“If that’s what you want to call it,” Emily replied with a soft chuckle.
“There will be three officers below Bridgette,” Neph continued, once the grumbling had died down again. “Noble, Savy, and Foster. That is your chain of command for now. If you have questions or problems take it to one of your officers. If you have a problem with one of the officers take it to Bridgette. If you have a problem with Bridgette, fucking wait until Valor gets back. I’m sure he will care, I don’t. Are we clear? Just nod.” Neph paused again his eyes scanning the crowd of knights once more. His gaze lingered for a bit on the two closest to his wagon that Bridgette had pointed out as being dangerous. “That said, let me tell you what will happen if I have a problem with you.” Neph began once more, his gaze still lingering on the two knights who were glaring at him in turn. “If it is a minor problem, I will speak with Bridgette. If it is a major problem, I will bury your ass and point out the gravestone to Valor on his return. In Arovan you answer to a military tribunal; here you answer to me. If I have proof of your guilt, I will not hesitate to act and I may not warn you in advance. The safest course you have is, if you think it is wrong and you may get in trouble for it, don’t fucking do it.”
“They are praying for Valor’s swift return. You know they are,” Emily whispered in amusement.
“May I ask exactly where Lord Valor is?” One of the knights near the wagon called with anger thick in his voice.
Neph glared down at the man and looked over the crowd once more. Pointing a figure toward the man he cleared his throat. “Here is a perfect example of not listening. I clearly stated that if you have a question take it to one of your officers. I am not one of your officers. If you are speaking to me, chances are you are screwed and I’m about to put you in a hole. Bridgette is appraised as to Valor’s current location. If she feels like telling you all, you will know.” Neph paused and lowered his hand as he shook his head in disgust. Letting out another deep breath he motioned toward the town. “As you can all see we are in a process of building right now. My priority is building shelter for the commons. If you all want a cozy place for your pretty ponies outside of the snow you will be building it yourselves. We have materials available but we do not have the manpower to spare. I know most of you are noble brats and don’t know which way to hold a hammer, but I highly suggest you try to learn. There are no barracks, either, though if you build a stable that may not bother you. From what I hear the knights of Arovan sleep with their horses. Suit yourselves on that matter.” Neph shrugged and dropped down from the grain sacks then paused and looked to Bridgette. “If you would like materials for building you can find me near the center of town. I will see that you get all that you require.”
“Think they are going to lynch him?” Emily asked softly as she watched Neph drop down from the wagon and turn back toward town.
“Or trample him.” Sovann suggested. “I came with him, however, so I’m following now before they get the mistaken belief that I echo his sentiments toward them. I can see Jail and Madren at the edge of the crowd. I’m going to follow Neph just long enough to reach them and pretend I don’t know Neph if the knights go for their swords,” he added softly as he dropped down from the wagon and moved quickly to follow in Neph’s wake.
Emily watched him go but remained sitting perfectly still where she was. There was no doubt in her mind that interesting conversations would follow that speech.
“Bloody bastard,” a woman sighed loudly, followed by a sniff of disgust. “Surely they have enough commons to build barracks.”
“Lord Neph, a moment please,” another woman called loudly over the buzzing of the crowd. Emily turned quickly in that direction in time to see the woman Bridgette had named as Savy dismounting from her horse and approaching Neph with a smile on her beautiful face. Her long red hair was pulled back neatly and her armor shone brightly in the fading sunlight. To any other man, her appearance alone would have brought a smile. Neph however simply glowered at her.
“I was wondering perhaps if there might be some sort of arrangement we could come to in regards of Officer’s quarters,” Savy purred, giving Neph a smile that would have melted most men in their boots.
Neph let out a long sigh and glanced back toward the town. Pointing at the small crowd of onlookers Neph looked back toward Savy. “Do you see that goat the boy over there is holding?” Neph asked in a voice filled with mock patience.
“Yes,” Savy answered, sounding a bit confused as she glanced between Neph and the goat the pretty smile faltering on her lips.
Emily clamped her mouth shut tighter to keep from laughing aloud. She knew Neph well enough to know what was coming next. The Delvay mage was crude and reliably an asshole even to perfect strangers such as the poor unsuspecting woman before him. Sovann apparently knew what was coming as well as he was edging quickly back to stand beside Jail who didn’t look all that pleased himself.
“Well Savy, if given the choice between bedding you and bedding that goat, I would choose the goat, for the simple reason that I know where that goat has been. You, on the other hand, I can only guess where you have been, and it is a very long list that does not flatter you at all. So, as to any special arrangements you might like to make, just remember in my mind the goat ranks higher,” Neph said with exaggerated kindness and patted her gently on the cheek before turning to walk away once more.
“I have a house! I’ll make arrangements!” Madren yelled loudly as he stepped forward toward Savy waving a hand to get her attention.