The Town Hall.
A map of the Hillsbrad region lay spread across the large table in the center, with all the town's "leaders" gathered around it.
They included Clerk Whitesteed, Sheriff Redpath, Lieutenant Orinel, Foreman Bondes, and Patrol Captain Hackett.
And, of course, Mayor Henny Mareb.
The mayor, the Sheriff, and the others were naturally delighted to see Rhode and welcomed him warmly.
The mayor in particular looked at Rhode as though thinking, I knew I was right about you.
But they soon got down to business, and now all eyes were on Rhode.
Rhode was now the "Earl of Darrow Hill." Southshore was his territory, making him clearly the one in charge here.
Still, Rhode gestured for Mayor Marebu to speak.
After all, the mayor was the person who best understood the current situation here.
Marebu nodded to Rhode, then said, "Thank you, my lord. Construction on our harbor is largely complete, and it can now meet our basic shipping needs. Encouraged by this good news, more and more merchants and common folk have been coming to Southshore, and many are willing to settle here."
"But Southshore, at its current size, cannot accommodate this influx. So, a little over ten days ago, I decided to clear a tract of land beside the farm to the southwest for a new residential district, to house our new residents."
"However..."
As he spoke, Marebu looked at Rhode again.
"I came back today to build a Magic School here," Rhode said. "It will take in everyone in the surrounding area with the aptitude to become a mage, to prepare for what we might face in the future... for our future needs."
He had originally meant to say "war," but decided against it, afraid of causing unnecessary panic.
As for calling it a "school"