Things are finally going to start progressing again, have to get a few more things out of the way, that will lead up to the main story arc of this book. We are about 1/3 of the way thru so far before Book 2 starts. The Barony Table took the longest. It was big! Gives you an idea of what is to come :)

As Always thank you for reading and please take the time to give me a review, so I know where to improve!

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Chapter 23 The New Guard

Looking at the storeroom, the area was packed with food. I looked at the freezer and it was full too, but it all fit, barely. Now we got all this food, but nowhere to put it? I think to myself.

“Sheriff?”, I look at him for help.

“Don't look at me. I did not think about it either. Damn, we really did get a lot of stuff eh?” The Sheriff says with a shrug looking at everything in amazement.

“Gentlemen, why not store it in the Gym for now, all the non-perishables that is. We can go back to the store later and get as many shelves as we can carry. Then we will be able to organize all this.” Cindy says while sweeping her hand in a grand gesture at everything.

“If we go, I think we should take a few more people who want to get initiated, with us”, Julie adds looking at everything.

“You are right Kitten, I wanted to do that soon, but now is a good time as any” I agree with her, then look at Cindy,” Honey, you mind taking care of this please?”

Cindy looks at me and smiles,” You owe me one Tiger!”, with a mischievous grin.

The Sheriff leans in and whispers,” Tiger? Kitten? Really? Both girls Scott?”

I give him my goofy grin and say noting. Yups both of them! Yeah life is looking good! I begin to think to myself, still wearing my goofy grin.

“Scott you know you are going to pay dearly for those thought later right?” Julie says to me in a low voice pinching me in the side.

What the hell?? Julie now too? Am I unconsciously speaking out loud?? I ask myself confused.

Julie offers to help Cindy, Patterson assists as well, while the Sheriff and I head to the Gym to unload the rest of our stuff.

We arrive at the Gym, it is of course spacious as is a typical High School Gym. “Looks like we can convert this to a warehouse”, I think out loud.

“Yeah we just need to post a guard so no one steals food or gets tempted” The Sheriff agrees, and thus it was the decided the the Gym became our new warehouse.

“So you said you could upgrade this place,” The Sheriff asks curiously.

“Yeah it said I could, I just have not had the time to look it over yet, to be honest, there is so much to do,” I say to him with a discouraged look.

“Well you got time now right?” The Sheriff smiles understanding.

Hmm how to call up the Barony menu? I think

“Barony” I say, as it is a similar command to status and decided on that.

Barony Status ScreenOwner:Scott SmithPopulation:214Population Increase this month:-5862Land Owned Km2:78.64Monthly Income:-540g 43s 69cMonthly Expenses (All)548g 8s 0cTreasury Holdings:8g 36s 31cStructure Owned by the BaronyTotal Structure owned:1Total Monthly Upkeep of Structures:210gLevel 0 Keep Monthly upkeep:200g damaged 11%Walls: Simple Fence10g incomplete, damage 36%Fortifications: None0g NoneWatch towers: None0g NoneRamparts: None0g NoneStaff of the BaronyTotal Staff Barony: 0Total Monthly Wages (Staff) of Barony: 0gStaffMonthly WageBarony Chief of Staff: none specified0gBarony Chief of Foreign Affairs: none specified0gBarony Treasurer: none specified0gBarony General of the Army: none specified0gBarony Chief of Justice: none specified0gBarony Chief of the Interior: none specified0gBarony Chief of Agriculture: none specified0gBarony Chief of Commerce: none specified0gBarony Chief of Labor: none specified0gBarony Chief of Magic: none specified0gBarony Chief of Education: none specified0gTotal Personnel of Barony: 60Total Monthly Wages (Personnel) of Barony: 338gPersonnelPersonal Guards: 40Total Monthly Wages: 254gCaptain: Alexander Winford50gSergeant: Rolgar Flackson20gSergeant: Beomor Satker20gSergeant: Emnis Leoshar20gRegular Guards: 36264gChief Cook: Annabelle Humphries12gCooks: 520gHead Maid: None0gMaids: 848gHead Butler: none0gBulters: none0gHead Servant: none0gServants: 624gStanding Army total: 0Total Monthly Wages: 0gGenerals: 00gColonels: 00gMajors: 00gCaptains: 00gLieutenants:00gSergeants: 00gBowmen: 00gCross Bowmen: 0g0gKnights: 00gMounted Knights: 00gLight Calvary: 00gSwordsmen: 00gPikemen: 00gCommon Soldier: 00gMages: 00gHealers: 00gBarony Stables and Motopool:Total Monthly Upkeep and Wages: 8sChief Stable Hands: none specified0gBarony Stable Hands: none0gHorses owned: 00gChief Mechanic: none specified0gMechanics: none0gVehicles owned: 1 Truck8s

Really? It is like I am running a small country here. GRRRR! I should never had let them talk me into this, sigh I complain to myself looking over the Barony Overview.

Then I look at the population, hmm 214 people, lets see 112 when we arrived, added 4 deputies, 40 guards, 20 staff, so total should be 176. huh? Where are the other 38?

I then ask the Sheriff, “ when we got here you said you had 109 people here right? Adding Julie, Cindy and myself was 112 right?”

“That sounds about right Scott, yeah that is right. Why?” He states then asks curiously.

“Here it says we have 214 people in the Barony”, I reply slowly trying to figure it out. Survivors in the nearby houses or stores? I think. All other thoughts now leave my mind. If they are out there we need to get to them fast, many may be running out of food and scared to death to move.

“You bring a bullhorn Sheriff?”, I ask

“Better, we can use the police vehicles at the end of the road, just have to dig them out of that mess”, he says with a grim smile.

"I think between the 4 Deputies, Patterson, Julie , Cindy, you and myself we will manage, after all we got initiated, you should feel it already, the strength growing? By the way have you allocated stat points yet?” I asked remembering.

“Not yet, was not really sure what to put them in yet” he says scratching the back of his neck.

“For now, how about strength, might be able to push a vehicle by yourself. You are going to allocate to strength anyways, we can make up the next stats with the coming levels. Getting those people to safety should be our first priority no matter the cost.” I say looking at him seriously.

He nods then says, “Status”, nods a few times. After a moment, he looks at me and says “done!” he smiles satisfied.

We head back to the Cafeteria, it seems that is remains the main gathering area for everyone. The Captain of the Guard appears before me,” My Lord!” he says with a bow of the head, hand to the heart.

“Ahh, Captain Winford! I was just about to look for you”, I say to him remembering what I wanted to ask of him.

“Yes My Lord! What are you orders?” He asks.

“No, you go first Captain, what did you need?”, I urge him on.

“My Lord! Now that we have secured the facility, we can now expand to set up gate guards as well at the main gates, We have secured the 2 main entrances into this keep, we have a patrol on each of the floors, thus leaving us able to patrol the grounds and hold the gates.” He states with respect.

“Then make it so, number 1” I say with a flourish, then cringe as soon as I say it, Arg! Why did I say that haha oh well.

The Captain looks somewhat confused, then regains his composure and smiles saluting, “Yes My Lord! Your will be done!” Then he stands there waiting.............

Oh right the question “Uhh Yes Captain Winford, Tell me, how many guard would you normally need for a place like this?” I ask curiously

He looks at me at first confused again, then replies,” My Lord! Normally I would have 150 Guards for the 3 shifts you designated. As the Keep grows we should increase the guard level as well. I would like to place guards along the walls and have standard patrols to keep watch as well, as one can never to be cautious, My lord!”

“I see, so we need 110 more guards to fully secure this place is what you are telling me?” I say questioning him for information. I am used to setting up watch and patrols, however I never had to defend a keep, protect walls and patrol for roaming monsters before. As this is his field of expertise, I will defer to his knowledge.

“That would be correct, My Lord!”, He replies.

“And if I were to find such people, how would I go about hiring them?” I ask of the Captain.

And he looks confused then smiles once again,” My Lord you would have them swear fealty then take the knights oath to protect and serve the Barony and the Baron of course.”

"One more question Captain Winford and I know this my sound strange, bur what abilities do the Personal Guard have besides the anti beast aura?", I ask as a thought occurred to me.

“Anti beast aura My Lord? Well, it is true the beasts do not come near this place with the guards in place, but if they happen to wander near within our range ,we are able to strike them down in force. with our blades. It is rare a beast should try to invade the keep area, it would take a special beast indeed.” Th Captain says proudly. “ As to our other capabilities, well you could say we are compared to paladins of sorts, we can lay hands on the wounded, we have limited healing abilities, but in an emergency they can avoid death.”

“In a fight we can enhance ourselves and those around us, the more experience one has the greater the enhancements. As we grow our swords become stronger as well, as they are a part of us” He finishes.

“Thank you Captain, that will be all", I say dismissing him. He salutes and leaves quickly

“Make it so number one? That Baron thing going to your head, Scott?” Snickers the Sheriff.

" That...That just slipped, honest, when I said captain, it popped in my mind so sudden and it slipped” I sigh embarrassed.

“In any case I got an idea from him, I think it will help us in the long run too. If you are up for it” I say with a knowing smile.

“Well do not keep me hanging, tell me” he demands.

I go over it with him and at first he frowns but then after a while he nods, and says, "that sounds pretty good actually, but that first part kinda sounds silly to me, but if that is what we have to do, so be it, I am in.” he says giving his approval.

“You realize you will be giving up your 2nd profession doing so,” I say to him, looking at him to see if I may have gone too far with this idea.

"Like I said, the first part is .,...well never mind, it does not really matter if this works, as to my 2nd profession that is a hell of a lot better than what I can think of. In any case what makes you think it will work?” He asks.

“The Captain told us the answer”, I said with a broad smile. We dumped all our groceries in the Gym and then headed for the Cafeteria. The Sheriff assembled all the deputies without delay.

When all were gathered and some of the regular people had gathered as well, I stepped forward. “Folks I think we found a third way to initiate people and give them a profession at the same time”. I start off.

“The catch is, in doing so you will have to take an oath, as I think only a Lord or higher can bestow this,” I say looking over all the people gathered who are looking quizzically at me.

“I think I can bestow upon you all a profession that will not only be able to ward of creatures, but also give you some advanced gear similar to mine” I say making sure the words sink in by pausing at the last part, seeing several peoples eyes light up, like Cortez and Foutz.

“So all those who wish to take part, simply step forward and get on one knee”, I say to them all. I wait as they look at one another and one by one, they slowly step forward and drop to one knee, the Sheriff had done so without hesitation. Then all of them were on one knee, even a few of the civilians had stepped forward to do so, 9 in all. With the Sheriff, Patterson was there as well, I had 25 people on one knee in front of me.

“Do you swear allegiance to me and to protect these lands and its people from all harm, foreign and domestic, so help you god?” I ask simply, looking at each persons expression. There were a few confused faces, but no one objected and all said yes.

"Then by the power granted me as the Baron of these lands, I bestow upon you the profession, Elite Tactical Personal Guard,” I say proudly, God, I hope to hell this works, I believe I believe I believe”, you may rise my guards!”.

As one they all rise, then several begin:

“hey what is this”

“what the hell!!”

I see several swiping in the air in front of them at something. Oh shit!

"FOLKS! it is the welcome screen, you are about to be initiated, it is.....”

Many fall to the ground, enveloped by a blue light, backs arched or on the floor writhing in great pain, screaming out.

…..going to hurt a bit” I say too late. Damn! Forgot to warn them.........

Sheriff looks at me hopelessly and sighs, shaking his head.........