“So you want to build an entire city on the edge of the lake?” Elija was pretty much ready for the meeting with the royal representative but he didn’t quite understand one of Ajax’s requests. “Any specific location?”
“As close to the point where the Dune river flows into the lake.” Ajax answered, he hadn’t gotten that far with his planning but since his grandfather asked that would be the ideal placement. Dune river flowed ten miles away from the capital and was a decent source of water, it would also make for a good sipping lane, downriver at least.
“Ajax we barely got our duchy set up.” Silvia tried to get Ajax to see their point of view. “ Between the schools we set up in every city and the quarry we started we are already stretched thin as it is. That’s without mentioning all the work we still need to put in to train a standing force.”
“The city isn’t a priority.” Ajax assured them. “But with the influx of people we will have coming in we are going to need another city. That’s where we should build it.”
“That’s a good placement.” Surprise was clear for everyone to see Lancel support Ajax’s idea. “Though I have to say I am a little worried about what you intend to do with it. This wouldn’t be a good time to try and get revenge. Best wait until we are more established.”
Instead of the access to water transport Lancel saw the port city as the final city needed in building a solid row of cities that cut across the entirety of House Hearthbound’s duchy, it would allow House Hearthbound to ensure they could cut off passage to the Empire from that direction if they really wanted to.
As much as Ajax wanted to deny that was the reason for the cities positioning now that the idea had been pointed out to him he couldn’t find it in him to deny it. As far as he knew it was a good chance that it was the Empire who had tried to kill him and butchered his people.
“I’m not planning on doing anything to the Empire.” Ajax tried to reassure them. “Not yet at least, I am too weak for that right now.”
“And how do you plan to get stronger?” Tom asked, his social Skills drawing his attention towards the final two words Ajax spoke.
“By going to the Wild Lands.” Ajax answered. “And soon.”
That kicked off an entire argument from multiple sides, one that Ajax couldn’t even get a word in.
“You’re leaving again?”
“We barely got the duchy established.”
“You plan on going alone in the Wild Lands so soon after an assassination attempt on your life?”
“Why?” The one word question from Hatchet was the one that quieted everyone as they focused on Ajax waiting for an answer. The old hunter was well past his prime yet out of all of them here he is the closest thing Ajax ever had for a mentor and the hunter knew very well the foundation he set up for Ajax.
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“For safety.” Ajax admitted, raising a hand to forestall any interruptions. “I was almost helpless in that assassination attempt. What if next time one of you is with me? Will I have to leave you to die? I’m pretty sure I won’t.”
“How does going to the Wild Lands solve the issue?” Judy tried to understand her brother.
“A long expedition like this isn’t something I’ve done before.” Ajax explained. “The inherent danger of the Wild Lands, the novelty as well as any Skills I picked up and Dungeons I find out there will mean I will level faster. Whether I find a Bond or not a year out there would mean at least six levels, maybe more. With that I should be close to a Champion in strength after a few more delves here and in the Republic.”
“You leaving like this would leave us vulnerable.” Lexi pointed out, trying to find a way to delay Ajax’s departure.
“No it wouldn’t.” Ajax shook his head, a little disappointed at how short his time with his family had been, not even a year since he came back from Sylvanthal. “The Empire won’t dare make a move on a ducal House. Killing me off is different, I am just one person. That goes doubly so considering how I would react if they did try something and I came back stronger.”
“But what about the duchy?” Sam asked. “We have twenty thousand former slaves coming to us as we speak.”
“We already talked about how to house and handle them.” Ajax shook his head. “ To be honest it would be much easier to deal with it if I am not here shortly after they arrive. We all know I wouldn’t really be doing much of the day to day, but any other high noble would be demanding to speak to me if you don’t agree with whatever proposal they have to help us take advantage of our new labor force.”
“If you’re not here they have to deal with us..” Silvia trailed off as she saw his point of view. “Considering that you’ll have made an agreement with the crown before you left they would even be forced to take ‘I can’t agree at this time’ as an answer until you return.”
“Our House's reputation would take a hit.” Lexi pointed out. “It won’t be major but we’ll find it hard to ask for favors from those who don’t owe us for a few decades. It’s not major since we already have a number of well connected allies.”
“How soon do you plan to leave?” Aurora asked the question everyone was dancing around.
“Not long after I return from the capital.” Ajax answered.
“What do you need for the expedition?” Elija asked switching gears into full merchant mode. He could tell his grandson had come to a decision, one that he couldn’t fault seeing as a part of him did agree that at the moment Ajax staying here did put the House in the crosshairs of anyone trying to assassinate him. Something that was much harder to do if he left for the Wild Lands.
“I’ll be getting all the weapons and armor I ordered back in the capital.” Ajax answered.” But I need a full set of spacial storage along with camping and supplies, I only plan on staying for about a year but with time in dungeon passing so much slower at the levels I reach and everything else that can happen best if I have enough for two or three years.”
“I’ll gather everything.” Elija promised.
“I’ll also need help looking over and planning an initial course from the maps House Steelblade gave us.” Ajax looked towards Lancel and Lexi for this, Lancel had experience with traveling in the Wild Lands and Lexi had heard about it from her grandfather. “It doesn’t need to be anything set in stone but I want to be heading for any dungeons we know are out there.”
“I don’t recommend going alone.” Lancel voiced his objection. “There are countless dangers in the Wild Lands and only relying on yourself is a good way to get yourself killed in your sleep.”
“I actually have a partial answer to that.” Ajax smiled. “It’s what gave me the final push to decide to go.”
Ajax then explained the most recent threshold upgrade for his [Meditation], his explanation about how he wouldn’t be as vulnerable when resting did a lot to ease their worries but it didn’t erase them.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you got that upgrade considering how many times you’ve stayed up focused on training or alchemy.” Lancel nodded slightly as he considered Ajax’s patterns. “But you best not forget that you will still need to get some actual sleep at least once every two weeks or so. Very few people push themselves hard enough to get that specific upgrade but I have seen what can happen if you try to skip sleep for too long.”
“If you’re that set on leaving then you’re spending some time with us before you leave for the capital.” Lexi said. “You’ll also limit your training time to helping Fluffy with Void. Time where you can just relax, not when we are dealing with whatever problem popped up at the time.”
Lexi's idea quickly got the backing of the entire House, even Ajax was in full agreement and while he knew it would be a bit of an adjustment to skip his training and alchemy practice he knew he would have plenty of time for that in the Wild Lands.