Geffeld could barely keep his eyes open as the wind rushed by his face. In fact he had to squint just so his eyes didn't dry out. Everything around him was a blur as the world rushed past. A couple times he was sure he would be smashed into a building. But of course his goddess would not let him be harmed like that. In fact his flight through the town was quite uneventful. Within a minute however they had arrived at the castle.
The castle in Lindenburg was called Castle Linden. Perhaps not an overly creative name, what with the castle sharing a name with the town. The reverse was actually true Geffeld knew as the castle was usually built first with the town being built up around it over time. This one was on the smaller side to be sure but still an impressive piece of architecture. It had four tall towers standing over thirty feet tall, one in each cardinal direction. Along the ramparts and on the tops of the towers flew colorful flags with the image of an owl as the family crest. Its gatehouse was fitted with a gate of iron bars, though it was raised already likely due to Goddess Jenna's powers.
There was already a small group of soldiers from the army they had come with here in the castle courtyard. They were standing guard over the guards and militia that had been stationed here, though there was not much reason to as their prisoners were bound with vines already. When they saw Jenna appear floating through the gate they all bowed in respect. Their prisoners looked on with various expressions which included anger and confusion.
Jenna landed on the cobblestone like a butterfly landing on a flower, her hair sweeping back and forth behind her as it settled. Without even missing a step she began walking towards the main entrance's steps and the open door at their top. She glanced at the humans around her and gave a nod of approval.
One of the soldiers on their side spoke while still bowing with his head lowered.
“Goddess Jenna! A dozen men have gone ahead inside and taken the duke and duchess captive.”
Jenna gave him a quick glance without stopping.
“I know. Thank you.”
As she walked by a particularly thin man who was tied up with vines yelled out to her in a mixture of anger and sadness. It sounded like while he was furious he was also about to cry. A very strange combination.
“How could you do this?” He cried. “I'm one of your worshipers in this goddess forsaken town! How could you turn against your own servants?”
Jenna stopped walking suddenly, though she didn't turn her head to face the man. Everyone around went quiet and waited on baited breath for her reaction. Most expected it to not be pretty. After a short pause she let out a long sigh and then spoke quite calmly.
“I have reasons for doing this little one.” She said almost soothingly. “If you just have some patience it will all make sense. I've not turned against anyone.”
The man stuttered in reply.
“But- But-”
Jenna shook her head. “No buts. Just relax and wait.”
Then after she was finished speaking the little goddess started walking again with Geffeld following behind her. He was still technically in charge of this operation and as the goddess had not given any orders to these men he did so himself.
“Continue watching over these men. The goddess and I shall see to the nobles.”
All the soldiers lifted their heads and gave him a salute, giving a round of “yes sirs.”
Geffeld then followed Jenna as she walked up the half dozen steps to the large ornate wooden door that led into the castle entryway. Standing there were two of their soldiers, one man and one woman. They immediately saluted their captain and took a knee for their goddess.
The woman spoke. “The duke and duchess are being held in the throne room.”
Jenna stopped to listen to the report and Geffeld stopped as well. He cleared his throat and replied in a stately manner.
“Thank you for your report soldier. Keep standing guard here for now.”
“Yes sir.” They both replied.
Geffeld then walked up closer to Jenna and stopped standing just to her right and slightly behind her. His voice was slightly shaky when addressing her.
“Erm my goddess. Do you have anything to say? Any orders?”
Jenna turned around and looked at him with a rather coy expression.
“No. Actually I would prefer you introduce us captain. You can do that for me can't you?”
Geffeld was rather taken aback but quickly recovered and gave a quick standing bow.
“O-Of course goddess! Please leave it to me!”
After this his goddess began walking forward again leaving him very confused. For what possible reason would she want him to do the introductions? He supposed that was how royalty normally had their introductions done, but the goddess was far from typical nobility. She usually introduced herself and quite boldly at that. A small bit of sweat started forming on his neck as he followed behind her into the castle. He had to live up to her expectations.
The throne room of Castle Linden was not far from its entrance, just a quick jaunt through the main hall which served as its entrance way. While they were rather small time nobility the duke and duchess still had a pleasantly expensive looking collection of art on display. It was mainly landscape paintings and suits of decorative armor. Though there were some rather ornate looking weapons as well. Not to mention the tapestries, the biggest of which was the family crest.
Geffeld knew surprisingly little about the duke and duchess that ruled here, only knowing they were rather adrift from Celeduun's noble circles. Their last name he knew as well of course: that being Hempenmiemer. However they managed to keep this town of drifters and criminals under control he had no idea, though there was likely a great deal of skulduggery involved. Goddess Jenna would hate that.
Up ahead were the doors to the throne room and behind them the throne room itself. For a castle of its size this was a fairly spacious hall, the pillars that held it up in quite good condition. Small tables, chairs, wall hangings, and torches lined its walls as expect. In the far side of this fifty or so foot long room were the small wooden thrones atop a wooden stage. This was where the duke would hold whatever small time court he might have.
In front of the stage sat around forty men and women. They were a mixture of servants, cooks, and guards. All prisoners to the twenty soldiers who stood above them with weapons drawn. Then behind them all on the two thrones sat the duke and duchess. At their right and left stood other soldiers armed with spears. All of Geffeld's soldiers bowed when he and Jenna entered the room with the natives just looking up in fear and anticipation.
It was now that Geffeld could get a good look at the two nobles. Sitting on the right was the duchess Margret. A woman of fifty with two with silver hair tied up in bun, her eyes light green. She was dressed in a elegant dress colored like spring flowers with a small circlet on her crown. To her left sat her husband Ludis, the fifty-five year old man spouting his own silver circlet that rested on his silver hair. His hair went down to his neck and he had indigo eyes. He was dressed in a puffed up suit of brown and green with red pants. Both of them were crème of skin.
When Jenna entered she stopped shortly through the door, giving a glance Geffeld's way as she was expecting him to take the lead. Her hands were placed behind the small of her back and she stood up tall, her eyes focused on the two thrones up ahead.
Geffeld took his cue and stepped out in front of Jenna, his brow slightly moist with sweat as he took on the responsibility of indroducing his goddess. At the same time he began walking forward the duke spoke from the throne.
“And whom are you?” Ludis asked, clearly trying to put on airs he was somewhat in control. “I take you are in command of this force? Who might this small girl be?”
At first Geffeld was surprised this man didn't know who Jenna was, though considering how distant he kept himself from both kingdom's affairs it would make sense he supposed. Regardless he had an introduction to do and he was not going to mess this up. After clearing his throat he spoke.
“My name is Geffeld Turnhatch.” He began projecting his voice. “I am indeed the captain of the army that has taken this town.” Then he stepped to the side and gestured to Jenna. “This is the might Goddess Jenna. Goddess of light and knowledge.”
The two floating books were enough to make it clear Jenna was some sort of mage, but her goddess status was often difficult for others to believe unless she unleashed her aura. Right now her hair was only faintly glowing which was a sign of her aura being under tight control. Usually when this changed it was for a show of force or during high emotional states.
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Ludis sat up in his chair in shock at what he had just first.
“Goddess?” He said in disbelief. “You mean to tell me this little girl is the goddess I heard so much about? The one who's voice I heard at the start of the attack?”
All of the other castle occupants looked on in awe and fear at the little girl standing across the hall from them. Meanwhile the soldiers all bowed either partly or to their knees. Jenna however continued standing there, her eyes closed in an attempt to lessen her smug expression.
“Yes!” Geffeld replied. “H-How do you not know what she looks like?”
He looked at Jenna desperate for her to say something. His silent prayer to her was soon answered.
Jenna stepped forward and began walking towards the thrones, her hair beginning to glow brighter as her radiant aura began expanding to fill the entire room. It was not a feeling to incite terror but instead a warm light that carried with it power like the sun itself. Anyone who saw it or felt it instinctively knew there was great power behind it. A silence fell over the room as the young goddess opened her mouth and spoke, her voice booming but not overly loud as she looked around at those on the floor.
“I am Goddess Jenna. Perhaps you've heard of me.” She then looked directly at the stage. “You two may introduce yourselves now.”
Her aura had an obvious effect on all those who were non-worshipers. The castle servants and guards either sat in stunned silence or fell on their faces before her. On their thrones however the duke and duchess were more resistant to her overwhelming presence, perhaps simply because they were used to being greatly respected themselves. T hey were still however momentarily left speechless.
In response to this Jenna pulled back in her aura and let her books float more loosely in the air at her sides. She also brought her hands in front of herself to rest in front of her legs.
“Now relax.” She said in a calm voice. “I'm not going to hurt anyone. Now introduce yourselves.”
After collecting himself Ludis lifted his hand to his mouth and coughed. He then spoke with a surprisingly steady voice.
“My name i-is Ludis Hempenmiemer, Duke of Lindenburg.” He looked to the duchess. “And this is my wife Margret Hempenmiemer, the Duchess of Lindenburg.” Then he stood and did a standing bow. “How might we be of service goddess?”
In response to this his wife also stood up and bowed herself. Her voice was less steady and she had some stammers in her speech.
“W-What brings y-you to our fair town g-goddess?” She asked.
Jenna smiled warmly with no hint of malice.
“I'm here to take over obviously!”
This blunt announcement brought the room into utter silence again. This one being a somewhat awkward one at that. All of the castle staff looked between each other and then to Jenna with hesitancy. They were not used to the goddess's spontaneous behavior.
“I'll take it they'll be no attempts of escape or fighting back now that I'm here?” She continued with a question.
While she spoke she walked closer to the captives and thrones, not flinching when some of the people on the floor scooted backwards away from her. Everyone was still silent for a few moments until it became clear she was waiting for an answer.
Ludis was the one to speak.
“N-No goddess there shan't be.” He then looked down at the gathered prisoners. “Everyone shall be cooperative.”
Some of those sitting had looked back at their duke and seeing his worried expression turned back to Jenna and nodded enthusiastically. Those others around them saw their nods and joined in in solidarity. Some of them also verbalized their agreement to passivity.
“Very good.” Jenna said with a nod, her hand returning to behind her back.
She then began pacing back and forth quite close to the prisoners seeming to be in thought. After a few moments she stopped and faced the thrones again, her shoulders squaring up and her head lifted.
“Ya'll may stand up.” She then gestured to the soldiers. “You troops step back and allow them to. There wont be any need for violence.”
All of the soldiers immediately obeyed, lowering their weapons and taking enough steps back to allow their prisoners to feel comfortable. After this was done all of the men and women on the floor stood up with both relief and confusion on their faces. They were expecting this to be a trap of some kind though after they had been standing for several moments nothing continued to happen.
“A-Are you serious little goddess?” One of the maids asked in disbelief.
Jenna nodded and spoke matter of factually.
“I am. In fact you are all dismissed back to your regular duties. All but the guards of course. Ya'll stay here.”
Still completely confused and unsure what to do none of the servants moved. They all instead turned to their masters who gave them reassuring and worried nods. This was enough permission for the still frightened servants to all scatter about the castle. Wither they were going back to work or simply hiding only they and the goddess knew for sure.
While this was going on a soldier adorned in leather armor ran into the throne room. He was a young man with orange hair who was from Geffeld's army. Upon seeing Jenna he stopped, almost collapsing to the floor as he caught his breath.
“Go...ess!”
Jenna quickly yet smoothly turned around on her heels and put her hands on her hips. She took a few steps towards the soldier with a fierce yet non-threatening look in her eyes.
“Don't push yourself so hard you pass out soldier!” She ordered in a kind manner. “Just catch your breath and make your report.”
The young man gasped out a thank you and focused on his recovery. Geffeld and the rest of the room simply waited in silence for his report. No one wanted to interrupt the goddess while she was clearly in some kind of mood.
Once the young man had recovered he stood up and saluted, his eyes doing their best to look anywhere but at the goddess.
“G-Goddess Jenna!” He half shouted due to his nerves. “I've come to report that the capture of the town is complete! I rode over and ran into the castle as soon as I heard you were here goddess!”
Jenna crossed her arms over her chest and nodded.
“Causality report?”
The soldier gulped and saluted again.
“N-None goddess! On either side!”
This answer brought a dry smile to her lips. It was as if she already knew the answer yet was annoyed she had to go through the motions of asking anyway. She then put her arms behind her back again and whirled around to face the nobles again.
“Very good soldier!” She exclaimed. “Have everyone sent word to remain on standby to prevent any more fights from cropping up.”
“Yes ma'am!” The young man replied. “I mean goddess!”
Jenna waved her left hand over her shoulder. “Dismissed.”
The duchess Margret had her hands over her chest and looked quite shocked. In fact everyone present was quite overcome with surprise at this news.
“Great goddess.” Margret began. “It- It is truly impressive you took our town without any deaths. Why then do you seem in poor mood?”
Jenna rolled her eyes and took a deep breath followed by a deep sigh. Her shoulders loosened and she dropped her arms to her sides. Then after composing herself again she stood up straight again and put her arms behind her back once again.
“It has nothing to do with you don't worry. Its been taken care of and my mood is much better now.”
This brought a measure of relief to everyone present. Geffeld especially knew how fearful an angry goddess was. Even when being merciful Jenna was quite terrifying.
Ludis then cleared his throat and stepped down from the stage. He also straightened his pose to make himself more stately.
“W-Well then goddess. I hereby surrender to the kingdom of Celeduun.” He gave a graceful bow. “As you are well aware we have attempted to stay neutral but I well understand all springs must end.”
Jenna then got a big grin on her face and brought her arms around to cross over her chest. She had an almost devious look.
“Oh ya'll are still going to be neutral. You haven't surrender to the kingdom of Celeduun. You've surrendered to me. This town is now the direct property of me.”
Everyone in the room was taken completely by surprise and were left in shock. None perhaps more so than Geffeld himself.
“G-Goddess?” Geffeld asked baffled.
The big grin had transformed into a smile on Jenna's face as she walked closer to the duke, her floating books coming around and opening up, a sure sign she was about to go into an explanation.
“Why don't we go sit down somewhere and talk?” She asked. “I'll explain everything there.” Then looking at Geffeld. “You come too.”
Unable to refuse her invitation Geffeld nodded and followed after the young goddess. The two of them then went with the duke and duchess into the small meeting hall behind the throne stage to sit down for a rather long meeting. They were in there for several hours as Jenna went over her plans for the town and used her books to illustrate what she was talking about. Geffeld was impressed at how much his goddess knew about statecraft, though as a goddess of knowledge he probably shouldn't have been surprised.
Goddess Jenna went over how the town of Lindenburg was now her official property and how the duke and duchess reported directly to her now, completely removed from the kingdom of Celeduun. They now had no king over them even in the informal sense, this land now completely her neutral territory. This meant as long as they did what she commanded she would protect them from the war on both fronts. Apparently she had not told anyone about this beforehand, not even the king. Her word was law however and what she said was now so. She was even allowing Ludis and Margret to keep their positions as duke and duchess under her rule.
There of course were many changes to come along with this shifting of ownership. First and most shocking being the removal of all taxes. Yes she explained in great detail how taxes were a thing of the past, now replaced by optional donations directly to the branch of Jenna's church that would be built in the town. This money would then be given to the duke in order to maintain things such as roads, walls, and the pay of the town guard. It was a community driven by its own members she said, showing diagrams in her books how such self regulation of a town would make it as prosperous as its citizens wanted it to be.
She also went over the corruption in the town as well as the rampant crime. These would both come to an end she said firmly, for under her laws there would be serious punishments for crimes. In exchange for the duke and duchess helping clean up the town she would pardon them of any past crimes. It was stressed that the populace would eventually clean up their own behavior as well, though it would take time and guidance. A policing force was brought up as something Jenna herself would instate from people already living here and people from outside the town both.
Finally the goddess went over technology and how she wanted to implement it into the town. Things like electricity and running water, both things several villages she oversaw already enjoyed. She was particularly excited to go over some rough plans on paper for the city planning aspect of her vision for the town. All of this would take time to implement of course, but she went on about a free market which would help greatly in the development.
After several hours of explaining and answering questions everyone was beginning to get exhausted. Geffeld especially due to having just fought a battle to capture a town. Even the goddess herself seemed to be tired. Thus Jenna left to parts unknown, but not before assigning the captain Geffeld to oversee this town personally. She was leaving this small army as a temporary garrison to keep the peace while everything could be settled. The duke and duchess had no issues with this. Meanwhile the goddess herself would notify Lord Quarely about these developments.
So did the lowly captain of the local lord's army Geffeld Turnhatch end up overseeing the peaceful and bloodless occupation of the boarder town of Lindenburg. Such a development he could have never imagined for his life, yet through fate and the mercy of his goddess here he was. His passion was ignited like never before and he would strive to make his goddess's vision for this town come true for he could see the divine benevolence in her actions.