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are scared of change.  Samarians would rather chip away at unfruitful mountain rock then be instructed to mine such a useless crystal.  It doesn’t make sense to them, and the spirits of the miners have been disheartened enough with the heavy decrease in production.  I can’t tell you how many of my men have just packed up and left Samaria all together, going as far as Wayanee just to secure a future for themselves and their families.  But those who are loyal stay because they have faith that our mines are still healthy.”
    Evangeline studied Talan for a moment as he finished talking. Young Master Leatherby had wisdom beyond his years, and Evangeline was quick to notice.
    “You’re right,” she answered.  “This new arrangement is only a temporary fix.  Eventually we will have to face the challenges of the dying mountains, so it’s imperative we move forward and continue normal excavation as planned.  I just need you to formulate a new strategy and gather a new team for mining the azurite.  Once that’s complete, I’ll review it before you start to ensure there are no holdups.”  She turned towards him, still leaning against the wall, and crossed her arms over her chest.  Her braid hung haphazardly across her shoulders and was coming undone by the wind.
    “How goes your experimentation with the fire powder?  Any new developments?”  Talan couldn’t repress his smile when she mentioned this.
    “It goes well, my Queen!  The fire powder will blast through rock sure enough.  I’m just trying to work it up to a larger scale now.  You should come down to the mines soon and witness our progress.  I’ll show you first hand what the future of our mining industry will look like.”  Evangeline gave him a small smile.
    “Soon, Master Leatherby.  But for now I need you to focus on the task I just assigned you.  Now, let me show you something.”  She nodded her head towards the writing table positioned between the wingback chairs sitting in front of the fire.  The table was covered with scrolls and manuscripts of all sorts.
    Evangeline spread one particular document across the table, and Talan moved around next to her to see it better.  Drawn in intricate detail was a map of the Realm that included Samaria and the lands that Olger Guttensen ruled. 
    The Anion mountain range ran all the way to the eastern sea where it abruptly ended in a display of giant cliffs that were continuously assaulted by turbulent sea waves.  The massive Argent Canyon, which broke up the Anion range, was highlighted in color.  The canyon was what separated the country of Samaria from the territory of Nomanestan, and Olger outwardly claimed ownership east of the canyon to the sea.  The canyon itself sat in limbo between the two countries, with constant squabbles between Samaria and Nomanestan when it came to who had access to it.  The Argent River flowed deep and swiftly through the canyon, and its waters were supplied by the unending snowstorms to the north of the valley.  Since the wars, the tyrants of Nomanestan held control over the river, which prevented Samarians from benefiting from its use.  Therefore, Samaria was forced to use long, twisting mountain passages as trade routes instead of the river.
    “Talan, I want you to begin excavation of the azurite here,” Evangeline instructed, running her nail along the jagged part of the Anion range that ran near the Argent Canyon.  Talan looked at her puzzled.
    “My Queen, those mines haven’t been touched by Samarian miners in decades.”
    “I’m aware they are abandoned,” the Queen responded adamantly. “But that does not mean there’s no copper ore in those rocks.  And where there is copper, there is azurite.”
      “But it’s too close to the Nomanestan border and to heavily patrolled,” Talan beseeched, then he lowered his voice as if someone was listening in on them  “According to the Nomans, those lands are not ours to mine.  Olger’s army