The Inheritance 4

The last ray of the setting sun hit the north-west tower of the Keep. The tower was the Lord's study room. There were four people in the study room- Lord Kain Dyke, Sir Gerard Tygre, Ser Roland Savry and Sir Robert Gryfe.

"My Lord, we are here as you commanded," Said the Minister.

"I have summoned the three of you for some few discussion," Said the Viscount,"the three of you have been and are loyal vassals of the house for God knows how long. As such, I will need your help to revitalize the territory."

"You can count on us, My Lord," Said Sir Gerard, bowing low.

"I will serve, My Lord," Said the head Knight, giving military salute by clicking his heels together, putting his ball right fist on his chest and bowing his head.

"As you command, Young master," Said Sir Ronald, nodding his head.

"First, Sir Gerard,"Said Kain,"I want you to take a census of the population of the territory including the refugees and the population of the villagers under the control of the bandit crew."

"It will be difficult but can be done, My Lord," Said Sir Gerard,"A week is all I ask."

"Ser Roland,"Said Kain,"I want all the soldiers of the garrison at the training ground at the first break of sunrise tomorrow. They must be in full gear. There will be certain changes in the training regimen from tomorrow on."

"It shall be done, My Lord," Said Ser Roland. He look a little bit conflicted but comply all the same.

"Uncle Robert,"Said Kain, looking at the wizened grey haired man,"My father always said you have an eye for talent. I want you to use that to scout potential people in the street and among the refugees."

"As you say, Young master," Said Robert, nodding his head.

"That will be all," Said Kain,"You can all go."

After the three of them left, Kain changed into a dirty tunic and pant with a brown coarse cloak. It was time for him to explore his castle. Using a hidden path, which only few knows he slip out of the Castle. He came out on the western side of the castle.

Few people recognised him on the street. There were homeless people everywhere but since he didn't look like a nobleman with his dirty clothes, oily face and messy hair, none of the homeless came up to him to beg. People of all ages and constitution were on the streets, elderly people, families, youths and childrens. They were not refugees from the Southern war but from his own territory, villagers who were displaced or ran away from the bandits' territories. It was heart wrenching to see hundreds of his own people being on the streets.

"Atleast they are not starving," he thought. The granaries were full so food was not the problem but living space and employment were.

"Here we are," Said Kain, stopping in front of a tavern.

The tavern was a two storey half timbered medium building. Outside it read the sign "Iron boar''.

Kain walked in. There were several tables spread around the tavern. Only two of them were empty, though.Kain walked to one of the tables without attracting much attention. The most he got was a glance of curiosity from here or there. He weren't regulars here, after all.

"What do you want, handsome," asked the waitress. She was a looker in her mid twenties and had a buxom figure.

"A mug of ale and dinner," Kain replied.

"Anything else," asked the waitress, winking her eyes.

"No," he replied. From the cut on the cleavage of her dress, Kain knew she was doing some side business but he was not there for that.

"Alright then," Came the reply,"by the way, you are no fun for someone your age."

"Hmmm, is that so," Kain said, nonchalantly.

The waitress decided to leave him alone. While waiting, he eavesdrop on the on the conversation of the customers in the tavern.

Most of the conversation were complaints or about their own work. But one conversation perk him up.

"The bandits are becoming bolder day by day," Said one man,"One of my cousin who came from the South told me that the southern bandits are organizing themselves. A person calling himself Black Dog had made a crew out of several bandits group and has more than a hundred."

"Ah, the bandits are the scourge of the Viscounty," Said his companion,"When will we be free of this rats."

"I think the new Lord will do something about it soon," chimed in a third person who was sitting on the next table.

"Even the late Viscount and Young master Aldrick fell to the bandits,'' Said the second, "Compared to them, the new Lord is young and inexperienced. How can he do it?"

"You don't get it," Said the third,"My sister who is a maid at the Keep told me that the Young Lord has lots of scars on his body."

"Scars? What does that even meant?"

"Scars are results of surviving a battle," Chimed in another, a middle-aged man with a lost eye," and one seldom survives a battle unless he killed his opponents."

"Yes, it means he had lots of experience in fighting," Said the third,"moreover, he was considered a prodigy in his childhood, having become a warrior at the age of twelve, the earliest ever to have awakened such a talent. Also, he set out of the basin as a squire to that Hedge Knight. I do think he is young but he is no inexperienced person."

"I pray so," Said the first,''May the Gods let him acheive victory over the bandits."

"Here is your order," Said the waitress, putting down a tray with a soup bowl, a mug of ale and a loaf of bread.

Kain ate it. It was not that good nor bad. The bread taste like rye. He ate and drank while silently eavesdropping. It was only at dusk, did he venture out again, a new strategy coming to his mind.