The Twilight Lord by Bertrice Small

Author:Bertrice Small [Small, Bertrice]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

10

“SO GAIUS PROSPERO HAS had his young wife crowned empress of Hetar,” Lara said.

“And Lord Jonah has wed the cast-off Vilia,” Magnus Hauk replied.

They were seated in their small family dining room with Lara’s mother, Ilona, queen of the Forest Faeries, who had materialized in her usual mauve cloud several minutes prior to bring them the news.

“It was disgraceful,” Ilona said, her beautiful face showing her distaste. “Never among mortals have I seen such a show of gaudy and expensive waste. What is the matter with Hetarians that they did not rise up in anger over both of these celebrations? The ordinary folk grow poorer while the magnates grow richer, especially with Hetar’s acquisition of the Outlands.”

“I thought the land was suppose to have been distributed to those willing to work it,” Lara remarked. “Was it not?”

“They gave small plots to those who asked, but then those gaining such land were forced to borrow in order to build shelters and purchase seed and equipment. Vast tracts, however, were parceled out among the wealthy. They have planted large vineyards and produce fine wines. They graze cattle upon it not for milk, but for food, which is then sold at outrageous prices in the markets of The City.”

“Who works the land?” Magnus Hauk asked. “They gained no slaves from their hollow conquest of the Outlands.”

“They have transported thousands of poor from The City,” Ilona said. “They give them shelter and food, both scant I might add, in exchange for their labors. The death rate is high, but the magnates care not, for The City is filled with those willing to toil for food and shelter from the elements.” Ilona’s leaf-green eyes grew misty. “Even I cannot help but feel pity for Hetar’s poor,” she said. “There are so many of them now, my children. Even the forest is being affected by conditions in Hetar.”

“They cannot just bring the poor in to till, plant and harvest,” Lara said.

“Those from the Midlands, from families no longer able to sustain them, are employed to supervise the workers. They are treated just slightly better in that they are paid a small wage,” Ilona replied.

“And those working the fields are not?” Lara was shocked.

“Aye, they are given a wage, but then what they eat and the shelter in which they live is deducted from that wage. Little, if anything remains after that.”

“Then they are slaves,” Lara said.

“Nay, they have the right to walk away,” Ilona responded, “but if they do, then they have naught. They are not even returned to The City. They are driven from the large farms where they have toiled with only the clothes on their back. And the small plot holders will not take them in for they cannot afford to feed them or pay them to work for they are so burdened with debt themselves. Most eventually die on their own and unless someone finds them they are left to rot where they fall.”

Lara’s eyes filled with tears. “Once Hetar was a place of laws and fairness.

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