"So, Mr. Grinverr, how does it feel to live in Gritery?" I ask. It's early in the morning. After checking out of 'Daybreak Inn', we had loaded up the extra goods like food, nails, saws, hammers, and wood onto the cart. And after showing our pass once again to the guard, we had set on our way to the village of Gritery. Right now, we are in the middle of a forest, about 20 miles from Jinoti. Axel and I are sitting next to Mr. Grinverr, who is holding the reins of the horses.
"Oh! To tell you the truth, it's nerve-wracking. We are only ten miles from the Line of Actual Control and if a war breaks out, we will be the first place to fall", he replies back.
"Why is that?" I ask curiously.
"Because other than the LoAC, there is a natural border which divides Huxley and Solumra", says Mr. Grinverr.
"Do you remember the time I had told you about The Old War, Cassie?" Axel asks.
"Yeah!" I reply back.
"Then you must remember the Giant's Canyon, right?"
"Yes. You had told me that it had been formed because of the intense battle between Drazeel and Drakarys".
"Well, that is the natural border that divides Huxley and Solumra. If both the kingdoms had considered the Giant's Canyon as its LoAC, then the village of Gritery would have fallen under the Huxley kingdom. The battle had been so intense that even the river that had resulted out of it, flows in the canyon to date- it never runs out water all year round and it is torrential in nature. The only place where the river remains calm is the Gritery village", informs Axel.
"I see", I say, nodding my head in understanding. "Other than the fear of the war erupting, we are actually happy in Gritery. My wife tends a small vegetable garden while my son is in Zyrof, working as a civil servant", says Mr. Grinverr. I notice Axel's eyebrows rise slightly.
"So, what exactly are you working on, Mr. Grinverr?" Axel asks. I notice that the railway builder hesitates for a moment before composing himself. He says, "I am sorry, Mr. Duncan. Since this is a secret project from His Majesty, I cannot disclose any information to you".
"Come on, Mr. Grinverr. I might look like this but actually, I am related to His Majesty himself. And also, he won't mind if I know about it", says Axel. I look at Axel in shock. As far as I know, Axel doesn't like to call himself a royal. But now, he is using the royal card to get information! If you ask me, that is a sly and underhanded move, but it also means one thing - Axel is onto something. And as I have promised myself, I will trust Axel completely.
"Is it true, Miss Morgan?" Mr. Grinverr asks me.
"Yes, it is true", I say, confirming Axel's claim and when Mr. Grinverr is not looking, I give Axel a thumbs up, to which he nods in appreciation. Mr. Grinverr gives a long sigh and begins, "As you know, I am a railway builder. My task is to build railway tracks. You must have heard the rumors concerning the Huxley and Solumra monarchs trying to form an alliance, right?"
"Yes, we did hear something", I say.
"As Mr. Duncan said before, the only calm stretch of water in Giant's Canyon is right outside Gritery. The Huxley and Solumra have decided to lay railway tracks between the two kingdoms as a form of alliance. The railway line, which will be called 'The Golden Line', will connect the capital of the Solumra kingdom, Crux, and the capital of the Huxley kingdom, Hiola. The materials I am taking right now are to be used for building the bridge across the canyon. About 90% of the construction is done".
"Wait a minute! What about the bridge that already exists?" I ask.
"Oh! That bridge is used by the locals. And I don't see it carrying the weight of 600-ton steam engines. So, a new bridge, which can withstand such a load, is necessary. I am overlooking the railway aspect of it, here", says Mr. Grinverr. Suddenly, the fog starts to set in around us and Mr. Grinverr abruptly stops the cart. Axel gets down from the cart, and walks a few steps ahead of us. I follow suit and walk beside him, simultaneously checking around for anything suspicious.
YOU ARE READING
Romulus : The Rise Of The Demon
Fantasy' I have never seen such a sight before. It was as if the flames were dancing in his presence. It was as if they were overjoyed by him being near them...... Who is he? Is he a warrior who never backs down from a fight? Is he a saviour who would ri...
