Ventren stood at attention within a quiet chamber of the Ironhold mansion, hands clasped behind his back, helm removed and held beneath one arm. Across from him stood an elderly man in layered robes of dark grey and tyrian purple, his posture rigid despite his age. He carried no weapon, yet there was authority in the way he spoke. He looked like a high priest of Matrem Myriam.
"This is not a courtesy lesson," the man said, pacing slowly before Ventren. "You are about to enter Halzyon. Ignorance there is not forgiven but it is exploited."
Ventren inclined his head slightly. "Understood."
"You do? Then listen."
The man stopped, turning sharply. "Everyone has a role within the kingdom."
He raised a finger.
"At the bottom stand the common folk like serfs, hired hands, innkeepers, fishermen. They own no land and they live upon the holdings of others. They survive at the mercy of harvests, becoming levies and whatever else their lords request. A serf cannot leave his soil without permission; a fisherman may roam the coast but he still answers to his liege lord's coin and tax to its nearest port."
"Above them," the man continued, "are village elders. Though not an official position, when one speaks even a bailiff listens. They maintain the traditions and customs of villages."
He resumed his slow walk.
"Next, the burghers or middle-class. Normally consists of merchants, guildmasters and master craftsmen.
These people possess wealth in cities where their influence rivals knights. They do not command armies—but they command supply, labour and credit. Lesser nobles tend to look down on them which led to their men being unfed and soldiers unpaid."
Ventren remained silent, absorbing every word.
"Bailiffs and councilmen sit above them," the lecturer went on. "Civic rulers are either appointed by the direct liege lords or elected. They govern towns in a lord's name or a council's will. Their power ends at the city walls—but within them it is near absolute."
The man paused. "A single bailiff run a village whereas multiple councilmen run major towns."
He then dipped his head slightly, almost reverently.
"Then comes the Church."
"Priests and bishops guide doctrine and conduct whereas Archbishops command entire districts. The venerable Cardinals shape spiritual policy for the whole kingdom. As you know within Valkraun, we only legalise the veneration of Myriam for citizens," he said sharply, "Matrem Myriam's Church binds minds as tightly as any faith. They teach morality, obedience and purpose. Never forget what She has taught us and saved us from."
He let that settle before continuing.
"The lower nobility follows. Knights first—landed warriors sworn to service. Some inherit their titles while others earn them. They are the spine of Valkraun's military power."
Ventren's fingers tightened around his helm.
Hm. Does this mean the Archduke will hand me a manor? Or do I not get one because I am just an honorary knight?
"Above knights stand barons. Usually they command small castles and limited lands. Counts command barons, holding more castles and a region. Dukes command counts whereas our Archduke command many counts and rule this territory that can rival small kingdoms."
The man's gaze hardened.
"These lords do not merely rule land. They rule men, resources. Every levy, every banner, every road toll flows upward through them."
He turned sharply then, eyes locking onto Ventren.
"And above them all—stand exceptions."
He raised four fingers.
"The Royal Guard. Absolute authority beneath the crown."
Then he lowered his hand.
"And the Royal Council. The true machinery of governance. Steward, Warmarshal, Spymaster, Pontiff. Chancellor and Commander of the Royal Guard. Oh, and the Archmagus. They aren't public figures—but they rule nonetheless."
Ventren exhaled slowly.
"Finally," the man said, voice dropping, "the royal family, currently just the King and Prince Regent."
He straightened fully.
"Absolute authority under the divine right of kings."
Silence filled the chamber.
The man stepped closer to Ventren, lowering his voice. "You will walk among these ranks, Sir Ventren. You will most likely speak to other knights, dine near nobles and be seen by those who shape the realm."
His eyes bored into him.
"Never forget your place and try to see if you can start to learn how to read in the capital." the man said, "unfortunately I can only read prayers so I cannot teach you."
Ventren bowed his head, slow and deliberate.
"I understand," he said.
He spent the entire day listening to the priest's lecture and committing the kingdom's socio-political hierarchy to memory. It was knowledge he had never needed before; as an adventurer he had simply taken contracts, obeyed his clients and moved on once the work was done.