- Lier Ader, Marush Disch asks to receive him.

Hearing what the servant had said to him, Ok'Tharner immediately put his pen aside.

- Call.

- Lier.

In less than a few seconds, a short, thin man of about thirty-five entered the banneret's office. Despite his still fairly young age, he was already almost bald, so he preferred to cut his hair very short, or even completely bald. But now he had been exploring the mountains for four days, so not only his face, but also his head was covered with dark bristles.

- I was waiting for you yesterday. Did something unexpected happen?

- No, everything is okay. It's just that your assignment took a little longer than I expected.

- AND? What do you say? Did you find out anything about the girl?

Asking a question, the owner of Durschars got up, left the table and went to the window. Immersed in work, the man was not particularly distracted by extraneous sounds. Now he distinctly heard the enthusiastic cries coming from the street.

- No. There were no identification marks either on the crew or on the clothes of the guards accompanying her. Apparently, the one who transported the lei did his best to hide what kind of lei it belongs to.

- Badly.

Since Ader expected something like this, he was not very upset. In some way, this fact could even please. Since the girl was transported so secretly, it means that she either belongs to an influential family, or has a rare gift that can be inherited. Otherwise, they wouldn't hide it like that. And any of these options suited Ok'Tarner, since for saving such a lei one can expect an appropriate reward, which was very useful to him now. Be that as it may, the owner of Durschars did not want to lose the family nest due to the carelessness of the middle brother, which led him to death. As well as letting down the people who were devoted and trusted in his family, who, despite all the difficulties of life in the Sintari mountains and the troubles that befell his family, did not run away in search of a better life.

The last thought made the man frown and look out the window. There was clearly something going on outside. Several servants were carefully examining something on the ground, actively gesticulating and arguing.

- Yes, but that's not all.

From what was happening in the yard, Ok'Tarner was distracted by the tracker's message.

- What else?

- The attack on the lei squad was not accidental. They were obviously expected.

Marush's unexpected withdrawal forced Ader back to his seat at the table.

- Sure?

- Yes. That's why I lingered, double-checked everything.

There was silence in the office for several minutes. The banneret did not like the way events unfolded. It is one thing if poachers or robbers appeared on your land, and quite another when a detachment of professional mercenaries wanders in the mountains. No, he was not afraid of them, after all, there were warriors devoted to him in Durchars, who had gone through more than one military campaign with him. That's just to act in relation to the mercenaries, it is necessary a little differently than when you catch ordinary robbers.

- Tell me.

- A well-armed unmarked detachment waited a little more than a day in ambush. During this time, judging by the tracks, several carts and carriages drove along that road in both directions. They were let through without attacking, although at the same time I am sure there was something to profit from there. So, we were waiting for this particular Leu. And it was not easy to wait, but they prepared a trap, trying to create the appearance of a collapse and a natural cataclysm, under which all the girl's guards died. But after that something obviously went wrong. I can't say exactly how she managed to escape. Still, the rain had destroyed many traces, but at the same time, there remained a faint emanation of magical discharge. Most likely, the latter saved the girl. Everyone else died, both defenders and attackers. We checked, no one survived.

Pausing, the ranger, one of the best hunters Ader knew, looked intently at his master and commander, waiting for further or clarifying questions. But they did not follow, since Ok'Tarner himself guessed all this. The hunter simply confirmed his conclusions made a little earlier.

- What's wrong with the road?

- Everything is bad here. After the collapse arranged by the mercenaries and the magical release, the guys have at least another week to rake everything. Half of the slope collapsed there.

What about other roads?

- It was the only one more or less cleared, which led through the entire mountain range. Therefore, an ambush was set up on it, since there was no way to bypass it. The rest of the roads have not been cleared for the past few years. So they are even worse. You know, lier, that your brother, having received the inheritance, never once appeared in the family castle.

Yes, this is another point that, according to the old agreement with His Majesty, the Ok'Tarner family had to fulfill and which Midan did not do. Namely, he did not follow the collapses and did not clear the roads leading from the coast through the mountains deep into the continent. This led to the current disastrous result. But this is the direct duty of their family as earthbenders.

And yes, in autumn all the lier did was clear the main road. All other forces were spent on restoring the ancestral castle and helping the locals, as well as preparing for the winter. The banneret was going to take over its direct obligations after the completion of sowing work. The search for a pack of wolves and their destruction, and after that the rescue of the girl, somewhat devastated his reserve. Therefore, he could not help with clearing the rubble at the moment. Because of this, the peasants had to do everything manually, which dragged out the time of work. After confirming the fact that they tried to steal the lei, Ader, all the more, could not leave Durchars until he returned Odarita to his parents. You never know who tried to do it and what opportunities it has. Here is another problem on his head. The only thing that pleases in everything that happens is that for a week, until the road is cleared, at least you can not think about a possible attempt on a girl and not wait for uninvited guests. Although, you can't help but think. And all because the lier hoped to receive a message from his people from day to day, sent by narrow and dangerous mountain paths to the nearest villages. Someone must look for Odarita. And if so, I would like to know who exactly.

Thinking over the current situation, banneret, pursing his lips in displeasure, looked out the window again. And there the servants were still noisily discussing something. So what happened to them? Why hasn't he been told about this yet? Most likely because there was nothing catastrophic or important there. But this did not negate the fact that he should know about everything that happens both in his castle and on his lands. And if so, then it will be necessary to send a servant to find out what happened there.

Making a mental note, Ader looked at Marush standing in the middle of the office.

- Is there anything else you wanted to say?

For a few seconds the tracker hesitated, and then, turning his eyes to the side, nevertheless spoke quietly.

- My sister's wolves killed all the sheep, and she has three small children. Here and so there is not enough food, but milk helped them out, helping to feed the kids. Now...

Marush Disch did not finish speaking, knowing that the position of most of the locals was not much better. But at the same time, he still hoped for the help of the banneret.

- How many?

- At least two. We will choose sheep from the flock, who already have older lambs and can graze on their own.

- Fine.

Ader understood that if it was so easy to distribute to everyone the already greatly reduced livestock, then he would not have any sheep at all. But, in a good way, he did not know what to do with them. It was Sadara's father who taught all the tricks of managing land, castle and household. He was trained almost from the cradle as a warrior. Because of this, all these calculations of profits and expenses, keeping a book of accounts and dealing with the problems of people living on his land, were given to him with difficulty.

Thanks, lier.

As soon as Marush left, the banneret's gaze fell on the account book. Grimacing with displeasure, the man stood up and again went to the window. Glancing outside, he noted that the servants were still crowding the place. It would still be necessary to find out what interested them so much.

Initially, Ader was going to call his assistant and send him to find out what happened, but immediately pushed this thought aside, deciding to take a little walk and at the same time warm up by arranging himself an after-school workout. And on the way to the parade ground, he finds out what so excited his people.