50. The Tower 1

The group finally arrived back at Three Mines and got the stuff for the store and the town unloaded and the stuff moved around and the two wagons went back to Novum's house. He still refused to call it a manor no matter how big it seemed to be getting and how many people lived there. The group from the city were surprised by the number of people that where here. Berry was the one to ask the question.

"Baron Novum, where did all of the these people come from? It looks like the town was still fully populated but there are so many more people."

"Oh you remember a while back when the position of Earl changed hands and a lot of crazy things were happening in the city. Which included a fake fire in the warehouse district."

Everyone but Topaz nodded their head. "I only heard about it in passing. I was out of the city on a mission."

"Okay well, the old Earl was letting someone use his warehouse no questions asked for a huge amount of power. Well I was looking into something else and asked the questions, okay I broke into the warehouses, and found out that they were being used to keep slaves on their way through the city. I made arrangements with the guards to get everyone out and almost none of them had another place to go they all decided to follow me here. And now I am doing my best to make this area safe from them to live."

They did not have a lot more time for explanations as the people quickly went to work on getting everything unloaded. It was life a ant colony that had just woke up. The bed went straight into the house and he set it up while the other stuff was being unloaded. He had just came back out of the house when Fang came barreling in from the woods towards the people. The mages immediately started pulling energy. "Easy, that is my pet Fang. I apologize I should have warned you. Of you can put your horses over there. Be careful though. Fang might be big and look dangerous but the goats are the real assholes here."

Erica giggled. "That big wolf as a pet and he is afraid of the goat." She led her horse into the stable and as soon as she pulled the stuff off and turned her back the goat attacked her from the rear and the blow was a lot more powerful than she expected. The hit was enough to not only knock her down but also caused her to roll forward and onto her back. She quickly rolled over as she felt that the goat was coming back for another round. Erica grabbed her stuff and ran for the stable where the others were staring at the goats.

"He warned you Erica. Maybe we should go in pairs. It looks like he will attack when you back is turned."

Erica nodded. "Okay Berry I will watch you since I am done."

Crystal looked at Topaz. "Partner?"

"Yeah. I will watch your back." The two did not talk a lot but they had shared a few conversations over the length of the trip and they had bonded enough to do little things like this. Though he doubted if Crystal slept without putting her purse inside her armor and Topaz probably slept little worried of Crystal trying to do something to her mind to convert her. But it was a start.

By the time that the horses were put away the food had been brought out. The ladies had gotten a lot better about not cooking a lot more than was needed but they always made a little extra. Someone might wants seconds and there was no reason for anyone here to go hungry. So the four extra mouths meant nothing to the group as a whole.

Jane and Mary came over and pulled the ladies towards the table. "No reason to be shy here girls. Tonight we are having some bear and a few rabbits that were caught today. I apologize that the meal is not as balanced as we would like but since this place is still very, very young we aren't quite there yet. Although the shipment that the Baron brought should help out for quite a while. And we also have some honey." All four ladies perked up at the mention of honey.

"I discovered why a lot of the bees in my area where acting strange and removed the threat and we have some honey now. I sent a lot to the Capitol with Tom who you all met. It sold like crazy. I will check my supply when everything is settled and if I have enough I will send a jar with each of you."

Crystal smiled. "I would rather have that then gold."

Novum laughed. "Well as they say you can't eat gold. But you will still get that as well." About that time Topaz poked Novum on the shoulder without looking. Her eyes were locked on the giant turtle shell hanging on the side of one of the buildings finishing up the curing process.

"Is that a turtle?"

"You did not hear that part. I apologize. The tower is leaking something out and making the animals grow way bigger than normal. That is the main reason that I am going to mess with the tower in the first place. If it was not a direct threat it could stay there forever."

"So this is not a bid for glory or to get a noble promotion then?"

"No Topaz it is not. If I had my way I would hope that it gets me a demotion. At least two steps so that I am not a noble at all. I did not ask for it and the rules that they have are the things that I would do anyway. So the only real difference is that fact that everyone calls me Baron. So there you have it."

"You are different than most nobles that I have met. Even the ones like you that got promoted through acts and deeds you are still different. And honestly I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing?"

"I guess time will tell. Did you enjoy the bear?"

"It was delicious. Though I hate to think that I missed the turtle. I have not had it since I was a kid."

"I think we have some more in the cellar or the smokehouse. If so I will ask the cooks to made a meal once we are back from the tower." He thought that the turtle was good the other day as well. "But that will be when we get back. There should be a few places for you guys to bunk up and I will be in here if you need me. After breakfast in the morning we will head to the lake. If you would like to move a cot into the house it is fine with me as long as you are good with Fang. He might try to cuddle up with you."

"Nothing against Fang but I will sleep in the tent. I will let the others know the options as well."

As Topaz walked away Novum rolled out a cigarette and pulled a small stick out of the fire. He was really missing a soda right now. He thought about about a pot of coffee but it was late enough he did not want to drink any. He took one last drag off the smoke and walked into the house with Fang on his heels. Rurik was not back from the mines yet and he may even be sleeping there. He realized that he had not given him a timeframe and he needed to send him a message. He grumbled as he stood up and walked back out. It was about that time that Rurik came into the light of the fire.

Novum walked over to him. "We are headed to the tower after breakfast in the morning. You good with that?"

"Yeah that will not be an issue. I have pulled a few of the poles from the lumber and got one of the shafts reinforced. That will give us a few more options soon. I also finished up the smelter and two small forges. Well I should have said that the rooms are done. The smelter is almost done but I have not started the forges yet."

"That sounds good. I have a feeling that it will not be as long as we want before the snow covers the area and travel will be a lot rougher. I am going to have to hustle to get enough stuff for a barn and cattle to eat."

"It might be a lean winter but I am sure that we will persevere over the bad part. With the crops planted the way that you did we will have that and the meat. The food might not be balanced but we should have enough to eat."

"I picked up some store that we can get stored so I think you are right. We will just have to see how it goes. After the trip I am going to bed and resting up. Need a clear head in the morning."

"I am going to gather up some leftovers and then follow you."

Novum laid down and Fang hopped up on the bed by his feet. "You probably shouldn't start that. You are going to be real upset when you get to big to fit in the bed." Fang whined a little. "Okay but don't say I didn't warn you."

Just before the first light of the day came over the horizon, Novum felt cold feet in his back. He almost yelled and jumped out of bed but stopped himself. Given the area if he did that someone might think that there was an attack of some sort. He looked out of the corner of his eye he realized that it was Emily again. He got out of bed as slowly as he could and Fang quickly moved to cuddle up with the girl. "Keep her warm buddy."

Novum got ready and headed to the outhouse that he had built. When he came back to the center area he saw Jane and gave her a wave and pointed to his house. "Fang is keeping her warm."

"He comes in and sleeps between her and Jimmy. His mom and I saw how conflicted Fang were and the others let us moved the cots around and they sleep in beds beside each other. That way they can both reach down and touch him in the night."

"I am glad that he makes them feel safe." He rolled another smoke and Jane went to her cooking. They had become comfortable enough that the extra words did not need to be used.

By the time the sun was up the smell of fresh biscuits floated in the air from the flour he had picked up in the city. The girls knew that there would be honey so there were quick to be in line with everyone else. Jane handed the four of them a small jar of honey. "This is the first jar out of the hives the Baron set up. It is not a lot but you ladies seemed real interested in it."

Erica looked at the jar. "Are you the keeper?"

"Yes the Baron bought the hives and did a huge amount of work but he leaves their care to me."

Berry spoke up. "Based on my initial impression your Baron does not care about male versus female rolls as long as a person can get the job done. Am I correct in that?"

"Absolutely. He even took a few of he women with him when they went after the bears. As long as you can do the job he could care less what is between you legs."

"So I was right. Thank you, for the information and the honey."

They all finished breakfast and the four ladies followed along behind Novum and Rurik. Mike and a few of the others offered to come but Novum was not sure what was going to be in the tower and he would not risk it and he told them that. Fang followed along behind them as well. "Listen Fang, you can come with us as far as the lake but you are not coming into the water with us. I am not giving you a potion. Are you sure you don't want to stay here with Emily and Jimmy?"

Fang looked at him and then at the kids. "It is okay Fang you can stay and play. Just make sure that you go and hunt some food and don't take theirs even though they offer it to you. I don't want you fat and lazy." Fang turned his head a little and then darted into the woods.

Crystal asked the question the four girls were all thinking. "Did he understand you?"

"I think he understands part of it. But even if he doesn't he knows enough to follow my intentions."

No more questions followed and they all walked towards the lake. They did not want to leave the horses tied in the field by the lake. Soon they all stood at the edge of the lake and Novum handed them all their first potions. They were about to drink the potions when Berry spoke up. "Wait just a second." She pulled out a little of her magical energy and wrapped them all with a very thin barrier. "That will not offer any defense but it will keep us dry and keep our mobility in the water." They all gave her a nod of thanks. Without further hesitation they all chugged the potions and dove into the water after Novum.