who quickly replaced all the key officials.’ A heavy sigh gave voice to long-simmering discontent. ‘One could have put up with the fact that soldiers were being replaced by mercenaries from Count Murphy’s lands, that officials had been swapped for those loyal to the new governor, or even the cutbacks to the citadel’s funding. It was just that, after a few years, everything began to change.’ The officer shook his head wearily. It was clear that the words did not come easily to him, but on the other hand, he was determined to finish what he had started. ‘Money from taxes and levies was vanishing into thin air, mercenaries were increasingly refusing to renew their contracts, and all charges were going up. Not long after, the governor began construction of his residence. It became clear where the funds were coming from, but there was no point in asking. Murphy himself announced that the estate was to serve both representative and defensive functions, so the old one had to be demolished and a new one built. Once the palace stood, alcohol flowed into its cavernous cellars. After that, it’s just a tale of decline. And with every passing day, things get worse.’ Al-Satar fell silent, staring at the floorboards. ‘Since the start of this year, however, it’s been even worse. The weakened security has attracted bandits, who’ve started raiding caravans. We haven’t been able to track them down and get rid of them.’ He raised his downcast eyes. ‘I don’t have enough men, about a thousand for the whole enclave. We can’t even protect the city itself, let alone the enclave.’ He snorted in embarrassment. ‘The robbers banded together and attacked with increasing audacity, but it turned out there were too many of them. They began to quarrel amongst themselves and fight over territory. In February, I received the first report of a massacre in the desert. Thirty-odd bodies, mutilated, bearing numerous signs of struggle, stripped of everything that could be taken from them and abandoned on the dunes. A nasty sight.’ He lowered his gaze. ‘And the governor wasn’t even interested. He waved it off, merely stating that they wouldn’t come here anyway. The second, third, tenth time, it was the same. Later, I started writing daily reports.’
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