From Londoner To Lord

Chapter 376 370. The Caravan - I

"That's a good idea," Kivamus said to the majordomo. "On the way back, the horses won't be dragging the weight of the trunks, so they can pull a loaded wagon easily. Let's assign two wagons here full-time, one for each crew. The workers here will load them with lumber and planks, and when the log mover crews arrive, they'll unhitch the trunks, attach the wagons behind the log movers, and take them back to the village."

Taniok nodded. "That will work." He glanced toward the workers. "I should get back now. It's still the first day, and I have a lot to organize here. I also need to select which apprentices will work here full-time, and which will stay in the village for the new construction." He grinned with a missing tooth. "Specialization, you know?"

Kivamus chuckled. "Of course. Go on, then."

He looked at the sawmill as the carpenter walked back. The first split log had been further cleaved into thinner parts while they were talking, and another log was now in the process of being split. There was no doubt that this set-up of three sawmills complementing each other was going to revolutionize construction in the village. They would be able to provide better housing, stock up on construction material for the encampment in the eastern hills for harvesting losuvil, and in the future, they could even make one or even two better overnight stops on the road to Cinran, by repairing Helga's former inn and building a new one. It would help the merchants in feeling more secure on the way, knowing they wouldn't be eaten by an adzee on the forest road while they're sleeping in the night. Once that road starts feeling safer to them, more merchants should start coming here.

There was another benefit to this. Once the second sawmill was ready, and once the immediate need for more housing was covered, it could start cutting wooden rails with ease using its parallel sawblades. Those could be laid along a better road from the coal mines to the village to move coal much faster. The same kind of rails could be used inside the mine shafts as well, which should increase their coal output by a noticeable amount. After that, they might even have to shift to a new coal dump system somewhere outside the village instead of storing even more coal in those barns within the manor, since that was a fire risk anyway. That would also empty up precious space within the manor for other purposes.

He turned to the majordomo and the guards. "Let's return now. We all have things to do. Hudan, hire the three more guards needed for this round of recruitment, and then look for 10 more guards after that. Duvas, help him choose men who are trustworthy. You also need to talk with Pinoto and Yeden."

Once Duvas nodded, they started walking back to the wagon they had traveled here on. Kivamus sighed at the sight of the wooden wagon bed. It was going to be a bumpy ride.

***

~ Tesyb ~

Tesyb sat in the middle wagon this time in Trevalo's caravan of six wagons. This way he could move toward either side quickly if there was trouble. The caravan had left the town of Cinran in the afternoon, and the light was already slipping toward sunset.

He glanced over the loaded wagons with quiet satisfaction. Trevalo had done well with the purchase. All six wagons were piled with sacks of wheat, along with other foodstuffs—potatoes, cheese, vegetables, salt, and more. Tesyb had no idea how much it had all cost, but after seeing the prices in Cinran's market square, he knew it couldn't be cheap. That was between the merchant and the baron, though. His work was simple enough: keep the caravan safe—both from beasts and bandits.

He grinned to himself, thinking of Yufim back in Tiranat. Telling his friend that he had eaten tasty food and drank some really good ale in a tavern in Cinran would be worth the whole trip by itself. The archer would be annoyed once again, knowing that he wasn't being sent to towns while Tesyb was chosen for it nearly every time. He chuckled, already picturing Yufim's expression when he heard it.

It was a pity Isuha hadn't come back with them, but Tesyb was sure the doubt was there in her mind now. She wasn't earning much in Cinran anyway—well, it was still higher than what he was supposed to earn as a guard, but then she was far more talented than him and deserved the higher amount. So if Lord Kivamus offered her a proper wage, he felt certain she would choose to return. Their family still didn't have a proper place to live: he slept in the crowded servants' hall inside the manor, while their parents stayed in the first longhouse block.

Lately he had heard rumors that more housing would be built soon—after something called a sawmill was completed near the dam—and maybe even proper houses and not just new longhouse blocks. That would make it much easier to convince Isuha who had gotten used to living a more comfortable city life. He was also excited to share this news with the baron. Even if his sister hadn't come this time, she could still decide to move in a month, when he made the next trip to Cinran.

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He glanced to the west and saw that the sun had nearly set already. They had only entered the southern forest a few hours ago, and it was still spring, but the forest canopy was already thick, nearly as dense as they became in the summer months. He estimated that it would be dark within half an hour. This was a good time to stop and make a camp for the night.

He tried to match the trees around the caravan to his memory. There had been a good stopping place somewhere near here from the last journey, close to the narrow forest trail the man from the encampment had shown them—the one that led toward his camp. They needed to head there tomorrow anyway, so it would be good to stop near that trail.

Before long, Tesyb spotted the small copse that marked the clearing near the road. He was going to order the wagons to stop when he noticed the guard on the front wagon suddenly standing up on his seat.

Tesyb frowned, not seeing anything odd yet from his own place in the middle wagon. The guard suddenly shouted, "Riders ahead!"

It took only a moment for Tesyb to understand that there shouldn't be any riders on this road. This road was barely traveled as it was. His heart started beating faster, wondering if there were bandits ahead. But why would bandits ride openly on the road instead of making an ambush? It didn't make sense.

He blew two quick whistles just in case there was danger, giving the signal to halt. The wagons began to grind to an immediate stop as he jumped down to the ground with his sword already in his hand.

The other guards followed his lead, dropping down with weapons drawn, ready to take on any threat. The wagon drivers also pulled out their long daggers and began edging the wagons closer together. Tesyb watched them with approval as they arranged the vehicles just as he had ordered earlier—forming a rough, semicircular barricade from two directions.

Having crossbows would have made a forest battle much easier—as much as they annoyed Yufim, the best archer—but even without the new ranged weapons they were far from helpless. With 14 men on their side, plus the young merchant with his sword ready and the man from the encampment as well—no ordinary bandit group could harm a hair of their group! Only the largest bands would be a real problem. But no matter, he was sure he could take on anyone! He was the one who had killed Nokozal, the Giant, after all. Well, with others' help, but still.

Once he was sure everyone was in position, Tesyb glanced back at the front. The lead guard was still standing on the wagon, squinting into the dimming light. Tesyb moved closer, ready to climb up beside him, when the guard looked back and grinned.

Tesyb's frown deepened. What? he almost asked, but the man spoke first.

"It's the other regular merchant—Pydaso—with four of our guards," the man called down. "I see Feroy, Hyola, Calubo, and someone else I can't recognize from here."

"Ah..." Tesyb let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. They were safe. For tonight anyway.

Even so, he kept the men at their posts until he could see the approaching wagons himself. It didn't take too long. The distant creaking of wheels reached them, and soon, two wagons appeared from the south around a bend on the road. The portly figure of Pydaso sat on the front one, with Calubo beside him. The second wagon had its own driver, with another manor guard perched along the seat, while Hyola and Feroy were each riding their own horses.

Tesyb grinned. They really were Tiranati people!

"Stand down!" Tesyb called. He turned to the drivers. "Move the wagons into the clearing. There's enough room for all of them."

The drivers began to steer the wagons off the road toward the spot Tesyb had pointed—the same one where they had stopped last time. It was a big enough clearing on the left side of the road, and had been used often by travelers on this road as the first nightly stop when going towards Tiranat.

Soon, Pydaso's caravan pulled alongside and came to a halt. Trevalo stepped down from his own wagon and went straight to the other merchant, greeting him with the easy manner of an old friend. Whether they had been that close before or not, Tesyb knew that both men had now chosen to base their business around Tiranat. Whatever competition they had in the past was turning into a more friendly kind of rivalry, which could only be good for the village.

Feroy climbed down from his horse and walked over to them as the guards from both caravans started to mix, clasping arms and laughing while exchanging the latest news. The noise rose quickly as everyone began trading stories at once, but with nearly 20 armed men in one place now, Tesyb doubted any bandit group would choose this night to try their luck. Even so, the guards assigned to watch duty were already spreading out to the edge of the clearing, standing near the trees and peering into the shadows, eyes sharp for any sign of danger. Dangerous predators still lived in this forest, after all.