Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“Like I said, not the type to get their hands dirty.” Ruben’s fat lips twisted into a sneer that caused the bridge of his nose to wrinkle. “New Rosanthe is a gold mine—both literally and figuratively. The country has some of the richest veins of minerals in all the world and a fair amount of technological advances. In the meantime, New Rosanthe’s upper echelon is still fighting over who will slide onto Emperor Naram Suen’s throne now that he’s dead. The man never selected a successor because he was sure that any person he picked would help him along to his ugly end. Their leaders are distracted, and their military is in disarray. They are the perfect plum just waiting to be plucked.”
“But your window of opportunity must be closing fast.” Haru waved a hand in the air, as if brushing aside Ruben’s serious words like a bit of smoke. “Do you even have control of the Damardor government and military? You’re going to need it if you’re going to conquer New Rosanthe. Disarray or not, New Rosanthe still has one of the strongest militaries.”
“I can rein in Damardor. The government is already in my back pocket. But sadly, their military isn’t the match of New Rosanthe. We need something stronger, better.”
Haru snorted. “And fast. You can’t build an effective army overnight.”
“That I can do.”
Haru’s brows drew together over the bridge of his nose, and he frowned. “I do not understand. How?”
“With magic.”
Haru chuckled as he was sure he was supposed to. This was the part where Haru shouldn’t believe him. The part that was supposed to be impossible, but he knew what to expect. “Magic? I thought you were serious.”
“I am very serious.” Resting his elbows on the arms of the chair, Ruben pressed his fingertips together, tenting his hands in front of him. “The old major gods are free at last. My sources say they were trapped in godstones around the world, just like the one that had been in Stormbreak.”
“I’m aware,” Haru murmured. “I’ve seen the reports of magical encounters. However, I didn’t think you were insane enough to suggest that we attack the gods themselves for their powers.”
“Not the gods.” Ruben narrowed his eyes. “Their children and their acolytes. Those weaker and moldable souls have been blessed with their own magic. Gifts from the gods themselves.”
Haru grunted. “Maybe not quite as ludicrous as I first thought. Continue.”
Ruben smirked. “We’re men of the world. Experienced and wise. We both know that these poor people don’t understand the power they’ve been given. Their gifts need to be redirected. Harnessed.”
“Used for your own means,” Haru supplied. His stomach twisted into a painful knot, but he kept his outward expression blank. One of the people he was talking about using was his Adrian.
“Can you imagine an entire squad of fighters with magic at their fingertips? New Rosanthe’s military wouldn’t stand a chance. We could march into the capital and steal the throne before they realize what’s happened.” As he spoke, he made a scooping motion with his right hand and tightened it up into a fist as if he’d grabbed up the entire empire himself.
“And you think you can convince all these people to do your bidding?”
Ruben relaxed in his chair and waved his right hand, brushing aside Haru’s question. “Everyone has a price or a pressure point that can be manipulated. Handling people is not a concern. The harder part of our endeavor has been locating the people with magic. They prefer to hide in holes like rats rather than flaunt their gifts. As you might guess, they aren’t plentiful. However, the calculations we’ve made show that we need only a dozen at most to give us an edge.”
Haru tossed back the last of his alcohol and set his crystal tumbler on the table at his elbow with a loud thud. “I take it this is where I’m supposed to come in.”
Ruben grinned. “Well, Matthys has said that you are a man who can get his hands on anything. I believe we even suggested you bring something specific to the party.”
Yes, the proof Vitor had promised.
With a nod, Haru pushed to his feet and slid a hand into the pocket of his slacks. He pulled out a sturdy leather case about the length of his hand. He opened it as if he were about to present his sweet Adrian with an elegant necklace, but resting on the velvet bed was a long, slender shard of green crystal. An actual shard from the shattered Godstone of Erya. Haru picked the crystal up with two fingers and held it so that Ruben could clearly see it. The light from the lamps around the room seemed to be drawn to it. Green sparkles shot out to dance along the walls, ceiling, and floor.