13th Desnus, Fireday
Returning to Restov after an absence of a month reminds me of how simple and rustic our lives have been. We have not trod cobbled streets, nor been among crowds of people. Most of our nights have been spent sleeping on the ground or in the wagon, with the sky or trees our only roof. Being in a city feels strange.
We decided to return to the Silver Dragon Inn as we know it, but to save our funds we've taken only two rooms, one shared by myself, Maria, Chahana, and Reislin; and the second for Zander. Reislin also traded the proprietor one of our kegs of whiskey in exchange for a portion of our room cost. We need to deal with the Stag Lord's body tomorrow as it's disturbing the other horses in the stable. We also need to sell the three extra horses we brought with us so that we need not pay for their lodging.
We've made an appointment with Advocate Milani to have a team of her people come to fetch the Stag Lord's body. She asked us to tell her about our activities in the Greenbelt and we did so, though none of us are truly good storytellers. Reislin also displayed the maps she's made during our travels. She returned to the inn with us to view the body. Of itself the man's remains are nondescript, but the fact that Chahana is wearing the Stag Lord's ugly headress and Zander has his armor is convincing. We have been given the reward promised.
14th Desnus, Starday
Today we sought out the mercenary company called Sharka's Machine to see Commander Burns for the reward for capturing Falgrim Sneeg. The mercenary company turns out to be part of a dueling school. Commander Burns met us and showed us to the armory where we could claim the weapons we were promised as our reward. My comrades encouraged me to take both a scimitar and a shield, once Commander Burns agreed that a shield could be chosen instead of a weapon. I intend to use some of the reward money we received from the Advocate to purchase myself a chain shirt as well, so I'll be better equipped when we return south.
After we had chosen the items Commander Burns began to question us about what we mean to do now that Restov has granted us the right to bring settlers into the Greenbelt. We are not permitted to claim that we've been granted the right of colonization, as that might cause difficulties with neighboring nations. But for all practical purposes we are acting on behalf on Brevoy to colonize this territory, even if it is not in their name. Commander Burns wanted to know how we mean to rule and tax the land and how we will build an army to defend it. As we've only just received the writ in the past week, we've hardly given this any thought. I know that I did not travel to the Greenbelt with thoughts of ruling a new nation. I only wish to help the people who dwell there to live in safety free from evil, and to bring them the blessings of the Dawnflower.
Commander Burns recommended to us that we take some of his people with us to command our army that does not yet exist, and when Chahana and Maria questioned why he desired to do this he told us he would answer that question if we could defeat him in a duel. This seemed to all of us an impossible task at present, as the leaders of his mercenary company are clearly more experienced at dueling than any of us. Even Zander, who has been trained in the Aldori duelling style, considers himself no match for this man. When asked what he would do if we lost the duel, Burns said that he would require us to take three of the next five officers of our army from among members of his company. We did not care for this bargain and told him so.
Many of his questions troubled us, and when we parted from him and returned to the inn we began to discuss them in earnest. After long conversation we came to the conclusion that we shall put Chahana forward as our ruler. Maria will take the role of military leader once she has soldiers to command. Reislin has already taken charge of our shared funds and will continue to hold that role. Zander is most likely to become the spymaster, a role I wish that our new land need not have but with Brevoy as our neighbor it seems necessary. I have no desire to lead an army nor guardsmen, but I hope that I can lend my council and what wisdom the Dawnflower grants me to help Chahana make wise decisions. We ave also decided that we must tax the populace, but we will try to be generous and avoid making the burden of taxation too great. We will also seek out people to invite to settle in the Greenbelt, and create a calendar of holidays that the people can enjoy with festivals and feasts. We have already jokingly agreed to make the date that we defeated the giant frogs a holiday.
16th Desnus, Moonday
We have received a formal invitation to the Lord Mayor of Restov's manor on Fireday the 20th for a ceremony of claimancy, where we will be officially granted the right to settle the Greenbelt. Today we all sought out a taylor's shop, not the same shop we visited before, to purchase appropriate apparel for the event. On the recommendation of the taylor we also visited a jeweler's shop to add accessories to our costumes. I purchased a velvet tunic in crimson and gold and a gold circlet set with a garnet. We have also decided it would be best to hire a carriage to transport us.
20th Desnus, Fireday
The event at the Lord Mayor's mansion was both impressive and unpleasant. We hadn't visited the Lord Mayor's residence before. It is the largest and most ornate building I have yet seen here. Not only did the Sword Lords of Restov appear for the event, but some of the lords of New Stetven, the capital of Brevoy, also made an appearance. There was a great sense of pressure to give our loyalty to the Dragon Throne of Brevoy, though no one spoke openly of this. The attendees of the event gave us all a great deal of advice on how we should handle our new responsibilities and who we should choose to aid us. I did my best to keep my mind open to everything I heard and show gratitude to those who offered it, though I can't say that I enjoyed the experience. I did enjoy the banquet we were served.
After we dined we received the formal presentation, which much to our surprise included a great quantity of supplies and people. Afterward we were invited to remain in Restov for the following week to meet the people who were volunteering to move into and settle the Greenbelt. In fact we suspect that some of the settlers have already departed and will soon reach Oleg's Trading Post. I am not certain Oleg will be pleased by this.
I am exhausted now. I think I will rest well this night. I hope so. We have a great deal to do. Dawnflower grant me good rest.
25th Desnus, Wealday
This week has been extremely busy. We have met so many people and been told so many pieces of information. It is overwhelming.
Three days ago we were approached at the inn by a man Maria and Chahana had met before, who is known here as the Coin Barron. He had requested that Maria and Chahana allow his niece and nephew to accompany them to the banquet we attended here previously, and apparently his nephew had become involved in a duel. This man sought to offer us his influence and send some friends and business associates of his to settle in the Greenbelt to aid us. Though his offer seemed helpful, neither Chahana nor Maria fully trusted him, and suspected that he was looking for an opportunity to have more influence over us that we are comfortable with. Chahana asked if we could have a few days to consider and he agreed. Today he returned to hear our answer, and Chahana told him we are not willing to accept his offer at this time would like to discuss it again in six months time. I don't think this pleased him. Reislin has heard that those who thwart him or displease him can suffer consequences, not harm but loss of funds and reputation. I hope that he will not use his influence against us because we declined his offer.
26th Desnus, Oathday
It is time for us to decide where we shall place our capitol. If we are to have settlers and roads, they need a place to go. An army needs a headquarters. After some discussion we have concluded that the best location is the Stag Lord's former fort, ruin that it is. It has proximity to water and lumber, and is a good location for a true fort. But first we must rid the hill of the undead that lurk there. I look forward to eliminating that evil.
The Stag Lord's fort, overhead view
Next: part 11, A Country Is Born
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