Shovels In Spades

Daz ran his fingers through Madison's hair while he observed her sleeping face and couldn't help smiling at how adorable he felt she was, snuggling up to him as she did.

"I know we agreed to take today off since it's the start of Semester Two, but really. It's almost noon and you're still sleeping..." Daz chuckled faintly. "If only I could be so relaxed despite everything worrying me."

Slowly, he peeled his eyes off of hers and sighed faintly. "They really left us alone for such a long time..." he muttered to himself.

After his meeting with the Truthian council presided over by Abbot Thomas, the Church of Truth and the kingdom of New Earth had avoided each other like the plague.

New Earth had gained control of four more American states; Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming in the over two months of peace.

Daz now ruled a fourth of the old United States of America, making his kingdom the second-largest entity in the west.

Most other states belong to either The Church of Truth or the Federation of Hope - an organisation ruled by Larry Billard.

Larry being the man who wielded a yo-yo and had decided to foolishly speak out against Pheldorapod during the champion section of the Grand System Auction.

Washington was tightly locked down and controlled by the former president of the US who was suspiciously silent with his people.

Why he was even in that state instead of the District of Columbia - the home of Washington D.C, baffled both him and Rose. Something suspicious was going on there but it wasn't a pressing matter.

North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota were in a state of eternal winter for some mysteriously unknown reason, and not a friendly winter either.

Due to this, none of the four groups ruling the states had laid claim to those lands yet.

Daz pulled up the time and then said, "System, there're only a few minutes left now. I hereby pledge to pay all fines for any of my citizens who have failed to complete their semester goals."