Chapter 135 Chapter 135

A candle that Molly had made herself burned in the center of his table, bringing the scent of pine to the musty room, but Burrich didn't appreciate it, growling that it wasn't like himself at all. s room.And I had to put him in bed with a bottle of brandy by his hand. I know all too well why he needs to drink to drown his sorrows.When I helped him through the stables and upstairs to his room, we passed one empty stable after another, and not only the horses disappeared, but also the fine hounds; and I couldn't bear to visit the delivery room, because I'm sure it must be empty inside too.Ah Shou walked beside us, seemingly silent and suffering a lot, but his good intentions were obvious.The stables were swept immaculately, the remaining horses were groomed to shine, and even the empty stables were cleaned and painted.But, like an empty cupboard, no matter how clean it is, it cannot satisfy a hungry man.I understood that the stables were Burrich's treasure and home, only to find both looted when he returned.

After I left Burrich, I walked alone to the barn and corrals to find the best studs gone, as miserable as the stables.The winning bull was gone, and the curly-haired black sheep that once filled the corral were now reduced to six ewes and a young ram.I'm not sure what other animals were there, except that the corrals and stables, which should be full of animals at this time of year, are nearly empty. I wandered from the barn to the warehouses and outbuildings, and saw outside one building a group of men were loading sacks of grain into a wagon, while two adjacent wagons were already full.I paused for a moment to look at them, seeing that the goods on the carriage were getting higher and higher, and the bags of things were becoming more and more difficult to load, so I went forward to help them carry them, and they immediately accepted my assistance, so I started working with them. They chatted.When the work was done, I waved them good-bye cheerfully, and walked slowly back to the castle, wondering why a whole storehouse of grain had to be loaded onto barges upriver to Lake Tu.

Deciding to check on Burrich before going back, I climbed the stairs to his room, only to find the door was open.Worried about another conspiracy, I pushed the door open and went in, only to startle Molly who was arranging food on the little table next to Burrich's chair.I was so embarrassed to see her here that I could only stare at her, then turn around and see Burrich looking at me. "I thought you were alone in the room." I said guiltily. Burrich was looking at me solemnly, and had obviously had some brandy. "I also thought I could be alone and quiet," he said solemnly, as energetic as ever.But Molly was not so easy to deceive, and she continued to work with her lips pursed, ignoring me and talking to Burrich instead.

"I will not disturb you for long. Mrs. Patience bade me see if you had any hot food, as you have eaten very little this morning. I will get my food together and go away." "Please pass on my thanks too," Burrich added.He looked away from me and looked at Molly, feeling embarrassed and Molly's displeasure because of him, and tried to apologize. "I have just returned from a arduous journey, ma'am, and my wounds have caused me considerable distress. I hope I do not offend you." "I have no place to be offended by anything you do, my lord," she answered, laying out all the food she had brought. "What else can I do to make you feel more comfortable?" she asked, with nothing but due politeness in her voice, and without looking at me at all.

"Please accept my thanks. Not just for the food, but for the candles that freshen the air in my room, which I know you made." I saw her demeanor soften a little. "Lady Patience told me to bring some, and I will be glad to serve her." "I see." He took more effort to say the next words, "Please convey my thanks to her, and of course Lacey." "I will. So, don't you need anything? I was just about to go to Buckkeep to help Mrs. Patience and she told me I could bring you something from town if you needed it." return." "No. Thank you, though, for being so thoughtful of her."

"You're welcome, my lord." Molly then strode out of the room past me with the empty basket, as if I wasn't there at all. Burrich and I just looked at each other.I watched Molly's back and tried to get her out of my mind. "It's not just the stables," I told him, and went on to give a brief account of what I'd seen in the barns and warehouses. "I should have told you something about that," he said gruffly, looking at the food Molly had brought, and pouring himself more brandy. "When we came all the way to the Buck River, we heard a lot of rumors and information. Some said that Regal sold cattle and grain to finance the defense of the coast, others that he sent breeding animals inland. Safe and secure pastures in Tyrth, Lu." He gulped down the brandy. "The best horses are gone. I noticed that when I got back. I doubt I'll be able to breed animals of this caliber in ten years." He poured another glass of wine. "My life's hard work is in vain, Fitz. A person always wants to leave something in this world. But the horses I raised here and the pure bloodline I established are now scattered in the six principalities, with nowhere to go. Oh, it's not that the horses couldn't improve the breed there, it's just that I can no longer see the results of my work that would have lasted. Sit tight will no doubt be bred with tall, thin Tiers mare, and midwifery Ember's next litter thinks its pony is just another ordinary horse; I waited six generations for that pony and they send the best hunter to plow .”

I was speechless for a moment, because what he said was probably true. "Eat something!" I suggested. "How is your leg now?" He lifted the blanket and looked casually. "Anyway, it's still there. I think I should be grateful, and the situation is much better than this morning. The thorny ginseng root does have anti-inflammatory effects, and this chicken-headed woman knows her herbs." I knew who he was talking about without asking. "Would you like something to eat?" I asked again. He put down the glass and picked up the spoon, and took a sip of the soup Molly had prepared, nodding reluctantly in agreement. "So," he said as he ate, "that girl is Molly."

I nod. "It seems a little cold to you today." "Yes." I replied coldly. Burrich grinned. "You're as irritable as she is. I guess Patience didn't speak well of me in front of her." "She doesn't like drunks," I confessed to him. "Her father died of alcoholism, but he made her suffer for several years before that. He beat her up when she was little, and when she grew up, he was almost critical and scolding." "Oh," Burrich said, pouring the wine carefully into his glass, "it's a pity to hear that." "She too regrets having to live this life."

He looked me straight. "I didn't lose my composure, Fitz. I wasn't rude to her while she was here, and I wasn't drunk, at least not yet. So put aside your criticisms and talk about my absence, Buckkeep what's going on."