NOVEL FROG 42. Tall Tales
Shaking his head slowly, and chiding himself for acting without thinking again, Kivamus said, "That's a very good question. Did we even consider whether we can afford to provide grains to all the villagers for the next week? It will be fine after Pydas returns in a week, but until then do we even have enough grain in the manor to provide rations to all of the workers from tomorrow?"
He continued, "If we only had to increase the amount of food cooked in the manor for the twelve guards we are hiring, it would not be too difficult. But it's a different matter altogether to feed the whole village until we get more grain. At least one of you should have mentioned this before!"
Duvas, with a hesitant nod, acknowledged, "Forgive me, my Lord, for not mentioning this earlier during our discussion. But I have already made the rough calculations for it earlier. It will be a challenge, but I believe we can manage it."
Kivamus conceded, "That's a start, but elaborate, Duvas! Tell me what you've considered. I need to be sure before making more promises!"
Duvas cleared his throat. "Currently, my Lord, the manor holds a stockpile of twenty-five sacks of grain, including the three we already had in reserve. Earlier, I consulted with Madam Nerida on this very issue. We concluded that even if we were to feed the entire village from our reserves, that's assuming nearly three hundred and fifty souls, it would take roughly one and a half sacks of grain, or perhaps a little less, to sustain them for each day."
He continued, his voice gaining confidence, "That means, even with a ten-day wait for Pydas' return with additional grain, we would only require around fifteen sacks to feed the whole village during that period. Of course, we must factor in the merchants within the village who purchased eight sacks of grain from Pydas. This means at least some villagers will likely purchase their own provisions and won't rely on us, which will reduce the burden on our stores."
"Since we now have twenty-five sacks of grain in the barns," he added, "we can indeed afford to spend fifteen sacks to provide enough grain rations to the workers until Pydas returns with new supplies. This will undoubtedly leave our grain barns nearly empty once more, but it is achievable, my Lord."
Kivamus let out a relieved sigh. "That's a weight off my shoulders."
A thoughtful expression settled on his face. "And before I forget about it, when you make the announcements to the villagers, add this as well. Tell them that from this day forward, I want everyone in the village to know that they have my permission to hunt in the surrounding forests and cultivate vegetable patches behind their houses. You mentioned earlier that some of them already do this out of necessity," he acknowledged, "but they shouldn't have to live in fear of punishment for simply trying to feed their families."
His gaze swept across the manor from his vantage point on the roof. "While we plan to establish proper farms in the spring, ensuring a steady supply of grain will take time. There's no harm in allowing them to cultivate their own vegetables in their free time. It not only supplements their diet but also fosters a sense of self-sufficiency within the community."
He gestured towards the forests, his gaze sweeping over the vast expanse of trees visible beyond the manor walls. "And these forests are vast," he continued. "There's no need to worry about over-hunting, not even if the entire village participated. The bigger concern, as you rightly pointed out earlier, is the danger lurking within - ferocious beasts and those damned bandits."
Hudan suggested, "My Lord, when we have enough trained guards in the coming weeks, we can organize bigger hunting parties. These groups can include experienced hunters from the village, along with some of our armed guards. This way, instead of venturing out alone and risking their lives, the villagers will have some protection in numbers."
"Good idea," Kivamus complimented. "We'll try to do that as well."
He continued, "Duvas also mentioned that the villagers don't own the land they live on." Kivamus paused, his expression turning contemplative. "This is a complex issue that requires a lot of consideration. We'll address it in due time, but for now, let's focus on our immediate priorities."
Duvas offered a curt nod, acknowledging Kivamus's decisions.
With finality in his voice, Kivamus concluded, "Alright everyone, after our meal, Duvas and Hudan, both of you will head to the village square. There, you'll make the necessary announcements and begin recruiting for the guard positions."
He looked at Syryne, who had been listening carefully to the discussion. "Let's go for lunch now. We can't let the food go cold that you and Madam Helga prepared for us."
Hudan and Duvas exchanged a determined look, both men understanding the weight of this responsibility. With a respectful nod, they acknowledged Kivamus' instructions and left the rooftop along with Gorsazo, keen to begin their assigned tasks after the meal. Syryne followed them as well.
Left alone on the rooftop, Kivamus allowed himself a moment of quiet contemplation before leaving. He gazed out at the throng of activity below and the sprawling forests surrounding Tiranat for a while. With a plan taking shape and his advisors by his side, he was determined to succeed. The challenges ahead were undoubtedly daunting, but Kivamus, the unexpected baron of a struggling barony, was prepared to face them head-on. The journey to transform Tiranat from a struggling barony to a thriving domain had begun.
Kivamus pushed open the heavy doors of the manor hall, a wave of warmth and enticing aromas washing over him. The afternoon sun streamed through the high windows, illuminating the room. Inside, the long wooden table that dominated the hall was already bustling with activity.
Madam Helga moved around the table, arranging an assortment of steaming platters and bowls, with the help of Syryne. Gorsazo and Duvas occupied one side of the table, deep in conversation. Hudan, on the other side, seemed a world away from his usual stoic demeanor. He was the center of attention for Lucem and an unexpected guest who was sitting next to him.
There, perched on the very edge of a chair, sat Clarisa, the young maid who had narrowly escaped death by poisoning the previous day, seemingly recovered and in good spirits. As his gaze settled on the scene, he realized the source of her merriment. Hudan, his massive frame occupying a nearby chair, was imitating one sword strike after another while telling a tale from his past. His booming voice, usually reserved for pronouncements and commands, was being used for recounting an outlandish story about the day when he single-handedly defeated an adzee. From the giggles escaping Clarisa and Lucem's awe, it was easy to guess that Hudan's story was a captivating one.
As Kivamus entered, Clarisa, startled from her amusement, leaped to her feet and bobbed a hasty curtsy. "My Lord!" she squeaked, her voice betraying a flustered mix of embarrassment and fear. "I didn't mean to take a seat here, my Lord!" she stammered.
"It's... it's Hudan's fault!" she declared, pointing an accusing finger at the still-chuckling giant beside her, her voice laced with mock anger. "He was telling us a really great story, my Lord! And I didn't even notice when I sat down! I promise!"
Hudan, his attempts at stifling his laughter now a comical sight, could only manage a series of snorts and wheezes. Kivamus couldn't help but smile at the sight. The previous day had been filled with tension, and this unexpected burst of lightheartedness was a welcome change.
Kivamus, who found the scene endearing, raised a hand in a placating gesture. "Don't worry about it, Clarisa," he chuckled, his voice radiating relief and amusement. "And I'm glad to see you're feeling well again."
Madam Helga interjected with a warm smile. "She woke up feeling much better earlier, my Lord," she explained, "and simply refused to stay cooped up in her room any longer. So, I brought her here to join us. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all, Madam Helga," he reassured, his voice warm as he settled into his seat at the head of the table. "It's a welcome sight to see everyone gathered and in good spirits, especially Clarisa." His gaze softened as he turned to Clarisa. "Are you feeling well enough to join us for a meal, Clarisa?"
Clarisa, still flustered from her outburst, hesitated before responding. "I… I'm not sure, my Lord," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. Casting a hesitant glance at Syryne, she added, "Can I, Miss Syryne?"
Syryne offered a reassuring smile. "Of course you can, Clarisa," she replied, "as long as you feel up to it. Does your stomach feel okay now? Or is it still hurting?"
Clarisa shook her head. "No, Miss Syryne, I feel alright."
Kivamus, noticing her lingering uncertainty, decided to intervene. He gestured towards the table, and with a hint of encouragement in his tone, he said, "In that case, you can take a seat with us, Clarisa."
Clarisa's gaze darted around the table, taking in the faces of the assembled group. Hesitation flickered across her features once more. Perhaps the company of the Baron and his advisors seemed a bit too grand for a young maid who had just recovered from a poisoning attempt.
Clarisa's gaze darted to Syryne, who had become a pillar of comfort during her ordeal. Syryne's warm smile seemed to break the dam of hesitation. With a shy nod, Clarisa returned a hesitant smile. Gathering her courage, she took a small step forward, then another, until she reached the empty chair beside Syryne.
Sensing Clarisa's slight awkwardness, Syryne, who was sitting next to Lucem, reached out and patted the empty chair next to her. "Come on, have a seat here," she said in a gentle voice. "I'll keep you company and help you with your meal if you'd like me to."
A genuine smile finally bloomed on Clarisa's face, chasing away the last vestiges of shyness. With a newfound confidence, she walked towards the chair and settled down next to Syryne. When Madam Helga took a seat as well after she finished serving everyone, they began the simple lunch, with many conversations happening around the table simultaneously. Duvas and Gorsazo still seemed to be in a serious conversation, while Lucem and Clarisa were talking to Syryne, and Madam Helga watched the kids with a smile.
Meanwhile, Kivamus leaned in towards the new guard captain, a playful glint in his eye. "Hudan," he murmured in a low voice, barely audible over the soft chatter at the table, "that tale of single-handedly defeating an adzee? I find it a little hard to believe."
Hudan, unable to contain his amusement any longer, let out a hearty laugh, albeit softened to avoid startling the children at the table. "Of course you do, my Lord!" he chuckled, as he whispered. "Truth be told, even with four trained men, including a knight, it was a close call. But any good story needs a bit of uh… decoration, wouldn't you agree? Especially for youngsters like Lucem and Clarisa."
Kivamus couldn't help but laugh as well. Hudan, despite his gruff exterior, possessed a surprising knack for connecting with children, particularly after living the last few years in Helga's inn, where Lucem must have provided a keen audience for his tall tales. "True enough, Hudan, true enough," he conceded with a chuckle.
