Edward, Steward of Bicman

The production reports on the new power hammer were in, and I could hardly believe what I was seeing. When Draves first arrived with the news that Bicman would be attacked and that our lord wanted all of our men fitted with some sort of chest armor, I thought he was asking for the impossible. Now, however, I was beginning to believe this could work.

First came Chris's idea. He said that given the amount of cloth, the women were producing, as well as the amount of wild cotton they had gathered, we should just layer the cloth until it was thick enough to protect the soldiers. So, all the soldiers' wives or mothers were busy quilting padded armor. Cotton was being used as stuffing.

The general population didn't know we were going to be attacked. We used the excuse that all the men needed similar uniforms. Soon, we would be attaching metal strips to the armor.

Now, the bottleneck was extracting the ore. But if the rock crusher was as effective as the power hammer, we could free up more men to work in the mine.

There was a knock at the door that interrupted my thoughts.

“Come in,” I said, slightly annoyed. I had asked not to be disturbed as I went over the reports. We had a lot of people coming soon, and we needed to be ready.

A young man about fourteen wearing the dark gray padded uniform of a Bicman Defence Force cadet stepped in. He must have come straight from the training field if he was still wearing his padded outfit. He immediately saluted me. Technically, he was supposed to give a slight bow to me, but these kids have been drilling almost nonstop, so I doubted I would break the habit.

“Report, cadet.”

“Steward Edward, I have come with news from Kerisi. The new people and supplies have arrived.”

Finally, that took much longer than I expected. At least it gave us more time to prepare.

“Good, is Paul settling them into the new villages?”

“Yes. But there is a problem that requires your assistance.”

Of course there was a problem. There had to be some reason that it took them a month to reach us. Even with a large group, it should have taken twenty to twenty-five days. My first thought was heavy rains that ruined supplies. The north wind had started to blow, dropping the temperature, if it rained as well we could be looking at heavy losses.

“What is it?” I sighed.

“Steward, there are too many people. We cannot house them all.”

“We expected this cadet. Some will have to stay in their tents.”

"I'm sorry, Sir. That's not what I meant. Housing is not the problem. Well, it is, but sir, there are a lot more people than we thought."

This got my attention. “How many more, Cadet?”

“They hadn’t counted yet, but the lieutenant told me to tell you, possibly more than one thousand.”

My jaw dropped, “One thousand. Are you sure he said one thousand?”

“Yes sir, he made me repeat it. And I don’t know how much a thousand is, but sir, I have never seen so many people in one place. I didn’t even see that many people during the harvest festival. At least, I don’t think so.”

I tried to keep my composure. “Well, let’s go, Cadet. I need to see this for myself.”

Amos

“No, Benjamin, I am not going to lead on my cousin to gain a favorable relationship with her father.”

Benjamin sighed, “I’m not sure what you mean by that phrase, but I can guess, and you would not be leading on your cousin. This is a favorable match. You need to find out if she’s already engaged.”

What I need to do is invent engagement rings so questions like this don't have to be asked. Why don’t they have those here?

“It isn’t even that good of a match, and I am sure that once the King rewards us for the plow, we will be in a much more advantageous position. A heiress is also a posible. Do I really want my first wife to be the second daughter of a Baron when I could marry someone with an entire barony?”

I was just making up excuses and putting off the inevitable, but I was also correct.

“Fine, but we should consider her for your second wife. The relationship would be good.”

“Fair enough, but now we need to figure out what to do about the girl I owe a debt to for ruining her youth.”

Benjamin frowned. “It is in the past. Giving a verbal apology to a commoner is more than even a knight might do. If you do more than that, it will show you consider her equal to the nobility.”

I stayed silent.

Benjamin sighed, “You are going to do something excessive anyway.”

“I will ensure that she is compensated properly, but I promise I will also ensure that she understands the value of what she is receiving.”

Now, I wish I hadn’t been so open with Kate about how I felt. I now had to find a way to backtrack a bit. I had to make it sound like I was doing something outside the norm. I guess it was time for another talk with Kate. Before that, though, there was dinner and an event tonight to attend.

I was surprised when Kate came into the dining room with Elizabeth and Aramis. Two things were odd about this. First, Elizabeth was willing to be in the same room as me. But more importantly, why was a commoner sitting at the dining table of a noble? Was it because she was escorted by the son of a knight, or maybe because she was a guest of a noble? Maybe Frabak just didn't care. I would have to ask Benjamin.

I tried not to look at Elizabeth, but I soon realized that she would not lift her eyes up from the meal set in front of her. So, I guess I would be doing this without her looking at me. Before I could say anything, Lady Frabak spoke up.

"So it appears that you are acquainted with the young lady Elizabeth, Baron Amos. I did not get the details on the matter, however," she said. Giving a pointed look to Trish.

Carter gave a small laugh, which he covered with a cough.

I shot an accusing look at Trish, and she immediately mouthed sorry to me with a helpless look.

"Yes," I said, "and I have to admit I was quite surprised to see both my cousin and her friend here."

As soon as I began to speak, Elizabeth began to run her fingers through her hair. I guess it was time that I said it.

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

"About four years ago. Catherine's father helped arrange a meeting between my father and Elizabeth's father, during which they might discuss our betrothal."

"You are betrothed?" Lady Frabak said in surprise

This caused Elizabeth to grip her hair.

"It is the reason that she has come to Kimton. She received word that I was here painting the Duke and wished to finally end the betrothal now that I am a baron."

"I see. Oh, Elizabeth dear, no wonder you see melancholy. If you had married him but a year ago, you would now be a true lady. I am so sorry. It must be painful to be so close to having been elevated in status and have it snatched away from you by fate. Do not worry, though. A lovely girl such as yourself will have no trouble finding a husband. I am sure that your father will find you the perfect match."

"I must correct your assumption, Lady Frabak," I said, "It is my fault she is in such a state. I believe it is fear, not sadness, that troubles her heart."

"Fear of you? Baron Amos, I have to say I find that hard to believe," Baron Frabak said. I wasn't quite sure if he meant it as a jab. He was hard to read.

"I would like to publicly acknowledge in front of my peers that I have wronged Elizabeth. I in no way dishonored my virtue, but I did cause harm to her and her reputation due to my uncontrolled anger towards the betrothal and my father. I will not disclose what I did to her without her permission, for I would not want to embarrass her further, but if she wishes, I will do so. I would also like to compensate her with two hundred gold crowns. Elizabeth, I am truly sorry for harming you."

The room was silent for what seemed like an eternity, to the point that it started to become uncomfortable. Finally, Elizabeth nodded. For some reason, Aramis frowned at her reaction. Then Elizabeth suddenly stood up and quickly left the table, and Aramis followed after her.

The silence continued until Lady Frabak said, "Do not fear, Amos. I am sure the girl did not know how to react to such generosity from a noble. She was most likely overwhelmed by the fact that you were willing to publicly acknowledge your mistake. Who would imagine that you are so generous as to give two hundred gold to a mere commoner for something that happened so long ago."

Everybody nodded in agreement. Everyone except Catherine. She had a look of disappointment on her face. I could not imagine what that was all about. Benjamin was furious when I told him what I was going to do. Was two hundred gold really not enough? It made me mad. What did she expect of me? Two hundred gold might not be a lot to some baronies, but for mine, I cannot even fathom how long it would take to save up that much money. I decided to ask Catherine about it after dinner.

So, an hour later, I was walking alongside Catherine in the garden. We were speaking about the dueling arena and Rulot. I abruptly interrupted the flow to see if I could catch her with her guard down. "I couldn't help but notice that Elizabeth and Aramis did not seem all that thrilled about the gift,” I said casually.

It didn’t work. She had been ready for the question.

“I think the public apology was a little overwhelming for her,” Catherine responded in kind.

We walked silently for a while. I didn’t know how to get the conversation going again. It was time to take the bull by the horns, I guess.

“Look, Kate, I want to fix this. I thought that was what I was doing. Tell me what I need to do.”

“No, what you did was fine, Amos. It was very generous of you. It is more than most would do.”

“Kate, you’re holding something back,” I said, putting more force into my words.

“I can’t. You’ll think she’s ungrateful.”

“Kate, on my honor, I will not be upset. I just want to know what’s going on.”

There was a long pause. Then she said in a rush, “Elizabeth’s father said that if she were able to get compensation from you for breaking the engagement, then he would allow her to marry Aramis.”

“What sort of compensation,” I asked.

“She told me that it needed to be equivalent or greater than the dowry.”

She waited for me to respond, but I really didn’t know what to say. So, I admitted the truth.

“Kate, I actually have no idea how much that is. There are no records of the betrothal anywhere in the manor. I didn’t even know we were engaged until Elizabeth’s letter. My father never brought it up after she left.”

“Are you serious!” She said with a look of total disbelief.

“I am. So I need you to find out how much the dowry was.”

“Oh, I know that. It was two thousand.”

I stumbled. “Two thousand Gold Crowns.”

“I know it’s a lot, but-“

I interrupted her. “Kate, that is not just a lot. That is more than my barony is worth.”

“You’re not serious.”

“When speaking of my barony, I did not discuss the state of our finances. To be frank, many fiefdoms make more money than my entire barony. Maybe even villages.

“Our fields do not produce much. So what we produce has to go straight back into the ground to feed my people. Our other trade goods can be gotten cheaper elsewhere.”

“You're that poor?”

Well, that was blunt.

“Elizabeth’s father is probably wealthier than I am.”

“No, this is awful! You can’t be poor, Amos. You…”

Suddenly, there were tears in her eyes, and she fled the garden.

Was she upset because Elizabeth wouldn't be able to marry Aramis, or was she upset because she had a poor cousin?

I laughed at that. I was probably wealthier than 99% of the people in this kingdom, yet I was still poor in the nobles' eyes. And to think I told Benjamin that it would be disadvantageous if I married Catherine. In the next few years, maybe, but for now, most would consider her out of my league. I would change things, though. I would make it so that my people were the best off in the world.

I decided to retire for the night. There was no point in thinking about this further. I would have to tell Benjamin about this and he was not going to be happy.

I mean, I understood why Elizabeth was upset now, but did she really come here expecting me to give her two thousand gold crowns? What noble in their right mind would do that?

********

"You are not serious, my lord? She really wanted you to give her two thousand crowns?" Benjamin said in disgust.

"I don't think she came here expecting to get it. She wants it, but there is no way she actually thought she was going to get it. I think Catherine got her all worked up and excited that it might happen. She probably convinced Elizabeth that I was a nice guy and that I would surely help her. If you think I'm an optimist, then you really need to spend a bell talking to Catherine. That girl has her head in the clouds."

"Well, at least you didn't promise Catherine that you would find a way to get the money. Even if we had it, we need to make sure we purchase everything we can to strengthen the barony," Benjamin said.

"Well…about that. I had an idea."

Benjamin stiffened. "My lord, I am not going to like this, am I."

"What about the cloth?"

First, he was confused, and then he said. "No, my lord. Absolutely not."

I gave him a stern look, and he immediately apologized.

"I am sorry, my lord. Please forgive my rudeness. It is not my place to speak to you in such a way. But, my lord. You mean to give her the cloth."

"I mean to establish trade. This was actually an idea that I have been mulling over since they got here. My uncle is wealthy, and if Elizabeth's father can afford a dowery of two thousand gold, he has got to be loaded. This would repair my relationship with my uncle and Elizabeth's father. I need allies, and trade would be a good way to get it. Nothing brings people together like money," I said with a grin.

"Ah, I see. But do you really intend to give away both of those boxes? Our barony needs that money."

"I have always been concerned about selling it here in Kimton. Well, ever since I met the duke, that is. If he had gotten a hold of it and traced it back to us, we could have been in big trouble. This, however, could work. If we sent it to the Falmore Duchy and distributed it from there, we might be able to keep it a secret longer. It is not like the production cost is huge. If we sent him this and got a contract for more, we could turn this into something very lucrative. Selling the cloth here may be only a one-time thing."

"You make a good point, and it is a good idea. But it is also about what you did to the girl isn't it?"

I sighed. "Yes, Benjamin, it is also about the guilt I feel for causing the girl so much pain. I have also been in a situation where I was shunned and looked down on, and that is also driving my actions. I promise you, though, that if I didn't believe we would benefit from this in the long run, I would not do it. I owe it to my people to not just throw away the cloth," I said.

There was a long pause before Benjamin sighed, "I am being somewhat hypocritical. I am telling you not to help this young woman when, if it were not for your generosity, I would never have risen to anything more than a simple scribe. And I would have only been given that low position due to my uncle's pity. You, however, changed my life. I came to the barony with only the hope of being away from people who looked at me with pity and only tolerated me because of who my father was.

"You, however, saw more in me. You made me feel valued in a way I never felt outside of my father's presence, and even he looked at me with pity. It is because of you and your generosity that I have the respect of others. You saw so much more in me than I saw in myself. I will support you in this matter. We will make this work."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "I do value your advice, Benjamin. I would be lost without you to guide me. I appreciate your loyalty. Now, let's figure out how to make some money on this. If we're going to give out free samples, we better get returning customers."