Snippet #2057732

Rickard Drakon awoke in a large feather bed and swung his legs over the side, shivering as his feet touched the cold, stone floor. He padded over to his wardrobe and picked out a fresh Crimson doublet, pulled on a pair of Black velvet trousers, and slipped into his new leather boots.

His boots clicked softly against the stone floor as he strode though the waking keep and into his solar where he knew his steward, Herbert was waiting for him, on time as always.

"Ho there, Herbert!" Rickard greeted his friend with a smile and a clap on the shoulder, "What have you got for me?!"

"Well, my Lord, here is the treasury report, and the report on the food stores that you requested. What do you think?" Herbert showed his lord the ledger reports.

"Ah! Good, this is excellent for being just a brand new lord don't you think?"

"Yes, my lord"

"Yes, well, I suppose we should start doing something with all of this money, eh? Well, first order of business, I want you to send out a few riders to survey the countryside, get a feel for the lay of the land. Next i believe we should get some watchtowers built. I want them to form a circle around the village, I also want each one to be about a league away from the village, and about a league apart from each other. That way we have proper warning should any lord want to encroach on my lands. Oh, and don't be afraid to skimp on the materials a little bit. I want the to be solid, but these aren't meant to be permanent." Rickard looked at the small roster of his household guard. "By the way, have Richard begin a recruitment drive will you? Tell him to offer a salary of five silvers for every month of service. That, and any man who chooses to may receive room and board in the guard barracks. What do you think of that for a first day of lordship?" Rickard looked up from his writing, "My father may not have given me much to work with, but make no mistake, we sit on some of the most fertile land in the duchy, and I aim to turn this into the finest castle in my father's county. This is our chance to shine Herbert, let's make it count!" After a few moments of silence he added, "Is that all Herbert?"

"Yes, my lord. That is all I have for today." Herbert punctuated his sentence with a satisfying slap from his ledger, and a smile.

"Well, if that's it then, I am going to breakfast. I'll leave the specifics to you on how my orders are carried out. I will be either at breakfast, in my chambers, in the training yard, or in my library should you need me Herbert.

"Yes, my lord. Have a wonderful day."

"And you as well, Herbert."