Oreal stared blankly for several seconds before his eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, "You're serious?"
Brisso nodded, "Absolutely certain. His Majesty's decree is with me."
Oreal, struggling to contain his excitement, asked, "So, how much must each slave pay for their own freedom?"
Brisso patted his arm, "There are no fees, no limits, my friend, everyone will be completely free."
Oreal's heart pounded wildly, but he looked at Brisso suspiciously, "You're not here to stall for time while an army is on its way to Port-au-Prince..."
"I swear to Jesus," Brisso replied earnestly, "no plot, no army. The slavery in Santo Domingo is history."
Oreal confirmed several times over until at last, he was no longer doubtful. He began to frantically cross himself, yet found himself at a loss for words. The dream he had fought for decades had suddenly come true.
