya said, her body language confident that everything would be accepted, and sure enough, Stacey agreed and gave her thanks.
William was considering what they could get from Denlar at present as he was in charge of the guard service and security mainly. Maybe some weapons? They had discussed what they needed for Greenwell and it seemed that Wylton and Milla’s favors would fill those needs, meaning four other favors were left to get from Denlar. A few caches of weapons would be helpful and also make good templates or examples if they were going to train some blacksmiths.
William stood again and said, “Denlar, for my favor from you, I would like a few caches of weapons if you have any spare?”
Denlar let out a chuckle and he replied, “our security concerns are in regards to personnel rather than weaponry. We have plenty. I’ll give you ten crates. They will have swords, daggers, spears, bows, arrows, maces, and halberds for your people to use.”
William couldn’t have asked for better and gave his thanks.
William turned to look at his companions and said, “Any other things come to mind for your favors?”
He hoped they had something to request, though if not, maybe they could let Denlar owe them the favors that they don’t use.
Jane got to her feet and William sat back down, scratching Echo behind the ears, making the little guy let out a few quiet squeaks.
“For my favor, can I request copies of any training materials you have? Things like fighting techniques or coordination and the like? If you have those of course,” Jane said, looking earnestly at Denlar.
Denlar leaned back in his chair, hand on a freshly shaven chin and retreated into thought. Around a minute passed and Denlar spoke again, “We don’t have manuals on those things as our senior guards train new recruits. I can talk with them and have some documents drafted on the fighting techniques our troop use. It will take some time as I’ll need to get a talented scribe to draw the particular stances and other diagrams of formations and such. I can’t give you a specific time, but once done, I’ll have the contents ready for the next carriage towards Greenwell. The road should be completed by the time the documents are done. Is that okay?”
Jane gave him a smile and said, “That’s excellent. It’ll help us greatly, Councilor Denlar. Do you also have any training or notes of medicine and making it? I’m a Medic, but only have my skills and the basic triage I’ve picked up helping out here. I’d like to learn about potion craft or herbal medicines for example. If you have any information on the anatomy of people, that would also be helpful. I know that I don’t have another favor, but I do have an amazing boyfriend,” Jane said, giving a honey-sweet smile towards John.
John glanced toward William, unsure, but William just shrugged. It was John’s favor to do with it what he would. It would help them as Jane was the healer and if she got the knowledge and documentation, could educate others or help them gain more understanding in their class.
John nodded to Jane and said, “I didn’t have anything specific in mine so treat Jane’s request as my favor.”
Jane leaned down and gave him several kisses before realizing where she was and sheepishly got back to her standing position, slightly more pink in her complexion than before.
An amused Denlar nodded and looked to Stacey as he said, “And from you, Stacey? Anything in particular for your favor?”
Stacey smiled wide, as if she had noticed something that the others hadn’t. “You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.” William mentally joked, but watched with genuine interest.
Stacey stood up with the same grin and replied, “Since the others haven’t suggested it, I will. Can we get a supply of armor please? Say, twenty of metal or the type that fighters would do best wearing, and another twenty leather sets? This will give our residents the option to choose an armor type that will fit best with their preferred class, whether that’s primary or secondary class.”
Denlar clapped his hands as if she had won the grand prize and William couldn’t disagree. He hadn’t expected her to think that deeply into what he had once told her about the typical types of armor different classes would use. He truly didn’t deserve her. She was simply amazing.
Denlar’s voice cut his clapping as he said, “I was waiting for one of you to suggest armor to go with the arms requested. I’m impressed that it was you Stacey, I mean no offence of course. It isn’t something that mages would often focus on as they would typically wear some type of magical robes or other magical clothing. I’m happy to provide the requested armor. I had more than twenty of each prepared and put aside in anticipation of the request, which would have been rather awkward if none of you thought to ask. I’ll get my staff to reduce the cache to twenty of each type for you and they can go into the carriage that will bear your cache of weapons.”
The meeting didn’t continue for much longer after more rounds of gratitude from all parties. Maya was still silent, but had released some unseen tension once the meeting concluded.
William would talk to her later on. Denlar approached William and shook his hand.
Denlar’s grip was not as firm as William had expected for the person in charge of security, but that was probably bureaucracy being the cause.
“I’ll show you to the Rellzin paddock and familiarize you with the creatures,” Denlar said, gesturing to the exit and taking the lead.
William was excited. He had heard the description of them and was picturing large Komodo Dragon looking creatures with six legs. It was time to enjoy some adventuring excitement.