'Em. . .' I doubled checked the list to make sure I was NOT checking it wrong, and nope. I was right. 'Lowell, Frederick?' I asked around.
A man in, what I could guess was his late forties or mid-fifties, standard up and walked towards me. This man was almost (if not a little taller) than Calloway, which was both impressive and a bit intimidating. But I did not let myself be fooled by that height, for he showed a dull and tired stare, eyebags that would resemble a zombie's, and some stars in his face and neck. Despite his long and thick coat, one does not need to guess that he probably has that and MORE stars underneath that coat. . . And probably inside his soul.
I smiled at him. 'Please, follow me.' I brought him into my office and we chatted a little bit more.
Mr. Lowell was fifty-four years of age (which was a surprise for me considering that for me he looked like five years younger), and was a retired knight from the royal knighthood. He's been staying from place to place because he said and I quote 'I do not see the point in spending THAT much gold into a place that I probably won't even live in. I already had my golden days of honor and glory serving the Kingdom and know I want to keep working but in simple jobs and traveling as I see fit. I would be throwing away good gold if I were to spend it like my other comrades who have retired too.'
Mr. Lowell offers his services as a knight to stand guard for both the restaurant, the apartment complexes, and the farm house plus the cottages.
I hired him. I had to. While Karga has been doing a good job along with her brother, her brother is only here until his debut has been payed, so this knight is exactly what I needed for the winter.
We signed the contracts, I have him his keys, and we quickly discussed the schedule he will follow for the the first month. Although, I had to let him know, that since I have non-humans people living and working for me, it is mandatory to either treat each other as coworkers, or just plainly be neutral about each other. 'I do not need you to be best friends or anything with the non-humans, but since the places that I own are strickly for people to stay, chat, work and rest, and do not need any sort unnecessary fight nor conflict with them. Alright?' I asked him.
The retired knight nodded, although the right side of his lip curled up in a bit of annoyance at the fact that he will have to be among the non-humans. . . But again, he must not mind it THAT much since he is still willing to stay here.
Or at least I hope so.
Once again, we left the office and he sat alone but closer to Mr. Calloway and Mr. Bell.
I checked the list one more and took a deep breath and exhaled. 'Moonfang, Rhazaroth?' I asked raising an eyebrow at the name.
The dragonoid was big and broad, making me wonder how was he even able to enter through the door. He could even rival a pure blooded orc. But he had horns in his head, and what would be a complete armour if it were not for the fact that they did not wear their helmet right now.
We went inside my office and we then chatted.
Rhazaroth Moonfang was a dragon born who got dared by some dragonborn's of his pack to live among the humans for the next few hundred years. . . Quite an impulsive dare to give and an even more impsulsive decision to do so, but again, who am I to judge?
Moonfang took a liking to this kingdoim because of its military force, so he enlistes to help in the most recent war. . . He did not add much details besides the fact that he did not wished to join a human war again any time soon. . . Or ever.
But anyway, he clarified he only had about a decade or so until he completely his dare, so he wanted to keep up the dare by living somewhere farther from the war, and any human political problems. When he heard that I was willing to accept non-human employees he decided to try things out.
Poor thing. I felt sorrow for him while smiling safely at him. He came to human world to complete a dare and even though he's doing well, he probably saw the worst side of humanity during the war battles. I exhaled alongside him and went on to write. 'Well, while I can safely hire you as a guard, I fear that I already have enough guards for the day. . . Are you willing to take the night shift?' I asked.
'Absolutely.' Mr. Moonfang responded nodding profusely. 'While dragonborns live in packs, we tend to have an independant and loner nature, so working alone with no disturbance is a better fit for me.' He said.
'In that case, you'll be required to work the seven days of the week, from seven in the night, to six in the morning. That will be about eleven hours per shift, are you sure you can do this?' I asked just to be sure and to reassure myself.
'If I was capable of mantaining night shifts during rain and snow fall during the war, I can do peaceful night in the countryside.' He declared.
I sighed heavily. 'Fair enough.' I finished waiting the contracts. 'Since you'll be working full-time you'll be payed Fifteen coppers per hour.' I told him.
The dragón born raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'Really? Well, color me surprise, most humans prefer to raise my payment from forty to sixty coppers per week.' He muttered, looking as annoyed as he probably felt.
'That is because, while it is legally required, it is not necessarily since the economy is just "that good" and is not legally reinforced.' I explained it to him. 'Although I must tell you, the rent is one hundred and fifty coppers at the end of the month. It would two hundred and fifty coppers per month, but since you are now an employee for me. you get an employee discount, and you'll receive you whole payment bi-weekly, or every two weeks in other words.' I added giving him the documents.
The dragon-born whistled impressed, but as he read through he frowned. 'Why only three years though?' He asked.
'That is because I only started the restaurant business and, basically the whole renting business last year so, I basically do not know if it will work in the long run. Also, while some people say that they will stay longer, they might have to cut their stay short for one reason or another. So, three years is the maximum number of years I can make myself agree to let someone stay in my houses.' I shrugged embarrassed. 'But do not worry, at the end of the three years, if you will want to stay in the apartments, we can renew the contracts for another three years, and so on until you complete your dare if you'd like.' I proposed.
The dragon-born seemed to think about it carefully and nodding in agreement. 'Very well.' He then started to sign the contracts and I did the same.
As soon as we were done, I brought him outside and let him sit again and then went on to check who was next. 'Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood?' I asked looking at the last couple.
The married couple standed up and Mr. Rosewood helped his wife, who was already showing the belly through the dress, walk to the office and we three sat down and got comfortable.
'So, you are the owner?' Mr. Rosewood asked.
'Why yes I am.' I nodded. 'Is there a problem with that?' I inquired.
'Oh! Nono. I was just surprised, because, not many women get the opportunity to be independent.' Mr. Rosewood clarified. 'Especially so young.' He looked at me up and down.
'Oh, do not fret, I may be young but my father was a famous baker back at my ol' town, he taught a few things before passing away.' I told him.
'He must have been a very good man.' Mrs. Rosewood spoke for the first time.
'Yes, he was.' I looked through Amelia's memories, remembering father's laugh and the joy he shared with Amelia with nostalgic. 'But let's go straight to business, shall we?' I changed the subject of using in the present.
The couple were in their mid-thirties, and had a numerous family with them, eight children growing up and one on the way. They used to have a farm with cows, horses, sheep, and chickens, but then, a local lord bought several lands along the town including theirs and he evicted everyone from the property. They had to sell their livestock, with the exception of one cow and one horse to make their way to the capital.
They saw that I was offering to rent a small farm with a small barn big enough for two horses or two cows already installed and ran here hoping to get the farm.
'Well, good news for you, the spot is still open so, you and your family will have it.' I declared.
They celebrated like a recently married couple.
'But I must tell you something. Since it is a small farm, the rooms are in the second floor and are, to put it lightly, limited. There's a master bedroom for both of you to have, two other bedrooms for two or three people each, and even smaller bedroom big enough for a nursery.' I gave a detailed explanation using the old sketch my children helped me use. 'Along with a "free space" to use as a shower o anything that you'll like to do.'
The couple looked through it with amazement and awe.
'Although, if I think about it, you could also use the small space over here, as a bedroom for a toddler or two.' I pointed to the small space on the rooftop. 'But that will be up to you honestly.' I shrugged.
They looked at each other in silence, as if they were having a deep conversation on what to do. 'Just to clarify, besides the rooms, what else does the farm has?' The husband asked.
'Well, what I just showed you is mainly the second floor. The main floor has a living room, kitchen, laundry room and a small pace to take baths during winter since, you know. . . It is too cold to do it outside.' I detailed as I showed them the parts of the house with the sketch. 'As for the land, you'll have a front garden to grow the flowers and herbs you see fit and a small field where to farm the crops. There's also a small barn for the cow and horse, and, last but not least, two outside bathrooms right outside the back door.' I added.
The couple blinked at everything. 'Do we need to buy anything to furnish it?' Mrs. Rosewood asked.
'It is basically furnished.' I answered. 'For a more detailed answer, it contains basic furniture which includes a dining table and some chairs in the middle of the kitchen and livingroom, a big bed for the master bedroom and two beds for each of the other two bedrooms. The smaller room does not have anything except a window, so you will have to get a crib if you do not already have it. As for the livingroom, there are two medium sized sofas, a rocking chair and two small wood seats.' I gave them the list of what they would first find inside the house. 'I also have the tools for laundry already in the laundry room.' I added.
Their eyes were twinckling of excitement.
'I tried to keep it simple so everytime a new family comes in, they get to decorate and maybe remodel the place as they see fit, not wanting to decorate it to the point people decide that the style was not for them. I did furnished the living room with a big clock though.' I told them admitting my own skepticism. 'So, do you still want to move in?'
'Oh absolutely!' Mr. Rosewood affirmed alongside his wife who was nodding profusely.
'In that case, let's move onto the payment.' I went on to show the contracts. 'Mr. Rosewood, since you are the main bread winner of your family, you'll be required to work from six in the morning up to seven at night, you'll be working thirteen hours per day, the seven days of the week. This means that you'll be working full-time, which means you'll be payed fifteen coppers per hour.' I told him.
'Fifteen-come-again?' Mr. Rosewood asked surprised.
'Fifteen hours per hour.' I repeated. 'Is that enough for you?' I asked.
'Yes yes! It is more than enough actually, hehe.' Mr. Rosewood chuckled nervously. 'A-Although I have to ask, is it possible for you to hire some of my children as well?' He asked with hope.
'D-Dear!' Mrs. Rosewood scolded her husband with fear in her eyes.
'I-I was just asking!' He said raising his hands.
I chuckled. 'Well, they would have to come with the same paper as you have but with their abilities and strength, and it would depend on what type of work would they want to be hired as.' I told him. 'But if what you want them to do is gain experience, you might have to tell me their ages first.'
'W-Well, I have five sons so far of ages seventeen, fourteen, twelve, and five. The twins are twelve just to clarify.' He told me. 'As for my daughters, I have three of them so far, the oldest being sixteen, and a pair of twins who are seven years old.' He answered.
'Hmm. . . Well, I am very flexible when it comes to hiring people of both genders.' I told him. 'But I am, afraid that, if you and your children want to be payed even the biggest amount I can afford, they have to come for themselves and apply for the jobs they want.'
The couple looked a bit troubled and looked at each other briefly. 'E-Even the youngest ones?' The wife asked.
'Oh! No no! I do not allow children under twelve to work for me.' I stated. 'Do not get me wrong, I just do not see ethical in making tiny children work. I would prefer them start learning how to read, add, subtract and write, than killing their backs at work.' I explained my point of view to them.
The couple looked troubled but relieved at the same time.
'As for the children between twelve and fifteen, I am afraid that they still cannot be hired as even part-time, but, they can be hired casually and ocasionally, which it allows me to hire them from fifteen coppers per week to twelve coppers per day depending on the job and circumstances.' I gave my hiring proposal for those below sixteen and above eleven years old. 'And, they need written parental consent so I can avoid any legal fingers pointing at me for child explotation and for you to avoid any legal trouble that states "child neglect."'
They seemed to come up to the idea. They did not frown anymore, and looked a bit more relieved.
'And last but not least, those from sixteen years of age to eighteen years of age.' I stated. 'These ages can be hired formally without parent consent, but, since they are still under aged, I can only allow myself to hire them part-time which is about fifteen coppers per day.' I told them. 'Once the children become eighteen they can either wait a little more while still working partially, or they can transition to become full-time employee for fifteen copper per hour.' I finished explaining.
They nodded at the same time in agreement.
'That, sounds delightful.' Mrs. Rosewood said smiling lighter.
'I'll talk to my children about it and tomorrow morning they'll come to see you.' Mr. Rosewood promised me as he signed the contracts.
'Very well, you actually came to me in good time, for I had to close the restaurant because we now have to restock everything.' I chuckled a bit embarrassed.
'The restaurant must be prosperous then.' Mrs. Rosewood determined smiling brightly.
'Yeah, and I only open it last year and some time ago, and thanks to the new customers and new residents arriving almost daily, it is saving me from having to close it and having to move somewhere else.' I exhaled admitting my stress.
'Oh my!' Mrs. Rosewood exclaimed as she took her turn to sign the papers.
'Yeah, but, do not worry, I am now seeing the saving chest grow as we speak and I am sure we'll thrive in winter.' I reassured her keeping my contract copies. 'And remember, keep the contracts safe from fire, water and children, any scratch, burn, drench, or etc, can make the contracts lose its value and then we'll have legal trouble that none of us want to go through.' I reminded them.
They nodded as they followed me out.
'Okay everyone! It seems we all been hired! Aplause for you all!' I encouraged and aplauded for everyone.
They all did. With winter close by, and people going through similar problems, it was hard not to feel excited and happy to find a refuge and work before winter.
'Now, I am going to divide you into two groups, those who will go to the mini houses and those who will live in the farm homes.' I divided the room once more.
They all did as I requested.
'Great, thanks! Now, I'll be the biggest group to their new home s first and then I'll come back with the other group, sounds good?' I asked.
They all nodded.
'Good. Mini homes group, follow me!' I encouraged the group who will be living on the apartments to follow me.
They did as I asked.
I gave them the usual tour. Fence, garden, the people already outside, the inside common area, the library, the bathrooms to take baths, the five outside bathrooms to potty, the outside and inside of the apartments.
As I showed them the apartments, I also made sure to recall the rules of the apartments, while looking at the satyr in the eye, knowing full well that his species tend to live for the excess.
After that, I let them go for their stuff to move in while I went for the half-orc and the human couple to bring them to their new homes.
Needless to say, the three of them seemed to have fallen in love with their new homes. They have also seemed to have warned up to each other (after all, they will be neighbours soon), and soon we met Ivy carry it out more pumpkins from her garden.
'More pumpkins?! Yikes, those mini pumpkins sure grow fast, heh.' I said to Ivy.
'I know right?! These pumpkins are known to also last for long periods of time without rotting, so we do not have to worry about them rotting before eating!' Ivy assured me as she traveled back to the warehouse.
'I am so going to have to come up with products with mini pumpkins if I am gonna make profit out of them and get rid of them at the same time.' I murmured to myself.
Both the couple and the half-orc chuckled a bit.
'Anyway, as for the three of you, I expect you start planting crops as soon as possible and start to move in, not in that order.' I let them know my expectstions. 'As for the payment, once you have completely the first two weeks of work, you'll receive payment, and since we are already very late in Semptember I'll make the exception of rent for this month, BUT, better be prepared to pay the required amount by the end of October.' I advised them. 'Am I clear?' I asked.
'Yes mam!' The three of them exclaimed getting as stuff as soldiers.
'Very well.' I nodded to that and left them to move in at their own time. 'Oh! I almost forgot. Since you both will be farmers but we are very late for most crops, I hope you can find a way to make money besides the farming, and, as soon as you get an idea, to please let me know, so we can adjust things out. Okay?'
'Yes mam!' The three of them agreed nodding at the same time.
'Good. Carry on.' I let them go.
They all sped off (with Mrs. Rosewood being more careful because of her pregnancy) to get their stuff and move in.
'So, does that mean they are officially my neighbours?' Ivy asked coming up to me.
'Yeah, sorry to interrupt your peaceful and silent days Ivy.' I apologized.
'It is fine, as long as their children do not come playing pranks on me, I am TOO old for that type of shit.' Ivy said crossing her arms.
'Be nice though.' I warned her.
'Yeah yeah. . .' Ivy agreed. 'Will you give them welcome gift baskets?' She asked.
'Oh that's right!' I almost forgot the gift baskets. 'Thanks Ivy!'
'No problem!' Ivy waved her hand to bid goodbye.
I quickly returned to the restaurant just in time for Bailey to come and feed the girls. While she did that I gave Liam his lunch and started to do make the welcome gift baskets in alphabetical order through surnames.
But first, I put some basic things I had in excess like loafs of plain and whole wheat bread, oatmeal cookies, some cheese, jam, flower teas, one or two big candles (depending on how many people they were for each basket), and a postcard that said "Welcome home."
Afterwards, I determined what to give everybody depending on their jobs and species.
"For Lewin Bell, who is a writer, beside the loafs of bread, I put white bread, dry fruit and sun-toasted nuts, two small season pies (walnut and pumpkin), light apple cider, an extra candle (although more smaller), a red colored raven feather from the sack of feather that I got for myself and a small jar of ink that I had in my drawers."
I wrote in my book to make sure I had a registration for everything.
"For Finn Calloway, who is a welder and a lumberjack on the side, besides the loafs, I put a brown bread loaf, cheese, a small jar of honey, a tiny box of salt, a thick handkerchief, some smoked and dry meat and a bottle of light wine.
For Hughard Ironhide and his pregnant wife, I put a big jar of sourdough and another jar full of yeast beside each other (with name tags just to be safe), a sack of flour, a small sack of sugar, spices like salt, pepper, cinnamon, smoked meat and dried fruit, a soap bar with a towel that I got as a cleaning rag (yet I can clearly feel it as a towel), chamomile tea, one apple and one walnut pie.
For Green Lee, I put in the basket, five fresh apples and twelve fresh figs, dried fruits and nuts, mead (honey beer), apple pie and an improvised candy apple (a caramel apple on a stick).
For Frederick Lowell, I put some lavender and chamomile teas for him, two soap bars plus a simple towel, smoked meat, a batch of twelve meat pies, some spices like salt, pepper, cinnamon and paprika, a small jar of coffee, a small box of of honey candy, and a bar of butter.
For Rhazaroth Moonfang, I put three medium sized sacks of dry meat, salty butter, a whole jar of peanut butter and another jar of jam, a medium sized sack of salt, some dried spicy peppers, and some spicy spices like pepper, ginger, and paprika.
Last but not least, for Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood, I got the biggest basket I could find because it was quite the numerous family they had (plus one more incoming), and put two more loafs of bread for them, a bucket full of pork lard, a big sack of oatmeal and another yet smaller sack of flour, dried herbs like rosemary, laurel, and barley, a small sack of salt, a big meat pie and a big apple pie, and some paper and coloring tools (plus five erasers and two small knifes for pencil shaperner) for the children."
I then asked Azruk, Karga's brother to help me deliver the welcome bigger welcome gift baskets to the new residents. These bigger baskets were for Lowell, Moonfang, Ironhide and the Rosewoods.
We both put them at the entrance of each household and left them at that, seeing that no one had moved in just yet.
Both high fived each other (although Azruk had to be more gentle with me) and we went back to our things.
I then started to make up a new schedule and to find more tools to be able to pay everyone fairly without having to be suspicious of anyone lying or slacking.