CHAPTER 245: WHAT TO DO WITH YOU?

Dominic sighed. "Now, what are we going to do with you? By law, I should send you back north across the border. Dagos soldiers hold no legal status within Cygnia right now, other than that of an invading army.

And while you have abandoned your post, and have been cast out of your Noble Family, it doesn’t change the fact that you are, in fact, a Dagos soldier.

Possibly declared a deserter as well."

Jerome nodded. "That’s how I ended up looking like this. Word got back that I had been disowned, and the border guards accused me of impersonating a Nobleman for wearing the Officer’s uniform.

A capital crime in Dagos, and likely in Cygnia as well.

Then, just past Lympsbury, the mercenaries caught up to me, and I lost most of my supplies. You’re the first inhabited manor I’ve seen since."

Because they were likely the only inhabited manor house for nearly two hundred kilometres in that direction.

"You are putting me in a tight spot here. I can keep you in the manor, but we’ve only just begun to renovate, and space is limited. I can’t leave you in town, you wouldn’t live to see the morning after having shown up in a Dagos Army Officer’s coat.

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the Dagos Nobles weren’t very well regarded, even when they controlled the region.

So, the options are either to protect you forever by hiring you as a manor worker, while granting you sanctuary, make you a prisoner of my estate, or refusing your request." Dominic explained.

He already knew what the Royal Guard would say. They wouldn’t want him anywhere in the Manor.

Jerome frowned. "My Lord, I will prove myself to you. One week of sanctuary, until the mercenaries are no longer chasing me, and I will become a productive member of society."

Dominic frowned. "You do understand that you are no longer a Noble, yes? Are you trained for any sort of skill that would make you a living as a commoner?"

The fallen Dagos Noble chuckled grimly. "Well, I’ve got plenty of experience felling and splitting wood. I don’t suppose that you would be short a woodcutter, would you?"

Dominic smiled. "In fact, we are. Alright, I will speak to the Royal Guard, and find accommodation for your stay here. Once we’re sure that the mercenaries are no longer after you, you can move to one of the vacant woodcutter’s houses on the outskirts.

I suggest that you use the intervening time wisely, to make good relations with the townsfolk. They’ll be your companions and lifeline for the foreseeable future."

"Colonel Wilkes. Is there an empty guest suite for Jerome? He will need a few days in the Manor before he goes out to get acquainted with the village. Once he is situated, he has indicated that he wishes to become a woodcutter." Dominic called, knowing the guard was just around the corner.

"Understood, Your Grace. But be aware that I am against allowing the defector to stay anywhere except a cell." The Royal Guard replied.

"Noted. I believe that he will be on his very best behaviour. Especially if he intends to remain in the area and not continue to flee for his life." Dominic agreed.

Once the pair was gone, Dominic went looking for something to help with around the house. Everything was fairly well under control, so he headed back into the village to work on rebuilding and repairing housing.

They still had the Merchant’s Guild caravan in town, though they would be leaving soon.

The new arrivals were sure to need at least a few items put on the list for their new homes, and Dominic preferred to be the one to take their requests so that they could all get to know him.

Many Lords were only vaguely aware of the peasantry living on their estates except on tax day, but that wasn’t his style.

So, Dominic was just outside of town, helping a friendly young family with far too many sheep get settled when the mercenaries hunting the fallen Nobleman arrived.

Dominic raised a hand in greeting, and the riders immediately came over to him, not hiding their weapons or their intentions.

"My Lord, might I ask where we are?" The leader of the group asked.

"Wistover Duchy, under the dominion of the King of Cygnia, and myself." Dominic replied.

The mercenary bowed in his saddle. "Duke Wistover, a pleasure to meet you. We have been hired to collect a bounty. Guardsman Jerome Wall is wanted for desertion."

Dominic nodded. "Dagos warrants don’t hold much weight this far into Cygnia."

The mercenary shrugged. "Money is money. He smuggled a load of skilled peasants out of Dagos with him, and his father is a smidgen upset about the matter.

We don’t want a fight with a Duke’s estate, we just need the confirmation to get paid."

"What confirmation do you need?" Dominic asked.

"The family crest that he wears around his neck. His father would prefer if the head was still attached to it, but he’s not particular, as long as the crest makes its way back to him."

Dominic frowned. "He is in my dungeon, as I’m sure that you’ve already realized, as you arrived less than an hour behind him. I will give you your proof, and then ask that you return to your employer."

The man’s face wrinkled as he smiled, revealing a long scar hidden under his beard.

"Well, I don’t imagine that life is going to get much better for him, even if he grovels and begs to live here as a common pig farmer in some half populated backwater.

No offence to the estate.

You have a deal, Your Grace."

Dominic nodded. "Alright, let me grab a guard and have them get the token."

One of the older children from the farm perked up at his comment.

"My Lord, I can run that message for you."

Dominic smiled and tossed him a copper coin. "Tell the Guard to bring me the new arrival’s Family Crest. They will understand."

The boy took off running, happy to earn the coin.

Now that the town had a mercantile store, there was a good chance that even a few errands for Dominic could get him one of the items on his wishlist.