I was sitting in the carriage and reading an interesting book. * The Right of The Person*. It speaks about human rights in various situations, from being accused of murder to being captured in war.
These laws were adopted by the nobility very quickly. They say it was written after the subjugation of the ancient empires. The nobility adopted these ideas about 200 years later. Closer to that moment, the ancient empire disintegrated into divided kingdoms and the Monhimouerian empire.
But despite all this... it's hard for me to understand something.
-Mr. Murad, we've arrived. The carriage stopped and a servant opened the door for me.
I got out of the carriage in silence and looked around the area. Wooden houses, an unpaved road, dirty peasants. It's not like the townspeople at all.
Artisans, merchants, or workers can count on a salary for their work, but not peasants. They have no money. They exchange the remaining grain for buying firewood, repairing tools. And all this only to start plowing the land next year. The lowest caste.
I discussed with the servant of Andre about what should be done and decided for myself the primary tasks.
-Hello, you must be the one who was sent by Count Andre?
-Hello, yes, it's me. My orders are to take care of the village. Who are you?
-I'm the local headman. I am responsible for solving the problems of the peasants. How can I help you?
-Hmm. Can you gather all the residents by the evening?
-Our village is small, no more than 200 people. Everyone knows each other. If I collect a couple of dozen, it will already be enough. The next day, everyone in the village will know what you say.
- Ol. Then gather everyone you can in the head's house.
- As you say.
…
In the evening, the headman managed to gather about 40 people. They all sat down in front of the entrance to the head's house. When everyone was silent, I started talking
-As you all know, a month ago your village became the property of Count Andre. Because of this, the Marquis is no longer obliged to protect you.
-We know all this! What do you want to do?
-It's simple. I want to create a local militia of at least 15-20 fighters. Is there a blacksmith in your village?
A man with muscular arms stepped forward. -I can forge nails and repair tools, but I can't create such a weapon like a sword.
-I didn't expect this from you. I'm more interested in whether you can create a shield and a spear? One set per two days.
-It's possible. But these weapons will not be of high quality given the time limit.
- Try to improve the tools as much as possible, then I will check everything myself.
-Why? -The blacksmith came closer to me -Look at us. We are peasants, not fighters, we have never held weapons in our hands. Even if we get a sword in our hands, it's not a fact that we will grasp the right side. Do you have an experienced fighter who can train them?
-I can. Although you can't tell from the look of it, I'm a good fighter.
-Hahaha. Listen, I understand that the young noble ladies have recognized your skills, but the reality is that impulsive nobles are more likely to receive injuries incompatible with life.
- Harrison! You're crossing the line. -The headman put his hand on his shoulder and said this in a threatening tone.
-Even though I live in the village, I am still a proud blacksmith and don't do the work free. Especially when the orders are given by a nobleman.
- Your work will be paid for. When the harvest is harvested, you will receive from 5 to 10 septims.
-Hm... -The Blacksmith start count in mind, after a couple of seconds he said. -From 100 to 200 shillings? That's how things are done -The blacksmith smiled and bowed -Young Master, Blacksmith Harrison is at your service.
-Mhm. Make at least one shield by morning. Can you handle it?
-You don't have to worry.
- Next. I need volunteers for the militia. Each militia member will be provided with firewood and food for the winter.
-And what will we do as militias?
- Training, patrols, and, if necessary, battles against the brigands. Like the ones that attacked recently.
-But that's impossible! They had quilted armor! Good shields and weapons.
-Don't worry about it, I will personally train you and help you in battles if necessary.
-Young Master, what are you talking about?- The servant sent by Andre was also my guard.
- Don't worry. Everything will be fine. - The servant did not answer this.
-I will be happy to accept as many militia members as possible into the ranks. Everyone will get shelter and food. I expect you tomorrow at noon at the head's house.
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PoV Willy
- *Knock* *Knock * Baron Willy. The news came from the village of Andre.
- Come in. I'm listening.
-They've sent a new manager. However, this is just a young boy.
-A young boy?
-Yes. He doesn't look more than 12.
-Hmm… is there something else?
-He started organizing a militia.
-Are there any guards with him?
-No, He has only one servant.
- Heh. -A boy of 12 years old became the head of the village? There is only one possibility here. Bastard! I didn't think that this bookworm has children. It seems that he either has little strength or he does not really like this child since he sent only one servant. -Does he look like Andre? I mean, when you looking at him, there is no feeling that he is his son?
- I don’t know this.
- Find it out, immediately! Also, order the fighters to send someone to force him to give us something as a * fee*. -Right now, only the best fighters of my family are in my residences, while the others outside are acting as brigands and terrorizing Andre's village. Sometimes I have to join them. Like the time when it was necessary to beat the servant Andre.
If I manage to humiliate Andre's son, simultaneously proving that he is his son, it will be a big blow to his reputation!
-Heh. Count Muller will be glad to know about this. -I immediately began writing a letter to the Count.
...
PoV Frank
When my friend told me about the fact that the new manager wants to create a militia, I decided that it was worth trying to go. As the third son, I may be abandoned to the mercy of fate as soon as the family is unable to feed the children of my older brothers. Get rid of an extra mouth in the simplest way. Kick me out of the house.
I have already talked to my neighbor about this and he said that he would not mind letting me stay with him for a while if this happens. But since there is an opportunity to live through the winter without worrying about how not to die of hunger, then why not go?
The other younger children of the families seemed to think the same. About 12 people gathered. We were all waiting in front of the head's house.
The door opened and a man came out. He looked around the crowd and asked
-Are you here to try to become a militia?
- Yes! -we answered in unison.
-Ok. Come in one at a time, you need to write down your names. Get in line.
Everyone immediately began to crowd at the entrance in an attempt to get as close as possible. As a result of this, I was the last in the queue.
…
After a couple of minutes of waiting, I finally went to the head's house. The interior was simple and did not stand out much in wealth. The man led me to the office. There was a boy about 12 years old sitting there. He looked at me with a serious face and asked
-Name?
- Frank.
-Do you want to join the ranks of the militia?
- Yes.
- You must understand that if you dare to disobey my orders, do not perform daily duties, or try to avoid march, you can be simply dismissed or executed. It depends on the seriousness of the crime. Do you understand everything?
-Yes. I still want to join the militia.
-So, you're the ninth. We will start training in the evening. Until then, you are still free.
-Alright.
-Young Master! A group of brigands came to the village. They demand to meet with you.
- Hmm? I'll be there in a minute.
The boy went to the room with a servant and quickly returned with chain mail armor and a sword in a scabbard. He looked very solid. A man came out after him.
And then I realized that this man was his guard. Such an aura of a skilled fighter is not created in one day.
- Lead on. Where are these robbers?
Seeing them leave, I decided to follow them.
…
The brigands had wait in the center of the village. There were 5 of them. Each of them had quilted armor, two with axes, and the rest with spears. The onlookers looked at them with some fear. When we arrived they looked at the boy and asked
-So you are the new manager of the village?
-Yes.
- Great. Our leader sent me for an important matter. You see, the previous manager was not compliant. When we asked him to pay us a fee, he refused. We beat him up a bit for that. You're not as stupid as he is, are you? It is only necessary to pay... -The robber began to count with his fingers, but looking at his face it's immediately clear that he is doing this only for the appearance of -40, no, 50 septims. Don't you think a little?
50 septims?! This is enough for me to live a comfortable life for several years!
- Hmm. I only have a couple of septims in my pocket. Here you go. - To my surprise, the boy began to approach them with his hand under his clothes and looking for something. The robbers looked surprised but did not refuse the coins.
One of them came forward and held out his hand, waiting for her to receive the cherished coins.
- Here. Take it. -Having said this, the boy took a dagger out of his pocket and thrust it through the robber's unprotected throat. The robber, who did not expect this, did not even have time to react, his body fell powerlessly to the ground.
No one expected such a cold calculation from a 12-year-old boy! While everyone was still recovering, he took out a dagger and threw it at another robber. The dagger hit the chest, but the quilted armor was able to stop the dagger and it got stuck in the armor. The robbers came to their senses and raised their weapons and ran at the boy. He unsheathed his sword and took a stance.
- Prepare for death. - The boy didn't show even a fraction of fear of robbers. The man behind immediately ran towards one of them. A battle ensued.
The boy dodged attacks and responded with fairly accurate blows. The guard helped in the battle as much as he could, but it was obvious that it was more difficult for him, either because of a lack of skills or because of the large size.
What should I do? Looking at the corpse of the nearest robber, I decided. I took his spear and ran straight into the battle.
-To hell with everything! - Shouting this, I struck the robber with my spear. The spear passed through his armor and pierced his chest.
At the same time, the boy has hit the robber in the neck with a good swing. Although the head remained on the shoulders, it was clear that this was an injury incompatible with life. With a sharp movement, he drew his sword. The robber fell to the ground without strength.
Three on three. If we take into account the fact that one of the robbers is wounded in the chest, and I do not have armor, we can consider everything honestly. But in reality, the situation was different.
I barely had time to defend myself from the brigand's spear strikes, his ferocious blows did not even give me a chance to counterattack. During the battle, to my luck, my opponent slipped and almost fell.
This is my chance! Raising the spear, I put all my strength into the blow.
- *Knock!* - The blow was so strong that the spear shaft broke already. The robber received a direct blow to the head!
However... he did not die. He just scratched his head and started attacking again. Already unarmed, I didn't have a chance. At the moment when his spear was about to hit me, the opponent suddenly fell.
It looks like he was hit by a spear. The guard quickly ran up to him and finished him off. Then he looked at me and said
-Commendable bravery. But remember this. You need to stab with a spear! Do not make sweeping strokes. Prick with a sharp part, do not beat with a shaft. Remember that?
- y-yes.
- Then. You have been accepted into the militia. Here is your weapon -He handed me the spear of my opponent. It almost killed me a moment ago.
-Young Master. Where did you learn to fight like this?
-You don't need to know. - The boy answered. In this battle, he showed himself to be a very capable fighter. I have already begun to respect his abilities and his valor. -More importantly, here's what. Remove their armor and collect weapons. Everything should be collected in the head's house by the evening.
-What about the broken spear?
- Send it to the blacksmith. He should be able to fix it.
-And what to do with the bodies?
- Make them a mass grave and let the priest take care of them.