Audric rubbed his eyelids with his fingertips, much in the same way Calent had at this very desk in years past. His head pounded as he went through the figures again. No matter which way he calculated the sums, it didn't seem like it was enough. For the first time in at least fifty years, money was flowing backwards out of the Allarrian palace and back into the capital, funding the rebuilding of first the harbor walls, then the palace, and finally to the people themselves. The harbor walls had had to be rushed; if winter set in before repairs were made, they might have the same problem come spring... The palace still had a long way to go before it could, truly, be returned to the marvelous state in which Audric had inherited it...but at least it was functional now. And the city... The city remained a mess. He had only agreed to the repairs to the palace, because Nera had suggested it might provide additional shelter to some of the homeless women and children...and that meant there was an entire wing now dedicated to that, as well!
Audric, with his wife's blessing, had spent most of his own fortune on the repairs and humanitarian relief. Many of the nobles and wealthier citizens were doing their part as well, but, with winter approaching, it wasn't enough. The city's funds had been used for the wall -- that was what they were there for, wasn't it? -- and would be used to fix the streets and public buildings...but it was primarily private money that had to pay for the citizens. And that was only part of the problem... Some had lost everything -- they couldn't afford food or winter clothes to replace what was lost, but taxing the winter stores too much could starve them all.
Damn Calent for putting him in this position!
Strangely, it never crossed his mind to curse Leif or Attie as he looked over the papers one final time.