Page 53 of Emperor of Draconis

“I believe it did just that. Dori will deal with it when she begins to clean this place up. She will handle the finances, the kitchen, the castle proper, the fields, and whatever else she’s willing to.”

“Dori is an excellent helper. Davy is as well. She’s been working on the security and the kitchen. The problem is they need more workers and I saw Dori brought supplies with her. I assume she’ll set up deliveries. The food here will be amazing once everything is in place.” Jarel observed.

“Indeed. We’ll have people wanting to come here like they come to Erak’s kingdom once everything is in place.”

“This kingdom will flourish. I know you don’t want to hear this, but Davy and I need to go home in a few days.” Jarel admitted.

“I’m appreciative of every day you stay to help. We’ll be pulling in people from all over soon. By the way, do you know how the situation is in the dungeon?” Garulto asked.

“Yes, it’s bad. We waited for you to take over to deal with it. The place is packed, and I believe few belong in there. Milem said Frick had begun to lock up anyone that questioned what he said. There are females and even children in there. We improved their situation, but they need a hearing to get out.”

“Goddess! Dori needs to work on them right away.” He suggested. “Maybe you could go get her and Davy if they are at a point where they can pause?”

“I’d be pleased to.” Jarel said as he escaped. This whole situation was mind boggling.

Part of the fault was everyone minded their own business too well. That allowed horrific things to be done unnoticed. Also, the power kings had was as absolute as they wanted it to be. The trouble that caused was now obvious. That made him wonder, could this be happening in other kingdoms?

Hadn’t Ranger suggested as much? Why did he even care? His hands were full as it was, and Torr had other good people to help him deal with anything else he needed. Their needs were where his mind needed to be. Dori and Davy came in with Jarel right behind them.

“Glad to see you ladies, have a seat. Jarel just mentioned the problems in the dungeon and how urgent they were.” He explained.

Jarel looked caught off guard and the look on his face would have been comical were the situation not so serious.

“What’s going on there?” Dori asked.

Jarel looked at Davy who sighed heavily. “Frick was putting people in there that disagreed with him. Whole families are there wasting away. We let them clean up and got them new clothes. They’re being fed better, but they need a hearing from someone assigned by the king before they can leave. Our hands were tied.” Davy admitted.

“My goodness. Can Milem send me two guards to assist and Davy can go back to the kitchen. This needs dealt with now.” Dori headed to the dungeon where she would likely get things stirred up.

“She’s amazing.” Jarel observed.

“She is. It’ll be done quickly and fairly.” One less thing to worry about. “What needs done next?”

“We need more help. Maybe Torr will send some people?”

“I’ll call him. The worst he can say is no. It’s also possible some of those in the dungeon may fill jobs?”

“Anything is possible.”

That didn’t make him feel better. He got on his communication device and put in a call to Torr. Luckily, he was sitting in the meeting room with Erak. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon, Garulto.” Torr admitted.

“My liege, I hoped you could send me some workers. Frick had let things go. Also, I wanted to inform you that he’d been filling his dungeons with whole families. Anyone who disagreed with him risked their families accompanying them to the dungeon.”

“Goddess! He was a monster. I assume you’ve started freeing those people?”

“Dori has begun, but I fear they’ll all leave this kingdom. I can hardly blame them.”

“True, but your mate has a way about her. Maybe she’ll convince some of them to stay.” Torr suggested.

“She might at that, but Frick let his field and his castle go to hell. It will be an uphill climb and more people are needed. Maybe some of the Earthers including a few single females to improve morale?”

“If I do this quickly, will you do me a favor as well?”

“Of course, my liege.”

“Promote Milem to captain of the guard.”

“Why do I get a feeling I’ll not be able to keep him?” Garulto asked.

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