"Charter? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"How is the Stronghold going to be set up, the charter needs to be written so that the Jarl knows what kind of holding you have. Think of it like a contract, which it is, the Jarl's part is the selling of the land and anything you are entitled to. Your part tells him what kind of holding you are looking at. A mining operation, farm, family holding, village... that kind of thing."
I motioned Shyla to a stop and watched the commotion going on at the palisade that crossed the road. From the looks of things, a group of Chiss were taking exception to the bandits in the fort. The others lined up beside me, with Marcurio on my right and Navitas on the far left, Shaimar between us.
"Hmmm well, I would rather be a village, if we have to put anything." I shaded my eye's with my hand and realized it wasn't a two-way fight, but a three-way. " To get more Orcs to come I know it will have to be set up more like the strongholds they know, but I think a Tribunal and as the Stronghold gets larger then add in counselors, so the people have a say. But why is all this necessary?" I turned Shyla back down the road and headed for a shallow water crossing, no point in being attacked from three different sides.
"Taxes.", I looked over at Marcurio
"What? Taxes?! Why?"
"Well, depending on how your charter is written is how the Jarl will expect you to pay taxes. Obviously, a Mine is a business, and a farm is also, but taxed differently. A Village is set up so taxes depend on individual people."
I grumbled to myself, I could not remember our Chief paying taxes, but then again He held the stronghold through might, constantly at war from without and within. I wanted our stronghold to be strong, stronger than those of "traditional" Orcs.
A bandit jumped out from behind a boulder and I relaxedly drew my sword and kneed Shyla towards the man, one slice of my greatsword and his head was rolling back down the hill we had just climbed up. Shaimar and Navitas, off their horses, ran past and took out two more bandits, while a spike of Ice took out the last. We looted the bodies and left them to rot, the scavengers would feast well.
Once we were back on our way to Markarth, I thought of the courier that had intercepted us on our way back with Urag Gro-Shub's books. The Fort one of the books had been in had been infested with Necromancers, the other with Bandits, neither was much of a challenge. I re-opened the letter that my Heart-Mother had sent.
Son of my Heart, Kurdan,
We are just arrived in Markarth, your Heart-Mother had a mishap in the mountains and we had to make camp until she could be moved. A hunter found us a cart that we pulled until we bought a horse from a traveler. Your Mother is healing as well as my skills allow. We will camp here until we hear from you and you can arrange transport to the house of your friends.
We are safe and out of the weather, our hunters and guards have all said that they wish to stay. That is they are all young and wish to join your Stronghold. They think you are not only strong but wise and will test you to see what each one of them thinks is most important. Do not lose your temper with them or treat them as children and that includes your Brother.
Keenya Gra-Olar
I folded it back up as we turned a corner in the road. My Heart-Mother, was never the most physical of females, often having given up her share of food for siblings and children. I urged Shyla into a fast jogging walk, a gate that would allow her to speed past the miles, while not exhausting herself, I did not wish to stop early.
We camped that night on a cliff overlooking the valley that lead down to Solitude and the Sea of Ghosts. I watched the fae lights sweep across the sea, ever-changing and I thought about the best way to get my Birth-Mother to the Cliff house. It would have to be the long way around, via Iverstead, the shorter mountain trail would be much too steep and narrow for a cart or wagon.
I hear the swish of the tent flap being pulled back and the soft hissing sound of leather on grass and then a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't brood, you will give yourself a headache. Your Heart-Mother would have said if it had been worse, something as simple as a twisted ankle could make trekking up and down mountains impossible for one the age of you Birth-Mother" I patted Shaimar's hand, she was correct, but I was still going to worry.
"Shaimar, I would ask a favor of you. As the only one of us born in Skyrim, could you lead my Family to the Cliff house? I need to return those books to Urag and see if he has any further information. I would prefer to do so myself, but it will take a very long time to get there and I need the information." She seemed to hesitate and frowned. " I am trusting you with my Birth-Mother and my Heart-Mother, it is no easy thing for me, but I have much to do. It will take twice as long if I have to make a huge circle of Skyrim." she looked startled, then frowned.
"Oh no I was hesitating because Navitas is the better warrior, but you are right, I know Skyrim better. I would be honored to take your family to the House and show the hunters the best places to hunt and perhaps take a trip to the area that you want the Stronghold to be in."
"Thank you Shaimar, It will still be a few days to get to Markarth, so we have time to discuss where the Stronghold will be and what may be needed in the way of supplies, but really we won't know until we see who it there." With that I said goodnight and went to get as much sleep as I could, I felt I would need it.
Three days later we crested a hill and could see Markarth a short ways off. As we hit the bridge I saw a gangling figure of a half-grown Orc male wave, then run to the Khajiit camp, less than five minutes later the figure came running back and this time stopped at the edge of the bridge, but I could see Orc's come out of the tents, It was not a Khajiit camp, but my family.
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