65. The Manor House

The group made it to the surface with no issues since the turtle and the snake were already dead. They climbed out and Fang was sitting there waiting on them. You could see the remains of some small animals on the ground beside him, telling them that he had only left the area to catch something to eat and come back. "Hey boy. It is good to see you. Sorry that I kept you waiting." When Novum stood beside him he realized that he had grown a lot in the few days that he was missing. Apparently he was hitting his growth stage and he was going to be huge like the other animals in the area.

The group took a deep breath of fresh air and it was only then that they realized that the air in the tower had smelled a little stale. "So what is the plan now Novum?"

"I am going to have to go into town and look at the map. I need to get a good idea of everything from a different view to make sure that I put everything in the right place. That manor house is huge and I do not want to throw off the entire layout of the property by putting it in a bad place."

Crystal who over the week had become the spokesperson for the group gave him a smile. "You only have us for a few more days and then you will have to pay extra. Do you want us to stick around?"

"Very much so. Actually I would like to talk to all of you individually after the manor is set up. But if you want to head back now then by all means I will not keep you here. As of now the mission that you have been hired for is complete."

Topaz shook her head and answered him. "Novum I am not going anywhere until I figure out what this place is going to look like. After all that work I want to see the finished product. So I am going to get comfortable until I spend one night in the manor house."

Erica giggled. "That sounds like a plan to me. Berry are you going to even go back?"

"I plan on learning under Master Norvil so at the least I need to go back to the guild to at least take a leave of absence but I am probably going to drop my resignation. But I plan on coming back here and working for Novum."

"Novum are you going to build a temple at your manor?"

"I am not sure. There is one in town but there is a chance that once this manor is built that it is going to become the center of the area and then the temple will move here. I have a feeling that this area is going to be growing soon. Just a feeling that I have."

Rurik knew that he was talking about the new mine that he was about to open. There was also the fishing that could come off the lake. This area was definitely going to be getting bigger. Now that the houses and buildings were going to be taken care of all he could think about was he would have the lumber for his mine soon and then he could really get to work. He then looked down at the axe that he had picked up and realized he never asked about the enchantment on the weapon. He would deal with that after the tower was put back up. It could be dangerous to try and use a weapon that you did not know the capabilities of.

Novum saw that it was later in the day than he realized but decided to go ahead and go get a map of the area that he owned. He could start everything in the morning but he needed to have a plan in place and without the map there could be no plan. As he got close to the area where everyone was a few of them saw them coming and gave out a cheer. He was not sure why they were cheering but he ignored it and went straight to the stable.

Noctis was ready to get out of the pen and get some exercise in. He had been copped up to long. He had the entire paddock but in his opinion it was not enough. He needed to get out and run. Novum mounted up and started towards the town. As he did he saw Jane, "could you please prepare a feast tonight in celebration of our success? Don't worry about any food or anything just make whatever you feel like."

"Of course Baron. I will have a wide variety of dishes prepared for you." She gave him a bow of her head.

"Thanks you. I am headed to town for a couple of things but I will be back this evening." He turned Novum towards the town and once they were away from people he gave him free reign and they made it to town in almost no time. Novum heard something and saw Fang over his shoulder and realized that he had not told him to stay home. "Okay Fang I will try but if they say no you have to go back. Walk right beside me and do not do anything without permission." Fang immediately got close enough to Noctis that Novum could reach out and touch him.

The guards on the gate saw Novum coming and gave him a wave but then they saw Fang and a few of them dropped a hand on their weapons. The head guard stepped out. "Afternoon Baron. Is the wolf with you?"

"Yeah this is my buddy Fang. I forgot to tell him to stay at the house so he came with me. I will not be long is it alright for him to come in with me?"

"Do I have you assurance that he is not a threat?"

"As long as no one attacks any of the three of us then he is no threat. But he has a right to defend himself."

"I have no issue with it but how about I send a guard with you. That way he can stop anyone from doing something stupid out of surprise or fear."

"I have no issue with that, thanks. Fang stay close and you can come in." Fang tried to get a little closer to him and Noctis pushed back the other way to get his space back. The guards were a little surprised that the horse was brave enough to push back on a wolf that was almost as big as it was. Then they thought about it and realized that the two of them had probably lived together since they go here and were used to each other.

Novum took is slow so that the guard could keep close to them. A few of the locals saw Novum and the wolf but the idea that Novum would bring a dangerous animal into the village never crossed their minds. Honestly most of them were only afraid of one of the kids wanting to run out and pet it since it was with Novum. That was when they realized that was the reason that the guard was following them, to prevent exactly that from happening.

Novum tied Noctis in front of the city building and walked in. He pointed to a spot right outside the door and Fang quickly went to that spot and laid down. Novum saw the mayor and another man in the room with the map that he wanted so he headed straight there. As he got closer he could hear the conversation. "Mayor this is the new property line and you are not going to be sending taxes to my duke. And unfortunately for you guys we are on a different schedule than your current leader so you owe them now."

"And I told you that until I see something from my current Duke you will get nothing from me. You can show up here with anything piece of paper saying that. I do not even have proof other than a seal that can be faked since it is not enchanted that you are who you say you are. So until you show me that you can stay in town as a guest or you can return to your Duke and tell him what I said."

"Listen you little piss ant, I was sent to collect the taxes and I am not leaving until you pay them. And you do not even have a man in this village that is enough to get rid of me. So pay me what you owe before I get violent."

Novum who walked a little quieter than a man his size should have been able to dropped a hand on his shoulder. The man started to turn and glare at him but he had to keep looking higher. Novum put even more pressure until the man could no longer move. "I am Baron Novum and the town the Three Mines in under my jurisdiction. So go tell whoever sent you that until I get word directly from the Duke on one of his stewards you will get nothing from us. Also let them know that I am not a man to be messed with. I will let you go this time but if they send anyone else I will not even return their bodies." He increased the pressure a little more and dropped the man to his knees.

The mayor spoke up. "Now that we have made ourselves clear, please be on your way. You are no longer welcome in Three Mines." Once the mayor finished talking Novum released his grip and the man got to his feet and ran out of the building. His leader needed to know about the latest development in the area. He told him that the mayor was a push over and even the guards could not give him trouble. He never said anything about a noble in the area.

"Now that he is gone I need to get a map of the area that I own. I have a few things that I need to do out there but I want a different view. Oh and I will be going to the capitol in the next week or so and I will let the Duke know what is going on."

"Thank you Novum. Peter please get Novum the map that he needs." Just a few minutes later Novum walked out with the map and saw the guard was busy keeping the people away from the wolf. The little girl from the front of the group was the little girl from the restaurant.

Novum motioned to Fang who stood up and he moved a little closer. "Okay everyone. I only have a minute so you need to form up in a line and you can walk by and rub Fang. So please get in line." He motioned for the little girl to come closer to him. He had her stand in front of him and let her put her hand on Fang. He saw the huge smile on her face as she dug her fingers into the fur. The rest of the people looked a little annoyed that the girl got more time but once they saw the look on her face they quickly got in line.

Once everyone was done the little girl gave Fang a hug and started to walk away. As she walked by his head he quickly licked her across the face. She let out a surprised giggle and ran back to her house. Novum mounted up and Fang trotted along beside them as they rode out of town. Once they were out of the gate Novum gave Noctis free reign and let him run all the way to the lake and back to the meeting area before he made him slow down.

The group was already enjoying some of the early snacks that Emily and the rest of them made when he rode up. They all enjoyed a great evening and everyone except Novum and Crystal who had their fill but not a lot more. They two of them sat down and talked about the layout of the manor and how thing should look for the long run. Crystal was a little surprised on how far down the road that Novum was thinking and it impressed her. She thought given his age he would be rash or impulsive but he was methodical and through on everything that he planned out.

"Crystal even if I don't open a temple in the manor area, you can set up a small one on your own or you can work for me as my lead alchemist, potion maker and healer if you want. Nothing against Rachel or the other clerics but I think you would be a huge asset to this village and I am willing to hire you and even bride you with your own shop."

"I will head back to the capitol with you and let them know my intentions as well as pick up the things that I will need in my shop."

Novum never took his eyes off the map and smiled. "Good to have you on board."