CHAPTER 29- DAY 192
The next morning, after breakfast, I decided to write a letter to Fredrick asking to meet with him. I kept it vague. I was hoping to catch his attention by the fact that I was not giving him details of the subject I would be discussing.
The next thing was getting Draves set with all the provisions necessary to make a quick travel back to Bicman. It was nice that Bicman was so far away from everything when I wanted to go unnoticed. But when things were urgent, it was awful that it was ten days away. On Earth, if there had been good roads, he could have made it back to Bicman in a couple of hours. Of course, on Earth, we would have been invaded much sooner, too.
We saw Draves off just as the midday bell was ringing. Now it was time for me to paint and Benjamin to find goods to ship to Bicman. I also had another party to go to tonight. The parties weren't as bad as I thought they would be. Sure, there were rude people, but there were rude people everywhere. High Society didn't have a monopoly on them.
I will admit I made mistakes. And I was definitely the 'country bumpkin' of the events, but I didn't do anything so embarrassing that people stopped inviting me. Of course, a lot can be forgiven of people who have something to offer. Due to people's desire for my paintings, I felt I could even act like a total prick, and at least some people would still invite me.
In fact, the problem was quite the opposite. There were more social events going on during the winter activities than I had time to attend. Fortunately, I had Benjamin there to look through all the mail and select the ones that were best for me to go to. Then, he got to write all the rejection letters.
When Benjamin wasn't doing that, he was out trying to find information about people and things we may need back at Bicman. I came back after painting in the afternoon to find Benjamin sitting down with an exhausted look on his face.
"Benjamin, you look like you've been run over by a train— I mean a cart."
"I am having trouble finding someone to ship the goats. I spoke with a Captain from Westcove. Apparently, the shipping season is over in a week. And he is loading up his last shipment to travel home. If the sailors of Westcove are shutting their shipping down, I doubt we will find anyone else to ship things. They start up again in the first month of the year. Sorry, Lord Amos, I should have known that, but living in Kimton my whole life, I never really thought of how shipping on the sea affected transportation."
"Not to worry, I did live near the coast, and I also had no idea," I remember reading about the Romans not sailing during the winter months. I guess it was similar in this area since the first month of the year started in spring.
The calendar here was interesting. There were exactly 364 days, so it was pretty close to Earth. There were thirty days in each month. The equinoxes and solstices did not count as days of the month. The two equinoxes were called the Days of Balance. The solstices were called the days of remembrance. The summer solstice was a day to remember all the things you were grateful for. The winter solstice was a time to remember and mourn for the various tragedies of your life. The months were divided up into ten day weeks.
Though I really don't know why because there were no rest days. It was something I thought about instituting in my barony. I had to be careful with any benefits I gave to my people, though, because once I gave it, it would be hard to take it back. Nobody wants to give up something good to which they have become accustomed. I believed it was important, but I wanted to be careful.
“By the way, where is Westcove?” I asked.
“Sorry, my lord, I forget that your father neglected to educate you on such matters. Westcove is the largest shipping port in the Duchy of Herron. Barony of Westcove is owned by Baron Desmond Eval. He could be considered the wealthiest of barons in Herron. His word has great influence in court.”
“With all that, why isn’t he a count?”
"If it weren’t for the constant intrigue and infighting among the family, he probably would be a count. As it is, two other barons have access to the cove. This is what keeps him in check. If he could acquire the other two baronies, it wouldn’t be too hard to put pressure on the duke to look the other way as he steals the county from the current count.”
“Good information for when we start shipping our own goods.”
“I only know so much because of his influential status. If you want more information, we will request information from my father about it.”
"Ok, so we will be scratching the shipment by sea thing until next spring." I said, "Draves is not going to be happy when we return and tell him that the barges and dock we told him to have our people build will not be used right away."
"It can't be helped, my lord," he said.
"But that brings us back to shipping via land at least two hundred goats and probably a thousand kilograms of other supplies. We need to buy wagons and people to assist our men in guarding them. I know you are good at logistics, Benjamin, but we may want to hire someone who runs caravans to help us make sure we aren't missing anything. It is going to be a much slower trip back than it was to get here."
"Yes, it will. But it will be worth it. Now, you must get ready for the party tonight."
The parties were starting to become boring. The food was good, but the conversations were mostly stale. I just didn't have the background on many of the topics. That isn't to say that I wasn't learning anything. It is just that I would rather be discussing how to improve our society rather than who knows what about whom.
The only thing that livened this up was the fact that Baron Jumis got drunk as a skunk. Not that I had ever seen skunks drink. I wonder if they even have them here. Anyways, the Baron began to shout loudly about how his mistress had left him for another man, and they fled to a different barony.
He kept proclaiming, "She took all my money and my heart, " until he was escorted out of the room.
The host's face, Baron Narel, was so red that it looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel. It was such a perfect picture, and I wanted to paint it. Charcoal just wouldn't do it justice. Sure, it wouldn't be appreciated now, but it will be a couple hundred years from now. The tour guide would say, "And this is considered one of the greatest works by the famous painter Amos Bicman titled, The Red Faced Baron."
Ok, now I totally have to paint this picture when I get the chance. Then, I will lock it away somewhere and take it out when I need a good laugh.
Other than that, I simply did what I always did: I made money at social events. The hosts always loved me coming because it would bring in a bigger crowd.
At the last event, which was to announce Lord Irusman's son's engagement, he asked me to bring my paints. When I found out he had a passion for hunting with falcons, I did a speed painting of a falcon soaring in the sky with mountains in the background. That time, I allowed people to watch as I painted to add some excitement to the event. It netted me one hundred gold.
Once news spread, I knew there would be more of those types of things. And it was all for the glory of Bicman. The best part is that I was a Baron, so there were no taxes for me outside of the agriculture that my barony produced.
In a few years, I would be expected to provide men for the army. I was not looking forward to that, but hopefully, if we trained our men well and equipped them, they wouldn't be just cannon fodder. The commoners I sent to war would be armed and armored. If I could attract some knights to my land, then I could send them and their men-at-arms rather than commoners who would be better off increasing the wealth of my barony. That, of course, meant I needed to turn my villages into Fiefs so that I had something to offer the knights. Just another thing I would be relying on Benjamin for. That guy is a lifesaver.
The next morning, I received a letter from Fredrick. However, it was not what I was expecting. His father wanted to see me. I had already dropped off his paper, so I wasn't sure what he wanted to see me for. I wonder if he wanted another painting. It didn't give a specific time, so I figured I would just show up and see if I could hang out with Fredrick while I waited. I had also finished Fredrick's painting, so I could bring that along.
********
"So, any idea about what your father wants to talk about?"
"Oh, if I had to put money on it, it would be your reward for the invention of the stirrup."
"Reward? Didn't he already pay for it?"
"Don't tell him I told you, but I think the reward is from the king for your contribution to the war efforts."
"What?" That kind of blew my mind. I wasn't stupid. I could see the military benefit, but being rewarded by the king would be a big deal. Would it be a title or more money? I could always use more money, but I don't exactly know what I would do with another title.
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"Oh, don't act so surprised," Fredrick said with a laugh. "It isn't even just about the stirrup, although that is what is most important to the king. The horseshoe and the collar are also being used. However, it hasn't had time to spread through the kingdom. The springs you invented are on every noble's carriage in this city and are becoming more popular in the Dukedom. If Father had taken his carriage and not gone by ship to get to Falmor, I am sure everyone in the capitol would know about it by now. I refuse to get into a carriage without springs.
"Casper fell in love with the mathematics you developed and with bookkeeping. Now, it is standard in the castle for all scribes. Every scribe here has an abacus. Of course, some of us do not appreciate the fact that we have to learn new math. I would avoid my brother if I were you."
"Your brother didn't like me before, so avoiding him has always been my plan," I said with a smile.
"Well, he may forgive you after seeing this masterpiece, " he said, pointing at the picture I had brought in. He will be begging you to paint him. "What did you call this creature again?"
"A chimera."
"It is truly a creature of nightmares. I have to admit I did not understand why you put me in such a fierce pose while painting, but it turned out fantastic. I insist you create one of your stories to go with it. My fateful battle of fighting the Chimera of Hitub will be the climax."
"As you wish," I said with a smirk. It shouldn't be too hard to adapt one of the stories of Greek mythology to include Fredrick the Great. Unfortunately, I didn't know the actual story of the chimera. Heck, I didn't even know if it was Greek. Where is the wiki when you need it?
We chatted for a bit before Casper came in and invited me to meet with Lord Vaspar.
I found Varspar at his table, looking over some documents, and decided that if this meeting went well, I would have a desk made for him as a gift. Maybe I could even get the people who made it pay me for the design.
I bowed to the count as I entered, and he gave me his grim face and nodded in return. Casper led me to a seat, and as soon as I sat down, the interview began.
"You have been busy, my young kayver." He said it with a straight face and in his usual serious tone. I began to think I made a mistake in introducing the story "The Kayver that Laid the Golden Eggs."
"Getting integrated into high society is more work than I initially thought. I do have to thank you though. Without you allowing me to paint you, I would never have been so well received."
"That is pure flattery, young man. Any person you painted would quickly have spread the word, and you would have had no problem. But let us dispense with the pleasantries. I get enough of that at court. Tell me of the progress you have made in your barony. I believe that the amount of money you are bringing in would mean you are able to pay your taxes in full for several years. It almost makes me think I should introduce a tax on business ventures run by my nobility. You would pay ten times the tax you give us for your land holdings."
I knew that the threat wasn't real. There would be no point in changing laws just for one baron. Barons were taxed on lands and required to provide men for military service. Unless the status quo became too inconvenient, Vaspar would never change it.
"I will take that as a compliment. But since we are dispensing pleasantries, let me present you with gifts."
I brought the box that I had carried in with me and opened it to peruse the content.
In it were the latest books I had written, bound in leather. He picked them up and flipped through them.
"I see, son was not deceiving me. You have made your paper as white as snow."
Hmm, why hadn't Fredrick just shown his father the two books I had given him? What had he done with the books?
Vaspar continued in a more severe tone, "This paper is much better quality than what you brought me. Why are you still giving me the inferior paper."
I smiled, "You know very well why I did that. Can you imagine how many people would want me dead if I upset the parchment industry? I am using this exclusively for my books. It increases the value of my books, and, at the same time, I don't make waves."
"Bold of you to flaunt this in front of me. I make mere copper to the gold you are making."
I couldn't believe he was trying to play the offended lord card with me. "The amount of volume you are receiving with each shipment makes up for it. Besides, I have a way for you to collect taxes on the paper. I want to create what I call a publishing house here in Vaspar. I will create the stories and ship the paper to Vaspar. The publishers will be a group of scribes who copy my stories and bind them into books. You will receive taxes on the business. I could do it all in Bicman, but then we would also have to produce the leather and other parts of the book. Then, sell them to you or another merchant. Best for me to create the business here and just pay you the taxes. Unless, of course, you want to invest in the business and share in the profit."
"I am not interested in commoner businesses, but your idea has merit. Where will you get the scribes?"
"I am training them in Bicman. In fact, the books you are holding have all been transcribed by people I plan to bring down to Vaspar. I need a shop in Vaspar to sell the books and purchase other people's stories, but I can house the workers outside the city as long as it is within reasonable walking distance. I even brought a few scribes down with me incase we were able to set something up."
"Do you have someone to run your business?" He asked.
"Yes, he is currently acting as my steward while I am away, but I think he will enjoy this more, and he is very trustworthy."
I also figured that if he got the position and had to move down here, he would finally be a man and ask Nancy to marry him.
The count stared at me for a long while, then nodded. "Casper, find someone to help him find lodging and a shop at a reasonable rent. Baron, I have a proposal for you. I will help you set this up and relieve you of half a year's rent on the property, but in return, you will paint a portrait of my heir. I understand that you have already begun work on one for Fredrick but not for Peter."
"That sounds fair. Can I entrust the scribes I have brought down into someone's care? They can start producing books while I am back in Bicman getting the rest of my people ready to head south. Also, Peter does not seem to care for my presence, and I would hate to approach him without his permission," I said apologetically. "Fredrick's painting is done, though."
"I see. Well, then, I will speak with Peter, and we will get things arranged. I raised a proud man, which is good, but too much pride can get in the way of success."
I nodded, "Moderation in all things."
Vaspar raised his eyebrows at my statement, and after pondering for a moment, he said, "I like that. I think I will steal that phrase."
"Go ahead. In fact, in the future, I may credit you for it. The phrase carries more weight when you claim it was said by someone popular."
"What an interesting man you are, baron. You would give me credit for saying it so that people took the phrase for something more impressive. You are quickly becoming a smarter man than the boy I first met."
We discussed a few more details of the publishing house, but I didn't want to give everything away. This was a test to see if I could succeed at business and exporting goods.
"Very well, it sounds like you have things in order. Now, I must discuss your last visit. You brought with you more than just paper last time, and those things have had a significant impact on the king's military. He has requested that I reward you, first, with people. Last time you were here, you strove to buy contracts and entice people to move to your barony. You claimed that you could provide for them and even pay your taxes. Is this still the case?"
I was a little confused, but I nodded in agreement.
"The king has gathered four hundred peasants to transfer to your fields."
My jaw dropped at the statement. "My lord, this is very generous, but I cannot feed them all. Not until the next harvest."
"A food stipend will be provided, and your taxes will be waived for two years. This is the generosity of the king."
I interpreted this act of generosity differently. He was dumping four hundred destitute people in my lap along with who knows how many spies. This was going to be a nightmare.
"I will do my best, my lord, but winter is coming, and they will need housing. Our winters are colder than they are in Vaspar."
"I have heard that, but the king and I are confident that you will succeed. If you do, then you can be assured that your barony will see even more growth in the future," he said as if that was supposed to make me happy.
Sure, I needed people, but I didn't want my barony to become the king's dumping ground for the destitute.
"The king has been made aware that you have created a settlement outside of your allotted land."
What was this?
"I-"
He interrupted me, "I understand that you have created a small camp on the northern coast of the continent. This land is, of course, unclaimed by another barony, but it is still the king's land. It was bold of you to seize the land of your own accord. It is good that you reported the camp on your tax evaluation this fall. And that you are using it to acquire fish. Fortunately, the king has deigned to extend your land to the coast as long as you continue to provide the taxes required."
That was a bunch of bull. He just added that in to make the king look good. I am sure that if the king weren't looking for ways to reward me, Vaspar wouldn't have brought it up. "I appreciated the magnanimity of the king."
"Indeed. And lastly, the king has decided to give you an honor usually granted to those who have shown great valor. He has given you the right to have a second wife."
If I had thought Vaspar had a sense of humor like his son, I would have started to laugh; instead, the comment made my brain freeze. "I know the king is well-informed about most things, but does he realize that I am not currently married?"
"It is of no consequence. It is the prestige that goes along with receiving the right to a second wife that matters."
I tried to keep the look of annoyance off my face as I said, "Could you possibly keep this information just between you and me? You see, the fact that I am currently engaged is the only thing keeping the hounds at bay presently."
"The hounds at bay," the count said slowly. "Young man, I would encourage you not to let the women of the court here you refer to them as hounds. Even if you are not eager to get married right away, that sort of thing will ensure you never marry."
"A slip of the tongue, I assure you."
"Regardless, your elevation is a matter of public record. It will soon be discussed among the nobility, especially since no one knows exactly why you are being given the honor. We would prefer to keep it that way as long as we can due to the fact that the stirrups give us a military advantage."
"Have no fear, my lord. I am only interested in my paintings becoming popular. I have no desire to have a target put on my back by Hitub spies."
"A smart move. However, speaking of popularity, a pigeon arrived yesterday that was meant for you. I have not looked at the expanded form yet, but I have the letter here," he said as he slid the letter across his table.
My eyes grew wide as I read where it arrived from.