The first caravan to arrive at Zalon after the start of the frost was a caravan of food. One of the merchants couldn't stand the wait and decided to try his luck at his own risk, hoping for a victory for the soldiers loyal to the king. And although his expectations of victory did not come true, he did not fail.
All his goods were bought by Duke Kass, or rather exchanged for copper ore, which the merchant had to take from the mine himself. The exchange was very favorable and the merchant gladly agreed to it, already anticipating the super profit from the sale of valuable ore, and regretting that the carts are not well fortified. After all, he could take out of the mine exactly as much as he could fit into his empty wagons.
The merchant also spoke about what was happening in Valeria. Almost no one in the army was interested in the news about vampires and their invasion. Except that some mercenaries were glad that such dangerous events were far away from them. Alexander, who had received the information about ghouls from the messenger's blood a little earlier, was only surprised at the calmness with which the message about the appearance of a new race was met. Although he did not think about what was happening in the west, let the other triumvirs think about it, his job was here in Zalon.
Then came word from the archmage. A messenger sent by the archmage said that the fort was well fortified and it was not possible to take it at once. But the fortifications could not withstand a full-fledged siege and the moon silver mine was captured.
The fort was now being cleaned up. That's what the message said, they were cleaning up. The vampire grinned at the new synonym for the word "looting" and waited for the duke to ask the messenger more questions and when it was over, tried to leave Kass's tent, but he didn't succeed.
- How are you doing, Blood? - The Duke released his entire retinue, but asked the knight to stay.
- All is well, your lordship, - the knight did not understand the reason for this private conversation, but made a nonchalant appearance.
- I heard that a caravan with your men should be arriving soon to take the convicts away. Is this true?
- Yes, Your Lordship!
- And what do you plan to do then?
- Send them all to Savoyardi. I've already written a letter to the Baron, I think my advice will be useful.
- That's not what I mean... - the Duke frowned, seeing that he was not understood.
Alexander stood silent. Realizing that Kas was not interested in the convicts and their fate, he did not understand the duke's question about the caravan and his men. It could not be even a very subtle hint of rebellion against the archmage, and why else independent fighters would be needed near Zalon, he could not think of.
- All right. Go. I won't keep you any longer, - the duke obviously couldn't formulate his thought and decided not to continue the conversation. - But wait! Your plan! How feasible is it?
- Your Lordship, a man can live for days without food, but no one can live for a year without it. Zalon has considerable supplies, but they don't last forever.
- Elos could just throw the inhabitants over the walls!
- So what? He still needs soldiers. And the mines are still working. Well, one of them, the one with the moon silver. Without soldiers and mines, Zalon is just strong walls filled with artifacts. The rebellion will stop by itself, if not next year, then a year from now.
- We don't have that kind of time! The war with Orod is not over. Henry will attack next year, he knows full well of the rebellion and will take advantage of the situation!
- I think his majesty Henry has more pressing concerns than fighting Elur.
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