Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“Ruling and managing a failing kingdom isn’t a walk in the park, you know.”</span> you began. <span class="mu-r">“There’s all sorts of things that you have to take into consideration. You’re gonna have to make some tough decisions and sacrifices along the way.”</span>
Tossa nodded. <span class="mu-b">“I am aware. But the fact that the inhabitants of my kingdom do not require any food or water works in our favor. All of our agricultural production and water gathering would purely be for the Redskins and the Lost Boys to partake in. They will have more than enough to eat and drink.”</span> she promised.
Anastasia seemed impressed by that. It was a good deal, for sure. Especially when you had subservient people that wouldn’t question you if you told them to farm for food that they couldn’t eat. But this whole plan hinged on the fact that the Redskins would just pick up everything, move into the Black Kingdom and relinquish their independence.
<span class="mu-r">“Where I come from, Native Americans weren’t too big on changing their ways or beliefs because people told them to. Isn’t there anything that I can say or do to talk you out of this?”</span> you asked.
Tossa sighed and placed her hands over her hips. <span class="mu-b">“I’m afraid that neither of us will have much of a say in the matter. Croaker is over there as we speak, building his forces by manipulating and mutating animals. I believe that he intends to attack us once he finally manages to lure out Tick Tock. And once <span class="mu-i">he’s</span> mutated…”</span>
Tossa shuddered and shook her head full of curls. <span class="mu-b">“We need to be ready for when that happens.”</span> she said.
Alarm ran through your group all at once. But the first to outwardly react in any meaningful way was, of course, Peter Pan.
<span class="mu-g">“He’s crazy if he thinks that he can control Tick Tock! It’ll swallow him and the rest of the Picaninny Tribe whole!”</span> he exclaimed.
<span class="mu-b">“That was my thought as well.”</span> Tossa admitted. <span class="mu-b">“But if he truly is powerful enough to bring him under his control, then none of us will be safe. He is already a gargantuan creature to begin with. Once you add Croaker’s ability to the mix…we might not be able to stop him, then.”</span>
Everyone was silent for a long time as they took a moment to process that. This time, you were the first to speak up.
<span class="mu-r">“Let us talk to the Picaninny Tribe before you do anything hasty. I’m sure we can figure something out.”</span> you proposed.
Tossa gave you an assessing glance, and then returned to looking at some faraway thing that you couldn’t perceive.
<span class="mu-b">“Very well. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you, though.”</span> she said, crouching down to sit at the edge of her throne’s seat. <span class="mu-b">“But be aware that after you leave, I shall be closing my borders to anyone that isn’t native to my kingdom. I cannot endanger my people any further.”</span>
You nodded in understanding, realizing that you’d been dismissed. You all turned and started walking away, and the knights were rattling along after you.
