Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“Well, that’s wonderful. And that puts my mind at ease.” Conan sits up taller, looking from me to Killian and then Rowan. “I can’t help sensing there’s a catch to all of this though.”
I press my lips, wanting so badly to pull out a bloom, but these people are practically dying, and I don’t think my secondhand smoke will help. Instead, I turn to Killian, who puts his attention on Conan. “Killian? Mind taking the floor?”
“We are more than willing to help your people, but we do request that once your energy is restored, you’ll help us,” Killian says, taking a step forward from his corner. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the ruby caves are in our territory. We have lots of them, and because of a slight hiccup with the monarch of Ripple Hills, we now owe them five million rubies.”
Conan gapes. “Oh my.”
“There’s no way we can have our men mining for that many rubies within a month without some of them dying. We don’t want our people suffering because of our errors.”
“My errors,” I mumble. I still don’t regret killing Rami though. I’d kill him a thousand more times if it meant saving Willow.
“Once your men are feeling healthier and stronger, we would like to work out a plan to take shifts. Our men mine for a few hours a day and night, and then your men can come and mine as well. With the help of your people, we could get the rubies in no time.”
“My men aren’t used to mining,” Conan says, hesitant.
“Get them used to it.” Killian takes another step toward the desk. “Tell them it’s this simple favor that will only take a week, or they’ll be without food and youthwater for their families for the rest of their lives. Because believe me, the other territories are selfish. You may catch some luck with Alora, but like you said, you’ll have to go through hoops to get to her, and by the time you do, it may be too late for your people.”
Conan’s throat bobs, and he picks up the container of water from his desk again, opening it and taking a large gulp. I notice his hands are shaking. “Very well,” he gasps. “I’ll see to it that they restore their health and prepare to assist your people in the ruby mines.”
“We hate being the kind of people to dangle meat over someone’s head,” I tell him as wariness sinks into his eyes. “That’s not why we came here. We truly did come to help, and that’s what we’ll do. But in order for all territories to get along and respect one another, we must help each other. We must become allies. Once the mining is done, your people are free, I guarantee it. We’ll never ask anything of you again. We’ll send food as you need it until your crops grow back in and you start your trades again. Your people are free to come to Blackwater to shop for what they need. This isn’t a threat, I guarantee you. It’s a bargain. Sometimes these hard decisions must be made for our people to thrive.”
“I completely understand,” Conan returns, sounding slightly more assured.
“Good.” I push to a stand. “Mining will start in exactly seven days. That should be enough time for your men to restore their strength. In the meantime, do let us know if there is anything you need, and we’ll take care of it.”
“Of course.” Conan stands, stretching his arm over the desk and holding out a hand.
“I don’t shake.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t take it personally.”
Conan nods, snatching his hand away.
“And for the love of Vakeeli, make your lives easier by getting transmitters and bloody cars in this territory!” Rowan says. He can never leave a meeting without saying something.
Conan chuckles. “I will work on that as well. In due time.”
“Right. Let’s go boys.” If we leave now, we’ll likely make it back by dinner.
When I’m in the car, I feel a cold prickle on the back of my neck. The prickle is familiar and sends goosebumps all over my body. I peer out the window with a sharp gasp, scanning my surroundings but there’s no one around buy Whisper Grovians. I search the trees, the hills, but there are so many that it’s impossible to tell if someone is watching.
“Alright, Caz?” Rowan asks.
I swallow, facing forward again. That prickle felt just like the iciness from Decius…but that can’t be. He’s been put away.
No. It’s all in my head. It’s all in my head. No one is coming after me. No one with power of that magnitude. Not anymore. They can’t be.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “I’m good.”
Chapter 71
WILLOW
When I first entered Blackwater, I assumed it was a run-down place with poor, violent people. I was wrong to judge this territory so quickly.
Just like Vanora, there are two sides of Blackwater, though they don’t really have names, like how Vanora has Iron Class and Gold Class. Here, it all exists under one umbrella, but I can tell the difference between the two sides. I’d like to consider it lower and upper class, just like we have on Earth. We can tell which areas are for the rich and which are for the poor based off the size of the houses and the lay of the land.