Chapter 35
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She looked at the older man with firepower. He smiled at her and she knew that it's fine to talk. He turned around and looked at the group of people that were still stiff scared from all that happened.
"Dear nobles. This kid has been given permission to speak so be quiet." they looked at him. They are not crazy to speak after all this.
Kendra went to the older noble that was sitting and gave him a polite bow.
"Sir may I ask your name, please." she really wanted to know his name.
"I'm Tally, " he said and stood up to bow to the child. She gave him a smile and continued.
"Sir Tally, I am just a child that has absolutely nothing to do with nobles. Could you explain to me how comes everyone here lives in the nobles circle for free?"
"After the big war in north our land was destroyed and we had to leave. On our escape, we met the grandfather from the current Lord and he gave us permission to live in the city."
Kendra smiled at him and he understood. He nodded at her as support. She then turned around to the Lord that stood there and smiled with mischief.
He got excited. This child found a hole where he never taught about. He went up to his table and sat down with a serious face.
She turned to the crowd that was standing and looked at them with a curious face."I need to ask that these high nobles, is that true. Just nod your head if yes and shake if no. "
They looked at each other and nodded. Kendra went one step towards them and then turned around to look at Sir Tally.''Sir does that mean that all of you lived in this town something about 40-50 ish years. Right?''
Sir Tally had to admit.''Yes. Our whole families live here for more than 40 years.''
''Hmmmmm. Is that so. That is quite interesting. I am a child so I'm a bit curious. Since I came to this town I had to pay for the house, that I bought with my own hard earned money. Then I paid taxes for it. Then I bought a city house, again with my own money AND paid again taxes. And I live here just a few months. So I guess all of you did buy the houses you live in and paid regularly noble taxes like everywhere else. Even nobles in the city pay their own. Right?''
The nobles started moving but still didn't dare to utter a word. Only that noble that was close to that sleazy baker was about to say something. The old man with firepowers moved but Kendra stopped him with a wink. ''Let him speak. I wonder what this person has to say.''
They all looked at the man. He was full of confidence. Now they gave him the right to speak and he has to say so much.
''So little boy is curious. You shouldn't be curious to much. There is saying 'curiosity killed a cat', don't you know?''he said while chuckling.
Kendra looked at him indifferently.''I can be curious. I am not a cat. But if I were I would have sneaked up to you and used the claws to dig out those disgusting eyes of yours.''she said while smiling brightly.
He got angry.''Do you know who I am?''
She looked at him up and down and shook her head.''Are you relative to the current King? Or maybe relative to the Lord?Hmmmm anything else is not good enough to be important to me.''
He got choked up from anger. His face turned red and he started pointing a shaking finger at her and yelling.''I am the current minister of defense, his wife's third cousin.''
She rolled her eyes without even an ounce of respect.''Woooow. Aham. So the current minister of defense is more important than the current King or our Lord?''
He couldn't give an answer to that. He started shaking from anger even more. ''I never said that!''
''It seems you got so old your ears don't work well. Anybody else than the King himself or the Lord means nothing to me whatsoever. Everyone else is just people. Some with more name and respect some with less. I hope you won't take offense on my rude words.''she turned to Sir Tally and bowed at him. He took it with a smile and wave of his hand. He felt that this child will make out of small flee big flaw. Better being on his side or he will end up worse than those that are standing. They seemed to be doomed.
''You, you disrespectful little brat. I know you have no parents, so you don't know how to behave with people with a higher standing than you.''he started yelling.
The Lord looked at Kendra with worry but saw that on her face bloomed even bigger smile than before. Ughhhhh. That stupid nobleman will be roasted now. That smile doesn't seem to be something good.
''Soooo, you think you have higher standing than me?''she said while smiling evilly at him.''Then tell me in the last 40-50 years did anyone in your family paid the house you live in or the tax?''
He looked at her like she was the dumbest person in the world.''Of course not. He gave us permission to stay here.''
She nodded and then turned around to the Lord winking at him with a big smile. She turned to Sir Tally.''Sir Tally, I kind of like you and it seems you like me as well. So you will probably answer my next question truthfully.''He nodded and saw a glint in her eyes that sent him cold creeps in his spine.''Since you came and lived here no one paid any living expenses or taxes to the Lords of the city, right?''
''Yes. We indeed never paid anything. Even the food and clothing, everything is paid by the city.''he said while getting where her line of taught is going.
''Nice, nice. So the nobility of this town lived on expenses of the Lords for free including clothes, food and probably jewelry as well. Am I right?''He nodded. He understood that they all really live like parasites of the city lord for so many years not contributing anything.''Now one last AND most important question! Did you ever get a promissory note that everything is for free from any of the Lords that were the heads of the city? Anything written, any document with the seal of the city that says that all that is for free. Anything?''
He crunched his back in shame so did rest of the man on chairs behind him.''No. He never gave us anything written, we just took it as granted and thought this is ours forever. He actually planned us to be just for a few years here and buy it off bit by bit. But none of us ever paid even a coin for it. Soon after that, he got really sick and his son took over. And he as well never gave us anything written. We just took it for granted as it seems. I feel ashamed.''he said and stood up from his chair. He turned to the young Lord and went on his knee. The others did the same thing.''Please forgive us,''they yelled in a unified voice.
The nobles that were standing started looking at each other and then looked at the man that was kneeling with disgust. After all, they were nobles, they shall not knee under someone like him. What a mistake...
The Lord stood up and went down to Sir Tally. He stood there quietly and stared at his bowed head and then looked icily the nobles that were standing.''Interesting, this is quite interesting.''He looked at him and helped him to stand again. He looked at his face and smiled with a twinkle in his eyes.
''You know that I have to take back what is mine. All of it,''he said and looked at the nobles as well. He turned around and walked back to his table.
''The city is mine, the people in the city are mine. Even you, your bodies, your houses, your families, your wealth is mine. Every little bird, fly, cockroach, rat or anything else that crawls, lives and breathes in this city is MINE. Why? Because this land was given to us by the ancient king as our own. We follow the kings of our nation, we give our years and blood for this country and King. And we have absolute ownership over this town. My father told me that he asked you multiple times to pay back your debts, but you never did. I heard all of you actually became quite a wealthy through the war. The strange thing is...none of you was in the war. Neither any of your family members. I wonder where that wealth came from...''
The nobles stared at him in fear. Yes, for the first time since they entered this hall they felt absolute fear. Even when the noble was killed they were not that much afraid. But now...
The noble that was standing not far away from Kendra had a dangerous glint in his eyes. ''So what can you do. The city more or less is ours.''he started laughing.
The city Lord looked at him and smiled.''Are you sure? You mean those few flies from your secret organization that taught no one knows about them? Or the secret tunnels you made out of the city to transport people and goods. I, unfortunately, found it out this morning. Or you would have to be a long time ago fish fodder like those that served you and did the evil deed. By the way,the children you gathered in your dungeon, I freed them and I will let them punish you personally. It's their only wish.''
The man lost strength in his legs the moment last words were said. Its all gone. Everything is finished. And all started with that damnable man. He turned around and looked at the sleazy baker.''It's all your fault. If you were not greedy for that bit money that this boy had we wouldn't be in this situation. I will choke you to death on my own.''he jumped up with speed no one expected and wanted to extend his claws to choke him but in that second he felt horrible pain. So much pain.
The old man withdrew his whip slowly and looked at the cut hands of that crazy noble.''Tsk, tsk, next one planned acting crazy and I will cut hands AND feet as well.''he turned around and stood quietly next to the podium where the Lord sat and saw this fun play.
He knew he just scratched on the surface of those things. He needs him alive to find more details, but now is time to get the interest on the loan his grandfather gave. He looked at Sir Tally.''Can you prove all your entries and expenses with books and recipes? Can you prove all your accounts?''
Sir Tally taught for a moment and smiled.''Yes, my lordship I can prove every coin in my household. If you can calculate all the expenses the city had since our family came and give it to us we might be able to settle it down and if not we hope we can pay it off with time.''The other nobles behind him nodded as well in smiles.''Yes, we can prove all our money, the entry and the exit of our expenses.''
''Then you do not mind if a brigade of my soldiers go to your houses and write everything down and then we can compare it with your books?''he said approvingly. Some nobles indeed didn't have so many expenses. He followed the city books even before he came back and saw that this dozen of families never paid house and taxes but as well never used the city treasury for food and clothing as others did. It will be easy to set the accounts and debts with them.
Then he looked at the nobles that were standing there all frozen. One of them looked around and saw that one of the windows was open. He had silly taught to want to jump out of it but one of the soldiers just got something like net out of his pocket and got him in mid of his flight.
The City Lord found it interesting. ''Oh someone wants to escape the room with a hall full with powerhouse soldiers...This is fun. Oh, please, please try to escape. My friends feel bored anyway. They can play a bit with anyone who tries something funny.''His eyes winked at few guys that took their armors off and started cracking their fingers. They were ready for fun it seems.
Kendra was sitting at the podium, her feet dangling down and saw everything with interest. Wow, this is better than the movie. Too bad there is no popcorn. The Lord looked at her amused face and laughed out loud. This child is seriously different.
The noble on the other side didn't feel amused at all. They knew that was done for. Few of them thought about it for a moment and stepped for. ''We are willing to pay all the debts of our families and accept as well the search through our homes. There are some things that we have been gifted by others and we can't prove their background. But most things that we bought or were provided by the town were in our accounts written. It seems our elders never forgot so they started writing everything. And we continued. Please sent soldiers to our homes as well.''
They have nothing to lose as they never did anything wrong, but it seems they took it as granted all the things they got from the city Lord. He nodded and approved of it.
''If my soldiers don't find anything dirty in your homes the gifts you can keep. Just write down who sent it to you, when and by what occasion.''
They accepted and wrote the note to their homes and their families to let it pass peacefully. When City Lord saw the messages some of his anger towards these people decreased.
The rest of the nobles had anything to say. They stood still and were quiet.
''The nobles circle and inner circle were locked at the moment the doors here were closed. The search started in inner city while ago. The noble circle will be next. Please relax somewhere in this room till all my soldiers do not come back. Understood?''
Kendra remembered the cook at the inner circle and the ice house and looked at the Lord.aHe saw she has questions and beckoned her to come to his table.
''What is it?''he looked at her gnawing at her lip. This boy is bothered by something.
''There is someone I know in the inner city that helped me so much in the beginning when no one else did. Please, can you check out on him and on ice house? Isaa is there.'' Kendra was worried.
He called the old man that it seems to be really his assistant and she explained to him everything. He nodded and sent someone to check on the people.
Kendra felt a bit tired. And hungry. It was about lunchtime and she didn't eat anything. She was standing close to the secretary and the City Lord and they heard grumbling in her stomach. Her face bloomed like a rose. It was quite difficult to stop such a thing.
The Lord and secretary looked at each other and started laughing. Kendra's face got even redder but this time not only from shame but this time she also got angry. She suddenly got pat on her head.
''I am sorry. You are still a little child, I forgot that you didn't eat anything today. Go and eat something. Our cook is amazing. Too bad he doesn't have that ugly thing or he would make even better dishes.''he said while smacking his lips and dreaming about that thing with open eyes.
Kendra looked at him speechlessly. If she knew he was craving it so much she would have sold to him some. She shook her head. If she gives him once he will come again for it. It will be winter time. She needs food as well. She will give him some after she sees if she succeed with the summer potatoes. It was already too late for them but she had water ability. She hopes she will be able to get at least some till winter. Next year she will tell him to plant more.
''I plan to plant some soon. If it works well, I will sell you some. But I really need most of it for winter planting and spring planting. Let's hope it works well. It is actually quite late for planting. But I will try.'' she said while looking at his blooming face. Dude. You are cute you know. You really need a wife. Soon.''By the way, when are you getting married. My sister is too little for you and when she grows up you will be too old for her. You need children, or do you plan to give your home to one of these geezers.''
He looked at her speechlessly. ''Hey. I have fiancée. She will come soon. I am sure you will like her. She is a powerhouse as I am. We grew up in military fields. She is an amazing person. I just wanted to clean up everything before she comes.''He started getting red as his voice started getting weaker and weaker.
Awwww, how cuuute. The City Lord is ashamed. She really wanted to pinch his cheeks and pat his head. Cuteeee. (Does this child really think of city Lord as her pet???)
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
She looked at the older man with firepower. He smiled at her and she knew that it's fine to talk. He turned around and looked at the group of people that were still stiff scared from all that happened.
"Dear nobles. This kid has been given permission to speak so be quiet." they looked at him. They are not crazy to speak after all this.
Kendra went to the older noble that was sitting and gave him a polite bow.
"Sir may I ask your name, please." she really wanted to know his name.
"I'm Tally, " he said and stood up to bow to the child. She gave him a smile and continued.
"Sir Tally, I am just a child that has absolutely nothing to do with nobles. Could you explain to me how comes everyone here lives in the nobles circle for free?"
"After the big war in north our land was destroyed and we had to leave. On our escape, we met the grandfather from the current Lord and he gave us permission to live in the city."
Kendra smiled at him and he understood. He nodded at her as support. She then turned around to the Lord that stood there and smiled with mischief.
He got excited. This child found a hole where he never taught about. He went up to his table and sat down with a serious face.
She turned to the crowd that was standing and looked at them with a curious face."I need to ask that these high nobles, is that true. Just nod your head if yes and shake if no. "
They looked at each other and nodded. Kendra went one step towards them and then turned around to look at Sir Tally.''Sir does that mean that all of you lived in this town something about 40-50 ish years. Right?''
Sir Tally had to admit.''Yes. Our whole families live here for more than 40 years.''
''Hmmmmm. Is that so. That is quite interesting. I am a child so I'm a bit curious. Since I came to this town I had to pay for the house, that I bought with my own hard earned money. Then I paid taxes for it. Then I bought a city house, again with my own money AND paid again taxes. And I live here just a few months. So I guess all of you did buy the houses you live in and paid regularly noble taxes like everywhere else. Even nobles in the city pay their own. Right?''
The nobles started moving but still didn't dare to utter a word. Only that noble that was close to that sleazy baker was about to say something. The old man with firepowers moved but Kendra stopped him with a wink. ''Let him speak. I wonder what this person has to say.''
They all looked at the man. He was full of confidence. Now they gave him the right to speak and he has to say so much.
''So little boy is curious. You shouldn't be curious to much. There is saying 'curiosity killed a cat', don't you know?''he said while chuckling.
Kendra looked at him indifferently.''I can be curious. I am not a cat. But if I were I would have sneaked up to you and used the claws to dig out those disgusting eyes of yours.''she said while smiling brightly.
He got angry.''Do you know who I am?''
She looked at him up and down and shook her head.''Are you relative to the current King? Or maybe relative to the Lord?Hmmmm anything else is not good enough to be important to me.''
He got choked up from anger. His face turned red and he started pointing a shaking finger at her and yelling.''I am the current minister of defense, his wife's third cousin.''
She rolled her eyes without even an ounce of respect.''Woooow. Aham. So the current minister of defense is more important than the current King or our Lord?''
He couldn't give an answer to that. He started shaking from anger even more. ''I never said that!''
''It seems you got so old your ears don't work well. Anybody else than the King himself or the Lord means nothing to me whatsoever. Everyone else is just people. Some with more name and respect some with less. I hope you won't take offense on my rude words.''she turned to Sir Tally and bowed at him. He took it with a smile and wave of his hand. He felt that this child will make out of small flee big flaw. Better being on his side or he will end up worse than those that are standing. They seemed to be doomed.
''You, you disrespectful little brat. I know you have no parents, so you don't know how to behave with people with a higher standing than you.''he started yelling.
The Lord looked at Kendra with worry but saw that on her face bloomed even bigger smile than before. Ughhhhh. That stupid nobleman will be roasted now. That smile doesn't seem to be something good.
''Soooo, you think you have higher standing than me?''she said while smiling evilly at him.''Then tell me in the last 40-50 years did anyone in your family paid the house you live in or the tax?''
He looked at her like she was the dumbest person in the world.''Of course not. He gave us permission to stay here.''
She nodded and then turned around to the Lord winking at him with a big smile. She turned to Sir Tally.''Sir Tally, I kind of like you and it seems you like me as well. So you will probably answer my next question truthfully.''He nodded and saw a glint in her eyes that sent him cold creeps in his spine.''Since you came and lived here no one paid any living expenses or taxes to the Lords of the city, right?''
''Yes. We indeed never paid anything. Even the food and clothing, everything is paid by the city.''he said while getting where her line of taught is going.
''Nice, nice. So the nobility of this town lived on expenses of the Lords for free including clothes, food and probably jewelry as well. Am I right?''He nodded. He understood that they all really live like parasites of the city lord for so many years not contributing anything.''Now one last AND most important question! Did you ever get a promissory note that everything is for free from any of the Lords that were the heads of the city? Anything written, any document with the seal of the city that says that all that is for free. Anything?''
He crunched his back in shame so did rest of the man on chairs behind him.''No. He never gave us anything written, we just took it as granted and thought this is ours forever. He actually planned us to be just for a few years here and buy it off bit by bit. But none of us ever paid even a coin for it. Soon after that, he got really sick and his son took over. And he as well never gave us anything written. We just took it for granted as it seems. I feel ashamed.''he said and stood up from his chair. He turned to the young Lord and went on his knee. The others did the same thing.''Please forgive us,''they yelled in a unified voice.
The nobles that were standing started looking at each other and then looked at the man that was kneeling with disgust. After all, they were nobles, they shall not knee under someone like him. What a mistake...
The Lord stood up and went down to Sir Tally. He stood there quietly and stared at his bowed head and then looked icily the nobles that were standing.''Interesting, this is quite interesting.''He looked at him and helped him to stand again. He looked at his face and smiled with a twinkle in his eyes.
''You know that I have to take back what is mine. All of it,''he said and looked at the nobles as well. He turned around and walked back to his table.
''The city is mine, the people in the city are mine. Even you, your bodies, your houses, your families, your wealth is mine. Every little bird, fly, cockroach, rat or anything else that crawls, lives and breathes in this city is MINE. Why? Because this land was given to us by the ancient king as our own. We follow the kings of our nation, we give our years and blood for this country and King. And we have absolute ownership over this town. My father told me that he asked you multiple times to pay back your debts, but you never did. I heard all of you actually became quite a wealthy through the war. The strange thing is...none of you was in the war. Neither any of your family members. I wonder where that wealth came from...''
The nobles stared at him in fear. Yes, for the first time since they entered this hall they felt absolute fear. Even when the noble was killed they were not that much afraid. But now...
The noble that was standing not far away from Kendra had a dangerous glint in his eyes. ''So what can you do. The city more or less is ours.''he started laughing.
The city Lord looked at him and smiled.''Are you sure? You mean those few flies from your secret organization that taught no one knows about them? Or the secret tunnels you made out of the city to transport people and goods. I, unfortunately, found it out this morning. Or you would have to be a long time ago fish fodder like those that served you and did the evil deed. By the way,the children you gathered in your dungeon, I freed them and I will let them punish you personally. It's their only wish.''
The man lost strength in his legs the moment last words were said. Its all gone. Everything is finished. And all started with that damnable man. He turned around and looked at the sleazy baker.''It's all your fault. If you were not greedy for that bit money that this boy had we wouldn't be in this situation. I will choke you to death on my own.''he jumped up with speed no one expected and wanted to extend his claws to choke him but in that second he felt horrible pain. So much pain.
The old man withdrew his whip slowly and looked at the cut hands of that crazy noble.''Tsk, tsk, next one planned acting crazy and I will cut hands AND feet as well.''he turned around and stood quietly next to the podium where the Lord sat and saw this fun play.
He knew he just scratched on the surface of those things. He needs him alive to find more details, but now is time to get the interest on the loan his grandfather gave. He looked at Sir Tally.''Can you prove all your entries and expenses with books and recipes? Can you prove all your accounts?''
Sir Tally taught for a moment and smiled.''Yes, my lordship I can prove every coin in my household. If you can calculate all the expenses the city had since our family came and give it to us we might be able to settle it down and if not we hope we can pay it off with time.''The other nobles behind him nodded as well in smiles.''Yes, we can prove all our money, the entry and the exit of our expenses.''
''Then you do not mind if a brigade of my soldiers go to your houses and write everything down and then we can compare it with your books?''he said approvingly. Some nobles indeed didn't have so many expenses. He followed the city books even before he came back and saw that this dozen of families never paid house and taxes but as well never used the city treasury for food and clothing as others did. It will be easy to set the accounts and debts with them.
Then he looked at the nobles that were standing there all frozen. One of them looked around and saw that one of the windows was open. He had silly taught to want to jump out of it but one of the soldiers just got something like net out of his pocket and got him in mid of his flight.
The City Lord found it interesting. ''Oh someone wants to escape the room with a hall full with powerhouse soldiers...This is fun. Oh, please, please try to escape. My friends feel bored anyway. They can play a bit with anyone who tries something funny.''His eyes winked at few guys that took their armors off and started cracking their fingers. They were ready for fun it seems.
Kendra was sitting at the podium, her feet dangling down and saw everything with interest. Wow, this is better than the movie. Too bad there is no popcorn. The Lord looked at her amused face and laughed out loud. This child is seriously different.
The noble on the other side didn't feel amused at all. They knew that was done for. Few of them thought about it for a moment and stepped for. ''We are willing to pay all the debts of our families and accept as well the search through our homes. There are some things that we have been gifted by others and we can't prove their background. But most things that we bought or were provided by the town were in our accounts written. It seems our elders never forgot so they started writing everything. And we continued. Please sent soldiers to our homes as well.''
They have nothing to lose as they never did anything wrong, but it seems they took it as granted all the things they got from the city Lord. He nodded and approved of it.
''If my soldiers don't find anything dirty in your homes the gifts you can keep. Just write down who sent it to you, when and by what occasion.''
They accepted and wrote the note to their homes and their families to let it pass peacefully. When City Lord saw the messages some of his anger towards these people decreased.
The rest of the nobles had anything to say. They stood still and were quiet.
''The nobles circle and inner circle were locked at the moment the doors here were closed. The search started in inner city while ago. The noble circle will be next. Please relax somewhere in this room till all my soldiers do not come back. Understood?''
Kendra remembered the cook at the inner circle and the ice house and looked at the Lord.aHe saw she has questions and beckoned her to come to his table.
''What is it?''he looked at her gnawing at her lip. This boy is bothered by something.
''There is someone I know in the inner city that helped me so much in the beginning when no one else did. Please, can you check out on him and on ice house? Isaa is there.'' Kendra was worried.
He called the old man that it seems to be really his assistant and she explained to him everything. He nodded and sent someone to check on the people.
Kendra felt a bit tired. And hungry. It was about lunchtime and she didn't eat anything. She was standing close to the secretary and the City Lord and they heard grumbling in her stomach. Her face bloomed like a rose. It was quite difficult to stop such a thing.
The Lord and secretary looked at each other and started laughing. Kendra's face got even redder but this time not only from shame but this time she also got angry. She suddenly got pat on her head.
''I am sorry. You are still a little child, I forgot that you didn't eat anything today. Go and eat something. Our cook is amazing. Too bad he doesn't have that ugly thing or he would make even better dishes.''he said while smacking his lips and dreaming about that thing with open eyes.
Kendra looked at him speechlessly. If she knew he was craving it so much she would have sold to him some. She shook her head. If she gives him once he will come again for it. It will be winter time. She needs food as well. She will give him some after she sees if she succeed with the summer potatoes. It was already too late for them but she had water ability. She hopes she will be able to get at least some till winter. Next year she will tell him to plant more.
''I plan to plant some soon. If it works well, I will sell you some. But I really need most of it for winter planting and spring planting. Let's hope it works well. It is actually quite late for planting. But I will try.'' she said while looking at his blooming face. Dude. You are cute you know. You really need a wife. Soon.''By the way, when are you getting married. My sister is too little for you and when she grows up you will be too old for her. You need children, or do you plan to give your home to one of these geezers.''
He looked at her speechlessly. ''Hey. I have fiancée. She will come soon. I am sure you will like her. She is a powerhouse as I am. We grew up in military fields. She is an amazing person. I just wanted to clean up everything before she comes.''He started getting red as his voice started getting weaker and weaker.
Awwww, how cuuute. The City Lord is ashamed. She really wanted to pinch his cheeks and pat his head. Cuteeee. (Does this child really think of city Lord as her pet???)
She looked at the older man with firepower. He smiled at her and she knew that it's fine to talk. He turned around and looked at the group of people that were still stiff scared from all that happened."Dear nobles. This kid has been given permission to speak so be quiet." they looked at him. They are not crazy to speak after all this.Kendra went to the older noble that was sitting and gave him a polite bow."Sir may I ask your name, please." she really wanted to know his name."I'm Tally, " he said and stood up to bow to the child. She gave him a smile and continued."Sir Tally, I am just a child that has absolutely nothing to do with nobles. Could you explain to me how comes everyone here lives in the nobles circle for free?""After the big war in north our land was destroyed and we had to leave. On our escape, we met the grandfather from the current Lord and he gave us permission to live in the city."Kendra smiled at him and he understood. He nodded at her as support. She then turned around to the Lord that stood there and smiled with mischief.He got excited. This child found a hole where he never taught about. He went up to his table and sat down with a serious face.She turned to the crowd that was standing and looked at them with a curious face."I need to ask that these high nobles, is that true. Just nod your head if yes and shake if no. "They looked at each other and nodded. Kendra went one step towards them and then turned around to look at Sir Tally.''Sir does that mean that all of you lived in this town something about 40-50 ish years. Right?''Sir Tally had to admit.''Yes. Our whole families live here for more than 40 years.''''Hmmmmm. Is that so. That is quite interesting. I am a child so I'm a bit curious. Since I came to this town I had to pay for the house, that I bought with my own hard earned money. Then I paid taxes for it. Then I bought a city house, again with my own money AND paid again taxes. And I live here just a few months. So I guess all of you did buy the houses you live in and paid regularly noble taxes like everywhere else. Even nobles in the city pay their own. Right?''The nobles started moving but still didn't dare to utter a word. Only that noble that was close to that sleazy baker was about to say something. The old man with firepowers moved but Kendra stopped him with a wink. ''Let him speak. I wonder what this person has to say.''They all looked at the man. He was full of confidence. Now they gave him the right to speak and he has to say so much.''So little boy is curious. You shouldn't be curious to much. There is saying 'curiosity killed a cat', don't you know?''he said while chuckling.Kendra looked at him indifferently.''I can be curious. I am not a cat. But if I were I would have sneaked up to you and used the claws to dig out those disgusting eyes of yours.''she said while smiling brightly.He got angry.''Do you know who I am?''She looked at him up and down and shook her head.''Are you relative to the current King? Or maybe relative to the Lord?Hmmmm anything else is not good enough to be important to me.''He got choked up from anger. His face turned red and he started pointing a shaking finger at her and yelling.''I am the current minister of defense, his wife's third cousin.''She rolled her eyes without even an ounce of respect.''Woooow. Aham. So the current minister of defense is more important than the current King or our Lord?''He couldn't give an answer to that. He started shaking from anger even more. ''I never said that!''''It seems you got so old your ears don't work well. Anybody else than the King himself or the Lord means nothing to me whatsoever. Everyone else is just people. Some with more name and respect some with less. I hope you won't take offense on my rude words.''she turned to Sir Tally and bowed at him. He took it with a smile and wave of his hand. He felt that this child will make out of small flee big flaw. Better being on his side or he will end up worse than those that are standing. They seemed to be doomed.''You, you disrespectful little brat. I know you have no parents, so you don't know how to behave with people with a higher standing than you.''he started yelling.The Lord looked at Kendra with worry but saw that on her face bloomed even bigger smile than before. Ughhhhh. That stupid nobleman will be roasted now. That smile doesn't seem to be something good.''Soooo, you think you have higher standing than me?''she said while smiling evilly at him.''Then tell me in the last 40-50 years did anyone in your family paid the house you live in or the tax?''He looked at her like she was the dumbest person in the world.''Of course not. He gave us permission to stay here.''She nodded and then turned around to the Lord winking at him with a big smile. She turned to Sir Tally.''Sir Tally, I kind of like you and it seems you like me as well. So you will probably answer my next question truthfully.''He nodded and saw a glint in her eyes that sent him cold creeps in his spine.''Since you came and lived here no one paid any living expenses or taxes to the Lords of the city, right?''''Yes. We indeed never paid anything. Even the food and clothing, everything is paid by the city.''he said while getting where her line of taught is going.''Nice, nice. So the nobility of this town lived on expenses of the Lords for free including clothes, food and probably jewelry as well. Am I right?''He nodded. He understood that they all really live like parasites of the city lord for so many years not contributing anything.''Now one last AND most important question! Did you ever get a promissory note that everything is for free from any of the Lords that were the heads of the city? Anything written, any document with the seal of the city that says that all that is for free. Anything?''He crunched his back in shame so did rest of the man on chairs behind him.''No. He never gave us anything written, we just took it as granted and thought this is ours forever. He actually planned us to be just for a few years here and buy it off bit by bit. But none of us ever paid even a coin for it. Soon after that, he got really sick and his son took over. And he as well never gave us anything written. We just took it for granted as it seems. I feel ashamed.''he said and stood up from his chair. He turned to the young Lord and went on his knee. The others did the same thing.''Please forgive us,''they yelled in a unified voice.The nobles that were standing started looking at each other and then looked at the man that was kneeling with disgust. After all, they were nobles, they shall not knee under someone like him. What a mistake...The Lord stood up and went down to Sir Tally. He stood there quietly and stared at his bowed head and then looked icily the nobles that were standing.''Interesting, this is quite interesting.''He looked at him and helped him to stand again. He looked at his face and smiled with a twinkle in his eyes.''You know that I have to take back what is mine. All of it,''he said and looked at the nobles as well. He turned around and walked back to his table.''The city is mine, the people in the city are mine. Even you, your bodies, your houses, your families, your wealth is mine. Every little bird, fly, cockroach, rat or anything else that crawls, lives and breathes in this city is MINE. Why? Because this land was given to us by the ancient king as our own. We follow the kings of our nation, we give our years and blood for this country and King. And we have absolute ownership over this town. My father told me that he asked you multiple times to pay back your debts, but you never did. I heard all of you actually became quite a wealthy through the war. The strange thing is...none of you was in the war. Neither any of your family members. I wonder where that wealth came from...''The nobles stared at him in fear. Yes, for the first time since they entered this hall they felt absolute fear. Even when the noble was killed they were not that much afraid. But now...The noble that was standing not far away from Kendra had a dangerous glint in his eyes. ''So what can you do. The city more or less is ours.''he started laughing.The city Lord looked at him and smiled.''Are you sure? You mean those few flies from your secret organization that taught no one knows about them? Or the secret tunnels you made out of the city to transport people and goods. I, unfortunately, found it out this morning. Or you would have to be a long time ago fish fodder like those that served you and did the evil deed. By the way,the children you gathered in your dungeon, I freed them and I will let them punish you personally. It's their only wish.''The man lost strength in his legs the moment last words were said. Its all gone. Everything is finished. And all started with that damnable man. He turned around and looked at the sleazy baker.''It's all your fault. If you were not greedy for that bit money that this boy had we wouldn't be in this situation. I will choke you to death on my own.''he jumped up with speed no one expected and wanted to extend his claws to choke him but in that second he felt horrible pain. So much pain.The old man withdrew his whip slowly and looked at the cut hands of that crazy noble.''Tsk, tsk, next one planned acting crazy and I will cut hands AND feet as well.''he turned around and stood quietly next to the podium where the Lord sat and saw this fun play.He knew he just scratched on the surface of those things. He needs him alive to find more details, but now is time to get the interest on the loan his grandfather gave. He looked at Sir Tally.''Can you prove all your entries and expenses with books and recipes? Can you prove all your accounts?''Sir Tally taught for a moment and smiled.''Yes, my lordship I can prove every coin in my household. If you can calculate all the expenses the city had since our family came and give it to us we might be able to settle it down and if not we hope we can pay it off with time.''The other nobles behind him nodded as well in smiles.''Yes, we can prove all our money, the entry and the exit of our expenses.''''Then you do not mind if a brigade of my soldiers go to your houses and write everything down and then we can compare it with your books?''he said approvingly. Some nobles indeed didn't have so many expenses. He followed the city books even before he came back and saw that this dozen of families never paid house and taxes but as well never used the city treasury for food and clothing as others did. It will be easy to set the accounts and debts with them.Then he looked at the nobles that were standing there all frozen. One of them looked around and saw that one of the windows was open. He had silly taught to want to jump out of it but one of the soldiers just got something like net out of his pocket and got him in mid of his flight.The City Lord found it interesting. ''Oh someone wants to escape the room with a hall full with powerhouse soldiers...This is fun. Oh, please, please try to escape. My friends feel bored anyway. They can play a bit with anyone who tries something funny.''His eyes winked at few guys that took their armors off and started cracking their fingers. They were ready for fun it seems.Kendra was sitting at the podium, her feet dangling down and saw everything with interest. Wow, this is better than the movie. Too bad there is no popcorn. The Lord looked at her amused face and laughed out loud. This child is seriously different.The noble on the other side didn't feel amused at all. They knew that was done for. Few of them thought about it for a moment and stepped for. ''We are willing to pay all the debts of our families and accept as well the search through our homes. There are some things that we have been gifted by others and we can't prove their background. But most things that we bought or were provided by the town were in our accounts written. It seems our elders never forgot so they started writing everything. And we continued. Please sent soldiers to our homes as well.''They have nothing to lose as they never did anything wrong, but it seems they took it as granted all the things they got from the city Lord. He nodded and approved of it.''If my soldiers don't find anything dirty in your homes the gifts you can keep. Just write down who sent it to you, when and by what occasion.''They accepted and wrote the note to their homes and their families to let it pass peacefully. When City Lord saw the messages some of his anger towards these people decreased.The rest of the nobles had anything to say. They stood still and were quiet.''The nobles circle and inner circle were locked at the moment the doors here were closed. The search started in inner city while ago. The noble circle will be next. Please relax somewhere in this room till all my soldiers do not come back. Understood?''Kendra remembered the cook at the inner circle and the ice house and looked at the Lord.aHe saw she has questions and beckoned her to come to his table.''What is it?''he looked at her gnawing at her lip. This boy is bothered by something.''There is someone I know in the inner city that helped me so much in the beginning when no one else did. Please, can you check out on him and on ice house? Isaa is there.'' Kendra was worried.He called the old man that it seems to be really his assistant and she explained to him everything. He nodded and sent someone to check on the people.Kendra felt a bit tired. And hungry. It was about lunchtime and she didn't eat anything. She was standing close to the secretary and the City Lord and they heard grumbling in her stomach. Her face bloomed like a rose. It was quite difficult to stop such a thing.The Lord and secretary looked at each other and started laughing. Kendra's face got even redder but this time not only from shame but this time she also got angry. She suddenly got pat on her head.''I am sorry. You are still a little child, I forgot that you didn't eat anything today. Go and eat something. Our cook is amazing. Too bad he doesn't have that ugly thing or he would make even better dishes.''he said while smacking his lips and dreaming about that thing with open eyes.Kendra looked at him speechlessly. If she knew he was craving it so much she would have sold to him some. She shook her head. If she gives him once he will come again for it. It will be winter time. She needs food as well. She will give him some after she sees if she succeed with the summer potatoes. It was already too late for them but she had water ability. She hopes she will be able to get at least some till winter. Next year she will tell him to plant more.''I plan to plant some soon. If it works well, I will sell you some. But I really need most of it for winter planting and spring planting. Let's hope it works well. It is actually quite late for planting. But I will try.'' she said while looking at his blooming face. Dude. You are cute you know. You really need a wife. Soon.''By the way, when are you getting married. My sister is too little for you and when she grows up you will be too old for her. You need children, or do you plan to give your home to one of these geezers.''He looked at her speechlessly. ''Hey. I have fiance. She will come soon. I am sure you will like her. She is a powerhouse as I am. We grew up in military fields. She is an amazing person. I just wanted to clean up everything before she comes.''He started getting red as his voice started getting weaker and weaker.Awwww, how cuuute. The City Lord is ashamed. She really wanted to pinch his cheeks and pat his head. Cuteeee. Does this child really think of city Lord as her pet???
