CLANK
*Gasp* *cough* *cough* *Gasping for breath*
"shit what is going on"
As Liam Bryce struggled to regain his footing he couldn't help but notice the scenery before him was not of Maduro's compound but a small audience chamber composed of stone with a few paintings and unlit candles to liven the place.He couldn't help but focus on the sun rays beaming upon the audience room, the slit windows high upon the walls carried a small breeze into the room but not enough for Liam not to notice the sour smell inside.
"milord are you alright!"
His attention was quickly drawn to an old scrawny man with which would appear to be a dirty old tunic. Taking a step back he gazed upon the audience before him, aside from the old man by his side there was three others in tunics and eight which appeared to be guards
" I'm fine, what happened"
"milord I was worried that you'd been poisoned, we were discussing issues within your barony when you took a sip of your wine and collapsed in your chair. You were unresponsive for a few seconds but you began to breathe again, how are you feeling milord?"
"I'm feeling fine… I must have choked on my wine. You said we were discussing my barony correct?, if that is the case then continue on.."
Liam could feel a slight suspicion coming from the men in the room, wanting to avoid suspicion and feeling out of place he chose to continue with the meeting as if nothing happened.
"Are you sure you're okay milord?.."
A slight tilt of Liam's head was enough for the man to continue with the meeting.
"Ah yes where was I, as I was saying milord last year's harvest was brutal on us after paying our taxes to Count Edward we only had enough grain to support two thirds of our population. With the combined population of the manors residents and the surrounding farming villages we are looking at an estimation of 1600 peasants and 800 serfs. We thinned our supplies to last us this winter, prioritizing feeding the peasants so there is no rebellion but even so many peasants died of hunger and even more serfs milord. Thankfully the keep was well supplied so the guards were well fed and maintained along with the men at arms you've inherited from your father."
Liam took a moment to contemplate what he had just heard. A barony peasant serfs villages? He'd think he was going crazy if it wasn't for the fact that he was well composed because of his green beret training. The last thing he remembered was fiddling with his radio trying to get a signal from the rebels then bam he was before these men discussing affairs that seem medieval. Looking closer to himself Liam noticed he was wearing a tunic but it was different from the men before him. Almost if his tunic was trying to be fashionable on his wrist lay a dirty golden bracelet with a variety of jewels on it.
"So you're saying we are nearly completely out of food aside for the keep? Is there no way to buy supplies until we can figure out our farming situation? Also do you have the exact number of people that have succumbed to hunger?"
"Ah yes that is the case milord we are almost completely out of food, on the issue of purchasing food we'd have to buy it off his lordship Count Edward's bailiff but the man is greedy and is asking double the price for grain knowing full well of our situation.
It will also take me a few more days to gather up the numbers of the dead milord."
"I see.. if Count Edward's man is the only way to buy grain and wants double the price then we will pay him double the price but let it be known that will be the last time we conduct business. I'd also like a full census of my so-called barony uhm what's your name again?"
"Buah Mmilord how could you forget my name I'm your most loyal steward Rieger… but are you sure you're willing to pay double for grain, your treasury will take a significant blow even if we buy just enough to get through spring." Rieger
"Yes I'm sure, as long as the treasury isn't empty it can be replenished. On that note Rieger I'd like to know just how much wealth is in my treasury and what this grain will end up costing me."
"Of course milord! I'm sure your subjects will be delighted to hear the grainies will be refilled. As the 4th head of the house of Hoffmann you've inherited 1000 furs and skins, a variety of jewels and family heirlooms and as for coins 80 golds and 4500 silvers. Grain bushels go for 3 silvers to help us get thru the the spring we'd need at least 3000 bushels of grain, at count Edward's bailiffs price it will cost us 18,000 silvers or an equivalent of 18 gold coins… are you still sure about this milord?"
"I see nearly a quarter of my treasury will be spent on a few months of grain.. proceed with the purchase anyway Rieger, if that is all I'd like some rest now."
"Of course, there is one more matter though milord. A guard caught a peasant trying to steal grain from the manor's grainy, we've imprisoned him in our dungeon last night and will bring him before you for sentencing. It is important to make an example of thief's if we don't want more thieving within your barony milord."
"I'll see to it then, guard bring me the prisoner."
"YES milord!"
As Liam prepared himself to sentence one of his so called subjects he heard the large double door open and in came two guards side by side escorting a man with long hair dirty clothing and shackled hands. He could not see the man's face because the man was facing downwards mostly because of the guard's hand pushing him downwards."KEEL to the baron" one of the guards slammed the man onto his knees before Liam,He quickly signaled the guard to stop.
"Rise your head and plead your case"
"Heh like I said I don't know what the fuck y'all talking about now tell me where is my mother fucking uni- l..Liam?"