A chuckle bubbled out of Crassus' throat at Rose's sudden heightened interest.  "Naturally we keep that particular resource a tight secret to where even most of the villagers don't know for certain what lies within the ruined tunnel.  Most believe it to just be a dwarven stronghold already stripped nearly clean of most precious metals.  Those that do know have proved not only their loyalty to your House, but the insight that would make them realize the sort of weight such knowledge carries.  The only neighbor we have is the port town Doroga where you rendezvoused with Ehren; you would need to travel for a few days by horse or barge to get to the next town with enough people to make it worth the title.  As for our relationship with them, it's somewhat comparable to the interactions of friendly acquaintances.  Since they basically act as a staging ground for anybody wishing to come here, they have gotten a little extra business and the potential of establishing a more meaningful trade agreement is there.  Though from what I've gathered, the mayor of Doroga is not the sort who is impressed by flashy titles or rank and can come off as being abrasive until he warms up to you."<br/><br/>The faint shift in body language did not go unnoticed when Rose inquired about her siblings that were not present.  A brow lifted slightly in consideration as he wondered the reason for the question being followed by a very faint wince of discomfort.  Crassus had seen more than enough wounded soldiers, physically and emotionally, to know when somebody was trying to cover up discomfort.  Still, he was there to advise so that's what he would do and hope for the best.  "There is one more heir from his direct bloodline.  Those who were adopted into your family..."  He paused for a moment to run through the list.  "Eleven.  Gaius always had trouble turning down people in need, and that was especially true for children who were orphaned through the war."