"How are today's yields?" Jamie, new lord of Nimrim held an olive fruit in his right hand, while examining hundreds of baskets laid out before him.
Although before him were over a hundred baskets worth of olive fruits, he knew depending on his sight would be a fatal flaw.
Should the yield and money coming from this tree reduce and he had no explanation to give to the lord, his life would be at stake.
After all, there were many who would accuse him of embezzlement!
Many who wanted his position! The last lord was an example of a man who fell from the grace of His Lordship.
"Today's yield is 15 percent lower than yesterday's, My Lord." Alfred, his right hand man whispered, his tone unstable. Jamie couldn't tell if it was due to fear of the astronomical drop or something else.
Jamie's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he scrutinized the evergreen olive tree. His expression turned thoughtful, his mind likely racing with calculations.
"Why did it drop?" He lifted his eyes to the farmers littered about the roots of the evergreen olive tree, his eyes narrowing on their iconic straw hat and cane weaved baskets attached to their backs.
"The tree didn't didn't yield as much today and I think the cause is the healers of the Crimson Temple have ceased their duty or attending to it for the past one month." Alfred revealed, his tone laced with frustration.
Jamie's eyes widened in alarm as he rubbed his forehead, trying to ward off the growing headache. "They'll have my head on a platter at this rate," he muttered, his voice laced with anxiety.
"What are their reasons?"
"Expanding closer to the mountain peak. They say it belongs to the Crimson Temple solely and the Crimson Temple is an independent organisation, not under the city lord but above. We destroy whatever structure is built there, they'll tend to their duties."
All Alfred said made Jamie's attempt to ward off the headache fail. The lord shut his eyes, trying hard to figure a way out of this mess.
"Those structures are for people. The town has expanded to 6000 people. Where are 1000 going to stay if we pull down those structures?"
"They suggest ignoring the wall and building outside."
"What?! We'll have to garrison men outside the wall to protect them then. Our men won't be as effective without a wall!"
Their discussion was abruptly interrupted by a commotion - farmers near the tree were pointing and shouting, their faces filled with a mix of excitement and concern.
Others rushed to join them, their expressions changing from curiosity to alarm.
Jamie's brow furrowed in confusion as he turned to a soldier on horseback stationed below the platform. "Find out what's going on," he instructed, his voice firm and authoritative.
The soldier galloped there and came back with a greater speed, his experience mirroring that of the farmers.
"It's His Lordship! He's here with his personal army!"
Jamie's expression changed. Ever since he sat as the city lord, he had never seen the duke in this small town.
What could have brought him?!
Bring me my horse!' Jamie commanded, his voice firm. A soldier swiftly obeyed, leading the horse to Jamie, who mounted it and rode out to meet Asher.
As he approached, Jamie's eyes widened in awe at the sight of Asher astride a majestic white wolf, flanked by an imposing entourage.
Despite the distance, Jamie felt a sense of humility wash over him.
He reined in his horse, signaling his men to halt. In unison, they dismounted and bowed, their heads lowered in reverence.
"Welcome to Nimrim, Your Lordship!" Jamie and his men declared, their voices echoing across the landscape.
Asher's commanding presence seemed to loom over them. "Rise," Asher instructed. "Prepare the manor for me and my men tonight."
Jamie nodded humbly, avoiding direct eye contact. "It shall be done before we arrive, My Lord."
A soldier rode out, galloping across the field in mere moments, leaving them behind.
Asher knew he was the man sent out to make sure the manor was prepared for his impending arrival.
"Your Lordship, I am Jamie, lord of Nimrim. I was appointed by your regent Kelvin Salvatore. It's an honour."
Asher cast a sidelong glance at him from Sirius's back. Those on horseback were shorter than he who was on Sirius' back, courtesy to Sirius height!
He responded with a soft nod. Not long after, they got to the wooden walls raised to defend the civilians of Nimrim from wild beasts.
While moving through the city's thoroughfare, Asher lifted his gaze and saw the buildings on the mountain.
"Have the members of Crimson Temple increased so massively?" His calm voice fell into Jamie's ears.
Jamie's eyes followed Asher's gaze, his heart sinking as he realized Asher was staring at the Crimson Mountain.
"Those are homes for the civilians," Jamie replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
But Asher's frown deepened. "The Crimson Temple is not for civilians," Asher warned, his tone firm. "Do not expand in that direction."
Jamie's heart raced, the words echoed in his mind long after Asher had departed.
He spent the entire night holed up in his study, scribbling notes and making plans, his exhaustion growing with each passing hour.
As the first light of dawn crept in, Jamie's heavy eyelids finally gave in, and he dozed off, his head resting on the table.
The soft knocking at the door jolted him awake. "My Lord, His Lordship is preparing to leave," Alfred announced, his voice gentle.
Jamie rose up, adjusted his shirt, took the coat hung on his chair and walked out with heavy steps which became crisp and graceful by the time he walked out of the manor and into the courtyard.
He sighted Asher caressing his wolf and approached.
Asher shot him a sidelong glance. "I shall channel 100,000 gold coins to aid the reconstruction of Nimrim."
His warm tone made Jamie blink in surprise. "Really?— cough! It's an honour, My Lord." He bowed.
Asher let out a low, amused chuckle and patted Jamie's shoulder in a gesture of reassurance.
Then, with a fluid motion, he swung his leg over the crouching wolf's back and settled into the saddle.
With a gentle tug on the reins, the majestic wolf, Sirius, rose to its feet.
As it did, it cast Jamie a sidelong glance, its piercing gaze forcing Jamie to take a step back, his heart skipping a beat.
Just then, the gates were opened and Asher rode out. Jamie proceeded to the top of the walls with his right hand man.
"I've never seen him before, and I don't think I'll ever forget this encounter," Jamie said, his voice filled with sincerity.
Alfred's expression softened, and he let out a gentle, nostalgic chuckle. "I remember when I first saw him, too," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "He and that wolf were just fragile little things back then, still under the protection of the knights. That was a long time ago, when Nineveh was still known as Ash Town."