A Village Rises

Nathan stumbled his way back to the mansion of Baron Ciaphas, his eyes droopy with exhaustion and his steps unsteady. The weight of the events that had transpired weighed heavily on him, and his mind was foggy, unable to recall certain details. He felt as though he had just woken up from a deep slumber, but he knew he couldn't afford to rest just yet. He had a task to complete.

As he made his way to Baron Ciaphas's room, Nathan felt the weight of the book in his hand, a seemingly ordinary volume that held within it the power to erase memories. He had used it to erase the Baron's memory of the possession that had taken place, but the price of such power was steep. Nathan could barely remember the details of what had happened himself.

Upon entering the room, Nathan found Baron Ciaphas asleep in his bed, his breathing slow and steady. Nathan hesitated for a moment, feeling a twinge of guilt for what he was about to do. But he knew that it was necessary to protect the Baron and the Barony of Evramas.

With a gentle touch, Nathan placed the book on the desk beside the Baron's bed, making sure to position it in a way that it would catch his attention upon waking. Nathan turned to leave, his steps slow and unsteady, as he tried to fight the fatigue that threatened to overwhelm him.

Days passed, and Nathan found himself in a much better state of mind. He had rested and recovered, and it was time for him to turn his attention to the Barony once again. The arrival of the caravan from Athlea was a welcome sight, and Nathan breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the promised steel from Prybarrow Barony.

The workers who arrived alongside the caravan were capable and eager to work, but Nathan knew that they needed instruction. He gathered them together, giving them a detailed explanation of how to build a good medieval house, the materials they would need, and the tools they would use. Nathan made sure to answer any questions they had, going into detail about the importance of proper foundation and the best methods for laying bricks.

As the workers set to work, Nathan turned his attention to the villagers, who were eager to help in any way they could. Nathan organized them into teams, appointing individuals to oversee food and rest breaks, and making sure that everyone was working efficiently.

Baron Ciaphas, still unaware of the events that had transpired, was impressed by the progress that had been made. He spoke with some of the workers, asking them about the techniques they were using and expressing his gratitude for their hard work.

"It's not easy work, but it's good to see progress being made," the Baron remarked.

"It's all in a day's work, my lord," one of the workers replied with a grin. "We take pride in our craft."

Nathan, overhearing the conversation, couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie between the Baron and the workers. It was good to see everyone working together towards a common goal.

The days passed quickly, and before long, the house was beginning to take shape. Nathan was pleased with the progress, and he knew that the Baron would be too. The villagers continued to work hard, eager to see the finished product, and Nathan was there every step of the way, making sure that everything was running smoothly.

It was a difficult task, but with hard work and dedication, they had managed to make progress that seemed impossible just a few days earlier. Nathan felt a sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing that he had helped to make it all happen.

Ciaphas sat at the head of the table, looking out at the gathered workers and the team of architects he had hired to help plan the village's reconstruction. Nathan sat beside him, quietly taking notes on a parchment scroll.

"As you all know, the village was devastated by the fire," Ciaphas began, his voice filled with solemnity. "But we have a chance to rebuild it even stronger, even better than before. We will not just be rebuilding houses, but creating a whole new village, one that will be the envy of the region."

The workers and architects murmured their agreement, nodding along to his words. Ciaphas continued, gesturing to the plans laid out before him.

"We will create a proper town centre, with space for a market and entertainment buildings. We will build homes that are not just sturdy, but beautiful. We will create parks and gardens for the villagers to enjoy, and we will bring in craftsmen and merchants to help grow our economy."

Nathan looked up from his notes, his eyes filled with excitement. "Baron Ciaphas, this is truly an ambitious project. But I believe it can be done, with the right team and the right resources."

Ciaphas smiled, pleased with the enthusiasm of his young advisor. "Indeed, Nathan. And we have already taken the first steps, with the arrival of this caravan of steel from Prybarrow Barony. With it, we can start building the framework for our new village."

The workers looked at each other, then back at Ciaphas. "And how do you want us to begin, my lord?" asked one of the more experienced workers.

Ciaphas leaned forward, his eyes shining with excitement. "We will begin with the homes. We will create a standard blueprint for a decent medieval house, with room for expansion as the family grows. Each house will have a small garden and a space for a chicken coop. We will prioritize families with children and those who lost their homes in the fire."

The workers nodded, some of them taking notes on scraps of parchment. "And what about the market and entertainment buildings, my lord?" asked another worker.

Ciaphas leaned back in his chair, his mind already buzzing with ideas. "Ah, yes. We will create a square in the centre of the village, with a large fountain and a statue of our patron saint, Me. Around the square, we will build shops and stalls, with space for travelling merchants to set up during market days. We will also build a small theatre, for performances and gatherings."

Nathan leaned in, his voice low and urgent. "Baron Ciaphas, if I may make a suggestion. We should also create a space for the villagers to gather and discuss important matters. A sort of town hall, if you will."

Ciaphas smiled, impressed by Nathan's foresight. "Excellent suggestion, Nathan. We will add that to the plans as well."

The workers nodded, their faces alight with excitement at the prospect of creating a whole new village from scratch. Ciaphas stood up, his voice ringing out over the chatter.

As the meeting came to an end, Baron Ciaphas looked down at the pouch of gold coins on his belt and realized that they were almost depleted. Rebuilding the entire village would be an expensive endeavour, and he knew that he would have to find a way to acquire more gold. He couldn't let his people suffer in poverty and substandard living conditions. With determination in his heart, he made a silent vow to do whatever it takes to restore the Barony of Evramas to its former glory.