Shova, 21th, 10,391

  The wheedling voice of Gatbark’s assistant refused Six. “I'm sorry my lord but Mr.Gunnbjorn is very busy. Could he perhaps meet with you later?”

  “No.” Six shook his head stepping forward to Gatbark’s meeting room, Kathy close behind.

  The assistant fell back and blocked his way again. He babbled. “Ah, er, well.”

  “Excuse me.” Six slowly pushed past the man and opened the door to his protests.

  “My lord!”

  Six looked into a well lit, nicely furnished room to see Gatbark at the head of a meeting with Franklin and a few of the other highly skilled crafters.

  “Six? What are you doing here?” Gatbark asked.”

  Six shook his head, no. “For this meeting I will be referred to by my title.”

  The vibe of the room shifted and a certain fragility set in. Something no one wanted to break.

  Gatbark gave a nod, barely a bow. “Yes Lord. What can I do for you?” His voice calm and low.

  Six began to pace slowly about the room, tapping his fingers together in thought. “What is the going rate for a slave?”

  Gatbark considered. “Forty to fifty gold but it depends on the slave.”

  “If I was to check this with Leoka what would she say?”

  The dwarf guffawed, “Perhaps twenty to thirty but she isn't as discerning or have as much experience as me when it comes to trade.”

  Franklin spoke up, “twenty for most. Fifty for someone with a journeyman skill. It can get higher for masters.”

  Six nodded. Pondering. “What about their level?”

  Franklin pointed up. “Makes the price go higher but it's hard to keep a slave more leveled than your guards. It can be done though.”

  “So they do try to escape then?

  Gatbark chuckled scornfully. “Of course, not everyone wishes to honor their debts.”

  “Hmmm, how many slaves do you have Gatbark?”

  “Ten.”

  “How’d you get em?”

  “Contracts bought from Olisrosa or from immigrants wishing succor and employment.

  “You have slaves, Franklin?”

  She nodded. “A few are on my crew”

  “How’d you get em?”

  “Kinda just fell into it when you were gone, Leoka bought em. Really they’re your slaves I suppose. I'm just using them.”

  “Oh wow. I already have slaves?” He looked at Kathy and gave a guilty shrug. “First I'm learning of this.”

  The earthling scoffed.

  Gatbark answered.“Yes. But may I ask why my Lord?”

  “I am going to abolish slavery.”

  The crafters in the room all started furious murmurs.

  “But why?”

  “Abolish slavery?”

  “Preposterous!”

  “The Lord has gone mad!”

  Six lifted a hand for order. “I am not from here, I am an outsider. My ways are foreign to you. But I am the direction here. There are things that are abhorrent to me and slavery is one of them. It is immoral.”

  Gatbark gritted his teeth, grinding and cracking. “You seek to destroy our investments after the fact because of your morality?”

  “Yes.”

  “You go too far my Lord, it is not our way. You can’t do this.”

  “Yes, I can. But whoever here thinks the village would wish to continue this practice, raise your hand.”

  The only person to not raise their hand was Kathy.

  “Even still, I must abolish it. The penalties for holding slaves will be severe. I will reimburse those who wish to stay in Mountain’s End, at fair market rate for the slaves. If you do not wish to part with your slaves you will have to leave.”

  Gatbark slammed the table. “But my lord, I will be crippled without the skilled labour those slaves represent.”

  “If you need them so, pay them.”

  “But the prices for goods will jump if I have to do that. People won't be able to afford my services.”

  “So be it.”

  “So be it?” Gatbark asked in disbelief.

  “It is what it is. Figure it out.”

  “Grrr! Many of these slaves wouldn’t even be able to take care of themselves without us. I treat my slaves very well!”

  “I don’t care. If they truly are so skilled they can take care of themselves or pay you from their wage for the hassle.”

  “I was a slave for twenty years! It's not right that they get to go free so easily.”

  “Your trauma has no place in deciding policy.”

  Gatbark growled.

  Six sighed and held his hands up in peace. “I want you here Gatbark but I will not have you at the expense of fundamental freedom.”

  Gatbark spat. “So what? No one can have slaves but you?”

  “You are smarter than that statement. You know you can leave.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Gatbark said nothing.

  “I expect an itemized invoice. Do not seek to add in any who are free men. I understand you have a trading association or something?””

  “I do,” Gatbark said carefully.

  “You should stop engaging with institutions that utilize slavery.”

  The meteor dwarf winced. “The whole world slaves, boy. Things aren't easy and we-”

  “I am not a boy, I am your lord, disrespect me one more time and I will drive you from here myself.” Six stared unblinking at the dwarf, challenging the squat man. “Trade with whoever you need to in order to keep us well fed and defended. If luxuries covered in the blood of slaves are what you are importing, cease doing so.”

  Gatbark broke, casting his eyes down. “Sorry milord. I am losing money is all.“

  “My apologies, and I mean that. I understand you see no evil in it but there is no swaying me. Are there many who hold slaves here?”

  “Almost twenty people that I know of, yourself included. There must be more though.”

  “Then do not worry, we’re all taking the same hit. You are no more disadvantaged than I.”

  Gatbark scoffed.

  ***

  Kathy had not been pleased with the results. Criticizing Six for reimbursing slavers at all but he wasn’t about to punish people for operating within ill and undefined rules. This was his failure as a leader, he failed to be present enough to see or know of slavery for literal months. He hadn’t even taught Big Sister the concept so ignorant he had been.

  Of course they would see slavery as legal, it was rampant in both Olisrosa and Eridea, a normal thing in imperial society.

  So he had retreated to the townhall with Leoka and Elara hammering out the details of his new laws and orders.

  Leoka expressed some trepidation at the final cost of buying every single slave unsure if the village had enough gold to spare but Six assured her he would slash the enchantment coven’s mana core allotment and redirect it or earn the gold himself if needed.

  He told them of the scraps of plans he had related to the new festival he was planning and the women expressed interest at the idea, both wishing to help with the event. That was good because Six really didn’t have time to make it happen properly.

  The meeting was nearing its end when it was interrupted by Charles who brought a well dressed but road worn woman with him.

  Six analyzed her.

  Viana Venter

  Human

  Level 13

  “Lord Six,” Charles bowed, “may I introduce Lady Venter. Lady Venter, this is my Lord, Lord Six.”

  “How do you do,” Venter grunted, her voice tired and dry.

  SIx stood, “Good, and you ma’am?”

  She shrugged.

  There was a pause before Charles continued. “Tell him everything you told me.”

  Venter fixed Charles with a sidelong glare and balled a fist, “You have no right to order me, orc.”

  “Rude,” Six said, his face furrowing in anger..

  Charles held out a calming hand. “It's quite alright my lord. She's just been routed from her village.”

  She sniffed. “Town actually.”

  Charles stepped back and bowed deeply. “My apologies, Lady Venter. Please, my Lord Six must know your story.”

  Venter stared hatred at the Captain before clearing her throat and speaking. “I am the lady of Bundun. Was the lady of Bundun, until we were driven from it almost three weeks ago. We’ve been marching since. Harried by filthy orcs for the first half and pressed by mountain and monsters the last.

  A new leader has arisen amongst the orcish herds and we were his first target. They called him Chief Doomballa Son of Rafgarous The Trample. That was before he destroyed Bundun.

  If it had only been just his herd our walls might have stood a chance but two other chiefs joined him out of hatred for humankind. We tried to stand against them but Doomballa charged our gates and breached them himself. Earning himself a title for the act, Shatter Hoof.

  It was then we had to run from the herds. The slight protection force I had covered our retreat into the grasslands as we went east. But they chased us, harrying us further and further, giving us no chance to sleep, rest, cook. Nothing. It was only once we reached the forest did they cease their torture. Yet the forest took even more of my people than the beasts that hunted us across the grasslands, weakened and sleepless as we were.”

  She stared open hatred at Charles.

  Six needed her to stay on track. “What of the surrounding Imperial colonies? They offered no aid?”

  “We received no aid from the surrounding towns nor the City of Harmony.

  They will show themselves the fool in time, when the herds join into their great stampede and drive them out. They’re not special or safe. Not from Doomballa Shatter Hoof.

  This fine village is the first human settlement we've come across since entering the forest. I have perhaps almost a thousand I managed to bind to me, from a population nearly twice that. Fleeing the destruction of our homes.”

  The woman fell silent, a harried look on her face grew with the reality of the situation being laid bare so clearly.

  Six considered what he should do with this information. War and conflict were being waged on both sides and Six did not want to involve himself or his people in either. Death and killing should be avoided.

  But conflict stoked the fires of growth here. Ignoring the potential powerhouses that would inevitably rise from these wars would be foolish.

  But he wouldn’t go to war and trade lives just to find the statistical winners of life and death.

  Six would only engage if their safety was threatened directly. He needed to figure out how much of a threat this Doomballa was to Mountain’s End. “Charles, how aware Of Muldstanii culture are you?”

  “It's been years but I grew up in Muldstan until I was 11, I knew our ways well,” Charles assured.

  “Do you know of Harmony city?”

  Charles looked a little hesitant but nodded. “I do.”

  What do you think is going to happen?

  Charles looked off in the distance, and sighed. He turned to Lady Venter. “My Lady, do you know what happened to the rulers of Harmony during the usurpation?”

  “The Penults were killed by their Tsunken Aelf guards and Harmony has been under unofficial control of the crafter guilds since then.”

  Charles flinched at that news, his eyes wetting. Six felt a deep sadness for the kid, finally understanding his journey.

  But Charles cleared his throat and blinked away any weakness. He nodded, accepting the new reality. He spoke, “the herds will gather in the face of continued victories. And Harmony will not be able to stand against the combined might of the stampede without proper leadership and martial weight.

  It may take a year or two but they will be driven from the land. Muldstanii derision for imperials was already thick but after the conquest it permeated our people.”

  Venter sniffed. “Your way, your people, you’re a sympathizing traitor.”

  Charles shrugged. “I am Muldstanii despite my time in Zleen. Why can I not be both?”

  Six raised a hand to quiet Venter, speaking to Charles. “Do you see them coming here?”

  “No, perhaps moving through the kingdom of Ecury to the south but I doubt they'll leave the plains.”

  Then he did not need to worry about war from the west. Still. “We need more scouts to the west.”

  Charles nodded. “Yes, Lord Six.

  “Where will you and your people go now? Six asked Venter.

  “You do not wish to help us?” Venter asked dumbstruck.

  “I do wish it but we are different and all we can do is guide you along your way and to Olisrosa.”

  “My Lord, surely we could stay, even for just a few days.”

  “You outnumber us. You would disturb our tenuous equilibrium. No.”

  “Please Sir.” her voice quivering.

  “No. Surely you have lands in the east.”

  “Let us stay. Please don’t force my hand,” she whispered.

  “Or what? Your weary and worn people are going to attack us? Go east.”

  “We can't go east. Only conflict awaits to the east. I’ve had reports that tell me as much the core is aflame with war between Juthe-Wei, Tyber Zaun, and the myriad warring houses that are trying to hold or expand their lands. We would be crushed.

  “You don’t belong here, you have nothing to offer me.”

  “I offer you my fealty as a vassal of the empire.”

  “We,” Six gestured around them. “We are not empire. We’re Mountain’s End.”

  Venter sighed. “You’re a warlord? What is your house?”

  Six shook his head. “Just a guy looking out for himself and those close to him.”

  Venter took a deep breath. Releasing it and speaking with practiced calmness. “All I seek is a reprieve from the constant running. It's terrible. My people are bloody and tired, scared. They need this.”

  Six checked the Village Screen

  Current Citizens: 932

  They had grown by two hundred more people in nearly a month, could they handle twice that so soon? Six wanted more people but he had to balance it with the simple reality of the supply and demand of necessities.

  “Leoka,” Six prompted her attention.

  “Yes? Leoka asked, having followed everything so far.

  “Can our food stores absorb the doubling of demand?”

  “We have a surplus but not that much. We would essentially have to double production.”

  Six nodded and sat there thinking. There must be a way to absorb these people.

  “You may stay. If your people want your leadership I don’t mind as long as you follow our laws. But you must understand the leader of our soldiers is a Muldstanii himself and I expect you to respect him and orcs in general. Regardless of them taking your home.

  Venter drew herself in but nodded. “My lord. The empire had orcs in positions of leadership and I am no stranger to it. I can follow and obey if needed. But my lord, I need lands. As a noble it is my calling and my class also works with administrating lands. My people need a place to call home.”

  Six didn’t know classes could be based around a single interface but he supposed it made sense. But he would not threaten his control. “I am lord here.I will always be lord here.”

  She nodded. “I do not wish to diminish your claim. You could always assign me as a district supervisor. Or perhaps I can be your regent in times when you need to be elsewhere.”

  Six gestured to Leoka. “I have a regent, thank you.”

  “What do you need?” Venter asked.

  “I need you to organize your people. Warriors, builders, fishers, weavers, glass blowers. Find out who survived and send them to Leoka. Of the utmost importance are your farmers and earth mages.”

  “Most of our warriors died during the defense and retreat but we have our fair share of farmers and craftsmen. I will gather them.”

  “For now your people can camp outside the palisade. Until we make proper space for you.”

  “With the drifters?”

  Six smirked at her. “You say that like you’re better than them.”

  Venter was smart enough to look away.

  Six needed more information though. “How many imperials are living in Muldstan?”

  “almost 200,000 perhaps,” she replied.

  “And of that, how many live in Harmony city?”

  “Perhaps half.”

  So depending on how the war over there goes, he could be having even more refugees from the west. He needed to prepare and begin endlessly scaling food production. But something didn’t make sense.

  “How’d you find the opening to this glade when it faces to the east?”

  Venter shrugged. “It was chance I suppose. The river boat gave us a clue as to there being people along the river somewhere. Thought it was better to try and find shelter sooner rather than stumble through the forest for weeks only to be in a worse position.

  There was a high potential most of the refugees from the coming expulsion would just filter through the forest eastward, if they missed the clues that pointed towards Mountain's End. Still, he should be ready to absorb them.

  As much as the constant pressure for basic necessities sucked, he wanted to expand Mountain’s End’s military and industrial capabilities, not to mention unlock the next Ley Core level. So, as much as he was hesitant to accept the newcomers. He knew that their hands and subordinate slots were needed.

  Charles was the last to leave and stared off into nothing with a haunted look. “I'm not growing fast enough. I thought I would have more time.”

  Six looked at him with acceptance. “How strong do you really need to be?”

  He scoffed. “Strong enough to stop Doomballa. Strong enough to stop a true chief.”

  “Who do you seek to save?”

  “Everyone I can.”

  “Harmony City?” Six asked.

  Charles snapped his gaze to Six’s and gave a controlled nod.

  Pride stirred within Six at Charles’ idealism of youth. Six looked upon it with a certain jealous romanticism but he didn’t envy the honor nor responsibility of the boy. Six grunted. “Let me know if you need anything.”

  They parted ways.

  The sun would be going down soon but a Luminous Beacon would keep him working.

  He needed to survey and plot where the new farms were going.