“… I have never heard of a tribe of tongueless barbarians before,” Lord Black said, sinking into his chair. He was truth be told, more relieved that the gold arrived than the news that Lawrence was alive, for the briefest of moments. However, in the long run, Lawrence was far more profitable to his territory and he knew that.

With the Guardian’s Bakery expanding, the newly agreed on tax would contribute greatly to the coffers.

“We are unsure milord, but if I were a barbarian warchief, I wouldn’t have sent them anywhere men with plate armour. I mean, even if we weren’t there, the uh… Owl soldiers… They are well equipped,” Kaisenberg threw his hands into the air in exasperation. The head of the knights have sent the men on a patrol of the hills to hang every barbarian they come across if any.

“I remember we drove them far away from here, so why did they suddenly come back?” Lord Black scratched his head, puzzled. As the servants brought water and wine for the people in the meeting, Johannes cleared his throat.

“Milord, Lawrence Carstein has fulfilled his end of the bargain. The gold has been accounted for,” Johannes said, tapping a book he held in his hands. In that book was the entire detailing of the Black family’s fortunes.

“Good, please allocate them accordingly to King Carmine and to the maintenance of the household. See to it that any infrastructure that needs repair or building is done at once,” Lord Black instructed and Johannes nodded.

“I have spoken to Jacob who has informed me that they wish to discuss an expedition to purge Sirens from the neighbouring waters. They have some information on them apparently,” Johannes informed Lord Black as the lord took a sip of water.

“Let’s say I grant them permission to exterminate the sirens. But uh… I mean, it is covered in our agreement, after all, to build a port but… We don’t actually have warships and trade ships are not exactly meant for fighting,” Lord Black said, wondering how the subjugation was going to take place.

Everyone knew that the last subjugation attempt was a horrendous failure, so what makes the next one different?

“They say Lawrence Carstein will have the details in tonight’s meeting,” Johannes replied and Lord Black could only nod. If the port was reopened and trade came to the area, Lord Black’s wallet would only be fattened, his coffers packed.

However, if they sent a group of ships on a one-way journey, that is a different issue altogether. The economic costs of building ships, especially for war, was immense. This was different from a simple fishing boat that can be as easy as rows of wood tied together.

How far has Tears and Black Bay been developed? Perhaps they already had a shipyard?

Lord Black needed these answers before he gave such sanctions. If he sent an expedition on a one-way trip, he would become the laughing stock of the nobles and his standing will plummet even further.

A loud knock on the door and the doors slowly creaked open.

A messenger in the colours of Count Boulevard stumbled into the hall.

“Lord Black, I bear word from my liege, Count Boulevard. He has asked me to inform you to keep this news to yourself,” the messenger bowed and handed a letter with a waxed seal on it.

“Thank you. Pay the messenger and arrange for him some food, water and a fresh horse,” Lord Black said to Kaisenberg who escorted the messenger out.

Breaking open the seal, Lord Black began to read the message.

Lord Black,

Urgent times. We have barbarians marauding towns, cities, roads in various territories of minor nobles. Countess Barovia has already had a narrow brush with death, after her castle was stormed by barbarians, only to be repulsed after her knights returned.

There is something off about the barbarians. Their attacks are actually planned and coordinated for once.

I urge you to increase patrols of all of your more vulnerable territories. I am engaged in pitched battle at Cairn Hill, where one of the barbarian tribes are at. They are insisting that they have nothing to do with the raids even though there is near indisputable proof of such. However, I am puzzled as to why our previous treaty of peace with them has been revoked.

I have also heard rumours that the royalty may be levelling a new tax soon.

I wish you good fortunes in the battles to come,

Signed

Count Boulevard

Lord Black sighed. He, as a minor lord, had no issue sitting inside Everett waiting out a siege. However, his poor people…

“Kaisenberg, send out all the knights of the household. Then have the gates of Everett be shut,” Lord Black ordered and Kaisenberg immediately protested.

“Milord, at least leave 30 good men here—“

“Take those 30 good men and protect my people. The soldiers here will be fine. If the gates are closed, they will have to siege their way in and you will be back by then,” Lord Black said dismissively and Kaisenberg, though hesitant, agreed and departed immediately.

“Johannes, make the preparations for dinner and invite the esteemed guests,” Lord Black instructed Johannes who had already assured Lord Black several times before that everything was already in place, did so again.

“Mmpf?”

Lawrence woke up as Old Man Frost knocked on the door. Looking out the window, Lawrence could tell that the sun was already setting.

“Sire, the feast is about to begin,” Old Man Frost notified Lawrence who nodded.

“Come in,” Lawrence said loudly and Old Man Frost opened the door and a servant girl who did not look a day over 20 came in with a basin of water and towel which Lawrence used to wipe his face and gargle his mouth.

Old Man Frost was carrying a robe of some form.

“Sire, Roland had me bring this with us for you to change into for the feast. It was made by our own tailors,” Old Man Frost said and Lawrence pointed at the table.

“Place it there, I’ll come out when I’m done. Thank you,” Lawrence said and as the servant girl and Old Man Frost left, Lawrence changed into the clothes.

They were long brown robes with patterns of owls embroidered on them. However, they were slightly thick, presumably to keep the wearer warm in this area where even the “summer” temperature is at a stunning 17 degrees Celsius.

Now, to not make a fool of himself. He can at least do that, right?