CHAPTER 72: THE REALIST'S GAMBLE

The temporary camp sprawled across a field like a small city built of canvas and hope. Hundreds of tents formed rough streets, with cooking fires sending smoke into the morning air. Refugees moved between them carrying bundles, children, and worried expressions.

Marcus spotted Tom talking and joking with Sergeant Harwick near a cluster of military tents.

"Welcome back to Drakmoor, Sergeant. I hope this time we won't be accused of a coup. Nice to see you again," Marcus said with a smile.

"Nice to see you again, lad. I heard things didn't go well with you and your family. Tom was telling us about it."

"Yeah, on top of everything, they kicked us from our Academy house and the family lost their jobs. Marcus's partner lost his shop," Tom added, then looked at Marcus not to share too much.

"We're in tough times. It happens. We'll rebuild, right Tom?" Tom nodded.

"You know my invitation to join our military still stands. Lord Hammond will pay good money for someone like you, Tom."

"Thanks again for the offer, but until we can establish ourselves here, I have to help the family and Marcus."

"Times are indeed tough. Think again, my giant friend, but I'll press no further. Come now, Commander Cain must be done with preparations. He can see you now."

Sergeant Harwick gestured to his soldiers and, after getting a sign, led them toward a large tent.

The command tent was spacious but utilitarian. Maps covered a central table, and weapon racks lined the walls. Commander Cain sat behind a field desk while a young soldier waited nearby, taking notes.

"Marcus, Tom, welcome to our humble camp. How have you been since the trial?" Commander Cain gestured for them to sit on camp stools.

"We're okay, better than most. Where is Sister Korra? Is she at the camp with you?"

"She was working with us as the Church of Light's officer. I heard after the trial, the King kept her as an advisor."

"Wow, she lives in the palace now then," Tom said.

"It's good they took someone who actually cares about people. But Commander, about Lord Hammond..."

"I think he has morning meetings. Now he has to worry about more things since everything we had is now on the road, you know."

"Yeah, thanks Commander. We can wait somewhere so we don't disturb you."

"No need. Sergeant, send someone to check the Lord's tent. Warn us when it's available. I want to talk to Marcus while we wait."

"Come Tom, I want you to wrestle our new recruits. Show them how hard the real world is."

"Sure, Sergeant."

After they left, Marcus and the Commander were alone.

"Marcus, I want you to know my Lord doesn't share the same enthusiasm Master Thymon had against Malachar."

"Sorry, Commander?"

"Our Lord has accepted defeat, and he's a very realistic person. After so many failed campaigns and with recent events. But of course, he's not going to make deals like Lord Varek did with Malachar."

"Commander, my interest in meeting with him isn't about tactics against Malachar."

Marcus detailed his concerns about the city's food crisis, explaining his plans at great length. The Commander didn't always seem to understand but listened carefully.

"Marcus, I don't actually understand these types of calculations, grain shortages. But I want to ask you about the explosives you used at the trial. Sergeant told me you used something to wound General Koroth."

"Sir, that was months of preparation and very expensive," Marcus lied, trying to hide his explosive knowledge. If he gave that information to the world, it would surely fall into the wrong hands eventually.

A young soldier entered. "Commander, Lord Hammond is waiting for you now."

Marcus and Commander Cain walked toward Lord Hammond's modest tent, which was surprisingly unpretentious for someone of his stature.

Lord Hammond was in his mid-forties, clean shaven, and well dressed despite the circumstances. He was listening to an officer when they entered. After dismissing the man, only a tall, lengthy man in his mid-thirties remained behind him.

Lord Hammond stood up and extended his hand to Marcus. "You must be Marcus." He turned to his aide and spoke briefly. "Marcus of Millhaven. Thank you for saving my trusted commander and, for that matter, my neck against Lord Varek's schemes." He gestured to papers on his desk. "Before our meeting, Commander, take a look at this. We got this from a royal messenger this morning."

Commander Cain looked at the scroll. "It commands we should..." Lord Hammond cut him off.

"Yeah, wants us to build our district outside the east walls. It states there's no available place to house another hundred thousand."

"But that puts us between Malachar's forces and the city walls," Commander Cain protested.

"There's not much to do. Send your troops to fell old trees, recruit every wood carver. Take charge of planning, create a quick plan to house everyone. We can expand later."

His officer spoke up. "Sir, I'm sending the head of coin to acquire Lord Varek's estate then."

Lord Hammond gave him an angry look. "No need to spend money. I want to live with my people. Put my house in the middle."

He continued, turning to the Commander. "If we show them we're not afraid, that we have to move forward no matter what, they will follow."

Commander Cain tried to protest but understood the reasoning. "Then I'm leaving immediately."

"Now, young Marcus... sorry, Marcus. I keep forgetting my manners. People always assume I'm arrogant and speak dismissively."

"No problem, sir. I mean, my Lord," Marcus said quickly. He was starting to admire the man's quick decisions and openness.

"What do you want to talk about? If it's Master Thymon's plans and his spies with Malachar..."

"No sir, it's about upcoming problems with the city." He pulled out the papers he'd prepared.

"Go on."

"Sir, the city is overcapped with living space, and most of the newcomers were farmers who supplied the city. Now we're stuck between city walls and, honestly, food supplies are diminishing while prices increase."

"I'm sure our King and his advisors have ideas about that."

"Sir, respectfully, I don't think so. Until a couple weeks ago, some of our supply was coming from Malachar through Lord Varek's deal."

Marcus found picked out a paper with drawing and showed to lord hammond and his officer.

"We have to deploy a giant campaign. Seize the west side of the provinces and mobilize most of our citizens to grow food."

"Do you really think it's that imminent, the food crisis? Kalu, call the agriculture expert," he said, gesturing to his civilian officer.

A tall, well-built farmer entered. Lord Hammond turned to him. "Tell him what you told me."

Marcus repeated his initial ideas. "My lord, we have to first start with fast-growing food types but also immediately start farming every patch of land on the west side of the city. If Malachar attacks from the east, we can preserve the west side. Considering Drakmoor's natural built with mountain."

The farmer considered this. "Sir, I don't understand military sieges much even as a ex captain, but if we wanted to implement these plans, we'd need almost three hundred thousand farmers on six hundred lots of land. We could produce two to three years' worth of food every six months. But we can't preserve most of it."

"I have designs and ideas for storing seeds and legume types. This way, if we're sieged, we can survive longer than Malachar anticipates, and we can think of something," Marcus explained, showing his detailed plans.

"What are the short term plans for growing? If I wanted to convince the King to seize west provinces, which seems impossible, we need to show that in a couple months we'll be feeding the masses."

Marcus pulled out his jar of white spawn and the mushrooms Tom had picked. "Sir, these are mushrooms, and this is mushroom seed."

Lord Hammond's agriculture expert looked at them both. "There's no such thing as mushroom seed."

"I made it. That's what I do. I think of ideas," Marcus lied smoothly. He'd researched and visited local mushroom farmers in the modern world to learn how to grow spawns. Even though it was easier than it seemed, sometimes grain cultures got infected with bacteria or mold.

"What are you going to do with them? I don't think they can be seeded like plants," Lord Hammond said, turning to his agricultural expert.

"No sir, I've never seen anyone plant mushrooms. There are certain areas that grow them in the forest every year, but we have no control over it."

"Sir, I've created many seeds, and if I have help, I'll grow nearly a thousand pounds in a couple weeks."

The farmer laughed. "No disrespect, young man, but in a couple weeks? If you grow one pound from that jar, I'll call you master and follow you anywhere."

"Normally I'd listen to my advisors, but given that times are not normal and I trust you thanks to Commander Cain, I'll provide you with what you need. When you have the harvest, contact my men. I'll arrange a meeting with the King. In the meantime, I'll approach the west province owners, Lord Satr and Lord Karmond's families."

Lord Hammond turned to his officer and wispered to provide what Marcus needed.

"Sir, also, I have another request. I know you're in a tight spot, but so am I with my business. In order to break me out of prison, my partner bankrupted his shop, and now we're cornered by the guilds and have to shrink our operations."

"Out with it, Marcus of Millhaven."

"If I get a loan, I'm building another business, a textile business which will bring down costs for everyone in the city. Cold proof clothes will be available for everyone."

"I have no intention of partnering in business right now, but I can lend you fifty silver right now. If you provide a thousand pounds of mushrooms, then we can talk about your business ideas."

An officer took Marcus to another tent where administrative work was handled. He asked about Marcus's needs and how many hands he'd require. Marcus explained his plan to grow mushrooms and asked for materials and help.

Walking back to find Tom, Marcus felt a mix of excitement and pressure. Lord Hammond was exactly the kind of leader they needed, pragmatic and willing to take calculated risks. Now Marcus just had to deliver on his promises.

The fate of the city might depend on a handful of mushroom spawn and modern agricultural knowledge. No pressure at all.