"For help?" Gorsep frowned
"Well more like for assistance. You see Erona wants to return home and become a free woman again, but she was afraid of your reaction. So she asked me for help." She carefully observed the expression on her husband's face.
Gorsep was silent for a moment, then stood up, put on a loose shirt and buttoned his pants.
Dagrana looked at him expectantly.
"So what will happen with her request, will you give her freedom?" Her voice sounded innocent
"Erona is free, she can go wherever she wants." Then he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Dagrana smiled to herself. Her husband had just learned the bitterness of rejection that had been hers almost from the beginning of their wedding.
The morning greeted Gorsep with a headache. It was his body's response to yesterday's abundant amount of wine. He remembered his conversation with Dagrana and his bad mood returned. He was happy that his spindly and pale wife was pregnant, but he was upset by Erona and her request to intercede with Dagrana. Stupid redhead whore, might get out of his castle right now. He didn't love Erona, but he liked her body and the pleasure she gave him. It will be difficult to replace her immediately. However, what offended him the most was that Erona herself wanted to leave him. She hurt his self-love. He got out of bed and put on fresh clothes. He didn't like servants' help with this activity. Today he had a meeting with Domir after breakfast. His tax collector did a good job. He had no other choice, his daughter Salema joined Dagrana's court. She was an average-looking girl on the threshold of adulthood, but she held her head proudly and pretended that she was important.
He went straight to the kitchen, he didn't feel like having breakfast with his wife. Her request and expression as she was delivering it was still too fresh in his mind. Mirko was standing outside his room so he gave him an order to take care of Erona. She was expected to disappear from the castle today. No, he wasn't willing to tell her any goodbyes or last words, nor watch her leave. She can leave with some of the merchants to Basaldia, that's her business. That's it, he won't give her any more thought.
There was a lot going on in the kitchen, but everyone stopped and bowed when they saw the king. Gorsep waved his hand for them to continue working, then sat down at the table and idly began to eat his porridge. He didn't like the food today, demanded diluted wine and decided to go to the office to meet with the tax collector.
On the way, he analyzed all his achievements. Kanror's treasury was slowly filling with gold, but when it came to crops, the situation was worse. It was indeed a wet year and the harvest was expected to be poor. That's what he heard. Food prices at the market had gone up and, considering that winter had just begun and that there were still two months of frost and snow ahead of them, followed by three difficult months of spring, they were at risk of starvation. The door to his office was open and Domir was sitting inside. When he saw Gorsep, he stood up and nodded in greeting.
"Greetings my King." Gorsep heard his booming voice.
Gorsep took his place at the table and motioned for the collector to take his place as well.
"I'm listening."
"I'm giving you a list, sir, these are the last creditors. They settled their debts and receivables as you expected." Domir gave him a list of names and amounts and Gorsep quickly looked at it.
"What about food?"
"The granaries are half full. War activities and rainy weather worked to the disadvantage of farmers." Domir spoke calmly, looking the king straight in the eyes.
"I see. - Gorsep frowned, thinking about something, then added - How many wagons will supply Kanror and the other 5 main cities and by when?"
"This is the problem - Domir sighed heavily - If they send us the due tribute, they will starve to death in the spring."
Gorsep looked silently at the window overlooking the stables. He could now admire the horse's plump hindquarters. Iridius advised against this small room as it was not very representative, but it suited Gorsep. He even liked the sight of horses' hindquarters, they were something real and tangible in all this political chaos.
"They will send us half of what they have - the king of Kanror, looking at the stable, firmly dictating the conditions, there was no appeal - because each of these villagers hid the other part in their private granary, to which no one took you. - Gorsep fixed his dark eyes on Domir's square face. - Thank you, you can go and follow the instructions."
Domir, shuffling his chair, got up from the table, bowed and left without saying a word.
Gorsep leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead with his hand. In the spring he and his father were planning to invade the Fenigrid. However, every military campaign requires supplies. He must have food for the army, because you can't always count on loot along the way. The war will have to wait. He needs to build support for the army here, and there will be a new recruitment for the war. This certainly won't win him any supporters. He sighed and started to walk to the inner bailey. On the way he met Iridius. They were to walk around the walls of Kanror together and check the effect of completing all the renovations. Then he had to visit the treasury. A conversation with a representative of the City Council regarding the issue of securing the trade route to Basaldia and finally a briefing of the officers. As he walked quickly towards the main gate, another thought came to his mind.
"Irydius, write a letter to Latamor to send us food supplies. - without stopping, he climbed the winding stairs to the barbican - Our people will guard this transport and the surplus will be placed in the warehouse near the castle."
Irydius nodded and congratulated the idea. Gorsep was pleased with himself. It's time for Latamor to start paying tribute to the Equerds. This way the capital and the garrison will be secured. He didn't trust Domir. He felt that the proud Kanrorian was simply lying, but Gorsep already had a plan in mind to bring the true information to light.
Evening found him at the garrison. He finished the conversation with the officers and, satisfied with the result, decided to return to the castle. He walked accompanied by two bodyguards. Not that he was afraid of an attack, but he didn't like leaving anything to chance. As he passed the side gate, he heard a quiet call.
"Sir, I have news for you."
Gorsep knew that voice from somewhere, and after a moment he knew who it belonged to.
"Leave us alone - he ordered his bodyguards, who left immediately .
"Hello, Red."
The shadow of a familiar mercenary emerged from the darkness of the gate, holding his Gardynian's ring in his hand, as if afraid that the prince might not recognize him. Red didn't look too good, he must have been short of money.
"Can we talk in some... warmer place?" Suggested the mercenary.
"No, tell me what you have for me. I'll decide if I want to hear more." Gorsep didn't like this scoundrel, and he wasn't sure he wanted to keep filling his purse.
"I found Setia." Red said encouragingly.
"So where is she?" Gorsep looked around, pretending to be looking for her.
"She is the Duchess of Emfer." Red decided to bring out the big guns.
"Duchess?" Gorsep didn't have to pretend anything, you could hear genuine surprise in his voice. "Go on."
"It's kind of cold here." Red didn't feel like selling cheap what obtained after so many hardships.
Gorsep sighed, he was curious about more information, let it be, this rat will get what he wants if the news is really good.
"Follow me." He said to Red and marched quickly making long steps.
His small office was empty. There was a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table. With Gorsep's nod of approval, Red poured himself a full glass and drank it in almost one gulp. A trickle of wine ran down his chin and soaked into his dirty clothes. Red wiped his mouth with his sleeve, belched softly, and smiled smugly. Seeing Gorsep's urgent look, he continued.
"I saw Setia marry Prince Tendred of Emfer, she is now a duchess. She introduced herself as an aristocrat from Katamir. She wears a silver mask covering her left eye because she lost it. It is commonly said that it was during an attack by bandits from Orchad, but I know that it is a souvenir from Kanror. Brother Moros is with her. Setia had no siblings, I know that for sure, and now the most interesting thing. It is said that Tendred prefers boys, and here is his wife, and a rich one at that, because she paid off all his debts - Red watched Gorsep's face, which showed a trace of a smile after this information - People say that this brother of hers is actually Tendred's lover ."
"Is that all?" Gorsep made sure after a moment of silence.
"For now, yes." Red felt a twinge of anxiety, he hoped Gorsep wouldn't deceive him. He had been absolutely homeless and without a single coin for two days.
"Here, - Gorsep handed him the clinking purse - go to the kitchen, they will give you something to eat and then leave. If you have other news that's equally good, I'll pay."
Red thanked him and bowed back. Anyway, there is a chance that he is back in business and he can change his life. He just can't play.
Gorsep got up from his seat, smiling to himself as he analyzed the information he had heard. Well, well, the Duchess of Emfer, that sounds proud. But he knew what was behind it. Tendred had the greatest claim to the Fenigrid throne. And that was her goal. It may turn out that he will go to war against Setia and not against the principality sluggishly managed by the lethargic Brandis and his lover Aktis. All the tiredness of the day disappeared from him and he decided to go to Erona to relax. Ah right, Erona is gone. The morning dissatisfaction returned. Having no other purpose, he went straight to his wife's chambers. She didn't want him to give up visiting her, so let her have it. He intended to improve his mood with her grimace. Without knocking, he opened the door and with his glance, he chased away the two ladies with whom Dagrana was talking. When they left, he started undressing. To his surprise, Dagrana stood up with a smile on her face and helped him take off his shirt. For a split second, Gorsep thought that maybe he had dismissed Erona too hastily, because his flat chested wife had planned it all.