As he entered, Pascal heard the oaken doors creak shut behind him and a rattle of chain mail from the guards returning to their posts. The inner keep was even more ornate than the door. Pascal saw beautiful sculptures of the Lords of the Castle, each one looking more regal than the one before. Multicolored light shone through stained glass windows depicting scenes of the Christ and of who appeared to be Duc Leogard. He saw tapestries with the crest of His Lordship and murals of battles of old. He looked closely at the older mural and swore he saw his grandfather.
As he followed Sir Pealot, Pascal saw maidens and servants moving about running errands for the Lord and his family. He increased his speed to catch up and ask a question of the Knight. Before he could ask, Pealot stopped in front of a door and asked Pascal to wait outside for him to return. Pascal obliged and wondered why the Lord wanted to see him. Pascal heard guards walking down the corridor towards the room, and he began to get nervous again. As the guards approached him, Pascal pressed against the wall and bid them a good day as they walked by. Once they were around the corner, Pascal breathed a sigh of relief and wondered what was taking so long with Sir Pealot.
After a matter of a few minutes, Pealot opened the door and bid Pascal inside. As he entered, Pascal saw Duc Leogard standing by an open window overlooking the fields and countryside.
"Pascal, I assume?" started Duc Leogard. His voice was brazen and loud, and the sudden question startled Pascal.
"Y-Yes Your Lordship."
"Do you know why I summoned you here?"
"N-No sir. I do not know."
"It is about your actions in the village. Your alchemy, creating that "flash powder" as you call it, and your planning to improve the farming, which was success, and I applaud you for it," The Lord paused for a second and drank from a silver cup on the table before continuing. "But that is not why I summoned you here. Because of your actions, I have come to a crossroads. I can either tax the village more because they are making a profit on the harvest, or I can sell this bumper crop and keep the gold for myself."
"Lordship, if I may?" Spoke the long silent Pealot.
"Yes you may good Sir."
"What Duc Leogard is trying to say, is he wants to know what you think is best for him to do. He figured since it was your idea and method that improved the harvest, you should have a say in how the gold is returned to him."
"Thank you Pealot. Well, Pascal, what would you suggest I do?"
"Your Lordship, I feel that this is not my place to decide. It is a matter above my head."
"Pascal, please make a choice. His Lordship is trying to see what a villager thinks is best."
"Well, Lordship, if I must chose, I would say sell it off. The village is too poor as it is, and an increase in taxes would drive people away."
"Then it is decided. Pealot, run this message to the merchants in the castle: One third of all foodstuffs is to be sold. And tell a guard to escort Pascal here back to his hovel."
"At once Lordship! Pascal, I hope to see you again one day, maybe you will be coming in on a much more important matter instead."
As he departed, Pealot summoned a guard from outside and Pascal was pressed by Duc Leogard about another matter.
"Pascal, your family has done great things for my bloodline. Your Grandfather served as a knight for mine. Your father a scout, for mine. You do not realize this, but we were raised in the castle for our early years together."
"I had not realized that Lordship. But, If I may ask, why are you reminding me of my family's service to you?"
"Because I would like to have you reminded of the services they were asked to give. I did not request you help the village. Therefore, I shall have you locked away next time you act without being ordered to."
"Your Lordship, with all due respect, I only wished to help the village out of its poverty."
"Do it again and you are going in the dungeon. Guard, show Pascal the dungeon before you take him to his hovel."
"Aye Lordship. Let's go Pascal."