Capítulo 24: Bubbling troubles and unexpected solutions.
The rest of the week went by rather quickly. After all, managing and sorting all the new arrivals was a rather hard job. The day the next batch of refugees arrived Karlos requested an audience. Galahad quickly granted him an audience in the great hall.
Karlos then bowed and said.
"Sire, someone referring to themselves by the title Magos and the name Erfiadis has come here looking for an audience."
Galahad nodded and said.
"Allow him entrance. I am curious why is here."
Soon after Magos Erfiadis scurried in and bowed deeply. he took down his hood revealing his face for the first time. He looked rather unimpressive his face was rather thin and pale with even his eyes being small, dark and sunken in his face adorned with large black circles. Even his poor hairline was rapidly receding. After standing up he said.
"Greetings Sir Galahad I have come over to your warm home asking for work and a place to stay."
Galahad looked thoughtful for a second before looking towards Karlos and asking.
"Karlos what happens when a Magos loses his position below his lord?"
Karlos responded after a mere moment of contemplation.
"Well, it depends on their skill set but generally they are recalled to Mertinia. After returning there they reassessed and send to a different settlement depending on their current skill set or they are kept in Mertinia as administrators if they are senior and capable enough."
Galahad then looked back at Erfiadis and asked.
"I assume that Emanuel purged you. So why should I allow you to stay here and get embroiled into direct conflict with him? Additionally, why didn't you return back to Mertinia? I am sure you are both old enough and capable enough to get a position in a fief larger than a Baronetcy."
Erfiadis nodded and responded.
"Sir Galahad is indeed wise beyond his years, the reason I decided to remain is to offer my services to an exceptional individual such as yourself."
Galahad narrowed his eyes and responded.
"We both know that this is empty flattery. You have one more chance, to be honest with me before I order two guards to come and act as a friendly escort back to Gragon to whatever fate Emanuel has planned for you."
Erfiadis sighed deeply and responded.
"Alright alright, I shall be honest with your Lordship. You see Sir Galahad, I have already created a series of connections in the last decade on the frontier. Connections which will not be especially useful if I am relocated to a town near Mers for example."
Galahad nodded and responded.
"That is indeed true but on the other hand in this deal, I need to get something. I don't need a steward I have one, the same applies for a diplomat. What do I gain by getting you under my employment?"
Erfiadis responded simply.
"The aforementioned connections and my advisory abilities."
Galahad shook his head and responded.
"I don't trust you enough to make use of your connections and I don't know how valuable they are. As for advising the previous issue rises up once again. Additionally, I am already well advised. I need something concrete that will make this worthwhile."
Erfiadis shook his head and responded.
"I have nothing else that can be of use."
Galahad nodded and responded.
"Then I am sorry but I need to decline your offer. Karlos please escort Magos Erfiadis out."
Karlos nodded and quickly both Karlos and Erfiadis had left the hall.
After about half an hour Karlos returned.
Galahad then asked.
"Do you think my decision was correct?"
Karlos thought for a moment before responding.
"In one hand he was a liability but on the other hand, he had significant connections and owns a percentage of the trade post. In short, he would be useful to have under your employ but also a hidden dagger in our midst."
Galahad nodded and responded.
"Indeed I think the same thing and this time I decided to be cautious. Especially now that I would be away for such a long time a man like him would be too much of a risk."
Karlos nodded.
Galahad then looked back at him and asked.
"So how many refugees this time?"
Karlos made an awkward smile and responded.
"Another hundred."
Galahad sighed and said.
"This is getting out of hand. Any ideas?"
Karlos nodded and said.
"Well, sire the bad news is that if the numbers continue like that with the batch of the next week our wheat supply will only last for ten months, while our Ale supply for five. At this point, our population has a lot of women and children and much fewer men. In two months' time, we will have even less."
Galahad sighed and asked.
"Is the copper tank ready?"
Karlos nodded and said.
"It is Sire, Nicolas and George will start the enchanting process tomorrow."
Galahad nodded and said.
"Good, When they are finished, We will have the two priests do a ceremony wishing for healthy water. I will also have the first drink. On the other hand, we will need more farmland and my fief is reaching it is limits soon the forest around it will technically belong to the crown. Which means I will need to purchase more land."
Karlos nodded and said
"Sire if you will. Why don't you make Nikola's tower the center of a village? You can make your first knight that way. It is an easy solution."
Galahad nodded and responded.
"While this could be a solution we need someone to become a knight. Honestly, I can't think of anyone Boris and Martin are needed. George is technically a criminal. All the other major figures here are either criminals or workmen. And I require Theodore to be by my side and the same applies to you Karlos. Nickolas would be the easy solution but Nickolas can't be knighted. Because he has no honorable deeds under his name. Only the king could do such a thing, who then ?"
Karlos thought for a moment and responded.
"I do actually have someone in mind. The most capable member of your entourage when it comes to forests, Mister Ludwig."
Galahad thought for a while and said.
"Hm yeah, Ludwig could do he does technically have a heroic deed in the shape of the battle for Highkeep and is physically fit. But he would never wear armor and go into battle on horseback."
Karlos nodded and said.
"The fact that this region is so far away from conflict must have helped you create this false image of knights. Not all knights are front line fighters. While yes, it is true most of them are, especially those from knightly families. But occasionally gifted commoners get knighted and some are raised from the ranks of bowmen. As such most of those newly minted knights continue to use the weapon which they are skilled in."
Galahad nodded and said.
"I understand your point. But that means that I can't take him with me on the trip."
Karlos nodded and said.
"This is indeed unfortunate but he could perhaps suggest another skilled hunter that could come with you, maybe one of the Exoristoi? I mean from what I have heard you still haven't picked your bodyguards."
Galahad nodded and said.
"Hmm, indeed this could be a good idea. I will probably end up picking the scout and one of the guards as my bodyguards then, It is about time I decided on that matter."
Galahad then gathered his thoughts for a moment before he added.
"Then it is decided, summon Ludwig, after all, we will need to talk about his ascension to knighthood."
After about half an hour Ludwig reached the great hall.
He entered the hall and bowed deeply.
Galahad motioned for him to stand back up
Ludwig stood back up and said.
"Greetings, Sire I would like to ask why did you call for me? Is it perhaps to report the current sightings in the forest?"
Galahad thought for a moment and responded.
"Yes, indeed please report anything of importance. "
Ludwig nodded and said.
"In terms of hunting grounds, we need to always move outwards. Since the forest is shrinking too fast, thanks to the quick expansion of the settlement. But at least the forest has come to relative stability after the migration. But as it is not hunting season yet we don't need to worry about prey. So we are mostly acting as scouts and vermin killers thus far. No major goblin activity has been sighted but there are some strugglers here and there."
Galahad nodded and said.
"I see well done. Now I would like to ask you about any capable scouts besides yourself of course preferably an Exoristo or Exoristi?"
Ludwig thought for a while and said.
"Talenia Dentrathil she is one of our best hunters and scouts, for her, the forest is her second home. The only things she is lacking is a true killer instinct and truly great bow skills. But when it comes to tracking and scouting in rough terrain she is the best we have, she is an elfkin after all."
Galahad nodded and said with a hint of skepticism.
"But she is a woman and even if she is an elfkin, we all know a woman's place is not in the frontlines."
Ludwig shrugged and responded.
"There is plenty of capable scouts Sire but none is as good as her. Additionally, a scout-like her isn't normally in the frontline."
Galahad sighed and said.
"You know best, but I would also like to offer you a reward."
Ludwig raised his eyebrow and said.
"A reward you say? Sire, is it perhaps a new bow made from Macosalen wood?"
Galahad shook his head and responded.
"No, instead I want to make you knight and have you take most of the refugees across to the other shore and establish a new settlement around the fire tower. So what do you have to say about my offer."
Ludwig was quite shocked and he responded.
"Sure Sire, I can do that, but why me?"
Galahad smiled and responded.
"Honestly you are the only man for the job. Your skillset makes you the perfect person to establish a truly frontier settlement."
Ludwig was deeply in thought and after about half a minute, he responded.
"I understand the reasons for having me be the one that establishes the new settlement. But why knight me? I mean I could just rule as your subordinate rather than have the new settlement become my personal fief."
Galahad nodded and responded.
"Indeed that is a fair point. The reason is that the kingdom's bureaucracy requires every new newly established settlement to be owned by a knight. Knighting you then is the obvious solution. After all, to become a knight there are just two requirements you must have done at least one heroic deed, which you have and you need to be knighted by someone with the authority to do so and I do have the authority to knight one person as my subordinate vassal."
Ludwig nodded and responded.
"I see, then Sire then what am I supposed to do?"
Galahad smiled and said.
"In reality, you just need to decide three things. First, pick a name for the new settlement, choose wisely since your surname will be changed from your current one to von settlement name. Secondly, decide on your house's coat of arms. Thirdly you will need to pick your house's motto. That is about it. I would like you to inform me about your decisions tomorrow. After that, I will teach you the oath and then I will go and hire a scribe from Gragon to do the paperwork. After that, we will do the ceremony and order a signet ring. "
Ludwig nodded and said.
"Aye Sire, I will do so."
Galahad nodded and said.
"Dismissed, I will wait for you tomorrow. Also, bring the elfkin over and after I have officially knighted you, I will decide if she will get the job I have in mind. But first I would prefer if I met her before I decided anything."
Ludwig nodded and then bowed before he exited the hall.
Galahad the turned back to Karlos
"I think he will make a decent vassal. He has led men before, but the issue is, we really don't have the money to pay for anything. Even just buying the bare necessities which are a signet ring and a chain mail would cost me about four gold. I also need to think about buying more grain and ale."
Karlos smiled and responded.
"You know sire you can always trade when traveling to accrue some extra income and minimize your expenses."
Galahad shook his head and responded.
"You are well aware that it will reflect badly on me to trade like a common merchant."
Karlos smiled warmly and said.
"Indeed Sire I was aware. I was just trying to ascertain if you had the knowledge on how to properly act. No offense but some of your beliefs are a bit out of fashion."
Galahad nodded his head and responded.
"I might not know every inch and corner of the current way of thinking and acting in the courts of the heartland but even I am aware of the big don'ts."
Karlos nodded and said.
"Indeed Sire, but I do have a solution. Just have Theodore do all of the trading."
Galahad nodded and said.
"Yeah, that is a good solution and it should at least cover the costs of the trip. We might even make some profit. Any other news which you wish to discuss Karlos?"
Karlos shook his head and said.
"No, not really Sire. we are almost done with planting as well. Soon we should be able to focus all of our attention in properly building the fishermen's houses."
Galahad nodded and said.
"Those are good news, soon we will make this fief unrecognizable. Karlos you are dismissed we will talk again tomorrow."
The next day Karlos and Ludwig stood before him.
Galahad looked at Ludwig and said.
"So have you decided?"
Ludwig nodded and said.
"I thought for a while and decided to name the settlement Ergon. After all, this has been my family's name for generations. As for the crest, I decided on a bow and arrow in a green background. The family's motto is we step first."
Galahad nodded and said.
"This is indeed good, I like how you decided to honor yourself and your family. Now let's talk about the oath remember those words and practice them.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to protect the meek and strike the wicked.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to enforce the Law of the King and the Law Of Gods.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to safeguard the realm and my liege.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to defend my subjects and my fief.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to uphold the knight's honor and all that it entails.
So that is why I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon ask his Highness Baronetcy Galahad von Highkeep to grand me knighthood so I may fulfill my oath."
Galahad then looked towards Karlos and said.
"Send a rider to request for a scribe from the guild. Tell them that their most senior scribe is required also inform Desmond the goldsmith about the signet ring's seal."
Karlos bowed and said.
"As you wish your lordship."
Karlos then exited the room.
Galahad then returned back to Ludwig and said.
"This is the main part of the oath, but since you are establishing a new settlement there is a second part. This part will be spoken towards the scribe rather than me. Please memorize it too.
Ludwig nodded, Galahad then said."
"I Sir Ludwig Ergon has come to petition thy king to grant me thy honor. Of the establishment of the settlement of Ergon across the river Ptomar around the tower of fire, so I may expand his realm.
That is it, practice well. Tomorrow we shall hold the ceremony."
Ludwig bowed and said.
"I will do so Sire."
The next day inside the great hall. A black-haired maimed man in his early twenties stood and said with gravitas.
"Honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Your valorous efforts in the siege of Highkeep and the battle of Tolos and the show of unusual resolve at the face of danger, have come into the attention of the Crown."
The man then stopped talking and turned around to look at the direction of the capital. A few seconds passed before he returned his attention to the front and continued.
"Specifically, when the goblins appeared you lead a group of peasants to the safety of Gragon by avoiding ambushes and stealthily exterminating Goblins scouts. Thanks to your stout resolve you managed to help the survivors escape Highkeep. However, your martial valor was once again at play when you led wisely the men of this fief in the battle of Tolos."
He then paused for a moment and then added.
"For those great deeds, you shall be given the chance to take the Knight's oath. Do you accept?"
A swarthy man in his forties knelt his newly minted chain mail shining and clinging loudly at the movement, he then uttered grievously.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to protect the meek and strike the wicked.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to enforce the Law of the King and the Law Of Gods.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to safeguard the realm and my liege.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to defend my subjects and my fief.
I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon. Vow to uphold the knight's honor and all that it entails.
So that is why I the honorable subject Ludwig Ergon ask his Highness Baronetcy Galahad von Highkeep to grand me knighthood so I may fulfill my oath."
Baronetcy Galahad von Highkeep then unsheathed his one-handed sword Volderion and lightly tapped the almost elderly hunter with it first over his right shoulder and then the left one. He then said solemnly.
"I Baronetcy Galahad von Highkeep with the power vested to me by our supreme and sole ruler the king and the divine authority of the gods officially declare you a knight. Sir Ludwig, you may now rise. As it is tradition, I shall bestow you a fitting monicker specifically you shall from now on also be known as the Frontier's Arrow."
Galahad then took a step backward and motioned to the elderly scribe to stand in front Ludwig.
Ludwig then knelt again and placed his hands on the floor before saying
"I Sir Ludwig Ergon has come to petition thy king to grant me the honor. Of the establishment of the settlement of Ergon across the river Ptomar around the tower of fire, so I may expand his realm."
The elderly scribe nodded deeply and motioned for Ludwig to rise. He then said with a gruff voice.
"I shall use thy pen and write to thy Realmer about thy request."
Sir Ludwig Ergon stood back up and the Elderly scribe left the room to go write down the knighting and Ludwig's request.
After the door closed Galahad stepped back in the front and said.
"Now we shall start the banquet to celebrate this joyous occasion."
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
VlassisBehrakis
VlassisBehrakis I decide to add some post mortem thoughts. The reason, in the end, I have the oath appearing twice. Is that I want to Show A) some of the cyclical elements of life and B) I wanted to show Galahad's backstory without showing his backstory. Aka what Galahad is doing with Ludwig is what Monver did with Galahad.
Estado de energía semanal
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