Chapter 84: Day 110

"I felt we needed to report to you directly, Your Majesty," Matthias said when he was shown in to see the King very late the next day.

"What happened that required that?" King Robert inquired.

Matthias explained the events in and around Southham, including the two attacks on members of the Company, and the lack of further leads on the Black Crows.

"Milos believes a military operation is necessary, but I believe that would be counterproductive," Matthias said, concluding his report.

"The Queen agrees with you, but I lean towards Milos' thinking," King Robert said.

"Perhaps a middle solution is appropriate," Karla suggested. "I propose mounted patrols along the road from Southham to Dal Valley and the road from Southham to Thornwick."

"Add a small additional garrison in Southham, and that would likely work," Milos observed. "It would limit the risk to travelers, and be a show of strength without an overt military operation."

"As long as the patrols are combined with a just administration of the Law, equitable taxes, and mercy where appropriate, I would support that plan," Matthias said.

"The Queen proposed a similar plan," Robert replied.

"The Queen can speak for herself!" Miri interjected mirthfully. "But it is true that I did encourage the King in that direction."

"What do you intend to do now that you've made your report, Count Matthias?" Robert inquired.

"Return to Southham to see if Tristan, Lisette, and Tyra have uncovered anything. I will travel by way of Newtown, as I need to stay there a day or two in order to meet with representatives of the Millers Guild. They are unhappy with my mill and the prices I charge for milling wheat, barley, rye, and oats."

"Do you have a response in mind?"

"I will reinforce what my Lady wife said to them — an offer to give them priority for building their own windmills. I do not believe I should raise prices or limit my production of flour to allow the Guild to charge higher prices and control the market. Competition is beneficial for farmers and bakers, ultimately reducing the price of flour and bread, which in turn improves the lives of the people. That is something for which you, as King, could take credit."

"And that, Lord husband," Miri said with a smile, "will reduce discontent among the people."

"But increase it with the Millers Guild," King Robert countered. "They have significant influence with the Nobles."

"In the end, what can they do except accept the new situation?" Queen Miri asked. "Do we stop all progress because some group feels slighted? Even when the populace benefits? That is a recipe for stagnation, or worse, rebellion."

"But it disrupts society, which is why I advise measured progress," Milos interjected.

"You cannot control the advance of technology," Matthias retorted. "It happens at its own pace, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. That said, I will be measured in what I do introduce. Others will build on those ideas and others on those ideas, at an accelerating pace, with occasional pauses, as some significant challenge must be overcome to take the next big step."

"Just be careful, my Count," Queen Miri advised.

"Always, my Lady Queen."

"I will order a company of mounted troops to regularly patrol the roads to and from Southham," King Robert said. "I will also order a battalion of infantry to be stationed at a new fortified camp to be built just outside Southham. That will also allow for the defense of Southham should Pârsâ try to move against us."

"Do you expect that to happen, Your Majesty?" Milos asked.

"Given the possible conspiracy Count Matthias described in his report involving King Ludwig, and potentially my father? I would say at this point, anything is possible, and Dania and Pârsâ are very likely to try to take advantage of the situation. The fact that King Ludwig might have been in league with Dania is somewhat frightening."

"In our OP," Queen Miri said, "one way autocrats controlled the people and created conditions that allowed them to accumulate power was to create an enemy to unite the people. They would also use fear of unrest to clamp down on traditional rights and freedoms."

"That thinking is why you both believed restoring the privileges of the Knights was vital to the Realm," King Robert observed. "In addition, your experience with oppressive priests is why you are both concerned about the High Priest."

"Yes," Queen Miri replied. "The threat is always found in the accumulation of power in too few people."

Robert nodded. "That explains Count Matthias' concern about the Millers Guild."

"The concern is price fixing and excess profits," Matthias interjected. "Smiths and tinkers set their own prices and terms, and that facilitates competition and makes the service available to more people. The Millers Guild, under the guise of quality control and uniformity, seeks only to protect its income.