Chapter 172: Blood and Business

Blood and Business

Baobhan Sith walked with pride and arrogance, her posture tall, chest high, and a determined air about her. Each step brought her closer to the castle where Lott, Morgan, and their companions were stationed. She knew the night would end in bloodshed, and her heart burned with malicious intent. "Tonight, blood will flow throughout that castle," she swore fiercely to herself, eager for the battle to come.

Inside the castle, Lott was reviewing the fairies they had captured. "The earth clan will be sent to the mines, and the wind clan... they'll work in the weaving workshops," he muttered, deep in thought. He had no intention of releasing them; they were prisoners, and he would find a use for them. The Earth clan would be easy to manage, but the Wind clan presented more of a challenge. They were clever, cunning, and far more difficult to control than the earth fairies. Always scheming and looking for opportunities to escape, they needed a tightly controlled environment.

Lott finally settled on the perfect solution. "Textile work," he said aloud. "It doesn't require much strength, but it's labour-intensive, and I could always use more cloth. With the growing number of troops and the Knights of the Round Table, we'll need more uniforms."

Smiling to himself, he continued planning. "Yes, we'll put them to work round the clock, twelve hours a day, seven days a week. No rest for these fairies. And as for wages... they're prisoners of war. There's no need to pay them."

He chuckled to himself, justifying his decision. "I'm teaching them a skill they can use later. I'm doing them a favour."

Morgan, who had been listening, shook her head in disbelief. "Can you be any more shameless?" she asked, half-amused.

"At least I'm being practical," Lott replied. "I save myself the trouble of complaints."

Morgan sighed. "If it were me, I'd just say outright that I'm squeezing them for all they're worth," she said with a smirk. "You're just sugarcoating it."

Suddenly, Lott stood up, as if remembering something. "I have something important to take care of," he said, patting Morgan on the shoulder. "You and Gawain can handle the prisoners."

Morgan raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile forming on her lips. "You're going fishing again, aren't you?"

Lott grinned sheepishly. "You caught me."

"Fine," Morgan said, waving him off. "But catch something good this time."

As Lott left the room, Gawain's eyes followed him with curiosity. "Where's Father going?" she asked.

"Fishing," Morgan replied, without looking up.

"Fishing? But he said it was important business!" Gawain exclaimed, confused.

Morgan gave her daughter a patient look. "In this family, when your father goes fishing, it is business."

Gawain's eyes lit up. "Can I go fishing too? I want to do business!"

Morgan tapped her on the head with a playful smirk. "Fishing is only business for your father. For you, it's just playing."

Gawain sighed but smiled. "Fine, I'll help you instead."

Morgan patted her on the shoulder. "Good. We need to keep an eye on these prisoners and make sure no one tries to rescue them, especially not those fairies."

Meanwhile, Lott was preparing for his fishing expedition. He called for one of the castle guards.

"Your Majesty!" the guard said, bowing deeply. His heart raced, imagining what grand task the king had for him.

"I need something important from you," Lott said, doing his best to keep a straight face.

The guard's eyes widened. Could it be a quest for a dragon's claw? A giant's tooth? He was ready to serve.

"What is it, my king?" the guard asked, eager for instructions.

Baobhan Sith, with her malicious heart and fierce determination, marched ever closer to the castle. She could almost smell the bloodshed that would come by dawn.