power organization

Drake descended into the dungeon for a decisive conversation with the captured knights.

"Now that the Pantaleon Family has been ruined, everything that was once theirs is mine. I will not treat you badly, with me, you will have a new chance. So, tell me, are you willing to swear loyalty to me and become my knights?"

The two knights exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment and, with a sigh, replied:

"Lord Drake, we are willing to serve you and protect your interests."

Drake leaned forward slightly, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"Excellent. I want you to convince the warriors to follow me. Do you think you can do it?"

"There will be no problem, my lord. With our influence, we can persuade them to fight for you."

"I leave that in your hands."

With the matter resolved, Drake returned to his office, already visualizing the next steps his family should take.

PAGE FAMILY ARMY

• Knights: 13

• Junior Knights Primary: 11

• Junior Knights Senior: 2

• Warriors: 310

• Archers: 95

"I will leave 30 warriors in the city and the fort. That will give me 250 men free to move around. It is time to step up the training. I want quality, not quantity. I would rather have a small but elite army than a ragtag one."

Drake pondered his next move.

"We need a fortress dedicated to training and housing the troops. A safe place to store supplies and shelter our soldiers."

He called Sarah.

"Call Drystan. I have a mission for him."

"Yes, sir," Sarah replied, a charming smile on her face.

A longing in his eyes showed his interest in her, but this was not the time for that.

Soon, Drystan appeared.

"You called me, sir?"

"Yes. I want to build a citadel to train and house our troops. It will be erected on the southern border, between us, the Novaes, and Draxeler's territory. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it does need to be functional."

"Used, sir. Do we have the resources to build such a structure?"

"Use wood from the Eternal Forest. Keep it simple, with a basic defense. In three weeks, everything should be ready."

"Yes, sir,"

Drystan replied with determination.

With that issue out of the way, Drake focused on his paperwork and the administration of his territory until dinner.

When he reached the dining room, his family was already gathered. They were all waiting for him in silence, acknowledging his new position as patriarch. He took his place at the head of the table.

"Eat as you please,"

he said, with a rare warm smile.

After the meal, Drake went to his quarters. Looking at himself in the mirror, he saw the imposing figure he had become. A man almost seven feet tall, with red hair and eyes that exuded strength and authority. His muscular body was a weapon in itself, capable of intimidating any enemy. With a satisfied smile, he went to sleep. The next day, still in his room, he was surprised by Sarah's entrance, with her long black hair and well-developed body, walking towards Drake with light steps. "Good morning, my lord, I came to wake you up personally, I hope you don't mind," she said, with a provocative smile. Drake stared at her with eyes that now seemed more intense. "If you continue like this, waking me up won't be the only thing you'll do," he said, in a challenging tone. Sarah, surprised, swallowed hard, blushing, but quickly composed herself. "Now that you're here, after breakfast, I want the tax reports from the towns and cities on my desk. Understood?" "Yes, sir," she replied hurriedly, leaving the room with her mind racing.

Drake smiled at the scene, pleased with the housekeeper he had.

After breakfast, he went to the office, where the requested documents were already waiting for him.

Before reviewing them, he decided it was time to reorganize the territories.

"I will name our region Icy, while the former Pantaleon territory will be Cuprum. The fort will be called Helm, and the dominated city, Forges."

Now, with the names given, Drake turned to the numbers.

PAGE FAMILY TAXES

• Helm Fort: 5 gold coins

• 6 villages: 6 gold coins

• Forges City: 10 gold coins

• Copper Mine: 10 gold coins

TOTAL: 31 gold coins per month.

With the remaining funds of the Pantaleon family, we have eighty gold coins. I will send Michael with two knights and forty soldiers to the capital of the Draxeler family. There, they will purchase one hundred sets of elite armor for our soldiers. Each set is worth fifty silver coins. I want my army fully equipped by the end of the year. He called Sarah again. "Can I count on you to organize this, Sarah?" "Yes, sir. I will arrange everything immediately." With the family's confidence high, Drake's orders were followed with complete dedication. His power over the lands and his subjects only grew, cementing his dominance as the new patriarch of the Page Family.