"We lay the foundations here...here...and here." I threw down a few flags to designate the dimensions. "Yard is here...bed and board are here...main hall goes here." The workers and monk stood around staring at me. "Well...get to work!" I kicked at the workers, sending them forward to dig. "Idiots...Duncan why did you send these miserable louts."

Duncan walked next to me. "It's who I could afford. I mean...I paid you in membership, these poor lads aren't coming back."

I nodded. "Aye, best to keep a place such as this a bit hidden. But surely you have someone you can call."

Duncan took his chin in hand. "I may...let me arrange something." Duncan started walking off, leaving me to contend with these poor leprous bastards.

"Not there you idiot! We're building a tavern, not some fucking hovel!" I ran over and pulled a ruler out of my bag. "I'll beat the sense into you if you keep this up!"

Duncan started walking over with a rather tall fellow. "So what's going on."

"I came up with an elegant solution to my problem. We're going to start guarding this doorway."

The tall man looked at the workers. "So why'd you call me? You building a wall?"

Duncan shook his head. "No, I'm building an inn. Giving bed and board to travelers and regulating who comes through."

The tall man and Duncan finally got to me. "Right, and you thought to invite me? How sweet."

I pushed a shovel into the tall man's hand. "Work for a room, now get digging!"

The tall man looked stunned. "Right so...you...ya know what. A travelers lodge here does sound amazing...but I want a permanent room!"

"Deal!" Duncan shook his hand and hurried back off.

The tall man looked towards the growing trench. "Right, move it boys!" He jumped into the small pit and started digging.

"Fine...but I demand fair roam for eastern folk!"

"Okay, I was going to do that anyways."

"And a library!"

Duncan looked at me. "Can we do that?"

I put my hand on the Wallachian's shoulder. "My friend...we can do anything. I could make you a castle if you asked." I quickly shoved a spade into the Slav's hands. "Now get to bloody work!"

The Slav slowly walked into the pit, mumbling angrily about Catholics.

"A bit harsh." Duncan walked over to me.

"Quiet. Do you want this built in your lifetime or not!?"

Duncan rolled his eyes. "We're still going to need more...I shall return." He walked off.

"Fine, just hurry!" This lodge was going to take years at this rate.

Author's Notes:

Next story will be The Lodge: a collection of Equestrian adventurers.