17. Building for the Future (2)

"How do you feel about a school?"

"What? I mean, no yeah I was right the first time what?"

"This village is on the border of growing into what many would consider a small town. And some places that changes a lot of things. The Duke may change the taxes for a small town compared to a village and may also send permeant guards here. And one of the things that you are going to need to make sure that the people of Three Mines succeed is a school."

"Well you are not wrong on anything that you have said. The taxes are different and the guards are a possibility but more than likely he will simply absorb our guards with new uniforms and their pay will be a part of our taxes. But a school? Do you think the people are ready?"

"From what I am to understand a few of the moms in each neighborhood take turns with the kids and teach them. Mostly letters and numbers, some basic reading and math and probably a lot of things that they did not realize there were teaching them as well. And I will keep this building and be responsible for its upkeep and taxes as the owner but it will be used as a school."

"Novum that is crazy enough it might work. We can hire a couple of the mom's for the time being and maybe even hire in a teacher from the capitol if things work out. That is an amazing idea."

"It may not work out but it is worth looking into. Thank you for your time this morning. If there is nothing else I have a few more places to visit since a lot of stuff was restocked after your trip."

"You go right ahead Novum and let me know if you need anything and I will keep you posted." Novum walked away and the mayor was thinking about the possibility of a school and muttering to himself. It was an exciting day.

His first stop was the blacksmith. "Good morning sir I was wondering if you would be willing or know where I could buy some of your heat bricks? I am building a smokehouse for game and that would make things a lot easier."

"I have some busted ones in the back. They are yours if you haul them off. They are not very big pieces but enough for what you need."

"Are you sure you don't want anything for them?"

"You are fine I am tired of tripping over them." Novum bowed his head to the man and headed out the back and gather up all the busted bricks. A few of them were only broke in half and he should be able to use them for other things as the need arises.

The next shop was the tanner and as soon as he walked through the door the man dropped a couple of bags of tanning salt on the counter. "I can sell you one on retainer but the other has to be coin."

"I appreciate the offer but I will go ahead and take them both for coin. Also I am curious as to how you prefer your skins. Would you prefer I bring them in fresh or tan them?"

"I prefer them fresh so that I can make sure I like the thickness after the stretch and things like that. It is not a huge deal if you do the tanning on them though."

"Is next day fresh enough if they have been cleaned properly?"

"I would take that any time. The day after that if they have not had anything done to them it is a risk."

"Okay, if I can get them to you fresh I will and if not I will tan them and bring them to you later. Any special animals that you are looking for?"

"If you can get me and entire bear that is close to your size or bigger I will be willing to pay top coin for it. Seriously I will treat it like a monster hide for cost. But I need the entire bear as well. I want to do another full mount but this time with the bear."

"If I get my hands on a bear and it is in good shape I will being it to you. But if it is not in good shape I will only bring you the hide."

"That is more than acceptable. A full stuff does not look right without the original bones."

"I agree. Thank you for the stuff and I will see you when I have something for you." Novum gave him a wave and headed back out and to the general store. He had never realized that the front wall of the store was a thing for jobs but there were only a few and they were all for things in the mine. He also noticed three men who looked like they were strong enough for any work but here they were instead of the mines. It was unusual to him. He would as the shopkeeper.

"Ah young man it is good to see you again. I have set aside all that I am able to sell to you until the next trip to the capitol. I added this much to the last order since the amount that I sell in a span it pretty close to the same every trip."

"Thank you very much sir it is greatly appreciated. Also do you have a percolator or will I need to get one from the capitol?"

"I have one but only one and I have had it for half a year. Most people don't bother with them. I always get a little bit of extra coffee because it is a little harder to predict but I don't have a lot extra this time."

"That is fine I will take what you can sell me and make it last. But could you add me some to the next order?"

"Of course. And you know the other day when you asked if there was anything that I needed you to look for well as it turns out the entire region is short on honey not just Three Mines. So if you can get me some it will be worth a fortune. Well to outsiders it will be, locals will get the same old price."

"I will look around the area and see what can locate. By the way what is with the three men outside? They look young and strong, I figured they would be working in the mines."

"They can't go that deep. They get all nervous and start to sweat. It is to bad for them. They mostly get buy doing jobs here and there for the locals."

"I have a few things I might need some help with. Would you vouch for them?"

"I will. They are always close by when I need some of the heavy stuff moved. And if I didn't think they were good guys I would not let them sit out front."

"You have a point sir. Oh by the way are those slate boards?"

"Yeah I had my guy pick up a few of them while he was out. Thought they were interesting last time through and hoped someone here would like them."

"I will take half of them and two bags of chalk. And before you ask they are not for me. I know a local mom that is teaching letters and numbers and thought these would help her out."

"Well if that is the case I will throw the chalk in for free." He sat that stuff off to the side and Novum paid him and stuffed everything in his bag. It was getting a little full with the heavy block that was in there but he was done shopping so it should be okay.

"Thank you sir. I will be back if I find anything that you might need." Novum walked out front and talked to the men. "The shopkeeper says you are good workers. I just bought the property to the north and it has a small garden but the plow is not in good shape and one man is not enough. I know it is late in the season but I want to get something in the ground. I am willing to pay each of you a gold a day for the next two days to come and work it by hand. You interested?"

The older of the three looked at him in shock. "A gold a day for two days."

"And you said that was each?" The younger on was quick to add on.

"You heard me right. Now normally I would not offer that much but I need it done tomorrow to have any chance and getting something growing."

"We are in sir. The property where you head out the north gate and then keep to the left?"

"That is the one."

"Let us grab our tools and we will be right there."

"I have tools that you can use but if you want to bring your own that is fine with me as well." The leader of the group gave him a nod and the three of them went in separate directions and were going to meet back up he was sure of it. He rode back to where he dropped the horse this morning and saw a small group of kids sitting on the ground watching the woman draw letters and numbers on the wall.

"Oh Mr. Novum what brings you back here already?"

"Well given what you are doing I found some items that I thought might be able to help you and the other teachers." He pulled out the stack of slate and the chalk. "You write on this and use a wet rag to wipe it off. It cleans up a lot nicer than a wall and they are small enough a kid can hold them in their lap as they learn."

She looked up at him with a tear in her eye. "Who are you really?"

"Just a man trying to make a difference and help the village that he now calls home. You have a great day. I have some workers headed to my place to help with some things so I need to me heading out." He gave her a nod of his head and turned Noctis around.

The woman yelled just a little, maybe surprised by her own boldness. "Sarah. I mean my name is Sarah."

"Have a great day Sarah. And listen well kids this stuff may seem hard but it is important." With a wink to Sarah he headed for his house. He waved at the guards as he rode out the gate and he was surprised by how far the workers had made it when he caught up to them. They were almost to his property. He did not bother with the saddle he just put Noctis up so that he could get the corners of the garden marked. He used some scrap wood and rags to mark the corners.