"What's wrong with you today? Why are you so distracted?"
In the administrative office at Scarlet Keep, inside the small office the newly appointed magistrate Mirian had just moved into, Murphy frowned at the Baroness of Morland, who seemed lost in thought. He had come to discuss arrangements for the prisoners and northern riffraff who would soon be returning to Transia.
"Have you been overworked these past few days? Or did the siege a few days ago rattle you? You look awful. How about I give you a couple of days off?
Or have Mother Marian perform a calming ritual for you?"
"It's nothing. I just... feel a little uneasy today."
Mirian rubbed her brow, equally puzzled. The red-haired woman always did her utmost to keep herself full of energy.
"It's as though something has happened, but I can't tell whether it has anything to do with me. It's hard to describe. You don't need to worry.
I'll go to the Avalon chapel after work and have a calming ritual performed."
"That's good. You're the heart of Transia's entire governing system now. When it comes to importance, you're even more important than me, the lord."
Murphy smiled, then his expression grew serious.
"What do you think of the plan I just mentioned? Is it workable?"
"Hard to say."
Mirian lifted her teacup and took a sip, then considered her answer.
"Having the gnoll prisoners build the road Professor Chen planned is already set in stone. The local people don't think those barbarians have any rights to begin with. Plenty of commoners would cheer even if they worked themselves to death.
"But making the freed blood servants and soldiers sent as aid from other countries work alongside the gnolls is going too far.
"You have to understand, Lord Murphy: blood servants