The Slender Soldier (1)
But after glancing at the people around her for a moment, she shook her head.
"No, let's talk later."
I greeted her and led the workers back to the inn. Just then, Mollo had arrived in front of the inn and was unloading his cargo. With such a massive order, there were not only Mollo's wagons but five large carts and several other merchants besides. Each wagon was packed with huge loads, and a long line of livestock—cows, chickens, mules, and more—trailed behind them.
"Mr. Bertrand. Good day."
"Hello, Mr. Mollo. You arrived right on time."
"For middlemen like us, credit is everything. By the way, the city's in an uproar. The Golruks are really gone?"
"That's what they say."
Mollo marveled. "Mr. Bertrand, you're really lucky. Once the northern road opens, this place will boom like old times, and you've already staked your claim."
"Yeah, tell me about it."
The enormous loads were carried into the inn one by one. The seasoned merchants, without needing my instructions, placed everything in the right spots on their own. Bulky furniture went to its designated areas, tools sorted by use into crates. The large oak barrels of liquor and drinks were rolled rumbling down to the basement. The livestock were all herded into the stable attached to the main building. It was a spacious stable and barn perfect for keeping animals, originally meant for travelers' horses. With facilities like this, the Crossroads Troll Inn must have been a real hotspot back in the day. Now that conditions were the same again, it wouldn't be long before it was bustling and noisy once more.
After unloading everything from the five big wagons, we settled the accounts. I pulled an abys gold coin from my pouch, and Mollo looked amazed.
"Carrying abys gold coins around? Are you working for the state trade guild or something?"
Mollo emptied his money pouches and counted out the change. "Here you go. Count it."
He stacked the coins on the flat wagon seat, sorted by gold, silver, and copper. I verified the count and swept them into my pouch.
"It's been a while since I made a deal this big. If you have more chances, come find me again."
"Things will be slow for a bit. Even if the road's open, traffic won't surge until it's officially certified safe."
"True enough. But it'll boom for sure."
"When it does, I'll call on you again, Mr. Mollo."
"Appreciate it."
Graciously, Mollo loaded up the broken furniture and trash the cleaning crew had set out to discard onto his wagons. The cleaning and organizing didn't wrap up until late evening. I paid the workers a bit more than promised and sent them off. Left alone, I took a lap around the hall. The candlelight from the wall sconces and pillars dimly lit the space, while the fireplace crackled with burning logs. This quiet hall would be packed in just a few weeks. Tomorrow, I'd head to Hildeva and ask her to line up some waitstaff in advance. We needed a head chef too, but I could handle that for now...
Glancing at a framed picture on the wall, my eyes lingered on the empty spot behind the bar. It bugged me. After a moment's thought, I fetched a hammer and drove two nails into the wall at shoulder width. I carefully laid the Holy Sword, drawn from its sheath, horizontally across them. The sword was so ornate and beautiful that it served as stunning decoration on its own, no frills needed. No one but me could even lift it anyway, so no worries about theft. Perfect.
Stepping outside, the hunting dog from the kennel in the front yard poked its nose out of its food bowl and came wagging its tail. This pointer breed had a white coat splashed with brown patches, long legs, and floppy ears. It would guard the inn and join me on hunts now and then. Time to name it...
After pondering, a good one came to mind.
"From now on, you're Kali."
Kali was the god protecting hunters—fitting for a hunting dog. "Kali." Calling its name, it tilted its head adorably.
I circled the building to the stable. The horses and mules munched hay amiably, while the other livestock ignored each other, settling into spots and lounging comfortably. For now, this scale meant self-sufficiency on milk and eggs, but demand would spike soon, forcing outside buys. Hold the fort till then, you lot.
I checked the feed troughs once more and headed back to the inn.
The next morning, I rose early and stepped out. Kali jumped up at my footsteps, tail wagging as it approached. In the stable, the livestock were already awake, staring blankly at me. I filled the troughs with feed while Kali darted excitedly around my feet. Rifling through the straw bedding, I gathered a few eggs into a basket. Then to the milk cows. I set down the tin bucket, sat on a low stool, and milked them one by one. The bucket soon brimmed with frothy milk. Drink it fresh, make cheese, whatever. Leave it be, and the yellow cream on top hardens into a tasty treat.
Kali fidgeted nearby. "You want some milk too?" I aimed a squirt at it; a stream hit Kali's face. It flinched, then opened wide, tongue out, lapping it up. I burst out laughing.
Too lazy for a proper breakfast, I sliced some cheese onto bread and headed to City Hall.
Entering City Hall, Hildeva was already at her desk, scribbling away since morning.
"Administrator. Good morning?"
"Mr. Bertrand? Come in. I was just about to stop by. All sorted?"
"Yes, thanks to you rounding up the workers."
"They lined up quick once money was mentioned. I didn't do much."
Hildeva adjusted her glasses. "Need any more help?"
"Yeah, one waitress."
"Hmm... I see. Urgent?"
"Why? Something up?"
"The Golruks raided our supplies so often, folks are short on food even for spring. Everyone's out planting. Busy season—no telling who'd step up."
Fair enough... planting season now. In poor Rosens, this was critical. They needed to hold out till the city revived. Tricky...
Head to big cities like Bue or Fribourg? But even with the north road open, who'd come work at a Rosens inn right now? Not till safety's assured and traffic picks up.
"Post a notice anyway. If no luck, I'll scout other cities."
"Got it. Oh, Mr. Bertrand." Hildeva asked, "You weren't at the inn the day before last. Where were you?"
The day before last? When I chucked the head Golruk boss's noggin at the stake pile and crashed in my room... No way I'd say that straight. I came here to build my retirement dream, not play hero.
"Out fishing by the Buren River?"
"Ah..." Hildeva sighed—relief or disappointment, hard to tell.
"What's up?"
"Nothing. I just thought..." She trailed off. "I'll check for workers as discussed."
"Thanks, Administrator."
As I turned to leave, Hildeva called from behind. "Oh! For your info, a Bue guard squad's coming this afternoon. To search and confirm the Golruks are gone."
Guards... for a sweep, then report back. Crucial.
A thought struck me. "Any idea how many?"
"About ten."
A squad, then. Leader's probably a sergeant. Their report matters a lot. "Got lodging ready for them?"