Chapter 40: Iron Ore Deposits

Ragnar donned his padded shirt and put his steel-plated armor on it as he got ready for the journey to the Castle.

Though steel was still very expensive, it became more common among the wealthy. As such, Harald had decided to equip those important to him, along with his knights, in half-plate armor. Consisting of a gold-trimmed chest plate with an embossed family crest and shoulder guards. Leaving the legs and arms open for free movement.

The Baron had held a meeting among all the important men early in the morning, discussing distribution and provision of food along the two day trip to the Castle. Along with accounting for the over 3000 silver he spent equipping 15 men in his entourage with padded plate armor.

Eve was by Ragnar's side, helping him strap into his boots and helmet, before giving him his large diamond-shaped shield that the warrior took and put behind his back. He wouldn't be using much of his shield, as for now, he'd like to be freehanded while he used the sword and see how that style worked.

The stunning Vixen in front of him was adorned in a figure fitted burgundy dress, made off a mixture of wool and linen that swayed under the movement of her hips.

"I'll need to go talk to my father, Eve. Why don't you wait at the head of the Baron's entourage, and I'll be right with you." Eve smiled and nodded in acquiescence.

"What's it about Ragnar?" Eve questioned as she stopped at the door.

"I was thinking of a way to help us improve our money supply. Today's meeting has shown us how quickly outfitting men with arms can blow through one's treasury. And we need a steady supply of it."

Eve smirked as she turned and sashayed over to Ragnar, "And of course you have a plan, the almighty Ragnar, coming in to save the day," as she tightened the straps of his armor.

"Aye milady, it's a small seedling of a plan. One that might be a gamble that I'm willing to convince my father to take," Ragnar said with a mock bow.

Eve tutted at the cheek of Ragnar and turned around to strut out of the room.

Ragnar chuckled as he, too, made his way across the corridor. The padding under the plate armor quietened its clanking as Ragnar approached his father's room. The warrior was invited in with a small knock as he pushed open the door into Harald's large study.

Under the previous Baron's rule, this room was seldom used as the Baron loved sitting on his throne the entire day; therefore, Harald had the room immediately refurbished and put to good use, with a large wooden table occupying the center of the room, which Harald sat behind going over paperwork.

"What is it, lad? We are about to head out, and I'm tallying up some last-minute costs before we begin our march up the river to Rouen." Harald said as he glanced up at his son donned in half-plate armor and a smile came across his face.

"Ah, my boy came to show me how he looks outfitted like a warrior? Haha! You look formidable, Ragnar. Go on; I'll be with you in a minute."

Ragnar softly coughed, noticing his father shift his attention back down to his books. "I had to discuss something with you." He said with a smile across his face.

Harald looked back up as he narrowed his eyes. "Well, go on then?"

"Right, well, how much silver do we have left in our coffers after we bought all the plate armor for our men?" Ragnar asked.

The Baron sighed as he held the bridge of his nose, looking over the papers he had in front of him to find the right figures. "Based on our bookkeeper, we have around 2000 silver left. Which should last our Barony through the winter, but we'll need more soon if we're to prosper into anything larger than a port town."

Ragnar smiled as he raised his hand. Finally, his knowledge of history would come into play, "Well, there are three main mining areas for Iron in France that we could focus on first."

Harald waved his hand in dismissal, "The basin in Lorraine, yes we know. The French king has been digging that up for centuries at this point. Though the draining issues have hampered their progress in recent years."

Ragnar growled in annoyance, "Please listen, Father. There are two more spots of Iron ore deposits within our Dukedom of Normandy." He said as a slow, smug smile broke across his face.

Harald slammed his fist on the desk as he rose, "Don't lie to me, boy. Iron is a valuable resource that wouldn't just be lying around. The best source of Iron that our Kingdom has is in Lorraine, and there have been no other sites found worthy of mining."

"Trust me, father, there is one site near the town of Caen that's probably being mined already but to a smaller degree. The second one lies between Camembert and Rouen, and this one is surrounded by forests and is more likely to be untapped. All we need to do is purchase exploratory rights to that area when we visit the Duke, and then the Iron is ours!" Ragnar clenched his fists to emphasize the point.

Harald walked up to his son, grinning wide as he hugged him in joy, before pulling apart and becoming serious, "Exploratory rights will cost us a 1000 silver young lad. It'll put the entire Barony in jeopardy over the winter if we're wrong. Why should I trust this newfound information you have?"

Ragnar turned around, frustrated that his father wouldn't jump at the opportunity, yet understanding that only a fool would blindly follow someone's advice without asking for proof. It was a testament to how his father had reached the position of Baron after ten years of patience.

He'd have to lie to his father, and the thought of it hurt his brain. Thinking on the spot, Ragnar smiled as he figured out the perfect excuse to cover up for the knowledge, "Eve told me that her father often talked about it. He said it would be part of his plans after he became the Duke to make the Dukedom rich."

Harald frowned at the explanation, as it seemed like there were still things that his Lord had kept from him. The Baron nodded as he decided to trust this information because it would make them a sizeable chunk of money if it were accurate. "Alright lad, I'll believe you and your Vixen of a woman. Let's head out now; we have an army to lead." Harald chuckled as he ruffled the hair of his massive boy.

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