The argument in the solar was settled by a single sentence from Earl Medger.
The retainers around the long oak table all nodded, and no one raised any further objections.
Maester Rhodry was the first to bow and say respectfully:
"The Earl is thoughtful. I will order people to survey the area outside the city immediately and select a location near the tributary of the White Knife that is flat and easy to defend.
"Within three days, we can certainly set up the fences for the temporary market and some simple wooden and stone fixtures."
"Mhm."
Earl Medger tapped the edge of the table lightly with his fingertips, his gaze sweeping over Ser Kyle as he instructed:
"Kyle, keep a close eye on the trade area in the outer city during this time.
"If you see suspicious outsiders, ignore them for now. But if you confirm they are from House Bolton, expel them immediately. If they dare to resist, arrest and interrogate them."
Ser Kyle stood up abruptly and said:
"As you command!"
Earl Medger pondered for a moment, then finally looked at Raymond and said:
"You select some trustworthy freelance knights first. Pick men with clean records and good skills.
"Finally, have Kyle test them. Only freelance knights who pass the skills test and have never broken their vows can stay!"
"Yes, My Lord." Raymond bowed and accepted the order.
---
Iron Axe Tavern.
Don Quixote raised his cup to toast Raymond, smiling:
"Thank you, My Lord."
Raymond looked Don Quixote over for a moment, then asked in confusion:
"You seem very confident that the Earl will continue to keep the trade area open?"
Don Quixote smiled earnestly:
"I believe in your ability, Lord Raymond."
"Oh?"
"I heard that it was you, Lord Raymond, who first suggested opening the trade area outside the city years ago."
"That's true. I did suggest that to the Earl back then. Where did you hear that?"
"Miss Elise told me."
"Then Lady Wylla must have told her." Raymond nodded, then asked:
"But why do you want to become a guard for the trade market so badly?"
"You should know something about me, Lord Raymond."
"Mhm." Raymond admitted.
Don Quixote, mixing truth with falsehood, said slowly:
"I spent years wandering from place to place with Knight Valentine. Those days weren't easy.
"I really want to settle down. If I can be hired by the Lord in my hometown, that would be a dream come true.
"And if possible, I also want to become a sworn knight of House Cerwyn."
Raymond looked Don Quixote over again and suddenly laughed:
"You are still young; there is a good chance."
Don Quixote toasted Raymond again, smiling:
"I hope your auspicious words come true, Lord Raymond."
Raymond also raised his cup for a sip, then stood up and said:
"Go to the city gate guard post in three days. Ser Kyle will test your abilities."
"Yes," Don Quixote responded.
Shortly after Raymond left, Elise walked up slowly and said:
"Are you preparing to leave? Knight Don Quixote."
Don Quixote smiled:
"Miss Elise, you have adapted to life at the Iron Axe Tavern. It is time for me to leave."
Reluctance flashed in Elise's eyes.
Don Quixote was different from the other knights she knew; many of his ideas were even bolder than hers.
To her, Don Quixote was someone she could talk to, someone who understood her thoughts.
Don Quixote added:
"Besides, I'll be right outside the city. When I have free time, I'll come back to the Iron Axe Tavern to have a drink with you."
Elise nodded and said softly:
"Perhaps the Iron Axe Tavern will move outside the city soon too."
Don Quixote: "Is it decided?"
"My eldest brother said that if the temporary market outside the city goes well, it's very likely the Earl will close the trade area inside the city." Elise said helplessly:
"At that time, unless we plan to stop running the Iron Axe Tavern, we'll have to obediently move to the fixed trade market outside the city."
Don Quixote smiled:
"I very much hope the Iron Axe Tavern continues to operate."
"Me too," Elise smiled.
---
Three days later, at the city gate guard post.
Don Quixote, wearing a new suit of mail, said to a soldier:
"Hello, I am Don Quixote, here to see Ser Kyle."
He had sold his old gear cheaply to the smithy in Castle Cerwyn and bought a new set of mail.
He could barely afford a set of plate armor, but that would be too high-profile.
A set of average-quality plate armor cost about 4 Gold Dragons, which wasn't something ordinary people could afford.
Don Quixote's luck with random quest rewards had exploded a few times in recent months.
Once he got 2 Gold Dragons, another time 1 Gold Dragon.
Plus other varying amounts of silver stags.
His current cash assets totaled 3 Gold Dragons, 427 Silver Stags, and some copper pennies.
Because Blood Apples were no longer effective for Don Quixote, he wasn't extravagant enough to eat them for hunger; he saved them all.
A total of seven Blood Apples.
Don Quixote planned to use these Blood Apples to cultivate his subordinates.
Don Quixote wanted to facilitate House Cerwyn opening a trade market outside the city.
Aside from wanting to switch to a slightly more difficult quest, he also intended to use the trade market as a starting point.
To gather merchants, drifters, and even some down-and-out knights from various places, and quietly develop his own power.
While Don Quixote was thinking.
The soldier was also sizing him up. Seeing Don Quixote's spirited appearance, which was different from most hedge knights, and his brand-new full set of mail armor...
Revealing a trace of surprise and envy, the soldier checked the list in his hand and quickly said:
"Follow me."
The two rode out of Castle Cerwyn.
Before long.
They arrived at a shallow bank about a mile outside Castle Cerwyn.
The temporary trade market had already been erected.
A sturdy oak fence enclosed a large open space, inside which were placed some stone tables and wooden stools, as well as several thatched sheds for rain shelter.
Eight Cerwyn soldiers guarded the gate of the fence, leisurely watching the passersby.
The news that House Cerwyn intended to establish a temporary trade market outside the city had already been learned by many locals and a few outsiders.
At this moment, at the fence gate, some idle people were looking in curiously.
The soldier greeted a leading soldier guarding the gate:
"Captain Xavier, this is a freelance knight seeking employment."
Captain Xavier nodded, looked Don Quixote over for a moment, then waved to the soldiers on the side, signaling them to let him pass.
The two crossed the open space in the center of the market and arrived at a temporarily cleared training ground.
The ground of the training ground was extremely muddy and messy, with several oak posts inserted at the edge.
Ser Kyle was leaning against a post, scanning the training ground with little interest.
Besides him, several knights in mail stood around, their sharp gazes sweeping over every freelance knight who came for the test.
At this moment, a duel had just ended in the training ground. A freelance knight had his weapon knocked away by a sword strike, and was immediately kicked onto the muddy, filthy ground.
Ser Kyle sneered and waved his hand for the soldiers to take the man away:
"Can't even hold a sword hilt steady, yet dares to come to House Cerwyn for a meal."
...