Reborn: Flames of War by D. W. Jackson Page B

Hawkwing lands are treating their non-humans, it might spark an internal rebellion.”
    “Given everything that the non-humans have endured over the years, I doubt it,” Ash said with a heavy sigh. “But there is a chance. I just don’t want them to take it too far, though there is nothing I can do to stop them.”
    “That is not true my lord,” Mia said as her face brightened.
    “Do you have an idea?”
    “Yes…Umm, you are already spreading the news about the nobles desire to cull all non-humans. Why not do the same with this and at the same time spread the news that the Hawkwing kingdom and the demon kingdom will accept all non-humans along with a small stipend to help them set up in their new home. The demons have amassed a large fortune over the years so it would not be that hard to shoulder the burden of even tens of thousands of people.”
    “That is true,” Eun agreed. “We could then use them in war and reduce our own losses like you did with the duchy,” She added with a thoughtful expression.
    “No,” Ash replied immediately. “We used that tactic with the Hawkwing duchy, but only because we were short on people. I don’t want to force anyone to fight, though if they want to join on their own, we will not turn them away,” Ash quickly added.
    “If we take them in without any gains, I think that some of the clans will complain my lord,” Li said from behind the three.
    “That is true,” Eun said agreeing. “If they simply leach off the kingdom without giving anything back, I don’t think it will go well. At first it will be accepted, but over time it will raise contempt for them.”
    “Is that so,” Ash said, feeling as if another weight had been pressed down upon him. Each time he found a useful solution to a problem something seemed to block it.
    “There are more they can do than just fight,” Mia suggested. “Right now there is little farming done within our kingdom. We have some trade with the elves, but the amount that can be brought over with the eagles is really limited. For the most part the food we get is from hunting in the labyrinth, but it is not enough to support a large community without great effort. It is one of the reasons that our population has not grown too large over the passing centuries. Other than farming, they could also be used to make various items since there are few demon clans who can work with wood or metal and none who can enchant.”
    “There are none who can enchant?” Ash asked slightly surprised. “There were a number of magical items that I got as gifts from the different clan heads when I took over as the Maoh.”
    “Those came from what was gathered long before we shut ourselves away. Each clan has a treasury of items, but all of them are older than anyone currently alive. It would be nice to have people around who could make new things since I am sure many things have changed over the passing of the years.”
    “Then we will go with that,” Ash declared. “We will have the people who migrate create their own small town much like the one with mixed blood already within the kingdom and put them to work. I am sure there are mines and other fertile areas near each clan that could be used. This way we can expand our power in more than one direction at a time. Not just demons, I want it to be open to humans as well.”
    “My lord that might not be a good idea,” Eun said with a weird look on her face.
    “Why?”
    “Though most demons don’t hate humans, there are few who do not hold any love towards them,” Eun explained. “Though it was long ago, we still remember the betrayal that happened and while we have allied ourselves with your human wife and her people, it is still a long way before many could begin to accept them.”
    “Then what do you suggest?” Ash asked throwing his hands up. “I know there are some humans who live within the kingdom now, but they are few in number.”
    “Well calling them human wouldn’t be true,” Li