章 15: Mines

He noted it in his mind as he has to make plans for it too. While thinking all these, the group has now reached near the mine marked by system.

Before the group was a hill which looked nothing special. Adi looked around but could not find anything like a mine. It was just stones and boulders, big and small, from the hill and dense bushes.

He checked the map again and was sure that this is the same area which was marked. As he did not see any place to proceed, he wished it was hidden behind bushes and stones, otherwise it would be lot of hassle to dig through the hill.

So, he ordered his men, "All of you check the area around this hill for any cave or openings on ground. Be careful near the bushes for any snakes and other animals."

The men soon spread around to check the area. Some poked with there swords in the bushes and some removed stones to check what was behind it.Some snakes were disturbed too who demonstrated their displeasure by showing their fangs and hissing.

Fortunately for Adi, the men were safe and no one was injured. Good news came soon after. One of the men found something and came running to Adi to report..

"Your majesty, there is a cave like opening in that place."

Adi replied, "Lead the way quickly."

Soon Adi and his group arrived near the opening found by the man. There was a opening but it was covered in bushes and stones. As the path was not clear, Adi ordered, "Cut these bushes and remove the stones. We need to clear the place of any obstruction."

The men started swinging their swords to cut the bushes. Others started to remove the stones in twos and threes. Soon after, the path to the cave was cleared of all obstruction.

The cave opening had a height of around eight feet and was five feet wide. It was just enough for two people to enter together. The cave floor could be seen to be littered with black and gray stones.

After ascertaining that the cave had no animals and immediate dangers, Adi and his men entered the cave. As the opening was big, light could enter and it was not dark. They were able to see that the inner walls were also a mix of black and gray.

Adi was sure that this was the mine he had been looking for and sighed in relief. After confirming it, he asked his men,

"Few of you, pick these scattered stones and carry it to the castle. Just keep it near the gates. Fifty men will start working here and take out the ores from the sides. Do not try to damage the ceiling for now. I will first as Kaif to be here and he will oversee the mining process.

Ajit, your men will rotate and each group will mine for four hours. Do not work here after evening and do not miss morning and evening training. After the huts are rebuilt, you will handover the mining to the villagers."

Ajit asked with worry, "But Your Majesty, who would guard you then?"

Adi understood his worries and said, "Don't worry, there is no danger here currently. And fifty men are enough to guard me."

Ajit could do nothing more as it was the King's order and said, "As you command, Your Majesty."

Adi nodded and turned back for the castle. He took a tour of the whole place and could see people working everywhere.

Kali and the farmers where still doing their work. Sean was overseeing the process of cutting trees and making huts. While passing through the Noble estates, he saw servants and people in companies' of Jack and Uday cleaning, searching and inspecting them. He nodded inwardly as everyone was doing their allocated jobs.

Meanwhile, the men had already started to keep the stones near the castle gates. After he reached the castle, he called for Kaif. The blacksmith soon appeared.

Adi said, "Minister Kaif, we have found an iron ore mine in the hills in the north. I have asked the men to bring few stones here which you would have seen while coming in."

Kaif was ecstatic and he couldn't believe it. He said with wide eyes, "An iron ore mine in Rai. Wow!!! This is wonderful news. Now we don't have to go in other town to buy them. We can make many things with the mine in hand."

Adi nodded and then instructed, "Yes, and we soon will have many mines. But focus on this as we don't have many men. I will give few tasks now.

Go to the mine to oversee it and guide the soldiers there. After a few days, they will handover the job back to villagers when they complete the huts.

Also, start working on the stones to check the iron content and start making tools and weapons. In weapons, focus on making arrows for now as we don't have much of it currently. Any questions?"

Kaif thought for a moment and then asked, "Should we also make items for selling in the nearby town?"

Adi replied, "No. We need a lot of iron in the coming days and its need will only increase in future. As you may have noticed from the system module, there are various modern weapons which need iron and its alloys to work. So we won't sell it anywhere.

Also, do not let the news of the mine spread out from Rai. We need to keep it a secret as long as possible otherwise many powers will try to get there hands on it and we are not powerful enough to defend yet."

Kaif had an enlightened expression as he nodded, "I understand now. We will do as you say, Your Majesty."

Adi then waved his hand saying, "Okay go do your work now."

Kaif then hurriedly went out. First he went to check the stones. He crouched beside them and picked few of them. Then he asked his two apprentices to take a few to the forge to melt them. After that, he along with his son and remaining two apprentices, went to check the mine.

Meanwhile, Adi thought about what he had just discussed. He remembered that he had to seal Rai so that no one could come in or go out. Otherwise, the new changes in Rai and the upcoming developments would get into others eyes soon. By then, he would be powerless to do anything.

So he quickly went to the city gates. He asked one of the men there to call Pratap urgently. Then, he asked the remaining men to close the gates.

The gates were very solid and heavy, and it was ages ago since it was last moved. So it took much effort and some time to move it. Slowly it started to move and gave a loud sound.

By the time it was half-closed, he could see Pratap coming towards him running. He could also see the gates closing and panic filled his mind.

He hurriedly asked, "Are we under attack Your Majesty. We have to take cover."

Adi replied, "Calm down Pratap, we are not under any attack. Its just a precautionary measure. From now onwards, Rai will be sealed. No one will come in or go out.

Only the villagers who are out are to be allowed in, that too after thorough checking and questioning. Also no villager will go out until I have allowed them."

Pratap breathed lightly as it was not the worst case scenario, affirmed, "As you command Your Majesty. I will instruct the men about it."

Adi added further, "That will be good. We have found an iron ore mine in the northern hills. We can be self sufficient in the future in metals.

It will take some time to modernize the army. So we will first get enough weapons for any possible confrontation. I have instructed Kali to focus on making arrows and tools. So I want you to take a stock of our weapons and if its not sufficient, then ask him to make it."

Pratap affirmed, "I will check the weapons and make sure to have enough weapons."

"Good. Get to work on it", Adi nodded and went away.

As he passed by the Noble district, he could hear some ruckus from one of the estate. Curious to know about it, he went in with his guards. Here, he could see the men and servants talking about some topic and were very excited.

He asked one of them, "What is happening here? Why so much noise?"

The men were shocked as they did not except the King to be there. They stammered and blabbered something all together. Adi could not understand anything in the noise, so he said loudly, "Silence. One of you speak. Rest keep quiet."

Everyone was silent now after the rebuke. Soon, one of the soldier gathered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, we found a lot of sacks in this estates' basement. Butler Dara said that all are filled with grains. A lot of grains."

Adi was pleasantly surprised by this sudden good news.