Chapter 20 A New home.

I stare at the Screen in front of me with open mouth, a dumbfounded look on my face.

“What is it Scott?” Julie wondering

“I became a Baron..........and NPC's” I half whisper.

“What about NPC's? Cindy now jumps in.

"I do not understand it myself, it says I now have access to NPC's and it is asking if I want to establish this place as my headquarters”, I reply still staring at the screen re-reading everything.

“What are the benefits?” Cindy asks again.

“Here, let me read it to you all” I say and begin to read the text in front of me. Everyone gathered, listens in with great interest and as I continue, smiles begin to show.

“Well, what the hell are you waiting for, say yes already”, the Sheriff shouts at me smiling happily.

“Before I say yes, we need to think this over on the implications” I say with caution.”It says NPC's Guards will appear, is also says NPC's will move into the area to establish homes, and we have to clear the area of the current creatures”.

“So, they are there to protect us right?” The sheriff asks not understanding my hesitation.

“I think we are missing something here or maybe I am over thinking it.” I sigh unsure of myself.

Go with the flow is my motto, has not let me down yet I think to myself “YES!” I say finally.

Instantly everything lights up, the floors, the walls, in the center of the room 40 lights begin shimmering.

Peoples panicked voices can be heard, everyone is scrambling for cover. The Deputies all grab their weapons and aim at the lights including myself and the Sheriff.

I yell with authority” Everyone do not panic, we are making some changes. Stay calm!”

The Shimmering lights and the glowing walls and floors continue for a full minute. The Floors and Walls begin to warp, changing. The 40 lights continue pulsing, but nothing has materialized yet.

Just as suddenly the lights and glowing appeared it starts to recede. In its place are now stone walls and a polished marble floor. The windows are still there unchanged, I think, not sure to be honest. In place of the 40 lights 40 Knights stand in place. One in Silver with blue trimmings in his armor, with a blue plume coming from his helmet and 3 other with Silver and yellow trimmings, with yellow plumes, while the remaining 36 are all in silver with white plumes.

As one, they all fall to their left knee causing a clash of metal on marble to be heard in unison, right hand over their hearts. The Blue Knight speaks with head bowed, “My Lord! We are here to server you, give us your orders!” he says respectfully.

Everyone’s jaw drops at the spectacle

I hesitate at first, but then step forward, I hope I get this right, saw it on TV a few times, “Rise Sir Knight and introduce yourself!” I say with a loud voice.

The Blue plumed Knight rises, respect in his eyes looking at me,” I am the Captain his lords personal guard, Sir Winford! My Lord” he says in a deep and melodic voice.

I look over the gathering, and was about to issue a command, but was interrupted when a heavy set woman appears from the kitchen running with her short stubby legs, she looks well worn in the face, her apron fastened about her waist and a white cap covers her graying hair.

“My Lord! My Lord!” she cries out falling to one knee head bowed,” It is terrible I must tell you we are almost out food, the pantries are bare and nothing to cook with”, she cries.

“And you are? I ask somewhat stunned.

“Ahh forgive me my lord!” she begs,” I am but the humble Chief Cook Anabelle, in my lords service, my Lord”.

That was a lot of my lords there, now this is going to take a lot of getting used to....sigh

I pause and think, everyone is staring at me, waiting on me, the seconds tick away till finally,damn this is awkward. then taking a deep breathe I give out my orders.”Captain!”

“My Lord!” He replies with head bowed and with respect.

“The Deputies here will escort some of your men to the entry ways, assign some of your men to guard them. Also assign some men to patrol and clear the halls of this place. There is a a large office, down the hall to the right. assign guards there as well. I want an 8 hour shift rotation.

“It will be done My Lord!” He replies with a smile eager to comply.

“Sheriff” I say looking to him

“Yes Scott?” he asks now curious.

“Please have a deputy escort the guard to each entrance and open the doors to this facility, I want all exits open. If people come, I want them to be able to get in. The guards will be their guide from there on. Also assign one deputy to be with the guards at the doors. 3 rotations 8 hour shifts.” I say to him.

“When done you, Patterson, Julie, Cindy and I will go and secure food and supplies!”, I add.

“On it Scott!” he says with a smile relief on his face now. Seems his moral has gone way up.

“Oh! Captain!”, I call out to the Captain following a few Deputies.

He turns swiftly” Yes My Lord?”

“I want a guard at all times on the first room in the hallway to your right as well”, better to be cautious and keep our our cache under guard since we have the manpower now.

“Yes My Lord, it will be done!” He replies.

“Anabelle is it? Please rise” I now look at the self proclaimed Chief cook, almost forgetting she was there and still on one knee waiting

lord this is going to take ALOT of getting used to, these NPC's will do nothing without instructions it seems. I grumble inwardly

“Yes my Lord?” She stands up, but keeps her head bowed not making eye contact.

“For now take stock of what we do have, I and others will secure more food. Are there any others with you?” I ask curiously.

“Of course my lord it will be done, and yes there are 19 others, we have a full staff. 5 cooks with myself being the 6th and 14 maids and servants, my lord.” She replies hesitantly but with respect.

“Is their a chief maid or servant?” I ask.

“No, My Lord you have yet to appoint a chief of staff” she replies head still bowed looking a the ground.

Argh that is right, my staff.... sigh ok will get to that in a minute.

“Very well, you are dismissed Anabelle” I say to her.

She curtseys “ Thank you my lord it is a pleasure to server you!” then runs off as fast as she arrived.

Man things are going fast now and we still need to get on the road, I need to delegate.

People are still gathered and watching me, uncertain what to do right at this point. Many are inspecting the walls and floors still disbelieving the changes to the room. A soft murmur is heard from the crowd as people are talking excitedly.

“Folks with the Guards showing up and this place now declared a safe zone, means the school is safe to wander in. That also means the showers are free to use as well as all the classrooms. We need to clear out all the classrooms to make room for living areas so all can have some private space. If you all would be so kind, as to take upon this task while I and the Sheriff go secure food, it would be greatly appreciated.” I try to be polite, non demanding here, hoping each person will take the initiative.

Many begin to nod and I hear a few “A shower would be great right now!” and many begin to rush off.

I shrug and hope things will be taken care of before we get back, it is not a high priority but it will give them something to do while we get food.

“So how does it feel to be a lord now,” Julie teases leaning close to me grabbing my right arm with both of hers.

“To be honest I do not really know what to think yet, I can say this, with the guaranteed safe zone, it will liven up a lot around here.” I reveal to her with a smile.

“Well all I know is I feel better with those guards here now”, Cindy says, then with a big smile” does my Lord have any orders for us?” she teases grabbing my left arm.

“Sigh I hope you two know the pain I am in right now....” I sigh out loud.

“I thought we took care of that last night?” Julie purrs into my her.

I am speechless,”Hey, you know I m not talking about that!”

They both begin to laugh. Wow what happened last night anyways, that was pretty intense. And Julie was so adamant about not sharing, now her and Cindy are like Sisters?

“Speaking about last night...what exactly happened? I mean I greatly, and believe me greatly appreciate it, but you two, you know?” I ask hesitantly not sure how to broach the subject.

Julie then moves to Cindy and Cindy looks at Julie, they take each others hands and then look at me, Julie starts,” Cindy and I had a nice long chat last night girl to girl, while you were off planning”

“That's right, we spoke our peace to each other and came to a decision. After we talked we realized how much we both loved you, an that you loved the 2 of us. Do not get me wrong, it was not all lovey dovey at first and said lets share.” Cindy says getting embarrassed.

“No we actually had a heated argument at one point” Julie continues, “I was not expecting this, to be honest. I always thought I would be in a one man one woman relationship, but as we were talking. I felt a kinship to Cindy, a bond that we both share and realized it was you. I know I told you yesterday to tell her what we discussed earlier, but it is easier said than done you know, accepting it.”

“After listening to Julie and seeing how you act with her and me and your confession to me as well, I realized even tho I want you all to myself, your heart is with both of us.” Cindy sighs and smiles” and I can accept that now, after talking to Julie, we also planned last night. As a test of sorts”.

“A test?”, I ask listening to them.

“Yes, we planned last night to see if we were ok with it, and as it turns out,” Julie leans in very close to whisper in my ear,” I got very turned on by it.” She begins to giggle embarrassed, her cheeks turning red.

Cindy leans into my other ear,“you have no idea how hot that was last night, I almost lost control of myself.”

“you lose control?” I ask, my voice raising.”I almost lost my mind!”

“Ssshshhh, the others will hear you!” Julie shushes me and giggles again looking around embarrassed.

Cindy triumphantly, “so there you have it, we are a package deal now!” she declares taking Julie into her arms, who returns the favor.

Oh Thank you god, thank you god oh bless me..............

“I am very happy to hear that and am relieved,” I say trying to keep a straight face, but the goofy smile slowly starts to creep up on me,” and know I love you both so very much!”

“We love you too” they both said in unison both smiling.

At this time I see the Sheriff and the Captain of the guard returning.

“My Lord! As you commanded, guards have been posted and patrol of the facility has been set!” He reports with a crisp salute, hand to the heart.

"Very good captain make sure these people here stay safe, the Sheriff and I have to leave and secure food" I rrply giving him more instructions.

“As you command my lord!” He replies

“Oh and while we are away find a place and designate it for you all to bunk up and rest during your rotations” I say to him and then dismiss him. He walks away eagerly to do the task,

“A little overboard don't you think”, the sheriff says with a laugh

“Go with the flow Sheriff, go with the flow!” I reply to him resigned.

The girls laugh. “Now now my lord, you do not want to disappoint your subjects!” Julie says laughing.

“The flow? What flow?” The sheriff says confused.

“Well lets grab Patterson and head out shall we?” I say to the group. It is now about 9:40 am. The new spawns have probably already hit, what new creatures awaits us we can only imagine.