- Naturally, they should not be kept in Savoyardi," Alexander was going over the options in his mind.
The duke had asked the right question. A few thousand convicts under weak guard around Zalon were not dangerous for the kingdom. They could only escape into the clutches of goblins or the creatures of the Cursed Forest, of course among the miners and merchants there were those who helped the fugitives to reach civilization, but these were isolated cases. There were no prisoners who could pay for such help.
The situation changed if they were placed in the inhabited parts of the country. The upcoming winter significantly reduced the time of preparation for such an event. And the escaped convicts would most likely join the ranks of bandits on the roads of the duchy and everything threatened another disaster with brigands, who had just had their tails pinched.
- I think... - and then an unexpected idea popped into Alexander's head, making him smile, - I think they could be distributed to the castles of the barons and knights for the winter. The squires will prevent their escape, noblemen will provide food and shelter. And in return, they would get free labor, working for a single meal. The same Savoyardi, without much trouble, could house two hundred or even four hundred men and have them clean the streets and repair them. Many knights could use them to upgrade their castle fortifications or make the same repairs.
Hearing about the latter, two knights from the Duke's retinue nodded happily, confirming Alexander's words. Free labor would be useful for many people.
- And how many are you personally ready to take? - Duke Cass made a last attempt to kill the plan on the root, not at all eager to be responsible for the safety of the inhabitants of the duchy, in which suddenly there were so many criminals.
- I'm personally willing to go even a little further and buy back a hundred or even two hundred convicts from the treasury, your ladyship!
- Buy them off?! But why would you want them?
- I will find a use for them.
It was not hard to find a use for the maidens. There were several hundred men languishing in the vampire village, and they hadn't had any women for over a year. And it would seem that male solidarity should have pushed the vampires to at least some solution to this problem, but at the meetings it was regularly raised by vampires who cared about it much more.
- And you'll be able to pay... oh, yes! I forgot you have money.
- Thanks to your lordship," the vampire bowed politely.
The archmage rose to his feet.
- Then it is decided. The convicts will be taken to the camp and then to Savoyardi, where they will be distributed among the castles for the winter. Now I'm sick of dealing with local problems. Order dinner to be served and we'll be off!
- We won't make it before dark, Your Excellency! - one of the officers reminded me of an obvious point.
- If we hurry, we'll make it, and if we don't, it's all right. This place makes me sad. I'm not going to spend the night here! Let Master Blood stay here and take care of business. If he's so eager to buy the women of this place from the treasury.
The latter, of course, was a petty revenge for Alexander's plan to take Zalon by force rather than by direct assault. For with every failure and every day of the siege, this plan was gaining more and more supporters in the army. And with such a light mockery, it was possible to put the stubborn magician in his place.
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