章節 15: Chapter 15: Entering the City
However, despite the happiness, the immediate problem remained unresolved. The recent debt of 22 gold coins was due in less than two weeks.
Gwynnis had once asked Baldwin what would happen if they simply refused to pay. Baldwin implied that, although just a baron, as nobility, if they couldn't pay due to a temporary lack of funds, the Windermere City Merchant's Guild couldn't really do anything to them, let alone forcibly collect the debt. After all, they were just a merchant's guild and couldn't trample the authority of nobility.
However, the guild's backing was the mayor of Windermere City. The chairman of the guild was the mayor's brother-in-law, a fact well-known and openly acknowledged.
As a vassal of the Count of Annon Valley, if Gwynnis defaulted on the debt, it was highly likely that the mayor would complain to the count. If word got out that the Wintaling family defaulted on their debts, becoming a laughing stock among the neighboring nobility was a minor issue. The bigger problem was that the Windermere mayor had long coveted the real power of the nobility's lands and had frequent dealings with the count over the years. If the situation escalated, the count might even use it as a pretext to strip the Wintaling family of their baronial title and reclaim the Targas lands for other purposes.
Of course, this was an extreme scenario, and whether the count had the audacity and determination to do so was still unknown. Stripping a vassal of their title could greatly antagonize other barons, especially for a reason as trivial as unpaid debt. At most, the punishment would be a verbal reprimand or house arrest.
Taking away a title right off the bat could even lead to collective protests by the barons, forming factions to oppose the count.
But all this was speculation, and what the count would actually do was anyone's guess.
It all depended on whether Gwynnis was willing to gamble or had enough influence to rally other nobles to pressure the count.
Would Gwynnis gamble?
"Damn it."
To risk his newly acquired noble title for a mere 22 gold coins?
As someone with a system, he should be focusing on growth and development. In time, he might even have the kingdom under his feet.
Refusing to pay for short-term gains was too reckless.
Besides, paying debts was a matter of principle.
Though he hadn't incurred the debt himself…
But who asked him to inherit the title and lands? Now he had inherited the debts too.
Several times, Gwynnis even thought about using Sophia and her companions as hostages to demand ransom from Duke Inverness to cover the debts, but he immediately dismissed the idea.
That was impossible, it would lead to major problems.
But there was no way to gather 22 gold coins in two weeks, the amount was too large, unless the deadline could be extended.
Luckily, there's always a way out. As the granddaughter of a duke and a baroness, Sophia, who had managed the territory's finances for two years, must have saved up some precious jewelry. The debt arose because of her, and now it was time for her to repay it.
Gwynnis went to the baron's bedroom, now his own room. In a large chest, he found someone's treasured collection of jewelry, like silver rings, silver earrings, pearl brooches, and the like, totaling over a dozen items.
Though there were many, the quality wasn't high, and none were exceedingly valuable. Even if sold, Gwynnis wasn't sure if they would amount to 22 gold coins.
It seemed the Targas territory was indeed poor.
But at least it would cover some of the debt, and then he could try to negotiate a debt extension with the guild. If all else failed, he would have to sell livestock like cattle, sheep, and horses.
After making up his mind, Gwynnis immediately set off with his entourage, heading west to Windermere City, which was just 5 leagues away. Accompanying him were Baldwin, the steward; Jervis, the captain of the guards; Rosalyn, and two mounted attendants. They traveled light for a quick trip.
As everyone was on horseback, they moved swiftly. Leaving in the morning, they reached the 2-meter high wooden walls of Windermere City in just half a day.
Situated between the mouth of the Handi River and the Baronial lands of Targas, Windermere City boasted a thriving craft industry. Artisans of all kinds, such as cobblers, barbers, dentists, and more, could be found here. Additionally, numerous guilds like the Textile Guild and the Masons Guild were present. The city's population was said to be around 2,500, attracting many traveling merchants and local farmers for trade, making it the third-largest city in the north, famous for its prosperity.
Upon entering the city, they were instructed to dismount and proceed on foot. Indeed, navigating the horse through the crowded streets would have been troublesome for both riders and pedestrians.
Gwynnis and his party left their horses at a stable near the city gate and followed the crowd to the bustling East Gate Street. The street was narrow, with pedestrians shoulder to shoulder. Vendors laid out cloths on the ground to display their wares, hawking their goods.
The street sold everything one could think of: pottery, straw shoes, salt, various herbs, wooden cutlery and farm tools, vegetables grown by local farmers, bags of rye flour, wickerwork, second-hand furniture and clothes, rolls of linen, and wooden carvings. The array of goods was dazzling.
Passing a vendor, even Rosalyn paused to look. It was a snack stall selling candy apples, honey water, nuts like walnuts and hazelnuts, dried fruit slices, and flaky pastries.
There was also a popular local delicacy – small honey cakes made of honey and flour, shaped with crushed dry cheese. Many dirty-faced children crowded around the stall, unable to afford anything, just watching longingly. The vendors often had to shoo them away.
Seeing Rosalyn check every pocket she had, Gwynnis felt like trying one himself.
"How much for one?"
"One copper piece each."
Copper pieces, locally minted by the Northern Duke, were the size of a fingernail, of poor quality, and often not even round but irregularly shaped. These coins were also known as small coppers, with ten equaling one standard copper coin issued by the kingdom, used for minor transactions.
"Give me two."
Gwynnis handed over a copper coin, then turned to Baldwin and Jervis.
"Do you want some?"
Jervis was stunned, having never experienced such treatment before. "Does the Baron actually care if I want one?" He opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
Baldwin quickly thanked Gwynnis for his kindness: "Your generosity is much appreciated, my lord, but you and Miss Rosalyn enjoy it. Don't worry about us servants..."
However, Gwynnis bought ten pieces, one for each person, stuffing the rest into Rosalyn's arms.
Jervis and the two guards accepted the honey cakes with trembling hands, eating cautiously.
It wasn't that they couldn't afford it – they did have salaries and could buy it whenever they wanted – but being given food directly by the Baron was overwhelming for them.
Gwynnis bit into a honey cake, chewing thoughtfully. Honestly, the taste was mediocre. There was too little honey, the rye flour was too coarse, and the dry cheese lacked flavor. Shaking his head, he placed the half-eaten cake into the broken bowl of an old beggar by the roadside.
As Gwynnis and his group walked away, the beggar awoke to what had happened, knelt down, and bowed in gratitude towards Gwynnis's retreating figure.
Seeing Rosalyn stuff her mouth full of honey cakes, Gwynnis couldn't help but smile.
Then, Gwynnis noticed a broken table and two chairs set up at a corner of an alleyway, with a scruffy man in his thirties seated there.
"Arm wrestling here, arm wrestling here!"
"Winner gets a silver coin!"
"Entry fee is just one copper! Come and see, come and see!"
Hearing the man's call, Gwynnis felt a spark of interest.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票