Bryan stood on a podium by a wooden stage, fiddling with his hands behind his back.
In the square below him, a large crowd gathered around the large wooden platform.
It is odd how many wish to attend events like this…
The crowd erupted into cheers as five nobles and King Veyne were led onto the stage and forced to kneel before wooden blocks.
Bryan scanned the crowd of people.
A mix of joy and concern…Reorn is here too.
A man in a black hood stepped behind the noble on the far left and gestured to Bryan with the axe.
The well-dressed official standing at the bottom of Bryan's podium spoke.
“Sir, you are expected to speak here; it is the custom”
I am not giving a long speech…
After sighing, Bryan stood up straight, stepped forward and spoke loudly to the crowd.
“With these men gone, the city will run much more smoothly”
The cheers of the crowd lowered to a whisper as people turned to each other and muttered.
Bryan spoke again, “Executioner, we should begin”.
After this, the executioner glanced at the official standing behind Bryan's podium before swinging his axe down on the first noble.
Unsure why the people stopped cheering.
The executioner swung for the second noble, the third stopping before the King.
Scanning the crowd, Bryan could see Reorn shaking his head, before his eyes rested on the king being held against the block.
Hmm, the king looks mildly familiar…
The axe came down with a thud into the block; it was quickly replaced by dispersed cheers from the crowd.
Once the final execution was finished, the crowd began leaving, talking amongst themselves.
Bryan walked down the podium stairs to be met by six guards waiting.
“Why are you here?” he asked.
A soldier stepped forward, “We are your protective detail, it is custom we follow you outside the palace”
Seems rather pointless for me…I will need to change that.
The guards all turned and aimed their spears at an approaching man.
“I’m here to speak to Bryan”, said Reorn with his hands raised.
A guard firmly responded, “That’s the future king; he decides if you speak or not”
The guards then turned to Bryan.
Aspects of this are going to get very tedious…
“Let him through”, Bryan said with authority, and the guards lowered their weapons, letting him pass.
Reorn walked up to Bryan, looking at the guards with a concerned expression.
After a moment, he spoke, “Can I speak freely?”
Bryan tilted his head at Reorn and said “Obviously”
After rubbing his face, Reorn spoke, “When we first met, I thought you were a bit crazy but harmless”
Curious assessment.
“Seeing your investigation and the actions you have taken… they have obviously helped people”
Bryan, his head still tilted, looked at Reorn blankly.
“My issue from the start was that nothing seems to affect you”
Bryan squinted at him, “Why would it?”
Reorn took a deep breath, “People tried to kill you, have you kill others, and you just executed the king.”
I don’t understand the point of this conversation.
“These things should have made you angry or scared… or something!” Reorn said while studying Bryan’s face.
“They were just problems to fix,” Bryan said calmly.
“That is the problem; to you, everything seems to be about efficiency or function”, Reorn exclaimed.
Reorn rubbed his head while exhaling before continuing, “I don’t think you even understand why this bothers me.”
Bryan sighed, "If the outcome is good, why does my reasoning matter?"
Reorn sighed and placed a hand on Bryan’s shoulder, “Look, I can’t stay in this city, I can’t trust someone with no emotions or moral reason for their actions”
Reorn began to walk away from him, “I hope you keep doing the right thing for these people, even if it’s by accident”
Hmm…I will need to find a different adventurer to run the guild.
Bryan turned around and began to walk towards the palace, followed closely by the guards and the well-dressed man.
Turning to the Well-dressed man, Bryan spoke, “What is your purpose?”
“I am Fredrich, Advisor to the previous king”, said the well-dressed man.
I didn’t ask his name… will have to check he has use.
Stopping for a moment, Bryan asked, "What functions do you perform?"
Looking shocked briefly Fredrich composed himself and replied.
“Erm, that is a difficult question, Sire. Typically, I advise on ceremonies, act as a go-between for the nobles and the king, and try to make sure you are not dealing with issues below your station. “
Personal assistant … got it.
“I will need to decide what issues I should address; many things will change”, Bryan said before he continued walking.
Fredrich awkwardly smiled before rushing to follow.
While walking, several merchants smiled and waved to Bryan.
On the way through the noble district, he noticed things felt different.
The nobles seem a lot less happy with this turn of events.
Several nobles who they passed gave him careful side-eye.
After a while, they entered the palace and made their way to the throne room.
Upon entering, Bryan could see various people standing around waiting as the guards following took position along either side of the red carpet leading to the throne.
Should inquire about these people first.
Before Bryan could speak, Fredrich made an announcement.
“The new Lord of Silvergate and King Bryan”, Fredrich and the others bowed.
Bryan sighed, then spoke, “Fredrich, what is the purpose of these people?”
Standing up straight again, Fredrich replied, “Cooks, cleaners, various other palace slaves, Sire”
Bryan furrowed his brow and spoke, “You are all free, you may remain and be paid or leave. It is your choice”
Stunned for a moment, the people just stared at him.
Fredrich approached Bryan to whisper quietly, “Sire, what do you mean free?”
“Exactly what I said, free. Slaves are not an efficient workforce.” Bryan responded loudly.
Paid workers don’t rebel as often and try harder.
Fredrich went to speak, but he stopped himself and nodded at Bryan.
Addressing the slaves, Bryan spoke, “Like I said, it’s up to you.”
The people exchanged looks with each other. A few left but most remained.
Those who remained bowed as Bryan walked up the steps and sat on the throne.
“We will need to arrange a date for your official coronation my king” said Fredrich.
Bryan sighed, “We’ll deal with that at some point” He said dismissively.
Ok… It’s going to be a busy day.
***
Bryan stretched and moved to the edge of the large four-poster bed.
This room has far too many items for show… will have some removed and a desk brought in.
He stood and put his black armour on, then opened his door to the shocked face of a girl carrying a tray.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Lord. I got here too late”
She fumbled with the tray and gestured to the many cups for him to choose from.
“I don’t know what you drink in the morning, so I brought everything”
Well, that seems logical…
“Milk, I guess”, Bryan stated, grabbing a cup.
Bryan drank it, placed it back on the tray and headed past the various guards in the hall, two of whom began escorting him.
After walking a while and going down various stairs and corridors, he entered the throne room.
This palace seems to have an excess of staff.
Entering the room, he walked over past the lined-up guards to the throne and sat down.
Fredrich hurried over and stood next to him.
“My Lord”, he then paused a moment, “How would you like to be addressed? Sire, Lord, King?”
Bryan tilted his head and looked at Fredrich, “It doesn’t matter, anything”
Specific title doesn’t affect how I do things…
Bryan adjusted himself in the chair, then said, “So did you announce that all the slaves will be freed and paid?... Also, would someone get me an ale?”
One of the servants headed out of the room quickly, and Fredrich’s head snapped towards Bryan with wide eyes.
“Sire, surely I misheard you. I thought you meant just the palace ones?”
Bryan squinted at him and calmly spoke, “That does not solve the potential for rebellion, has to be all”
Fredrich’s mouth was agape for a moment with one hand raised, he composed himself and responded.
He seems to silence himself…pandering is useless.
Bryan sighed, then spoke, “If you want to be useful to me, I need you to speak your mind no matter what. Just agreeing with everything I say doesn’t help”
Fredrich seemed to contemplate for a moment, studying Bryan.
He tentatively inhaled before speaking, “Freeing all of the slaves will upset a lot of the nobles; they may either leave or plot against you”
A servant rushed over to the throne and handed Bryan a mug of ale.
Sipping it, he turned and spoke, “Possibly, but long-term, it is worth it.”
Fredrich fiddled with his hands, “As you wish, Sire, if I may ask, do you intend to wear that armour each day?”
Bryan sipped his drink again and spoke, “Well, yes. It is my armour.”
Looking a little awkward, Fredrich responded, “It is not very kingly, Sire, would you not consider something more regal?”
Bryan leaned forward and spoke, “No, this is practical. Cloth offers little protection”
“True, Sire, but that is why you have guards”, Fredrich said.
Bryan looked at him blankly, “That didn’t help the last king”
Fredrich’s eyes widened briefly before he spoke, “No, you are correct, Sire”
Can’t discuss pointless things all day.
Bryan shuffled back in his seat and said, “Anyway, did you arrange the people I asked to come here? We need to start making changes”
Standing up straight, Fredrich responded, “Yes, Sire, the guard captain, the healer and the merchant are waiting to see you”
Bryan signalled to the door, which the two guards then opened.
The guard captain walked in, standing tall but looking nervous.
Fredrich stepped forward and announced, “Darius, guard captain of the third barracks in the market district”
Not sure how knowing that helps…
Bryan spoke to Fredrich, “Introductions like that will waste time.”
Nodding, Fredrich stepped back, as Darius stood at the bottom of the steps.
After scratching his chin, Bryan spoke, “I have two jobs for you. I would like you to gather a list of all the guards who would take bribes and then take charge of the palace guard”
Fredrich’s eyes widened, but he remained silent as Darius spoke.
“The first will not be a problem, Sire, but being in charge of the palace guard…”
Darius shifted uncomfortably, “I am not worthy, Sire”
Fredrich interjected, “Sire, why this man? He has no experience”
Should be obvious, those who embraced the old system could be a problem.
Taking another swig of ale before Bryan responded, “Maybe, but he was one of the few who didn’t fall in line with the previous bribe regime.”
Fredrich scratched his head before nodding.
Darius spoke up again, “I won’t question you, Sire” He then bowed and, with an awkward smile, hurried back out of the room.
As soon as he left, the healer walked in and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
Bryan tapped his foot and spoke, “You shall be in charge of the healing for the city”
She seemed pragmatic… should be smooth.
Fredrich interrupted again, “But the king can’t promote someone to a bishop, Sire, that is the church’s domain”
Bryan sighed, then spoke, “Not relevant, she will choose how the healing clinics are run”
Based on her past performance… it will be more efficient this way.
The healer spoke, “Well, you aided me in helping people, and this will allow me to do more, so I accept.”
Good, a logical choice.
Fredrich rubbed the back of his head and spoke, “This will anger the church, but ok Sire”
After bowing, the healer left, and the merchant entered and stood at the bottom of the stairs.
The man looked around the room in awe before speaking, “You summoned me, Lord?”
Bryan, leaning forward, spoke, “Ricard, from what I witnessed, you are a competent merchant. You will head a guild for merchants”
Ricard nodded at him, then spoke, “What would it do exactly?”
“To oversee the merchants and give them an official means for disputes, instead of using adventurers to settle rivalries”
Ricard smiled and spoke, “That is a good idea, I will see to it.”
The man bowed and left in a hurry.
“Sire, that will anger some of the merchants; they are used to the freedom they have,” Fredrich said after turning to Bryan.
Most changes will anger someone… can’t be avoided.
“Noted. Last things for now, did you find the hooded man I asked for?” Bryan said.
Fredrich looked through notes in his hands and spoke, “Erm, Sire. We sent men to search, but have not found someone by that description yet”
Bryan leaned back in his chair. “Fine, for the adventurers guild, we will need to alter how it runs”
“In what way, Sire?” said Fredrich.
“We will need to remove current leadership and institute a new policy. Correctly labelled quests and incentivise adventurer survival,” said Bryan plainly.
Reorn would have been useful here.
Fredrich scratched his head and replied, “Yes, Sire, I will draw up a proposal for you”
The door to the throne room creaked open as a hooded man walked in, and the guards all pointed spears at him as he tried to walk towards Bryan.
Bryan gestured to the guards, and they raised them and let him walk past.
Once the man was at the end of the stairs, Bryan spoke.
“I will be legitimising your group’s role. You will still be paid to be my eyes in the city, but you will not engage in any crimes.”
Fredrich furrowed his brow and spoke, “Sire, is this man a criminal?”
Bryan responded, “Yes, they will be useful as spies”
The hooded man spoke, “Sure, this is both more profitable and safer than what we used to do. The lads are actually enjoying it”
Fredrich stuttered then spoke, “But Sire, surely guards would be better for this?”
No, they definitely wouldn’t
Taking a final swig of ale before speaking, Bryan said, “No, these men evaded the guards for years; they likely know the city better than anyone”
Fredrich contemplated for a moment, then spoke, “I suppose you are right, Sire”
The hooded man turned and left the room, saying, “I’ll tell the boys” as he did.
Bryan sighed and spoke, “I will go to my room. I will want a desk in there soon, and tomorrow I want to look at a map”
“Of the city, Sire?” asked Fredrich.
While standing up, Bryan responded, “No, the region”
As he started making his way out of the room, two guards and one servant followed him.
He walked through the corridors and up the stairs until he reached his room.
Bryan went to open the door when the servant girl asked a question.
“Sire, should we have a bath drawn for you?”
Bryan said ‘sure’ and entered his room.
All very tedious… There will be some blowback, but things should begin running more efficiently.