NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Territory Data
Kael sat at his desk in the morning light, the faint remnants of last night's indulgence lingering in his mind.
The faint sound of a knock drew his attention.
He glanced up as the door creaked open, and Lysara entered, carrying a heavy leather-bound ledger in her arms.
She looked composed, but Kael noticed the faint blush on her cheeks as her eyes darted to the floor.
Her usual sharp confidence was tempered with an unusual shyness an aftereffect of the night they had shared with Mila.
"You asked for a detailed assessment of the barony, my lord," Lysara said, her voice steady but softer than usual.
She placed the ledger on the desk and stood with her hands clasped in front of her, avoiding his gaze.
"Thank you, Lysara," Kael said, his voice calm but laced with amusement.
He leaned back in his chair, gesturing for her to sit. "You've done well, as always."
Lysara hesitated, her cheeks coloring slightly, before nodding and taking a seat across from him.
She opened the ledger, her fingers brushing the parchment as she turned to the first page.
"This is a comprehensive report," she began, her tone professional but tinged with an edge of nervousness. "It covers the barony's resources, population, infrastructure, and areas requiring immediate attention. I've broken it down into sections for clarity."
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Territory Overview
1. Size and Geography:
The barony spans approximately 12,000 hectares of highly fertile land, bordered by rivers to the east and dense woodlands to the west.
The territory is divided into four main regions:
Central Plains: Home to the largest villages and the barony's administrative hub.
Eastern Riverlands: Rich in fisheries and water mills but underdeveloped due to prior neglect.
Southern Lowlands: Fertile farmlands producing grains, vegetables, and herbs.
Western Woodlands: Known for timber and hunting grounds but plagued by bandit activity.
2. Population:
Estimated population: 18,000 residents.
6,000 villagers in the Central Plains.
4,500 in the Eastern Riverlands.
6,000 in the Southern Lowlands.
1,500 in scattered settlements near the Western Woodlands.
High mortality rates during the invasion have left many villages with labor shortages, particularly in farming and construction.
3. Economy:
Primary exports:
Grains: Wheat and barley are the most profitable crops.
Timber: High-quality wood from the Western Woodlands.
Fish and river goods: Dried fish and fresh water pearls are valuable trade items.
Tax revenue:
Pre-purge tax income was approximately 400 gold pieces per year.
Post-purge projections: 600–700 gold pieces annually, thanks to recovered funds and renewed enforcement.
4. Troops and Equipment
Military Status:
Total Troops: 400 soldiers, divided into infantry, archers, and cavalry.
Infantry: 250 men, equipped with spears, shields, and light armor.
Archers: 100 skilled bowmen with longbows and limited arrow supplies.
Cavalry: 50 riders, lightly armored with swords and lances.
Equipment Status:
Swords, spears, and shields are in good condition, but arrow supplies are running low.
Armor is outdated for half the infantry, requiring immediate upgrades for better protection.
Morale: Moderate, boosted by recent purges but still shaken by previous losses and disarray.
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Key Issues
1. Infrastructure:
Many roads and bridges connecting villages are in disrepair, hampering trade and travel.
The main granaries in the Central Plains are poorly maintained, risking spoilage of stored crops.
Water mills in the Eastern Riverlands require upgrades to improve efficiency.
2. Banditry:
The Western Woodlands have become a haven for bandits, who raid supply caravans and extort villagers.
Estimated bandit forces: 40–50 men.
Potential solution: Deploy a focused militia effort to clear the area.
3. Labor Shortage:
Villages in the Southern Lowlands are struggling to meet farming demands due to a lack of workers.
Solution: Introduce incentives for migration or temporary labor from neighboring territories.
4. Corruption Residue:
While the purge removed major players, smaller-scale corruption persists among minor officials and merchants.
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Wealth and Recovered Assets
1. Funds Recovered During the Purge:
1,200 gold pieces recovered from merchants and traitors.
200 gold pieces worth of trade goods, including silk, spices, and jewelry.
300 gold pieces worth of stored grain and other food supplies.
2. Current Treasury Balance:
1,600 gold pieces, after covering immediate expenses.
3. Allocation Suggestions:
200 gold to repair critical roads and bridges.
300 gold to secure and fortify granaries.
150 gold to hire additional soldiers and expand the militia.
Reserve the rest for emergencies and investment opportunities.
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Recommendations
1. Immediate Actions:
Organize a militia campaign to eliminate bandit activity in the Western Woodlands.
Begin road and bridge repairs in the Central Plains and Eastern Riverlands.
Upgrade granaries and mills to protect and maximize agricultural output.
2. Long-Term Strategies:
Incentivize population growth through tax relief for new settlers.
Negotiate trade agreements with neighboring lords to expand export markets.
Invest in defenses along the eastern river to deter future invasions.
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Lysara finished her summary and glanced up, finally meeting Kael's eyes.
"That's the report, my lord," she said quietly. "I've also included a list of specific villages and officials requiring your attention."
Kael studied her for a moment before turning his gaze to the ledger.
He flipped through the pages, absorbing the detailed breakdown. "This is thorough," he said, his tone full with approval. "You've done exceptional work, Lysara."
Her blush deepened, and she looked down at her hands. "It's my duty, my lord."
Kael smirked faintly. "You always say that. But I know how much effort this must have taken. Thank you."
Lysara's lips curved into a small, shy smile, though she quickly masked it with a nod. "What are your thoughts, my lord? Where should we focus first?"
Kael leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought. "The bandits," he said after a moment. "They're not just a nuisance they're a threat to trade and morale. We'll clear the Western Woodlands first."
"Understood," Lysara said, her tone regaining some of its usual confidence. "I'll organize the militia immediately."
Kael nodded, then turned his attention back to the ledger. "After that, we'll focus on the granaries and roads. If the infrastructure isn't solid, the rest won't matter."
Lysara scribbled notes in her journal, her focus shifting entirely to the tasks at hand. But as she stood to leave, Kael spoke again.
"Lysara."
She paused, looking back at him, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Yes, my lord?"
Kael's smirk returned, his gaze steady. "You're invaluable to me. Never forget that."
Her cheeks flushed, and she bowed her head. "Thank you, my lord."