“From what I understand of Lord Gloomwood’s world, it is very different from ours,” Marissa clarified smoothly. “Rarities do not exist there, nor do many of the wonders we take for granted. So it is understandable he would not assume the silverwood has intelligence.”
“How intelligent?” Drake asked. “Are we talking human level? Dog level? Ants?” He paused as this ridiculous revelation continued to wash over him. “And wait, don’t we chop down silverwood trees? To build the manor and other stuff? Are we killing intelligent trees?”
“Of course not.” Marissa pondered a moment. “One tree is not the same as one person. The silverwood is... an entity. It is a single collective consciousness, one that touches every tree and blade of grass and resides in none.”
“So each individual tree is... what?” Drake wasn’t sure what to think about this.
“Think of each silverwood tree as an extension of the silverwood, one which grows over time. Perhaps... like a fingernail. If our fingernails are not regularly trimmed, they grow unmanageable, and so we routinely trim them back to keep our fingers healthy. Fingernails are a living part of us, but also a part we can freely discard without harm.”
“So the silverwood trees are fingernails.”
“In a sense. Over time, new growth must be culled. In exchange for our services in keeping the silverwood healthy, it allows us to use its old growth to strengthen ourselves. The first Lord Gloomwood formed this pact with the silverwood and built Gloomwood Manor.”
“Okay, that’s still weird, but at least it’s not... tree murder. But if I understand this, you’re saying that if we wanted to expand our manor grounds to build a small town where a zarovian clan to settle, we’d have to negotiate with the silverwood to clear that land first. Since we’d be cutting its fingernails.”
“Correct,” Marissa said. “And the silverwood could demand much in return.”
“If we can expand, we should do it,” Drake said. “Everything that’s happened in this cabal has made me more certain we need to be as self-sufficient as possible. So... I guess once we get back home, we’ll see about giving the trees a manicure. Whether we end up making a deal with a zarovian clan or not, I want to build an additional settlement around the manor.”
Samuel now appeared to be truly considering Drake’s idea. “If we are considering expanding our manor and are open to recruiting demihumans, there is another possibility.”
“That is not a good idea,” Marissa said in obvious disapproval. “The feral clans have historically expressed little interest in swearing themselves to a manor. Lord Gloomwood has also shown no interest in compelling thralls to join.”
“Some might join us willingly were we to make an appealing enough offer,” Samuel countered. “Also, the feral objection to joining a blood pact has always been submitting themselves to manor lord compulsion. With our current Lord Gloomwood, there is no compulsion to fear.”
Drake grinned at the idea. “You really think we could get more catgirls? Sachi’s incredible in a scrap, and even better as a scout. I’d happily take ten more of her.”
“We must be careful in our recruiting, lord,” Marissa said. “Demihumans are useful in limited roles, but manor lords are strongest when they have multiple humans with powerful and unique rarities. While the common rarities held by demihumans may seem appealing in isolation, we must remember that a blood pact can only include close to a hundred souls. Once sworn to the blood pact, the thrall is committed for life.”
“I don’t care how many people our blood pact holds because I don’t use it. If a zarovian clan joins us, I may not even have them swear to it. Same with the ferals. At some point, every manor lord here is going to need to get used to living without slavery.”
“Even so, you will want to at least induct those who serve as your commanders,” Marissa said. “Otherwise, another manor lord could take them as a blood thrall and force them to betray you without your knowledge.”
“We’re barely above sixty right now. I don’t think it’s a worry.”
“Without space, we may be unable to recruit powerful humans whose rarities manifest in the future,” Marissa continued doggedly. “Demihumans live long lives. If we fill our blood pact with demihumans, we may find we have a dozen forks when we need a knife.”
“Thank you for that lovely silverware metaphor, Marissa,” Drake said sardonically. “Yet you and Samuel have just made it abundantly clear we’re going to have trouble recruiting new humans with rarities, at least in the short term, and remember, we don’t need to jam all our new people in the blood pact. Sky doesn’t do that with her people.”
“You cannot trust a demihuman’s loyalty without a blood pact.”
“Why not? You said you understood why I didn’t know trees are intelligent because they aren’t in my world. Well, in my world, taking people as slaves through blood magic isn’t considered good. We get along fine by paying people what they’re worth and valuing them.”
Marissa knew that, of course, but they were still pretending she didn’t for the sake of secrecy. Still, Drake was going to keep pushing for the education of the others. He didn’t want anyone else having doubts about his strategy of leading without slavery.
“There are plenty of people in my world who serve their leaders willingly and loyally without being compelled by magic slavery,” Drake continued. “I’ve done just fine so far.”
His mother grimaced. “This world is very different from your own.”
“And yet the same in so many ways. There’s still little people with less power getting fucked over by bigger people who steal their gold and land. If I offer those people a way to get back on top again, I could win their loyalty as strongly as with a blood pact.”
“Not necessarily, lord.”
Drake was about done arguing about this. He looked to Lydia. “If the blood pact disappeared tomorrow, would you still serve me as steward?”
“Without reservation,” Lydia said immediately.
He smiled at how quickly she answered, then glanced at his mother. “See?”
She sighed. “You are Lord Gloomwood. I am simply offering my counsel.
“Which is fine,” he reminded her... and himself. “Thanks for that.”
She nodded.
Drake looked back to Lydia. “What about Sachi? You think she would keep serving me if the blood pact disappeared tomorrow?”
Lydia visibly considered. “You saved Samuel’s life, which ingratiated you to all. You have led our manor through multiple crises that would have humbled a lesser manor lord, and you have consistently shown your thralls you value their lives and intend to treat them as people, not disposable fodder. I do not know Sachi as well as Samuel, but I do know she respects you.”
“She would stay,” Samuel said quietly. “Sachi has always been loyal to those who show loyalty to her. Her willingness to stand up for those she cares for always impressed me.”
“And she cares for you,” Drake said. “A whole lot, from what I’ve seen.”
Samuel adjusted his collar. “That was a long time ago.”
“Yet you’re the one who suggested we recruit from the ferals living in the forest. I also understand, from Val, that you’re the person who convinced Sachi to take the blood pact.”
“That is true.”
“So how did you convince her?”
Samuel hesitated. “If I may beg a favor...”
“Too personal?”
Samuel nodded. “It is also not pertinent to the discussion at hand.”
“All right. But you think other ferals would join us if we asked? Once we explain my blood pact no longer compels them to do anything, and I never would?”
“If Sachi convinced them of your worth,” Samuel said. “And if I spoke up for you.”
Drake grinned. “So you’re popular with all the catgirls.”
“Ferals are also male,” Samuel said stiffly. “To be clear.”
“I’ll take catboys too.” Drake ruefully shook his head. “So long as they can scout and shoot like Sachi, I’ll take any cat person who wants to join us. So on our way back to the manor, can we hit up cat people forest and recruit?”
“We can attempt to do so,” Samuel said. “We should also speak to Sachi about this.”
“I’m on board. What about finding more folks like Robin, Gaby, and Carl? Bounty hunters and those hoping to avoid getting conscripted by an evil manor? Are there towns we could visit on the way home? What if we took the Merchant’s Roadway home?”
“There are always people with common rarities who may wish to join our manor,” Samuel agreed. “And as you said, we have lost more than warriors.”
Drake nodded. “So that’s our plan for now. We’ll take the Merchant’s Roadway home and see who’s worth recruiting, if they’re interested in joining. We’ll also hit up catgirl forest to see if we can recruit some ferals. And once we get home, we’ll go talk to the silverwood about getting some more land to build a real settlement around the manor. And then see if any zarovian matriarchs are interested in a land-sharing arrangement.”
The more Drake considered this new approach to rebuilding his manor’s forces, the more he liked it. He didn’t need the blood pact to restore and grow his forces. Most manor lords used their blood magic slavery as a crutch. They also used it foolishly.
Lord Crow taking twenty-five male zarovians into his blood pact when he could have taken a single matriarch and gained a whole tribe as allies was just one example of manor lord shortsightedness. Crow had certainly done it his way because he trusted no one and refused to share power, but the inability to share was a weakness of many manor lords.
Drake didn’t have that problem. He could still swear his commanders to join his blood pact to ensure they were protected from other manor lords. There was no reason to force every individual soldier to take it as well.
He’d simply never meet with individual soldiers who weren’t part of his blood pact without blood pact sworn commanders or bodyguards to keep him safe. He had more than enough loyal protectors now. Sachi could serve as the commander of his ferals. Cresh—or a zarovian matriarch—could command an entire clan on his behalf.
Drake looked around at his advisors. “All of you have given me good options. Thanks for that. Now, next, I want to decide what roles we should offer River and Hector in our manor.”
“You still intend to have them take the blood pact?” Marissa asked. “Despite their lack of rarities?”
“I’ll take competence and loyalty over rarities if I have to choose. So how about it, Lydia? How’d they do today?”
“River was an asset,” Lydia said. “Before today, I already believed she would make an excellent courier and spy. After today, I believe she could serve us in an even more important capacity. Were she to take the blood pact, I would trust her to serve as my subordinate.”
“A steward assistant?” Drake grinned. “She does have a knack for organization.”
“If you think she would serve us better as a spy, of course, I also believe she could fill that role quite handily. But my duties as steward often take up so much of my time and mental energy that I neglect my duties to you, lord.”
“I’ve never felt you neglect me even once,” he assured her firmly. “You are incredible.”
She blushed and looked away. He regretted making her uncomfortable, but it was the truth. She needed to know just how amazing she was.
“Still, I understand how you could be overworked,” he added. “You think River could help you with that?”
“She could. If you believe that would be a good use of her talents.”
“If you do, I do. So we’ll offer her both the steward assistant job and the spy job and see which she likes. Now, let’s talk about Hector.”
“In that respect, unfortunately, I cannot offer a ringing endorsement.”
Drake grimaced. “Your evaluation is that bad?”
“He simply does not have as many talents as River. As a courtesan, he did very well, but his skills as a courtesan do not transfer to our needs. He has few other skills.”
“So what skills does he have?” Drake asked hopefully. “You did say he has skills.”
“His mastery of social graces is impeccable, and he certainly knows how to present himself. I would even suggest he could serve as a diplomat were it not for his...”
“What?” Drake asked. “Go ahead and say it. Don’t shade your opinion.”
Lydia paused delicately before she answered, obviously deciding how best to phrase her words. “Hector is... uncomplicated. I do not mean to question his intelligence, merely to say that I have witnessed none of the critical thinking skills I have seen in River.”
Drake chuckled despite feeling a bit bad about doing so. “Still, he’s brave.”
“He is that.”
“When we were playing shrikes and turtles, his concern for Anna was off the charts. Moreover, when the arrows fell, I didn’t pick up Anna because Hector had already done it. His first thought, unprompted, was to protect Anna with his own body and get her to safety. I never ordered him to do that. He risked his life for a little girl he barely knew.”
“I have no doubts about his moral character,” Lydia agreed.
“And you said he knows how to present himself.” Drake smiled as a possibility dawned. “He also understands how your high society works, and how to keep people happy.”
Lydia now appeared confused. “Lady Marissa and many others do as well.”
“Right, but they’re all...” Drake stopped himself before he said “women” to avoid anyone mistaking his discomfort with having a woman walk in on him in the bath for disrespect. “They have other important responsibilities. Hector would not. And given my mastery of social graces needs work, I imagine Hector would make an excellent manservant.”
Drake had wanted a male attendant ever since Emily walked into his bath with towels. Hector could help him be a presentable manor lord without the added awkwardness of having a woman dressing or grooming him. Plus, Drake already really liked the man.
Hector had a good heart. He might not be the sharpest person to join his manor, but he was brave, moral, and excelled in the one area Drake did not... impressing snooty nobles.
“That’s the role I’m going to offer Hector,” Drake said. “My personal attendant.”
“In that role, I believe he would excel,” Lydia agreed thoughtfully. “I suspect he might even enjoy such a position. If that is your wish, lord, I would endorse it.”
“So you get an assistant and I get an attendant.” Drake grinned. “Done.”
Drake still hated that the other manor lords had screwed River and Hector out of their jobs simply to spite him. But he also didn’t feel taking them in was pure benevolence. Lydia and he would both benefit from this arrangement, as would River and Hector.
So as far as Drake was concerned, this offered wins all around.
“From what I understand of Lord Gloomwood’s world, it is very different from ours,” Marissa clarified smoothly. “Rarities do not exist there, nor do many of the wonders we take for granted. So it is understandable he would not assume the silverwood has intelligence.”
“How intelligent?” Drake asked. “Are we talking human level? Dog level? Ants?” He paused as this ridiculous revelation continued to wash over him. “And wait, don’t we chop down silverwood trees? To build the manor and other stuff? Are we killing intelligent trees?”
“Of course not.” Marissa pondered a moment. “One tree is not the same as one person. The silverwood is... an entity. It is a single collective consciousness, one that touches every tree and blade of grass and resides in none.”
“So each individual tree is... what?” Drake wasn’t sure what to think about this.
“Think of each silverwood tree as an extension of the silverwood, one which grows over time. Perhaps... like a fingernail. If our fingernails are not regularly trimmed, they grow unmanageable, and so we routinely trim them back to keep our fingers healthy. Fingernails are a living part of us, but also a part we can freely discard without harm.”
“So the silverwood trees are fingernails.”
“In a sense. Over time, new growth must be culled. In exchange for our services in keeping the silverwood healthy, it allows us to use its old growth to strengthen ourselves. The first Lord Gloomwood formed this pact with the silverwood and built Gloomwood Manor.”
“Okay, that’s still weird, but at least it’s not... tree murder. But if I understand this, you’re saying that if we wanted to expand our manor grounds to build a small town where a zarovian clan to settle, we’d have to negotiate with the silverwood to clear that land first. Since we’d be cutting its fingernails.”
“Correct,” Marissa said. “And the silverwood could demand much in return.”
“If we can expand, we should do it,” Drake said. “Everything that’s happened in this cabal has made me more certain we need to be as self-sufficient as possible. So... I guess once we get back home, we’ll see about giving the trees a manicure. Whether we end up making a deal with a zarovian clan or not, I want to build an additional settlement around the manor.”
Samuel now appeared to be truly considering Drake’s idea. “If we are considering expanding our manor and are open to recruiting demihumans, there is another possibility.”
“That is not a good idea,” Marissa said in obvious disapproval. “The feral clans have historically expressed little interest in swearing themselves to a manor. Lord Gloomwood has also shown no interest in compelling thralls to join.”
“Some might join us willingly were we to make an appealing enough offer,” Samuel countered. “Also, the feral objection to joining a blood pact has always been submitting themselves to manor lord compulsion. With our current Lord Gloomwood, there is no compulsion to fear.”
Drake grinned at the idea. “You really think we could get more catgirls? Sachi’s incredible in a scrap, and even better as a scout. I’d happily take ten more of her.”
“We must be careful in our recruiting, lord,” Marissa said. “Demihumans are useful in limited roles, but manor lords are strongest when they have multiple humans with powerful and unique rarities. While the common rarities held by demihumans may seem appealing in isolation, we must remember that a blood pact can only include close to a hundred souls. Once sworn to the blood pact, the thrall is committed for life.”
“I don’t care how many people our blood pact holds because I don’t use it. If a zarovian clan joins us, I may not even have them swear to it. Same with the ferals. At some point, every manor lord here is going to need to get used to living without slavery.”
“Even so, you will want to at least induct those who serve as your commanders,” Marissa said. “Otherwise, another manor lord could take them as a blood thrall and force them to betray you without your knowledge.”
“We’re barely above sixty right now. I don’t think it’s a worry.”
“Without space, we may be unable to recruit powerful humans whose rarities manifest in the future,” Marissa continued doggedly. “Demihumans live long lives. If we fill our blood pact with demihumans, we may find we have a dozen forks when we need a knife.”
“Thank you for that lovely silverware metaphor, Marissa,” Drake said sardonically. “Yet you and Samuel have just made it abundantly clear we’re going to have trouble recruiting new humans with rarities, at least in the short term, and remember, we don’t need to jam all our new people in the blood pact. Sky doesn’t do that with her people.”
“You cannot trust a demihuman’s loyalty without a blood pact.”
“Why not? You said you understood why I didn’t know trees are intelligent because they aren’t in my world. Well, in my world, taking people as slaves through blood magic isn’t considered good. We get along fine by paying people what they’re worth and valuing them.”
Marissa knew that, of course, but they were still pretending she didn’t for the sake of secrecy. Still, Drake was going to keep pushing for the education of the others. He didn’t want anyone else having doubts about his strategy of leading without slavery.
“There are plenty of people in my world who serve their leaders willingly and loyally without being compelled by magic slavery,” Drake continued. “I’ve done just fine so far.”
His mother grimaced. “This world is very different from your own.”
“And yet the same in so many ways. There’s still little people with less power getting fucked over by bigger people who steal their gold and land. If I offer those people a way to get back on top again, I could win their loyalty as strongly as with a blood pact.”
“Not necessarily, lord.”
Drake was about done arguing about this. He looked to Lydia. “If the blood pact disappeared tomorrow, would you still serve me as steward?”
“Without reservation,” Lydia said immediately.
He smiled at how quickly she answered, then glanced at his mother. “See?”
She sighed. “You are Lord Gloomwood. I am simply offering my counsel.
“Which is fine,” he reminded her... and himself. “Thanks for that.”
She nodded.
Drake looked back to Lydia. “What about Sachi? You think she would keep serving me if the blood pact disappeared tomorrow?”
Lydia visibly considered. “You saved Samuel’s life, which ingratiated you to all. You have led our manor through multiple crises that would have humbled a lesser manor lord, and you have consistently shown your thralls you value their lives and intend to treat them as people, not disposable fodder. I do not know Sachi as well as Samuel, but I do know she respects you.”
“She would stay,” Samuel said quietly. “Sachi has always been loyal to those who show loyalty to her. Her willingness to stand up for those she cares for always impressed me.”
“And she cares for you,” Drake said. “A whole lot, from what I’ve seen.”
Samuel adjusted his collar. “That was a long time ago.”
“Yet you’re the one who suggested we recruit from the ferals living in the forest. I also understand, from Val, that you’re the person who convinced Sachi to take the blood pact.”
“That is true.”
“So how did you convince her?”
Samuel hesitated. “If I may beg a favor...”
“Too personal?”
Samuel nodded. “It is also not pertinent to the discussion at hand.”
“All right. But you think other ferals would join us if we asked? Once we explain my blood pact no longer compels them to do anything, and I never would?”
“If Sachi convinced them of your worth,” Samuel said. “And if I spoke up for you.”
Drake grinned. “So you’re popular with all the catgirls.”
“Ferals are also male,” Samuel said stiffly. “To be clear.”
“I’ll take catboys too.” Drake ruefully shook his head. “So long as they can scout and shoot like Sachi, I’ll take any cat person who wants to join us. So on our way back to the manor, can we hit up cat people forest and recruit?”
“We can attempt to do so,” Samuel said. “We should also speak to Sachi about this.”
“I’m on board. What about finding more folks like Robin, Gaby, and Carl? Bounty hunters and those hoping to avoid getting conscripted by an evil manor? Are there towns we could visit on the way home? What if we took the Merchant’s Roadway home?”
“There are always people with common rarities who may wish to join our manor,” Samuel agreed. “And as you said, we have lost more than warriors.”
Drake nodded. “So that’s our plan for now. We’ll take the Merchant’s Roadway home and see who’s worth recruiting, if they’re interested in joining. We’ll also hit up catgirl forest to see if we can recruit some ferals. And once we get home, we’ll go talk to the silverwood about getting some more land to build a real settlement around the manor. And then see if any zarovian matriarchs are interested in a land-sharing arrangement.”
The more Drake considered this new approach to rebuilding his manor’s forces, the more he liked it. He didn’t need the blood pact to restore and grow his forces. Most manor lords used their blood magic slavery as a crutch. They also used it foolishly.
Lord Crow taking twenty-five male zarovians into his blood pact when he could have taken a single matriarch and gained a whole tribe as allies was just one example of manor lord shortsightedness. Crow had certainly done it his way because he trusted no one and refused to share power, but the inability to share was a weakness of many manor lords.
Drake didn’t have that problem. He could still swear his commanders to join his blood pact to ensure they were protected from other manor lords. There was no reason to force every individual soldier to take it as well.
He’d simply never meet with individual soldiers who weren’t part of his blood pact without blood pact sworn commanders or bodyguards to keep him safe. He had more than enough loyal protectors now. Sachi could serve as the commander of his ferals. Cresh—or a zarovian matriarch—could command an entire clan on his behalf.
Drake looked around at his advisors. “All of you have given me good options. Thanks for that. Now, next, I want to decide what roles we should offer River and Hector in our manor.”
“You still intend to have them take the blood pact?” Marissa asked. “Despite their lack of rarities?”
“I’ll take competence and loyalty over rarities if I have to choose. So how about it, Lydia? How’d they do today?”
“River was an asset,” Lydia said. “Before today, I already believed she would make an excellent courier and spy. After today, I believe she could serve us in an even more important capacity. Were she to take the blood pact, I would trust her to serve as my subordinate.”
“A steward assistant?” Drake grinned. “She does have a knack for organization.”
“If you think she would serve us better as a spy, of course, I also believe she could fill that role quite handily. But my duties as steward often take up so much of my time and mental energy that I neglect my duties to you, lord.”
“I’ve never felt you neglect me even once,” he assured her firmly. “You are incredible.”
She blushed and looked away. He regretted making her uncomfortable, but it was the truth. She needed to know just how amazing she was.
“Still, I understand how you could be overworked,” he added. “You think River could help you with that?”
“She could. If you believe that would be a good use of her talents.”
“If you do, I do. So we’ll offer her both the steward assistant job and the spy job and see which she likes. Now, let’s talk about Hector.”
“In that respect, unfortunately, I cannot offer a ringing endorsement.”
Drake grimaced. “Your evaluation is that bad?”
“He simply does not have as many talents as River. As a courtesan, he did very well, but his skills as a courtesan do not transfer to our needs. He has few other skills.”
“So what skills does he have?” Drake asked hopefully. “You did say he has skills.”
“His mastery of social graces is impeccable, and he certainly knows how to present himself. I would even suggest he could serve as a diplomat were it not for his...”
“What?” Drake asked. “Go ahead and say it. Don’t shade your opinion.”
Lydia paused delicately before she answered, obviously deciding how best to phrase her words. “Hector is... uncomplicated. I do not mean to question his intelligence, merely to say that I have witnessed none of the critical thinking skills I have seen in River.”
Drake chuckled despite feeling a bit bad about doing so. “Still, he’s brave.”
“He is that.”
“When we were playing shrikes and turtles, his concern for Anna was off the charts. Moreover, when the arrows fell, I didn’t pick up Anna because Hector had already done it. His first thought, unprompted, was to protect Anna with his own body and get her to safety. I never ordered him to do that. He risked his life for a little girl he barely knew.”
“I have no doubts about his moral character,” Lydia agreed.
“And you said he knows how to present himself.” Drake smiled as a possibility dawned. “He also understands how your high society works, and how to keep people happy.”
Lydia now appeared confused. “Lady Marissa and many others do as well.”
“Right, but they’re all...” Drake stopped himself before he said “women” to avoid anyone mistaking his discomfort with having a woman walk in on him in the bath for disrespect. “They have other important responsibilities. Hector would not. And given my mastery of social graces needs work, I imagine Hector would make an excellent manservant.”
Drake had wanted a male attendant ever since Emily walked into his bath with towels. Hector could help him be a presentable manor lord without the added awkwardness of having a woman dressing or grooming him. Plus, Drake already really liked the man.
Hector had a good heart. He might not be the sharpest person to join his manor, but he was brave, moral, and excelled in the one area Drake did not... impressing snooty nobles.
“That’s the role I’m going to offer Hector,” Drake said. “My personal attendant.”
“In that role, I believe he would excel,” Lydia agreed thoughtfully. “I suspect he might even enjoy such a position. If that is your wish, lord, I would endorse it.”
“So you get an assistant and I get an attendant.” Drake grinned. “Done.”
Drake still hated that the other manor lords had screwed River and Hector out of their jobs simply to spite him. But he also didn’t feel taking them in was pure benevolence. Lydia and he would both benefit from this arrangement, as would River and Hector.
So as far as Drake was concerned, this offered wins all around.
