Post by The Smith on Oct 31, 2009 12:56:04 GMT -5
Over the past year, their numbers had grown to outrageous numbers. Talyn sighed softly as he examined the ledger his steward had complied for him. Manyhad fled the charred remains of King’s Landing, North up the King’s Road. Many had taken up refugee at Saltpans, Lord Harroway’s Town or Maidenpool, but the army at Harrenhal was a great attractor. It was the only place where goods were being purchased, since every able bodied man in the Crownlands who had not perished in the fire, or in Drumm’s Debacle, was currently stationed there. It drew their families, those who had survived the fire and the pillage of the Grejoys.
Talyn’s initial concern had been flux, and starvation. It was for the first time really, that he’d found himself thankful for the long winter, for once Harrentown and the lands surrounding it had held four times the number of men it held presently. His men had been preparing rudimentary tents for the people to stay in, and dug additional wells. Latrines had been dug as well, and failure to use them properly made a crime punishable by fine or beating. Talyn knew the armies of Queen Rhaenys could ill afford sickness at time such as this.
“What’s the final count?” He asked Ser Antony. Ser Antony Clifton was technically a knight, but his primary weapon was arithmetic, and his incessantly frustrating attitude. Many were the merchants would simply given in to his low-balled price demands, just to be free of the man. Talyn knew how they felt at times.
“Ehmmgh, more than five hundred families, near 2,000 adults, perhaps twice as many children, all told.” Clinton said, “The price of bread has increased by fifty-percent, but is now holding steady, Erghmh. Most of those lots that had been condemned have been re-occupied. Three new brothels opened, by the way, doing heavy business with all the soldiers here about.”
“Yes… have the Maester send his acolytes around to inspect them. Any sign of the pox, and we close them down.”
“Yes milord, but ought we raise taxes on them, help pay for the expense of these new people?” Clifton asked.
“No. the only thing small folk hate more than taxes on bread, is taxes on whores. In any case, we’ll make up in volume what we’d lose by raising the tax. You’ll see.”
“As you say milord. Now we have a problem with soldiers trying to leave their posts, and seek out family members in the town…”
“Set up a table in the Flowstone yard. Take as many pages as you need. Have each man who is looking for his family give you his name, and then send pages out into the town to call out the names. When matches our found, inform the soldier and his family member, and they may visit them on their times off.”
“As you say milord ergghm” Clifton said.
“Is there anything else?” Talyn asked.
“No milord.”
“Good… send letters to the Lords of Harroway’s Town, Maidenpool, and Saltpans, with a list of our recommendations so that they may keep order as well.”
Results:
Population of Harrenhal and associated lands increases from 1,500 fighting aged men, to 3,000 fighting aged men (not available for the present conflict)
The Population of Lord Harroway’s Town, increases from 1,000 fighting aged men, to 1,500 fighting aged men.
The total fighting aged men for King’s Landing (For the next conflict,) falls from 6,000 to 2,500.
Talyn Thatcher Improves to Noteworthy Stewardship