Caradon Day 7 - Earth: March 3, 2020

Frank awoke refreshed today like each of the previous three days. The Healing Sleep power which was too dangerous to use in the field for frivolous purposes really improved his beauty sleep. Frank sent to his familiar.

bantered the 140 kg Mastiff as his mate began to stir near him.

Frank smirked at Branthor's response enjoying the developing camaraderie with his familiar. After a brief period to enjoy this simple pleasure, his thoughts turn to all the progress made during the last two days. He and his citizens managed to improve military training, start the socialization of his protectors, complete the longhouse, and make significant progress on the salt facility and the defensive trench.

Narius, Soro, and Frank developed a method for increasing the mental resistence of both the psionically gifted troops and the ones without the gift. Branthor, his packmates, and Frank gave very low powered Psi Blasts to troops to unlock to unlock psionic damage resistance. Learning Psi Blast from Branthor had been very easy since he received detailed mental images and feelings through the mindlink. Conversely, Branthor learned the influence power from Frank during the other facet of the training as Frank used small harmless suggestions on the troops to increase their resistance to mental influence. The simple training exercise was beginning to establish minimal mental defenses for his soldiers.

Frank was approaching his next level and leveling up his powers from all of the practice with his powers during psionic defense training sessions. Another benefit of the training was the beginnings of acceptance of his protectors within the soldiers as a group. There was a long way to go with his citizens, but the group of soldiers was the first achievable step in the socialization process.

The completion of the second longhouse was another important step in the development of the Caradon, and its completion prevented additional morale problems as citizens could move out of the tents. Tho other benefit for completing the task was that the both of his builders were able to leave today with the expedition to create the new fort at the dungeon.

Soro managed to use his gifts to complete more than half of the salt production, so some town points would be generated within the next two to three days. Narius’s Lieutenant construction team completed 90 meters of the defensive trench.

He left his room surround by his dogs satisfied with the town’s progress.

*****

Lord Maximillian Marchant reviewed the weekly reports from his growing network of spies and envoys. A network which proved its worth with his most recent victory. The first week for the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Thudor had been a maelstrom of politics and intrigue as the nobility struggled to established the Kingdom’s pecking order. Three of the most powerful families foolishly believed the King and Lord Marchant were weak, and his spies discovered enough of their plot. He just returned from the beheading of Lord Chatterly and his sons. Lord Chatterly’s wife and daughters were sold as slaves after his betrayal, and his heart raced faster than the swiftest stallion as Lord Marchant dreams of degrading and using Lord Chaterly’s eldest daughter filled his mind with delicious perverse thoughts. Lord Marchant’s brutal and iron that all within the Kingdom feared barely won control over his devilish nature. Lord Barrens and Lord McArrens would do anything to prevent the Lord Chatterly’s fate from occurring for their families. Now, he owned them heart and soul.

Work remained to ensure the smooth continuation of his power within the Kingdom, but it was time to look at the best approaches for expanding the Kingdom. The conquest of town of Carath and three small villages would allow the Kingdom to expand its area of control into an North/South oriented oval of approximately 5,000 square km. He cut orders to send diplomatic envoys to the four settlements to begin gathering the information. Political, economic, and military information to limit the cost of conquest.

One of the last reports discussed the emergence of the Empire of Caradon to the south of Carath. The arrogance of such a small town to call itself an empire! He made a note on his todo list to crush this upstart in the future. First, he would conquer his original four targets before addressing the scum to the south.

*****

Frank walks toward a meander queue of people chatting under the morning sun. The citizens gave nervous glances to his protectors as his group approaches the line. He hears Tara distinctive voice among a sea of voices discussing the daily routine while awaiting their weekly wages. The seventh day of the week, today, is payroll day.

Frank's decree defined wages based upon the proficiency of skills. The unskilled within the citizens earned 15 coppers a week, a basic soldiers earned 30 coppers a week, skilled laborers earned 35 coppers a week, the most talented earned a sliver per week, and specific indivduals earned more. At first Frank was worried that he would have to limit payroll after the first week, but he realized that 41 silvers 45 coppers per week barely scratched the treasury. He was still comitted to developing a vibrant economy wtihout being forced to rush toward it. It was better to let citizens develope services and skills that allowed them to earn more than the payroll.

"Hello, Tara. It is pleasant to see you today. How is my favorite healer? " Frank inquired.

The absolutely gorgeous woman smiled and replied "I am well Your Imperial Majesty. You are as flirtatious as always." She winked at him before continuing the conversation. "How are you?"

"I am simply telling the truth. You are beautiful and my favorite healer." Frank replied with a gentle smile. "How are your supplies for healing potions? Is there anything you need from me?"

Tara smirked again. "That is a very open ended question. Hmmm. What do I need from you? I am actually planning on placing some orders for rare compenents with the traders. Terod and I have discussed with the gatherers the types of wild herbs required for my medicines.

Jacob, one of the citizens with lumberjacking skills, interrupted their conversation. "Your Imperial Majesty, is it really necessary to ban the removal of trees within 1 km of the Palace."

"Yes, it is very important to me that the asthetics of the area are maintain. Further, there is a need to begin to remove trees heading east from the road toward the cliffs as marked just outside the banned area. I understand this adds additional work, but this is my will." Frank replied in a firm voice filled with resolve. After a few more comments, Frank moved headed to place some orders and job postings with the trading post.