Day 50

Yesterday I thought it was a good idea to have the Mayor audit the kingdom’s accounts. Today I’m not so sure. The Mayor probably tells Blessilda everything, and what Blessilda knows, everybody knows.

Greg disagrees. He thinks it’s a good thing if everybody knows. The people that I’ve helped will be outraged that my honesty has been questioned and rally to my defense. He seems to have forgotten that he had questioned my integrity. This is not a good time to remind him.

When we get to Town Hall, I check the list the Mayor gave to see whose orders still need to be verified. The next name listed is Greg’s. He’s ordered some weapons, most of which are for the army, but one or two will be heading for his armory.

Just three more people to contact down in Faire of Light. Triffledore has ordered some new artifacts. I hope they don’t include any skulls or face masks. Those things are ugly!

Fahleed is just on his way out to deliver some orders. He invites me to go with him and he will update his list on the way. We visit Rosetum Gardens and Central Station and by the time Fahleed has finished updating his list, I’ve gathered quite a collection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The last person I need to see is the Forester. He updates his list and mentions that he’s ordered some frozen delicacies. I hope some of them will find their way to my house. Even Greg is starting to get tired of eating stew every day.

Back at Town Hall, I hand the updated lists to the Mayor who makes a big show of organizing them for me. Lucky and I exchange glances. There was nothing wrong with the way I had them.

Finally we can go to Skyfleet Docks. Lucky isn’t too keen to accompany me even though we won’t be going on any boats. Maybe we should stop and see if Blessilda can prepare a potion to protect against seasickness. Lucky decides that being seasick is the lesser of the two evils.

When we get to Skyfleet Docks, the shipment has already been unloaded from the boat. Everything checks out perfectly. Nothing is missing. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow.

For the rest of the day, Lucky and I pay yet another visit to the Fairy Dragon Nest. I want to stock up on glass shards and I need some time alone to think. Greg and I fight too much and all of our fights involve my job. I never wanted to be Steward. Perhaps I should consider resigning.

Day 52

Greg is in a good mood this morning. He informs me that today the Mayor will make public the results of the audit and that everybody will know that I’ve handled the kingdom’s resources in a responsible manner.

I point out that, with the exception of him and some of his soldiers, everybody already believed that. People who want to believe the worst of me will continue to do so, audit or no audit.

In fact, I think that the soldiers who made accusations against me don’t really care one way or another. They just wanted to upset and distract him in the hopes that he would not do his job properly. Then they would be able to call for him to be replaced.

Greg takes a moment or two to think about what I’ve just said then slowly nods his head in agreement. Perhaps it might not be a bad idea if he spend the next couple of nights down at the barracks. In fact, perhaps he should go there right now.

Lucky reminds me that I promised to take him shopping. On our way to Town Hall, we stop at the Squabbit Den where Lucky picks out a pricey black and white striped top hat with a red ribbon band. I buy it for him with the understanding that it will only be worn on special occasions.

At Town Hall, while I wait for the Mayor to appear, I decide it’s time to approve expansion of the General Store. I suppose that some people might think I’m approving the request to reward Blessilda for whatever part she played in rallying public opinion in my favor. Too bad. The kingdom has the money and nobody else is asking for help expanding their business other than the Forester. And expanding the Orchards would cost even more bolgins.

The Mayor finally shows up. He hands me the account books and says everything appears to be in order. He adds that everybody has mentioned to him how helpful I’ve been. Troglid has been especially effusive and consequently the Mayor is going to appoint me Troglid’s official supplier.

After handing me a list of supplies that Troglid has requested, the Mayor leaves. I wonder if he’s gone off to amend my citizenship papers yet again. Maybe being Troglid’s official supplier is of greater importance than being Greg’s wife.

Everything Troglid needs is sitting in the storage cupboard. All I have to do is arrange for somebody to deliver the supplies. Before I can do so, the Mayor returns to inform me that Chumblepot also wants me to be his official supplier.

I hope officially Chumblepot won’t be needing as many glass shards as he did unofficially. I feel like I’ve spent most of my time lately at the Fairy Dragon Nest. The list the Mayor hands me makes me want to cry. Not only does Chumblepot want ten more glass shards, Troglid wants another ten blueprints.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I have no desire to spend the entire morning at the Fairy Dragon Nest, nor do I intend to spend all afternoon at Apricus Plaza looking for blueprints. Instead, we’re going to take a nice leisurely stroll to the exchange and turn in sets of portraits and fairy crests.

The Mayor is surprised and pleased with how quickly I was able to supply Troglid and Chumblepot with the resources they requested and tells me I handled the situation pretty well. I quite agree. In fact, I’m feeling so pleased with how things have gone that I’ll spend the rest of the day up at the castle compiling a list of what still needs to be done to prepare for the Yura Festival and getting an idea on what it all will cost.