123. The Fruit on the Vine

The fourth Lord accepted the reduced agreement before the next morning.

Forty meals would leave Ironroot with less wood and stone than before, but Mira looked much happier when she read the new panel.

Carlos liked that more than he expected.

The kitchen was still busy. The Hearthkeepers were still cooking for Ironroot, Cedric's group and the three-day agreement. Nothing had become great overnight, but it was bound to get better. They were working for it.

The reserve too had room to grow now. Carlos was walking toward the southern field when Tarin came running from the cucumber bed.

"My lord! Rowan told me to get you."

Carlos stopped.

"What happened?"

Tarin looked excited instead of scared.

"The marked vine. The fruit is ready to inspect."

Carlos followed him immediately.