King Leonard Asput the Third, two weeks earlier

I sat in my chair, looking out over the courtyard in astonishment. "This is quite impressive, Count Vaspar. You have changed everything. In an open battlefield, your cavalry could do massive amounts of damage. I wish we had had these stirrups two years ago. Unfortunately, the enemies are now holed up in their cities," I said.

"This is why we will retreat, draw them out, and use the calvary to quickly strike their rear. While they are confused, we will charge our armies from the front. If we can disrupt their archers and create confusion in the rear, we will be able to break their line." Vaspar explained.

I wish I had a military mind. Were we missing something, or was it that simple? Of course, it wasn't that simple. It was never simple.

"I am also impressed with the quantity of men you have trained. You have exceeded the amount requested."

"This, again, is due to the stirrup. We are able to train a man to ride a horse in a quarter of the time it takes to do so without them."

"You also say that the new baron of Bicman developed the new shoe and harness?"

"And the new leaf springs. We have put them on wagons, and not only are they more comfortable, but the amount of stress put on the axles has decreased. We have noticed a difference in the amount of maintenance required to carry loads. That, along with the collar, will allow our supply lines to be much more effective."

"First the pen and now all this. I should relieve him of the burden of being a baron and bring him here. He would be much more valuable as a scholar or advisor than a baron."

"If you will forgive my boldness, may I speak freely?"

"Please do so."

"I think he may be safer where he is. Bringing him here may put a target on his back for our enemies. Also, he is not suitable for the court at this time. He would get crushed in court. He does not have the background to survive here. His level of etiquette will also get him ostracized. He does have the steward of Kimton's son as his steward now, so that should help, but I need to do some further evaluations of him to determine his readiness."

"Perfect, his steward's father is a good agent, and I would imagine his son will lead Bicman in the right direction. So, how do I reward the young man without marking him as a person of interest? Do you think a second wife would draw too much attention?" I asked.

This caused Vaspar to give one of his rare smiles. "He has no wife, and neither is he engaged. I don't know if now is the time for him to receive the privilege of having a second one."

"Nonsense, you have the option of three wives for your service, yet you only have one. It will just be a sign of prestige if he ever decides to take a second one. Besides, a talented young man such as him should have as many heirs as he can."

"I did have a thought. While he was here last, he purchased the debts of a lot of commoners. And he also bought mules. If I remember well, my son said that he was disappointed in the amount he could afford. We could provide him with more people from around the country who are not fit for military service but are still well enough to work. We could provide enough food to help feed them for a year."

"Good idea. It will alleviate the burden put on the cities that have to deal with refugees and the poor, as well as allow us to place spies."

"Yes, I will be interested to see how he deals with the spies."

"It will be a good test of his abilities."

Amos

"What are those posts with numbers we keep seeing?" Ashlyn asked while pointing to a kilometer marker.

Half of the roads down to the bridge had been widened and smoothed. As we were straightening the road, we were putting up the posts. The Tine Family had joined me in my carriage since the ride was so much smoother with my leaf springs. It was also a decent company. Baron and Lady Tine were reading some novellas I had written, and Ashlyn was looking out the window while holding a sleeping Aaron.

Klint really liked the "Harvey Boys" series. Two sons of a nobleman who uncovered plots against their family and their local knights. Maria enjoyed some adaptations of romantic comedies I had been forced to watch when it was Mom and my sister's turn to pick movies for movie night.

"Those are what we call kilometer markers. It shows the distance from Bicman to the bridge. We are guessing that there should be about 60 Markers by the time the road is done."

"That is the new measurement system you are using, right?"

"Correct."

"Are you planning to try and persuade the whole kingdom to use such a method when one has already been established?" Lord Tine said doubtfully.

I chuckled, "No, that would be too much trouble. If it becomes popular because it is easier for tradesmen and merchants to use, then it will eventually spread. If not, then we will just be using it in Bicman. Part of the training my people go through is how to quickly convert between the two."

The baron tried to hide a look of disapproval from showing on his face. We had had a few discussions on the matter, and he was strongly opposed to educating peasants. He believed that educating peasants would cause them to think they were equal to the nobility. I didn't bother telling him that is how I hoped my peasants would feel. I believed that a person's work performance was directly tied to their self-worth. And I had already seen that effect in my barony.

Our travel down to Vaspar was pleasant, especially since the two barons south of me had already left for the festivities. That meant that I did not have to deal with introducing myself to a new baron who could possibly be a stuck-up snob. Apparently, his name was Julius Malcomp. He was the second son of another of the rebel's toadies.

We did stop by each of the manors for a night as well as a few of the villages. We tried to make it to a village every night because I didn't want to camp outside one of the farming hamlets that were dotted along the road south. It seems to make the people nervous.

Oh well, I hoped they got used to it. I would probably be doing this at least once a year. I did give the leaders of each hamlet a gift as we traveled. Most of them could read a few words and knew enough numbers to give a report. I gave each one a pen, but I didn't know if they would use it. It's the thought that counts, I guess.

We arrived at Vaspar after ten days of travel, and Baron Tine brought us to his friend's house. His friend was Lord Minsum, and as Baron Tine stated, he had gone to Kimton for the opening festivities and would not be returning until later in the winter for the ending festivities of the Vaspar winter socials.

The staff at the manor was prepared to receive us, and we were not the only guests. One of Lord Minsom's knights had been given the privilege of staying at the manor, as well as Lord Minsum's brother, who was a landholder in Minium's land. He had two headmen underneath him with enough land to be considered a baronet in his own right. Both of the other nobles were out at the moment with their families. Probably rubbing shoulders with the bigwigs in the community.

The house was not large compared to modern-day homes I would see in many of the wealthy communities. It was two stories and probably 300 square meters of space. The difference between modern homes and these was the size of most rooms. Bedrooms were usually about half the size here, and they would put more than one child in a bed. It helped to conserve heat.

We were given two rooms. One for me, one for my steward. While my other men slept in a barracks.

Fortunately, there would be room enough for me to set up my art supplies in a spare room. I had already sent out letters to those who had been planning to come to Bicman for paintings that I had arrived. By the time I got to the manor, there were already a few letters asking after my health and when they could set an appointment.

In the main sitting room of the house, I set up some paintings I had brought with me. I pretty much turned it into an art gallery to show off my works. I had brought everything from drawings of peaceful forests to modern-day city skylines. I separated the paintings by category. Pictures of modern-day things from Earth I put in the fantasy section.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Why did I draw things from Earth? Because if any of my paintings managed to last a thousand years, people would think I was some sort of genius. Can you imagine the conversation people would have when they suddenly noticed that my paintings had electric lamps plugged into walls? It would be hilarious.

As we dined that evening, Benjamin went on the attack. "My Lord, we have put this conversation off long enough. We must discuss our strategy for finding you the best possible match."

I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat as he stared at me.

"I-I am not ready. Besides, I can't get married until my engagement is broken."

"Although not technically true, we will factor that into our plan." He said in a business-like tone.

"Our plan?"

"Yes, you being currently unavailable makes you all the more attractive a prize. Now, as to the plan. I know you love your barony, and it can be used as a reason for a man to give you his daughter, but it is not currently your best asset. It will not allow you to marry up. In fact, it really doesn't even give you that much of an advantage when marrying the daughter of a baron. But if we stack that with your artistic ability and the ability to create these novels that we have brought, you stand a good chance of making some excellent connections."

I sighed. I felt like a horse being prepped for a sale. Benjamin ignored my sigh and continued.

"This first month, it will be very important to show off your talents, and by the next month, you will have people beating down your door to introduce you to their daughters."

The look in his eyes was manic with glee. I knew this had to be done, but I was going to make sure it didn't happen until I was at least twenty. In the meantime, I would just have to worm my way out of any possible situations where Benjamin tried to get me hitched.

"So for the first month, I can just hole up here and paint right."

Benjamin gave me a flat look. "You will accept every invitation you can for social gatherings. You must get noticed by the nobility. What I am going to push for in my letters is for us to set up your artwork in people's homes so that their guests may admire them."

I wanted to deny that my artwork would make that much of a difference. I would just be lying to myself. I was the best artist in the world as far as anyone knew, and humans love novelty.

"Fine, so what are your big plans for my novels? I thought we were going to sell them?"

"We will do that too, but we are going to set up book readings like they do in Bicman and Kerisi," He said.

"You mean the women's book club?"

"Precisely, by the end of the month, I want your books to become a reason for social gatherings."

"And this is your plan to get me married off as soon as possible to some snob I don't even know."

Now, it was Benjamin's turn to sigh. "I can't force you to marry anyone, but the likelihood of your wife being someone who doesn't necessarily see eye to eye with you is highly likely. You are not marrying for you. You are marrying for Bicman."

Every time I thought of getting married, I thought of my sister-in-law Martha and the utter contempt she had for my whole family. If I married up, I would probably be stuck with a snob that looked down on me and my people. I would pick marrying a commoner who cared as much about my barony as I do over a noble who looked down on my people any day of the week. Yeah, I know I was being judgemental, but the few female nobles I met last time I was here were really focused on status. I was not looking forward to my visit with the women of Vaspar.

"Well, we have plenty of time to discuss everything over the next month. Please excuse me while I go see Aaron. They will be leaving in a couple of days and heading south. I don't have much more time." I said as I stood up from the table.

I knocked on the door where Nora and Aaron were staying. Nora had accepted the offer to go with Aaron as his nurse. That made me feel a little better as I knew she had a good head on her shoulders.

I opened the door to find Aaron stacking the colored blocks with letters and shapes I had carved into them. As soon as the door opened and I stepped in, Aaron forgot about the blocks and started to crawl towards me.

"Hey kid, what did I tell you about crawling? If you don't stop that, I will be telling all your girlfriends that you were still crawling on the ground like a baby when you were almost fully grown. When I was your age, I had already run in the Boston Marathon."

He started climbing up my pants leg as he reached me. Once he was upright, he reached up his hands and said, "Da!"

"Don't try and sweet talk me, you mongrel!" I said as I picked him up and tossed him. "If you think you can get out of your fine motor skills training just because I am here, you have got another thing coming. How are you supposed to learn to write by the end of the year if you don't have proper muscle control? Now, we are going to sit back down here and construct the Taj Mahal."

I caught a smirk on Nora's face as I continued to wow Aaron with all of my exploits.

*******

The next morning, I wrote a letter to Jasper and Ferdinand requesting an appointment. After my last visit and introduction of the buttonhole, they had become very popular. They were now only seen by appointment. They only made house calls for select individuals now of the upper nobility. I also hinted that I had something new to show them.

Although I would need clothing that was in style and made by well known tailors in Vaspar, I had my seamstress create several items that I was sure Jasper would be ecstatic about. I am sure Ferdinand would be ecstatic as well, but he wasn't the type to show emotion.

Upon entering the dining room, I was greeted with the sight of the Tines speaking with two other couples.

"This is my grandson's uncle. Baron Amos Bicman. Though we are only linked through our relationship with my grandson, now I am pleased to call him family."

I nodded since I was the same rank or above those at the table. Then, they each stood and either nodded or bowed.

Each addressed themself in order of rank. I tried to remember the names, I really did, but by the time we got to Sir Barret's granddaughter, Gentlewoman Penny, I had forgotten the first names of most of them. Benjamin would remember, and we could practice later.

As I sat down, the conversation started up again. "Lord Bicman, Baron Tine says that you live in the north most Barony." Sir Paris, the knight said.

"I do, and though it lacks society, it is a quiet place that has a charm all of its own."

"Have you ever been to the great desert, My Lord?" Penny said excitedly.

I had learned a while ago that the other side of the mountain had no inhabitants. There was a desert on the other side that extended all the way to the eastern shore of the continent. I was excited when I heard that. It would be a source of sand that I could test. I was pretty sure not all sand was good for making clear glass. Unfortunately, now was not the time to start experimenting with glass. I would need to wait until I had a ship built. By that time, most of the other projects should be up and running, and I would be able to sail around the coast rather than travel across the mountains. Also, I wanted to put the glass blowing kiln in the fort we were building in the mountains. Blowing clear glass was going to be a huge money maker. The type of process people would kill for.

I smiled at the young girl. "Unfortunately, no, it is a hard journey through the mountains, and there are the wild beasts such as the dragons."

"What is a dragon?" She asked.

"It is a huge lizard the size of this manor. It has four legs and a long tail. It has a long snake-like neck and horns on its lizard head. They are highly intelligent creatures that hoard gold. They are most well known for capturing young virgins of high birth and holding them for ransom. The nobility are either forced to pay the ransom in gold or send out knights to fight the dragons. Unfortunately, dragons breathe fire. Many a poor knight has fallen to the dragon's flame all for the chance to win the hand of a fair maiden," I said regretfully.

Penny's eyes were the size of saucers, and her mouth was hanging open by the time I was done. But before I could get myself in any more trouble, Lady Tine spoke up.

"You will have to forgive Lord Amos for his teasing, Penny. He is a master storyteller and loves to write them down and have them read. I believe that story comes from his book, which he calls The "Fairy Tale Collection."

"Maria, how could you? I was just getting to the good part," I said with a chuckle.

She, however, just gave me the exasperated look of a mother who was trying to teach an unruly child good manners.

I sighed, "Well since I have been found out, I guess I will just have to let Penny borrow the book."

"You have books?" Minsum's brother said.

This surprised me. I knew that I had only introduced books to Count Vaspar the last time I was here. Had they already spread?

"So you have seen books?" I said in surprise.

"They are all the rage since Count Vaspar introduced them a few months ago. Of course, with the cost of parchment and scribing them, it is almost impossible to get one. I am surprised that you even knew about books. Being so far north."

I began to laugh. I just couldn't help it. It was almost too funny for words.

The other guests looked at me oddly. Until Lord Tine finally spoke up. "Please don't think Lord Bicman is mad. The reason he finds this humorous is because he is the creator of Count Vaspar's books. Amos brought quite a collection of books from the North with him to give to Lord Vaspar while he was here.

"So, are you willing to let us see one of your books?" One of the women said curiously.

"Benjamin, why don't you retrieve the book we were just discussing? After breakfast, we can let everyone pass it around," I said.

"As you wish, My Lord," He said with a bow.

After a delicious meal, We all adjourned to the sitting room, where I brought out my leather-bound copy of short story fairy tales. It was one of my nicest books, and I was hoping to get a good price for it.

When it reached the hands of Sir Paris, he looked up at me. "What type of parchment is this? I have never felt something so smooth, and the color is that of snow."

"It is what I call book parchment. It is specifically made for books," I said. I was really trying hard not to be smug about it. I had wanted to find a way to sell my higher quality paper without upsetting the parchment industry and had decided to use it only in books.

"Tell me, gentleman, what do you think a book like this would sell for here in Vaspar?"

"Twenty-five gold if it is an original." Minsum's brother said.

"You must be joking. If you brought this to a nobles' auction, it would go for no less than fifty." Paris said.

The men continued to argue, but all I was thinking about was the books I had and the cash I was about to rake in.