40 – Speech

Keeping a metaphorical eye out for changes happening to a little overfed bat sleeping under the roof, I began my day.

It was quite distracting, splitting my focus between what I was actually doing and both my heart sense and bond feedback.

Nothing noticeable happened while I ate breakfast. However, comparing the bond before and after had a slight but distinct difference. Or at least I wanted to believe so. Not like I could take a ruler and measure its physical size.

Much clearer was the fact my mana channels never completely faded from my awareness. The ones in my right hand anyway. Even if I didn’t pay attention to them for a while, they were still feel-able afterwards.

Mana sense also stuck around, though it did weaken down to near nothing when I was full. More training needed there, I guess.

In other news, one and a half days of feeding near fifty hungry mouths had brought the pork situation under control. Only a manageable amount of meat remained, most of which was preserved in one way or another.

Unfortunately, the number of blood sausages remaining was also dwindling. Even though I was the only one eating them, my last five meals had been mostly blood sausage by volume. And I could apparently pack away a good amount of food if it was this tasty. Not to mention the occasional extra snack between meals.

Suffice it to say, even with fillers added, there was only so much blood in one pig.

I’ll have to arrange another delivery of this stuff soon. Eating is so much more fun if I actually feel sated afterwards.

Short shelf-life even after being smoked was the biggest problem I’d have to solve for a large supply. Something to think about later.

After my meal, I let Mia know I wanted to address all available staff. There were some announcements people should know. For example, Mia’s new appointment was one item on the agenda. So far, only very few people actually knew about it. While Lars and Theodore were probably the most important people to know, it wouldn’t be helpful for her new job if other servants and maids only heard about it through rumors.

It took half an hour, but everyone was finally gathered in the entrance hall. Not just the maids and servants, but all the guards currently in the manor too. Only a dozen guards were assigned to the town at the moment, since the recent ‘vacancies’ reduced their total number from forty to thirty-seven. Twenty-five men-at-arms might still appear a bit much to guard a single manor, but Lars had decided extra training was in order after what happened.

There had been a total of nineteen non-combat staff. Big emphasis on the past tense. That number was from a week ago. Now assembled before me were only fourteen men and women, if I counted Mia among their number. Obviously the former steward had ‘left my employ’. Four more people had also been taken by the… the demon hunters? No, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t them. Was someone else here? It must have been Anaster that took them, I decided.

Anyway, four more were taken, probably by Anaster, for being in league with the demon.

That left me with eight maids and six servants. Again, this was counting Mia, who would be leaving the maid category from today on. Technically she already had, by becoming my personal attendant, but now it would be more official.

People were a bit uncomfortable being called together like this. Which I found a bit amusing, seeing as just over a day ago this room had hosted all of them in a feast. Still, I also understood their trepidation. Public announcements from Kalin were rarely a good thing.

Actually, thinking back… I amended that to never. At least me not being drunk relaxed the atmosphere a bit. And maybe the recent feast as well.

When the room had descended into awkward silence under my scrutinizing gaze, I cleared my throat. All eyes focused on me, even though some were reluctant to look in my direction.

“Hello.” Damn it, whose idea was it to hold a speech? That person should be fired. Well, time to wing it.

“All of you no doubt know who I am.” Yes, that was obvious. Less putting my foot in my mouth, please.

I cleared my throat again. At least the looks directed at me were less anxious now. Confusion had replaced that. Good enough.

“Most of you probably also know what happened recently. If not the full story, then bits and pieces at the very least. It is true – I was attacked by a demon and its followers. Twice, really. Once by a traitorous mage I previously considered a friend, then again by some foolish guards.”

Quite a few in the gathered group shifted uncomfortably at my words. The worry was also creeping back in. This lead-in would have undoubtedly been followed by some kind of punishment before.

“The good news is, demon hunters arrived and dealt with the traitors. Not to mention the corrupted remnants. My own uncle, Lord Anaster Steelheart, also ensured all traces were eradicated. Quite spectacularly at that.”

Some smiles actually appeared at that. I agreed, the silver flame fireworks had been amazing. And I wasn’t even a person who grew up in a remote, mundane little town like my staff. That spectacle was very likely the most impressive thing any of the people here had ever seen, by a wide margin.

“Now, this event has opened my eyes. I have gained a new appreciation for life and humanity. Also, the grace of the gods that allowed me to be healed of my wounds and purged of any trace of corruption.”

Thanks for not smiting me as well, Lady Noctin. And for letting me use your blessing as a cover.

My pendant flashed dimly. I still didn’t know what I did to deserve such blessings, but I hoped it would last. Luckily, Noctin was known to be stable and relaxed, not fickle like some gods. The moon’s phase changed over time, but always in predictable patterns.

“In light of this new perspective, I must admit that though you know me, I barely know any of you. I plan to change that. To accomplish this, I will be holding a series of conversations over the next few days.”

That certainly got their attention. And lots of extra anxiety heaped on top as well. I really needed to properly fix my image.

“Don’t worry too much about it. In fact, this might be good news for some of you. A few new positions are opening up. For example, who here is currently responsible for maintaining the garden?”

It took nearly half a minute until a nervous man raised his hand.

“Do you like gardening?”

“Err, yes, my lord.” He was shaking.

“See, that’s good! I plan to appoint an official gardener. Or maybe groundskeeper is a better title? Not the important part. Consider the matter and we’ll speak more about it later. Anyone else who wants may also apply for the job.”

I really needed to get someone to clear the way between the manor and my magical fruit tree. Having to fight through what amounted to half a jungle every time was getting very old, very fast.

Not that I was certain that man actually wanted to be a full-time gardener. He might have just said he liked gardening because I was the one asking. A proper interview would tell.

“That was my first announcement. Now, on to the second. Due to the previous steward’s betrayal, a replacement is necessary. From now on, my personal attendant Mia will be acting steward until she either takes the position permanently or someone else more suited replaces her.” I waved my hand to highlight Mia, standing to my side.

There were some halfhearted acknowledgments. Then someone started clapping, so more people joined in. Looking to the source, I saw Lily mingled into the crowd, smiling brightly.

Once the more enthusiastic congratulations started fading, I cleared my throat again. The room quickly quieted down.

“Can anyone here read and write?”

Two of the maids and one servant raised their hands. Lars’ hand went up too, though Theodore was the one who actually lifted it. The old man was not quite suppressing a smirk. Among the guards, only two hands went up, though uncertainly.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Well, that was actually more than I’d feared.

“One thing our upcoming discussions will contain are matters of pay.” Another wave of worry, of course. “I’m sure it will gladden you to hear that if you can prove your literacy, there will be a pay raise.”

True to what I said, the five who claimed to be literate looked happy. Well, one of the guards was using his smile to hide his anxiety, but that was fine.

“On a totally unrelated note, the new acting steward will be receiving lessons from doctor Theodore. I’m sure the good doctor won’t complain if a few more people turn up. I will leave the exact arrangements in his capable hands.”

Unlike his earlier amused smirk, Theodore choked and started coughing. With a smirk of his own, Lars clapped the man on the back a few times. That the older man almost fell over from the helpful gesture was surely a coincidence.

“To the last important point of this gathering. An official message has arrived from the Steelheart family. In approximately two weeks, one of my sisters will be arriving here. She will be staying for an unknown amount of time. I want everything prepared for a proper welcome by the end of this week. Mia will be coordinating matters.”