Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
I’m not sure how much time passed, but I know their father eventually sent an assassin to kill the two women. After that, Bard basically disowned his family except for his sister’s son.
The point to all this is that everyone here has a long, twisted history. I have to make my moves carefully. It’s why rule number two is so important. Trust no one.
Rool nods. “I see your point, my queen. Having the No Ones behind you is a valuable weapon. But only as long as Bardolf remains in power.”
So he seems to think Bard can be knocked down.
I laugh. “If you think anyone can touch that man, you’re dumber than you look, General.”
He smiles. Yes, smiles. I’m guessing my insult and lack of weakness have pleased him. If I’d been polite, he’d probably spit on me.
“I will remain here while you speak to that vile excuse of a king,” says Rool. “He is not to be trusted. They have no land and are a weak people.”
Interesting. So land equals respect. I suppose I see why. If you’re a strong people, you take what you need and you hold on to it. The Mountain People lost everything when they, too, went against Alwar’s father and didn’t bend the knee to the Proxy Vow. See. Right there. Another twisted history.
I leave General Rool at the large wooden door and enter to find Mato sitting on my throne—a chair with a high back, completely encased in black leather. Well, this is going to be an interesting conversation.
Wearing a plain beige tunic and brown leather sandals, with his dirty blond hair in a ponytail, Mato reminds me of a hippy from the ’70s. He even has a laid-back demeanor, but I know underneath is a cold, calculating man.
“King Mato,” I say, entering the room.
He stands but doesn’t bother to apologize for sitting on the throne, not that I expected him to. In fact, I assume he was making a statement: this throne means nothing to him. Just another chair.
Or maybe he’s testing me.
“King Mato, nice to—” Shit, I’m being polite. It’s a mistake I can’t afford. “Nice of you to keep my throne warm for me. Do it again and I’ll feed you to my army.”
He chuckles and bows his head. “Impressive save. I know you were about to say something pleasant.”
I shrug.
“Are you aware that the Mountain People do not prescribe to the cultural norms of Monsterland? We value life. We value honor. We care for each other—old, weak, or small.”
He means that they align more closely to my beliefs. Sadly, we are not in my world. I can’t ever forget that.
“I wasn’t aware because nobody talks about you. I suppose they find you too insignificant,” I lie. I think he’s a major player on the chessboard. The Mountain People are the rebels of Monsterland, true nonconformists. That said, I don’t want Mato thinking he holds power over me.
“I am not surprised,” he says, “but nevertheless, I am responsible for my people and acting on their behalf. At the moment, that means getting your assurance that our agreement still stands.”
Ah. That. Almost two weeks ago, Mato’s people attacked the wall and failed. Of course they did, because it was Benicio’s idea, and he was a narcissist blinded by his hunger for power. That’s how the Wall Men outsmarted them and kicked their asses. But they took Alwar prisoner during the retreat, and I ended up negotiating for his freedom. The deal entailed implementing my unrealistic plan for peace, in addition to making sure the Mountain People got their land back.
“It still stands.” For now. “But I might have a better offer for you and the Mountain People in the very near future.”
He stares, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I am not able to disclose the details yet,” I offer.
“In that case, I want my land back, and I want it now.”
I try to think through what this means. I should consult Alwar at the very least. He has a long, long history with Mato.
“I will give you back your land when the time is right.”
He narrows his eyes. “Define right. Because I assure you it will not come.”
“Why do you think that?” I say.
“The Dusts and trolls have taken over the majority of our kingdom and will not go easily. Then there are the Skins, who have hunted the land so heavily, there isn’t much left. Though I understand they have moved on, they cannot be allowed to return if my people wish to thrive.”
The Dusts live there? I wasn’t aware they could be found outside the bridges. The Dusts are microscopic creatures that dine specifically on nucleotides only found here in Monsterland. They are responsible for filtering out monster matter that doesn’t belong in my world. It’s how Gabrio and Bard got to be human size. It’s how I could become human again someday.