The couple noticeably loses much of their enthusiasm, replaced by wariness as the bard told them his intensions.  There were libraries full of books focused upon Gaius and a good number of them took a more defamatory approach whether commissioned by another noble house or simply an author seeking to entertain at the expense of another man's good name.  As skeptical as they have become, the couple did not waver from their gracious kindness for their new patron.  Though there was a genuine smile on the woman's face, she managed to add a note of thinly veiled warning that all mothers learn over time.  "I do hope you are among the authors who seek to reveal the truth behind how he had helped countless strangers rather than twist it for your own personal benefit.  As isolated as our little village is, we come to recognize one another as family and the children of our late leader will receive the same respect."<br/><br/>"Now now, love."  The man interjected by draping his arm over his wife's shoulder before she could carry on with her rant.  "It is none of our business to intrude upon that of a stranger's."  Reaching beneath the counter, the man drew one of the three keys that hung from a simple hook and placed it on the countertop.  "Your room is the one at the top of the stairs to the right.  Did you need any help with your luggage?"<br/><br/><hr/><br/>"Ehren already has a plan in motion that will hopefully allow us to locate the bandit camp.  We'll see if it comes to fruition."  Crassus says in response to Rose, glad to see that they were readily accepting the mantle of leader and even more glad to hear one of his shield brother's famous maxims though one of his children.  "Unfortunately the only body of water we have locally is a freshwater stream that is plentiful enough to provide for a population far greater than what we currently have, but it isn't sufficient enough to carry a vessel.  But I do agree that it is high time we consider establishing trade routes to allow Garados to flourish.  Of course, it would be beneficial to improve our only roadway to accommodate increased traffic by not only making it safe but making it larger.  We haven't yet garnered enough notice as a village to attract mercenaries, but there is a fair number of townsfolk who have served, or at least been trained, as a legionnaire.  I believe we have nine in all, but most of them have been making their livelihood as civilians.  If you wish to ask them to take up arms again, I can send for them whenever you have a specific task in mind for them."<br/><br/>"In a quick overview of your village's resources, it would seem that this location is surrounded by excellent hunting grounds that is largely untouched by The Blight that is affecting wildlife throughout Viemera.  As such, we have plenty of furs and meat that are filling our storerooms ready for market as we speak.  As you already pointed out, we have more hearty timber than we can ever dream of utilizing at our current size.  The same applies for stone, but we lack an experienced stonemason to actually do anything productive with the raw material.  Though our most valuable resource, and the primary reason Gaius chose this particular region to build a hold, is the nearby dwarven mine.  It had collapsed sometime during the beginning of the Great War and will take quite some time to clear out, but once we manage to do so we will have access to an abundant source of mithral.  If what your father's research uncovered from fragmented stories, it is one of the largest in this region of Viemera."<br/><br/>Planting his elbows on the table, the seasoned veteran rested his chin upon the back of his overlapping hands as he considered the group before him.  "Your father had made it clear that any new city ordinances must be approved by his House before any major changes could be made.  Now that you are here we are once again able to move forward and prosper.  All that is needed is your collective leadership and direction."