Chapter 120: Alternative Food Source

Commander Gaius entered.

His armor was clean and he wore a grim face. But there was something in his expression. Something almost... satisfied.

"Baron."

"Commander. Report."

"The knights have constructed a fence around the trench. The one we dug around the beasts."

Emeric blinked.

"A fence?"

"Yes. Wooden stakes. Sharpened. Set into the ground. It won’t hold them forever. But it will keep them contained until we decide what to do with them."

Emeric stared at him.

"You did that on your own?"

Gaius shrugged. "It needed to be done."

Emeric leaned back. Something eased in his chest.

Strong people. People I can trust. People I can put in charge without having to think about it.

"Thank you, Commander." He said.

He was actually touched.

Gaius nodded. "There’s more."

"What?"

"The redness in their eyes. It’s gone."

Emeric frowned. "Gone?"

"Yes. Whatever was driving them—whatever was making them aggressive—it’s faded. They’re calm now. Docile. Like normal beasts."

Emeric was quiet for a moment.

"That’s good." He said.

"Still doesn’t mean they’re safe to mess with but as normal as they can be without any..." he paused for a moment, gauging his words carefully. "...magical interference."

"Ah, I see." Gaius responded and he was deep in thought for a few seconds.

"It means they were being controlled. Something was driving them. Something was making them attack. Now that it’s gone, they’re just... animals."

He paused.

"But someone was hoping they would do more damage. Someone wanted them to destroy the village. To destroy us. They failed. But they’ll try again."

Gaius nodded slowly.

"What do you want to do with them? The beasts?"

Emeric considered.

"We can’t keep them forever. They’ll starve. Or break free. But..." He paused. "We can find some use for them."

Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Use them how?"

"We’ll see."

Emeric seemed to ponder something for a few seconds.

"The locusts. The ones we killed. There are thousands of them. Maybe more. They’re everywhere. We can collect them."

Gaius stared at him.

"Collect them?"

"Yes."

"For what?"

Emeric smiled and it was wry.

"Food."

Gaius’s face went pale.

"Food? You mean to feed the villagers... locusts?"

Emeric shrugged. "Don’t knock it till you try it."

Gaius opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

"You’re serious."

"I am."

"They’re insects."

"They’re protein. They’re plentiful. They’re already dead. We can dry them. Grind them into flour. Mix them with grain. Stretch the food supply for days. Maybe weeks."

Gaius stared at him.

"That’s... disgusting."

"It’s practical." Emeric stood. "We have a village full of hungry people. We have thousands of dead locusts. We can’t let them go to waste."

Gaius was quiet for a long moment.

Then he sighed.

"Fine. I’ll get the knights. We’ll secure as many as we can."

"Thank you, Commander."

Gaius turned, walked to the door and paused.

"You’re insane. You know that?"

"I’ve been told."

Gaius left.

Emeric sat alone in the study and his mind went back to the documents that were on his desk. The plan was in his mind but execution was another thing entirely.

He looked out the window, his mind going over the different scenarios that this could go.

---

A few hours later.

The afternoon sun streamed through the study windows.

Emeric sat at his desk. The leather folder was in the drawer. The documents were hidden and his hands had been shaking before he managed to steady it.

Then a knock came through.

"Enter."

Graves appeared in the doorway and his expression was carefully neutral.

"My lord. The Guild representatives are here."

"Show them in."

Graves stepped aside.

Two men entered.

Master Vell, the plump bald one. He was wearing the same silk robes and gold rings. He still has the same annoying smile that made Emeric want to sock him in the face.

He was followed by Master Rufus, the slender one but he was a lot more calculating this time. At least that was the impression Emeric got.

Behind them—two more men that looked like lawyers were walking in tow. They had kept their promises after all. The lawyers were dressed in black, carrying leather cases. Their faces looked greedy and quite punchable.

"Baron Halden." Master Vell’s smile widened. "A pleasure to see you again."

"Sit."

They sat. The lawyers flanked them. Graves lingered by the door.

Master Vell leaned back, crossed his legs.

"Let me begin by saying—we have been very lenient with the previous baron. Very lenient. We could have seized the estate years ago. But we didn’t. We waited. We gave him time. We gave him... opportunities."

He paused.

"We are reasonable men, Baron. We don’t want this to get ugly."

Emeric said nothing.

Master Rufus took over from there. This was their plan. Passing the ball to each other for maximum effect.

"The debt stands at three hundred and fifty thousand gold, interest included, it will continue to grow. But we are willing to offer you a way out."

He gestured to one of the lawyers. The man opened his case. Pulled out a parchment. Slid it across the desk.

"A new contract with a new loan. One that will clear the old debt entirely."

Emeric picked it up, read it.

They’re trying to get me in their pocket. This is their plan. Fine. I’ll play along.

He set the parchment down.

"What do I have to do?" He said, feigning defeat.

He needed to play along and see just how far these idiots were willing to take this farce.

Master Vell’s smile widened.

"Simply sign. The new loan will cover the old debt. The interest rate is... modest. Fifteen percent. Compounded monthly. And in exchange—the Guild will establish a headquarters in your village."

Emeric’s expression didn’t change.

"The villagers don’t have enough to give. Or to buy."

Master Vell waved a hand. "Then tax them. They’re your people. They’ll pay what you tell them to pay."

Emeric’s jaw tightened.

"They’re struggling to get by."

One of the lawyers spoke. His voice was thin, with a nasal tone to it.

"Why should we—the nobility—concern ourselves with the plight of the poor and weak? They are beneath us. They exist to serve. That is the natural order."