Chapter 98 - 99
As the five of them drew closer to Mayhaven, Alistar became increasingly anxious about the possibility of bumping into somebody that he knew while adhering to Antoine’s suggestion.By the time that they were passing through the western gates of Mayhaven, he’d decided that it would be best if they led the Silverkin brothers to places that he and the girls didn’t visit often so as to lessen the chance that they might run into any of their friends. If his cousins truly disdained commoners, then he didn’t like to imagine what sort of opinions they would hold of orphans such as Jaden, Corrie, and the others.
As Alistar wondered what his cousins might think if they learned that he had once been a slave, the eldest in their group looked up and down West Street with slight disbelief, fingering the hilt of his sword in a subconscious manner.
"I don’t remember there being so many people in this city."
"Was this street cobbled last time around?" commented Calum, whose wide brow was furrowed in recollection. "I feel like some of these buildings weren’t here, either."
"Papa’s been working really hard to improve the city," smiled Anice, recovering a bit of enthusiasm as she exclaimed with pride. "A tenth of the buildings in Mayhaven weren’t here the last time you guys visited. It’s the same all over the county."
"How’s that possible?" asked Edmun, whose black hair was jostled by a light breeze. "Father says that Uncle Caedmon’s territory brings in the least amount of revenue amongst all of the counties and duchies in the kingdom. The territory I’m set to inherit brings in twice as much, and I doubt we would be able to add so many buildings in just a few years."
Anice didn’t know how to respond, while Lessa seemed to think better of it. Not wanting Edmun to feel as if he was being ignored, Alistar volunteered an answer.
"Of all of the revenue that’s left after taxes to the crown, Uncle spends most of it on developing the city. That’s where he invests most of his money."
"Is that why he still lives in that little manor?" Edmun looked at the rings and bracelets that Alistar was wearing, raising an eyebrow. "If he’s so poor, how can you be wearing so much metal, then? Uncle’s not skimping on his taxes, is he?"