Once I accepted, the two sages made their way over to me. They sat on either side of me. Okeli was the first to speak.

“Good evening, young lord. As Lord Askander mentioned, we are Sages. We act as advisors, educators, and caretakers for the noble and upper classes. We serve the Creed of the Seven, the main pantheon of the Free Cities. Amara here is my student. Without going into the full details, each apprentice spends years under their teacher, learning all they can. Once their period of apprenticeship has ended, they search for a new post.”

I nodded along as the man explained. “So you all are teachers and advisors. Are you loyal to your leader or your faith?” I asked.

“The answer to that differs from person to person. What is absolute is our class perk ‘Classified’. It effectively ensures that we cannot betray the trust of the person we are sworn to follow. Even if we leave their side later in life, we cannot betray them,” Amara said as she nodded to her teacher.

“I see so this class perk can’t be changed or gotten rid of?” She shook her head.

“It is the first perk of the class. We are all required to take it to progress.”

I nodded and filed that bit of information away for later. “How does the process happen? Do I need to say anything? Give you something?” Okeli stood up as I finished my question while Amara went down on one knee. I looked between the two in complete confusion.

“If you will take her into your house, then she will swear to you and you will swear to take her. Unlike swearing an oath of three, the perk will take immediate effect. Both of you will know if the other betrays the intent of the oath. You will need to tell her the name of your house.”

I nodded and then looked down at her. I gave her a slight nod. “House Maximillian” It felt weird saying that at such a serious moment.

“I of free mind and body swear to serve House Maximillian as a steward, confidant, and advisor. My words will be true and my intent clear.”

As soon as she finished the words, I felt something change. It felt like the air became charged. It felt like I had touched an electrical wire. My gaze locked on hers like a magnet. I knew I could look away if I wanted, but that felt wrong somehow. Like doing so would ruin everything. I took a deep breath and then words fell from my lips as if I had spoken them a hundred times before.

“I swear by my power and authority. I will support you and heed your words when possible. I offer you protection and hospitality in equal measure. As long as you are true to me, I will be true to you.”

No sooner than I had finished the words the prompt exploded in my vision.

Congratulations! You have accepted a new member into your family. You have chosen the name House Maximillian, as you are the only living person in this house. You are its head. The full benefits of this will only be known with time. The burdens and boons of family can be numerous.

Notice! You are both the Head of a House, a Suzerain, and the leader of a settlement. Your house has been selected as the leading organization of the settlement known as Radiance. You have gained 1000 Renown for this feat.

Notice! For founding an organization, your skill Governance has leveled. Governance has reached levels 2,3,4 and 5.

What in the hell is this? From the look on Amara’s face, she had just received some prompts. I reached down and helped her take her seat. I gave her a minute to collect herself before asking my questions.

“You received those prompts as well?” She nodded. “I see. Are you able to tell me more about how to run a noble house?”

“Of course, but I would suggest we wait to have that conversation until we are somewhere more private. I have a few things to clarify with you.”

I was about to ask her why when I caught sight of Okeli watching us. It took me a second to piece it together. We weren’t all on the same side. We were getting along, but Okeli certainly wasn’t on my side and I was sure that Askander wasn’t loyal to me. I nodded to her before turning my focus back to the table.

“Now that you two are more acquainted, I believe it is best to move on to the next topic I wanted to discuss with you. I have it on good authority that you looked into a situation in my city?”

I nodded my head. I had a feeling he would want to discuss this, so it wasn’t a big surprise. “That is correct. I went and investigated the reports of missing people. I was able to follow a few leads that led me to the culprit.”

Askander nodded. “I am aware of the broad strokes. I would like to know more about how you discovered what you did?” When I didn’t offer an answer, he continued. “Reports are very odd about it. I know you were attacked. I know that you spoke with the Adventuring Guild about something, but they won’t tell me what. According to them, you aren’t even a member.”

“I am not. I am willing to reveal more about the visit, though.” I summoned the dagger from the ring and placed it on the table. “The organization that created this dagger is partly responsible for what happened in your city. They are sending souls to this ‘Forbidden One’. I have it on good authority that this being is one of a group called ‘The Fallen’.”

Askander waved a hand and Okeli stepped forward. The elderly man grabbed the dagger in both hands before presenting it to his liege. I watched as Askander took the dagger. He looked the blade up and down for a few moments before handing it back to Okeli. “So these people are a part of a cult? Or is it more of a political organization?”

“I believe it’s more of a cult. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about the organization. I had an encounter with one of their members that nearly cost me my life. The merchant responsible for the kidnappings here was a part of them. I wanted to catch him, but I failed.”

“I see. I assume you have no intention of telling me how you learned so much about what was happening in my city?” I stared blankly at him for several seconds before he started laughing. “I think I am going to like you, kid. I will look into this cult and these ‘Fallen’. In a city of this size, I imagine there are many things I don’t know but an organization capable of doing this." He gestured angrily at the dagger. “Can not stand”.

“My lord. If you will permit me, I will research the dagger amongst the library and archive.” Askander looked at me. When I realized what he was asking, I nodded. “In that case, I humbly request to depart.” Okeli bowed first to Askander and then to me. His gaze lingered on Amara for a second. He then turned and left the room through the door they had entered.

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“Now, for the assistance you have given me and my people, I would like to offer you a reward.” He clapped his hands and the doors behind him opened. I realized that this whole thing had been planned for maximum drama, but it was still pretty cool. Two people entered holding a black iron chest. They placed the chest down, bowed, and then left the room. Askander didn’t speak until after the door had closed behind them. “I have been made aware that you are a caster. My people have been unable to tell me your level and, in truth, I do not need to know.” He gestured to the chest. “That is an item I found in my younger days while exploring an old ruin. I haven’t had much use for it since very few of my people possess magical affinity. I offer it to you as both a reward and a token of goodwill.”

I looked at the chest and then back at Askander. The chest was made of dark black wood with the head of a lion acting as the clasp. It wasn’t locked, but I decided not to open it here. Askander already knew what was inside it and I didn’t want to be distracted by a shiny new toy while trying to conduct business. I placed my hand on top of the chest and willed it into the ring. “Thank you for this gift. I accept it in the same spirit it was given. I hope for further opportunities for both us and our people to cooperate.”

He chuckled at that. “Now you sound like a prim and proper young lord. I am told that you came into the city from the waste. Not much out there. Not much besides ruins, sand, and monsters.”

“I found friends and opportunity,” I replied.

“And a Place of Power. My sage tells me he hadn’t heard of any places of power in that direction.” He paused as if waiting for me to fill in the missing information. When I didn’t, he nodded and continued speaking. “I believe that our business has concluded.”

I nodded, stood up, and gestured for Zakia to follow me. “Once again, I thank you for your hospitality.” I gave the lord a polite smile before heading toward the door. Just as it finished opening, he called after us.

“Good luck.”

I didn’t relax until we were past the security of the Lord’s estate. That entire situation was a bit like staring down a monster or, to be more accurate, a lion. I wasn’t sure what level Askander was, but I knew it was higher than mine. He also had to have a class. Not to mention he had a freaking lion. Why had everyone been so impressed with Tenebris and Sanaa when their leader had a massive lion? Zakia’s voice pulled me back to the current moment.

“I am going to head back to the inn. Watching the two of you try to talk around each other was tiring, and I ate enough food to knock me out.”

I nodded. “Join me at the Guildhall. Not the adventuring guild, but the merchant one. I am going to meet with the people who are getting us ready to go. Hopefully, they will have brought anyone interested in joining us there.”

Zakia agreed and gave Amara a polite wave before heading off and disappearing into the crowd. Once she was gone, I gestured for Amara to follow me. “I am not sure if the Lodge will have an extra room for you. You are welcome to stay with me at mine. I have a feeling you and I will have plenty to discuss.”

“Is it true then? Do you stay at the Blood Lodge?” I nodded. “Are you sure that is wise? I don’t mean to question your judgment already, but it is rather expensive to start a settlement. It will cost a lot to take care of one.”

I gave a slight laugh before shaking my head. “No need to worry. I have arranged for most of the funds I have to be spent buying the things we will need from building materials to livestock to seeds, and I am sure many other things. I have quite a bit left over just in case we come across additional problems. I will explain more once we arrive.”

After that, we settled into a comfortable silence. Tenebris and Sanaa took to the air above us, something that Amara was both amused by and apprehensive by the dragons. Watching her half-crouch down as they flew above us was funny, but after a few minutes, I called them off. They took to flying a bit higher in the air until we arrived at the Lodge. I checked in with the desk, but there had been no changes. Once we were inside and the door was locked, I took a seat.

“So, do you have a specialty? I assume your class is related to administrative work?”

She nodded. “No, I am not at a high enough level for something like that. Yes, my class is designed to help you manage the day-to-day tasks. I have focused my perks on things like organizational management. I am good at collecting and dealing with information. It doesn’t sound like much, but I assure you when it comes to dealing with people, information can become overwhelming.”

I nodded along as she spoke. When she finished, I gave a little laugh. “No worries. Do you have the Governance skills?”

“Yes, of course, I have reached level 31 in the skill.”

I raised an eyebrow at that before nodding. “Would you be able to help me improve my skills? I have just recently gained it. Though the conversation earlier gave me a boost of a few levels.”

“What is your affinity for the skill? If you do not mind my asking?”

I hesitated only for a moment before deciding to trust her. The knowledge wasn’t exactly dangerous to me. “100%.”

“One hundred percent! Is it? I mean, do you have a perfect affinity for the skill?”

The woman’s momentary loss of decorum was enough to make me chuckle. I pulled up my status screen but didn’t see anything special about the skill. It just said 100%. After another few seconds, I closed the screen and shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. It doesn’t say anything next to the skill besides 100%.”

“Weren’t you tested as a child?” I shook my head, but before I could say more, she continued. “Why in the world wouldn’t your parents have tested you? You would have made a gifted sage or even a magister. I will, of course, do what I can to help you increase your level. You will get the majority of your improvement from working toward the betterment of your settlement. Completing quests is still the fastest way to improve, but working with me to manage the day-to-day will also be important.”

I was thankful for her not asking too many questions about my family. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to explain that can of worms. The news about increasing my skill level was amazing. “What about the quests to unlock the abilities of my Place of Power?”

“I don’t know much about that. I have never learned from anyone who worked under a Suzerain. I imagine that it would be the same. Assuming your settlement is built on top of your Place of Power.”

“Ok, do you know how many people live in Afrium? The city is pretty big and well busy.”

“Um, as of the last census, it was around one hundred thousand, but adventurers tend to come and go, so getting a correct estimate can be difficult.”

Afrium wasn’t small, but it also couldn’t be considered large, at least not by modern earth standards. Medieval European cities were typical in the tens of thousands. I couldn’t be sure if Afrium was special because it was a city-state or if every major city would be around one hundred thousand. “How many people do you think would be interested in coming with me?”

“Well, that is hard to know for sure. The refugee situation will certainly increase the number, but I imagine some people who are down on their fortunes will be interested. Some homeless people may seek out a chance to change their fortune. Then there would be the people who crave adventure and change or those who want the chance to open their businesses. Everything wouldn’t be positive, of course. You would need to convince people that you can take care of them. Your renown should help you with that as well as your Charisma. The support of the city lord will also help. In short, the number could become very high.”

I nodded quietly as she explained. I had been assuming that I might be able to convince between one hundred and three hundred people. If we were talking about a hundred thousand people. My estimate might have been way too low. If only .5% of the base population came with me, we would be discussing five hundred people. I had to assume I was going to be dealing with at least a thousand.

“Are you able to determine information about other people? Their level attributes things like that?” She shook her head. “Do you rely on memorizing the information? Do you have any tools you need to do your jobs?”

“Well, to be short, yes. It is the expectation that the hiring lord or ruler pay the price for whatever tools I need. As a way of showing that we are together in this.” She became slightly defensive at that last part.

“Alright, do you need me to go and purchase them with you? I can pay for whatever you need. Once we leave the city, we will probably be without high-quality goods, though.”

“We can take care of it tomorrow. When we go to meet with the people you have hired?”

I nodded. “In that case, I suggest we get some rest tonight. Tomorrow will most likely be a busy day for us both. I will give you the bedroom.” I held up a hand to stop her protest. “I am offering it to you out of respect. It will only be for tonight. If I had picked a more traditional inn, I would have just paid for you to get your room. Since that isn’t possible, I will make do with this.”

She nodded hesitantly before standing up and bowing. “I will wake first thing in the morning in that case. I thank you for accepting me in your House.”