Hans pinned the weekly inventory manifest to a supply crate while Marrick counted the depot's remaining grain sacks.
Sergeant Hans unrolled the weekly inventory manifest upon a shipping crate, his weathered brow furrowing deeply.
"Lady Seliza's trade factor just delivered her official response from the provincial capital," Hans reported, his voice grim.
"Starting this morning, House Seliza suspended all discretionary grain subsidies and medical credit lines."
"The merchant factor had the insolence to demand an immediate ninety-nine-year mortgage on our northern copper mines," Sergeant Marrick added furiously.
"He stood right in our courtyard, claiming that without Seliza's grain, our entire garrison would collapse from hunger within two weeks!"
"And what did you do with the merchant factor?" Hajin asked, his voice steady and calm.
"I kicked him through the outer gate and threw his draft contract into the moat," Marrick grinned fiercely.
