Burn Him

Within days, the change had begun, the small group of people had shifted their houses away from the land and started working in the clearing of the land. They had been offered jobs at various places. 

The strong men who could cut the trees and clear the land started working on clearing the Begamin land. The women were offered jobs at granaries which the crestford family had recently added to their estate.

While a few experienced ones were given jobs in the mines.

Rumors spread fast in the towns and trade routes. Elias had taken over the Silver Hollow Mine, one of the richest mineral veins in the region, and replaced every foreman and head with new people, many of them hand-picked, efficient, and loyal to him. But he hadn't removed the local laborers. No matter how many complaints or rebels Elias received, he changed all the corrupted leaders from their places.

The workers were stunned by the sudden change, they had feared for the worst. But it did not come to them. In fact, he raised their pay and improved safety protocols. Slowly, they noticed the new leaders were people like them. Their wages would not be cut for no reason and they would be acknowledged more.

But the payment of higher wages did not increase the expenditures as the spectators had guessed. They were stunned speechless when the profit grew without increasing the output. It was an open secret where the money was going by then.

Crestford was a new name for inspiration. Everyone was talking about him. Though nobles did not like him, they had to accept that his way brought better results and better profits.

While commoners, they were full of hopes that finally someone was there to listen to him and worry about their future. Many hoped that he would extend his job offer to them too. Many had hoped for a better future with him.

But all this had affected one person the most. And that is lord Velmore. He had did his best to spread rumors like,

"They say he walks the mines himself," whispered a trader in the Crestford market. "Which noble would do it? He did not have class or manners like us nobles."

"They say he is building a town, not just a business with the help of outlaws who never learnt proper work. What help could they provide?" murmured a servant in the other houses to create the hatred alive. But he was quickly shut by a strong reply.

"but he pays in silver and teaches work himself. He did not even cut the salary until it was a big mistake. If i get the chance, i want to work in that mine too. I also want that and dream of that." he sighed with a dreamy look. And added when others stared at him strangely. "Silver! I dream of silver."

"Yes. but how did he get so much money to spend and still earn more than before." 

Within weeks, carts were rolling in and out of Crestford's growing village. It was full of timber, stone, and ore. Children played in the fields, while men and women worked not with fear but with purpose. They had a smile of satisfaction on their faces which became the envy of workers of other estates. For the first time in years, laughter returned to mouths long silenced by hardship. Even the traders who should have complained about it seem to be in good moods.

They purchased the timber provided by the Elias at good rates and sometimes they book everything in advance and paid double the price to show their generosity too.

The news soon spread to Velmore as he was mocked for not recognizing the rare jewel.

Velmore Estate

The goblet of wine shattered against the wall. The crimson liquid trailing down like spilled blood.

"He took my mine!" Lord Velmore bellowed with his fists clenched so tightly that the veins on his hands looked like they might split. "It was my land, my work! He turned it into a bloody village festival to earn praise from commoners. Even nobles think that his ideas might work better! They have all gone insane."

He stormed across the room with his eyes burning wild. He stopped only when he found his daughter lounging leisurely on a velvet sofa. Clardria lay sideways with her long legs draped over the armrest with a bowl of grapes in her lap. 

She was smiling with her fingers stained with juice as she popped another grape into her mouth with infuriating calm. When she saw her father, she passed the bowl to him with an innocent smile on her face that did not suit her at all.

He turned to her with trembling fury. "How much longer must I bear that insolent brat's existence?"

Clardria lifted her eyes lazily. "Oh father, don't wrinkle your brow so deeply. It makes your eyes look smaller."

"I am serious!" he barked as he punched the sofa with much force, "He has ruined my name! Do you know what they call me now? The Lord of Empty Mines. Even my own men laugh behind my back!"

Clardria placed the grape bowl down and leaned forward. her tone still sweet, but her gaze now sharp as the knife tucked into her sleeve.

"Cladria! I have thought that with such large and benevolent payments, he would soon get his downfall. But not only had he earned more with those good for nothing slaves and commoners, but he had also earned connections from the traders and there is a rumor spreading that he would soon earn a position in the council. If he entered there and made connections with the other nobles, getting rid of him would be impossible." his fury had burnt his chest so much that he wanted to strangle Elias in the public and throw his cold body in the commoner's fire to burn him.

"I always planned to deal with Elias," she said softly. "I wanted to find out how he managed to rise so fast. With no army, no coin of inheritance, no noble backing. And more than that… his face, for some reason, I feel a connection to him. A deep hatred that burns my chest whenever I look at him, I just could not let it go!"

"But are you not a curious father? He did not have any wealth, yet here he is, building a town with poor people and paying them silver. Even you couldn't afford to pay your guards in silver."

Velmore's eye twitched, but he said nothing.

"I want to know his secret," she said, brushing her fingers clean. "Before we end him."

"But cladria.." he raised her hand to stop him from shouting again and sighed.

"But if you want it early…" She looked up at him with a cold, gleaming smile. "Then we will do it your way."

Velmore let out a shaky breath but was relieved. "You already have something in mind, don't you?"

Cladria's smile widened. "Oh, father. You raised me for this. Of course I do."

She reached for another grape, but her voice dropped to a chilling whisper.

"Let him build. Let them dance in their dirt. Then we will watch it all burn with a single spark."