CHAPTER 262: BARON KEITH

Dominic shook the Baron’s hand. "There are a number of complete and intact manor houses in the area. One on a hill by the river is taken, but there is another not far from here that will be suitable.

It’s got a large amount of good crop land, and while it might leave you short on tractors, the fields have been good about volunteer crops that you can harvest for your first season."

The General smiled. "That is a relief, Your Grace. My dearest sister and the children weren’t looking forward to living off naught but dried supplies and her cooking for the foreseeable future."

Dominic chuckled. "No household staff with you?"

"No, Your Grace. I am not a highborn man, just the younger son of a younger son, who married a Nobleman’s younger daughter. It was my merit that earned the rank of General, and my war record that earned me the Barony.

Until last week, my family was living on a small farm under my Uncle in the east near the Mitfield border."

That explained a lot. Including why they had capable guards but no household staff. The guards were most likely his sons and nephews, trained on the blade and spear for the war.

"In that case, there are a number of common families with daughters of the age where they will be looking for work. I’m certain that at least one of them has a daughter who is well versed in the domestic arts, and suited to become a Lord’s housekeeper." Dominic suggested.

Baron Keith chuckled. "Perhaps an older spinster, or a widow. I wouldn’t want to give my wife the wrong idea."

Dominic winked at him. "If in doubt, let her pick. Who knows, she might find a young married couple willing to become the caretakers for your Manor. It was a common thing for generations of a family to serve the same Baron’s house in Wavemates."

Keith nodded. "You are a wise man, for a newlywed. Indeed, I will let my wife choose the domestic help from what is available. She is a woman of many skills and great business acumen, but her cooking leaves much to be desired.

Worse, she’s the best out of the lot of us.

It did make army life a bit easier, though. Once you’re used to biscuits burned near to hardtack, army food doesn’t seem all that bad."

The rest of the group finished clearing the area, and checking for any monsters that might still be hiding, but Dominic could see that nobody in the new Baron’s convoy was going to be getting any more sleep tonight.

It wasn’t quite morning yet, but if they started to pack up the camp, it would be light enough to move by the time they were finished, and Dominic could ask Alexis or the Guards to lead them to a suitable Manor.

Alexis had the same idea, and she brought Ella with her, map in hand.

"Baron, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Has Duke Wistover checked your Royal Decree yet?" She asked.

Dominic hadn’t thought of that, he simply accepted the man’s word that he was elevated to Baron.

Keith took out the letter, which Ella checked quickly, then handed back.

"Her Highness knows the perfect spot for your family to settle. We already scouted the area, and intend to settle the best of the Baronies closest to the Ducal estate first, leaving those with poor land or too much distance for later." She explained, speaking for the Princess.

Baron Keith smiled "That would be wonderful. Duke Dominic mentioned that the barony manors might still have some suitable items left in them, and my family didn’t come from wealth, so getting to move into a prepared estate will truly help us keep up appearances.

I don’t know your position on having my family do a large portion of the farming, but there aren’t enough of us for a whole Barony, so we will be coming to you to discuss how to get sharecroppers to move in."

Ella nodded. "Bring that directly to Duke Dominic. Most of the locals are loyal to the Wavemates Family as much as they are to their local Lord, so they will flock to his name more easily than a newly appointed Baron."

Baron Keith chuckled. "I suspected that might be the case when I was granted this title. The people of Wavemates gave the Dagos Army hell for an entire decade. The city folk are mostly accepting of the rules that were placed on them, but the Lords had to send forces twice a year to collect tithes and food shipments, or they wouldn’t be forwarded by the bureaucrats.

I served in this portion of the assault, you see. The locals were more than eager to help us change their leadership, but I doubt that is going to extend to them being warm and welcoming to Cygnia, unless we manage to prove to them that we deserve it."

Dominic nodded. "In that case, you’ve come to the right spot. Fear not, we will find you enough workers for your Barony. We’ve been getting families every week, usually twice, courtesy of the Merchant’s Guild.

Now, once you’re packed up, I will accompany the Royal Guard to help you settle in. There are a few things that I should do first, before your family arrives."

That was when Alexis and the others remembered that none of the other Baronies had been cleared. There were still skeletons in the yard and house from the battles, which would not go over well with the family of the Baron.

Nothing would chase them away quite as quickly as believing their new house was haunted.

Though... That could be amusing in its own way. There weren’t likely to be any Barony Manors here that hadn’t been the site of a vicious battle during the invasion by Dagos. No matter where they went, they would be living on a battlefield.

Ella showed Dominic the intended site, and he nodded. "I will go prepare for your arrival, and I will see you in an hour or two."

John moved to stand beside him. "My Lord, I will accompany you. It’s only right that someone helps with the heavy lifting."

{It helps keep up appearances.} The King’s Man signed, aware of what they were likely to find.

Certainly, it wouldn’t be anything good.