Chapter 6 : Vonnear Village (1)

After a couple of weeks have passed, the Dawnsteel family finally arrived at the entrance of Vonnear Village. They could see the village barricaded with wooden walls that serves as a protection from beasts and bandits. The wooden gate is manned by two guards, wearing light leather armor while holding a spear. They were cheerfully chatting with some villagers that went in and out of the village. The guards became alert as they saw a luxurious carriage heading their way.

The carriage stopped in front of the gate, and the two guards stood in attention and bowed as they saw the emblem on the carriage.

"I'm taking the newly appointed Baron Dawnsteel and his family to the village head." The coachman said as he removed his top hat and returned their salute.

The two guards felt at ease and shouted. "Welcome to the Vonnear Village!"

The carriage entered the village and headed towards a building that is much bigger than that of the wooden houses that were present.

Raymond popped his head out of the carriage to see the place where they will finally settle. He saw how hard working farmers tended the land and crops. There were also children cheerfully playing around the mud and running energetically around the fields. Villagers that saw him waved at him with joyous smiles, and in return he waved back with a bigger grin. His parents saw this scene and thought that they made the correct decision in choosing this village.

The carriage stopped as it reached its destination. There were two men in front of the village chief's house, an old man wearing a disheveled blue beanie with his hands behind his back, and a middle aged man who was well dressed standing in attention. Both of them knew, judging from the insignia, that the people inside the carriage must be an important person or even royalty, and a single mistake can lead to irreversible problems.

The coachman went down the carriage and asked. "Who is the village chief?"

"I am Elias, the village chief, and this is my son Carlin, the next in line." Elias said politely.

"Understood." The coachman extended his hand and a greyish void appeared. He reached in the void and took out a scroll. He unrolled it and proclaimed.

"Heed the Royal Decree.

By the decree of King Vernon Loutherid, the newly appointed baron, Glidal Dawnsteel, will be granted the territory of the Vonnear Village. This includes the jurisdiction of the Vonnear forest.

All citizens living in the Vonnear Village will be under the protection and care of the Dawnsteel family. Anyone who are dissatisfied by this decision will be given suitable compensation but will be banished from the village.

By the authority of King Vernon Loutherid, you are given a week to convene with your council to decide."

He rolled the scroll back and it returned it into the void.

"You have a week." The coachman bowed respectfully.

"We accept." Elias abruptly said.

The coachman was dumbfounded at the swift response.

Carlin was smiling as he added. "We were first skeptical, until we heard his name. Glidal is in there right?"

"Yes he is." The coachman said as he smiled and bowed his head. "Next time use proper honorifics, especially when other people are present." He reminded while he strode to the carriage and opened the carriage door.

A slender hand, fitted with white gloves, reached towards the coachman's hand to assist her leave the carriage. She wore a long grey one-piece dress that stretches down to her sleeves with a cut on her skirt that highlighted her slender legs. Her hair was mostly styled back with a bun leaving hair fall loosely on the sides of head. The drop earrings she wore were embedded with rare pink sapphires that gleamed as it reflected the light from the sun. She wore a silver chained necklace holding a centerpiece matching her earrings but with a more superior cut and size.

The next that was a boy who jumped directly at the coachman who caught him, and gently put down. He wore a brown cap matching his hair, and was wearing a formal suit with no tailcoat. His white shirt was tucked under a short brown pants. Then, he took a deep breath, happy that the long journey was over.

Finally, a tall well-built man with well-kept brown hair slicked to his back appeared. His facial hair was groomed to look tidy and sharp. He wore similar clothing as the boy but with a brown tailcoat and a frilly necktie. He was looking very gentlemanly and regal. However, the image was constantly being disrupted because he was continuously adjusting his junk by pulling his pants while lifting his leg from side to side. He was looking extremely uncomfortable.

"Honey, why do we need to dress like this? We know this people." Glidal whispered while he keeps adjusting his pants.

Lexia ignored him and introduced herself to the two men in front of them.

"I am Lexia Dawnsteel, Wife of the newly appointed baron." She said with authority.

"Ray." She called the attention of her child.

He quickly moved in front and bowed. "I am Raymond!" He stated trying to copy her mother's demeanor.

Lexia cringed inside as there were so many wrong things with her son's introduction. She made a mental thought that she needed to teach Raymond noble etiquette… thoroughly.

Glidal went forward and introduced himself. "By the authority of King Vernon Loutherid, I am the new appointed Baron Glidal Dawnsteel. I am also bestowed the Vonnear territory, and will be your region noble." He stated with elegance and dignity.

But as he was about to adjust his pants again, he felt a cold tip on his back with a deathly aura coming from behind stopped him from touching his lower garment.

Elias and Carlin returned the greeting.

"Why don't we go over the discussion in the chief's hall?" Elias requested while gesturing the entrance door of his house.

"Agreed." Glidal said stoically.

"Wait." Lexia beckoned. "Mr. Coachman." She further stated.

"Yes, Milady." The coachman replied as he tipped his top hat.

The coachman went inside the carriage, and left carrying a boy.

"We need a room. He is still unconscious after 15 days. We need a proper place to lay him down." Lexia said with deep concern.

"Please follow." Elias led the group as they went in the chief's house.

They were greeted by a long table with several chairs beside and a more dignified seat at the end of the table. This was the meeting hall.

"Jasmine, can you lead them to a room?" Carlin said to a lady sweeping around the corner.

Jasmine, a middle aged woman with auburn hair, nodded as she noticed a well-dressed man with a top hat carrying a sleeping boy. She guided them to the second floor and helped in tucking the poor boy properly to bed.

"Thank you for your help, Miss." The coachman said to Jasmine.

"You're welcome." She replied. "I will take care of this boy. You can return down stairs, I'm sure important matters are about to be discussed." She offered.

The coachman smiled and went downstairs.

"The boy?" Lexia asked as she saw the coachman going down the stairs.

"Sleeping." The coachman replied.

He went straight to the door and then faced the Dawnsteel family. He placed his top hat on his chest and bowed.

"Since my job is done, and further negotiations don't need my assistance. I'll take my leave and go back to the capital." The coachman said respectfully.

"Thank you for your help." Glidal said.

Lexia nodded at him.

"Mr. Coachman goodbye." Raymond said as he was checking some ornaments on the wall.

As the coachman was about to leave the door Raymond suddenly asked a question.

"Are you taking the carriage?" He said in a quite dejecting manner as he was quite attached to it from the journey.

The coachman chuckled. "No, young master Raymond." He replied.

"How then? Taking a horse?" Raymond continued.

The coachman was amused by the boy's curiosity he said. "Why don't I show you?" He smiled as he opened the door out.

The coachman and Raymond went outside while the others were watching from the door.

"Before I forget." The coachman looked at Lexia. "How do you want me to deal with 'him'? "

Lexia immediately knew who was he talking about, the man who almost killed the beggar.

"Treat him the same. Give him 'almost' " She said in a serious tone.

"Understood." He said, then shifted his attention to Raymond.

"Now, this is how I will return. Watch me carefully. Don't Blink." He said to Raymond.

"Ok!" Raymond said enthusiastically while focusing his eyes on the coachman.

The coachman's figure flickered for a split second, then he was gone!

Raymond was astonished. He blinked and rubbed his eyes multiple times but the coachman was not there. He turned wide eyed with jaws dropped then looked at his parents, and saw them chuckling.

"Look at the entrance." Glidal said while point far at the village entrance.

There, Raymond saw a silhouette figure waving at him that looks like the coachman. A big grin crept to his face as he excitedly waved back.

"See you again Mr. Coachman!" He shouted.