"A fight? The refugees got into a fight?!"
At noon, Chris looked up at the clerk who had hurried over to report. He could hardly believe it, and his head was starting to hurt.
"What happened? How many fights does that make this week? Are they really so well fed that logging doesn't tire them out, and they still have energy to fight?"
"Go on. What caused it this time, and how many people were involved?"
Chris knew that Isaac and Connie generally dealt with small brawls involving fewer than ten people themselves, following established precedents and procedures, as long as no one died.
Only when things got serious would they send a clerk to report to Chris.
So Chris had already braced himself for bad news.
The clerk opened his folder and began reading the report in a stiff, methodical voice.
"A brawl involving one hundred people. Twenty-one injured, no disabilities, no serious injuries, and no deaths. The incident occurred in the meal distribution square at the foot of Bolas Mountain.
"The cause was a discussion among the Goddess of Agriculture's Followers about establishing a temporary place of worship for their goddess. Nearby followers of the Earth Mother Goddess overheard them and voiced their objections. An argument broke out, followed by a brawl.
"The fighting lasted three minutes before the Militia arrived and stopped it. A doctor has reached the scene and begun initial treatment."
"Treatment? Treatment, my ass!"
Chris was angry enough to start swearing.
"My medical supplies are precious! How can we waste them on these brawling bastards? Lead the way. Take me there!"
Following the clerk, Chris headed to the scene with his guards. It was nearby, and on horseback, he arrived in just five or six minutes.
There were plenty of tents and people. Discounting