The sun shone through the glassless window and woke Hervig up. He looked to his left and noticed his wife has also woken up. She smiled at him.

“I don’t know what magic you done but I’m pleased.”

“I’m not hearing a ‘thank you’.”

“Oh, knock it off will you Hervig. Now tell me how you did it. How did you manage to get noticed by the Expedition’s leader?”

“Well… Luck…” He paused and noticed Emma’s growing irritation. “Um… I don’t know. I guess I mentioned about how I used to be a merchant. Maybe a burgher, former elite of Marienburg. He was impressed that I was loyal to the Emperor and not the Directorate.”

“Finally! We’re finally getting rewarded. We’ve just landed three weeks ago and now we have a house. A log cabin at that but still a house. And a bed.”

“Patience now Emma. It may be a cabin, but it can be reinforced by stone if we so wished. I heard from Lord Stanhelm that he’s planning to build a bunch of houses with stone from the ruined temple. To prevent potential fires, he says.”

Emma looked confused. “He’s not using it to build a wall?”

“Maybe he is but he’s prioritising making the people happy.” He quirked a smile and pinched her nose. “Don’t tell me you believe those rumours about ‘lizard-men’.”

“You damn oaf! Of course, I believe in them. Who else build these?” She desperately pointed outside the window towards the towering pyramid. “Norscan savages? They were the first ones to discover these lands after all, and the best they got was building three shitty ‘cities’ along the Settler’s coast.”

“Good point. But would they attack us directly though? They may skirmish and raid but not attack us here. We’ve got a fifth of us being professional state troopers. Maybe half of us can be recalled as a militia if things get desperate. They’ll learn to stay away especially from you.” Hervig tried to placate his wife.

“Flattery will get you nowhere especially with a fellow merchant. You should know by now Hervig, now come and help me vomit.”

He grimaced but dutifully carried Emma towards the chamber pot.

“Make sure to throw this towards the latrines when on your way to Lord Klaus’ townhall, and comeback. I may need it later.”

Hervig quickly ran out of the house and closed the door. He sighed in relief when he stopped himself frowning towards his annoyed wife and rushed to do her bidding.

The former burgher walked along the gravelled, main road towards the townhall. He passed by stalls lining the sides of the streets selling all sorts of ornaments and food. Weird bronze medallion depicting huge carnivorous lizards to freshly caught fish. He ignored them all. I have a tight schedule for the day. Emma should be busy buying food. Hopefully not fish again. Maybe those weird yellow cobs. Those taste sweet but very pricey! Well… If I do a good job and increase the revenue of New Altdorf then surely… Surely, I could take a tiny slice of that. He shook his head. No. Too risky and I refuse to be corrupt. I refuse to be those same idiots in Marienburg!

Two state troopers, armoured with a chestplate and sabatons, guarded the entrance. Yellow caps and bright yellow sleeves and trousers. That attire seems familiar. But yellow? Hervig approached them and politely asked who they were.

“Hello there, Lord Treasurer, my name is Bruno and the other one is Harald. We’re greatswords. Our uniform may seem strange, but I can assure you we’ve trained in the barracks of Carroburg! I can vouch for my skills and the rest of my company. All two hundred of them!”

Carroburg eh? “Who’s the company captain?”

“Your talking to him my lord.”

Technically not a lord but I like being called that so best not correct anyone. “You’re as young as I am, Bruno! Very Impressive. Rising to that position at a young age.” Great. I’m now starting to sound like an old man. Maybe Emma was right…

The company captain guffawed. “I’m the captain because I’m good at shouting orders! Not by being good at a sword. In fact…” He stared at Hervig. “I’ve heard rumours about you my lord. Incredibly good ones. I’ve heard how you’ve cut down hundreds of skaven pouring into Mannan’s Servant. If so, you could probably beat me in a duel.”

Hervig quirked an eyebrow. He wasn’t sure whether to feel glad at being noticed or nervous at being noticed… Not hundreds. Maybe a hundred but not that much. It’s probably best for my reputation to not correct him. He nodded at Bruno and walked into the townhall.

A dozen pages, turned clerks, stopped when he approached. Some bowed in respect whereas most dismissed him. A thin and bespectacled man stepped in front of them and walked towards Hervig. “I don’t know how a peasant like you was promoted to such a position. What did Klaus see on you exactly?” He sneered and cleared his throat.

I actually don’t know but seeing you work made me think that Klaus was desperately grasping at straws to replace you. He made a gamble and I intend to make myself that best gamble he did in his life, by being competent. “Good morning, Lord Raymund. I hope we have a productive day today.” He ignored him and went towards Klaus’ office at the first floor. As he was climbing the stairs he paused and looked back towards Raymund. Raymund was huffing and stomping his feet. Bloody childish and he’s a few years older than me. Hervig grinned as he walked into the office.

“Why didn’t you knock?!”

“Umm… Lord Klaus, you keep telling me every day that I don’t need to knock. Therefore, I didn’t for today.”

Klaus looked ready to slam his fist into the table. “I said that because I wouldn’t usually hear a knock. Too damn busy dealing with this!” He pointed at the huge pile of parchments.

He walked towards his liege’s table and calmly spread the parchments. Sartosa pirates demanding a toll. Skaven capsizes a merchant ship. Dark Elves reaving. Sounds like a normal day. I wonder why he’s so exasperated.

“My lord if I may. Most of these issues can easily be resolved. We have twelve galleons and eighteen caravels at the ready. In fact, Admiral Hofstein managed to recover two supply ships inbound for New Altdorf. This should speed up with our construction. At this rate we should be able to have houses, and sufficient waste disposal for thirteen thousand people in just a month.”

“Hervig, Hervig, Hervig… When there’s good news, there’s always bad news.” He handed him a parchment. “This should be for my eyes only but since you’ve done a remarkable job in three weeks, I thought it was for the best for me to share my burden to you.” ‘A much better alternative to Raymund that’s for sure! His family back in the Old World aren’t going to be happy so I should come up with a useless but prestigious position for him.’ Was left unsaid by Lord Stanhelm.

Hervig struggled not to rip the parchment. He couldn’t believe what he just read.

‘Rogue imperials setting sail towards the New World. Be wary of them’. “Who gave us this intel? It seems quite specific but also vague. Where did they set sail from? Why imperials?”

“I don’t know… But I can guess. Specific but vague? Sounds like magic. Probably those Grey Wizards no… Grey Order’s Shadowmancy is probably responsible for this letter.”

“They exist?”

“The Grey Order will always deny their existence but every noble in the Empire will know that they exist. They wield the Winds of Ulgu and use it to deceive and fool the enemies of the Empire through illusions. It makes sense for them to be employed by the Spymaster.”

I’m not a noble so I have to take his word to heart. “That’s not good. It just makes this more believable. Why would we be wary of them? Will they raid? Take this colony over? We’re not even profitable yet!”

“We don’t know their motives and when they’re getting here. I think it’s best to pray to Sigmar and hope for the best, by wishing them misfortune. As much as it pains me to do so against fellow Sigmarite worshippers.” Klaus drooped down in regret and tried to distract himself by drinking watered down wine.

“May Mannan send them down to a maelstrom.” Hervig muttered to himself. “Back to the present then my lord. We have a lot of work ahead of us. We have to increase our manpower somewhat so maybe establish a militia?”

“My brother, Johanne, is making good progress with that. He says if worse were to come, he can assemble five thousand men. Twenty-five hundred of that are state troops and the Carroburg greatswords have finally arrived. You should’ve seen them outside. They’re obvious to spot. Bright yellow and not a standard red attire they usually wear.”

“I have noticed them my lord. Why aren’t they wearing their red uniforms?”

“To differentiate themselves with their Old World counterparts maybe?”

“Then this is good news then! We’re probably stronger than the ones from the Settler’s coast and that pathetic brettonian settlement south west from here. What are they called again? Bregonne?” Hervig couldn’t hide his contempt of brettonians. Centuries of raiding the Westerland and pillaging hundreds of villages and towns. He lost a couple of trade caravans from those inbred brettonians. If we were part of the Empire, then those daily raids won’t happen. The Empire’s faith, steel and gunpowder would massacre the chivalry of Brettonia along with their misshapen peasants.

“I guess we’re much better off than I think I was. Sorry for lashing out against you.” Klaus was quick to apologise and Hervig accepted it. “Now. Speaking of our neighbours. How’s the negotiations with the ‘New World Colonies.’”

Hervig nearly choked on his wine and prayed for the delegation he sent towards the Settler’s coast. They need Sigmar’s and Shallya’s blessing to survive in Port Reaver. I hope they actually give them proper housing and not the huts and the sunken hovels littering that poor excuse of a city. “It’s doing well my lord! I’ve just received a raven from them and they’re willing to trade. Their city, Swamp Town, is famous for their pottery. They say the clay surrounding the swamplands is sturdy and ‘nigh unbreakable’ when baked. They’re willing to trade that and foodstuffs for protection. Their leader is also a fellow Imperial and a general at that.”

“Protection? What’s the leader’s name?”

“Protection from the sea my lord. We have a large fleet after all. And his name is Philip Billings.”

“Then give the delegation and lord Billings my blessings, but make sure to specify which areas to protect. It’s in our interest to protect the Scorpion and Settler’s coast. Ring them out for further concessions if needed. Admiral Hofstein managed to capture a few treasures that those rat scum hid in their ships. It’ll be a shame if they don’t get bartered off for more gold.”

“I’ve heard rumours about that. Give the good Admiral my congratulations. But, my lord, surely it would be better to sell it to those brettonian knights. I heard that they love golden trinkets. Heck! Most would even use it as their heirlooms.”

“Looks like you’re speaking with past experience.”

“I have traded with them my lord. The Knight Errants especially. If they’re not busy abusing their peasants and forcing them to commit banditry; they occasionally go to Marienburg to buy something expensive to give to the women they’re courting.”

Lord Stanhelm scoffed and loosened his cravat. “Those brettonian nobles tend to be quite frivolous, don’t they? Have you even sent a delegation to them? Judging by your tone, you seem to hate them.”

“I have my lord and my personal feelings have nothing to do with my job as the Treasurer. Despite how much I loath them, I still do business with them my lord. So, fear not.”

“Good. Who’s the leader in Bregonne? I heard he’s related to the Duke of Parravon.”

“They are my lord. Baron Marcel of Parravon currently leads Bregonne. He has a full host of knights around him, where we can pitch our plunder to them.”

“Excellent. I’ll tell Audric – Admiral Hofstein to send the plunder towards there then. Is there anything else Hervig?”

Hervig scratched his black hair and hesitated. “Well my lord…” He pointed at the pier. “That pier needs to be expanded. Currently, it has no space for merchant vessels to dock and we can’t maintain ourselves on plunder. We must trade and to do that we must build a port. A port with enough space for dozens of ships to dock and warehouses along it.”

Klaus contemplated. “That seems quite expensive and time consuming, but I understand the logic. But surely we should prioritise on housing?”

“We should my lord but I’m asking for a specific amount of space to be left out. Empty of construction where warehouses can be built and inns for travellers. Also, I have a report for you.” Hervig passed a message to his liege.

Klaus adjusted his bonnet and scanned the message. “These are petitions to set up a forwarding base?”

“Yes, my lord. Scouts suggests an area of land where it’s fertile enough for cattle to graze on. Just east of here. Near the ruined city of Chotec.”

“How do these scouts know if a field is fertile?” Klaus suspiciously asked.

“Some of them are farmers and shepherds. Or they could be bored with the monotony of labouring and building all day. But if we allow them to settle a forward base, then that should settle our housing issue. Less people to house in New Altdorf, and we can redivert efforts to build the port. Which I must stress again is vital for the colony’s self-sufficiency.”

“Fair point. But we may get raided in three or four months if we’re being pessimistic. We may be spreading ourselves out.”

“I’m but a mere merchant my lord, I don’t know the intricacy of warfare but surely it’s best if we spread out. More bases to know and locate where they landed, because it’s highly unlikely for them to directly attack New Altdorf. Maybe we could set up a series of watch post to signal where raiders and other hostiles landing in our coast.” That’s what we Marienburgers did! Set them up from the city towards the sea of Claws. Thanks to that, nearly all Norscan raids have been repelled. Nordland as well, but who cares about them?

“One at a time Lord Treasurer. These are good ideas but I’m not sure if we can do them in just three months, but I’ll consider it. Continue doing a good job.”

Hervig bowed and left his office. Three weeks worth of work and a report that only lasted an hour and a half. He huffed and swiped a sweat in his forehead and headed towards his office. Just another day. Payment to the labourers, sailors, state troops and so on. The inventory is running out of food… Thank Sigmar that we’ve settled on an agreement. We’ve lucked out that the leader is an imperial! It could’ve been tilean, estalian or brettonian. Or one of the border princes!

Trade should be booming if we get the port done and New Altdorf will be the gateway connecting the Old and the New World! He started tapping his feet. In the future this city will flourish and prosper and me and Emma were the first ones to be here! Given time it will be wealthier than Marienburg!

A rude, sudden knock at his door interrupted his musings.

Damn. At least knock in way that doesn’t break the door down!

“Come in!”

A bespectacled man with blonde hair walked in. “What did you do?”

“What do you mean Raymund?”

“You stupid lowborn peasant! Don’t address me by my name like that. That’s Lord Schwarfen to you.”

Hervig briskly read the other reports and didn’t want a shouting match so conceded. “What can I help you with Lord Schwarfen?”

“First of all, stop whatever you’re doing. I demand full attention.” Hervig conceded for the second time, hoping to not deepen their conflict. “How did you persuade Klaus to give you that position?”

“My lord, you should’ve asked Lord Stanhelm that question. I’m just a mere servant of New Altdorf hoping to make it a better place.”

“Don’t be coy with me! Why are you in my position and why are you sitting in my chair!?”

“Please calm down my lord. This office has been given to me by Lord Stanhelm. Why are you asking about it now?”

“Klaus, who’s my brother in law by the way, assigned me a position. To minister foreign trade – “

“Congratulations then my lord! Such a prestigious post will earn you friends from high places.” Hervig said with sarcasm dripping.

“Exactly! Now get out of my seat! And don’t interrupt me again.”

“I think you’re mistaken my lord. The minister for foreign trade comes under my purview. Under the Treasurer.” He delighted at the way Raymund’s face blanched white. “And, as my first task to you is to lead the delegation at Bregonne. Klaus wants the plunder to be sold to the knights and other brettonian nobles there, and he expects the money we’ll be making is as high as possible. This is an important task my lord. The money we’ll be getting there is to spend on food. Your success could be the difference between us living or us dying in starvation.” Hervig continued to smile brightly. Now that’s the carrot. Appeal to his innate nobleman’s arrogance. Now for the stick! “If you refuse my lord, I’m afraid we have no one available for the task and Lord Stanhelm would be extremely disappointed. It must be you. You were taught the ways of diplomacy during your noble upbringing. The stick lubricated with flattery. Hopefully, he accepts this. If he won’t… Klaus can always order him but it’s more fun this way. Him taking orders from his social inferiors!

“I-I’ll accept. Thank you for putting y-your faith in me – “

“No worries my lord. I was just like you. In fact, I’m still like you, we’re nearly the same age! I’m still eager to go out there and prove myself. That’s why I came here.”

Raymund frowned and was about to retort but wisely stopped himself. “When do I depart?”

“When Admiral Hofstein returns tomorrow.” He really doesn’t want to be friends! Three weeks he’s been pestering me and reminding me of my inferiority. Sigmar bless him! How spoiled is he? Did his family decide to send him here because he’s an insufferable oaf?

Lord Schwarfen ran out and accidentally pushed a page out of the way.

“My lord. It’s now time for the daily petitions.” The young page reminded him.

Hervig wanted to slap himself until he knocked himself out. This was my idea! When Klaus was worried about a potential revolt from angry colonists, I suggested this to him! I thought he was going to listen to the petition himself, but he delegated me to do it instead!

He dithered when standing up and went down to the court of pleas. He sat down and hid a heavy sigh. Labourers with tattered clothing to richly dressed merchants crowded the room.

“Can we set up the forward base now?”

“My men aren’t getting’ paid enough for diggin’ a sewer!” That’s no where near a sewer! It’s more like an open ditch where we dump our shit into and bury it when it’s full. Speaking of that… Should we build a sewer? No… One thing at a time.

“Can we divert some of our wooden supplies to make fishing boats.”

Hervig answered the petitions with ease. Sometimes guaranteeing or sometimes appealing to their patience.

A familiar man was in the crowd. “We don’t have enough iron to make steel and to make tools out of! And the labourers are pesterin' me to give them more axes and shovels!”

That must be Erick.

… We’re running out of iron?! That’s not good. That would halt the construction by a fair bit. Note to self; send a raven message to the delegates in the New World Colonies.

“My good man, you will get your iron soon. We’re currently in the process of negotiating a trade deal with the ones from the Settler’s coast. So, I ask you and your fellow blacksmiths for patience.”

Erick grunted and stroked his beard, then left the townhall. He looks busy.

A man sprinted towards the front of the court and was struggling to breath. “My-my scouting party! Spotted something near Chotec! Large beast walking in two legs! Tiny arms and a large head. Massive teeth! Thank the gods we were on horseback! We couldn’t have outrun it barefoot!”

Panic whispering spread throughout the court.

Well… This is going to spread across the colony… Maybe have that scout man flogged for inciting panic… No. That would make it worse. The people would think we were withholding the truth from them. What to do?

He found that this was a good opportunity to leave and rushed towards his Lord’s office and knocked. He continued knocking but there was no response and just opened the door.

“My lord… I’m afraid there’s bad news.”

“What? I’m busy planning for my brother in law’s banishment.”

“No need my lord. He already accepted his job to oversee the delegates to Bregonne.”

Klaus widened his eyes in surprise. “How!?”

“I have my ways…”

“Of course. I’m glad I noticed you from the start. Now out with-it young man! What’s the bad news?”

“A group of scouts managed to spot something large… A monstrous beast and they may have lured it near here, and the word would’ve spread by now. I’m afraid this may cause a panic and incite a riot.”

“A large beast you say. Then gather a group of halberdiers, crossbowmen and handgunners. Let’s take it down and parade it’s dead body for the rest to see! Instead of a riot let’s have a celebration. A celebration celebrating the might of the Empire! The Empire endures!” Klaus raised his clenched fist through the air.

“…The Empire endures.”