Chapter 269: Miss Cleric's Household Accounts
In November of 1361 by the Dalelands calendar, the days grew shorter and the nights longer. Winter was fast approaching.
The Sunset Lands had finished the harvest and entered the farming off-season. Hearing of the generous benefits offered by the Dwarf Engineering Corps, local residents flocked to join the construction efforts. The Viscount's Sunset Castle rose at remarkable speed. Most of the main keep's framework was complete, and work on the gardens and other areas was already underway.
Naturally, as the lord's acting representative, Miss Cleric, Eleanor Dinefleur, filled every vacancy Aaron had left behind. During this time, she shouldered the entire burden of developing the territory.
At first, Miss Cleric had been rather indignant. She kept thinking, If Aaron could do it, why couldn't I?
I wanted to give it a try too!
I would do an even better job than Aaron and show that fellow I wasn't someone to be trifled with!
Brimming with ambition, Miss Cleric began sweeping reforms as soon as she took control of the territory.
Almost immediately, Eleanor discovered a host of problems.
As everyone knew, the team Aaron had built around himself was an exceedingly complicated mix.
First came Aaron's family faction, consisting of his older cousin Maximian, younger cousin Anna, older cousin Robert, and others. These relatives held many key posts and controlled considerable resources in the Sunset Lands. They also enjoyed Aaron's greatest trust.
Fortunately, as the future lady of the territory, a cleric of Selûne, and a core member of Aaron's founding team, Eleanor received at least some consideration from these relatives.
Then there were the various churches. Almost the instant Aaron moved into the Sunset Lands, a great many churches followed, competing for worshippers. Besides the Church of Selûne, the Lady of Silver,