Chapter 31 – Recruiting

After bringing her down into the hustle and bustle, James had to leave Mira there as Godfrey had an important report to deliver that was time sensitive.

“Welcome Lady Mira to Sanctuary. It is good to find you among us. Please accept my apologies but I must take some of my master’s time on an urgent matter.” Godfrey stated.

Mira just stood there lost in thought and had not even really noticed Godfrey’s statement or when Prince James left.

‘How is all of this possible?’ Mira kept asking herself over and over as she saw one wonder after another. Her mind finally stopped the repeating cycle of confused questions once she saw Sloane.

“Sloane! Of course, you are here!” Mira said bitterly.

“Hello Sergeant!” Sloane said jovially, completely ignoring the clear frustration in Mira’s voice.

“Pretty amazing...” Sloane waved around indicating their surroundings, “all of this could change so much for so many.”

Seeing all the dwarves and craftsmen bustling about, Mira said softly, “So this is what they have been doing.”

“Indeed Sergeant. I am still wrapping my head around all of this and I have had several days to comprehend it all.” Sloane stated.

“Of course, you’ve known for several days.” Mira said bitterly.

Sloane started to laugh, “Hahaha. It’s been several days because of the time dilation effect in this place; besides I am our liege’s spymaster.”

“Time dilation effect?” Mira said confusedly.

“Ha, ha, ha, yes, the time in this place moves much, much faster than normal. Several days have passed here and it’s only been a few hours back home.” Sloane explained.

Sloane continued, “You know Sergeant that I advised his majesty to recruit Rita first. In fact, to be honest, you weren’t even my second or third recommendation.”

Mira looked like she was about to attack Sloane, yet Sloane kept talking. “Yet you were the first one he chose to bring here. Sure, he had to bring me, I am his spymaster, it’s my job to know secrets. Yet he was adamant you be the first.”

It was like a switch, all Mira’s anger and jealousy just melted away. “Really? He wanted to tell me first?” Mira said as a big smile spread across her face.

‘Geez this girl has got it bad.’ Sloane thought before deciding it be best to go find James and Godfrey.

“How ye holdin’ up lass?” Galdren asked Mira.

She had not even noticed the dwarf had approached her. It was this question that brought Mira back out of her internal musings. “Huh? What was that? Wait where did Sloane go?” Mira asked the last question, looking around and realizing the spymaster was gone.

Chuckling Galdren replied. “Aye lass we all get dumbstruck from the pure awe of what this place holds. Sloane went to go find his majesty. Lot to prepare for. Most of the people can’t wait to move here.” Galdren waved towards all the people moving around busy with one task or another.

“You think the other knights will support him and what he’s doing here?” Galdren decided to jump right to the question in his mind that mattered most. He needed to know if his people had to protect their king from fools.

“His majesty told me those he planned to approach next. I know those ladies well. Knowing what is in their hearts, I believe every single one will pledge fealty. You see giving such an oath doesn’t violate our existing ones. Prince James is the heir to the throne after all, serving him serves the future of our kingdom.” Mira answered honestly.

“You know lass it be easy to do somethin when the stars align, and everyone be in agreement. It be much harder to do somethin when we don’t all agree. What is being done now is both the right thing and the honorable thing. But lass, you see what be here…” Galdren waves is arm acknowledging everything going on. “The treasures in this place are many. Greed be a powerful motivator that can turn people together or against each other. Where do ye stand when the others end up on the other side?” Galdren spoke bluntly in the hope Mira truly considered her oath and what could come to pass one day.

Mira did not expect such deep political thoughts from Galdren. All her previous interactions showed him to be a shrewd businessman but all he seemed to truly care about was smithing.

‘Perhaps I misjudged him too quickly. Mother would like this dwarf.’ Mira thought.

She decided to speak her true thoughts. “From the moment I met this man he has defied expectations. He has been kind yet quick and decisive. He sacrifices for others and thinks both in the present and the future. I trust him as my liege and with my heart. I will stand by him always for if the kingdom goes the opposite way of our Crown Prince and his consistent actions, then by all accounts, the kingdom is making the wrong choice.”

That was good enough for Galdren. He shook her hand and left, heading back to his true love, smithing. Of course, James had been remotely watching the exchange while talking to Godfrey and Sloane. James was getting quite good at multitasking.

“How do you wish us to proceed Master?” Godfrey asked.

“Move the craftsmen and their families here. Begin the demolition after that. Several of them can donate their people to help with the demolition even though I know you don’t require it Godfrey. People are going to get suspicious about where these people have gone so it is best, they can see some of them helping both the demolition and building process.”

“As you command Master.” Godfrey bowed and left.

“You chose well your Majesty.” Sloane said.

Prince James nodded. “Mira was the right call. I’m going to grab Rita in a few and bring her here next. She was on duty with Mira and will get suspicious otherwise. Eventually I will have to address Leonard but that will be after Kira and her squad.”

“Can I ask why you chose her despite my recommendations your highness?” Sloane asked.

“We cannot deny or ignore people’s nature. Many nations fail because they ignore the fact that you can only distract or suppress one’s nature for so long. I want my people to think, to thrive, to make informed choices. Mira was one of the first to take up the mantle of my personal knight. I had somehow earned her loyalty from the very beginning. It was only right she be the first to receive mutual loyalty. Now enough of conversion, it is time for action. Over the next few hours kingdom side, I will be bringing Kira and team here. They have the duty next and will wonder where Mira and Rita have gone.”

Without another word they left to retrieve Mira and continue their mini recruitment effort.

—————

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Convincing Rita to join their cause and give her oath was remarkably easy. Rita was a soldier and seeing her commanding officer and friend already agree helped. In addition, since Rita arrived in the capital, she never met a noble, or royal for that matter, like Prince James. He had saved her life, got her promoted to royal knight, and every action, though he seemed to rely on his gut, still was made with clear purpose. She gladly gave her oath.

James could not decide who was more shocked, Mira or Rita. Where Mira was shocked, she still held a sense of control which he assumed had to do with her noble upbringing. Rita on the other hand was all over the place, and her head seemed to be on a swivel with how much it kept changing directions. For Rita, Sanctuary was true to its name, and she longed to explore every inch of the place.

To Prince James the responses he was receiving so far from those he brought here warmed his heart. People were in awe with something he had created. James laid bare a part of himself to all he showed this place to. This created a feeling of true vulnerability for James. Yet the people he brought here were in awe and accepted this place, so to James they were in a sense accepting him. This fact drove his resolve more than anything prior. James now knew he wanted to be a part of the world he was now in and leverage this place to make his new home better for all those interested in building a better future.

James, Mira, and Rita had just returned from Sanctuary after James shared some of his plans with his two knights. They appeared in Prince James’ private suite just before Kira and the rest of Tempest squad arrived for their shift and relieved Mira and Rita. Opening his bedroom doors he saw Kira, Anara, and Aeria walking into the private suite.

“Ah, perfect timing.” Prince James commented.

Seeing Mira and Rita coming out of Prince James’s bedroom Kira immediately spoke up. “Mira! Rita! What are you doing coming out of the Crown Prince’s bedroom?!”

“What were you three up to? Something torrid perhaps?” Aeria asked teasingly.

“The same thing the three of you will be doing. Get in here and shut the doors.” Prince James commanded.

Kira and Anara turned bright red from embarrassment while Aeria had the biggest smile on her face. “Absolutely my prince!” Aeria said before using wind magic to rush to the bedroom doors.

“Hurry up you two slowpokes, I got a prince to satisfy!” Aeria said before using wind magic to pick up Kira and Anara, fly them into the bedroom, and dropping her two squad mates on Prince James’s bed. With a final gust of wind, Aeria shut the bedroom doors closed.

James raised his hands up in a stop motion. “Wait a minute, that is not what I meant. I only wanted us to speak in privacy.”

“Oh, it’ll be plenty private my prince. I erected a wind barrier to ensure no sounds are heard from this room.” Aeria said excitedly.

‘Wow this chick is excited! I better real this in quick.’

“Look you little airhead, if you don’t knock this off right now, I’ll bury my blade into one of your tits to see if it’ll pop!” Mira growled out.

Aeria quickly covered her chest with her hands. “You wouldn’t!”

“Try me.” Mira said with a deadly smile.

“That’s enough Mira. We talked about this jealousy nonsense. They are your sisters in arms.” Prince James commanded.

Aeria seemed to perk up at Prince James’s words but deflated a moment later as he continued to speak. “Though I do appreciate you getting things back on track. I did not ask you into my bedroom for anything of a sexual nature. I merely wished to talk where no one can hear.”

James saw that Kira had gotten off the bed, but Anara was still trying to untangle herself from the bed sheets. He walked over and picked her up in a Princess carry.

“Yip!” Anara squealed in embarrassment and excitement before James set her down on her feet. “Thank you, your Majesty.” Anara said after composing herself and adjusting her robes.

“Not a problem.” Prince James said.

‘Why does he keep doing that with her?’ Several of the girls thought to themselves.

“Now back to why I asked to speak to you in such an intimate and private setting. As I told Mira and Rita, I am new here and still getting comfortable with trusting people and figuring out who I can trust.”

“Your Highness, I hope you know you can trust any of us here or for that matter any of your other personal royal knights.” Kira said.

Putting up his hands he continued. “Kira I would not have selected those I did as my personal royal knights if I did not trust them to some degree. However, I am a man of many secrets. Surely, you all have realized that by now.”

James could see the agreement in their eyes, so James continued. “I would be a fool to trust blindly, far too many want to use me in some way or if they do not want to use me for their goals, they would rather see me dead.”

Sighing, he continued. “Now I asked you three here because I’ve decided to confide some of my secrets to you, but I will require some additional oaths beforehand. However, before I get to that it’s time, we got some things out in the open.”

“Things, your Highness?” Kira asked.

“Yes. It is clear to see that you ladies have feelings towards me. Some like Aeria are extremely over the top about it, plus she is just a big flirt.” Prince James stated before Aeria replied.

“Hey! I resemble that remark.”

Shaking his head, Prince James continued. “As I told Mira, I may have tried to ignore such feelings as I sorted out my own feelings being new to this place. I hope all of you know the last thing I wanted was to misstep and end up hurting someone I cared about, as I do care for all of you. So, I will tell each of you I ask for your patience and understanding.”

Of course, Aeria was the first to respond. “We aren’t going anywhere my prince. I for one appreciate the sentiments and attempts to air all this out in the open. Also, know that I’m not asking for any kind of long-term commitment.” She said the last part and winked at him.

“Thank you Aeria for the acknowledgment. Bringing us back to the topic. If all of you can accept my request for patience, I would like to take the next step in building trust. I require your oath of silence, but I will not turn away any oaths of fealty. To be clear, an oath of silence is the only thing I require for us to continue.”

Aeria practically glided to James before kneeling before him and giving both her oath of silence and oath of fealty. Surprisingly to James, Anara was next to bend the knee, giving her oath of silence and of fealty. Before Anara finished Kira bent the knee and gave both oaths after Anara finished.

“I accept your oaths with the same gravity upon which they were given.” Prince James said seriously before clapping his hands together and smiling. “Now that that is over, it is time to show you some magical wonders.”

“Magical wonders?” Anara’s ears seemed to perk up.

“Yes, now I would ask everyone to move in real close and hold on tight.” Prince James said.

Aeria wasted no time pushing herself into Prince James. “Is this close enough my prince?” Aeria asked.

‘How are those things so buoyant?’ Anara thought as her and Kira moved in as well. Before she could think of anything else they teleported away.

When they appeared at their destination all the ladies grabbed on to Prince James to steady themselves from the initial disorientation.

“Don’t worry it will pass. Welcome to Sanctuary! Let me show it’s wonders.” Prince James said as he waved his arm across the landscape.

Godfrey, who knew where Prince James would appear when he returned, was standing by and interjected. “If you would like Master, I can give them the tour. I believe Sloane and Galdren have much to report.”

“Very well Godfrey, please show them around and come find me in the baths.” James instructed.

“Baths? I don’t remember getting a tour of any baths.” Mira stated.

“That is because I was saving it for when we had more time. I think you’ll love them.” James said before teleporting away to Galdren and Sloane.

They all just stared for a moment at the spot where Prince James was just at.

“How does he do that?” Kira said in wonder.

Godfrey decided to snap them out of their revelry by giving them a loud cough. “HMM, HMM! Right this way ladies. I think you will find this place quite enjoyable.” Godfrey said before guiding them along the ‘tour’ as his Master called it.

—————

“What do you have to report?” James asked once he arrived in the throne room where Galdren and Sloane waited.

A bit startled at Prince James’ sudden appearance, they jumped.

“Oey, I almost lost me lunch!” Galdren exclaimed.

Sloane had his hand on his blade before dropping his hand. “That is very unnerving and will take some time to get used to.”

Realizing their liege asked them a question Galdren answered first. “Much my king. All the families are settled in already. This time dial effect is very handy.”

Prince James decided to ignore Galdren’s mispronouncing of the time dilation. “And what of their agreement to help with the facade of construction?”

“Each family has pledged several members to help with construction. With all the manpower they have offered we could construct many a structure, even without your magic, my king.” Galdren replied.

“Excellent. Good job Galdren.” Prince James said before turning his attention to his spymaster. “Sloane what about your concerns about security?”

“Several dwarves have come forward and offered to be part of a guard rotation detail for each area of the realm. They were adamant about helping protect their new home...and to use their words ‘keep the greedy no good intruding bastards away.’” Sloane reported.

“A guard rotation is a great idea. Let’s coordinate an armory to kit out our guards and soldiers when they are on duty. I want my people armed. An armed society is a far safer and more protected one.” James stated.

“It will be done your Majesty. We are ready to begin the construction phase of this plan. With the dwarves providing additional guard details we could begin immediately, just give the word.” Sloane said.

“Do it. Godfrey should be almost done with the tour. I will have Mira and Kira coordinate a royal knight presence at the site as well.” James said before leaving and heading to the baths.