A long bath helped, but afterwards, as I made my way down to dinner, every step was a painful one. My muscles were already stiffening. It would be even worse in the morning. Still, I was determined. And that encounter with the ambassador of Southway just made me even more so.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX3x1PXQJc
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A long, polished wooden table had been laid out with what looked like a banquet to me, despite my instructions. Silver candelabra held our source of light, light which glittered off a wide array of polished trays and bowls. There were grapes; cherries, apples and peaches stacked high; there were at least four kinds of fish, filleted and laid out with herbs and lemon on trays decorated with fishing net designs; bowls of peas, green beans, tomatoes and carrots were full to the brim, at least four different kinds of bread had been prepared, with slices and rolls displayed on yet more silver trays; while goblets of cut glass sparkled, ready to receive wine from a choice of six decanters.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk56TZsSw7b
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The table was laid for four people but the placings were spaced so far apart that it was like a socially distanced event during the COVID pandemic back home. Much to the consternation of a servant who was standing by the wall and hurriedly came over to help, I started re-arranging the plates and cutlery, bringing all the places up to the top end.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxS2ky2vFu
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No sooner than I'd taken my own seat, than Lord Arval, my Paladin General came in with a brisk march. Even for dinner, it seemed, he wore his chainmail and carried his sword. With a gesture that was nearly a smile, he took the seat to my right after I pointed to it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFVc5Rn8Jf
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'I heard about your training today sire. It gave encouragement to the troops.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGgWBYp6ln
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'There's a long way to go.' I glanced at my fleshy arms, so different to my previous body.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDrSbYpoXp
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'I also heard that you scorned the ambassador of Southway.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwXVDQLiCm
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'Oh did you? What did your sources say, exactly?'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4PUCXEi1T
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'That you were offered wine and women for the rest of your life if you'd do the bidding of their king and you refused, telling him that it was him who would be grovelling in chains before you.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKxf5Yv8ng
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'Did I though?' I laughed. 'The story has grown. Good. They have the spirit right at least. That guy was so smug, I wanted to punch him in the face.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOyxfGHFEP
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We were interrupted by the arrival of Chancellor Parrin and the sorceress Carlena. Although they were not arm in arm, there was something about them that suggested to me they might be a couple. They were the right ages – she with silver hair and he with the grey and sliver of his beard – and they moved towards me with an ease in each other's company.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVCQiWNitc
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'Another innovation I see,' said the Chancellor with a glance at the place settings and then at the servants. I got the message: careful, go easy on the changes.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnyrpEj5Kf
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I repeated my story of meeting the ambassador of Southway, to the approval of Parrin and Carlena but they were surprisingly taciturn. Only when we had eaten did Carlena lean towards me, so that I caught the full intensity of her stunning purple eyes, and whisper, 'send the servants away please, so we can talk properly.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDK3zecsr6
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I nodded. And after the next time my glass was refilled, I slapped the table with my heavy palm (it was effective for that at least). 'Out! Servants out and don't disturb us until you are called for.' I spoke with unnecessary volume as they jumped to respond.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3O3bCqwPq
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'Spoken like the old Carlos,' said Parrin with a smile when we had the room to ourselves.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTkxWHTsJE
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The two of them then began an interrogation that would have never have been allowed by the previous king. What was I researching? What was I building? How would we cope with the loss of our grain-generating lands? What other information was in the menus? On the whole they were cautiously positive about my decisions and plans. At least, they didn't propose I make any changes to it. I was warned that my popularity, already very low, would drop further if we did start trading iron to the necromancer king, but they could see the necessity of this.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWvTMsda3m
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By the end of their questions, I was totally clear about one thing. Carlena, Parrin and (to a lesser extent) Lord Arval saw me as their instrument. I was accountable to them and had to take their instruction. In business terms, this was a board meeting and I was the CEO, not a king with absolute power. This didn't upset me. I could totally see their point of view: the kingdom was on the ropes and everything they owned, including their lives, was in jeopardy. They couldn't afford any mistakes from me. Also, while I quite enjoyed the authority of being king and the way all the people were quick to obey me, I didn't like the barrier that the role created. At least here, with these three, I could be myself.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKUVyA49jx
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'I have a question about the menus,' I looked from one to the other. 'How is it there are so few people on them compared to the size of Carrick?'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIbtU4wA7Q
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It was Carlena who answered. 'I believe the numbers allowed on the menu are capped in some way by the overall happiness of the realm. Most of our citizens would join the menus if allowed, wanting Miya to triumph and not wishing to be conquered. You should try to facilitate them.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa90vhBQZMV
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That made sense and exporing how to raise happiness was yet another goal for me to add to the 'to do' list.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejaP8fzb8b
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'How goes your personal progress?' asked Parrin.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCtip1or5a
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'I don't know yet.' I patted the rolls of stomach fat that were resting on the table top. 'I've made a start on shedding these. But I haven't seen any change to my character sheet yet.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmArp2nH9n
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Carlena frowned. 'What level Fighter are you?'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCBZQQRKaH
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'I'm not even a Fighter yet,' I confessed. 'In fact I was thinking my character sheet meant I should be a Sorcerer or Cleric.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05Dgg4ffJt
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All three of them turned pale faces towards me, eyes glistening in the candlelight.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnNanh9P87
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'Oh no,' said Carlena. 'Not a Sorcerer. You won't have any spells. To obtain spells you have to build a scriptorium of the spell level and then research them, getting a random result It would take you forever. And it's not what we need on the battlefield.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvb07tw88n
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'I believe King Wace is level twelve,' muttered the Chancellor pointedly. 'And Queen Rorgesta of Trolland is eleven at least.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxIN9FS4RW
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I caught the Scout's eyes and said, 'I'll start levelling up soon. But with my current stats, I'd be a hopeless warrior of any sort. I have to find out can I improve my Strength before starting my personal progression as a fighter. Really, I should be a caster: a mage or cleric. And I also need to know how to level. Do I fight monsters? Complete quests?'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKQsXgvUDt
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'I suppose you are right to wait,' Lord Arval spoke after a short interval. 'But every day that you are not progressing is a day more for them to get ahead. You could easily reach level two or even three by performing task quests in the town itself.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPgZKR09EB
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'And we can bring you to areas nearby where there are monsters you can fight and kill for experience,' offered Lord Parrin.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48sxdEQdgf
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That sounded promising and exactly like the RPGs I was used to.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDhhhAVVJ0
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I took a deep breath. 'I will progress soon then. For now though, my body is a mass of aches and pain. I can barely lift this fork with my left hand, my shoulder is so sore. There's nothing more I could have done today to advance this body towards where it should be.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghxnqK6uBI
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'True.' Lord Arval nodded. 'Don't push so hard you damage yourself.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7230sQc1aO
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'We need time. Time to fix the kingdom's economy and time for me to level up.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCvYPAuFBl
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'Indeed. And in that light, provoking the king of Southway might not have been wise.' Carlena spoke tentatively, as if exploring the idea.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGvk2mEA8b
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'Sean was right to refute him so publicly and so firmly,' Arval came in, 'the message to the soldiers and people was clear. We will endure.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU8qARUN0u
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Chancellor Parrin nodded. 'I think so too. But still, there is a real danger of the two armies continuing their advance together and overcoming our defences.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT4A9ce41H
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'Speaking of which, I'd like to see them. We have a fort at the head of the valley that leads here, right? I might be able to upgrade it.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgK8Cmmh9z
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'You can't get there, it is thirty miles away and no horse can carry you.' It was Arval who made this depressing, if practical, point.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE7BPpzAdN
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'I can show you on the map at least,' offering Parrin, 'and you should be able to find a menu for it. It's called Three-Ways Fort.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsrEar74t4
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'I'll check later. And if it's all right with you, I'll move any remaining troops from here down to it, including the new archers.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObuBu3AdIV
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Everyone greeted my proposal with approval.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdunJM9yA00
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I had been thinking about Carlena's point about unnecessarily provoking King Wace. 'Could we maybe divide them? By talking with Queen Rorg… whatever … the Trolland queen. By suggesting that we might be willing to be a protectorate under her?'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmoXUaIejM
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'Perhaps,' the Chancellor nodded. 'It would be a mission for Figus.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJLrtcMSY
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'When he gets back,' I said.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9tusVsZjh
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'When he gets back,' Parrin repeated.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq8Xel6DoU
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'In the meantime, I think you need to go down to the lowlands and monitor the enemy's movements, to give us notice if they are advancing.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOelTxpLXy2
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'Me?' Parrin looked surprised. 'We have scouts, of course.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiCL7SKB9X
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'Yes, but they are all level zero, right? Whereas you are level nine.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxofJzWT6L
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'It's been a while since I dusted off my scout skills, but you know what, I'll do it!' Parrin rubbed his beard around his mouth, where a smile was forming. 'I'll set out in the morning.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVVt4WLqtq
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'Just don't take any risks.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQlfEQxIP7
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When our strategizing was at an end, Lord Arval called the servants back in and we resumed a more formal tone, until I was ready for my bed. Well, not quite ready.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVO6LcbwkD
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'Can the king ask for a massage?' I leaned in towards the General.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHOhNU95sb
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'Of course. I'll send someone.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01kyYJUVe8
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'Good, I'll go on up to my bed.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FzSPuxK0r
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It was an effort, I was almost tempted to ask for help and a push, but my groaning legs carried me up two flights of stairs until I collapsed on the bed. Not long after I did so, a heavy knock came on the door and after I called for the person to come in. It was the masseur I was expecting. Well, not quite. A tall, muscular man in a soldier's tunic came in.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGncEdlgWo
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'Massage sire?' he asked gruffly.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGUiYEABFs
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'Please.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCU36OoOGu
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'Saw you walking today sire. You'll want the legs looked at.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjhtbDgHcr
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'Left shoulder too, from carrying that sword.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipZV7WRj28
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He nodded. 'Too right. You know they make the dummy out of lead, deliberate like? So when you pick up your first real blade, it feels light.'243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PteYej98b
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I didn't reply and soon I felt his hands on the backs of my thighs, through my clothes. I wasn't going to remove them, even if that limited his access.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftjc2wE2dA
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Before long, I was getting some serious work done, loosening my cramped and tight muscles and while it was borderline painful, it was effective. What with the wine and the exercise, I'd sleep well. There was one thought still nagging me though, arising from the questions that the sorceress and the chancellor had raised with me. Oh yes. The hunting lodge, level 2 had been due for completion earlier this evening.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjNzP5SDAr
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I paused the massage long enough to call down the town menu, then got back into position while I studied it.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hUvPZXBbI
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Greyland243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzkUBOTUZz
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Economy243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEwdZahtjC
Currently building:243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVycuI73A3
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Monthly trade income: 0243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEc66hixTU
Monthly tax income: 54 gold243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHx33e2jQu
Treasury: 2 gold243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sXwANtmW5
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Daily food consumption: 13 units243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvECpWrQMUt
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Grain yield: 0 due in 17 days243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO1mcCCXvc
Vegetable yield: 35 food units due in 20 days243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgg77KSynU
Wool yield: 3 bales due in 33 days243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUGjdLVnN7
Meat yield: 5 units daily243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ezu1lqMfp
Timber yield: 17 planks daily243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxLHOQ11ap
Iron yield: 2 ingots daily243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTfPNaiJUK
Quarry yield: 6 blocks daily243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2P6ssmmjG
Smithy yield: steel pickaxes on hold. Awaiting iron.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0AtssQpOF
Weaving yield: 4 bolts daily243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VjMmL4pcT
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Research: Shipbuilding One243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDmuI79IDn
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Resources:243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nEE13RPVf
Wheat: 14 food units243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hjk3dbEoi
Vegetables: 25 food units243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HuTVwMMTR
Meat: 8 food units243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux7jyJjPOb
Wool: 7 bales243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC9seB134L
Timber: 150 planks243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz0TRQYoIT
Iron: 0 ingots243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnjGgsLuBT
Stone: 39 blocks243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0F5f0AQ97
Cloth: 4 bolts
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The meat yield had gone up by one. I had hoped for two but I couldn't argue with a 25% increase. That still left us losing about 6 food units a day, with reserves of 47. I winced, and not from the pain of the knuckles digging into my shoulder. I had to set a new town building project and the attractive options were hunting lodge level 3 or mine level 3. Both would take two days to upgrade.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzfGByRfzK
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In trying to figure out which of the two would work best for solving the food crisis, I realised that something was wrong. The smithy should have made me eighty-four steel pickaxes. If they significantly improved iron output, I would build the next level of hunting lodge. Yet the smithy was on hold.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO4IZT8D1U
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The problem was iron. I had made a mistake. I blushed at the thought of talking about this with the others. If I had waited to create the new archers, I would have had plenty of iron for the pickaxes. Scrolling deeper into the menus, I could see that the Smithy had built a stock of 12 pickaxes before I had assigned the remaining iron to training the archers. Then it had come to a halt.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmghOaSWftn
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Oh well, I allocated the twelve new pickaxes to the miners and given that at least two iron would come in tomorrow, the Smithy would be able to make 24 steel pickaxes, which would surely improve the daily output of iron? Three days would see me with a mining workforce fully equipped with the new pickaxes. Three days though. When I should have been using those days in building up a surplus ready to trade for food if Figus came back from the Necromancer with a decent deal.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24C21AP7TX
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This was discouraging, but more positive was the discovery that the hunting lodge level 2 had the capacity for four more workers. That was a must. I assigned the new hunters from the reserves of workers (now only 8 strong) and went for the hunting lodge level 3 as the next build. While iron was vital, food was even more so and there was no guaranteeing that my ambassador would even return, let alone with a trade agreement.
