Chapter Ten

**The Days to Come**

Annabel was not one to waste time. Besides a brief lunch before entering the forest, the train was in constant motion. The lady almost seemed too eager to get to Finchead, Jason thought, as he constantly saw her at the head of the group. Every once and a while her legs would grip her horse’s ribs as if she were ready to break out into a sprint and race ahead of the slow-moving caravan. Two hours after noon they broke from the forest and the outskirts of Finchead came into view. They were still nearly an hour away from the town, but within minutes of being seen from the town, a crowd quickly grew to greet them.

Despite their poor luck, the villagers of Finchead put up a show for Annabel. Every one of them wore a joyous smile as if Annabel were a fresh beacon of hope in the abyss of their despair. Annabel took full advantage of their mood and as soon as she collided with the crowd she reined her horse to one of her wagons and began to throw bread and other foodstuffs into the crowd. While not on the brink of starvation yet, the crowd gratefully clawed for the bread; men and women desperately fighting over loaves. Annabel’s guards began to buckle at the swarming crowd but Annabel called them off and stopped the train completely. “People,” she said loudly, it only took her once to silence the crowd. “There is plenty of food and more for my loyal people, there is no need to fight. I will never allow hard-working people to need.” The crowd settled themselves, many of them finally took in that the lady had multiple carts full of things to pass out. “Every family will receive two silvers from my coffers, food, and any person willing to work will soon be able to. Now, let us not sit out here in the fields and move to the town center so that we may have a true festival,” she finished loudly and the town went wild.

*****

Annabel didn’t just bring bread to feed her people, but also a dozen casks of ale and a barrel of candies for a true party. A farmer was paid to slaughter one of his cows and soon there was a roasting pit in the town center filling the air with a savory smoke. Unlike before, the flames were a herald of celebration rather than despair for the villagers. The villagers took full advantage of the celebration and benches and tables were hauled out into the center in front of the town hall. Flutes and drums came out as if from nowhere and songs filled the air. It was a sight unlike any Jason had ever seen.

“Jason,” Vanna said into his ear. Jason looked towards the woman and saw she was gesturing her head towards the town hall. He saw Annabel sneaking into the building along with Trent and Ronan.

“They must being going to talk with Byron, you coming?” He asked quickly.

“Go ahead,” Vanna replied, “I’m going to find Eliza.

“Alright,” Jason nodded and began to walk towards the hall, “but tonight I want us all to have a meeting.” But he didn’t wait for a response from Vanna and quickened his pace.

“Hold up son,” Trent said blocking the doorway with an arm.

“Let him in Trent,” Jason could hear Annabel say from within, “he could be useful.”

Trent lowered his arm and Jason slipped into the building. Seated around the table with Annabel at the head were Byron, Ronan, Jax, and Nellie. Trent slid onto the bench next to his lieutenant and Jason found a seat next to Byron. The reeve greeted Jason with a warm smile and he could see the man had made a quick recovery. His beard now lacked any hints of grey, his cheekbones were more defined, and his arms looked tighter in his tunic, but there was no doubt he was still a man well into middle age.

“Jason,” he said grasping the trader's right hand into both of his own and shook.

“You look well,” Jason said quietly. Byron winked then let go of Jason’s hand.

“Always nice to see you, my lady,” Byron said loudly now addressing the entire table.

“Thank you, Byron,” Annabel replied. “While I think I can say you didn’t handle our little crisis with the utmost capability you’re still the best man to run this town. So I suppose your tenure is not yet up.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Byron nodded unfazed, he even added a smile. “All I do is for this village and my lord.”

Annabel pursed her lips at the old man. Unlike everyone at the table, she was standing. “As I’m sure the sheriff has told you all,” she said looking at Byron and Nellie, “I have decided to focus my attention on Finchead and I will be calling this place home for the time being.” She paused.

“You honor us your lady,” Nellie said. “The council welcomes your wisdom,” she stressed the last word.

“In a year no one will be able to recognize Finchead when I’m done with her,” Annabel said confidently. “Byron, how many families are without work.”

“Nellie?” Byron asked looking towards the elder.

“We’re still rounding in lost sheep, but it looks like I’ll have to lay off at least a dozen herders in the next few days,” the woman responded with defeat in her words. “The other herding families are in a similar situation. Joseph tells me the farmland was untouched in the attacks, however.”

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“But we still have many widows and orphans to account for,” Byron added.

“I shall have plenty of work for all of them,” Annabel said with her head held high. “I shall need builders for my first two projects, a manor for myself and fortifications for the town. I shall need maidservants of which I can hire any widows, and the orphans can care for my animals and other small tasks.”

“And I’m going to hire four fulltime deputies from the militia,” Trent added, “and any laborers the lady can spare I shall use to build a barracks and jail. I think we’ve shared this hall for too long,” he said with a light laugh but no one laughed with him.

“Where…” Byron started gently, “is this manor you plan to build going to be my lady? And where do you plan on housing all of your companions for the time being?”

“And how is it going to be decided where to build the wall, my lady?” Nellie added. “Surely the town will expand in the time to come. And are there any plans to rebuild those houses which were destroyed in the raid? As you can see,” Nellie said gesturing around the hall at the bundles of blankets strewn across the floor, “we have had to use the hall to house our refugees.”

Annabel glared at the pair as if they had just commented on her makeup. By the length of her pause, it was clear that Annabel had not considered the villagers when making her plans. It seems like she expected they would follow anything she said, Jason thought starting to feel awkward for the tension in the room. “My builder and I will discuss the construction along with the council of course,” Annabel said coldly. “Stone shall need to be brought from my quarries in the north,” Annabel said continuing to pander.

“The lady of course may stay in my cottage until her own home is ready,” Byron finally said. “My wife and I can stay in the town hall with the refugees. Jule spends most evening in here anyways cooking supper and looking after the orphans,” Byron laughed managing to creep smiles onto a few people’s faces. “But as for your guards and servants I don’t know where I shall be able to house them, my lady,” Byron said looking down.

“We’ve brought thick tents, they shall make due,” Annabel said quickly. “I shouldn’t have to remind anyone that my family owns Finchead and can do with her what we see fit. But…” she said pausing after her short outburst, “Is there a place the council prefers the walls to be placed?” Annabel asked looking at Nellie.

Nellie nodded, “your lady, the town is hugged by farmland to the north and hills to the south so there is no need for a gap between the current dwelling and the wall there but to the east and west there is much free land and it may be wise to build the walls offset from the current buildings to accommodate for future growth.”

Annabel looked to Ronan but the man shrugged. Up until that point the builder had distanced himself from the conversation and had been doodling on a scrap of paper. “I told you love I know nothing about building damn walls. Before I can start anything,” he continued gesturing with his hands at nothing in particular, “I’m going to need limestone and mortar from Laxtar.” He pronounced tar as tear.

“Why didn’t you bring any with us?” Annabel replied angrily.

Ronan shrugged harder, “no point buying anything when I had no idea how much we would need. Besides, moving all that weight is slow.”

Annabel cocked her head to the side and widened her eyes. “Now that you’ve seen the place, Ronan,” she said as if speaking to a child, “do you think you can go buy some?”

“I suppose so,” he remarked with a curled lower lip, “but I’d need a wagon and some animals.”

“Gods,” Annabel sighed then looked to Jason. “You travel back and forth between Finchead and Laxtar correct?”

Jason surprised to be pulled into the conversation suddenly twitched nervously then stammered, “um yes your lady. I should be leaving again tomorrow morning.”

“Then you can draw my fool along with you and bring back whatever he needs?” Annabel persisted.

“I don’t see why not,” Jason said finally dawning on an opportunity. “My cart is only full going to Laxtar, but my load is empty when I come back.”

“Love,” Ronan sighed, “er lady,” he corrected himself. “I’m going to need more than one cart of supplies and once construction starts I can’t waste time going back and forth every day.”

“Then you can set up an account with the materials merchants so that Jason can pick up a load every time he is in Laxtar,” Annabel groaned as if the answer were obvious.

“Sorry my lady,” Jason butted in, “occasionally I buy goods for the villagers in Laxtar and bring them back.” He hoped she would get the hint he hadn’t planned to offer his services for free.

Annabel looked at Jason and for the first time he saw her reveal disgust towards him and Jason hoped he hadn’t pushed too far. But surprisingly she snorted then blurted out, “I’ll pay you two silver per load you deliver.”

“Very well my lady,” Jason said with a smile, and a notification popped into view.

New Ongoing Class Quest: Donkey for Hire

Lady Annabel has requisition your services to transport building materials between Laxtar and Finchead for her building projects. This quest is ongoing until the lady dismisses you.

Note: While the terms of this agreement are informal it is still considered a recurring trade agreement. Also, if goods are lost in transit, couriers are typically obliged to recompensate owners for the lost goods.

Reward: 10 Class Exp and 2 Silver per Delivery

“Prove true in this task trader and I may also use your services in the future,” Annabel said to Jason.

“My lady,” Byron spoke up, “I can speak for everyone here by saying we are glad for your dedication to Finchead.”

“Why wouldn’t I be dedicated to my land?” Annabel interrupted.

“Forgive me,” Byron apologized, “I meant only that you are making a lot of larger investments in a short time. Which we are all grateful for even in this hard time. But as I was saying, I think the thing on all of our minds is where this new manor of yours will be built.”

“Ronan, will you have enough plans ready to start construction when you return with Jason in two days?” Annabel asked looking away from Byron.

Ronan looked up from his sketching blurry-eyed. “I suppose I can have the foundation planned by then. After we… talk… about what you want later,” he winked. Jason’s stomach groaned and he wondered how deep Annabel and Ronan’s relationship went.

“I’ll inform everyone where my new manor will be build when Ronan gives me the first draft. If I wish to build on land not owned by my family then the owner will be compensated. But, my decision is not to be questioned,” she glared at Nellie and Byron. “Now,” she said switching to a smile, “we can save anymore discussion for another day. But for now, let us go out and join the festivities.”