As King Thoras's only son, Galen was acutely aware of his position as the heir apparent to the throne of Stromgarde.
It was during his return journey that the full implications of his father's ready agreement to his request for an army had finally crystallized in his mind.
Thoras, in his own way, was strategically paving the path for Galen's future ascension. Throughout the annals of history, the transition of power had typically been secured through two primary means.
The first was the establishment of legitimacy. A prospective heir had to demonstrate exceptional qualities, surpassing all other potential claimants to the throne. They needed to earn the unequivocal approval of the reigning monarch and be formally declared the crown prince, a proclamation made public to the entire kingdom. This was the path of righteousness, of securing the throne by right and title.
The second, equally important, was the acquisition of prestige, the ability to command respect and, if necessary, obedience from the established generation of ministers and powerful figures within the court.
This prestige could manifest as a reputation for virtue and wisdom among the civil officials, garnering their support and ensuring the stability of the realm. Or it could be forged through military triumphs, demonstrating the heir's ability to command armies, conquer foes, and quell any potential opposition.
Thoras, a seasoned ruler, understood the prevailing values of his kingdom. Stromgarde was a society that revered martial prowess, and military might was considered the ultimate measure of strength. Victory on the battlefield was the most persuasive argument, the most irrefutable claim to leadership.
Thoras himself had followed this path, establishing the elite Highland Knights, a force that had decisively routed the forest trolls, effectively preventing them from launching any large-scale incursions into the kingdom's borders for a decade. The trolls, cowed by the knights' strength, had been reduced to engaging only in minor probing conflicts.
Galen, reflecting on his father's legacy, understood that Thoras was now affording him the same opportunity. By granting him the authority to form his own army, Thoras was enabling him to build his own loyal following, to forge his own legend on the battlefield, and to prove his worthiness to rule.
It was with this realization that Galen had directed Omar and Varokal to disseminate the news of his impending military command throughout the kingdom. He then waited patiently in the castle courtyard, anticipating the inevitable response.
As the news of the crown prince's formation of an independent army spread throughout the noble circles, it was almost certain that ambitious sons of noble houses, those who did not stand to inherit their family's titles and lands, would seek to attach themselves to his rising star.
For these younger sons, aligning themselves with the future king was not merely a desirable option; it was a strategic imperative, the most prudent path to securing their own fortunes and influence. This was particularly true in Stromgarde, where the current king had only one son, eliminating any uncertainty about the line of succession and minimizing the risk of choosing the wrong side.
It was in this context that Galen received Fardel Dabyrie in his private study.
Galen held the Dabyrie family in high regard. The current Earl Dabyrie was a renowned mage, deeply engrossed in the arcane arts, his dedication to magical experimentation bordering on fanaticism.
In his youth, Galen had harbored aspirations of becoming a mage himself. After all, as the saying went, "Heaven was to the left, and warriors to the right." Mages, in Galen's view, were the favored children of the elements, embodying elegance, grace, and profound knowledge.
Thoras, recognizing his son's early interest, had invited Earl Dabyrie to tutor Galen in the arcane arts. However, after more than half a year of dedicated study, the Earl had reluctantly concluded that while Galen possessed an unusually potent mental capacity, he lacked the innate ability to channel magic. He could not even conjure the simplest of spells, neither a basic Frostbolt nor a tiny spark of Fire. With a heavy heart, Galen had been forced to abandon his dreams of arcane mastery and follow in his father's footsteps, embracing the path of the warrior.
The Dabyrie family was also one of the few noble houses that had chosen to remain in the Arathi Highlands during the harrowing Scourge invasion, rather than following Jaina Proudmoore west to the distant continent of Kalimdor to seek refuge. Perhaps they were unwilling to part with their ancestral fiefdom, or perhaps they were unable to relinquish their vast wealth and influence.
But whatever their reasons, Galen held a measure of respect for their decision. They had stayed and provided crucial support to the remnants of Stromgarde's people who had gathered at Refuge Pointe. In Galen's estimation, the Dabyrie family had, in a sense, chosen to share Stromgarde's fate, for better or worse.
As Fardel entered the study, Galen took a moment to assess him. The young noble wore his long golden hair tied back in a neat ponytail. His attire, a combination of a blue long-sleeved shirt and a sleek black vest, paired with tailored black trousers, conveyed an air of youthful energy and competence.
"Good day, Your Highness," Fardel greeted Galen with a respectful bow.
After gesturing for him to take a seat, Galen inquired with genuine interest, "How is your father, Earl Dabyrie, faring recently?"
"Father's health remains robust," Fardel replied, a hint of weariness in his tone, "but his mind remains ever consumed by his magical experiments. He rarely concerns himself with matters beyond his arcane pursuits."
A subtle undercurrent of resentment laced Fardel's words. His father's all-consuming obsession with magic had left the management of the family's vast holdings to his mother, Countess Konata Dabyrie. And his mother, in turn, favored his elder brother, Marcel, grooming him to inherit the family's power and wealth. This had left Fardel feeling increasingly marginalized and insecure about his own future prospects.
"Your Highness," Fardel continued, cutting straight to the heart of the matter, his eagerness barely concealed, "I have heard rumors that you are preparing to raise an army and venture to the Southeast Mines to defend our lands against the Witherbark trolls?"
"That is indeed correct," Galen confirmed, his voice steady and confident. "My father has granted my request to form an independent force, and he has also entrusted me with the mining rights to the Southeast Mines." Galen had learned during his recent meetings with Thoras that the king had already ordered an elite squadron of the Highland Cavalry Regiment to return to Stromgarde. They were expected to arrive within the next two days, at which point Galen planned to hold a formal ceremony to swear in his new command.
Galen's affirmative response ignited a spark of excitement in Fardel's eyes. He blurted out, his words tumbling over each other in his haste, "Your Highness, would you... would you permit me to join your army?"
Galen smiled, his expression warm and welcoming. "Of course, Fardel, there is no question. The formation of this new force is still in its nascent stages, and we are in dire need of capable individuals. I am genuinely pleased that you have expressed your willingness to join our ranks."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Fardel replied, a palpable sense of relief washing over him. Although he had been reasonably confident that the prince would not reject his offer of service, a lingering apprehension had gnawed at him as he entered the study. Now, with Galen's explicit acceptance, the weight that had been pressing down on him finally lifted.
"To begin," Galen said, his tone decisive, "I shall appoint you to the rank of Captain, commanding the Third Great Company. Your immediate task will be to recruit members for your company. I am setting an initial quota of three hundred men, with a minimum strength requirement of novice-level warriors. Given your familiarity with the younger generation of our noble houses, I believe you are well-suited to this task. I shall also require you to recommend two candidates from among your recruits to serve as squad leaders. These candidates must be approved by me, and I shall issue their formal commissions shortly thereafter."
Fardel's mind reeled at the implications of Galen's offer. This is an incredible opportunity! he thought, barely able to contain his elation. I would be their direct superior! Those arrogant young scions who have always treated me with such disdain... they would be under my command! They would have to address me as 'Captain'!"
"You are the first to come forward, Fardel," Galen continued, his gaze unwavering, "and I shall not forget your initiative. To further incentivize the participation of our esteemed noble families, you may inform those who express an interest in joining us that I intend to offer the mining rights to Mine No. 1, located in the northern section of the Southeast Mines, for a period of three years. Interested families may also choose to pool their resources and invest jointly in this venture. The mine's output will then be distributed among the investors in proportion to their respective contributions."
Galen's words dropped like a bombshell, nearly overwhelming Fardel with their implications. Three years of exclusive mining rights in the Southeast Mines represented a potential fortune, a prize of immense value. The Southeast Mines were renowned for their rich mineral deposits, but they had been temporarily abandoned due to the encroaching troll threat.
Galen knew from his conversations with Thoras that the king planned to launch a campaign against the resurgent Witherbark trolls as early as the following year, with the intention of reclaiming the region and resuming mining operations. However, Galen also knew that, in the original timeline of this world, the kingdom had never managed to execute this plan. A confluence of factors, perhaps bureaucratic delays or unforeseen crises, had caused it to be indefinitely postponed. Then, a few years later, the devastating orc invasion had swept across the land, followed by the brutal occupation of the region by the ogres of the Stonefist clan.
As Fardel finally took his leave, he wore an expression of stunned disbelief. He likely struggled to comprehend why the crown prince would be willing to relinquish such a valuable asset as the mining rights.
Galen, however, harbored no such illusions. He was desperately short of funds, his coffers practically empty.
Contracting out one of the mines, despite his long-term plans, was a necessary expedient. He lacked the manpower to effectively operate multiple mining ventures at this stage, and he was determined to accelerate his development at an unprecedented pace. The only way to achieve this rapid expansion was to funnel a substantial influx of gold into the Origin Heart base.
Since Thoras was unable to provide any financial assistance, Galen had been forced to devise this alternative strategy. The noble families of Stromgarde were undeniably wealthy, but persuading them to part with their gold required offering them a compelling incentive.
Three years of exclusive mining rights was, in essence, a form of fundraising, a temporary measure to secure the capital he desperately needed.
Just three years, Galen told himself, attempting to soothe his wounded pride. Consider it an investment in my future.
On the surface, he maintained an air of detached indifference, affecting a princely disdain for material wealth. But inwardly, his heart ached with every imaginary coin that slipped through his fingers.