Chapter 68

"So, a free settlement. Taxation - one copper coin per person per year. The right to cut down trees for heating and personal construction - one copper coin per person per year, collecting firewood for heating - one copper coin per person per year, cutting down trees for blacksmithing needs - eight silver coins per year per forge. The right to hunt in my forests - one silver coin per person per week - if for large game, and one copper coin per person per week - if for small game. For the cultivation of land, I take a fourth part of the harvest, regardless of the cultivated area. Grazing animals on my land is a third part of the herd or the corresponding tax. Fishing for personal consumption on my lands is free, but taxes are levied on the catch for sale. Mining found in the land belongs to me entirely, and the finder receives a tenth. The right to exploit the subsoil and extract anything from it is not granted to you and is negotiated separately. The free settlement ensures its own defense, and the assistance of my retinue in this matter is paid separately. And we agreed that you do not refuse my requests for assistance with soldiers, naturally, I will pay them in accordance with the mercenary contract, not as militia."

The baron approached the map spread out on the table.

"Respected, I understand that you want to settle as far north as possible?"

"You understand our desires correctly, Lord Baron."

"Generally, the north of my holdings is not the best place to live, and no one settles there."

"Why doesn't anyone settle there?"

Naturally, Alexander knew the answer to this question, but it was not worth enlightening the baron about his knowledge.

"Goblins and mountain trolls live in the caves, and in large numbers. Sometimes they raid. That's why places near the mountains are almost uninhabited, and this," the baron pointed to the map, "is the border of my holdings. Everything beyond that to the north is royal land, but there are no people there - only the road to the fortress of Zalon, where there are mines and a strong garrison. There are no unclean creatures; they were all eradicated long ago. Right here near the mountains, the Cursed River originates; it's only called that because it flows into the Cursed Forest. So don't worry."

The baron walked around the table.

"Here, there used to be a village. The land there is not very fertile; they used to graze sheep, but goblins... it's strange that you haven't encountered them yet; they are the true curse of our lands. In the south, there are almost no exits to the surface - they are all blocked or walled up long ago, but there are countless caves here, and you can't control them all."

The baron made a sour expression, showing with all his appearance how much he suffered from such injustice, although Alexander knew for sure that round sums were annually allocated from the royal treasury to the barony's budget to fight the goblins. And considering the meager retinue of the baron, most of these funds were misspent.

"But let's not dwell on this filth. Here," the baron's finger pointed to the map, "used to stand the village of Wet Stones, right on the banks of the Cursed River, and they grazed sheep there. Ten years ago, the goblins ate many people there, and those who survived moved to more favorable places."

Alexander looked at the map, and he categorically disliked the proposed place. There were few forests there, and they were sparse due to the rocky soil. The settlement was locked between mountains and a road, and it was less than three leagues, just two kilometers, from the road. However, it was close to their current place of residence. He continued to study the map.

"Lord Baron, what's this here?" - the vampire's finger pointed to the symbol on the map, exactly the same as the one that marked the shepherds' village proposed by the baron.

"That was also a village, but it was during my father's time. No one has lived there for thirty years."

The baron scratched his mustache.

"The forest was being felled there. And here, as you can see, is the border of my holdings to the east. Beyond the river to the north are the royal lands, and a little further to the east are the lands of His Eminence, Duke Kas. The goblins ate everyone there too. But there's no free land there either; it's all dense forest."

Alexander liked this other village, at least on the map. It was more than ten leagues to the road, surrounded by dense forest. The nearest human settlement was fifteen leagues away. To the north and east, there were absolutely deserted lands. The only downside was the distance from their current camp.

"What was the name of the village, Your Grace?"

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