Serpentis Family/Henrich/Living by the Sea - Part I
Henrich had crossed Asylon from the far north to the Capital. On his way he met the hungry, desolate regions and markets closed. Five of his new soldiers had suffered excruciating pain during the travel. The noble was suffering. His father was an excellent Banker used to purchase always a great surplus and execute sales and negotiations that kept the first Papania and then Ohnar West always with good stocks even facing severe winters and hot summers of low production in the badlands. Busy with his own region, that journey had made Henrich realize the level of disorganization and how things flowed naturally to an uncertain fate. He disheartened for a while, thinking why he was not more effective as High Magistrate, but in the end lead the kingdom is a joint effort and even a good Judge cannot solve every problem.
Kid Rock's had grown. There were long months of hard work and fierce fighting against enemies and small infestations. The world could be suffering and changing, but there the grass was green as an emerald and the gentle breeze blew from the sea, the incredible vastness as the mirrored face of sapphires and turquoises. Finally the old war horse of his father could recline its head and chew on something. The travel had exposed some of its ribs, making Henrich regret that terrible luck. It was as if they had crossed the entire desert in search of their oasis. Twenty-five soldiers rejoiced, leaving behind a chaotic world to live with abundance in a small region by the sea.
The group marched along the main road, the only one that went to the extreme north to more distant lands. Many properties were marked with painted rocks and enjoying their freedom many settlers raised their houses and humble shepherds watched their herds, crowding the green countryside with the help of new investments. From the chimneys they saw the spiraling smoke and felt the smell of bread and shellfish stews. The children ran and rolled down in their games, the women smiled and the men waved to them with deep respect and admiration. Henrich was a generous Lord, quiet and of a good spirit he had brought recognition to those people in the figure of High Magistrate and friend of the old King. The name of his family was able to open doors or brings down great walls, but in the end were his character and his own abilities that made him a good ruler.
When the sun crowned the sun, the group stopped. The young Lord wiped the sweat on his forehead and they accepted the invitation of a farmer. The farms still had a very strong familiar influence and were very varied. Kid's Rock had been settled and entire families brought with them their habits and seeds. With the cotton from their sheep they wove pretty dresses and warm clothes. A family of dyers had settled there and mastered the art of extracting colors from the nature. The sea offered unpretentious jewelry and that was the good looks that the visitors would find now. While the soldiers sat under the shade of a porch, Henrich was invited to the main table with many honors. He savored with hunger the fried anchovies, a hot stew of fish with potatoes and carrots and delicious onion dumplings. Instead of the beer or wine, they served him with a fresh liqueur of little wild fruits. Satisfied, the soldiers thanked and Henrich hid some coins in the pocket of one of the children. They left the lush fields to reach the sea.
Advancing to the north they reached the strange rock sculpted by the wind and the primitive temple of Notu, the … Wind. The worship place was marked around the rock with painted stones and a sacred altar. The wind had to blow free and the deity was happy that afternoon, sending peaceful and fresh winds while a handful of people were celebrating a wedding. The young bride was beautiful in her dress and a garland of flowers on her head. There was a commotion when they realized the Stormbringers led by the young Lord saluting them from his horse, giving his bless to the new couple. Many children were rising in Kid Rock's and the region’s name seemed very appropriate. The Serpentis had some notoriety to bring fertility and wealth to the regions they led.
By the river they saw the fishing farms with its small canals and ponds. With green hills, access to the river and the sea, Henrich had a paradise beneath his feet. His people would never know hunger or poverty. A small unit of militia was around to protect them and the Stormbringers returned to control the monsters. The bridge had received some repairs but the roads are still terrible. The Count had plans to start investing the gold in Kid’s Rock to build a new infrastructure, one more appropriated for a distant border region. First the scout guilds, then the banner manufactures and maybe a small house of healing. After that a good recruitment center to honor Asylon and his good name with a new generation of soldiers. The kingdom could be imploding or falling sick with the hunger, but never an Eyolf’s region.
