103. Up to speed (2)

"So, the little girl Emily and her mom are from a noble family in another region. That area is one that is ruled by greed and force. Slavery is still common and a highly profitable practice there. Emily's mother Jane was married to the oldest son of the Duke that is in charge of the region. He was an open minded man that was working both publicly and behind the scenes to end slavery in his area."

"Sounds like he would upset a lot of people including his family."

"And you would be right. His little brother murdered him and then instead of being logical he was greedy and maybe a little twisted, he sold them both into slavery."

"Prick someone one should kick him square in the balls."

"Slow your roll. Let me get there. There was an incident here and I got involved with a noble from this area. He was a predator and his prey was little girls. I stopped him and he took offense and tried to kill me. Since he attacked me here I got to keep all his stuff. Turns out it was part of a lot bigger plot."

Novum continued. "I went to the capitol and through a lot of weird twists and turns discovered a warehouse that was used to hide and transport illegal slaves. Helped them escape and took care of the people in that area that were in charge of it. Once that was done I bought more of the surrounding land with the reward money and me and Rurik came here."

"Who is Rurik?"

"A dwarven fighter and blacksmith that follows me. He was also taken as a slave."

"Oh, okay. Then a huge amount of people showed up here. They had all been part of the salve caravan. Most, if not all, of them had no place left to go and decided that they would come here and serve me. Emily and her mother Jane were part of that group. Jane is one of the cooks and also takes care of the bee hives."

"So, about the guy getting kicked in the nuts?"

"Well, I have had to make a lot of runs back and forth to the capitol and a few of the low level nobles from the neighboring region are after this land, same as always. I was jumped by a few of them on one of the trips and was delayed just a little before I got back. When I got here there was a young noble throwing a fit in my manor and attempting to take Emily away by force. He wanted to take her as a bargaining chip in a political marriage his father, her grandfather had arranged."

Novum could see the rage building up behind her eyes. "He was also trying to take Jane with him to hold her hostage to make sure the Emily did as she was told when she got older. Both of her parents were a bit rebellious and it made sense that she would be to."

Novum took a deep breath. "My people gave me a quick rundown of what was going on as I traveled through the town. I was a little upset at the time and one of his guards tried to stop me from entering my own manor. Said it was noble business. I kicked him in the chest so hard that I collapsed his ribs into his lungs and heart and the force sent him through my door. He did not get up again after that."

"I would think not. Then what happened."

"Well, it is a little fuzzy since I was so made but I broke the arm that was bruising Jane's wrist and then slapped him around every time he opened his mouth. Pretty sure I knocked a few teeth out. Then I set him up with a question and based on his answer that he could do whatever he wanted because he was a noble, I, I punished him. I say that I punished him but I gave Jane full reign to do as she pleased."

"I had Erica and Fang take Emily to see Granny and then I let her have at it as long as she did not kill him."

"Why did you not let her kill him?"

"I had no proof that he killed his brother and he technically was a noble. As a noble killing him without approval of the Duke could have me stripped of my title and even the possibility of being given to the offended nobility as compensation to prevent a war."

"They would do that?"

"Some of them would. I do not think that this duke would but there is always that chance. Now, I am in a position that they will have to come after me if they want vengeance. And that I know the Duke will help me to stop."

"Okay, enough politic and continue the story."

"Once I gave her free reign she tore into him life a fat kid on a cupcake. She went around until she found one of his guards wearing a steel boot that would fit her and she took it off of him, with my guards help, and then started stomping him all over. She took a running start and punt kicked him right in the jewels. I am pretty sure that one or both of them exploded."

"That a girl. I think I might like her."

"She also broke most of the bones in his body and then she had me hold him down and carved fratricide in his forehead. I had the cleric heal him enough that it would scare and then I put him and his goons, the ones that were still alive, on the wagons and sent them on their way."

"How many did you kill? I only remembered you killing the first one."

"A few thought it would be a good idea to sneak attack me while I was focused on the boss. Three of them died."

"So, you killed four men and scared a fifth ones face and body to prevent a young lady and her daughter from being taken back in my their family that sold them as slaves?"

"Yep."

Shannon could not hold herself back and threw her arms around his neck. "I am so proud of you." She leaned forward and pulled him into a kiss that both of them needed and wanted. "I still love you, you big lug. I never stopped."

"I love you too. Never wavered for a moment." He leaned forward and kissed her again.

A few minutes later the two of them separated. "Then what happened?"

"I sent a note with the boy to his father stating in no uncertain terms that anyone that set foot on my property was no longer considered a slave and that his son received a proper punishment for his crimes and if he had an issue with it to come and see me."

"Bet he didn't like that."

"He sent an envoy over."

"What is an envoy?"

"The best way to describe them would be a type of proxy lawyer."

"Oh, okay. Continue."

"I walked in and asked if he was here with an apology and when he said no I threw him off my land. Told him to be gone by sundown. Did a few more things and then went back to the capitol and told the duke about the plots of two different nobles from the other region. Then I invited all of the nobles from this area to come and visit me and the duke and all of them came to visit."

"Know you hated that."

"Yes and no. A few of them thought that it would be a good time to try and entice and or bully me into favoring them. They were not happy with my answer. Told them all that I was more of an ask for forgiveness rather than permission kind of guy. That if they came for me I would end them just like the Earl that had crossed me before." He smiled. "I was not quite that blunt with it but I did not put a lot of sugar on it either."

"The duke and Earl Lyons both thought it was hilarious. And the Earl offered to send his guards to do some training here with me in order to learn more about the woods and that type of fighting. He was making an excuse to get more people here."

"You did all that in a year. You have been busy."

"A year, most of it was last summer. The winter here made traveling hard and I spent most of that in the mines making stuff."

"So, what is the situation with neighbors now?"

"Theren ran into the noble son on his way here after learning that he was trying to hire some giants to come and attack me. The noble did not survive. Rumor mills is back and forth. The three rumors are he ran away to avoid fighting, he was killed by the giant or that I killed him. My informant let me know that the Earl knows I did not personally kill him but is positive I had him killed."

"That is bad."

"A fight is coming and it will probably be here soon."

"Then I guess I need to learn more about my abilities."

The two of them walked up to the house and Melissa was waiting on them and gave the two of them a bow. "Baron, is there anything we need to start preparing? The way you took off, we were concerned a fight might be coming."

Shannon spoke up. "I apologize that is my fault. I am Shannon the Baron's fiancée could I trouble you for a room that is joined with his."