Chapter 94 - 92: Everyone Wanted a Piece of Greyhaven

Chapter 94: Chapter 92: Everyone Wanted a Piece of Greyhaven

The first offer arrived at eight in the morning.

The second arrived at eight seventeen.

By nine, Cassian had received eleven.

By ten, someone had offered to purchase the entire northern mountain.

Arin stared at the document.

"Can people do that?"

Cassian rubbed his forehead. "Apparently, they can try."

"Who owns a mountain?"

"The regional government controls mineral concessions. Surface ownership and extraction rights are separate."

"So they’re offering to buy something nobody here has agreed to sell."

"Essentially."

Arin returned the document.

"Tell them no."

Cassian sighed. "Which one?"

"All of them."

"Arin, that’s not how negotiations work."

"It is when you’re not negotiating."

Lucan, sitting near the window with a cup of coffee, smiled.

"I missed this side of you."

Arin looked at him. "You were here yesterday."

"Yes, but yesterday you were fighting a mountain. Today you’re fighting businessmen. Much more entertaining."

The Greyhaven command office had once been a municipal records building. Its windows had recently been replaced, the roof repaired, and the entrance cleared of vegetation. Someone had installed a new sign outside.

GREYHAVEN RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION

Underneath, in smaller letters, someone had added:

PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOUNDER ELYSIUM TO APPROVE YOUR BUSINESS PERMIT.

Arin strongly suspected Tavian.

He had no proof.

Yet.

The problem had begun with a merchant.

Not a particularly important merchant.

Not even a wealthy one.

A trader named Pellis had purchased several crates of damaged mining equipment from a former Greyhaven contractor. Inside one machine, he discovered crystal dust of unusually high purity.

He took it to a Guild appraiser.

The appraiser told another appraiser.

That appraiser contacted a mineral broker.

And somewhere along the way, someone connected the discovery to the enormous steam eruption that had recently shaken the northern mountain.

By sunrise, rumors were spreading.

By noon, those rumors had become increasingly ridiculous.

Greyhaven contained an unlimited Mana Crystal mine.

Greyhaven’s crystals could resurrect the dead.

House Elysium had discovered a mountain made entirely of gold.

Arin was secretly breeding Wyverns to guard his treasure.

Victor considered the last rumor excellent.

"Technically," he said, "you do have a relationship with the Matriarch."

Arin looked at him.

"Stop."

"She brings you food."

"Stop."

"She might accept a saddle."

"Victor."

Lucan nearly spilled his coffee.

At eleven, the first serious delegation arrived.

Six representatives from the Meridian Resource Consortium stepped into the meeting room wearing expensive coats and carefully rehearsed smiles.

Their leader, a thin man named Garrick Voss, placed a leather folder on the table.

"House Elysium has accomplished something extraordinary. Restoring Greyhaven’s infrastructure in such a short period is an achievement worthy of recognition."

Arin waited.

Garrick continued, "However, developing a major mineral deposit requires substantial capital, specialized personnel, transportation networks, and long-term commercial expertise."

"Agreed," Arin said.

Garrick smiled.

Cassian became suspicious.

"We would therefore like to propose a partnership."

A contract appeared.

Arin read the first page.

Then the second.

Then stopped.

"Seventy percent?"

Garrick maintained his smile. "The Consortium would assume the majority of development costs."

"And receive seventy percent of mineral revenue."

"Correct."

"For forty years."

"An industry-standard arrangement for high-risk frontier investments."

Arin turned another page.

"Exclusive transportation rights?"

"To ensure logistical efficiency."

"Exclusive processing rights?"

"To maintain quality."

"Exclusive equipment supply?"

"To standardize operations."

Arin closed the folder.

"No."

Garrick blinked.

"Perhaps we should discuss the investment guarantees."

"No."

"Founder Elysium, with respect, Greyhaven cannot develop this resource without outside support."

Arin leaned back.

"Then Greyhaven can develop it slowly."

Silence.

Garrick’s smile weakened.

"Every month of delay represents enormous lost revenue."

"Whose revenue?"

The question stopped him.

Arin pushed the contract back across the table.

"Your proposal doesn’t develop Greyhaven. It makes Greyhaven dependent on your company for mining, processing, transportation, and equipment. Once you’ve established that dependency, the town can’t replace you without losing its entire economy."

Garrick’s expression cooled.

"That is a rather cynical interpretation."

"It’s written on page four."

Lucan laughed.

Garrick turned toward Cassian.

"Surely the territorial representative understands the financial realities."

Cassian took the contract.

Read it.

Then nodded thoughtfully.

"Actually, I do."

Garrick relaxed.

Cassian continued, "Which is why I would prefer Greyhaven not spend the next forty years paying someone else for permission to use its own roads."

Arin smiled.

The meeting ended shortly afterward.

Unfortunately, the Consortium was only the beginning.

By afternoon, five companies had requested extraction licenses.

Three merchant associations wanted exclusive distribution contracts.

Two Hunter organizations offered private security.

One investment group proposed constructing luxury housing for future mining executives.

And someone submitted a request to rename the northern mountain after himself.

Cassian stared at the last proposal.

"Why?"

The clerk shrugged.

"He offered twenty thousand gold."

Arin considered.

Lucan looked at him.

"Don’t."

"That’s a lot of money."

"Arin."

"Could build two clinics."

"Arin."

"Fine."

The mountain remained unnamed.

The real trouble arrived at three.

Not from merchants.

From Greyhaven’s own residents.

Arin entered the provisional committee hall expecting another discussion about permits.

Instead, he found the room packed.

Miners.

Shopkeepers.

Former residents.

Hunters.

Construction workers.

Cassian stood near the front.

The committee chairwoman, Helena Marr, looked exhausted.

"We have a disagreement," she said.

Arin looked around.

"About?"

"The crystal deposit."

Of course.

A miner stood.

"That mountain belongs to Greyhaven. Our families worked beneath it for generations. We should control the mine."

A merchant immediately objected.

"The mine is under regional jurisdiction. We need outside investment."

Another resident shouted, "And then they’ll own everything!"

"Nobody said that!"

"Have you seen the contracts?"

Voices rose.

Arin sat down.

Lucan leaned toward him.

"Going to intervene?"

"No."

"Why?"

"They’re arguing about their future."

"And?"

"They’re allowed."

Lucan smiled faintly.

Then the shouting became louder.

Arin reconsidered his appreciation for democracy.

Helena struck the table with a wooden mallet.

Three times.

Nobody listened.

She struck it again.

The mallet broke.

Silence.

Helena stared at the broken handle.

Then looked toward Arin.

"Can your workshop make a stronger one?"

Arin nodded.

"Probably."

"Good. Put that on the invoice."

Victor laughed from the doorway.

Helena continued, "The question isn’t whether Greyhaven should develop the deposit. The question is who controls development, who receives the benefits, and what happens if the deposit runs out."

That last question quieted the room.

Arin looked up.

Good.

Someone was thinking beyond tomorrow.

A miner frowned. "Runs out?"

"Every mine runs out eventually," Helena said. "Maybe in ten years. Maybe in a hundred. But it will."

The room became quieter.

"What happens to Greyhaven then?"

Nobody answered.

Arin remembered the original town.

A mining settlement built around Titanite.

When catastrophe struck, nearly everything collapsed with it.

Not because the residents lacked courage.

Because too much depended on one industry.

He stood.

"Can I suggest something?"

Helena looked relieved.

"Please."

Arin opened the city map.

"Greyhaven needs a mine. But it also needs industries that survive without the mine."

He highlighted the restored freight tunnel.

"Metalworking."

Then the road network.

"Transportation and trade."

The southern district.

"Manufacturing."

The old agricultural terraces.

"Food production."

Finally, the newly discovered crystal cavern.

"Mana Crystal extraction can fund all of those. But it shouldn’t replace them."

The miner considered.

"And who owns the crystals?"

"That isn’t my decision."

Several people looked surprised.

Arin continued, "Greyhaven’s residents, its lawful public authorities, and the existing rights holders need to negotiate that. House Elysium will honor its contract. We won’t claim the entire deposit because we happened to discover it."

Cassian nodded.

Helena looked toward the committee.

"Then we establish a public mineral development commission. Independent geological assessment, transparent contracts, resident representation, and no exclusive concession until the assessment is complete."

The miner raised his hand.

"Can working miners be represented?"

"Yes."

"Not just wealthy investors?"

"Especially not just wealthy investors."

The motion passed.

Not unanimously.

But decisively.

Arin sat down.

Lucan smiled.

"Congratulations. You survived another meeting."

Arin sighed.

"Don’t celebrate yet."

At Elysium, a different argument was taking place.

Lyra stood in front of the Civic Exploration Platform blueprint with her hands on her hips.

"Why is there only one children’s room?"

EVE looked at the projection.

"Because the current design has one shared family cabin."

Lyra frowned.

"That’s unfair."

Luna nodded.

"Two people. Two rooms."

"Each room would reduce available storage," EVE explained.

Lyra considered.

"Remove Lucan’s room."

EVE paused.

"An interesting proposal."

Luna nodded seriously.

"He is large. He can sleep in the workshop."

Lucan received the revised room allocation twelve seconds later.

He called Arin immediately.

"Your sisters are conspiring against me."

Arin listened.

Then laughed.

"Good."

"Arin!"

"They’re learning."

"I am your older brother!"

"Then set an example."

"You’re impossible."

"Family trait."

Lucan ended the call.

By evening, the Civic Exploration Platform’s construction yard had been prepared.

Arin returned to Elysium through a secure transport route and found the site illuminated by hundreds of work lamps.

The machine’s foundation framework stretched across an enormous enclosed hangar.

It was not a tank.

Not a mobile fortress.

Although Victor had repeatedly suggested making it one.

It was a moving expedition base.

A vehicle capable of carrying researchers, engineers, Hunters, supplies, and civilians across dangerous terrain without depending on existing roads.

Its hull required Titanite reinforcement.

Its Core demanded independent cooling.

Its navigation matrix needed extensive calibration.

Its living spaces had to support people for weeks.

And every component had to remain repairable away from Elysium.

Arin stared at the unfinished frame.

He smiled.

This was what he had wanted when he first inherited Project Elysium.

Not another throne.

Not another authority.

Something he could build.

Something that would let him see the world.

EVE stood beside him in her humanoid body.

"Construction schedule remains twenty-six days."

"Can we shorten it?"

"No."

"Twenty-four?"

"No."

"Twenty-five?"

"Arin."

He sighed.

"Fine."

EVE smiled.

Then handed him a tablet.

"However, I have completed the crew requirements."

Arin opened it.

Twenty-four essential personnel.

Engineering.

Medical.

Navigation.

Security.

Logistics.

Survey specialists.

He scrolled.

Then stopped.

"Why is Lyra listed?"

"She submitted an application."

"She’s eight."

"Her application includes that information."

Arin opened it.

POSITION REQUESTED: EXPLORATION ASSISTANT.

QUALIFICATIONS: I AM VERY GOOD AT FINDING INTERESTING THINGS.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: LUNA IS ALSO GOOD.

SALARY REQUESTED: SNACKS.

Arin stared.

EVE looked away.

Her shoulders were shaking.

Later that night, Arin returned to Greyhaven’s regional reports.

He expected merchant offers.

Perhaps another mining dispute.

Instead, he found a security notice from Cassian.

Three unfamiliar armed groups had been observed near the northern road.

None had requested access.

None had registered with the local Hunter patrol.

All three had been surveying approaches toward the mountain.

Arin frowned.

"Private contractors?"

EVE examined the images.

"Likely."

"Consortium?"

"Unconfirmed."

"Threat?"

"Not yet."

Arin considered.

He could send A-01.

Could deploy drones.

Could quietly make the groups disappear from Greyhaven’s roads.

But that would only treat the symptom.

The mineral deposit was attracting attention.

And Greyhaven needed a way to protect itself without relying on Arin forever.

He opened the local defense development proposal.

Greyhaven Hunter Corps.

Independent command.

Resident oversight.

Training facilities.

Equipment procurement.

Emergency response procedures.

Then he sent Cassian a message.

Start recruiting. Elysium will help train them.

Cassian replied almost immediately.

Already started.

Arin smiled.

A second message arrived.

We have sixty-three applicants.

Then a third.

Including Doran.

Arin blinked.

Doran was old.

Stubborn.

And had survived twelve years alone in monster territory.

Actually—

"Accept him."

EVE raised an eyebrow.

"Without an assessment?"

"For an assessment."

"Better."

The following morning, Cassian received one final visitor.

A woman wearing a plain traveling coat arrived at Greyhaven’s western checkpoint.

No guards.

No merchant insignia.

No expensive carriage.

She presented identification from the regional government’s Mineral Resources Directorate.

Cassian met her in the administration building.

"Director?"

"Deputy Director," she corrected.

Her name was Ilyana Vey.

She placed a sealed authorization on his desk.

"I’ve come to discuss the northern mountain."

Cassian sighed.

"Everyone has."

Ilyana smiled.

"I’m aware."

"Then you should know we’re not accepting exclusive development offers."

"I’m not here to make one."

Cassian paused.

"Then why?"

She opened a folder.

Inside were historical mining maps.

Old geological surveys.

And a report dated fourteen years earlier.

Two years before Greyhaven’s catastrophe.

Cassian frowned.

"What’s this?"

"An internal assessment that was never made public."

He read the first page.

His expression changed.

The report identified unusual pressure activity beneath the northern mountain.

The same hydrothermal instability Arin had just repaired.

Cassian looked up.

"You knew?"

Ilyana shook her head.

"I didn’t. I found it yesterday."

Cassian turned another page.

A maintenance warning.

Then another.

Then a recommendation to suspend deep mining until a full geological investigation could be completed.

The recommendation had been rejected.

Cassian’s hands tightened.

"Who rejected it?"

Ilyana pointed toward the authorization line.

A regional mining administrator.

A company representative.

And a safety certification officer.

All three had signed.

All three had approved continued operations.

Cassian stared at the document.

For twelve years, Greyhaven’s destruction had been described as an unpredictable catastrophe.

An unavoidable disaster.

Something nobody could have prevented.

But someone had seen the danger.

Someone had written it down.

And someone else had decided the mine should remain open.

Ilyana spoke quietly.

"I thought you deserved to see this before it became another bargaining chip."

Cassian looked toward the window.

Beyond it, Greyhaven was alive again.

Children walked toward school.

Merchants opened their stalls.

Workers repaired homes.

Arin had spent weeks fighting to give these people their town back.

And now Cassian held evidence that the disaster which destroyed it might never have been inevitable.

He closed the folder.

"Does anyone else know?"

Ilyana nodded.

"The Directorate archive does."

"Who has accessed it?"

"We’re checking."

Cassian stood.

"Then we need an independent investigation."

"Agreed."

He reached for his communication crystal.

"Who are you calling?" Ilyana asked.

Cassian looked toward the restored northern road.

"Arin."

A pause.

"Why?"

Cassian smiled without humor.

"Because he’s very good at rebuilding things."

He looked down at the fourteen-year-old report.

"And I suspect he’s going to be extremely interested in finding out who helped destroy them."

Chapter End