6 Months Later
Harry looked at his city that now seemed to be sprawling with inhabitants. Oddly enough, he had not yet done anything to even try to recruit people since he had talked to Grogik. Duskband had initially denied his offer and he had respected Grogik's decision. It was hard to simply give up your freedom to someone you didn't even really know. Sadly, for Grogik his nomadic village had been attacked a month later by bandits, they had driven them off but not after they killed off over a quarter of the population. Most of their houses and supplies had been burnt to ash. Duskband would eventually bounce back as it always did but Grogik seemed to be smart enough to try and stop history from repeating itself and had seeked out Harry once more to see if his offer still stood. Harry had not minded at all and welcomed him and his people with open arms. He explained how living here would work and explained the pros and cons as honestly as he could. They had agreed and seemed to be settling into life here easily. They had started growing crops and taking care of livestock.
Of course, Merri had also been helpful in getting people though more in a passive way than Grogik. Merri seemed to go back to her old settlement every week or so and seemed to come back with more and more people each time. Harry was actually impressed. He would be the first to admit that he probably wasn't the easiest person to trust and his charisma could definitely use some work. Merri was the opposite it seemed. A lot of people seemed to get along with her and trust her word which made her currently invaluable to Harry, not that he was using her or encouraging her to bring more people here. She seemed to want to do that on her own.
"I've considered Fredrik to get started on those mines with some of his guys for you." Harry looked up in surprise and saw Merri walking into his office that was still located at the bottom of his incomplete tower. He raised an eyebrow.
"I don't remember asking you to do that," Harry said, the question clear in his voice. Merri just shrugged.
"They were happy to get back to what they love doing, plus people need to understand that living here isn't free. They need to contribute." Merri said. Harry thought it odd for her to say such a thing. He would not consider Merri a friend yet but after 6 months, she was the current closest thing. That being said, he didn't see a benefit in her going out of her way to do his job for him.
"Why are you helping me make sure people start working? You already do your part so you would be in no danger of being kicked out of here." Harry asked her curiously.
"I'm the one who brought them here. It would look bad on me if they just tried to mooch off you. Enough about that though. Mines have been started and that's it. What are you doing?" she asked as she approached the desk. Harry kindly transfigured a chair for her which she gladly sat in. He then looked back down at his papers.
"Boring logistics for the most part. I'm comparing how much it takes to feed our current population and comparing it to how much more we will need if the kingdom continues to expand at this rate. I also factor in any unexpected large population increases for whatever reason. We do fine now but soon I will have to make sure we have more livestock. I have a potion to help increase fertility in most animals and plan to slowly introduce it to live stock." Harry said.
"Why slowly? Wouldn't it be faster to have them all take it at the same time?" She asked. Harry nodded.
"Faster, sure. However, it would be much harder to control a livestock that increases so quickly plus we need to make sure all of the animals are healthy before we let them add to the genepool. Don't want to spread any unnecessary disease. I also need to make sure the potion has no adverse effects on the creature. "Harry explained.
"I thought only sorcerers could take potions." Merri pointed. Harry observed her for a moment before nodding. He had been taken aback by her knowledge of potions.
"Some potions yes. That being said, I know how to make some that can be used by others or creatures if I want." Harry told her. Merri nodded though she still looked like she didn't understand something.
"is that all you have been doing over here, I mean you have been shut in here for almost a week," Merri told him. Harry frowned at that tidbit. He had not realized he had been away for so long. Then again, he rarely slept long unless he was hibernating so time kind of just faded into the background for him.
"No, I have a problem I have been trying to solve with magic and it has yielded very little results as of yet," Harry admitted.
"You want to explain it. I hear talking to someone else can often reveal obvious mistakes we overlook." Merri said with an amused smirk. Harry smiled back.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt. I have been trying to use magic to help find useful places to mine for precious gems. So far, I have not made much progress." Harry admitted to the half elf. Merri was silent for a moment.
"Well you were right, I have no idea how to help you with that," Merri said back after her pause. Harry just laughed at her and she just glared back as her face went a little red.
"Fine, see if I try to help you again," Merri said as she stood up with her chin in the air.
"Oh, come now Merri you know it was funny, you know I meant no offense," Harry said as he tried to calm himself down but couldn't seem to as he burst into another fit of laughter as he looked back at the glare on her face.
"I'll get you back for it Sorcerer. No one gets away with laughing at me!" Merri stabbed back. Harry avoided looking at her because he knew with her crossed her and raised chin she would just cause him to laugh again.
"Okay, okay. I am done. No more laughing I promise. So, besides getting my mines up and running, thank you for that by the way, what have you been up to the last week?" Harry asker her politely. Merri smirked back.
"I have been hunting of course. I've almost single handedly killed enough for everyone here." Merri said proudly, unconsciously puffing her chest out. Harry just leaned his head on one of his hand planted on the desk with his elbow.
"You're a humble one aren't you?" Harry asked rhetorically, Merri just stared back with resolve.
"There is nothing wrong with taking in pride in one's accomplishments. I worked hard to become this skilled you know." She said back. Harry gave a single nod in acknowledgement.
"To an extent. Everything in moderation after all. Make sure your pride does not blind you in the future. I have seen it be the downfall of many of my friends and allies as well as my enemies." Harry told her seriously. Merri stopped puffing out her chest at his words and seemed to deflate a little before gaining a look of contemplation.
"Have you ever fought in a war Harry?" she asked him curiously. Harry looked at her in shock from the question. What caused her to ask such a thing?
"I have." He responded back with an obvious lack of emotion. Obvious even to himself.
"Which war were you involved in?" she asked. Harry waved his hand dismally at the question.
"Not one you would have ever heard of or have ever seen before. It took place a long time ago and was a war that only involved sorcerers and sorceresses." He told her. Merri seemed extremely intrigued after he said that last sentence which was unfortunate since he would rather not talk about it.
"A war of only magic men? I can't even imagine what that would be like. Did you win? What was it about?" She asked eagerly as she moved closer to his desk almost on instinct. Harry scowled slightly.
"I will answer but no more questions about it. I did win the war and it was about those who felt magicals should rule over those who did not have magic and they were against those who believed magicals should live in peace with their non-magical counterparts." Harry told her. Merri's face portrayed her surprise quite well and vibrantly. Her eyebrows then scrunched up.
"Which side were you on?" she asked. Harry just raised an eyebrow at her and proceeded to give her a look that showed he thought her to be an idiot. He then gestured to everything around him. She looked confused before her eyes cleared in understanding and she blushed in what he guessed was embarrassment at her obvious answer.
"Ah, yes of course." She said before turning around and walking away stiffly still feeling the embarrassment. Harry waited for her to close the door before he started laughing at her again.
2 Months Later
Harry sat in his office chair and looked expressionlessly at the man in front of him. The man himself was wearing a sharp impressive robe showing he had wealth as well as glasses which was uncommon in this time period. He was a sorcerer to be sure. Harry could feel the magic contained in his body. He was nothing impressive power wise but he seemed to have a good amount of control which Harry could respect. It wasn't always about power after all. Surrounding the man where several of the new guards he had officially hired last month for the city. All were glaring at the man and had their hands on their swords.
Harry almost smiled at the thought of them trying to take this man down. These men had a month of actual training at most courtesy of Grogik. They wouldn't even be able to lay a finger on the man. The sorcerer must have realized this too by now so Harry assumed the man was being so cordial because he either did not know yet his power or he had some idea and knew not to piss him off.
"One more time for me, why are you here?" Harry asked the man. If the sorcerer was annoyed by Harry yet again asking the question he did not show it. He just nodded before starting on again.
"Of course, my lord. My name is Asal, I am a sorcerer as you can tell and have come because I heard of a strange city that had been started in the Far North. My curiosity has urged me to come and see this new city for myself. I have explored your impressive city for a week now and have come to offer my services if you will have me as is required for new members I hear." Asal said as he bowed slightly at the end in respect.
Harry blinked once at the man's explanation. He was a spy, that was clear to Harry, the only question was for who. He immediately knew it had to be someone with some magical ability as they would have to use some scrying or divination to be able to find his city. The question was if they were working by themselves, a convention of magicals, or a kingdom. From what his little crows had gathered, the Northern Kingdoms seemed to have started to turn on their magical brethren as well as non-humans. Geralt also seemed to have been busy with no memory.
Perhaps Nilfgaard? No, Emhyr would no doubt dismiss his little kingdom even if he had heard of it purely on the fact that the man would be arrogant enough to believe himself untouchable by something so small. Hmm, it was clear he would not find out now but perhaps he could take advantage of the situation.
Ever since his run in with Vilgefortz he had made precautions to prevent himself from simply being knocked out, or rather a defense for WHEN he was knocked out. It had actually been a rather painful defense to create but worth it in his opinion.
With that said, he did not necessarily fear having another sorcerer here and it could even be beneficial. Mainly to further promote the fact that anyone could be accepted here. Plus, the sorcerer could do the minor things he was to busy to do himself.
"How… convenient." Harry finally said to the man who seemed to micro-fidget at his words, "What services exactly could you provide me?" Harry asked trying now to sound politer. It seemed his attempt worked too as the man seemed to breath out a little easier.
"While not an expert in spellcraft, I am quite accomplished in alchemy and have brought with me many of my tomes which I would be willing to share of course." The man said. Harry held himself back from scoffing. If this man was lacking in spellcraft than he was a baby bunny rabbit. The man was trying to make himself look weak but still useful.
"Very well, you are welcomed into our growing little city. As long as you follow our laws you will continue to be welcomed." Harry said warningly to the man. Asal smiled in relief and nodded.
"Of course, now, how is it you sign up for lodging here?" Asal asked politely. Harry didn't respond immediately, instead, he waved his hand and signaled his men off. They took their hands off their blade reluctantly and walked out slowly, throwing glares the entire way.
"Come here," Harry said as he reached into his desk. He pulled out a big, rolled up, piece of parchment. He unrolled it and it covered the whole surface of his desk. On it was a complete map of the entire city. The buildings were separated into several colors consisting of red, blue, green, and yellow.
Asal approached confidently and peered down at the piece of paper with interest.
"The buildings that are red and blue are homes. The ones that are red have already been chosen and the ones that are blue are the ones you can choose from. When you are done choosing, place your index finger on the house you would like and I will have it registered to you." Harry told him. Asal nodded as he looked around with interest in his choices.
"May I ask what the benefits are?" Asal asked. Harry thought for a moment.
"I guess most people just choose based off where their jobs are. Hunters and farmers tend to live closer to the wall. Miners tend to do the same. Most craftsmen tend to live closer to the center of the city though. The roads in place make it much easier to get anywhere in the city especially with it's grid like pattern so where you live hardly matters. Your alchemy ability allows you more flexibility since you can contribute in more ways." Harry told the man. Asal nodded.
"Can you commission your own type of house if you have the money?" Asal asked.
"You can, although there are regulations on sizing. I'm not going to be letting anyone build a manor within city limits. If you want to in the countryside that's fine if you have the money." Harry explained giving a pointed look. It was known that sorcerers with any actual skill tended to like the finer things in life or at least use to. Asal seemed to nod at that.
"I was simply curious is all. I have seen the model house you have set up and I am sure your houses will be fine space-wise for me." Asal assured.
"Good. Feel free to take your time with your decision." Harry told the man.
"Oh no need, I think I have made my choice. I suspect at some point you plan to have these yellow zones be set aside for merchant use but what are these green areas if I may ask?" Asal asked.
"They will be government property and buildings to be used how I decide at a later date," Harry said vaguely. He already knew what he was going to do with most of it but not yet. Not for 700 people. Asal nodded at his answer nonetheless.
"I see. Well, I was thinking here if that's okay." Asal said as he pointed to a specific house. Harry was unsurprised to find it was in close proximity to both his house and the tower.
"I think I might set up a clinic nearby so this would b-…" Asal started but Harry didn't feel like hearing whatever convenient excuse the man managed to make up.
"Done," Harry said. Immediately the house turned from blue to red on the parchment seeming to surprise Asal, "It is now registered to you. Enjoy the property. Craftsman can make you most of the ordinary furniture you need to furnish your house. They have simple pre-made if you're in a hurry of course. You said you have been here for a week so I'm sure you know where to go. I look forward to you being part of our community. Now if you will excuse me, I have an important project to get back to and need to get started." Harry said in a clear dismissal of the man. Asal bowed again.
"Of course, thank you, my lord. I look forward to getting settled in." He said as he turned and walked away. Harry was sure he was going to send a report to however he was here for.
"You're just going to let him walk right in here? You do know he's just trying to get close to the new lord so he can get a cozy position like every other sorcerer." A voice said to his left. Harry didn't even bother to look as Merri stepped into the room behind the side door in his office where he knew her to be hiding.
"You are unfamiliar with the term I am sure but that is called stereotyping. Besides, that's not why he is here. He's here to spy on me." Harry told her. Merri frowned.
"So, you let a spy in your city? Is there a reason why?" Merri asked. She sounded angry, almost like she was going to yell at him. She might in all honestly. Merri seemed to have no fear of him and it amused him more than it bothered him. She'd go and yell at him if she thought he was wrong about something which was impressive since Harry knew that she knew that he could kill her if he wanted by blinking. All the more impressive on her part.
"Spy or not, I can make use of him. Also, it would be much harder to find out who sent him to spy on me if he wasn't here." Harry said to her. That really didn't seem to help Merri's opinion on the matter from the glare she was now sporting.
"What if he hurts someone?" She asked him accusingly. Harry frowned at that.
"I doubt he would but if he did I will personally introduce him to what hell on earth is. He would pay with every fiber of his being and then some. I promise." Harry said as he finally moved and looked her in the eye for the first time since she arrived there. He stared at her and she stared back with neither of them saying anything. Eventually, she nodded.
"Fine. It's your city. I can't tell you who you do or don't let in." Merri said as she turned to walk away.
"Merri," Harry called after her causing her to stop midstride. "Never be afraid to tell me your opinion on something. If you have a concern than bring it up. I can't always promise to give you the answer or result you want but I do always promise to listen at the very least. You have done a lot for this settlement, more than anyone other than me probably. You kickstarted it in a way that I probably never could."
Merri didn't move for a moment before she turned back towards him. She wasn't glaring or frowning anymore which he took as a good sign.
"I don't want him here. I think it's an unnecessary risk to everyone except you for just something you want." Merri told him. Harry thought for a moment on what she was saying. She was partially right in a way. Unfortunately, she was still thinking like a civilian. She was making a decision not considering how it could come back to bite them. The enemy you knew was always easier to deal with then the one you didn't. If he got rid of the spy they would send more as they would assume he had something to hide. They would try harder and eventually do something more forceful. He would not underestimate anyone the way he did Vilgefortz. He flinched just thinking about the embarrassing and totally avoidable situation. He still wasn't sure who had knocked him out for the asshole to be able to lock him up. He assumed it was an apprentice of some kind but if it was then he was likely as dead as his master by now.
"An unnecessary risk… maybe your right. Maybe I would look at it differently if I didn't have a way to contain him. So, what if it wasn't just me then?" Harry asked as he looked at her. She just looked back confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked with her face taking on its usual scrunched up appearance when she was confused or angry.
"What if I taught you how to kill sorcerers. That way if this guy does something, you can kill him yourself. Don't have to even ask for my permission." Harry said to her as he leaned back into his chair lokking at her reaction to his offer. Merri opened and closed her mouth multiple times.
"You?
"Yes."
"Are going to teach me?"
"Also, yes."
"How to kill sorcerers?"
"Merri, I am sure you understood what I offered the first time I offered it. Do you want the lessons or not?" Harry asked her as he enclosed his hands together and laid them on his lap to show he was waiting for her to answer.
"I… I can't use magic." She said back.
"I'm aware. Your reserves would knock you out in exhaustion with even the simplest of magic. You won't need magic to do what I will teach you. Sorcerers aren't THAT hard to take down. Most of them are as squishy as everyone else. They have the power that benefits them in a fight for sure but that doesn't mean they are unstoppable. Witch Hunters exist and they seem to be growing in number every day. They use numbers and knowledge to take out sorcerers. I will train you to be better than an entire squad of the best witch hunters. I'll give you the knowledge to be better than anyone at what you do. Maybe even me. If you can't trust me then Ill give you the means to trust just in yourself." Harry told her seriously as he leaned forward on his desk.
"I don't know. What would I have to do?" Merri asked as she shifted from foot to foot nervously. Harry stood and looked at her seriously.
"Merri, I want you to think about this carefully. I was a general once. I made decisions That caused hundreds to die. I trained people who would later become good enough to topple kingdoms if they wanted single handedly. Magic or not anyone who I have trained either cop out quick or becomes a force of nature but that's not an easy road. It'll hurt and everyday more than anything else you've probably felt. However, you will be able to do things no one else can do." Harry told her trying to stress the importance of this as much as he could.
Merri stayed quiet after as she contemplated what he told her. Inside, Harry was getting more and more use to the idea. Merri had a good head on her shoulders. She was nice to almost everyone until they gave her reason not to be and she could get people to listen. He had been playing with the idea of who to make his right hand for awhile now. He had thought maybe Grogik at first. He had proven himself to be strong and knew about sacrifice because of his previous warrior lifestyle. Sadly, the man had expressed no interest in a command of any kind since he had gotten here. He had stepped up to be a leader only because he needed to but now he didn't.
Merri was still naïve in certain aspects but he was sure if he could train her and show her the real way of the world, she would be someone he could count and depend upon. Running a kingdom was impossible to do alone, even for him. He needed to start delegation and he needed to start it soon before he became overwhelmed.
She looked at him and then at the ground with a frown on her face, clearly thinking hard about the offer she had been given by him.
"I want to think on this. More than just right now. It sounds like your offering me something more than simple training and I want to make sure I make the right choice." She said finally. Harry almost smiled at her answer. Not rushing blindly into the unknown was a quality many did not learn until it was too late. He was also glad that she seemed to grasp how serious this was.
"Very well, one week. After that, come to me with an answer. In the meantime, please alert the guards that no civilians are allowed to approach the dragon pit without my express say so. Anyone found doing so will be brought straight to me." Harry commanded as he sat back in his chair and looked back at his paper work.
"Okay, fine. One week." Merri said before turning around and slowly walking away. Harry watched her go. He had a feeling this would be a long week for her.
Asal POV:
Asal smirked in self satisfaction at putting his new furniture in his home. Well, some of it anyway. The bed, a table, and a few chairs. He had used some of his money to commission more intricate ones that befitted someone of his station. For now, these would do though. He started moving the last of his cases from his cart outside and putting them into his home before giving a few silver pieces to the men that had helped him bring it. They smiled and thanked him before departing. He smiled as he watched them go.
It would do to endear himself to the locals as much as he could. It would help cement his status as a citizen just in case anything in his Mistress's plan went awry. So far though, it seemed to have gone off without a hitch. Though he thought he had been made when had come before the Black Mage. The locals said his name was Harry Potter though barely any used it. Most called him lord as was befitting of him. When he had looked at him for the first time in the eye, Asal felt sure that all his secrets had been laid bare before this man. He had to make sure his mental defenses were still up just from the look he had received.
He had sensed not a smidge of power from the man even right before him but he knew it was there. One only had to look into the man's eyes to see how powerful he truly was. Asal had could not stop fidgeting no matter how he had tried before the man. Luckily, the Black Mage must have been used to people being uncomfortable in his presence and had let him gain citizenship and property here.
Boy was that nice as well, free property to live in as long as you gave a contribution via work to the city and you still earned money on top of it! Sure there were taxes but it was nothing like the kingdoms. That was strange in itself as was how the Black Mage financing his new kingdom if he was giving so much away and taking in so little? He was sure magic had something to do with it but no one seemed to know what except the man himself so he was stuck.
Asal shook away his thoughts and went to one of the chests he owned. He opened it up and smiled at the golden stands he saw inside. He quickly got to work in setting them up in his spare room upstairs after making sure the windows were covered and magical protections were up. He finally got them all situated correctly and prepared himself. He went over to a mirror he set up in the room and looked at himself. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He released the breath after a moment and reopened his eyes.
Gone was the middle aged sorcerer with shoulder length scruffy black hair and a slightly broad face. In his place stood an elf with a slightly lighter complexion, and pointed ears. His cheekbones seemed to have risen a ways and his face became more narrow and defined. He smiled as he looked at his true face without the glamour he had been wearing constantly.
Once finished, he moved back to the megascope he had set up and activated. He waited for the recipient to respond and got on his knees as he did so.
Within a few moments, the crystals seemed to light up and project the image of a woman. This was not just any woman. It was clear she was of high birth of influence simply by her clothes but what really stopped many in their tracks was her face. It was beautiful beyond compare with not a single flaw or blemish to be seen. Asal felt like the luckiest man in the world just being able to see the face of his mistress.
Enid an Gleanna or Francesca Findabair as she was also known as. She was both his queen and his mistress. She looked and smiled at him gently which he was sure caused his heart to skip a beat.
"Ah Asal. It is good to see you again. I trust, by you contacting me, you have had success?" she asked in elvish which made her voice sound like the sweetest of bird melodies.
"I have my Mistress. The Black Mage or Harry Potter as he is called, has granted me citizenship to his kingdom. I already have a permanent lodging which I have strategically picked to be both near his home and his place of work." Asal responded, eagerly giving information to please her. His queen smiled down at him.
"Good. I knew I was right to trust you with this. Now, what is your first report?" she asked him in that same polite and gentle manner.
"The city is everything the rumors say and more. It is more beautiful and magnificent than any other human settlement I have ever seen. It is ordered and structured yet everything looks as if made by an artist. The people here, while not yet numerous are happy and kind. Equality is law here and those who try to break it are punished, not that it happens often from what I hear. There are multiple races from humans to half-elves to dwarves. An update though, they do now have a guard system. I believe it is only made up of near fifty to seventy- five men but I am sure it will grow." Asal finished and stopped to momentarily take a breath. His queen waited patiently for him to continue.
"I met the one who you have said to be the Black Mage. I believe it after meeting him. He radiated no power and I could feel nothing from him yet his eyes were like twin storms being held back waiting to consume me. I am sure he is the Black Mage." Asal told her.
"What did he look like?" she asked him softly.
"Un-humanly human if that makes sense. He has no characteristics of any blood but human in him yet all his traits seem almost… magnified if that makes sense. His hair is blacker than the night itself, his skin while not pale still seems to reek of a perfection I have yet to see a human achieve. His eyes though, more emerald than their gem counterparts and, as I said earlier, glowed with power." Asal finished with a slight shutter just thinking of his meeting with the man.
"He did not seem suspicious of you when you arrived?" Enid an Gleanna asked in almost disbelief.
"I believe he was at first but dismissed It and continued to let me settle here anyway," Asal admitted not wanting to admit he might have almost been caught.
"What services did you offer him?"
"I told him my spellcraft was lacking but I was an expert in alchemy which I would be sure to use to help aid his city if possible," Asal answered quickly. His Queen nodded in approval at that.
"Wise. Finally… what of the dragons?" she asked him. Asal hesitated before answering.
"I… was able to confirm there existence through the locals but yet to have seen them myself. I have heard them on occasion though. It seems they have skill at stealth. I have yet to find if it is a natural trait or something the Black Mage gave them." Asal told her, bowing his head a little in the shame he had not managed to bring more information on one of his most important task. His Queen just waved her hand in dismissal at that.
"You have done well Asal. Do not doubt that. You have brought me valuable information I will be able to use. For now, I shall take my leave but I hope you will give me regular updates on you and your mission." His Queen said to him. Asal nodded vigorously.
"Of course, I shall call as soon as I find something," Asal said to her which made her smile at him.
"Excellent. Until our next chat then." She said before fading out of existence in front of him. Asal took a breath.
He loved talking with his Mistress but it certainly caused him stress in his effort to please her. Not that he minded to much. His greatest wish, after all, was to serve her. He turned away from his megascope and started to head downstairs to continue to unpack, totally unaware of the little crow hiding in the rafters of his house that had been watching him and his meeting the whole time.