((by Robert Clause a youtube comenter))

Madeline had proven her worth time and time again in service to both the lady and Duke Bohemond, but now she was facing her greatest challenge, balancing the books. For all of his virtues, Duke Bohemond truly was a horrible judge of character, and he and his Dukedom had been robbed blind. This made maintaining a large army for their campaigns quite a hassle. She still remembered their conversation about this very issue. "My lord, you must keep a shorter leash on those you leave behind, at least scrutinize them more wisely." "I have no need to do such a thing, filthy ledgers and counting coppers is beneath me when the enemies of Bretonnia are afoot. I don't have time to worry about the work of merchants." "Well, those merchants were robbing you blind." "And they paid the price for their insolence." "The men you replaced them with were worse." "I'll admit I have made some mistakes, how about this, we hold a tournament to raise the spirits of the populace." "We have no money for a tournament." "How about this, we take out a loan so we can host a tournament." "No tournament until we get your fiscal affairs in order, were barely maintaining the army as it is." "We shall be sustained by our faith in the lady." "I serve the Lady, Duke Bohemond, and I can promise you she does not approve of an unbalanced budget and unsustainable debt. I will handle the books until I find someone trustworthy enough to handle them." "Very well, if it is the will of the Lady." "It is." And that is how Madeline found herself with the near impossible task of getting Bastonne's financial situation under control. She had spent all of her free time on the task, but now she was reaching the point where the lands of Bastonne and Montfort, along with Bohemond's army could sustain themselves. Though it was at this point that the Duke entered her tent once again. "I have excellent news, I have found a man who would be willing to take up the task of handling our finances at below the average pay. Granted, he has overseen five separate bankruptcies, but as they say, sixth time's the charm." It was at this moment that Madeline wished that she was on the field of battle, so she could vent her frustrations on the closest living enemy around her.