Expanding Ruin by Ken Rudisill EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
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- Author: Ken Rudisill
- Language: English
- Genre: Popular
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Spring 914
In their once private training hall in Bunelis Castle, Lukis raised his
wooden practice sword, but didn’t strike. Bokel glanced at the wet nurse,
who was quietly sitting with his one-year-old daughter Eiko.
Bokel said, “Sorry, it’s difficult to concentrate.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s under guard around the clock. It won’t happen
again.”
“Someone tried to steal my daughter, Lukis. That isn’t something a
father can forget.”
“People are desperate, which is exactly why you need to keep up your
training.” He tapped his sword against Bokel’s shield. “It’s dangerous to
even leave the castle at this point.”
Bokel drew a heavy breath and let his sword fall. “I never dreamed
things would get this bad.”
“This is the world we live in. People are starving, and bands of thieves
roam Bunelis. The dungeon is full, and we’ve executed more criminals in
the past year than we did in the previous ten.”
“While I practice my swordplay.”
Lukis motioned above them. The small, high-walled alcove adjacent to
the training hall was open to the sky. “You said you liked it here because
you were outside.”
“This isn’t outside. There is a wall in every direction and dozens of
guards between me and my people. The people I swore to protect. People
killing each other over scraps.”
“You can always increase the guards on the streets like I said.”
“And pay them with what? I’m already paying most of the staff in
foodstuffs, despite the coffers being laden with coin.”
Lukis shrugged. “If the coffers are full, then stop collecting taxes.”
Bokel twisted his head as he considered something.
Lukis asked, “What?”
Bokel shook a finger at him. “That’s a clever idea. Landowners are
evicting their tenants because no one has money for anything besides food.
Things get worse for people when they lose their homes. It’s increasing
crime. If the landowners didn’t have to pay taxes, they could let their tenants
stay even if they can’t afford to pay their rents.”
“I doubt many people are going to let tenants stay for free.”
“They will if I decree it.”
Lukis shook his head. “While reducing or eliminating taxes will help
some, the aristocracy will push back if you try to force them to house
people for free.”
“I think it’s the first idea I’ve had in months that will positively affect
people’s lives.” He turned to the wet nurse. “What do you think, Nuha?”
“Sir?”
“Do you think a temporary suspension of taxes will help alleviate
some of our problems?”
She stared at him.
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