- Your Excellency, what do you order me to do in the coming days?
Alexander hesitated. He had spent the whole morning as a de facto master of the penal colony, solving organizational issues, but he had absolutely no desire to continue to deal with them. Although only half a day had brought a lot of new information and was extremely useful.
- The Archimagus appointed you, centurion, to command here, instead of the manager. I, in accordance with His Excellency's instructions, am only to take care of things. In fact, to help you with your power to solve problems quickly. So I expect you to prepare the convict women for transfer to the army camp and ensure that the mine is closed for the winter. I'll just see that everything runs smoothly and try not to interfere without your request.
- When is the march to Zalon scheduled, Your Excellency?
- Do you think they'll get there in a day or will they have to spend the night?
- I don't know, Your Excellency," the centurion looked over his shoulder and added quietly, "I don't even know if my soldiers or the warders will make it.
- So we must try and go out tomorrow morning. At the very least in the afternoon. Agreed?
- Yes, Your Excellency! Permission to execute?
- Go on, centurion, and if you have any problems, don't hesitate to ask for advice or help.
- Yes, Your Excellency! - The centurion bowed and hurried forward.
And everything started spinning! The vampire only had to stand and watch the work of the others. The convicts, who had received a double portion at lunch, ate enough for the first time in a long time. Afterward they were divided among themselves. Some of them prepared and packed the property to be taken away.
Some of them dismantled one of the warehouses and used the resulting material to reinforce the vaults of the mine. A part was engaged in conservation of the remaining inventory. In all this they were actively assisted by both the wardens and the soldiers of the guard. By supper time almost all the inhabitants of the fort were falling down from fatigue.
But having driven the men to exhaustion, the centurion had achieved the main thing - in the morning it was possible to perform! After listening to the officer's report, Alexander nodded with satisfaction and ordered to give them a double portion for breakfast and to wake up their wards an hour later than usual. After that, the vampire went to dinner with a clear conscience.
As soon as he had praised the All-Light and started the evening meal, the knight was again approached by the priest. And again the priest began from afar. It was only towards the end of the meal that the vampire realized that the old man was unwilling to part with the troll. But it took some more time before the request was voiced.
- Tell me, do you have a light tutor in your castle?
- The released monk is in charge of the chapel, - Alexander did not hide anything.
- And how would you feel about a priest and a small church in your village?
- It's almost indifferent to me, Light Father. I am a loyal servant of Demur, but I pay my respects differently than other people.
- I don't blame you for that, Your Grace. You mages are a very special people, and since the All-Light gives you generous power, it is not for us, the dark ones, to hinder his plans.
- Then you understand the situation, Light One.
- I do. But that subhuman, Tarn! I've had it up to here with the rascal. It's rare to find such an intelligent conversationalist, even amongst humans. And maybe it's all Moore's fault, but I don't want to part with him.
I've got more interesting stuff on patreon
patreon.com/Chill76