Necromancer: Kingdom Building with My Legion of Undead Knights

Chapter 220: Livestock Run

Darion woke early, the sky still dark outside his window.

The room was cold, the fire having died down to embers during the night.

He lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the day ahead.

Today they traveled to Jiopk to buy livestock. He hadn’t fully planned their journey, but they could do that this morning.

The pens were finished. The money was ready. The carpenters had done their work, and now it was time to fill the structures with animals that would grow, breed, and feed the barony for years to come.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, his joints protesting slightly. The hunt had taken more out of him than he had realized.

He could have taken today to rest But there was no time to rest. There was always more work to be done.

He got dressed quickly, pulling on his traveling clothes, and headed downstairs.

The great hall was already lit, the fire crackling in the hearth.

Garren and Seren were seated at the table, eating breakfast.

The three senior knights who would accompany them were also present, their armor polished, their expressions alert. They had been chosen for their experience and their reliability, men who could handle themselves if something went wrong on the road.

Darion sat down and reached for the food laid out before him. He ate in silence for a moment, then turned to Garren.

"Tell me again about Jiopk," he said. "Not the logistics, the place itself. What’s it like?"

Garren set down his cup and considered the question.

"Jiopk is not a normal kingdom," he said. "It’s not like Percvale or Thandor or Valdenmoor. There’s no ruling lord, no noble family, no royal line. It started as a trading hub, a place where merchants from different territories would meet to exchange goods. Over time, it grew. More people came. More buildings were built. Eventually, it became a territory of its own, governed by the merchants themselves."

Darion nodded. "So it’s a city-state."

"Something like that," Garren said. "The merchants are the ones who make the rules. They’ve set up systems to ensure that trade is fair and reliable, because they know that their reputation is what keeps people coming back. Unlike some places, where merchants try to cheat travelers who won’t return, Jiopk’s merchants are more honest. They know that if they cheat someone, word will spread, and their business will suffer."

"What do they sell?" Darion asked.

"Everything," Garren said. "Livestock. Grain. Cloth. Weapons. Tools. If you need something, you can find it in Jiopk. The markets are always busy, always crowded. The streets are lined with stalls and shops, selling goods from all over the region. It’s chaotic, but it’s also efficient. You can get what you need and get out."

Darion considered this. "You’ve been there before?"

Garren nodded. "Years ago, when Percvale still had some coin to spend. I went with the previous Baron to buy supplies. It was... an experience. The noise, the crowds, the constant bargaining. But we got what we needed."

Darion asked about the journey. "How long will it take us to get there?"

Garren calculated in his head. "If we leave very early, before the sun rises, we can arrive in the afternoon. But that’s only if we push the horses and don’t stop for long. The road is in decent condition for most of the way. The return journey will be slower, since we’ll be herding animals. That should take at least two days, maybe a day and a half."

Darion considered this. It wasn’t ideal, but it was workable. They weren’t at war with anyone. There was no neighboring kingdom or barony or tribe threatening them at the moment. They could afford to be away for a few days. Still, he had reservations.

He paused, thinking about the castle. He, Garren, Seren, and three knights all leaving at once meant the castle would be mostly empty.

No one with real authority would be there to make decisions. He didn’t like the thought of it, but he weighed the risk against the need. They should be back soon. It shouldn’t be a problem. The castle wasn’t under threat. Valdenmoor was neutralized. Thandor was an ally.

Garren seemed to read his thoughts. "I’ll assign trusted senior knights to look over the place while we’re gone," he said. "And the chest of coins is perfectly hidden and secure. No one will find it."

Darion nodded. "That will have to do."

They ate quickly. The meal was simple but filling, exactly what they needed for a long day of travel. Maret and Aldra were already awake, moving between the kitchen and the great hall, preparing food for the journey. They packed bread, dried meat, cheese, and water skins into a leather satchel, enough to sustain them on the road.

After they finished eating, they walked to the stable. It was dark outside, the only light coming from a few torches and the faint glow of the horizon. The air was cold and crisp, carrying the smell of hay and horses.

Wulfric was already there, moving between the stalls. He had been up for some time now, preparing the horses. He led out the five best mounts, sturdy, well-fed animals with glossy coats and bright eyes. They shifted restlessly, eager to be on the road.

"Good luck, m’lord," Wulfric said, his voice quiet but steady. "Bring back good stock."

Darion nodded. "Thank you, Wulfric."

He mounted his horse. Garren and Seren mounted theirs too. The three senior knights followed, adjusting their packs and checking their weapons.

They rode out of the stable and through the castle gate. The town was still asleep, dark and quiet. The only sounds were the clip-clop of hooves and the creak of leather.

Then the pace picked up. Thoom! The horses broke into a trot, then a canter. They were on the road to Jiopk, the town fading behind them, the open road stretching ahead.

Darion felt the wind on his face and the rhythm of the horse beneath him.