Even from a distance, he could feel their presence—burning, untamed, and wild like a raging fire. Their aura wasn't concealed in the slightest, as if they wanted to make a statement before even speaking a word.
Nora inhaled sharply beside Jolthar, her fingers twitching.
Roblan remained quiet, but Jolthar could see the tension in his stance.
Jolthar, however, didn't even flinch.
Those riders came to a halt before them.
The man at the forefront dismounted with a fluid grace, his boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. He was tall, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. His hair, a dark shade of auburn, was tied back in a neat queue, and his posture exuded authority.
He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Jolthar, Nora, and Roblan before he spoke.
"I am Alden Veyra, envoy of the Ministry of Finance," he announced, his voice carrying the weight of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
"We have come to inspect the Barony of Tekkora and the progress of the work being conducted here. By order of Minister Ricardus, we are to look over the work going on here and that the barony is in compliance with the Empire's regulations."
Jolthar thought to himself, More like you want to see what's going on here?
Nora's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. Why would they send such powerful individuals for a simple inspection? she wondered. The forge isn't even completed yet. What are they really here for? She exchanged a quick glance with Roblan, who seemed equally perplexed.
But Jolthar remained calm, his expression unreadable. He had seen this kind of display before—a show of strength meant to intimidate, to remind them of their place.
But Jolthar was not so easily cowed.
"You're welcome to look around," Jolthar said, his voice steady and firm.
He gestured toward the camp with a sweep of his hand. "The Barony of Tekkora has nothing to hide. But I must warn you, we've only just begun to recover from the last battle. Resources are scarce, and our people are still rebuilding. I trust you'll take that into account during your… inspection."
Alden's lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course. We understand the challenges you've faced. But the Empire's needs are paramount, and we must ensure that every vessel is contributing its fair share. Especially in times of war."
The mention of war sent a ripple of unease through the group. The letter on the table—the Emperor's decree demanding 300 men for the army—was still fresh in their minds.
The Chittera, those relentless and savage creatures from the southern borders, were on the move again. The Empire was preparing for a full-scale assault, and every vessel of the empire was expected to contribute. But Tekkora was in no position to send its men to war. Not after the gruesome battle they had barely survived.
As Alden and his men began to move through the camp, their presence like a storm cloud looming over the barony, Nora stepped closer to Jolthar. "This isn't just an inspection," she whispered, her voice low and urgent. "They're here to pressure us. To remind us that we're at the Empire's mercy. And those men… they're not just officials. They're enforcers."
Jolthar nodded, his eyes never leaving the envoys as they moved through the camp, their crimson cloaks billowing in the wind. "I know," he said quietly. "But we'll play along—for now. Let them see what they want to see. We'll deal with the rest when the time comes."
Roblan, who had been silent until now, clenched his fists. "They think they can just come here and push us around," he muttered. "We've bled for this land. We've fought for it. And now they want to take even more from us?"
"Patience, Roblan," Jolthar said, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.
The envoys wasted no time.
As soon as they received permission, they dispersed across the area, scrutinizing every detail of the barony's development. They didn't just observe from a distance—they questioned workers, examined ledgers, and even inspected the quality of the raw materials being used. Their presence was overbearing, and they carried themselves with an air of superiority, as if they were here not to inspect but to find faults.
Roblan had been patient throughout the entire ordeal. Despite his frustration, he answered every question with composure, providing details about the forge's construction, the logistics of supply chains, and the workforce employed. He knew that any sign of irritation could be used against them, so he maintained a polite but firm demeanour. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on n0velfire.net
One of the envoys, a lean man with sharp eyes and a constant frown, seemed particularly intent on nitpicking every answer.
"And these workers—where exactly did they come from?" the envoy asked, arms crossed.
"Some are from Tekkora, others from nearby settlements looking for work," Roblan replied evenly. "With the barony expanding, many were eager for stable employment."
The man scribbled something onto his parchment, though it was unclear whether it was an acknowledgement or a complaint.
Another envoy stepped forward, inspecting the half-built structures. "And what of the tools and materials? The scale of this project is no small feat. How did you secure such resources?"
Roblan's patience didn't waver. "We've sourced them from established trade routes, using official channels. Everything is properly documented."
The inspection dragged on for hours. The envoys examined every corner, questioning everyone in the vicinity—from the blacksmiths to the merchants, from the engineers overseeing the forge's construction to the guards standing at the perimeter.
Jolthar waited patiently, seeing how they were throwing their weight around. He was angry, but he held it in.
When they finally reconvened with Jolthar, Nora, and Roblan, the three of them were waiting inside the main tent. The air was thick with tension as Alden, the leader of the envoys, crossed his arms and looked straight at Jolthar.
"Quite the ambitious expansion," he mused. "I must ask—how exactly did you acquire the funds for all this?"