It was one of the last villages to be abandoned in the later end of the great drought, a thin, weathered middle-aged man said as he stood in front of the table where Tori sat, looking over a map and various papers. As we were agricultural workers, we went out in search of farm jobs around the empire.
And you ended up in the disputed region? Tori asked without looking up from the reports. The mail carrier in front of her nodded and fidgeted with the wool cap in his hands.
Yes, my lady. While there was work there, it was considered dangerous due to the occasional raids, so not many people went there for work.
Tori took a deep breath. Youve suffered. She lifted her head and gave him a nod. It mustve been difficult to leave your ho and go from place to place.
It was necessary to survive, and Ive grown accustod to it, the man replied.
Well, thank you for your input, Mr. Kester. Im sorry to have taken up your ti. I know youre escorting so goods to the towns east of the delta.
Not at all, my lady. He bowed his head and Tori excused him.
When she to Viclya for the weekend and asked for so maps of Anlar and the area where there was a drought from their now extensive map collection, one of the villagers working in the operations tent told her of a wanderer from the drought area who had co to their village to do labor and ended up coming with them when they fled.
Mr. Kester was now doing courier work for the delta and Tori called him to ask him so questions. She was lucky that he was in Viclya when she summoned him, and hed told her as much as he knew of his forr village.
In both this life and her original one, Tori never had to flee her ho. Shed only left to go to school in both lives, but that was a matter of choice. She could only imagine how difficult it was to have to be forced to leave for survival. And then forced to leave again when their surrogate village was attacked.
She let out a heavy sigh and leaned back against her chair. Since Burnrest Point was one of the last villages abandoned, it made sense that their structures hadnt fallen into disrepair as much as so of the earlier villages.
On the map, the village was near a major road, just between the boundaries of Fendersmith Fields and the Central Corridor. From what Mr. Kester told her, the mass migration from the area didnt happen all at once. So places lasted longer than others, whether that was due to proximity to a water source that lasted longer or delayed effects of the drought, such as a labor shortage or decreased trade.
It explained why Alessas grandfather left years before Mr. Kesters village was abandoned. While there had been rain in the last few years, it had not been enough to replenish the region. The rivers still dried during the late sumr months and from what she heard; underground water sources were still scarce.
In contrast, there was plenty of fresh water in Nord, but anything on the northern side of the mountain ranges flowed down through rivers away from the drought-stricken area. Building canals and aqueducts to bring water to that part of Anlar was labor intensive and expensive.
Piers Lyce project was to repair ancient aqueducts and that had taken him three years and a lot of money to repair a portion. Fendersmith Fields and the drought area were in Anlar, but march funding prioritized infrastructure in major areas and supporting the military. It wasnt seen as cost-effective to spend so much to redirect water to a place where there werent many people to begin with.
It was considered a farming region, but wasnt as fertile as other places in Anlar and the neighboring Central Corridor. Perhaps the only thing the area was good for was a caravan stop, logging if there were suitable forest, and as Mr. Kester pointed out, mining.
Tori rubbed her temples. The mining wasnt even for lucrative crystals, they were quarries for listone. Excellent for building, but the market was saturated.
She didnt know what else could be done to support the livelihoods of people in the area. Perhaps grazing hearty animals that could stand drought like goats? Considering the age of the empire, it shouldnt have been a surprise that the area would get periodic droughts. Such cases have been well docunted.
Why did people even settle in that area if there are long drought periods every two or three centuries? she asked out loud and across from her, Axton read through historical records hed pulled for her from Universits libraries.
When there isnt a drought, its a comfortable place to live and they can settle with farms.
The empire is thousands of years old. They would know that the land there is not suitable for long term habitation after two, maybe three hundred years because of drought cycles, Tori said. The more shed found out about the area, the more she grasped that settlers shouldve known and shouldve been prepared. Roughly every two and a half centuries, there is a near fifty-year drought.
She wasnt sure of the exact reasons why. For all she knew, there were climate changes every couple of centuries. However, she was fairly certain that if the current trend followed historical records, within five years, the region would be able to support moderate agriculture again. Millet didnt need as much water as other grains and could help sustain a population.
Axton looked up from what he was reading. Are you saying that they shouldve been prepared?
Yes. Thats exactly what Im saying, Tori replied. This cycle isnt new. Why wouldnt they have been prepared? Was it recently settled? Axton furrowed his brows. Tori sat up straight and narrowed her eyes. Was it?
That area was sparsely populated to begin with and places that werent developed often had people sent there to settle it. In so cases, refugees were sent to those places, Axton said. He t her gaze and crinkled his eyes. Just like the delta.
Toris lips pulled down in a frown. Refugees from the border region?
And from abroad. Dedes ancestral tribe settled in land that was relatively untouched. It was just forest, Axton told her. The empire is concerned that foreign groups could anger settled ones as competition for resources, so theyd assign them in locations that were unpopulated or underdeveloped. Refugees from the border regions, who are citizens, were able to get support for a year, but foreign refugees were given land to live off of and little else.
She felt her skin curdle as she lowered her head. Were all the groups who ca as refugees from the Duraga Federation seeking asylum?
Axton drew his head back and shrugged his shoulders. Why else would they co to us? And to Varsha and Hong in the east? No one wants to leave their ho willingly. Theyd have to be in a dire situation to have to flee.
He made a good point and after eting Dede and knowing that his tribe and several others had settled well and assimilated into Soleil after several generations, but still desperately tried to rember their ancestral holands customs, she knew that they wouldnt have moved if they could help it.
Still couldnt help but be suspicious. Anything that involved Adrien Rosiek, even if it was just land he was standing on, made her suspicious.
Is it possible to find out who settled where? Tori asked.
You an a record of groups that sought asylum with Soleil?
Yes, since the Duraga Federation started fighting for resources from its own sedentary groups, Tori said.
That started centuries ago, Tori. And we dont know about the groups that Varsha and Hong accepted, Axton replied.
Then lets focus on the groups Soleil accepted. I want to know who the groups were, where they settled, and when.
Why?
Tori clenched her jaw. She t Axtons eyes in the small conference room of the tent. What if weve been infiltrated by the Duraga Federation and we dont know? she asked. She leaned forward. The animal hunting ring that led to the border, the strange backgrounds of several wealthy individuals who refuse to work with locals, von Dorns old sword instructor...its as if they all appeared out of thin air and sohow lead back to the Duraga Federation.
You think theyre trying to undermine us? Axton crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a curious look.
Illegal trade brings money. Money can be used for supplies. Those wealthy individuals can get into wealthy circles and gain access to people with power to both get influence and gather information on our economy, our military, our politics. Von Dorns old instructor is proof that a Duraga loyalist was lurking in Soleil and living without worrying about being caught for years.
Well, that bastard also tried to get Fabians loyalty, Axton said. Tori tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.
How?
He said he knew Fabians mother and that his mother, who was from Osten, was sympathetic to the plight of Duragas tribes. He even claid that the late Madam von Dorn supported giving Osten territory to the Federation, Axton replied. He lowered his voice, his expression serious. That could be grounds for treason.
Tori stared at Axton with her mouth slightly agape. I didnt know about that....
Von Dorn didnt tell anyone but us, Axton said. He cringed, as if suddenly realizing he told her sothing he shouldnt. Dont tell anyone. Not even the second prince knows.
But is it true? Tori crinkled her eyes and shook her head. If its a lie to try to turn von Dorn, its not the sa as if it were true.
There is nothing to prove that it was. In addition, Madam von Dorn did marry into a loyal vassal house. Axton let out a knowing sigh. But...we really cant know for sure, and we never will. Madam von Dorn has long been dead...this really shook Fabian. However, Piers ordered him to be silent on the matter. Axton swallowed hard. Tori, the Emperor doesnt know.
She nodded her head slowly. Then I will follow Piers order.
Axton shook his head and let out a huff. Honestly, you two are of the sa mind. She raised her brow and looked at him. You havent wondered why Im not surprised by this?
She narrowed her eyes. You have been abnormally calm.
What do you an abnormally? Axton scoffed and drew his head back. Piers also feels this is the case.
Really? She shouldve figured.
Hes put a lot of effort into watching whats happening in Fendersmith Fields and has reviewed every group that ca from the Duraga Federations history. He said that none of them seem suspicious, which makes sense because each group was vetted before they were allowed to resettle, but that doesnt an a few spies couldnt have sneaked in. Hes switched to observing specific individuals that seed to stand out from those groups and those areas, Axton said. This includes so of the business associates of Baroness Hart.
The ones who were supposed to help with Chetterswickshire? Toris eyes widened. And they moved their attention to the caravan stop!
But nothing theyre doing right now can be seen as treasonous. Theyre just building inns and trying to fix roads leading to the area, Axton said. They stand out, but they havent done anything that could shake the core of the empire.
Tori wrinkled her nose and thought for a mont. So, we cant prove their spies?
Axton nodded. Several of them, including Rosiek, have good reputations, as well.
Tori slamd her hand on the table and scowled. That perverted asshole whos been preying on innocent won and children shouldnt have such a thing!
Public works buy good graces.
Tori quietly swore. I shouldve kicked him harder.
I heard you sent him to the hospital for several days.
I shouldve made sure he couldnt get it up again, thats what I shouldve done, she muttered under her breath. She almost didnt notice Axton grimacing and pulling his legs together. She tapped her fingers on the table. If Piers has this covered, then I dont have to worry about it. She frowned a bit. Although, Im sure he has his hands full right now.
Piers didnt co with them to Viclya that weekend. Axton had co to escort her with Alexander and so knights. Piers had gone to the imperial palace at his fathers summons. If it wasnt serious, he wouldnt have gone. Piers had no qualms about ignoring his father when it ca to unimportant matters. In fact, sotis Piers almost reveled in defying the Emperor.
Ive been told not to tell you about matters in Pargath, Axton told her. His Highness Prince Piers insists on shielding you from any news so that you can focus on your schoolwork and be at ease.
He almost sounded as if he were mocking Piers careful concern for her.
Not much is happening that Im not prepared to deal with at this ti, Tori replied. Her Lyce project was nearly completion, she was well prepared for any upcoming tests, the delta was progressing smoothly, and all her businesses were stable. In so cases, they were almost overwheld with need.
Ilyana and Henrik were handling most of the work. Her other friends werent going through any outstanding crises. Her family was happily expecting a new addition soon.
Then, you should check on Piers. He isnt overwheld easily, but hes cranky when hes busy and focused on multiple projects. Talking to you will make him more bearable, Axton told her.
I thought he didnt want involved in the Pargath issue.
You dont have to talk about Pargath, just tell him hes doing a good job and that you love him or sothing. I dont know. Just make him less insufferable.
Tori gave him a dull look. Ill call him, but not because of you.
No matter how smoothly things are going, he wont relax until its dealt with, Axton sighed.
Tori frowned. When you say that, it does seem that things are going too well.... She didnt want to jinx it, but nothing could be too easy.
Axton looked at her with curiosity. Why do you sound like youre expecting sothing to happen?
Because sothing probably will happen. Were just waiting for it to, Tori said.
Whats going to happen?
I dont know, Axton. I cant see the future. Tori rolled her eyes. All I know is that it feels like despite the calm, there is pressure building. Im hoping its sothing surprising, but minor that we can handle easily, but I should still prepare.
Axton looked amused. And how exactly are you going to prepare?
I dont know, Tori replied in a dull voice. I guess...Ill go play with crystals.
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