Chapter Two: Turning the Soil

The room's jovial mood shatters. A sudden, violent stillness is the only response to your direct question.

A man seated at the far end of the table, as old as you are young, clears his throat with a dirty rattle.

"As you might know, your parents' land - your land, spans a corridor across the realm that separates the warring East and West States. An accord has been reached, and if it is to be preserved, we require certain concessions on the Central State's part."

You sense the man's disdain dripping like a toxic sap. Not only did he not stand and address you directly, but he clearly believes that seeking the allegiance of who he views as a child is an unnecessary formality. He is here to take what he needs, with or without your consent. He also did not introduce himself. His self-assuredness that his reputation precedes him identifies him well enough as Nightshade.

He continues, addressing the room, "We are going to require swaths of land be transferred to each of your neighboring States. One in the South, to be granted to the East State, and one in the North to the West State. These areas are to serve as regulated passageways from one side of the country to the other."

He pauses, clearly pleased with what is undoubtedly his own solution to a tentative peace. He is planning for failure and is looking for a way to safely shut down borders when relationships break down, at no cost to either side.

When you don't respond after a moment he finally glances towards you, seemingly shocked that you haven't immediately become defensive. You give him nothing but your perfunctory attention.

"Now, " he continues slowly, "we have targeted these areas..." he nods at a man standing on the outskirts of the room who approaches to unroll a large map on the table in front of you. Your gaze never leaves Nightshade's face, careful not to give the slightest indication of interest in the paper lest it be taken as a sign of willingness to cooperate.

No matter the logistics, the solution is a non-starter, and the most likely cause of your parents' demise. If the usurped land runs along the northern and southern borders, this cuts off your State's access to the harbors in the South and rich mountain resources to the North. If not, then the Central State would be divided into three parts, eliminating unity and making any one area ripe for overthrow.

A new battle ensues - Gardener versus Nightshade, each patiently waiting for the other's surrender by means of breaking the silence.