Aris sat at a desk in a borrowed office, working his way through the deeds and titles, the tax records and statements, and the sundry paperwork that encompassed the taking up of a Noble Title. He had said the oath, formally taken up the title, and now he was faced with sorting out decades of benign neglect topped with recent ravages. The fight at the convent has saved Queen Shalahai''s life, but had also destroyed what had been the main draw to the area. Now he had several petitions to sort through from the small fishing town on top of figuring out how to rebuild the convent.


    "Mrow?" Still awake?


    "Yes Noxxy. I''m still awake and still stuck dealing with this paperwork."


    "Meow?" Still confused by the Queen''s gift?


    "I''m just a fisherman-turned-soldier. What do I know about making heads or tails of these legal documents?"


    "Mrow?" Then why not look at the Queen''s gift?


    Aris carefully lays his quill down, caps the inkwell, places the papers out of the way, and thumps his head onto the desk. "Noxxy, remind me to catch you an extra fish."


    "Mew! Mew?" Fish! Why?


    "Titles and laws aside, it''s a fishing village. It should be running itself, so all I need do is check in with the mayor and make sure everything is running smoothly.


    Two days later, Aris arrived in the tiny fishing town of Ikin, the only town in Trebor, just before sun-rise. He didn''t bother with the whole grand entrance, just stepped off the ferry and started looking for the fishing boats. He found them in short order by following the smell of water-soaked canvas and sweat. A hard-looking fisherelf, bearded and muscled, loomed up to greet him. <Lord? What can we do for you?>This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Airs almost laughed at the elf''s timidness. <Just Aris will do. There''s probably a few dozen things need doing, but they all do better on a full belly. I can listen to whomever needs to talk to me later, but for now, who needs and extra hand on their boat this morning?>


    The fisherelf scratched the back of his head, <I don''t rightly know Lord Aris, that ain''t very Lord-like, an'' none of us can pay in coin...>


    Aris did laugh at that, <Ha! Just swap some stories with me when the catch is in, and we''ll call it even. If I''m to rule this town, then I need to know its people, its stories. Best way to do that is to get my hands dirty helping.>


    The fisherelf nodded slowly, <Then... I guess Old Oloro could use a hand, If he''ll let you help him.>


    Aris nodded,


    Old Oloro turned out to be the oldest fisherelf in the town, but every day he rowed his rickety old boat out as far as he could and cast his patchwork net. <So the send another pasty-faced lass to ''lend me a hand.'' Bah! You''ll just get you foot tangled in the net and rip it again.>


    Aris grinned, <Then I''ll sit and row, and you can do the casting, unless your bones are too achey.>


    Old Oloro grinned back, <now that just ain''t fair! If you are on my boat, then you get to do the rowing and the hauling, seeing as you got enough muscle to go around.>


    Aris clasped his shoulder, <I''ll do the hauling if you''ll lead the shanty then. Lead on.>


    <hr>


    Status Report:


    Treasury: 15000 (after a year of living frugally)


    Income: +5 gold per day (semi-retired Agent of Althiem)


    Equipment: In good condition.


    Estates:


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ikin: Village, Fishing Docks</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Trebor Convent: Ruins</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Four Empty Holdings (may be improved later)</li>


    </ul>


    The Ring: obsidian band with one carbuncle gem and two empty settings


    Total Deaths: 1