297 Quarry (1/2)
A middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair raised his hand. ”That would be me, sir.”
”You are tasked with running the Quarry? Why is it currently closed?
”On account of the spiders. Large man-sized spiders that attack the workers. We had to close it three months ago after two workers were killed.”
”Three months?” Nix glanced at his budget sheet. Scarlett had been providing the funds for this place since the settlement was first built. ”Where're my six hundred credits?”
Laird stared at him for a moment, his face showing confusion. ”Six hundred credits?”
”You haven't worked in three months, yet you were paid two hundred credits per month. Should I pay you for doing nothing?”
Laird's face turned red. ”What could I do? Am I supposed to fight spiders?”
”If you want, your other option would be to report it to the person who was paying you. Did you do that?” Nix paused for a moment before continuing. ”Your new wage is one hundred credits per month until you pay back the amount you owe.”
Nix glanced down at his sheet again. ”Captain Mora?”
”Here sir.” A broad-shouldered young man with a shaved head stood up. He wore leather armor and had a short sword belted around his waist.
”You've been paid 150 credits per month, additionally you have another 100 credits that pay for two town guards. What have you been using this money for?”
”There are no walls or gates here sir. We patrol the town regularly.”
”Patrol the town?” Nix glanced around the room, everyone was avoiding eye contact. ”Clear out my guardhouse; your services are no longer required.”
The Captain stared at him, then at the huge wolf sitting nearby. It was obvious he wanted to say something, but instead, he stomped out and slammed the door behind him.
”Who is Tinsleton?”
A young woman stood up, she looked to be around twenty. ”Me sir, everyone calls me Tintin.”
Tintin was listed as a gatherer. She led a team of pickers through the area and supplied the town with herbs, wild fruit, and nuts. She was only paid 50 credits a month. ”I want to see a list of everything you've picked this month.”
”Right away, sir.”
Nix stood up and faced the crowded room. ”This town's a mess. The first order of business, I'll clear the Quarry tonight. Laird, I expect you to open the Quarry first thing in the morning.”
Laird nodded. ”First light sir.”
Nix noticed three faces at the front door, peering through the glass. He waved for them to come in. It was hard seeing the three Trams without smiling. ”You guys deliver my fish?”
The closest Tram nodded. ”Yes, sir.”
Nix pretended to look down at his sheet. ”No first names? Really?”
The same Tram spoke again. ”We're orphans sir, our parents died when we was young. If we had names no one remembers them now.”
”Part of my duties is the welfare of the citizens. Pick a name for yourself and I'll make it official.” Nix waited while they whispered among each other.
After a few moments, the closest one spoke. ”Theo.”
Nix nodded. ”Theo Tram. Got it.”
The smallest of the three raised his hand. ”Ginger.”
”Ginger?” Nix studied him for a moment, he didn't want to embarrass the boy. ”Fine, Ginger Tram.”
”Mik! I'll be Mik!” The last one spoke up, it was obvious that he was feeling the pressure.
Nix nodded and wrote it down. ”Okay, Mik. The three of you will stay in the guardhouse from now on. Report to my house at noon tomorrow.”
Nix waited until they left before turning back to the rest of the room. ”Quarry will be open tomorrow. We'll build a town wall and a gate as soon as we get enough rock.”
A woman from the back of the room raised her hand.
”Question?”
”I'm Hopi. My family runs the Oberton farm. We are constantly under attack by all manner of creatures that have taken up refuge in the area. I've made a list.” She made her way through the crowd and handed Nix the list.
Nix read the list, he didn't recognize anything on it. ”Khants, Bezos and Fire-Lyres?”
The woman could have been Hyai's sister. She had the same earthy warmth. ”Yes, sir. These pests have been harassing the farmers in the area constantly.”
”After I clear the Quarry, I'll look into this.”
Two hours later, Nix and Una were walking toward the Quarry.
Una pranced ahead of him, her nose held high in the air as she inhaled the late-afternoon air. ”Ginger Tram is a female by the way. You seemed confused.”
Nix's face widened in a smile. ”That's a girl? No wonder... Hey Una, you know what any of those pests are?”
”I believe Khants are Khannon Ants. They're like normal ants if normal ants were the size of a large pig.”
”You head back to the house. I'm going to the Quarry.”
”Need help?”