With every step Tulga, water splashed out of half a bucket, and he was overwhelmed by the weight of the water. It looks heavy. With an impressive thud, the fat man put the kit within reach, then frowned, clutched his back and stood up.

"Now I have a good pack mule," Theodoric said. "Your wife asked me to make you train harder and turn your fat into muscle."

"I'm out of breath and upset, master, forgive me," said Tulga with a half-serious, half-anguished look.

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Okles stood up and said, "It looks like the wine is hot." Mr. Theodoric, can I find someone to help feed the children while I wash and dress them?"

"Of course. It won't take much time, right? He asked.

"No, just let them drink something. Give me a list of all the supplies I'm going to buy, state your price, and you'll be on your way before the sun heats up. Once he heard the list, he had to be careful to make sure that Theodoric didn't charge him half a day's pay. Or stab him.

"You're right, master. Tulga, where is your wife? Ah, here you are, Pansy. Theodoric saw her coming over and said.

Her name is Pansy? A

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Okles looked at the woman, who didn't look like any kind of flower at all, and the fat, strong, sweaty man, who was her husband. They made a beautiful picture. However, everyone said that he and Della were also a strange pair. It turned out to be a bad game.

Theodoric said: "Mr. Andlox wanted to wash his children and feed them at the same time. You'll help. It's a cup," he said, taking the cup from the sack he was carrying and handing it to her. "Thank you."

She took it gracefully, nodded, and said, "Is it Young Master Androx?" What do you need me to do?"

He took the cloth and the ointment and said, "Take the cup, fill it with water, let them drink slowly, and I will clean them." Slowly, take only a small sip or they will spit out, and every time this happens, the ghouls will clutch their throats tighter. I put a lot of honey in it, so it was a big full glass and couldn't have more. ”

Androx leaned over to look at the children, opened his cloak again, and was happy to see that they were all awake and aware. To be honest, he had been worried that the wouldn't wake up, but he did. For the first time, he could see the color of their eyes. Bright yellow, almost like polished gold. It's really remarkable.

"How are you?" He asked.

"It's broken." The white-haired man said it exactly. The black one smiled slightly, which gave Andlocks a little hope. The white man asked, "Kill him first." Host, please? Kill him first. ”

"You do care about your brother, don't you?" Androx said, giving the boy a gentle, approving smile. After all, loyalty is the first virtue.

"He's not my brother," said the boy in white. "Danya."

"Hmm. We'll talk about that later. I'll kill him first. Now, let's get rid of these disgusting bags. ”

With lightning speed, he stole the knife from the woman's belt before she could flinch. Let her chew well. He used it to cut open the bag and toss it aside, it was the cheapest woollen fabric he had ever seen, and it was falling apart anyway. Then he politely gave it back to her.

She took it as if nothing had happened, and put it back in its place. Then, she calmly said, "The black one came first?"

"Yes. Wait, though. Now that I think about it, I'm going to take them to the grass," he said. "If I wash it on that dirty cloak, I'll never wash it." Then, he gently took one on each of his arms and placed them in the softest place he could find.

"Okay, let's go. Slow and simple. Make sure he finishes his sip before giving him the next sip. Then he looked at the dark-haired child and said, "Listen, child, I know how hungry you are, and you want to drink it up as soon as possible, but you can't do that." Your stomach is as weak as everyone else's. Slow and simple. Do you understand? You'll be well fed. Take your time and take it easy. ”

The boy nodded. Pansy lifted his head, frowned when she sensed how weak he was, and gave him a sip of wine. His lips began to tremble as she took the cup away. If there was more liquid in the kit, he might have burst into tears. A child will not be so happy when he takes a sip of wine. This made Andex frown.

Since Pansy was feeding him, Androx began to wash clothes at Kit's feet. He carefully used only a small amount of water from the bowl; Wipe, rinse, and dry with a clean cloth. Drink too much at once and he will catch a cold. The boy did not resist, although he shivered a few times in the cold water.

It occurred to Andlos that if he didn't do a good job with this, the problem might solve itself. If the box was sick while he was so weak, or if the wound was rotten, he would die in his sleep, and the other box would be easier to carry alone. He smirked as he carefully cleaned the wounds on his ankle that caused the gear to inhale violently and squirm slightly from the pain. After the wound was cleaned, he applied ointment to the wound. Thankfully, the head nurse is very kind, and the red stuff is the best. Finally, he tied a new cloth as a bandage, tight enough to stay the same but not sore, and continued to wash it upwards.

The wound around the kit's ankle was almost certainly caused by handcuffs, and the woman probably knew about it. If the boy turns out to be a runaway slave, and A

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Okles was accused of stealing, then A

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Okles had to find a complete list of gods and curse them. The last thing he needs is to be chased around by barbarians who want to enforce the law.

But now there is no way. He continued to do the laundry and Pansy continued to eat (very slowly, to his credit).

Theodoric, the merchant, threw a fresh thick blanket next to Androx and said, "Here you go." I don't like to see them shivering like that. Wrap them up after washing. That cloak should be burned. Anchors smiled politely, nodded, and spread the blanket in front of the fireplace where the cloak was placed.

When they turned the little boy sideways to wash his back, he always tipped over, so Pansy held him up while Andricles did his best to dig the dirt out of the fur on his tail. After applying ointment to the worst bruises and rashes and bandaging him, Anchors placed him on a new blanket.

"Thank you." Toolkit said weakly, and Anchors was pleased to see a little more anger in his eyes.

"You're welcome, kid." Then he and Pansy did the same with the white man and had to stop him from drinking too fast. He was so eager to suck it all the time, and with each puff the boy took it, Pansy's face wrinkled tighter and tighter. It seemed difficult for her not to give the hungry kid what he wanted, but she did as Andres said.

Because there are fewer white wounds, it takes less time to wash it, but Andlox made sure to get the job done. After he was washed and fed, A

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Okles placed him on a blanket next to the other and covered them with a quilt to rest. Then he smiled and said, "You owe me, kid."

"I know. Thank you. The boy in white said, his voice full of sincere feelings. Then he smiled, trying not to let it turn into a frown, and tears gathered in his eyes again.

Andrew slowly stood up, straightening his waist and legs, shivering in pain. He said, "I want you to sleep if I can." I'll wake you up in a moment for some water and some wine. Say what you need besides food. Do you understand? I'm going to stay where I can see you. ”

"Let's see if we can sleep." The white goat said, as if there was still some doubt. It took a few minutes, but sure enough, they fell asleep before they counted to thirty. If there's one thing Androcleus can learn from his military career, it's exhaustion. If there was anything else, it was already dead, he thought with a smile. If Athanasius hadn't died, he would have laughed.

On the other side of the carriage, Pansy and Theodoric were discussing something passionately, and Pansy kept nodding in the direction of Androx. Tulga listened with his arms crossed, nodding his head in agreement from time to time. None of them seemed to be happy with the subject. The other three were packing their bags in preparation for the day's trip, each keeping a careful eye on him, trying not to be noticed.

Andlox sighed, suspecting that someone was plotting against him. They may be debating whether to kill him or continue to play the trick of an honest merchant. Anyway, he was pretty sure it was a ruse, and the longer he cooperated, the less likely he was to be cut. He sat down on a rock and began to sharpen his sword as if nothing had happened.

He realized that he hadn't sharpened this blade in a while. I haven't seen it since the end of the Midsummer War. Although it's only summer, it seems like many years have passed. It made him feel old, but he dismissed the idea anyway.

It was a fine morning, even though he was in pain and wanted to collapse and sleep for a week. The sun is not high enough to warm the ground, and the autumn air tastes sweet and pleasant, almost like grapes plucked from the vine after the first frost. Pine and cedar, and some flat leaves that he did not recognize, surrounded the crossroads like fortifications. The air is filled with a strong autumn mood, crisp and refreshing. As far as he could see, most of the green had been replaced by bold yellows and vivid reds. All sorts of songbirds fly around and whistle at each other. If he had paid attention, he could almost hear running water and smell the moisture in the air.

In the end, Pansy, Theodoric, and Tulgar stand by his side. They didn't bring him a full hand of supplies, so they didn't approach him to complete the deal. Instead, they wore maces on their hips and shields on their backs. A

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OKLES does not support them.

Young Master Theodoric smiled and said, "Young Master Andlos, we have an offer for you."

"What's that, Mr. Merchant?" Androx replied pretending not to be interested. He had played this game before.

"These toolboxes aren't supposed to be yours, are they?" Because you said you only found it last night. Pansy loves them. She and Tulga have been married for ten years and have not yet been able to conceive a child. We want to take them out of your hands. We'll even give you a change of cloak and give you a day's ration to compensate for your trouble. As he spoke, Anchors heard movement a few steps behind him. The rest of the guards were there.

Andrakes didn't answer. He doubted that they would go and grab them, and now that he remembered, he didn't want to give them up yet. Until they get stronger. Certainly not robbers. Exhaustion and irritability may have affected his judgment, but even then, he doesn't believe they can save the children from death. Will the robbers wait for a week in a stolen car and feed the children until they recover? Unlikely. At best, they threw them on them, hoping that the gods would be merciful. No, for Androcle to truly fulfill his oath, he must personally make sure that the children survive.

Androcles was still sharpening his knife, looking at Theodoric carefully out of the corner of his eye. The man was about to speak, when Andakix interrupted him and said, "You know, Master Theodoric, my wife left me for the same reason. I tried hard for 15 years and still couldn't get her pregnant. ”

Pansy opened her mouth to say something, but Theodoric motioned for her to shut up.

Master Theodoric said in a reassuring tone, "I believe you understand the pain of loneliness, which a barren couple must endure. I pay my people well – those little kits will be taken care of and live in a good home. You're on the road alone, you don't plan to raise them yourself, do you?"

Andex asked nonchalantly, "What if I did?"

"Then you'd better sell them to slavery, at least they can learn a skill and eat a regular meal." Theodoric replied categorically.

"How much do you think I can sell?" A

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Not that the company will buy the kit at this time, OKLES thought. They will wait until he lets his guard down and blows his head with a mace like a nut.

Master Theodoric almost answered, but chose to refuse. Pansy couldn't be silent any longer, and she blurted out, "Captured by crows!" You stole from a slave trader in the first place. If you don't starve them to death before you find a buyer, you'll still sell them. I can tell at a glance who is the scoundrel and you are the worst kind. ”

A hooligan? A

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OKLES? He tried to hide the anger in his heart; She directly insulted his reputation. The shadows of his fathers probably trembled with humiliation. How dare a barbaric bandit say something like that to an honorable man?

Before he could come up with a proper rebuttal, Tulka said: "Where's your shield, soldier?" A soldier without a shield is not a soldier, is he?" The man rubbed the mace's head, eager to bleed.

"Sold. It's heavy. Andrakes said, starting to get really angry.

"Those scars of yours were left in the arena, right? Stealing a coin and running away like a ferret. ”

Andex just snorted contemptuously.

Theodoric said, "Mr. Androx, I'm sure you understand what it's like for us. I've heard of a soldier who retires with a big bag of silver and a farm in the country, and you only have a gold coin. Where did all your money go, you were alone on the road without any supplies? And the story you said about finding them on the road, like old sandals with broken laces? And you're a mess. You look like a bum, or worse. He put on a nonchalant look, and then said, "I was about to let you go because I don't want to get in trouble, and you have money, but Pansy wants the toolbox, and you're a kidnapper and a thief." I have to respect my people. ”

"How much do you give me to buy these kits?" Androx, taking a closer look at his blade, asked. The person behind him may not be as ready as anyone else. Maybe he should attack one of them first. He can catch a person off guard.

Theodoric gave Androus a blank look. "I want to ...... Let me think about it. In some places, the price of the child is already less than 100 silver coins, and the kits are worn out, right on Raphaels's doorstep. I suppose I can give you a hundred and fifty pieces of silver, whatever you want, in a fair exchange. ”

"Why can't you pay me with money?" Androx asked with a smirk.

"I don't have that kind of silverware on me," replied Theodoric, immediately pale, and evidently regretting the incident.

"Don't you have that kind of silver?" You've got enough cloth for twenty cloaks, and that's just enough. Don't you have a hundred and fifty silver coins? How are you going to exchange my gold coins for change? It is worth at least a hundred pieces of silver, you know. "The most important thing is to get out of the circle that they are trying to put him into. Without his old jumper, he has no real defense. Maybe he should starve instead of selling it; A shield like that makes a fight like that a lot easier.

Androx looked at the three men in front of him. Under his gaze, they became visibly uncomfortable. He couldn't hear any movement behind him, but he could feel the guards standing there thinking about killing. He could feel it in his heart. Do they really not know that he is eyeing them? Or are they playing the same game as him?

Master Theodoric said, "Of course, I have enough change. I have a lot of silver. There just isn't enough money for you, and there's not enough money to do business. ”

Andrakes asked, "Who helped you load the car?" The real danger may well be Tulga and Pansy. If he could, he had to deal with these issues as soon as possible.

Theodoric looked surprised. "I ...... One of my men did it. When I'm busy," he stammered. "Why do you ask?"

Andlos looked over the fire, noticing that the kits were secretly watching the process. They had only rested for a few minutes and must have been woken up again by the conversation. How would they feel when they heard this? He reminded himself that he didn't really care.

"You said what I look like in your eyes, so let me tell you what you look like in my eyes. I think it's a little weird that you're dressed like a guard, but that's okay. Your explanation is good. But it's strange that it takes you so long to find the contents of your shopping cart like the first time you checked. I bet you haven't found the silverware yet, right? You don't know where it is," said Androx, loud enough for the boys to hear, "because you're robbers, and you've stolen the car." Then he stared at Theodoric with the most frightening eyes, and he saw it well. They didn't answer.

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Okles stood with a frown, straightening his waist and legs. Although he was taller than anyone but Tulga, to his credit, they did not back down. "You must be joking with me," he said to the sky. "I have something to do. First the toolbox, and now this again. The gods are illegitimate children. You know what, Theodoric? The gods are all mongrels. ”

Androx made a stretch of his arms and legs. Then he announced loudly, loud enough that everyone could hear: "I won't sell the kids to you because you stole that car and probably killed the owner of that car." As a righteous person, I have a duty to kill all of you, so my deal is this: you're going to give me whatever supplies I want for free, leaving me and the toolbox here. You won't tell anyone about us. You are not allowed to say anything like slaves or fugitives. In return, I will not kill you and hang your corpses as a warning. Sounds like a deal?"

Someone snorted behind Androx. He looked back and saw three guards standing a few paces away, mace in their hands.

Theodoric said: "We seem to be at an impasse. I have no doubt that we can kill you – not at all – but you may be able to take one of us with you. Is the money you get from these items worth the sacrifice?"

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"I'm not going to give you anything like this stealing garbage," Okles said. And they're not meant to be sold at all. I will either find them parents, or find other good families, rather than hand them over to slave traders or hooligans. He was a little taken aback by this, but as soon as he said it, he knew it was right. He's obligated now, that's it. The eaglets were staring at him, their golden eyes shining in the morning light. He sighed a little frustratedly, but he didn't really feel it.

"We're not as bad as you think, Southerners. We may be robbers now, but it's not like ......," Pansy said, but she was interrupted by Angele.

"You're not bad at all. Tell me, did you stab your master while he was sleeping, or when he was awake? I'm curious. ”

Theodoric prepared his mace and shield and said, "This is ridiculous. Let's kill him as we should have done in the first place. ”