- It's really funny! - And what disaster in your household, my good man, has compelled me to come here?
The low man was frightening to look at. It seemed that he was about to faint from the tone with which he was addressed, but gathering his strength, the local chief quickly spoke.
- There is nowhere to store the products of the mine. All the warehouses are full. The convicts are idle and idle! We must get the ore out, Your Excellency!
- What? - The archmage almost whispered his question.
Of course, after the speech in which the vampire compared the problems existing in the kingdom and the uncertain disaster at the small mine, he expected to be disappointed by what he heard. But for him or a royal representative to be summoned to the fort to solve the problem of ore removal... Involuntarily, Dukun put a 'water shield' around himself, for some reason the first thing he remembered was his officers' warning about a possible trap in the fort.
- All the warehouses are stocked, Your Excellency! You can see for yourself. The mine has been idle for days!
- You call this a disaster?
- What do you call it, Your Excellency? I was entrusted by the King to mine copper here and ensure a steady supply! And for ten years, I've been doing it! And no one comes here to get the ore. I can't fulfill my orders. This is a disaster, Your Excellency! All hope is in you!
Alexander laughed openly. A simple walk, suddenly turned into a funny joke, which is not ashamed to tell in any society. An archmage taking ore out of a penal colony! The anecdote of the century! Dukun looked at his escort and laughed too.
- I was offered the post of head of the Resources Service in Valeria. Apparently they already knew that my true calling was to haul ore!
The manager, caught up in the magic, soared into the air and wheezed, his eyes popping out of his orbits.
- What hope cretin! - The Archmage yelled at him, "What ore! There's a mutiny in Zalon!
- Your Excellency! - Alexander touched the furious magician on the shoulder, "Let the poor man go. I think I know what this is all about.
The man fell back to the ground and lost consciousness.
- It will be interesting to hear from you, Master," Dukun said angrily.
- I just have a few questions to ask the steward first, Your Excellency.
It took almost a third of an hour to bring the man back to his senses and give him a drink. The archmage watched patiently. As soon as the manager's gaze became meaningful, the vampire forced him to pay attention.
- How many days' worth of provisions does the fort have left?
- Four days, Your Grace.
- And then what will you do?
- When then, Your Grace? - The steward sincerely misunderstood the question.
- When we run out of food.
- They will bring it, Your Grace," the man seemed to be answering a child, and indeed his voice and tone left no doubt that he considered the question naïve.
- And if they don't bring it?
- They always do, Your Grace," the steward looked around for support from the others, for this knight did not understand the obvious!
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