76 - Fort Shi Part Two
Alyena has gone to the closed part of the library at every opportunity she got these last few days. Because the books here are almost never used, the maintenance of them has also been less than it should be. Gerben the librarian tries his best, but he can’t afford to do more than clean a little bit at a time.
The books have not been rewritten for a long time, which means that many of the books are difficult to read due to the language changing over the centuries. To Alyena, it seems to be a mishmash between the language of the old empire and the current language.
As a result, she has made less progress than she had hoped. However, she did find several interesting books where possible answers to her problems might be found. For example, she has found the following piece:
"In order to introduce the long-awaited and for the people so important change with regard to the forced incorporation of the regiments in defense of the imperial territory, Emperor Augustus VI deployed both the third, fourth and seventh legions to strengthen legiolism."
Another more hopeful piece is:
"In the fifth month of the fifth year of emperor Theodore's reign, the tributum was increased on the purchase of slaves. With the increased tributum, Emperor Theodore shut down much of the slave trade. The deployment of a slave became much more expensive than the use of servants, especially if the servant signed a contract to remain employed by the owner of the estate for his entire life. As a result, the use of sworn servants became much more common.'
Apparently it is indeed possible to implement changes, Alyena muses. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's going to be very easy. I don't have three legions to enforce a law. The second option, to offer something that amounts to almost the same thing, is also not going to work.
Because Alyena has to think for a while about what her next step will be, she decides to take her mind off it with a visit to the military academy. The academy is located on the shore of Snake Lake, near the city of Maisier. That is why she calls Captain Cervik to plan the trip.
"Captain Cervik! Put together a bodyguard for me to accompany us to Maisier. I think it's time for me to take a personal look at the academy."
"Why do you want to go there? I don't think you learn very much there, at least I didn't when I was there."
"That's exactly my goal, I want to know how the students are being taught. If our officers don't know how to wage war, how are our warriors ever supposed to fight against Chakra? And in addition, the academy costs a lot of money."
"In that case I think you can certainly learn something from that visit. Whether the academy is what you expect it to be, I doubt it. But it will certainly be instructive."
Immediately Captain Cervik leaves the room to arrange an escort for the next day.
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"You're not going to believe this, Florian!" With these words, Aulis storms into the squad leader's office.
"Let me guess, the mayors don't think the third option is good enough either?"
The two have been trying for days to find a place that the mayors think is good enough to start a new village. So far, all the places nearby have received a failing grade. At the first, the soil was too poor for growing enough food and the second was too close to the forest, which they thought dangerous.
"What was the problem this time?"
"That you couldn't guess that Florian. The ground was not flat enough."
"But they can just flatten that themselves, can't they?" Asks the squad leader with played amazement.
"Yes, of course, but the same goes for the previous excuses. Those guys, especially Mayor Crow, just want to have a ready-made village to move into."
"Well, we didn't hide any ready-made villages in the warehouses. What we can do though, is offer them a place that has already proven itself. Then they’ll have no choice but to accept it."
"What do you mean by that? This island has been uninhabited for centuries."
"Yes, but before that time there were a lot of villages. I think you even came across a few places during your expedition to Centurion."
"You're right about that! In some places you could even find the foundations among all the weeds."
The next day, Aulis and Florian, along with Dew and a bunch of soldiers, will take the two mayors to Centurion. In the evening, Aulis personally informs the mayors that they will be on the road for a few days. He also mentions that there will be lots of place to see that will be great to start up their new villages.
At the end of the evening, Mayor Crow once again starts to complain that he has seen very little of those amazingly beautiful places to found his village.
"Well, mayor, I can't do much about the fact that you didn't think the previous places were good enough. That is why we’ll go along the main road, and see all the places that were once the places to be along the road. You’ll see, these will soon be the most visited villages of the island."
"Well I haven't seen all that many people on that main road of yours." Is the grumpy man's answer.
"There is not much more than Centurion and Arana on the island yet. But after you’ve founded your villages, there will already be a lot more reason to go back and forth. In addition, Centurion has to buy a lot of supplies, which will mainly come from the island. I therefore expect that there will be a lively trade along the road. That is why we have chosen some places where resting places will be located, perhaps eventually even inns if we can find interested parties."
"Hmpf."
Aulis and Florian look at each other. This man is never satisfied.
The next day the expedition is already on the other side of the mountains. Here are most of the places on the main road where villages used to be. On the side of Arana there is of course only one, and there is already a small settlement there these days.
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When they come across the first place, Mayor Naam is very enthusiastic.
"This is beautiful!" he exclaims, "This is as far from the pass through the mountains as that settlement on the other side, but the land here is a lot more fertile."
"You are right, sir," squad leader Floris replies, "down there, you can't see it, but you can hear it if you listen carefully, a river flows where you can find clean water. This place is high enough that even the meltwater does not make the river high enough to cause flooding."
However, Mayor Crow is not so enthusiastic. "Otherwise, it's still very uneven here. I don't think my people feel like walking up and downhill all the time."
Now even the other mayor is fed up with his whining. "Crow, since we've been here, these people have done nothing but try to help us. As a thank you, you have only been whining, that has to stop right now! If you don't want this place, I'll take it! I'm sure I can persuade enough people to build our village here. Look at it, the foundations of houses are still there. With a little cleaning we can start building new walls and roofs immediately!"
"Hmpf."
Aulis and Florian look at each other again with telling looks. That sniffing of the man starts to get annoying.
The second and third places that Aulis thought were good for a settlement are also rejected. But in the middle of the afternoon they arrive at an intersection of the main road. Here used to be another major road that went more from the northeast to the southwest. This puts it perpendicular to the main road. On this spot there used to be a fairly large village. In the distance you can even see the walls and towers of Centurion.
"Here, this is a place I can do something with." The once surly Mayor Crow seems to have turned into a cheerful man in a single moment.
Well, cheerful is also exaggerated, Aulis thinks. "You're right, Mayor Crow. As you can see, here are also the remains of an old village. The intersection of these two roads, the two largest we have discovered on the island, makes it an excellent place for the next village. The land here as you can see is quite flat, and there is a lake half an hour's walk away. In addition, you can see Centurion lying there in the distance, that is now an hour or two on foot I think."
"Is there a river nearby? Or do we have to walk all the way to that lake for drinking water?"
"Well there is no river here, but there is a stream nearby. Also, this old village once had a well, so I assume that it can be repaired again. Oh and if that's not good enough, there used to be a sawmill near that stream."
"I don't know much about those. I'm more into agriculture. If we cultivate some land, we can grow a lot of grain here."
"Then why don’t you put a bunch of millstones in that old sawmill?" Is the brilliant idea of squad leader Floris. "That water will probably move those stones as easily as a saw. Then you don't have to build a normal mill."
"Right, then we can sell the flour instead of grain. That yields a lot more." Mayor Crow seems convinced. "Shall we go back to Arana now? The sooner we leave, the sooner I can go here again with my people."
However, Aulis has a better plan: "How about going to centurion first? After all, it will be the island's best trading partner. And in doing so, they’ll ensure that no pirates and bandits come to set things on fire."
"Yes, but we also want to start setting up our villages quickly!" Both mayors are now so enthusiastic about their new villages that they want nothing more than to start right away.
"I think I can persuade the captain to bring us home with one of their ships. Or do you feel more like walking for a few more days?"
The latter argument appears to be the deciding factor. Even Aulis is surprised by the enthusiasm with which the two men immediately start walking towards the towers of Centurion.
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Five days after their departure from Niroma, Alyena and her entourage arrive at the city of Maisier.
"Look there, your majesty," says Captain Cervik, "There in the distance you can see the Imperial Academy."
"Where then Cervik? I see the city and in the northern quarter I see a walled estate. But I don't see a military terrain anywhere."
Empress Alyena is not wrong. In the middle of the northern quarter is a walled estate. The entire site resembles a large park, complete with a forest, a small lake and a large lawn. In the middle is a beautiful mansion with at least three buildings that are placed in a U shape.
"That estate IS the academy, your majesty. When it was founded, it was decided that it should be built within the walls of the city. They made room for it by buying out the people who already lived there, or by adjusting the leases in such a way that people could no longer afford to continue living there. Eventually, a wall was put around it because many residents from all over the city came to visit the area. Over the years, the inhabitants have adapted, and some buildings have even been built against that wall. Near the gate in the fence, an area has arisen where the young noblemen can spend their money, this area is also called the Velvet district. Everything you can think of is for sale there, whether it's jewelry and gala weapons, or whether you're looking for feminine beauty, that's where you can find it."
"Then we will visit there tomorrow when we visit the academy. First, let's stay the night in the garrison. I’m guessing that I'm not the only one who would like to take a bath."
The next day, the company sets off early for the academy. Arriving in the Velvet district, it soon becomes clear why the district is called that. Wherever Alyena looks, it radiates wealth. From the perfectly maintained green lawns, to the displayed wares of the merchants. There is also a city guard on almost every street corner to keep an eye on things.
"As you can see, your majesty," Captain Cervik explains what they see, "no expense has been spared to ensure that the young noblemen can enjoy themselves here. However, you can assume that you can find a better quality in the crafters districts. The goods that are sold here are made to look especially beautiful, but they will not last long. The young people mainly want to show off their beautiful things, and then buy something new a week later."
"Shall we look somewhere? I want to see what must be so beautiful that people dare to deliver poor quality."
No sooner said than done, Captain Cervik leads his empress to a blacksmith. Like all the shops here, the blacksmith has some of his weapons displayed behind a real glass frame. The glass alone must have cost a fortune, Alyena knows.
Even before she has been able to see what is behind the window, they are approached by a passer-by.
"Your Majesty, if you want to take my advice, you'd better look elsewhere for a personal weapon. These weapons can only be used for a gala, and will not save you in case of emergency."
"Disappear, how dare you disturb her majesty with your wild stories!" Immediately one of the imperial guards yells at the man.
"You recognize me? However, Alyena immediately asks the man," after which Captain Cervik hurriedly waves his guard away.
"But of course your majesty, who else would be accompanied by the imperial guard? I will introduce myself, my name is Bremen Bennett, former student of the imperial academy. But you can call me Bremen, since my family disinherited me after I left the academy."
"Your family disinherited you because you left the academy?" Asks Captain Cervik, even in his experience most noblemen give their sons an extra chance.
"Well, more because I got kicked out of the academy. My opinion about the state of affairs was not considered to fit within the policy of the academy. My father learned of this when the academy sent both him and most prominent warriors a message strongly discouraging them from offering me a position. In other words, I will never join the army, the first in a dozen generations."
"Yes, that sounds more like a valid reason for most nobles. But if you want to excuse me, I'd like to look at this store right now."
"Don't you believe me that the quality here leaves something to be desired?"
"But of course I do, but as I explained to Captain Cervik earlier, I would like to know what my nobles spend their gold on."
"Ah, in that case I‘d love to show you around, your majesty. Since I currently hang out here all day, I have a good idea of what is being sold where."
Although Captain Cervik doesn't think it's a good idea, Alyena accepts the young man's offer. In the space of two hours, he manages to find several extremely expensive stores, where the most miraculous things are sold. Captain Cervik is tempted to buy a weapon, a steel sword with inlaid gold and silver motifs. Alyena, on the other hand, likes some of the dresses in another store so much that she almost buys one. Only the warnings of the young Bremen holds them back from the purchases.
"If you both want to go back and buy the dress and the sword, you can do that. However, I do hope that you have enough gold with you. However, I fear that it is almost impossible to carry so much gold, both together will soon cost between 500 and 700 gold coins."
"How much?" Alyena's mouth almost falls open in amazement. "That's more than it would cost me to hold an entire ball in the palace."
"I told you, you wouldn't want to shop here, would you? Although I do expect that with some haggling you can halve the price, but even then that is much more than those things are worth."
"You can say that again. Thank you for helping us, Bremen. We will now continue our way to the academy. I am increasingly curious about what people there teach our young nobles, when they buy this nonsense here in their spare time."
"Would you also like a guide at the academy? One that dares to tell you all the bad things? I can guarantee you that they will not tell you how things really work there."
Alyena looks at Captain Cervik, and when he nods briefly, she answers in the affirmative.