"Impressive." Helones said ironically as he was riding through the village's muddy road.There was no trace of stone or gravel on it,suggesting that the former owner had not put any effort on improving it.The houses were big,but not maintained.
"Let's head to the marketplace,Lorran.I know it's afternoon,but some tradesmen and farmers may still be there selling their goods." said Helones and headed to the most crowded place in the village.To Helones's surprise,the marketplace was somehow crowded.Two hours ago,only tradesmen stood there,but now villagers and a few outsiders from the other manors were observing the goods or trading.
"We came at the right time it seems,Lorran." Helones shouted,trying to speak louder than the noises of the marketplace.He jumped off his horse and gave the reins to Devoron.He headed for the nearest stand of the marketplace and saw what his subjects or other traders were selling.He saw an old farmer along with his wife selling carrots,turnips,and onions.Next to him was an artisan selling pots and urns.Behind Helones,a woman was selling straw baskets.He headed towards her and took a basket from the stand.The woman looked at Helones,confused.She obviously didn't know that the young man who was observing her goods was the new lord of the manor.Lorran stood next to Helones and laid eyes at the woman.
"Bow,woman.You are in the presence of sir Helones Doran,the new lord of Ungrey"he said with a voice that made the woman bow instantly.
"I'm sorry,milord.I did not know who you were,for I would have bowed as soon as you laid eyes on my baskets."She bowed lower and waited for her lord's answer.
"Do not worry,my lady.A mistake that could happend to anyone,especially a woman who seems so much dedicated to her work." said Helones,smiling to the woman.She blushed and smiled.
"What is your name,good woman?"Helones asked.
"Gina,milord" answered the woman.
"And how is your enterprise doing,Gina"he asked still smiling.
"Good,milord.Same as yesterday,I think.There has not been a day that an outsider has not bought a straw basket from Gina.I make the strongest baskets in all of Lissern"she said proudly.Helones watched the basket again and confirmed Gina's words.The basket was strong and well made,with flower patterns embeded on it.
"Your baskets are the most beautiful I have ever laid eyes upon,Gina.I hope you sell all of them by the end of the day.I wish you a good day"Helones said walked away.
"That was good of you my lord,but you must focus on other matters that require your attention,regarding the manor."Lorran said,with judgeful look on his face.
"How can I focus on other matters,while my subjects have no clue who I am?"
"Your subjects will know you in time my lord,but there are more important matters..."
"Ah fuck other matters,Lorran.The people need to know me.If I stay among them and learn their names,they will become more loyal to me.I know it sounds like pigshit,but that's the truth.I've seen what subjects can do to a lord if he treats them like his dogs."Helones continued walking,leaving Lorran with a worried look that did not get away from him the entire day.
Devoron walked behind his lord leading both horses.They passed through the marketplace and stopped next to the village's forge.Helones opened the gate and a bell rang as soon as he entered.A bald man the size of an ox was hammering a piece of iron,while two young lads were heating the furnace.The bald man stoped hammering the iron,wiped his face with a piece of cloth and greeted the new clients.
"Welcome,gentlemen.How can I serve you?" He asked.He put his hammer away and crossed his arms.Lorran spoke first
"Good day,master Torian.You are standing in the presence of lord Helones Doran,the new lord of Ungrey.We came to see your forge and make sure everything was fine,regarding your business."he said,looking at Torian.The blacksmith was close to seven feet tall,and muscles covered his arms and chest.A typical blacksmith,Helones thought.He had seen many during his time in lord Paxten Ren's service.
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"Good day to you,good sir.And good day to you,my lord Helones.I feel honoured having you in my simple forge.I work hard everyday,along with my boys Destan and Torbyn,but since the war a lot has changed.I lack iron to make tools and weapons,therefore I'm not able to sell as much as the villagers want to.Before,traders from other manors of Lissern brought iron here in exchange for other goods,but now only a few come and they sell light goods.The trade lines between other manors have been broken for almost two years and we barely feed ourselves.I'm sorry you have to hear this my lord but better to acknowledge the problem than behave like it does not exist."Torian said with sadness.His face looked harsh,but he seemed to be a hard working good man.Years of poverty had made him more stern and straightforward than needed.
"I am aware of the problems this manor has Torian,and we're trying to figure out ways to fix those problems.I will try to find a solution for the lack of iron as soon as I can.Have a good day."Helones concluded and walked out of the forge.
"That was a straight forward answer,if I may say so,my lord"Lorran added,as he was walking behind his liege.
"Straight forward men like to have a straight forward answer,Lorran.Torian is a blacksmith after all,not a politican."He continued walking until he arrived at a two floor building,larger than the houses around it.
"Is this the sheriff's headquarters,Lorran?"He asked.
"Yes,my lord." Lorran answered.Next to the building's door stood three pillories,only one occupied by a young man in his twentiesHelones stoped to watch him.
"What was your crime,lad?"he asked.The man watched him confused,before answering.
"Being too smart for my own good,milord."he answered,with a grin on his face.Helones liked that answer.He knew how to respect a bold man,even when there was no reason to be bold.
"You're a clever one,aren't you?Was it thievery?"He asked.The young man nodded,still smiling like it was a normal thing to do."And you seem to not regret your ungodly actions."
It was more a fact than an answer.
"The only reason I'm sorry is that I was caught,milord.These times men have to fall so low in order to survive.Before I was an honest lad,working for ser Venmont,and now..."he stoped,and stood sikent as the building's door opened and an old man came out.
"Shut your gob before I fill it with pigshit,Conrad.You may be a good spy but not a very food thief.Too much honesty in you.You'll think twice before you try it again,and three days here will be more than enough."the old man saw Helones and bowed."We were excpecting you tomorrow my lord.Welcome to Ungrey.I am Ulfarn,the sheriff and this stupid lad,who I can bet has dung filling his head is Conrad.Don't mistake him for a mere thief,for he is the best spy in Lissern.
"Well meet,sheriff Ulfarn.And Conrad"he said,looking at Conrad."I came here to see if you were doing a fine job on catching brigands and criminals on our lands."
"Well,my lord there is not much to be said for the village itself.Conrad here is the only fool who tried to steal to one of the traders here.But I am afraid to say that the manor has been home to a band of outlaws during this past two years."
"Outlaws?And have you done anything to fix this problem,Ulfarn?"Helones asked,knowing the answer before it came.
"Not enough,my liege.There are dozens of bandits hiding in the forest east of the village.They come out only when there is a caravan to be raided.Those bastards have caused a lot of troubles.Traders come rarely now,or not at all."Ulfarn said,with a face that showed guilt.
"Why haven't you done enough to prevent this bandit problem?"Lorran asked with an angry voice.Ulfarn lowered his head.
"We don't have the weapons to fight them,sir"he mumbled"The weapons we had were the best in the region but now they lay rusty somewhere in the barracks.The blacksmith,Torian refuses to repair them,because he needs the iron he posseses to repair the most neccessary tools the village needs.The men we have though,are well trained and ready to fight the bandits,if they have the equipment."
"So if we find the iron,and Torian repairs the weapons,we can get rid of the bandits?"Helones asked.
"Of course,my lord.After we get the equipment,the men only need a bit of training,for they have not fought these past two years."Ulfarn said.
Helones did not say anything for a minute.He fixed his eyes on Lorran,before he spoke.
"Lorran,I need you to find out how much coin we can gather in a fortnight.That includes my savings that should be in the manor right now."
He eyed Conrad.
"Conrad,I don't know you yet,but judging Ulfarn's words you are a capable spy.I need you to come tomorrow at the manor house and I will give you more details.Ulfarn."he said to the sheriff."I want you to double the watchmen in the village.I saw that we have only four.Meanwhile,gather all the abled bodies you can and start training them."
He got the reins of his horse from Devoron and got on.Devoron and Lorran did the same and they started to ride towards the manor house.
"HEY,WHAT ABOUT ME?!"Belones heard Conrad shout.