Chapter 25 #2
My father smiled. “I have a clan of iron dragons waiting for my call to come and handle that problem. What cannot be safely removed will be detonated. I will need visas for all the dragons to enter the country for the work, but they are ready to fly the moment we have documentation in hand.”
President Anas straightened. “We do not have iron dragons in our country. We have a minefield near a residential area that has been quite vexing for us. Every time we think we have found them all, someone detonates another. If we could even have their locations marked…”
My father pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Easily done. If you can help with the sale of the land, I will handle the matter of the iron dragons. If the land the mines are on is temporarily written over to me, then it will not cause problems with the iron dragons’ refusal to interfere with war matters; they will be clearing residential land. ”
Like my father, Prime Minister Ihsan grabbed his phone and tapped at the screen.
“The land is currently owned by the government due to the ordnance, so consider it to be done. It is farmland that cannot be farmed, and terrorists from many decades ago, long since in their graves, hold responsibility. The mines were laid almost two hundred years ago. We would sell it for pennies if we could, but because of the mines, we cannot.”
“How many acres?” my father asked.
“The site is significantly larger than Uruk in size. Uruk’s site is roughly six hundred hectares.
” The prime minister hesitated before adding, “That is just under fifteen hundred acres, I believe. The mined farmland is ten thousand hectares. We estimate there is only three thousand hectares of mined land to the south of Uruk.”
Both my parents winced, and my mother went to work on her phone as well, and after a moment, she held the device to her ear.
“Camden, darling, we’re going to need to expand your contract significantly.
The current estimate for the original land is three thousand hectares, and we are now estimating at least thirteen thousand hectares.
While I know you do not deal with wartime consequences on government land, how does your clan feel about rectifying mine laying done by terrorists?
The case exceeds a hundred years ago, and the group who planted the mines has been eradicated.
I don’t feel that I can, in good faith, leave so much viable farmland to rot, killing people merely trying to survive.
We would be purchasing the land before returning it to the Iraqi people.
” My mother listened, making thoughtful sounds now and again.
“Excellent. Thank you. As soon as I have the visas approved, I’ll let you know.
Please make certain copies of all passports and vital information are sent to my phone to streamline the process. ”
She hung up, placed her phone in her purse, and smiled.
“I propose a trade, good sirs. Sell us the farmland for the pennies you claimed you would sell it for if only you could, and once we have cleared it of mines, we will trade the farmland for Uruk and its surrounding land on an equal basis. If there are ten thousand hectares available in the area, we will take it all—and if there is more, we will pay for the extra hectares at the current rate.”
The president and prime minister stared at one another with wide eyes.
“You want to buy mined land for literal pennies and trade it for the ruins of Uruk,” Prime Minister Ihsan stammered.
My mother’s smile widened. “Yes, that is exactly what I wish to do. We will buy the minefield for pennies, clear it of mines, and trade it to you for Uruk and the surrounding lands for our project. Should we need additional land, we will purchase it fairly. We will only wall the relevant places of the resort and begin work on preserving the rest of the land if we end up with more land than we need.”
There had to be a catch somewhere; could my parents truly purchase a national treasure for pennies? How much would removing the mines cost?
Could the iron dragons truly work such miracles?
While I waited, I focused my attention on the stallion, who stood with admirable patience. I petted his neck, marveling at his sleek lines, his gleaming coat, and his bannered tail, which he swished every now and then.
The mare likewise stood and waited, remaining near the prime minister without him needing to so much as tug on her lead line, which he held in a loose grip. While the Iraqi men considered my mother’s proposal, I went over to the mare.
With a low chuckle, Prime Minister Ihsan spoke a few words in Arabic before unclipping her lead line and handing it to me.
“Ameer and Rukia will follow wherever you go until you clip their lead lines on and tell them otherwise. I would be honored to teach you how to handle them and how you can help secure their breed’s legacy. ”
I questioned how horses, who had more of a reputation of taking flight at as little as the wind picking up a leaf, could be so well trained they would follow me around without worry. I supposed the indoor space had something to do with the prime minister’s confidence.
The animals didn’t have many places to go.
I introduced myself to Rukia, stroking her nose and smiling at her interest in me and willingness to nuzzle my hand.
Erik joined me, and he threw himself into making friends with the horses, who accepted his attention without hesitation.
“I feel this may be sufficient punishment for their attempted insult,” President Anas announced, and I spotted a rather predatory edge in his smile. “The cost for us to remove the mines would be astronomical, especially without the assistance of iron dragons.”
My father nodded. “But will they agree to the terms?”
“They will. They will not like it, but we can draw up the documentation today, assuming Prime Minister Ihsan can pass the measures required through our parliament.”
“I will see to it now, and I will return when it is ready and the paperwork prepared. I have a digital copy of the proposal, which is generous and sensible. I appreciate your mercy, Walter. You do not usually show much in the way of mercy.”
“I figured I’d preemptively meet in the middle. There are enough things I don’t like in there to make the concessions I’m taking worth the while for you. It helps I’ve worked with Iraq before.”
“It does,” President Anas conceded. “Please send over the information we need for the visas, and I will make certain they are issued immediately. How will they be entering Iraq?”
“On their wings, of course. Iron dragons are not inclined to waste time. And if you do not mind minor earthquakes for a few hours, it will become a matter of removing shrapnel from the land.” My father shrugged.
“Removing the shrapnel is a minor matter, and we would be pleased to deal with that rather than attempting to remove the mines.”
“Then we’ll leave you to handle the cleanup once the mines are detonated or removed, however the iron dragons deem safest for all involved. I can’t promise how long the work will take, but they will not leave the site until it’s finished.”
“That is fair. We will make certain that there is a government escort at the site so there are no misunderstandings with overenthusiastic law enforcement in the area,” the president promised.
“We shall also make certain they have food, water, and shelter for however long they need to do their good work. Why don’t I show you the stable, and we can offer entertainment for your family while we handle the paperwork.
I see no need for you to deal with further shameful behavior from misguided officials. ”
“Please do be kind to them,” my mother requested.
“Losing so much land to us is punishment enough, especially when they will owe us for their future prosperity. I trust you will take the steps to make it clear dragons safeguard their hoards, and mark my words, old friends, Uruk will become the crowned jewel of my daughter’s hoard—and she will have the backing of both our clans to protect it. ”
“Only a fool gains the ire of both Scaretti and Ramons dragons,” President Anas replied with laughter in his voice.
“I will make certain the relevant people are aware that they are as insignificant as toothpicks when it comes to this matter. It benefits us all. You will bring prestige and wealth to Iraq, and we will all see Uruk treated as she should have been all along. And mark my words: had I been given a choice in the matter, Uruk would have enjoyed the care you will give her long ago. But that was not my choice, nor was it within my power to do—nor was it in the government’s power.
Money is, as always, an obstacle. And for the moment, we will lose the money game, for you will be purchasing an entire empire for your daughter for mere pennies. ”
“How many pennies, precisely?” my mother asked in a curious tone.
President Anas held up two fingers. “I would sell that nightmare for one, but I foolishly used the plural form, alas.”
My father laughed. “Please record the moment those fools realize that they have lost so much of their land and a national treasure for mere pennies. I will enjoy many a night of laughter over how petty pride cost them so much, leaving us to swoop in and do as we wish.”
“Deserved, I assure you. And yes, I shall do as you ask, and I will enjoy sharing their downfall with the whole of Iraq. I can already imagine it, old friend. You will turn two pennies into billions. Dragons for centuries will marvel at this deal and speak of us in awed whispers. You will be remembered for having the sheer audacity to propose such a deal, and we will be remembered for having the sheer audacity to accept such a deal. It is a thing of beauty.”
“That it is,” my father agreed. “Please show us to the stable so you can finish putting those inferior men into their place and begin my daughter’s empire and her future legacy.” With a wicked grin, my father winked at Erik. “And I suppose you can benefit from her empire and legacy, too.”
“Thanks, I think,” Erik replied, shaking his head before giving Rukia more of his affection. “We should have a stable at the resort, and we can fill it with ancient breeds of horses, Kinsley.”
All in all, I felt he had an excellent idea. “We’ll need to get stable cats, and they will be furry royalty.”
My father sighed. “And there the children go, planning their living hoard. Remember, children. You have to visit any and all animals you adopt often.”
I scowled at my father. “They will be paid employees caring for the resort and controlling rodent and other pest populations. Our stables must be free of infestation.”
“Stables is plural,” my father noted.
I nodded. “There will be a special stable for our personal horses, there will be a stable for guests to book rides around the resort, and there will be the breeding stable. There will also need to be a training ground for the horses and land for them to use.”
President Anas laughed. “While I feel we may have lost on some of this deal, we have won in other ways. Enjoy attempting to contain your princess, Walter. Nothing can save you now. I know that look well. All my daughters have it, for I foolishly introduced them to their new equine friends when they were little. She will surely want more, and you will be obligated to indulge her.”
My father waved a fist at the man. “I acknowledge my defeat. When you come to the United States next, do come to Dragon Heights. You will love the antiquities my daughter inherited from the mercury dragons.”
Both the president and the prime minister bowed their heads and muttered prayers.
When finished, President Anas nodded. “I will take you up on that. For now, please follow me. I will make certain to tell the grooms which horses are available for sale should you wish to get a head start on your breeding program. We have numerous excellent broodmares who will produce steady foals perfect for casual riding and resort usage. We keep them for line diversification, and should you purchase more than a few of them, we just ask that you reserve a foal or two for us so we can continue our tradition of breeding the best horses possible.”