CHAPTER 270: HIRE AN ARCHITECT

That refugee influx was going to cause far more problems than it solved.

The King had intended to shuffle them into a backwater Duchy allotment, and keep them somewhat isolated and out of the spotlight of Royal Politics.

The twelve thousand Acres that belonged directly to the Duchy were enough to support a village, or a small town. But anything more than that would start to rely on imports that had been taxed by another Noble, which was less than optimal for their needs.

With twenty Barons under them, the Duchy would be fine, Alexis was certain. But income was the least of their concerns if they were going to start attracting enough refugees to start a city.

For one, housing for them all.

More importantly, she had intended to make use of Dominic’s affinity for magic and magic users to build up a modern enclave with techno magic a normal part of everyday life.

If the Duchy turned into a sprawling refugee slum, there was no way that was going to happen.

At least not any time soon.

"Should we start rebuilding houses in the village right away, and building new expansions closer to the Manor? There is plenty of room for an expanded township site." Dominic suggested.

The only issue with that would be funding. Hiring magic users to build houses wasn’t cheap, and many of the people who would fill them would arrive with nothing but what they could carry.

He knew. Not long ago, he was one of those travellers.

Julio smiled. "I can have the Guild send an architect if you would like? I think that fieldstone row houses would fit the theme of the village very well, and it would help house numerous people with only limited space."

Alexis nodded. "That sounds good. The row houses in the commoner districts really helped clean up the slums when I was young. If we build them now, perhaps we can avoid that stage entirely.

Gods only know how the hunters and others who live in the woods would respond to vagrants stomping through their yards."

Dominic smirked. "Well, fortunately for us, almost all the Hunters live on the south side of the river. There are a number of woodcutters and the witch coven on this side of the river, but the river will keep some of the sprawl contained.

It’s not easy to cross without using the bridge."

Alexis nodded. "Then, Mister Julio, we will ask you to request the services of an Architect. Simple houses are well within our abilities to build and rebuild. But if we’re going to expand the city and keep all the amenities that I would like, then we should have a professional take over.

A full magitech development is in order. Running water, magitech stoves and lights at the very least."

Julio smiled. "I would expect no less, your Highness.

But I would suggest that a few more family compounds, similar to the one that the Khalil Family resides in, are added. There are only four of them in town, and two are mostly burnt.

While the Duchy might not officially have a Noble district like the capital, there will still be need for well appointed housing for those with wealth and large families.

The combination should give a reputation for having suitable housing for every situation, and it will prevent wealthy families from moving to the Baronies and pressuring them to allow an oligarch free rein in exchange for money."

Alexis sighed. "You make an excellent point. Anywhere that a Royal ends up tends to get flooded with wealthy families looking for connections. The same is bound to happen here, and if we don’t prepare for it, we’re going to run into issues with them bullying our newly appointed Barons.

Many of them are from Noble families as well, with connections and political influence.

So, we should prepare a number of larger family estates for them.

Use the farms near town that were all burnt to the ground, and rebuild them as multi building complexes with large gardens and small fields.

They won’t want to become farmers, but they will hire staff to work the fields, as a way to pay tithe and feed the family without dipping into their business resources."

Dominic nodded. "I actually have the plans for exactly that. The Earl approved all new buildings when he was in charge, and the plans are in the Library. The houses of the family compounds all face inward, using the buildings instead of an outer wall, with a wooden perimeter fence between outer buildings, as no stone walls were allowed around commoners’ homes.

I don’t know when that rule started, but it was in place all my life.

So, like the ones that are still standing, five or six buildings facing a central courtyard, with one gate and a wooden fence.

One of the maids came in and silently handed Dominic the plans he was referring to, as they had been left on the table with others that pertained to the development of the village.

"Perfect. What does everyone think of this design? Do the curved tiles and fieldstone walls work for everyone else? They will be easier than fully wooden houses." He asked.

Julio examined the plans, and then nodded. "That will be perfect. The back gate can lead to the outer gardens and fields, while the main gate faces the road. I will ask that the architect they send is familiar with Wavemates design styles, and that he brings a whole team to work on the village.

It will be way beyond our planned budget. However, given the revenue that we have received so far, it is within the funding that we have currently available. Without touching the Princess’ dowry, or selling any soft assets, that is.

Though, if Duke Dominic were to provide some more weapons to the Merchant’s Guild, I am certain that the financial impact would be very minimal."

Dominic sighed, and Pops laughed. The old Dwarf had been right from the start. As he had said the very first day that Dominic worked with him: ’Once you start making weapons, you can’t stop.’