Mercenaries and Adventurers

Keir's words made the businessman on the opposite side stunned for a moment: "Isn't that the case?"

After coughing lightly, Kil licked his face and said: "As you can see, the team I led are all poor people. They were bullied at the White Stone City Wall Pass. This time they returned to their hometown in the southern province to find a We need a safe place to live to avoid disasters. We still have some food, but the food must be heated to make it easy to eat, and heating requires a flame, and the flame requires firewood."

Kil pointed to the north and south mountains on the west side of the town: "In the past few days, we could rely on picking up dead branches from the woods on both sides of the trade road, or cutting down trees to obtain firewood. But now that we are on the edge of the town, we can't do that anymore, right? ?”

Keir sat in a higher position on the horse and looked around: "There are relatively open cultivated fields nearby, and there are no suitable places to obtain firewood."

Mr. 'Dry Oriel' said immediately: "Yes, yes, there is a larger forest just east of the town. Usually the firewood in the town is obtained there, but." He rubbed his fingers and made a sign. The action of collecting coins: "It's just that the land is owned by the owner, and you need to pay for picking it up and felling it. The 'sawing' business that owns the forest land will pay according to the number of people and the amount of wood cut."

He put on a smile and said: "Not many, people in the town can afford it. Of course, if you don't want to spend time every day looking for firewood, you can also buy it in the town, we have everything here!"

Kiel twitched the corner of his mouth and said with a cold face: "You may have misunderstood me. There are so many people here, at least a fraction of the population of the town, and the daily demand for firewood is not a small amount."

Keir continued: "So, I hope that the various chambers of commerce in Dorne Town can help exempt our poor people from the daily firewood cutting costs. Or, the chamber of commerce in the town will provide a part of the free sponsorship. Firewood for living? How about it?”

Upon hearing Knight Kiel's unreasonable request, the businessman's face twitched, but he still maintained a smile. He rolled his eyes and did not refuse: "I can't make the decision by myself. I very much hope that I can help the noble knight with your noble deed, but after all, this is not a small amount, so I have to go back and report to the chamber of commerce that manages the town to see what the higher-ups want."

Keir nodded: "Then please hurry up. I hope this matter can be implemented before this evening. After all, the circle of wooden pillars and wooden fences around this open space are quite good as firewood."

These words almost made ‘Dry Oriel’ lose the expression on his face.

"I'm just kidding, please don't worry, we won't take your idea of ​​wooden railings before dark. By the way, I have another question. Since this open space was temporarily provided for Kendall's army to be stationed and repaired, So the army has been gone for a few days, what is the use of staying here?"

Regarding this question, 'Dry Oriel' easily answered: "Originally, the caravans passing by in the town parked their vehicles in the backyards of various hotels. However, as the town expanded and buildings were added, the number of buildings gradually increased. The streets are wide and narrow, and the backyards of the hotels built in the early days are not large enough for today’s caravans. So various chambers of commerce discussed leaving this place as a safe stop for some larger caravans.”

Smiling, the businessman shrugged: "You have also seen that in today's situation, it is difficult for smaller caravans to run business as before. The size of the caravan must increase to cope with various dangers on the road. .”

"It's like a place like the Western Province where there are many horse bandits. How to deal with it?"

Keir made such a guess, but he didn't expect that Mr. 'Dry Oriel' knew the Western Province very well and nodded in approval of Keir's metaphor.

"Then, please allow me to retire first. I will convey your complete request to the Chamber of Commerce. We will also send a few security guards from the town over later to help you assist the guards at the gate of the open space."

"Whatever, we will send people to protect ourselves. After all, the reputation of Dorne Town is quite loud."

"Hahahaha, just kidding."

"Hahahaha, just kidding."

Afterwards, Mr. 'Dry Oriel' took the remaining two riders and turned back towards the town. But when I returned, I wasn't as anxious as when I came.

Kil also turned around and watched hundreds of people gradually and chaotically fill up the empty space that originally seemed quite large.

He shook his head. This area was enough for Kendall's army with a large number of logistics carriages. Unexpectedly, ordinary people with a similar number of people occupied the place in a haphazard manner. It seemed that the space was not enough.

"Priest Batar, Bloodfangster, Long Barford, and the captains of each team, come here!"

Keir rode towards the center of the clearing, and the shouts rang out, immediately overpowering the chaotic noise around him.

The people who were called all approached Kiel. As soon as they came, Kiel gave instructions: "We may stay in this town of Dorne for two days. We need to inquire about information here, sell off the seized goods, and raise the necessary supplies for the future. Tools. Therefore, such a mess is not a problem. The position where the team rests and repairs needs to be adjusted!"

"Kiel, just say it, we will listen to you."

Priest Batar naturally supports the decision of the Kiir warriors, as long as it is beneficial to the mission and the people.

Bloodfangster didn't care. He expected that he would be assigned a task, so he leaned against the side of Kiel's carriage and only listened and said nothing.

The middle-aged businessman Baford was a little anxious. He was actually trying to adjust the positions of the people who came in, but many people were reluctant and couldn't move after sitting on the ground. At this moment, he took out a fine cloth handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his busy neck. Then he took out a small water bag and took a sip of the sweet honey water.

Four armed civilian squad captains, who basically only followed Kiir's orders, also hurried over with their respective deputies.

Originally, they had no deputy. After all, each person managed more than 20 people. Most of them only used one voice and could call everyone in the team by name.

But in the past two days, Kiel simply arranged their training. Each person had twenty-five people under his command, and the originally messy weapons and equipment were also redistributed.

The tall and strong young man picked up the heavy ax with a long handle in both hands. Each team also arranged four or five young hunters from the previous village. In addition, the captured wooden shields were paired with uniform machetes and were distributed to each team. Each team must have at least five members.

The remaining combatants who followed were also issued with a long wooden stick and a rope in addition to the long sword, so they could insert the long sword on the grooved wooden stick in a short time, and then use the rope. Tie it tightly and use it as a makeshift spear.

Not only have the weapons changed, requiring the young people in the team to get used to it again, but Kiel of each team has also rearranged their manpower, spreading out the manpower that was familiar with the team before, to avoid bullying and oppression within the team.

Because the people under his command have changed, a new deputy must be added to lead the team. Of course, this deputy Kiel is left to each captain to choose. The combination of the main and deputy must be smooth and appropriate, so it is better to choose someone familiar with him.

As for the extra people, they were absorbed by Kiel into a team of people directly under his command. These people, plus some of the first people to surrender and obey orders, there are about forty armed young people under Kiir's direct command.

At this moment, Keir jumped off his horse, pointed to the approximately rectangular wooden fence surrounding the open space and said: "The four of you will lead people to guard one of the surrounding walls. Three teams are responsible for the wall, and one team is responsible for guarding the gate. Batal, you Let the religious people gather together, find a place to rest in the middle of the open space, and gather the wounded in the team, and still be responsible for the team's medical treatment. Bafoot, you ask the priest to help you, and let the scattered people be divided into groups leaning against the wall. There are three parts, and the middle part of the open space is specially reserved for religious people.”

"At the same time, let the people carrying the supplies on the list unload their things neatly near the inside of the open space gate, as well as the surrendered bandits. I promised to let them live, but I didn't say not to sell them. Everyone They all signed a debt note for me, and then according to the rules of Dorne Town, they were resold directly to various local businessmen who like to use people. Bloodfangster, go to the carriage and get a sum of money. You wait. Follow me right now.”

After hearing the order, everyone saluted and obeyed. Kil shook his head at Bloodfangster: "Let's go to the town. You are responsible for going to the tavern to inquire about the details of the town. Travel to the south. The situation in several counties on the western side of the province, and the latest situation in the city of Belisfa that the priests are concerned about. Of course, there are also the situations in other surrounding towns, bandit gangs, and villages."

"So many."

Bloody Fangster smiled and arranged his equipment so that he looked more like a caravan guard looking for opportunities. But he was originally a caravan guard, so he didn't need to dress up.

He originally wanted to return the borrowed crossbow to Kil, but Kil was unloading the weapons from Blood Licker into his carriage.

"What? Don't you bring these equipment? You can't use the spear, but the bow and arrow?"

Keir shrugged: "You all said that the security of Dorne Town is chaotic and easy to be stolen. How dare I carry extra things on the horse, just a set of harness for riding it. You said, the horse won't be lost too, right? ?”

Rolling his eyes, Bloody Fangster said speechlessly: "If the store allows the customers who come to trade to lose their horses, then they still open a shitty store. Don't worry, I have been here before, and there are many storekeepers in the store. Although the skills of the thugs are not very good, when you enter the store, they will send a person outside the store to help customers look after the horses."

"Chaos and bad public order are what I'm talking about for the 'own people' in the town. As for outsiders and traders, as long as they can control their lower bodies and hands, I think this place is fine."

Keir was curious: "What if I didn't control it? How about it?"

Bloody Fangster raised his finger and pointed at the debtor outside the wooden fence wall who started to work hard again under the whip: "What else can you do? Go and work hard for the money you owe. But fortunately, the debtor is not a slave. Even if he is beaten, he still has to work hard. It’s hard work, but at least you won’t die. Well, at least that’s what it looks like on the surface. In private, I don’t know how those gangs rely on the evil in people’s hearts to make money.”

-

The two of them were well prepared. Under the urging of the armed young men and priests, the other people in the open space gradually became orderly from a chaotic mess.

Of course, this ‘neatness’ is actually very limited.

"Batar, the team is left to you. Let's go to Dorne Town and have a look." Kil shouted to the priest who was helping the injured people.

Priest Batar seemed to dislike Dorne Town, the 'stronghold' of the God of Wealth, so he waved his hand and said: "Be careful of falling into the trap of wealth and desire. By the way, when will you two come back? Kil, the team left You can't."

"I'll probably be back before evening. As for Bloody Fangster, he has a very heavy task. It's hard to say."

Bloody Fangster laughed: "I want to drink to my heart's content tonight!"

Then the two of them rode away from here in the envious eyes of the surrounding people.

At the gate, after a short delay, the security guards that Mr. 'Dry Oriel' mentioned to assist with security were already in place. At this time, they were looking at each other inside and outside the gate with a group of armed people arranged by Kiel. With.

Kil was not polite and shouted directly to the leader of the team: "Keep an eye on these people from this town. Don't let any outsiders in without my order."

"Yes, Lord Knight!"

The captain shouted loudly, making the several town security guards standing guard outside the gate look ugly.

When Keir and Bloodfangster both rode past here, Keir looked at the attire of the security guard in Dorne Town and found that the other man had a studded leather helmet on his head and thick cloth armor with thin armor plates on his body. , metal wristbands, leather gloves. In addition to hanging a steel long sword, the wide and strong cowhide belt also hung an iron-covered stick with a bloody tip. It is estimated that this is often used to maintain 'law and order'.

The lower body is a pair of studded thick cloth war skirt that hems to the calf, and a pair of iron-toe boots.

To be honest, this equipment is already very good. Although it cannot compare with the leather combat armor of the Kendall Guards, it is already the best equipped among the security guards that Kiel has seen all the way from the north. .

This set of equipment can't be obtained without a few gold coins.

At least Bloody Stern looked quite envious.

It's just that the equipment is good, but he doesn't know yet how effective the guards are in combat. Of course, Kiel has no intention of attacking the town of Dorne. He knows that it is impossible to take it. Regardless of the hundreds of young people under his command, there are only about a hundred people who are really capable of fighting, and the average strength of these hundreds of people is also It's very limited, and probably can't defeat even the most ferocious bandits.

Just as Kil and Bloodfangster were riding away from here, he was stopped by Ms. Fenea who was waiting at the door.

"Knight Kiel, have you forgotten some of the rewards you deserve?"

Ms. Fenia walked out with her sister. These days of recuperation had made her mentally better. Most of the injuries from the beating had healed. At least she could no longer look as miserable as when she was rescued.

"I haven't forgotten, madam, let's leave now? You seem to have property in the town, right? You gave me the store, how are you and this little girl going to live? It's not like borrowing a sum of money, going to the casino Try your luck here?"

Keir said teasingly.

Lady Fenea walked into the Bloodlicker, while another of her girls walked into the prairie horse that Bloodfangster was riding.

She stretched out her hand to Kil and said: "I have my own way to survive. I have long stopped believing in luck. People can only rely on themselves. Although it is a bit disrespectful, the great gods of all walks of life probably also You don’t look down on women like me, right?”

Bloodfangster also looked at Kil to ask for a signal. Kil nodded and leaned over Ms. Fenea and pulled her onto the blood-licking grass.

Kil did not let the other person sit in front of him, but sat on the original weapon rack on the horse. This place is empty now, but you can sit on it diagonally.

Next to him, Bloody Fangster also pulled the young girl onto his horse, but his prairie horse was not as tall and strong as Licking Bloodgrass, so the newcomers had to sit in front of his saddle.

He moved as far back as he could, and there was barely room for a slender young girl to sit in front of him.

The young girl leaned into Xueyaster's arms, but the middle-aged Xueyaster felt quite uncomfortable.

"That's hard to say. I think that compared to mediocre ordinary people, people like you who have a 'complex' life experience are more favored by the gods."

Ms. Fenea grabbed the weapon rack with one hand and the rain-proof cloak Kil was wearing over the armor with the other hand to steady herself.

"Will you? Thank you for your comfort."

"You're welcome, this is not a comfort, it's just what the stories say."

"Ha ha."

Afterwards, Kil licked the belly of the blood grass, and with the reluctance of the horses, two riders and four people walked slowly towards the town of Dorne, not far to the north.

-

On the road, the spring sunshine mixed with the warm wind at a suitable temperature swept away the moisture from the continuous rainfall in the previous few days.

On both sides of the wide gravel road, there are cash crops planted according to the wishes of the field owners, regardless of whether the local climate is suitable or whether the quality of the output can reach half the level of the place of origin.

A large number of debtors carry small buckets filled with water and run back and forth on the route between the well and the field, constantly watering the cash crops that require a lot of water.

This is the most exhausting of all the unseasonable, unclimatic, and unsuitable crops around Dorne, and every debtor who is sold to the owner of this field feels quite unlucky, if they can In order to end this period of long or short debt, many people will go to the temple of the goddess of luck in the town. Although they cannot donate much money, they have no money, at least they can spend some time in the temple every day. It is also good for religious believers to pray.

When Kil looked at the town of Dorne from afar, he felt that this place, with its messy buildings and the black smoke of life, was a chaotic place that might not be good.

When he approached on horseback, he realized that his previous judgment had been too light.

Not to mention anything else, as he gradually approached, a smell of feces mixed with things rotting in the mud gradually poured into Keir's nose.

"Uh, why does this place smell so bad? I can't breathe!"

There was a chuckle from behind: "What, young knight, is this your weakness?"

"Come on, I don't mind the bloody smell of the battlefield. Can this bother me? It's just that we were traveling in the mountains with good air before, and now we are not used to it. Madam, don't you think the smell is unpleasant? ?”

"It's okay. I come here a few times every year and I'm used to it. Although it smells bad, there is really a lot of wealth here. If we talk about the trade route that connects different provinces on both sides of the Unicorn Mountains, one end is Mongolia Tokar City, then the town of Dorne is at the other end. If there is a scale to measure wealth, then I think that with Montoka City at one end and Dorne Town at the other end, the two must be balanced."

Keir was extremely surprised: "Nonsense! The city of Montauca is so prosperous and clean, how can we compare it to this shabby, smelly, messy and small place?"

"The answer to that question is, haha."

Lady Fenia sold it out.

"Where did the wealth brought by the trade routes end up?"