Darien drew a steady breath, steadying his thoughts. A lord must act with wisdom, not haste, and bear burdens for the good of his people.
"Lady Celeste," he said, voice calm yet concerned, "how fares the town these days?"
Her voice was soft, tinged with sadness. "Brindlemark still suffers. I set a law that each may take but one meal each day…"
Darien's eyes widened in brief surprise. "One meal a day? That is grievous indeed."
He could hardly believe it. In his lands, three meals mark the common measure of life; if fortune allowed, five would be taken with glad hearts.
"Do the townsfolk raise no protest?" he asked.
"Hardly," Celeste replied. "They possess little, and the lord's hall can furnish them naught. They starve, and none come to their aid."
Darien's brow furrowed with concern. "And what counsel have you, Lady Celeste? How might we aid them?"
She thought a moment. "Brindlemark stands in dire need of grain. Some merchants may hold stores, or have ways to gather food. If a noble should petition them, perchance they might lend aid—if they are willing."
"Surely you have tried this before? Yet it did you no good?" Darien inquired. "I fear the merchants, being shrewd, would lend no grain for mere charity. Brindlemark fares poorly; even if they did, the town may scarce endure."
He cast his gaze over his fief. Brindlemark lay at its heart, yet villages dotted the countryside, each reliant upon its grain and provisions. Should the town fall, all would suffer. Relief must be found—and swiftly.
"How is it that you know this, milord?" Celeste asked, astonished. She had spoken with the merchants yesterday, yet Darien had guessed rightly. Though she held no lordship, she knew the merchants would not spurn him.
"As a noble, it's my duty to learn how to manage my territory and understand my people's needs." Darien said.
He then inquired, "And what other measures might we take?"
"We might send men to hunt within Arvandor Forest," Celeste said. "Should they bring sufficient game, Brindlemark's provisions would ease."
"Have the men been assembled?"
"No. The forest is your demesne; none may hunt without your leave. And… our forces are few. Six knights and a hundred twenty guards once stood, yet much was taken by the former stewards. Only two knights and twenty guards remain."
Darien's expression darkened. "Two knights and twenty guards… and this is to defend Brindlemark?"
"Indeed, milord," she admitted, bowing her head.
Darien considered the risks. A hunt now would leave the town vulnerable, and success was uncertain. "Then that plan is set aside. What else may be done?"
Celeste lowered her gaze. "Other nobles might be petitioned, yet prideful lords scarce grant aid. The merchants, though clever, offer no hope."
"Then why not seek the king's aid?"
"The capital lies far, and help would reach us long after winter's end," she replied softly.
Darien sighed. "Brindlemark is sorely troubled."
Celeste bowed slightly. These were the conclusions reached with Sir Thorold and Isolde.
"The famine springs chiefly from want of coin. Have measures been taken to raise funds?"
"Raising funds?" Celeste echoed, startled. In her mind, nobles gained wealth through war or taxation alone. Brindlemark lacked the strength for conquest; taxation seemed the only recourse.
She hastened to speak, wary of Darien's judgement. "If taxes are pressed, milord, the people—already hard-pressed—may flee rather than endure further burden."
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🔍 Did you know?
- In medieval Europe, nobles often kept spices like saffron, cloves, and cinnamon under lock and key, believing they were not only valuable but also protective against witchcraft.
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