75 75. The Manor House 11

As Novum walked out of the building the mage looked over the shoulder of the Duke. "Should we have just let him get away with that?"

"He is an interesting young man. This is only his second time coming to the capitol for more than a day or so and both times he has ended up in front of me on behalf of other people. I think that I could call him whatever I wanted. Hell I could probably slap him and he would not react but if you were to try and hurt one of the kids that he has not taken guardianship of he would try to bring this entire building down. Like he said he knew that you could take him but he also knew that you would have to pay for it. Don't forget his armor has resistance to magic and not a weak one. He would be a lot harder to fight than your average warrior that is for sure."

"But to let him talk to you like that, how did you stand it?"

"He was polite but firm and made his opinion on the matter clear. Was it a little rude, probably but nice guys seldom get to the top. He is only trying to help people so I can forgive a little. Also make sure that a few of our chosen guys end up in the troops that I am sending to his city. Honestly after this situation if I made him an Earl no one would be able to complain. If he keeps this up he will be in my seat sooner than I would like."

"Then why not eliminate him now?"

"Because I need to make sure that there is someone in the future that can fill this seat with honor and integrity. The Lyons family are great candidates but what is something happens. If he starts pushing me then I will push back and make the people hate him. I have done it before and I can do it again."

"Of course duke." The man bowed his head and went to pull the people that he wanted for the team from other jobs. This would be a long mission that would require a huge commitment and loyalty to the Duke. There were a few that he had in mind but the problem was a leader that he mature enough to handle a crew, young enough to want to move, and loyal enough to work away from the capitol. This would be the tricky part.

Novum left and headed straight to the temple and saw that there was a large group of kids in an area protected by a group of knights. The knight saw him heading over and moved to stop him. He quickly stepped aside when he realized who it was. "My apologize Baron. I did not realize it was you."

"You are fine young knight. You were doing what you were supposed to be doing. Have you seen Sister Crystal?"

"She headed back to the kitchen one more time just a few minutes ago."

"Thank you. Any issues?"

"No one has come close to any of them after the men left this morning. Are we going to be moving them back to the orphanage?"

"No. I am going to hire a couple of comfortable carriages and they will be coming to my manor from now on. Do you happen to know who in the church deals with the children when they are orphaned?"

"I am not sure. I know that it is one of the elder sisters but I am not sure which one. I can inquire for you and find out."

"That would be much appreciated." The knight gave him a bow and headed over to let one of the other knights know that he had to go and get some information for that Baron. The other knight shifted a little to make sure that area was under constant view. Novum stood back and watched as the kids slowly ate everything that was in front of them.

Soon Crystal came out with a full cart of food. The kids looked at the cart but did not run forward and try to take anything. "Okay guys come on up and get some more. Remember to take it nice and slow so that you do not end up with a tummy ache. Hello Baron." Several of the kids froze at that word and turned to look. They only saw a man that was bigger and possible scarier than the last Baron.

He gave everyone a big smile. "Hello everyone. I do apologize if I scared you earlier when I asked the guard to bring you here. And Crystal thank you so much for taking care of them. How is everyone doing? Does anyone have any questions for me?"

"Where is the old Baron?"

"I beat him almost the death and drug him to the duke, who then stripped him and the man that was supposed to inspect the orphanage of their titles and threw them in prison waiting on the results of a full investigation to make sure to catch everyone involved."

"You really hit him?"

"I hit him a lot. I will not see children treated the way that you were being treated. I also informed the duke that I will be taking responsibility for you and all the future orphans at my manor home. I am going to get some carriages and bring you to my home. You will all go to school to learn to read, write and do basic math. And when you are old enough you will start learning a trade."

One of the older boys stood up. "So you want us for slave labor in the mines then!"

"Absolutely not. There is no slavery in my town. I will kill anyone that tries to make someone a slave. And you will not work in the mines unless you want to work in the mines. I have lots of people that you can learn from. There are some amazing cooks and I have farmers and animal handler. There are lumbermen and stone masons. There are smiths. Sister Crystal is going to open an apothecary shop. Hunters, fishers, just about anything you can think of. We even have a few beekeepers. And you will not work for free. When you meet the requirements to learn a trade you will be paid like a regular worker. Until you get to that point your entire purpose in life will be going to school and having fun. I will ensure that each of you has a allowance when you are old enough to start learning money and that you will never, ever lack food or clothes."

The boy from the previous night jumped up when he realized who it was. "It is you. Thank you sir." The boy bowed to him from the waist. "If not for you my sister might have been badly hurt."

"I am glad that I was able to help. How is your sister today? Did the healers take care of her legs?"

A young lady stood up beside him. "Yes Baron. They did amazing. My legs are back to what they were like before the orphanage. Thank you. I heard that you also saved me from those men. That...." tears started to roll down her cheeks. She was old enough to understand what really would have happened. "Thank you."

The oldest boy stood up. "Sir will we be able to learn to fight and help protect people?"

"If that is what you want. Once you show that you can learn to read, write and do basic math you will be able to train with the guards. Or if the guards are to busy on some days you will train with me and a few of my associates."

"Is there anyone that can teach us magic?" A mousey little girl asked in a voice that if the wind blew you would not be able to hear.

"There will be people that can use both divine and arcane magic at my manor. Sister Crystal is one of the divine users and there is another sister there as well. There are two people that use very different types of arcane magic. Of course arcane magic takes a natural talent but divine can be learned to an extent. But at my manor no one will tell you what you can do because that is a job that is only done by girls or boys. That stuff does not exist on my manor."

A young girl that may have been six popped up. "You mean that I can become a guard if I want?"

"If you train hard and have the ability you can be a guard. Listen you all have all the time to make these decisions. But tomorrow we will all be leaving here and going to the manor. But first you need to eat until you are comfortable and get some clothes on. I will also swing by and pick up some more stuff that we will need as well as a huge amount of clothes that will last for the winter.

The knight came back over with an older sister. "Baron this is Sister Katie. She is the ones that handles any orphans that show up at the church."

"Greeting Baron. I feel that I should apologize. I simply did what the old person did and did not check the orphanage. I have spoken with the head of the church for an appropriate punishment."

"That is not my place sister. My question is how did you tell them about a new child if you never saw the place?"

"We had messenger bags that were specific to certain places. I would send a message and a couple of escorts would show up."

"Then I will need a bag for the orphans. They will be coming to live at my manor from now on."

"And the Duke has approved it?"

"I didn't give him a chance to refuse. But if it would make you feel more comfortable you can ask the steward."

The knight stepped forward. "Baron, I have asked for a transfer to your manor. I will be there to protect Crystal and the kids. Mainly the kids but they are letting me use Crystal as an excuse."

"It will good to have you along. Sister Crystal, do you need anything else?"

"No Baron, with the knights here as assistance I have no worries."

"Then I have a few more things to do before we leave tomorrow."