| Subject: Settling in |
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Cricket
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Date Posted: 02:42:17 09/15/17 Fri
Life is good here. I am content. Have I ever written those words in a diary before? I do not recall. It does not seem as if I have ever felt this at home or at peace more than I do now.
Life is not all roses of course, there are issues that must be dealt with on a daily basis, not the least of which is managing this small farming village. I wrote last that the manor received but 4% tax on the farmers crops. That is true, but how unpleasant it was to discover that other things are taxed as well. Goats, horses, sheep, cows, even textiles such as blankets and clothing, horse shoes, tack..the list goes on and on. It is no wonder that this small village has remained small and that while those that live here will not leave, very few would want to move here.
I have fired Carlson and sent him away. His presence while at first very pleasant was quickly turning to greedy insolence. The house staff was fired, as I want no one here that I cannot trust. Meg cannot keep up with the house work, the cooking and the children alone but I will give her credit, she tries.
The twins soon found that they did not like living in Lathport, although they are very fond of their brother and his wife. I detected some relief in Khal though, when I suggested the girls only visit instead of live there. It is the same there as it is everywhere, the stares and the threats and as they mature, the cat calls as well. They have learned to curb their reactions and hold their anger, but I do not like to see them so troubled. They are in agreement that they will live with me, but most of their time is spent between school, their brother and being off by themselves. I am quite happy that both of them seem to be taking a real interest in business and I have set the task to them of reviewing the village books when they are at home.
I do not see Khal, his wife or my grandchid as often as I would wish, but I do see them regularly and that is a true blessing in and of itself. That I CAN see them is a gift.
Luke is growing quickly and loves our new place. That boy can make me laugh on the darkest of days. His sense of humor is refreshing and he is quick and smart with his mind and his tongue. He disliked being away at school so much, so Khal helped me find a tutor for him, that comes in four days a week. The rest of the time, I do not see Luke from the time breakfast is over until dinnertime, for he is out riding, running and working. He seems to love all three at this young age of 11. I try to give him as much freedom as I can. It troubles me a little that he and Khal have not much in common and there is a sense of some odd jealousy in the air when they are together, but that is to be expected I suppose.
I have written to Laura, Rizza, Benjamin and Solomon and asked if they would be willing to give up the Mountain House to move here and help Meg with things. I was happy to get their response, which was that Rizza was expecting a child in the winter, but that after the baby was born, they would all move in. Laura and Ben wanted to stay until then as well. So, after the baby comes and when the snows are gone, we will have five more join our House.
The brothel in Ebotai is profitable, but takes me there at least once a month to keep a sharp eye on those profits that they do not slip into several slimey pockets, but I am not unhappy when I travel and I know I have a family and home to come back to. The tavern brings in very little, but it gives Bass and his mother a roof over their head and food in their bellies and he is very good at keeping his ear to the ground for me when I am gone.
After firing Carlson here in Verbena Hills, I have taken stock of the situation and decreed that the flat tax on the crops will remain, but that many other taxes have been repealed. I have allowed a small, flat tax of 3% on all livestock. There was an abandoned Myrite mine in the hills, and after many talks with a few old miners, it has been agreed that the mine will reopen. It will offer them work and I will receive a flat 5% tax on the myrite it produces.
Likewise the people of this village, of which they number only 30, are very well pleased with the changes. I have offered them an "open door" policy, that upon certain days between certain hours, they can come and voice their concerns or ideas to me personally. They are quite unused to that!
I do not see the village growing much, as the lands surrounding Verbena Hills are the property of Lathport's Mayor and the Hills themselves are not condusive to crops. I have suggested that apple trees and hemp are planted in some places and I hope I have freed the people here enough that they feel they can suggest other crops that might grow on what land we have.
There was a small dungeon here, beneath the mayor's house, where the constable puts the drunks and ne'er-do-wells when they are up to trouble and tries the theives that are caught. The village market is very small and burglaries are uncommon, but they do happen. Upon visiting such, there was a girl, no more than 14 and a man, barely in his thirties. The girl had been arrested for stealing cloth, and by the looks of the rags she was wearing, I could hardly blame her. The man had been thrown in for his debt, for he owed approximately 20 gold in taxes.
Both of them I removed from their confinement. I have employed both of them at the house, and I hope that with a decent roof, clean, decent clothes and full bellies, they will be less likely to steal from me. I have made clear what will happen if they do. For now, it is a little more help for Meg until the rest can come this winter.
I hesitate to write this next, for it is not pleasant. I am sure it will come back to haunt me as well, but I have ended the pregnancy in the first three months. My body may be capable of it, but my heart is not. Gaia gave me a wonderful gift, but I cannot let it rule my life. She can take the gift if she so chooses. I believe it is past time for me to grow old and whether or not my body knows it, my brain is tired from all the years. I find I care little whether the gift stays or goes. I am happy where I am these days and I can sit here, before a warm fire, a glass of whiskey beside me, a plate of cakes on the other side and write all of this with a smile.
~C~
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