Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
As I had started asking for a pony at age three, I could handle the assignment with grace.
Samawah
Al Muthanna Governorate, Iraq
When motivated, gold dragons could work miracles, sewing a dress worthy of an ancient dragon’s little princess in a matter of days.
To make it clear I was a treasure in my father’s eyes, the indigo gown bore a layer of pearls beaded onto gossamer fabric.
A necklace of teardrop gems in the colors of the rainbow circled my throat, featuring purple stones for the central stones.
Rather than silver or gold, the necklace was fashioned of chrome.
As I feared the answer, I refrained from asking my parents about the necklace.
Worse, someone had decided I needed a headdress.
Like my necklace, it featured jewels in the colors of the rainbow.
Unlike the Iraqi women I’d seen thus far, who wore a special thin cloak over the rest of their clothing, only my hair was covered with indigo cloth matching my gown, which the headdress rested over.
My husband failed to escape being dressed to my father’s satisfaction, wearing a black suit with an indigo tie.
His tie clip featured several yellow stones, as did his cuff links.
A lapel pin indicated he worked for Dragon Heights law enforcement.
However, the rank shown indicated he would be returning to his station as a captain.
I eyed my father, the likely culprit behind Erik’s attire and accessories. “Where did the pin come from?”
“After the events with the mercury dragons and the accusations of at least one upper level member of law enforcement in Dragon Heights, Erik, who was not home to put up a fuss over his new appointment, has been bumped up a rank. He will continue to work in the Diamond Ward.” My father considered Erik, and he took the time to adjust my husband’s tie.
“The pin arrived with his formal notice the morning before we boarded our flight here.”
My mother laughed at Erik’s flummoxed expression. “Why didn’t you tell her?”
“Shock,” Erik replied with a rather rueful expression.
“I wasn’t told who had been accused. I’m only assuming there was a resignation.
As I’ve met everyone in Dragon Heights over the rank of captain, someone I know and like is involved with human trafficking.
This upsets me. I’m sure I’ll be pulled aside when we get home, but for the moment, I’m stunned there is someone that far up the law enforcement chain who knowingly enslaved others.
I’m also upset I can’t be involved with the arrest and investigation. ”
My father sighed. “As innocent men have no need to resign, I’m assuming there was a rightful accusation along with the presence of one or more black dragons to confirm innocence or guilt.
I’ll congratulate you when you are a little closer to accepting your deserved promotion.
I’m sure your father protested and will find heinous ways to make you earn the position.
Your record in Miami is suitable for your new rank as a captain, and your father is just going to have to deal with it. ”
While Erik wrinkled his nose, he accepted my father’s statements with a nod. “Can I hide behind you? He might not push his luck with you trying to get to me. He is not going to be happy with the accelerated promotion.”
“You can hide behind me, little hatchling. I will remind your father he is actually proud of you. You hold full responsibility for your promotion, especially now that you’re settling into your scales.
Now that we have dealt with that, there are a few things you need to know about the negotiations.
First, the government here does not take women seriously, and they will insult our ladies just to get a rise out of us.
We will ignore the slights, and our revenge will be forcing them to accept harsher terms. Upon realizing that any disrespect of my wife and child will cost them dearly during negotiations, they will attempt to adjust our attitude through the offering of gifts.
Kinsley, defer to me for all of this. Should one of the gifts actually interest you, just stare at me with a sad expression.
If you wish to impress upon them that you’re my little baby girl, call me your daddy when asking if you might have a closer look at the present.
If you are offered a horse, I fully expect you to act like you are three and wish to have the horse. ”
As I had started asking for a pony at age three, I could handle the assignment with grace. I mustered my will and attempted to stare him into submission, widening my eyes in an attempt to appear hopeful. “Am I finally mature enough to have a pony, Daddy?”
He laughed at me. “Shockingly, you are. And our carbunclo will love your horses. The manor has plenty of grounds for horses, and it’ll be child’s play to get an excellent stable set up for them.
Just limit to no more than six; after six, we’d have to start clearing trees to give them a better pasture.
As it is, we’ll fence some of the woods so they can explore, but we’ll have to remove toxic plants first.”
“What about me?” my mother demanded.
My father graced my mother with a gentle smile.
“I have prepared a speech should anyone even think to imply you are not a queen among women. I am greatly looking forward to verbally devouring the souls of my enemies. If they are wise, they will skip their attempts to insult you. As this is one of the more fiscally challenged parts of Iraq, I suspect they will forget honey works far better than vinegar when it comes to securing a buyer for their land. I’ve done my research, and they have been rather slack regarding their care for Uruk and the surrounding land.
If all goes well, we will own the entirety of the ruins of Uruk and where the Euphrates used to flow all the way to the former oasis.
The oasis land I will receive for a pittance; they wish to sell for several hundred dollars an acre; it cannot be used for homes or as farmland due to the mines and harsh terrain.
Purchasing Uruk is going to be the issue. ”
That I could believe. “Dare I ask how much it’ll cost?”
“Viable farmland can go for as high as one to two million an acre here. Uruk has roughly fourteen hundred acres, and it is a historic landmark. However, I expect I can get the entirety of it for ten to fifteen million dollars; I will be proposing a tourism hub within Iraq with excellent security, archaeological development, and the building of an educational institute dedicated to the region’s history.
It will be secular, and I will even have a dedicated airport to help segregate secular and nonsecular areas within the region.
Currently, most countries suggest strongly against traveling to Iraq, especially in this area, due to regional unrest, the presence of mines, and the threat of terrorism.
In recent years, Uruk has been left to return to ruin, with minimal interest in its historic value.
Once I have the land in hand, I will negotiate with Baghdad to get their blessing for turning Uruk into a top travel destination and bring Iraq significant prestige.
The price of this prestige will be a secular zone for tourism, although any discovered religious sites will be opened to worshippers of that religion. ”
My father’s grin promised trouble for someone, and I considered him through narrowed eyes. “What have you done?”
His grin broadened. “I may have tipped off Iraqi leadership of my intent to purchase land for you, my precious little princess. I am acquainted with both the president and the prime minister as well as many in prominent roles in the nation. I have served as a broker numerous times for them, and I’m respected here for my fair dealings.
When the leadership here makes their move, your mother will be masterminding our strategy in the background.
Right now, Iraq’s leadership are dragons, as the people voted for more stability.
They have set a term limit for thirty years, after which there will be a vote for party leadership.
Right now, things are relatively peaceful for the area, but sects within the country are fighting each other.
At this point in time, Iraq is not involved in any disputes outside of its borders, which makes this purchase possible. ”
My mother’s smile shared more than a few qualities with a hungry shark.
Like me, she wore a gown fit for a queen, although hers was rich crimson accented with orange jewels, which I feared were diamonds.
If hers were diamonds, mine were surely diamonds, and if our accessories were crafted of such precious stones, I would need to accept the truth of my parents, their age, and their wealth.
As such, I would pretend they were cubic zirconia and be content with my delusions.
“How am I supposed to address you for this?” Erik asked in a concerned tone.
“Mother and Father,” my mother replied, and she smiled at my husband, who in the eyes of the world was still my fiancé. “We know what you did. I even told Pope Richard so he understood you addressed a problem but wished to do a proper ceremony.”
Crap. I did the only thing a sensible woman could when presented with a life-threatening situation: I hid behind Erik. “How did you find out?”