Chapter 43.2- The Seadragon's Roar

“That is normal. They have been working together for much longer, building ships according to my designs. For almost as ling, and have access to better tools and labour. It is just the way of things for now. But I would be surprised to find them being your brothers by thee end of the decade” I said, giving the explanation and praise with ease. Because in truth, Rhaenos was impressive. I did not allow it show as often, but he was never of those that were far exceeding the expectations I’d placed on him. I would never have expected to be on pace to begin building whole ships from hull to sail here in Bloodstone by the end of next year, but that was what we were on pace for, impressively enough.

“Thank you, my lord”

“But I do have a question. What do you think about the suggestion to move the shipyard off of Bloodstone and to somewhere else, like Grey Gallows or Torturer’s Deep?” I asked. It was a suggestion Vaemond had made some moons ago, and I had been considering it since then. Of course, I knew he would make a play for one of his sons to be given the Lordship once I did so, but the suggestion was not borne purely out of self interest.

It was best to spread development across as many places as possible. Bloodstone did not have enough space for our entire population, besides,, we would not want it that way even if it could be.

It would be a beautiful capital in time, the center of industry, but more things needed to be offshored to give the other islands a chance to shine, and shipbuilding was one of the industries being considered. Glass and cement had been suggested, but I was far from keen to allow my two major cash cows to leave my immediate circle of influence. The mess with Stevron and the Limestone was still in my mind, after all.

“I will do your will, my lord”

“I have no doubt you will, Rhaenos, but I asked for your opinion for a reason”

“I— I think the men, I think the men like being close to the city. They can spend their pay with their families, and they work harder for it. More things to buy, to use their pay on, more reason to work then. Bloodstone is the only city that has this— the market to shop so much at.” He said.

“I see. That is not a consideration I had considered. Having things to buy with pay probably incentives them to work for longer, and to work harder. Gold means more with things to spend it on, and much less in the middle of nowhere” I said.

“Not saying the gold is the only reason why the men do the work, my lord, of course” Rhaenos said and I scoffed.

“Of course. But how many of them would come if I stopped paying?” I asked. He went silent.

“That is a good thing, Rhaenos. It is how free men must live. Live for yourselves more than you live for me. Because I am not your master. I am nothing but a tool for you to get what you want. Just as you are all tools for me to get what I want. While I love each and every one of you was my people, and hope you will all come to love me as your Lord, we can not ignore the basic terms of the social contract that binds us. I will see your needs met, I will destroy all who threaten you, and in return, you will do my will. Not for my benefit, in truth, but for the benefit of us all. You will trust me to know what is best for us all as a people because I am your Lord. And I will trust you all to do your jobs, because you are my people.” I said, basically laying down what I thought about governance. It was not an approach that would be popular among my fellow Lords, but what could I say about it? Maybe it was my modern sensibilities making an arse of me. Maybe not. Only time would tell in the end.