Scoping out the Place
Boan is a city in the western region of Edelland, near the border with the Kingdom of Lingobard. To put this in simple talk, this place is the perfect region to start an invasion. Most kingdoms fall because they never watch the spot right behind them until the knife is already in its side. Most would think that just because Lingobard is the sister kingdom of Edelland that this place holds no strategic significance but I say any land has importance that is just waiting to be noticed. Now that I think of it the fat Prince Bobon's mother was originally Lingobard royalty. She's also pretty attract as well.
Sadly enough from what I read Boan is the central town in the Boan Province, and even thought the region was home of seven castles, one couldn't call Boan a developed country, yet. From my point of view this region was as impressive as I thought it would be. Open space, large hills with a slight mountainous feel to it, light forest land, and vegetation everywhere in the way of grass or shrubs. It's barren fields have trouble with holding crops. As Odin and I rode out on our three day planned journey we loved ever bit of this open plains and land.
Boans only production is agriculture, but from what I heard stagnation and decline were plentiful here. This place is like my home with how open it is. This place is alive with the wind blowing gently past my face. It's quiet and tranquil, much more different then the capital. It carries with it a tenderness that the capital will never match. Odin seems to like this place well enough. I'd say it's about midday right now and I've had no problems while on the rode. I found it to be quite nice of a ride to get out here. Nice and smooth. Odin rode straight through the night with ease. I fell asleep on top of him and he continued regardless of this. He's full of energy. Instead of three days it took only from yesterday and today for us to arrive.
We looked over a large hill down into the valley below. I could see the city of Boan below and it looked amazing from this range and height. An amazing sight to behold. I pat Odin on the side of his neck and smiled. "Welcome to our new home buddy." I whipped the reins and Odin trot forward towards the city.
The city is truly rundown now that I'm in it. The soil in this valley needs to be refreshed to help the crops, and the water source needed to be sectioned off. We rode for a couple hours first before to survey the situation and I can see the place will need a lot of work. Lucky for me I know ways to improve the situation here including the food shortage. If this land didn't have such a lazy good for nothing prefect then maybe I wouldn't have to do so much work, but I think this will be a good experience. Adopt some war torn men and women into the community and a couple monsters or demons if I'm lucky. A single goblin can cause an army's worth of damages if trained well. I could use a goblin. I know we humans used them before to conquer the elves same with the ogres then we turned on them and exterminated them. That was a long time ago though.
As I rode through I noticed that I really did stand out. A bandana wearing man with two swords riding a pale horse does cause talk. I'm almost afraid they'll end up calling me the pale rider if I'm not careful. I haven't seen that much in the way of game here but with how much open land I see it's possible that a herd of horses might be out there somewhere. I've seen tracks as well as a field of droppings not to far from the city. I might track them down and get some way to create a ranch of sorts instead to help raise and nurture any livestock away from the city. The rear and forward guard need to be tightened. I've gotten the jump on three while riding my horse. I don't know how but I did. Training sessions will need to be implemented. So much work needs to be done including trading. Maybe I can write a couple people and maybe Mr. Blacksmith into getting merchants down here to trade. I can smell metal somewhere so maybe a vein of some sort of metal is in some of these mountain sides. It's east by the smell of it seeing that the wind is coming from that direction.0
For now that's enough recon. Time to meet the prefect and the steward. They better pray I like what I see or I'll be a thorn in their side.
I rode to the stables and dismounted. I removed the bridle and saddle from Odin's body and let him go to do whatever horses do on their time. I can see the horses here are well but not too healthy. Well they are healthy but not as healthy as they could be. I walked the stables and noticed them to be pretty clean and the water to be fresh on top of this. Whoever is taking care of these horses they're doing a very immaculate job with the little resources they have. I'd like to meet them if I can but sadly I have to an appoint me to keep.
I made my way up to the castle past a couple guards who didn't stop to question me or anything. I need to improve the security here for sure. I guess either a far amount of armed individuals come her and visit the prefect enough to warrant little to no investigation, or that they know well enough that I'm probably a knight from the academy and to be allotted my due respect. I'm not sure it's either one of them sadly. It's probably the former more likely that the latter and if that's true that doesn't bode well for my opinion of the man I'm about to me. Who meets with armored or armed individuals regularly enough not to warrant a check from the guards? A man with something to hide, especially in a country like this with little to nothing of worth, as far as the outside world knows.
This castle is a relic that's for sure. Poorly maintained and is in need of some serious mason work. I pasted through the arched corridor to the main hall and couldn't help but so her just how long these stone arches have been standing. Unlike the mason work of the dwarves humans can only build a building to last maybe two or so hundred years without being cared for. The stone I'm stepping on has cracks and need to be replaced along with the tile. The pillars are sturdy from and have runes etched into them. I walked to one pillar and waved my hand over it. My fingers took a small glint as I waved them over the runes and watched them glow faintly. They still got some juice in them is seems. These are a collection of elfish runes on top of this. I'd say made by the dark elves of old from what I studied on my free time. I've studied both the demons of old that were pushed back by humans and the Elvenan that came before them. This is quite fascinating to be in an ancient elven strong hold and I'll probably spend a lot of my time studying this placed from top to bottom. My swords and knapsack are of elfish make that I found during my archaeological exploits. There's a treasure in this castle somewhere. I bet my life on it.
The castle though is a bit empty, much like the town; this place felt dull. I can see though the runes the time when elves and humans have danced and celebrated in this hall. I can see the beautiful arcane lights and lanterns floating about above. I can see the beautiful and small breasted women as they frolicked about on the floor with male escorts. Women truly were treated as queens not matter their bloodline. Looking at this place now it's a shame. There're no candlestick holder meaning torches or lanterns are the main sources of light during a night patrol of the halls. I can see rolls of bedding in the main hall meaning that the guards must spend their nights here instead of having a barracks of their own. That purpose behind this hall is lost.
"The prefect's room is this way," the guard escorting me in said once we reached a door. His was dressed on full iron armor that was shoddy but maintained well enough that it doesn't fall off his body. Armor is another matter it seems. The guard knocked on the door, "Master Irboyne, I have brought Master Lute." He announced this before opening the door for me to enter.
I should be shocked about the quality of the room and it's furnishing, but I'm not. I'd expect the prefect to live comfortable while the ones in his charge live like dirt. Nice drapes, an expensive rug, a desk made of mahogany, and a chandelier with diamonds hanging from the top. I frowned a bit on the inside at what I saw but left it alone for now. "I have brought him sir." "You may go." With that the guard left ad closed the door behind him. Irboyne, the prefect of Boan, walking into view and I wasn't impressed with what I saw.
The man is dressed in high class ornate robes and my elder by maybe 20 years. This man is the governor-general of all seven castles in the area? This is the man that all liege lords of the castes fall under? I can tell with a look this man doesn't care for his job or for the people around him. Probably got out here angry and crabby and hasn't changed a bit since.
"I am the knight sent under your charge, Lute Hende." I introduced myself well.
The man huffed at me and waved off my politeness. "Your face is as unremarkable as rumor says."
Now that wasn't very nice. I'd say close to unnecessary even.
"Your name as well has a ring like that of an instrument, but you will be enter ally silent."
So he's basically telling not to voice my thoughts.
Irboyne walked around his desk and sat down in his chair. "I do not expect anything from you. If you were sent here then you're filth, trash, a forgotten existence never to return to the capital."
Sounds like someone is speaking from experience.
"Despite the growth of the capital, this place stagnates. Only despair exists here so don't expect much."
"Noted," I spoke and earned a look from the man. I returned it with a bored one. Irboyne sighed and reached for a bell in his desk.
He rang it.
"Madoise!" He called. A short man appeared from the door with a simple red tunic over a middle clash purple striped blouse and brown pantaloons. His face reminded me of a beaver, even his two front teeth mimicked the beaver. "You rang, Prefect." He spoke in the form of a statement more then a question, as of stating a fact. He was rubbing his hands together as well which was weird. "This man is from the capital. Help him learn the ropes," the prefect waved me off. "Aye," the short man said before turning to me. "Follow me."
The sort man lead me back through the corridor of the main hall. "Surprised, eh?" I looked down at the little man. "Not really," I said truthfully. With the state this city is in I'm not surprised. "By the sound of things he was from the knight academy like I was and scored the lowest as well," I guessed. "You'd be right. Oops, keep that hush hush, okay?" Madoise let out a seedy chuckle.
Right on the start I can see his little attempt to get on my good side a mile off. The only reason you get on another man's good side is because you want something from him but the question is what.
"As you heard, I'm Madoise; the steward of this here Boan Castle." I'm done being surprise or so I thought. This little weasel is the steward of Boan castle? The steward are basically the number two at the castle, after the local liege. He patrols the outer grounds, conducts trials, all in place of the local liege. You could say this little man is the actual head of the castle. I have my work not even cut out for me but I'm sure I was sent here for a reason. Maybe to shape this land how I see fit. My dad was well known in the country side for his ingenuity and I dare say I've inherited that trait as well.
"Now that's out of the way, let's go greet the wife before I take you to your room." Wife? This little man is married? That's a surprise but I guess love has a way of bringing people together. Why does he want me to meet his wife though? That makes no sense it whatever. "Of course I mean the Prefect's wife," Madoise clarified thankfully. I'd hate to see the woman that learned to love this man. "So your saying that the Prefect and his wife live in separate rooms?" Madoise grinned at me. "Indeed. You see, recently in Boan, it's been the norm for the husband and wives to sleep separately. It might have been that way long ago in the capital too."
I like the fact he said "wives" not wife. Does the Prefect have a significant other he's planning to marry. Last I checked that's adultery. "Are the two of them close?" I asked a bit curious. "No actually. He placed her on the opposite side of the castle, so you can say they are anything but 'close'." Meaning that she's deprived and they are about to introduce the young hot blooded new man to this sexually deprived possible mature female. I hope this isn't what I think it is.
"Over here." The steward stopped at a door and opened if for me to enter.
I looked inside and could see the main décor for the room is green in them. The large royal bed has green blinders and a green blanket. It sits on top of a green rug with golden embodied edges. This room is much more elegant than the prefect's room with this rural charm to it. It smelled so feminine as well. I felt my mouth dry and gulped in an attempt to moisten my throat. Then I saw her sitting at her small dresser on an end seat in front of a table.
By My Ancestors she's gorgeous!
"Madam, I've brought our new knight from the capital."
The woman stood up from her seat and walked around from the back of the room for me to have a much clearer look. I gulped hard, involuntarily. I sort of envisioned her to be old, middle aged, and not worth it anymore but these assumptions took a shot in the crotch to the ground. There's no chance for recovery. This woman is young and exceptionally beautiful. She has a delicate luster to her appearance and a gentle aura, and her body is so bountiful. Her chest is amazing. They are so large and look so soft as well. Not as large as the princess' chest but impressive regardless. Her breasts bulged from her tight dress and looked as if they might spill out any moment. This woman has Isis' beat. Bigger than that glasses chick as well. Such lustrous hair drapes down to her waist and beautiful eyes. Fair skin cladded in a silky magenta gown. I don't think I could ever have expected this.
The woman stopped just a foot or two in front of me and regarded me with a smile as beautiful as she is lustrous. "Ah, so this is the one." Her voice as well is heavenly, slightly deep and fluid. "He's a knight that just graduated from the academy," Madoise answered for me when he noticed that my mouth wouldn't work not matter how hard I tried. "Ahh," she turned her hazel reddish eyes towards me. "From Shoenburg?" Not exactly but close enough. "He's just arrived so I'm sure he'll answer any questions you have about the capital." "Ooh, really?" She asked in an excited tone. Her long dark bluish hair fell over her chest between her cleavage in her excitement.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Lute Hende." I bowed respectfully. "And it's an honor to meet you mi'lady." The woman giggled a bit at his. "Roxanne," she said which had to be her name. It fits. "Pleasure or make you acquaintance." I leaned back up. I felt the urge to take her hand and kiss the top but I'm not that much of a polite gentleman.
"Are you from Shoenburg, Sir Lute?" She was eager to get right too it is seems. "Not exactly. I lived outside the city in the rural countryside." The woman smiled. "I spent my childhood in Shoenburg until I was five. I don't recall all that much but it's nice we have this in common." She narrowed her gaze at me and examined me with gentle eyes. Speaking of eyes, I'm struggling to keep mine up.
"Do you play an instrument?"
"Huh?" I looked back up and her giggled like she knew exactly what I was looking at. She doesn't get angry or call me a pervert so that's a good sign we might get along. "I can, yes."
"I thought so. Your name sounds like one." I smiled. "People often say I'm an instrument with no noise." Roxanne laughed at my joke, which caused her breasts to jiggled. God I just want a feel.
"This is an old castle," she said which brought me back to work mode thankfully. My mind shifted from her chest to my mission. "Yes and there's a lot of work that needs to be done," I noted after this reminder. "I feel as if you'll get it all done," she declared lightly. "Thank you." She nodded with a smile on her lips.
"Do you have a room?"
"I'd stay in this one if I could…" Roxanne laughed again with a slight flush if her cheeks. "I said that out loud didn't I?"
"I'm afraid so," she giggled again. I rubbed the back of my head as heat rose to my ears. "But no I don't have a room yet."
"I see. Madoise, please show him to it."
Huh, I forgot the little guy was still here.
"Right away Madam. Follow me."
"Y-yeah." I spared Roxanne another look before walking towards the door. "Sir Lute, talk to me again soon."
"I certainly will."
"Promise…" I smiled and walked up to her. I rose my pinky up. She blinked the giggled and took my pinky with her own. "Promise."
Walking back into the main hall I noticed a sly smile on Madoise's lips. "Seems like she favors you. Normally she doesn't talk that much at first meeting."
"I'm sure she's just being polite to a stranger." Though if I were her I'd be more careful when it comes to strangers like me and being so informal. I might have been a rapist or a murderer for all she knows and planning her kidnapping. Though I'd kill myself before I'd every commit and travesty such as that.
"Who knows, you might get 'close' to her." Madoise laughed like he's alluding to something. I'm not an idiot and can't read the signs when they are in front of me. This might pose an opportunity though. I just have to be patient and not let my urges take over.
I looked away from the man but I can deny the feelings welling in the pit of my chest. I wanted to do it. Grab her chest and make rough and dirty love with her. By the gods my mind was swimming with thoughts of it and the fact her room is full of pheromones didn't help. I was being smothered by them. Our promise is stuck in my head and that last radiant smile she gave me after that little childish pact we made. With an older woman as well. How embarrassing to show my age in such a way.
He makes it sound like I should commit adultery which happens to be a punishable sin. Or is it the case that here in Boan, adultery was typical. I sincerely doubt it like it is all over the kingdom. If it is committed it's kept hush hush.
"And here are your quarters." The weasel walked in front of a rugged wooden door and pushed it open. He walked in and I followed. Unsurprisingly, the room disappointed me. It was futile and a little ignorant of me to hope for something like the prefect's or Lady Roxanne's room. Their's the finest in the land probably but instead of this I have this. This room exemplified the bleakness of Boan; the personification of the abandonment of the hope and development deprived from this land. Looking around I see cracks all around the stone and rock face walls of the room. I see a single bed with clean sheets, a single wooden for posted table with a candle on top, and a large fireplace. It's reached up to my chest, it was that large.
"It's a good room don't you think? A warm fireplace. The walls don't leak," he listed off but I was too busy fighting the urge to throttle this little man to listen. "Good enough, eh?" Looking round the room I sighed and walked up to my table and placed my knapsack on top. Then I removed my cloak and hung it on the back of the chair. "It's sufficient for now I suppose." I've lived in outdoors many times and for some reason that's sounding much better than this.
"What are my eating arrangements? Will my food be brought to me?"
"No. Only the prefect and his wife are brought food to their separate rooms. You will have to eat in the main hall like the rest of us." I'd rather go hunting. "You gotta get to know the guards as well, don't ya?" He said when he saw my expression of distaste. I suppose I'm a bit spoiled from all the times my food was brought to me. I think this place will be good for me in that regard with the game I saw on the way. Maybe I can show the guards here a thing or two as well, since I have to make friends.
"You must be tired after your trip. Dinner will be served soon so rest up until tomorrow. Then we'll tour the outer grounds." With that Madoise left. I took a breath and sat down in my chair with my hands on my head. With little to do until tomorrow I crossed my arms over my chest and closed my eyes.
Sleep always came easily to me.