Gold Mine

They had awoken the next morning early. The moon still shone in the sky. As they got closer to the mountains they saw a number of Villagers head out in one direction and followed them. 

They got into the mountains and found themselves near a mineshaft. Devon and Canagan got work in the mines while Sarina and the others went back to the village to find information.

That evening Devon met them with an excited look on his face. They had made enough to eat well and sleep comfortably tonight and he had news.

"I've found a way in! Where I was working today leads right past Yama territory. I even walked out with the other workers. They sell bits they find there and the mountains pay very well." 

"Did you sell anything there Devon?" Sarina asked.

"Not yet but I do have some I could sell." Devon said as he reached into his pocket and opened his palm. In his hand were a few small nuggets of gold. Not very big in size it would still be fetch some good money.

"Don't do it Devon this can't be good." Sarina replied and the others turned to her puzzled.

"Why the hell not!" Canagan exclaimed barely able to hold back his emotions. " We finally find a way to Rudina and you want us to rather leave it. I'm tired of feelings and strategy, the enemy won't expect me to charge in either." Canagan said as he got up and stood beside Devon.

" That's exactly what they will expect Canagan. Please you must see reason." Sarina tries to calmly convince him.

"I'm sorry I'm not waiting here making others rich. Tomorrow I go into the Yama lands and I find her. You can sit here and wait for me if you like " Canagan says a little softer and then leaves the room.

+++

Rudina happily eats at a rabbit she caught for dinner. Hunter had tried to find her since the trail. The look on his face had been priceless. The Yama had given her the strength of stone and the ability to master the mountains. 

She stood perched on a rock. Hunter stood at the bottom snarling threats. She was rather comfortable and he had no way to get to her. For now she was safe but at some point she would have to try and get home. This was her first meal in nearly two days and she knew next time it might take longer. 

She climbed up the mountain to get a better view. Hunter had left to set up camp and would watch her every move. She was just human and had no abilities without Canagan. Hunter was an Alpha and a frightening one at it.

She didn't know if it hurt more to know that he had turned out just like everyone else or, the fact that perhaps he had always been. If he could say that he loved her and turn on her so quickly. What else was he planning? 

She could sneak off and they to get out of here or she could 'co-operate'. If she could get Hunter to believe he had won then she could catch him unawares. The problem was that she had a notorious for being unable to lie. 

+++

Canagan dislikes conflict and stood where the mountains had been dug to past the border. He tried to decide if he was afraid or if this really was a bad idea. All he could think was that he needed to find her and see her. He needed to protect her the way he should have. Even if this wasn't wise he couldn't just sit here when he could be making things right!

"Devon I appreciate you showing me the ropes but I don't you to get in trouble for me." Canagan spoke as he put a hand on Devon's shoulder. 

"I can't let you go alone. Besides if I have to listen to one more mining safety speech I'll lose it."

" That may be true but as much as I want to find Rudina, Sarina knows what she's talking about. If you could really make as much as your friend says, he wouldn't still have to work. No we go back and figure out another way. "

When they return to camp they decide to go see The Yama to tell them of the way people sell gold on their lands.  

" If you can put a stop to this." The Grand Yuma spoke to the group. " Then we will grant you passage to find your family member." " Thank you Grand Yuma." Sarina said as the fix spirit left. She walks over to Canagan with a smile. 

" You did good kid. You could have made a judgement based on emotions alone but, you thought it out and trusted your pack. You may just be alpha material yet!" 

Canagan just smiled back. He didn't enjoy being made the centre of attention.

" So what's the plan then?" Canagan asked to get the eyes off him.

" The best plan is often to just let nature take over. Canagan you will go with your gold and sell it." Sarina began

" Wait what the hell mind game are you playing? You tell me not to go, then you commend me for not going. Now you want me to go do it anyway... What?" Canagan said feeling as though his head would explode.

" I'm sorry Canagan I know this is confusing. The thing is now we have The Yuma on our side. They know of this plan and no consequence will come from them." Sarina explained as she tried not to find his discomfort amusing. 

"And then what?" Canagan asks.

" Don't worry about that, if you don't know then you will look surprised." Sarina said putting a hand on his shoulder.

" I'm not sure I like not knowing. It's OK though I trust you." He said as he got Devon and they returned. When they reached The Mountain Lands it wasn't long before they found a merchant. Canagan took a deep breath as he focused on what he was supposed to say. 

" I'll give you a hundred for the lot." The merchant says and starts to count it out.

"No." Canagan said.

" What do you mean no? That's the price boy. Take it or leave it." The merchant says, clearly annoyed.

" I'll leave it and you can explain to your boss that you lost out on gold." Canagan replied band felt his heart leap into his throat. Sarina had said that he was to complain about the price and see the boss. " Or maybe I should just go see him myself." Canagan finishes his lines and waits.

The merchant stares at him a while and then offers them a better price. They know it's too good to refuse. They may not have met the boss, but they did confirm there was one. The next step would be to offer something unique to get him interested.

" You have a deal." Canagan says and takes the money. " Tell your boss I have a rather...large sell on my hands. If he wants to talk, I'll be here tomorrow." The merchant looked at them with narrowed eyes.

" What kind of big sell?" He asks as he licks his lips. The man looking reptilian in his greed. 

" The rose gold found only on the grounds of The Yuma Village." Devon says wanting to get in on the action.

" It's impossible to get that gold. Don't waste my time boy." The merchant says and turns to leave. Devon takes a sizable chunk of rose gold from his pocket and holds it up. The merchant rushes over to examine it. Devon doesn't let him touch it and holds it out of reach.

" Tell your boss to come see us here if he wants even more of this." Canagan says and walks off. Devon joins him and they share a smile. So far this was going exactly bas Sarina said it would. 

They returned to tell the group their news and to decide the rest of the plan. They would see the boss and only the boss. They didn't have the luxury of playing this out slowly. They had been here for almost four days now. They had no idea where or how Rudina was right now. They had to make this plan work first time, and if it didn't there was no plan B. 

The next day at the same time as yesterday, they met with the merchant. He would take them to see the person in charge. 

" It's a big honour to meet the boss lady. She doesn't normally give people the time of day. Be it as girls like them sparkly things, go figure." The merchant rambled on as they walked with him. Canagan and Devon exchanged looks. They hadn't expected the boss to be a women. As they walked a little further they rounded a corner. The surprise was even bigger when they realised that they knew her!

.