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controls the canyon and both river banks day and night, even though he denies it.”
    “Isn’t it though?  Our land to mine?” Evangeline asked. She rolled up the parchment and shoved it at Talan. 
    “It’s land that was stolen from our ancestors by sea dwelling foreigners at the turn of the millennium, and I say we have more of a claim to it than anyone.  Olger Guttensen may think that by entering into a contract with me that he is laying claim to land that we took from him!  But I say that this negotiation will only reunite the people of Samaria with what is rightfully ours.”  She smiled deviously at him.
    Talan just looked at her with a blank stare.  This didn’t sound like the responsible, careful Queen who’d been ruling the peaceful country of Samaria since she was a child.  This slightly isolated country had been beaten down so tragically in the Sea-Dweller Wars, that Samarian rulers had an imbedded aversion to violence and conflict.  Queen Evangeline had always upheld this view.  Since the Sea-Dwellers had been pushed past the Argent Canyon, and the Anion valley reclaimed by Samarians, the Winnser bloodline had focused on strengthening their country through their people, mining, and trade.  Not through the needless conquest of land.
    Queen Evangeline must have notated the look of disbelief on Talan’s face because she placated it by responding with, “Don’t look so worried, Talan.  I assure you, no one will bother your team when you start mining along the Argent Canyon.”  She reached up and caressed his hand that held the scroll map. 
    “Remember, this is just between you and me.  Understand?”  Talan nodded gravely although inside his head he was screaming.  He didn’t understand what was so special about this azurite that it would cause her to do this. 
    “Aye, my Queen,” was all Talan could respond with.  “As soon as I have a plan, I’ll send word to you.”
    “Thank you, Talan.  Now please go and get some sleep.  It’s late.” 
    Talan gave a deep, graceful bow to his Queen before exiting her chamber.  Vincent still stood guard outside, and Talan didn’t look back to see if that annoying smirk still occupied his face. 
    For the remainder of the evening, Talan sat awake in his study devising a plan for the Queen that included a new team of minters, locations, and tools to start mining the azurite crystal.  He had the Queen’s map of Samaria laid open before him and kept looking at the region known as Nomanestan that was causing him such strife.   He thought constantly about the feelings of deceit and uncertainty that all the advisors had voiced to each other today after the Queen’s assembly. 
    It’s time, men, to take things into our own hands.  
    That’s what Ambrose had said to them, and he seemed to feel strongly about it.  Never before had Talan experienced such dissention among the normally close-knit team of advisors and the Queen.  Never before would anyone dare mention contradicting the Queen’s orders. 
    But what Talan experienced tonight in Evangeline’s chambers was a Queen who seemed truly distraught about the predicament her country was in and was willing to fix it no matter what the cost.  Talan was a born and raised Samarian, and never before had the Winnser bloodline forsaken their country.  Why start now?  He would do as the Queen asked.  Yet despite everything, Talan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still off, and a lot of things were about to change.
    If this plan to mine the azurite is so great, Talan thought deeply , then what’s the need for Evangeline to hide it from those closest to her?
    Talan fell asleep that night without an answer to his own question.

Chapter 2
     
    The following morning, Evangeline rose before the sun to begin her journey to Sugarpine Pass, which was located on the outskirts of Samaria.  There she was to convene with the anonymous emissary whose final letter she’d read only