Chapter 12: Scraping Bottom
On the hillside, slaves were hauling timber, working their butts off to build Thane’s manor.
Thane planned six wooden houses—besides his main residence, separate dormitories for guards and servants, a guest room for Eliric and his crew, plus two for storage.
The courtyard originally had three rooms and needed three more built, plus a cellar.
Under Kralfard’s supervision, the slaves worked enthusiastically.
Not far from them, in the open space outside the courtyard, townspeople surrounded Otto, chattering noisily like a pot of boiling water.
No farming allowed, no foraging, no fishing in the river either.
Everyone in Fontdmer Town was restless with idle anxiety.
Without knowledge, but watching the grain barrels get emptier each day, everyone understood the principle of eating away their savings.
Hearing that working would get them free breakfast and lunch, everyone fought to sign up with Otto.
This would cut their household grain consumption by more than half.
Most people didn’t take the so-called work points seriously—