The governor of Soloto State was in his thirties, dressed in formal clothes and clean-shaven. He was the man Odys had met on the train.
The two had spent the journey discussing governance, but when they got off, neither had given his name or contact details.
They shook hands. Odys smiled. "I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."
He had guessed that the man he'd spoken with on the train was a government official. He hadn't expected him to be the governor of Soloto State.
The intelligence network Odys had just established in Isara had been tasked first with gathering information on the Western Province. By the time he set out, two fairly comprehensive reports had reached him.
One compiled government records. The Western Province had seven states, all fairly large compared with states elsewhere, but sparsely populated.
Vota Province bordered the Feynapotter Kingdom to the southwest and the small country of Kana to the northwest. To its east, from north to south, lay Shattier Province, Soloto State, and Valai State.
Those three states were in poor shape too. Shattier Province had been without a governor for over a year, much like Vota Province. It had practically become self-governing.
Soloto State was a little better off. Public order in its urban areas was acceptable, but beyond them, most of the state was effectively outside the Lenburg Government's control.
The governor who had invited Odys to lunch was named Celt. Official assessments of him were favorable. The State Guard he had reorganized was an effective fighting force and had repelled local bandits many times.
Celt was also capable at governing. Production and commerce in Soloto State had recovered quickly, gradually bringing in tax revenue that allowed him to recruit more soldiers.
Odys's other report on the Western Province also