The World Dragon Chapter 245: What To Do With You?

Chapter 245: What To Do With You?

Dominic sighed. "Now, what are we going to do with you? By law, I should send you back north across the border. Dagos soldiers hold no legal status within Cygnia right now, other than that of an invading army.

And while you have abandoned your post, and have been cast out of your Noble Family, it doesn’t change the fact that you are, in fact, a Dagos soldier.

Possibly declared a deserter as well."

Jero nodded. "That’s how I ended up looking like this. Word got back that I had been disowned, and the border guards accused

of impersonating a Nobleman for wearing the Officer’s uniform.

A capital cri in Dagos, and likely in Cygnia as well.

Then, just past Lympsbury, the rcenaries caught up to , and I lost most of my supplies. You’re the first inhabited manor I’ve seen since."

Because they were likely the only inhabited manor house for nearly two hundred kilotres in that direction.

"You are putting

in a tight spot here. I can keep you in the manor, but we’ve only just begun to renovate, and space is limited. I can’t leave you in town, you wouldn’t live to see the morning after having shown up in a Dagos Army Officer’s coat.

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the Dagos Nobles weren’t very well regarded, even when they controlled the region.

So, the options are either to protect you forever by hiring you as a manor worker, while granting you sanctuary, make you a prisoner of my estate, or refusing your request." Dominic explained.

He already knew what the Royal Guard would say. They wouldn’t want him anywhere in the Manor.

Jero frowned. "My Lord, I will prove myself to you. One week of sanctuary, until the rcenaries are no longer chasing , and I will beco a productive mber of society."

Dominic frowned. "You do understand that you are no longer a Noble, yes? Are you trained for any sort of skill that would make you a living as a commoner?"

The fallen Dagos Noble chuckled grimly. "Well, I’ve got plenty of experience felling and splitting wood. I don’t suppose that you would be short a woodcutter, would you?"

Dominic smiled. "In fact, we are. Alright, I will speak to the Royal Guard, and find accommodation for your stay here. Once we’re sure that the rcenaries are no longer after you, you can move to one of the vacant woodcutter’s houses on the outskirts.

I suggest that you use the intervening ti wisely, to make good relations with the townsfolk. They’ll be your companions and lifeline for the foreseeable future."

"Colonel Wilkes. Is there an empty guest suite for Jero? He will need a few days in the Manor before he goes out to get acquainted with the village. Once he is situated, he has indicated that he wishes to beco a woodcutter." Dominic called, knowing the guard was just around the corner.

"Understood, Your Grace. But be aware that I am against allowing the defector to stay anywhere except a cell." The Royal Guard replied.

"Noted. I believe that he will be on his very best behaviour. Especially if he intends to remain in the area and not continue to flee for his life." Dominic agreed.

Once the pair was gone, Dominic went looking for sothing to help with around the house. Everything was fairly well under control, so he headed back into the village to work on rebuilding and repairing housing.

They still had the rchant’s Guild caravan in town, though they would be leaving soon.

The new arrivals were sure to need at least a few items put on the list for their new hos, and Dominic preferred to be the one to take their requests so that they could all get to know him.

Many Lords were only vaguely aware of the peasantry living on their estates except on tax day, but that wasn’t his style.

So, Dominic was just outside of town, helping a friendly young family with far too many sheep get settled when the rcenaries hunting the fallen Nobleman arrived.

Dominic raised a hand in greeting, and the riders imdiately ca over to him, not hiding their weapons or their intentions.

"My Lord, might I ask where we are?" The leader of the group asked.

"Wistover Duchy, under the dominion of the King of Cygnia, and myself." Dominic replied.

The rcenary bowed in his saddle. "Duke Wistover, a pleasure to et you. We have been hired to collect a bounty. Guardsman Jero Wall is wanted for desertion."

Dominic nodded. "Dagos warrants don’t hold much weight this far into Cygnia."

The rcenary shrugged. "Money is money. He smuggled a load of skilled peasants out of Dagos with him, and his father is a smidgen upset about the matter.

We don’t want a fight with a Duke’s estate, we just need the confirmation to get paid."

"What confirmation do you need?" Dominic asked.

"The family crest that he wears around his neck. His father would prefer if the head was still attached to it, but he’s not particular, as long as the crest makes its way back to him."

Dominic frowned. "He is in my dungeon, as I’m sure that you’ve already realized, as you arrived less than an hour behind him. I will give you your proof, and then ask that you return to your employer."

The man’s face wrinkled as he smiled, revealing a long scar hidden under his beard.

"Well, I don’t imagine that life is going to get much better for him, even if he grovels and begs to live here as a common pig farr in so half populated backwater.

No offence to the estate.

You have a deal, Your Grace."

Dominic nodded. "Alright, let

grab a guard and have them get the token."

One of the older children from the farm perked up at his comnt.

"My Lord, I can run that ssage for you."

Dominic smiled and tossed him a copper coin. "Tell the Guard to bring

the new arrival’s Family Crest. They will understand."

The boy took off running, happy to earn the coin.

Now that the town had a rcantile store, there was a good chance that even a few errands for Dominic could get him one of the items on his wishlist.