Volume 2 – Inheritance of Fire
Chapter 3 – Summit Preparations
Part 1 - The Core 3
The council chamber had been cleared of lesser voices. Only three remained—Elric, General Rowen, and Lady Tyla. These were the pillars of Hollowreach's current regime, the ones most able to act swiftly, to shift the weight of tradition when pressed.
Maps lined the center table, old and worn. Ledgers, scrolls, and plates of dates and cheese formed the outer ring. This was not a council of war, but one of foundations.
"We have three days before the summit," I began, hands resting on the table's edge. "We need to align our priorities, draft proposals, and agree on the systems that will define this kingdom's future."
Rowen nodded. "Start at the spine, then flesh it out."
"Exactly," I said. "We begin with trade. From now on, all commerce within the kingdom will be monitored, registered, and taxed by a central authority. No more fragmented tariffs. No more city-states acting like independent merchants. This will be capitalism—but under regulation."
Elric leaned in, adjusting his spectacles. "We'll need a Merchant Registry, crown-certified auditors in each city, and a licensing body. The current guilds won't like it."
"Let them voice concern," Tyla said. "Then remind them the roads they use, the guards that protect them, and the courts they appeal to are funded by the crown."
"We can ease transition," Elric added. "Offer a tax grace period to compliant merchants. Make it beneficial before it becomes punitive."
I gave a short nod. "Do it."
"Infrastructure," I continued. "We're rebuilding from the ground up. Every mega-city will be redesigned under a central layout—marketplaces, housing districts, administration halls, sewage, and aqueducts. Professionals from Hollowreach will lead the design. No more nobles running cities unchecked. They'll serve on local councils, but city governance will come from appointed officials. A dual system—each one watching the other."
"Checks and balances," Tyla murmured. "But nobles won't like ceding control."
"Then they'll govern better," I replied.
Rowen rubbed his beard. "They'll test us, especially Dreystan. That house sees itself as sovereign."
"Then we show them they're not," Tyla replied.
I turned to the road maps. "A new network. I call it the Roman design. Military roads—straight, elevated, durable. Main lines from Hollowreach to every mega-city. Smaller branches to towns. Trade posts every thirty miles. Patrol towers every hundred."
Rowen nodded. "We'll need a separate Road Marshal Corps. Military presence, but civil management."
"Create the charter," I said. "And hire builders from Corvain. Their stonecutters are unmatched."
"Now education," I said. "Every citizen from age twelve onward—regardless of class—will receive basic instruction. Reading, writing, and arithmetic. Two hours a day, four days a week."
Elric raised a brow. "Even farmers? And the elderly?"
"Especially them. Knowledge must be normalized."
Tyla spoke up. "We'll need a teachers' academy and a licensing board. Some cities have temple schools—those can be adapted."
"Good," I said. "Begin drafting the education code. Prioritize Hollowreach and Varrowind as pilot cities."
Rowen folded his arms. "And the army?"
"Total overhaul," I said. "We need a proper chain of command. Nobles may maintain personal militias, but all formal armies will be under kingdom jurisdiction. Appointments will be earned through merit. War colleges will be established in Hollowreach and Corvain. Once stabilized, a national draft system will follow."
"We'll need central barracks, unified training standards, logistics branches," Rowen said. "And a pay scale."
"Draft them all," I said. "Use our existing officers to seed the new ranks."
Tyla hesitated. "And the bondservants?"
I looked to each of them. "We sift the ranks. No more ten-year catch-all sentences. From this point forward, each crime will have a matching sentence. Those convicted of capital offenses—rape, murder, treason—will be executed quietly. No trials. No delay."
Rowen gave a slow nod. "We'll need executioners and interrogators that know how to do it clean."
"Start with Hollowreach. Work outward."
"And the others?" Elric asked.
"Non-violent offenders will be assigned to support roles—supply lines, medical corps, engineers. Violent, but not capital, offenders will remain in the front lines. However, those who demonstrate discipline may be evaluated for integration into the national army."
Tyla added, "We should draft a rehabilitation clause. Something structured. Even bondservants need a path forward."
I smiled faintly. "Add it."
They exchanged looks. Not hesitant—resolute. Their kingdom was changing beneath their feet.
And they would help forge the path forward.