85. The Manor House Finally (2)

"I need to see the Duke."

"I will send a runner right now Baron. You will need to wait here since you have prisoners." Novum expected this and gave the guard a nod of his head. A young guard ran out of the back of the guard room at full speed.

It did not take long and the young guard came back with four more heavily armed and armored guards. "Please follow us Baron. We will be responsible for the prisoners until you are done speaking with the Duke and he passes judgement."

"Then I will leave them in your care." Novum walked straight to the reception area and waited for his turn to meet with the Duke. The steward saw him came out and saw him there and made a note on his list and then called out another name that Novum did not recognize. He found an empty corner and waited for his turn.

When the man that went in came out the steward called out and much to his surprise he called his name. Novum quickly headed into the room to now keep the Duke waiting.

"Sorry for my sudden intrusion into your schedule Duke."

"So polite as always. I heard that you had four prisoners with you."

"They were the lackeys of a baron's son from the other region. They were threatening the citizens into working as bandits to try and destabilize the area so that they can be convinced that their region can protect them better."

"I see tell me more."

Novum spent the next twenty minutes breaking down everything that he found out from the bandits and the prisoners while he was traveling. He laid out what he learned and he also told them that he was putting a plan in place in order to get the families out of the area. He did not tell them what the plan was but he told them that he had something going.

"I see. Then I will leave this situation to you. Is there anything else?"

"Unfortunately there is Duke."

"You seem to be really busy since you arrived."

"Tell me about it. I ran into another issue when I got back to my manor. There was a Baron Ratcliff, the son of Earl Ratcliff in my manor trying to abuse one of my people."

"Idiots. Those two are really starting to piss me off. Tell me everything."

Again Novum told them everything and this time he only left out the blood bond he put on the people that he removed. He was not sure how many people new of or even used it and he would not tip his hand yet.

This story did took a longer time to tell and the Duke interrupted him a few times to ask questions or clarify things. He also interrupted a few times just to let out some of his frustrations and then let him get on with the story. When it was finally said and done the Duke was shaking his head.

"Thank you for that Baron. I will send the Duke an update on the doings of his people as well as a warning to Earl Ratcliff to stay out of my region. If you need anything to support any of the incoming people please let me know."

"Thank you Duke. Just so you know I want you to be aware and I am not coming to you for things. This is your region and I do not want to do anything that would go against you. Also I wanted you to be aware in the event that I did something that someone might try to cause you trouble."

"Thank you Baron for your consideration. I will handle the ones from the other region and have my people keep an eye on things. Now I am almost afraid to ask but is there anything else?"

"Well, nothing bad. I have a gate that will be set up in the next few days. I rushed them to do it and they only guaranteed two trips one here and one home. So, in a few days you will be free to visit me. Of course I am assuming your steward will come first and bind his own point and that is fine with me as well."

"Thank you for the invitation. I will be sure to visit you this winter."

"Please send me a notice of a few hours so that I can ensure that you are properly welcomed."

"Most request a few days, why only a few hours?"

"Sir, if I need a few days to prepare for you then I need new staff. Especially, since in the winter there will only be a few options to eat."

"I love you honesty Baron. If you need something send me a message."

Novum knew that this was a dismissal and gave the Duke a bow and headed back for his array. He lit up a smoke as he walked and saw a few different urchins watch him walk by and he felt it when they left. He knew that Sara was going to have a little trouble but he would worry about that later. He was sure that she would be moving to his manor in the near future to study under the spirit that was there. He triggered the array and stepped back to his manor and saw the group of them waiting on him.

"Okay, everyone I have talked with the Duke and we are good to go. Now give me an hour to rest and then I would like to talk to the head of each of the groups with Greg and Melissa present as well so that we can get an update on everything." He turned to the girls, "you are more than welcome to stay and listen so that you can give your input as well. Actually, Greg bring the rest of the advisors as well. We will have a formal meeting for introductions and updates. Crystal will Rurik and Mike be able to attend?"

"Rurik will be able to attend but Mike will be a little while longer before he is up and around."

"Thank you. Could you ask him to attend please?" She gave him a bow of her head and went about everything.

Novum went to his room and willed his clothing away and dropped into bed. He did not go to sleep but let his entire body relax. It was a great feeling to take some of the worries and stressors from the last few days and just relax. He had reported everything and the Duke was aware so now he would let him handle the politics of the situation.

Just before the hour was up there was a knock on his door and Melissa walked in. There was not even enough time for him to will his clothes on before she opened the door but she did not appear to notice anything and talked like it was normal. "Baron it almost time for the meeting. Is there anything that you need from me?"

Novum willed on his clothes. "I would like some ink and parchment for me as well as you taking notes. I like to take my own as well so that I can understand my writing and the way I write things is a little weird. You will take the official notes."

"Understood Baron. I have already had the kitchen prepare some light refreshments for the meeting. How do you take you coffee?"

"On a tray with cream and sugar. I prefer to have it that way so that I can adjust it to the coffee."

"Understood Baron." She gave him a bow of her head and disappeared.

Novum changed his clothes and bound the new ones to his amulet before he headed out to the meeting. When he entered the room everyone stood up to greet him. "None of that. I am just a guy." He sat down and started making his coffee. "Now for those of you that do not know the lady beside me is Melissa, she is the head steward of the manor. If she tells you something you are to assume that the words are coming out of my mouth. She has already been vetted and cleared by the Lyons family before they recommended her to me. Any questions?"

No one said a word. But they all looked at her with a new level of respect. She stood up and gave all of them a bow. "Thank you everyone. I will do my best to make sure that I take care of everything and everyone. Please give me a little time to get used to things and learn names and who does what."

"Now that she has introduced herself we will begin with everyone else. You will please stand and give a brief introduction of who you are and what you are responsible for and then give an update on what is going on. Greg you go ahead and start."

By the time that everyone got through their introductions and updates it was late in the evening. "Okay everyone thank you for your update. I will think over these things tonight and I will meet with the advisors in the morning and discuss things and we will go from there."

Novum spent the next week going through everything with the advisors and Melissa as well as the girls and Rurik. Finally he blew out a long breath and shut his door behind him. This was the first time that he had relaxed all week. He ate an early dinner and then slept for the night. He wanted to be up early to go and start his work in the mines with Rurik making his weapons. This is was one of the things he wanted to do since he got here and he was going to start tomorrow since the snow had started to fall as the sun was setting this evening.