"large covered balcony." The Princess added.
"Yes covered, a large covered balcony."
I knew I could, but I made a show of looking at the doors, and the balcony. "Can you draw a sketch of how big you are thinking?"
"Yes." Princess Maddison answered. She got paper and charcoal and started sketching. Their backs were to the balcony, as she sketched I grew a balcony out of the stone wall to match her drawing. The King watched the drawing and the balcony smiling. When she finished, she showed me the sketch, "something like this."
I took the sketch looking at it, "something like this, or something like that?" I said looking at the new balcony. Both the ladies spun around. Covered their mouths walking toward the new balcony. The balcony was twenty-foot arching, by twelve-feet wide. Lattice covered the third at each end, leaving the middle open. A roof covered it entirely.
They went out on it looking at everything. "Can you make this wall a little longer?" I moved it. They nodded their heads. "Perfect."
"You should have said you couldn't,'' the King said. "Now every time you come they'll have something for you to fix."
"And be thrown in the dungeon? not likely." I whispered.
"I'd have pardoned you."
"And then you'd be in the cell next to me. This was easier."
"Coward."
"Where those two are concerned, absolutely." We both laughed.
"What was that Dear?"
"Nothing." We both answered. The ladies laughed.
"Thank you, Sir Ghost this is perfect. All the ladies will enjoy it."
"My pleasure, my Queen." I said bowing.
Chapter sixteen
Back in his office the King handed me the letter to Prince Kade. "Continue to improve and fortify the Port. If you get the chance to take a Hinterland spy ship, or Navy ship please do so, I want a Navy. At the moment we only have few ships. Most are armed Merchantmen, what I really want are Naval ships of the line. As to your reward." The Queen came in and took a seat.
"As to your reward, we have increased the holdings at Black Stag Keep. They now include all the lands North of Black Stag Keep to the Northern Border. From the sea, inland to the crag walls. You are no longer Baron of Port West Gate, but Earl of Port West Gate. As Earl it entitles you to a 'third-penny' of all taxes collected from your lands. Also, as Earl Lord Draugur de Crypta, you are a peer of the realm, and eligible to pay court to my daughter Princess Maddison."
My mouth dropped open; I was speechless. I looked at the Queen she was smiling. I knew the Princess was standing on the other side or the wall listening.
"I am deeply honored Sire, by the elevation in rank, but more especially that you honor me by allowing me to pay court to your daughter the Princess. I'm sure she has many suitors. Maybe I should have built her a bigger balcony." I said smiling. We all heard a stifle laugh from the other side of the wall. The Queen hung her head and covering her smile with her hand.
"Knowing those two, I'm sure you'll get the chance. This is a greater responsibility for you and Prince Kade. It is now your responsibility to protect that North-West Border Pass."
I looked at the map. "If I build a fort and finance it, will you send troops to man it?"
He looked at the map, "How long will it take you to build it?"
"How many men will it need to house?"
"Five hundred total, troops and support people, plus horses and wagons."
"A few days once I get started."
"A few days?" He stared at me.
I shrugged, "I have a way with stone."
"Yes, you build it and finance it, I'll send troops to man it. Once we push the Hinterlanders back across the border build it."
He gave me all at the seals, license and Signet Ring for Port West Gate. All of it went in my pouch. "I will also send out notices of your appointment."
"Thank you, Sire."
The Queen gave me two letters, one was from The Princess. Bowing I took the letters.
"My Queen."
"Earl de Crypta." She said smiling.
✽✽✽
Before I left the Capital, I stopped under the Williamson's trading house. I took out the lumps of coal and held them as my hands. I started squeezing them, harder and harder, and applied heat. After a few moments I held several diamonds in my hand.
I went up in an alley, and then into Williamson's trading house. "Lord Draugur to see Arthur Williamson." They took me to his office.
"Lord Draugur, how good to see you."
"And you Arthur."
"What can I do for you?"
"Are you the Master of this house?"
"No, I am second here. I'm still building my capital to open my trading house."
"What if I financed you, would you come to Port West Gate and open a trading house? I need someone there to help me bring in more trade. To handle cargo ships and trade with other countries. Would you be interested in that opportunity?"
"I would."
I took the purse of new diamonds and sat them on the desk. He took the purse and poured them out on the table.
"Will that be enough?"
"Yes, with this and what I have already saved, more than enough. The Port is still open then?"
"It is and will be better than before."
"Then I shall leave within the week for Port West Gate."
I nodded, "bring a caravan with you of farm supplies, and seeds." I set a purse of gold on his desk." Bring enough household goods to supply ten farm steads. Wooden plates, bowls, cups, cook pot, and whatever else you can think of."
He was making notes and nodding. "The caravan shall leave within the week."
"Good, I look forward to seeing you there. Safe travels."
✽✽✽
I fast-travelled to Black Stag Keep. I flew under the Keep and ground insuring all was well. I found The Prince in the stable alone working with Beast. I came up out of sight.
"He's looking better," I said.
"He is, I think he will make a full recovery. How was your trip to the Capital?"
"Interesting, I have letters for you."
He nodded," let's go inside." I followed him into the Keep, and to his office. I handed him the letters. He opened them and began to read. As he usually did, he read the letters twice.
He looked up, "they are well?"
"Yes, they are all well. Those who attacked are not."
He nodded, "you've been busy. Thank you for saving my sister, and my Father and Mother."
"I was there, I could do no less."
"Tell me what happened from your point of view." I recounted what happened, well, most of it. I left out the parts that did not pertain to him or the Royals. I gave him the guise ring from the woman assassin and told him how to use it.
"Thank you, this will come in handy. Whether you realize it, Earl, you are in trouble."
My eyebrows lifted, "in what way?"
"My sister has set her eyes on you. I'm sure she, and the Queen, were the driving force behind you becoming Earl of Port West Gate. Now you can pay court to her. Yes, my friend you are in trouble."
"What about all of her other suitors?"
He harrumphed, "she scared all of those off long ago. She is too strong willed for them. They want someone to bring money to their coffers, bare them children, and stay in the background. My sister will not do that. They want her because she will, if they do not marry her to a foreign King, be Duchess of the Southern District. Whoever marries her will be The Princess' consort. Many can't stand not having a title equal to or higher than hers."
I nodded, "that was why she was asking me all those questions about lands and titles."
"Probably. The other downside to the Southern District, although it's a lot of land, about half of it is marsh land. It has no portage, and overall it is underdeveloped and makes little in the way of income. Too bad we don't know anyone who knows how to work with and change the land."
"Maybe we'll think of someone." I said smiling. "And speaking of
land, your Father gave me more land so I could pay more taxes."
We laughed.
"True but as an Earl you get a 'Third- penny' in all taxes from your lands for your coffers. Welcome to the peerage Earl de Crypta. The King wants us to march to support Vigil Keep. We are to come in behind the Hinterland forces, cut their supply lines, and harass their rear."
I nodded, "I thought that might be the case."
"We leave in a week."
"Then we have a lot to do."
✽✽✽
By the end of the week, they delivered my cattle. One drover asked for a job which I gave him. The rest of the Black Stag Company arrived right behind them, with our supply wagons and men. There was also the Elms mercenary company with them.
Master Sargent Miller set the other Company up outside the Keep and moved the Black stag Company inside and assumed full watch over the Keep.
We detailed a wagon to go out to the coal vein and bring a load in. We'd burn coal besides wood.
Our five Knights arrived, with twenty men at arms each. Just behind them came the Williamson's supply caravan. Which was good because I had a lot of men to feed.
That evening at dinner we gave the Captains and Master Sargent Miller their orders, to be ready to March in one week. The Elms Company was to give us a list of their needs. Which turned out to be extensive.
The next morning Prince Kade, Captain Elms, I, and five of his wagons set out For Port West Gate. It was an uneventful trip, Prince Kade and Beast were enjoying the outing. We made Port West Gate by early evening. We stayed at my house, there was room enough for the wagons in the yard. We all ate at the Inn. We made it an early night as we had a lot to do on the morrow.
The next morning, I gave Captain Elms a purse of gold, he and his wagons went to fill their supplies, and would head back to the Keep.
Prince Kade and I went to the Inn for breakfast. "Just for the sake of conversation, say we hired a mage to build, or raise a Fort, Keep, Castle, or what every you would call it. At great expense I might add."
"Oh, no doubt."
"And as it would be the seat of the Western District, it would need to be more than just a small fort to guard the harbor's mouth."
"Oh, yes, of course." he said Smiling.
"Anyway, do you have a design in mind for this undertaking?"
"Well, as you say, it would be the seat of the Western District, and would need to make that statement. I would spare no expense."
"Oh, of course not."
"I might sketch something out that I've been working on in my mind."
"Good, let's go to the Port and have a look."
We walked down to the port, "That earthquake changed the cove into a harbor. And the fort is now in a better position to defend it." We walked up to the fort and looked out over the harbor. The masons were already hard at work.
"Master Mason, may present Prince Kade, Duke of the Western District."
He bowed, "Your Highness, an honor."
"You are making good headway Master Mason."
"Thank you, Sire."
"You know of the menace of the Hinterland's Army and Navy?"
"We do, Sire."
"We have, at great expense, hired a mage to speed some construction along. Fear not he will not put you out of a job. We have many plans, and we will need you to complete them."
"Of course, Sire."
"Do you have a paper and charcoal that I might make a sketch?"
"Yes, Sire."
We walked over to the Mason's worktable. The Prince began to sketch the Castle he wanted. High walls, and towers. There would be no moat. Covered firing platforms for the cannons. A courtyard, a curtain wall separating the Castle proper from the courtyards. Stables, barracks, smiths, kitchens supply storage. He added a large chain that stretched across the harbor mouth. It was all very detailed he must have been planning this for a long time.
The Master Mason looked at it, "I'm glad you hired the mage if you want it finished in my lifetime."
The Prince chuckled, "He assures me it will be completed soon." I chuckled.
"Whatever he does not finish Master Mason, you will continue the work."
"Yes, Sire."
I placed a large purse of gold on his table.
"Thank you, M'lords."
As we walked away, "nice Castle, and with just a quick sketch too."
"Another Royal gift, we can all do it."
"Now that I believe, I've seen your sister do it," I said laughing. I told him about the balcony, and what the King said.
"I wish I could have been there for that. Let's go to the slave pens and see what they have." He said.
It surprised me how many slaves they had. Apparently Port West Gate was a major market for slaves coming in through the port.
"Slave master," I called, and a man approached.
"Yes M'lord?"
"May I present Prince Kade, Duke of the Western District."
He bowed deeply. "Sire, an honor to meet you."
"We have needs slave master, I only want to see the best. I'm not looking for any concubines. Good quality servants. I will pay a good price for good quality. Don't push any leftover off on me. We are looking for Tradesmen, Smiths, Cooks and Household servants. We also need farmers. We'll take whole families if you have them, I would prefer them."
He bowed again. "Of course, Sire, I understand, if you will come this way, I will have them brought to you to inspect."
The Slave Master started bringing the slaves through. He did as the Prince had asked, he only brought the best through. There were a lot from Hinterland. These coming through were made slaves because of a debt or some infraction with the law. They brought in a large group of fifteen. An older man and woman, and four younger couples with older children.
"Speak." the Slave master said,
The older man bowed, "Lord we were the household servants of a Knight. We managed and cared for his Keep. He was killed and his Keep taken. They ransomed his wife, we were not." They spoke truly, so my ring said.
"How many were in his household?"
"Ten Lord, but we cared for others that worked in the Keep."
"We'll take these, Slave Master, continue." They brought in the next group. By the time we were through we had bought fifty slaves. We did not find all we wanted, but it was a good start. They would be delivered to my Keep on the morrow.
We went to the stables and bought horses. He had eighty good horses; we bought them all. They would also be delivered to the Keep on the morrow.
We ate our midday meal at a different Inn, food was a little better. "Are you ready for the mage to make his appearance?" I asked.
"How do you plan to do it?"
"I have a guise ring as well. I will appear in the guise of an aloof mage. I'll raise the Castle, you make corrections or additions as we go,"
"Ok, Sounds like fun."
"You go down to the Fort, and your mage will make his entrance." We finished our meal, and he left for the fort. I gave him a while to get there before I started.
I flew under to the other side at the harbor and took on the guise of and old mage with white hair and a white beard. Dark blue robes and a staff. I levitated up and flew around practicing. It would not do to fall on my face making my grand entrance.
Chapter seventeen
When I felt ready, I rose and flew across the harbor and around the fort site. I landed near the Prince; a crowd had grown watching me fly around.
"Which one of you Is Prince Kade?"
"That would be me, Sir Mage."
"Ah, yes, so you want a Castle do you? Well, you paid so I guess I shall give you what you want. You want it here I suppose."
"Yes, I do, right here."
"Your father will not give me any grief about this will he? It cost just as much to take one down as it does to put it up. Though I will admit taking them down is easier."
"No, my father, the King knows and approves of this."
"What was that? Speak up.
"
"I said, my Father knows and approves."
"Good, good. Met him once you know, loved to fish, told me himself. Always talked too much for a child." I turned away mumbling.
I decided to put on a bit of a show. I raised my staff, and the wind began to blow. I stabbed the staff into the ground, there was an answering thunderclap. The ground started to tremble, and stone began to rise. I pointed and walls rose and took shape high and wide. I kept the sketch that the Prince had drawn in my mind. I continued making meaningless gestures as the Castle took shape.
I levitated up for a better view of what was rising. I drifted over the walls, and around the towers. Out over the cannon platforms and up to the top terraces, and Royal gardens. I grew doors, and windows with glass. Massive gates and portcullis.
Raised cliffs and walls and put a huge chain across the harbor mouth. I did everything now and let them think I was a crazy old mage.
I raised piers, quays and docks along the crag wall back to the shore. I made the harbor deep all the way to the shore and raised a quay. Behind that I raised warehouses lining the harbor. I made a stone road joining everything to the main street and Castle Gate. I made the main street stone all the way out past the city proper.
Once I was satisfied, I landed back at the Prince and the now bigger crowd.
"Something like that?" I asked.
"Where are the wells?"
"The what?"
"Wells, water wells."
"Yes, Yes, Yes, wells, not deaf you know." I pointed, and they grew out of the ground.
"Did you make a dungeon, and underground storage?"
"Of course, there's a dungeon, you can't have a proper Castle without a dungeon." People with the Prince were chuckling at our little theater.
"As a gift to you Prince Kade." Two lions the size of horses rose from the ground. They walked up the steps to the Castle proper turned facing us and roared. Then sat down on guard. Everyone applauded. I bowed.
"Sir Mage let's go look at your good work. Provost would you set guards at the gate, please."
"Yes, Sire."
We took a walkthrough of the Castle." Adequate Sir Mage, adequate."
Hand Made Mage Page 14
