Chapter 276: The Beds

Darion walked through the quiet corridors of the castle, his footsteps echoing on the newly laid stone.

The silence was still strange, unfamiliar in a way. After two weeks of constant noise: the hammering, the sawing, the shouts of workers, the quiet felt almost oppressive. But it was a good kind of quiet, the kind that came with completion, with a job well done.

He reached Garren’s door and knocked. There was a pause, then the sound of footsteps, and the door swung open. Garren stood in the doorway, his expression neutral, his eyes slightly distant.

"M’lord," he said, stepping aside to let him in. "I was just staring out my window."

Darion entered the room, his eyes scanning the space. It was modest but comfortable, the walls freshly plastered, the floor level and smooth. Garren had been given one of the better rooms, a reward for his years of service. He deserved it.

"Staring out your window?" Darion asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "That doesn’t sound like you."

Garren shrugged, turning back to the window. "The construction is over. The workers are gone. The castle is quiet again. I suppose I’m just... adjusting."

Darion nodded, understanding. The two weeks of construction had been chaotic, but they had also been purposeful. Every day had been filled with activity, with progress, with the sense that something was being built. Now that it was over, there was a void, a emptiness that needed to be filled.

"I know what you mean," Darion said. "The silence is strange. But it’s also a good thing. It means the work is done."

Garren turned to face him, a small smile playing on his lips. "I suppose you’re right. It’s just going to take some getting used to."

They stood in silence for a moment, the morning light streaming through the window. Then Darion spoke again.

"I’ve been thinking about the beds," he said. "The ones we have now are old and uncomfortable. I want to replace them."

Garren raised an eyebrow. "All of them?"

"All of them," Darion confirmed. "Mine, yours, Seren’s, Aldra’s, Maret’s, and Wulfric’s. And I want to set up the two extra rooms as well, for guests or future residents."

Garren nodded slowly, considering the request. "I know where beds are sold. There’s a market near Percvale that deals in furniture. They have a good reputation."

Darion smiled. "Then that’s where we’ll go."

The beds were perhaps the most important part of the renovation. They were where people slept, where they rested, where they recovered from the day’s labors.

A good bed could make the difference between a good night’s sleep and a restless one. And a restless night could affect everything else: mood, productivity and health.

The current beds were old, their mattresses lumpy and worn. The frames creaked with every movement, the wood groaning under the weight of sleepers.

They were relics of a time when Percvale had been neglected, when comfort had been a luxury that no one could afford.

Darion wanted to change that. He wanted beds that were comfortable, sturdy, and durable. He wanted beds that would last, that would provide years of restful sleep. He wanted beds that would make the castle feel like a home, not just a building.

But before the beds could be placed, they needed stands. The beds themselves were just the mattresses and frames. The stands were the structures that held them up, the wooden frames that supported the weight. A good stand was essential for a good bed, providing stability and comfort.

The stands would be made by a carpenter, a skilled craftsman who could create something that was both functional and beautiful. Darion would need to find a carpenter, someone who could do the job right. But that was a concern after buying the beds

———

The castle was small, but it had more rooms than one might expect. Apart from Darion’s room, the remaining rooms varied in size, some of them much smaller than others.

They were modest spaces, just large enough to fit a bed and a small window for air. They weren’t luxurious, but they were functional. They provided shelter, privacy, and a place to rest.

The smaller rooms were perfect for servants like Aldra and Maret, who didn’t need much space. They were also ideal for guests, who would only be staying for a short time. The larger rooms, like Garren’s and Seren’s, were more comfortable, with more space and better furnishings. They were a reward for loyalty and service.

Darion wanted to make sure that every room had a good bed, a bed that would provide comfort and rest. He wanted to make sure that everyone in the castle, from the highest ranking to the humblest servant, had a place to sleep that was comfortable and welcoming.

—

Garren was silent for a moment, his mind calculating. "A quality normal bed, nothing too big, should cost around six gold coins. Something more royal and bigger, like what you need for your room, would be around ten gold coins."

Darion nodded, doing the math in his head. "So for Garren, Seren, Aldra, Maret, and Wulfric, that’s five beds at six gold coins each. That’s thirty gold coins. Plus two extra rooms for guests, another twelve gold coins. And my room, ten gold coins. That brings the total to fifty-two gold coins."

Garren nodded. "That sounds about right. I can be on it right away."

Darion smiled. "Good. And ask Seren if she wants to come along. She always does."

Garren returned the smile.

They left the room together, their footsteps echoing in the corridor was they walked through, the sounds of their footsteps almost in sync.

They found Seren in the courtyard, practicing her archery. Her bow was raised, her aim steady and her focus absolute. She released the arrow, and it struck the target with a satisfying thud. She turned as they approached, a smile spreading across her face.

"What brings you two here?"