Regina Vitola shot me a predatory smile. "As Councilor Asani said, you have been laboring under some false beliefs. I think we can come to an arrangement. I know you are also interested in starting a business – yes, people talk. We have eyes and ears everywhere. This doesn't have to be contentious." It sounded like she thought I actually was eighteen instead of someone who had been dealing with powerful stakeholders for years.

Uros Barno took that moment to finally step in. "Mr. Carver. Terry. This can end with all of us better off. Yes, Velez, her people, and the Kingdom included of course. But you don't hold all the cards here."

Before I could respond, Aleksandra Podlipa raised her hand. "I know you think you have the power with the affinity-changing flower – yes, we know about that – but, more are found the world over every day. While you hold the nearest one, it isn't the utter lynchpin. It's rare but obviously not unheard of."

Katarina looked at me, holding my gaze. "I have enjoyed working with you closely. I want that to continue. We work well together and can save many lives. Yes, and profit. We are all powerful people and that means we'll take advantage. But not at the cost of lives or the city's people."

Surprisingly, Marko Azarov stood. "I know my family hasn't always been your favorite." He paused briefly to some muttering. "Yes, yes, but we can make the most of this mess while helping people out. We can't let minor disagreements get between us."

Good speeches. Even mixing up who talked and their relationship to me. Unfortunately for them, my BS meter is going through the roof. That was far too coordinated. Gordana Babic looked at each person exactly a second before they were going to speak and even mouthed a few words. Need to try to get her into a poker game…

Focus!

What's the play?

Ah, the let them stew. Take the time pressure off from my side, making it clear I'm not in a rush, because it feels like they really are. Make them be the one to give suggestions and come to the table first.

"I understand and look forward to working with you. I know you said this meeting was going to be long but we should adjourn and regroup. There are apparently a number of things I need to be more informed on before we can move ahead together. That said, Steve needs healing and the more we postpone, the more it hurts him, both literally though pain and figuratively as it makes his healing harder and more expensive. So I need a decision on my cut from the rift reward and based on that, I'll see how well aligned we are."

Moment of truth. Let's see if I read this correctly.

The dais went into a brief silence and all were nodding their heads gravely and looking serious.

"By unanimous decree, your reward for the recovery of such a valuable resource for the city of Velez shall be 12.5% of its market value, assessed at 840 gold. The calculation being 20% based on existing delve team agreement of—" Councilor Asani paused and chuckled slightly, "—The Order of the Ever-Consuming Glider and a tax assessment rate of 37.5%, half the rate the others shall pay as recognition for your pain and suffering and exemplary contribution above and beyond what anyone could ask of a Tier 1.1, now Tier 1.2. That value assessment is inclusive of the single use of the skill disc the team elected to take, granting it to you."

12.5% of 800 is 100 so that's 105 total gold. With Tiesa and Jasna's money, I have a lot more than necessary to get Steve's first treatment. Wait, did they just say I get a spell? No, focus on the here and now.

"Great, I need to collect that gold now so I can leave to get Steve healed today. The longer I wait, the more the treatments cost and longer he's without sight, which is confusing and frightening him," I said, heading for the door.

"Uh, let's not be hasty, Mr. Carver. Uh… Terry." Justas Nikolov sounded like he ate a lemon covered in hot sauce and hair at saying my first name.

"Like I said, I think we all need time to get more information. My main goal relative to timeliness was healing Steve and this will take care of the first payment."

Councilor Asani sharply turned towards Councilor Regina Vitola with a look of pure venom and mouthed what I thought were the words for 150.

Language classes paying off. These people all kinda suck at this. What is going on? Did they think I wouldn't have enough to actually get Steve healed? Is this all a double fake? Or are they so used to Lurka having control of the situation that it's usually far more controlled? I guess usually having naysayers and underminers in the room for my presentations prepared me better than a small city Council…

"You can hand your pet to Lurka who will take care of that for you," Regina Vitola said dismissively.

"He's not a pet, he's my bond and is a sentient creature in pain because of the machinations of—" I managed to cut myself off. My plan was coming to fruition, I just had to maintain my cool. Yelling at them for putting us in the situation wasn't going to help.

Katarina held up a hand to silence anyone who thought to speak. "Terry, please let Lurka take care of Steve. He knows how much Steve means to you. And I do too. The little guy is quite important to me. And to Maksim. And not just because of the food bill he's racked up." Katarina was giving me a look that was a bit too transparent of 'I'm on your side' while a number of other Councilors looked non-plussed the second she started speaking.

"Let me hand him off to Tiesa and Jasna. I will have them charge the healing to the Council and will reimburse you the additional 45 gold."

As much as I didn't want to let go of my heartstring puller, mostly because he was in distress rather than useful as a prop for heart-hardened politicians, the quicker he got healed, the better for many reasons.

"Well, call them in here," Nina Asani barked.

"Can't, AAI is blocked."

Rather than unblock my AAI, they summoned Lurka, who brought in Tiesa and Jasna. Upon explaining quietly – but knowing full well the Councilors could almost certainly hear with their superior Tier and probably enchantments in the room – I handed over Steve.

Everything with blocking my AAI was exactly what I suspected they'd do and gave me a more complete picture of the puzzle. The Council didn't want me to have any access to my AAI but didn't appear in any rush. Instead, they seemed desperate to not have the meeting end yet.

'Bingpot!' as Captain Holt would say.

"Okay, you wanted to negotiate. At least have Lurka bring in a chair so I'm not on my feet for the next bell or three. And let's dispense with any remaining pretense at formality or decorum," I said, a smile growing despite trying to keep my face blank.

I saw a few nervous glances exchanged between the Councilors.

I bet I can guess what they're thinking: Well, sodus.

***

After two hours of back and forth, the Council more or less confirmed without admitting that the Affinity Alteration Amaryllis was extremely rare and hard to source. Even if they found one, it would likely be ruined by the time it got to Velez. Otherwise, why wouldn't they have done the procedure prior to my arrival?

It also seemed like Katarina had promised them access to these nebulous new null cultivators without disclosing she didn't already have the Affinity Alteration Amaryllis. While they could try to forcefully take it from Jasna, it would at best sink their reputation with high-Tier delvers, leading to a mass exodus of the few Velez had managed to attract.

And attacking Jasna likely meant a fight with three of the most powerful people in the entire city. That could cause untold damage.

With the knowledge that I was almost certainly the only game in town, either for my own ability to absorb null or for my ability to grant that capability to others, I started pressing more and more.

I was able to secure a guarantee – via contract of course with some rather nasty clauses if violated – that any null essence cultivator I 'created' would mean 50% of any rift reward value and accompanying bounty from nearby cities flowed to me and I would work out deals with the delvers as to our split. We debated for a considerable period about pre-tax or post-tax but settled on post-tax or post delve fee as long as the tax was capped at 25%. This avoided the backdoor deal of any city taxing the reward and any other valuables at something like 99% and then paying a kickback to the Councilors or Velez, leaving me with 50% of bupkis.

Some of my other points of negotiation like a secure potion supply, a new team to delve with, points around the business I was looking to start, punishing Goran, and many more were set aside for the moment as the Council looked into a few things.

I used the city's failure to enforce the terms of the Pitola contract – it was apparently not only Marko and Katarina but had been the entire Council negotiating with the large city and their Adventurers Guild branch – to secure stronger guarantees with outside arbitration clauses. I needed a lawyer to look over the specifics but we had agreement in principle.

The big sticking points were further healing for Steve and who would undergo the treatment to change their essence affinity to null.

"When I spoke to Melandra, she said that one Affinity Alteration Amaryllis equaled three doses and I want Steve to have one of those doses and I want to choose the other two people. And yes, the city is funding the process but we'll sign an exclusive contract for the next three years to only delve on behalf of the city with an outside arbitration clause in case the city is trying to abuse the agreement." Knowing I wouldn't get to choose all three doses, I figured I should start from unreasonable and walk back things I didn't care as much about.

"Yes, but when I spoke to her and her brother, they were quite confident they could get to six doses that would give someone dual affinity with null as the second affinity rather than forcing people to become null affinity," Katarina said, seemingly bored. "We now know from Ratmir's tests that a null affinity cultivator can absorb other essences just fine but no one really wants to switch fully for many reasons."

When did she speak to the siblings about the treatment? Great, she's less trustworthy than I thought. That's what I was missing, the whole Council knew because Katarina thought I was going to give it to her.

"Well, Steve isn't going to be a dual-affinity. I want him to match my affinity as it means our Caps work better together," I lied. "So that probably knocks it down to four doses other than him. Are we sure that will work, giving people dual-affinity or that dual-affinity can handle the amount of null we're talking? Last thing we want is to put all our eggs in that one basket."

Nina Asani nodded. "Yes, I consulted a few top tier alchemists in other large cities about the idea with as much vagueness as possible. They all seemed to think the procedure could work to grant dual-affinity but then we aren't sure how a dual-affinity would work with the level of null concentration we are dealing with. Ratmir is confident but when isn't he?" A few of the Councilors laughed.

Uros unctuous voice cut through the muttering in the room. "Let's go back to where Terry here thought he should control everyone getting the treatment. I know that you know that's laughable Terry. Might as well start from there but we all know it won't end there. What's the concession you want for a more reasonable allocation? Let's go with you choose one of the remaining four doses."

"Why would I agree to that? Especially if we don't know if it will work. It might need two doses for someone to work so I am sodus— very out of luck if it doesn't work?"

"Look, we can't normally pay for healing treatments for delvers anyway so paying for your – let's face it, what the public would think of as a pet – can't go on the town books." Uros shrugged. "I will work and move some numbers around and his next treatment – what did you say Regina, it was 150 gold again? – that will be on me to figure out how to get reimbursed properly. Sound good?" Uros was being surprisingly fair and it was setting me off-kilter.

Why did Regina know the exact cost of Steve's treatment? Seems odd… But need to focus on the questions at hand first.

"Okay, either way, I want 50% of the affinity-changing treatments remaining after Steve to go to who I choose. And even those I don't choose fall under the previous agreement for profit share."

That led to another protracted debate where we finally agreed that all delvers that weren't me or Steve were guaranteed 75% of my take unless otherwise approved by the Council on a delve-by-delve basis. That way I couldn't really hold people hostage by saying they got nothing for delving but I wasn't giving up all my economic interests.

The final agreement on the affinity-changing treatment was that first, the city would pay for the processing and treatments. Second, Steve would get a full change to null affinity. And then finally, of the remaining four doses, I would get to choose two people, subject to approval by the Council, and the Council would get to approve two people.

I pressed them for their choices needing my approval as well but backed off that to seem reasonable and I truly didn't care: I didn't know many people anyway so how would I know who I should block from getting the treatment?

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We went back to hammering out a number of other finer points including taxes on Velez-appointed delves, the economics of working with a different team versus just dropping Vidas since the city had already paid and his actions didn't technically invalidate the contract, creating one banking license subject to some further scrutiny, guaranteed pricing on and supply of healing potions, and a public dressing down and official demerit for Goran.

All in, it wasn't perfect but most of the things I gave on didn't really cost me too much and it all worked out pretty well.

The proof will be in the pudding. I really am not sure how well they'll actually follow through but still.

I exited the meeting room to only Jasna in the lobby, looking bored and slightly grumpy. "I lost rock, paper, scissors to Tiesa so she got to go home and eat while I waited." She handed me Steve who looked exactly the same.

"I thought the treatment would have some visual impact. He looks and feels the same through our bond."

"They couldn't treat him today but there is an appointment tomorrow morning. Lurka let us in on the deal you put together so Tee-Tee and I both reduced our claims on what Katarina – or I guess it was Velez all along – owes us by 25 gold. That means we paid 50 and you get to keep 5 of your 105 gold from your delve reward. Yay." She held her arms up like we were celebrating but didn't modulate her tone at all.

I laughed and she looked slightly confused. I sighed and smiled wearily. "Long meeting, I don't want to talk about it much less think about it. Let's go get some food and talk about anything else at all."

"Hold please Terry. Or Mr. Carver if you prefer." Uros Barno had left the chamber through the 'Petitioner Door' while the other Councilors presumably left through the back of the chamber.

Jasna's eyes narrowed but she didn't say anything. Neither did I but I was sure my face showed fatigue from the meeting and disdain for him specifically.

Isekonsultant Tip to Thriving #22: When approached by a potential enemy, be on your guard and walk away as soon as you can.

Uros didn't even seem to notice Jasna and hiked on his smarmiest smile. "Mr. Carver I guess it is then. I have information you want. Councilor Illeva has not been the best ally to have on your side, which I could have told you, and her lips have been far looser than you probably want or expected. Please, come with me and we can discuss."

"Uros," I started exasperatedly. At his annoying smile, I started again, trying to show he wasn't getting to me. "It's been a long day. No cryptic sodus. Out with whatever you want to say."

"I have a vendor coming into town to do some trades tomorrow. He has a powerful Scanner tool. I know you wanted to learn your Innate Capability. He also has a very capable artificer who can analyze those items you picked up on your little excursion. And I know the ring is a bit strange too." Uros pointed at my hand. "She can analyze everything. I will cover the analysis. Both will take an AAI-backed oath to not share the information, including with me. But I need to discuss further."

We stepped outside the building and my AAI interface returned. [Incoming Request from Unknown AAI ID: Melandra Panov, Mastress of Melandra's Magical Moss and Multiflora, would like to initiate an AAI connection with you. Translation of verbal communication only. Status: Permanent. Accept?]

At mentally choosing accept, another message came through. [Message from Melandra Panov, Received 1 Bell Ago: Ugh, we are finally in this gross little town. The horticulture here sucks. And this inn they sent us to, the food is fine but the rooms are tiny. Get over here and give me the Affinity Alteration Amaryllis so we can get this done with and get out of here.]

I am going to kill Katarina… I can't believe she brought them here without even consulting us. Without consulting me.

"You said you have information on Katarina? And you can take care of my issues? Why should I trust you?"

[Incoming AAI-Backed Guarantee from Uros Barno: 'I, Uros Barno, swear to only tell you the truth to the best of my ability for the next two bells. I will only disclose information you share with me in the next two bells that is not previously known to others to who you allow me to for the next 250 days. I will not knowingly allow anyone to overhear or record the conversation in any way to the best of my knowledge. I will certify this again at the end of our conversation.]

At my shocked face, Jasna put her hand on my arm to steer me away from him. I forwarded her the message.

[Incoming Message from Jasna Zupan: You can't trust him. We can't trust Katarina either but he's a killer.]

Conflicted, I looked to Jasna with confused eyes. She gave me an angry glare, and, more roughly than was necessary, shoved Steve on my head to both our indignant squeaks, shook her own head, and turned around only to disappear quickly.

"Quite the exit that one. I don't think she likes me." Uros shrugged. "Shall we?"

I feel like this is a bad call but if Katarina has been sharing everything, I need to know.

***

[Incoming Message from Tiesa Gogol: You dip-sodus kurac-for-brains. Jasna wants to punt you across the city. And with good reason. I get that you need to know some things but you also need to apologize.]

My AAI interface winked out as I entered the Barno estate, a sprawling grounds but far more modest than I expected. It quickly returned.

[AAI Interface restored. AAI Translation is active. AAI short-range communication available. AAI long-range communication available with monitoring. Connection to Planet Web unavailable without monitoring. Recording functionality unavailable.]

"Sorry about that. I sent word ahead but it still blinks off for a second. As you can see, I treat my guests as fairly as I can. Obviously can't have you recording but you'll still receive messages and can send messages, though my household staff will review them before they are sent out further. Just a precaution that I'm sure you understand."

Starting to regret my decision, Uros placed a hand at my shoulder and began steering me towards the main house, a single story slightly dilapidated building with an oddly slanted roof at a very severe angle.

"And yes, the architecture here leaves much to be desired. I had to buy out a minor noble family when we moved here recently. Though I don't actually mind it, the only thing that needed significant changing was the security. My wife Mina is itching to change everything but I kind of like it." Uros chuckled to himself while I continued to say nothing.

He led me into a study filled with leatherbound books that came in a wild riot of colors. I did not expect bright pink and neon green leather bindings but it at least made the room less drab and foreboding.

"Terry, I'm not sure what you've heard or why we are at odds. I actually wouldn't be surprised if whatever it was is actually true, or at least mostly true. I am not a nice man and also not one to be trifled with. I don't say that as a threat but as level setting. I do what needs to doing. I also do what will profit me the most while painting mostly within ethical lines and certainly within legal ones. I don't hide my true nature."

A servant wheeled a drinks tray in and left with a deep bow. "I'm in desperate need of a drink after that nightmare of a meeting. Do you want anything? I hope you still have that wand of Katarina's." He let out a deep laugh while pouring a mixture of things into a rather large glass that suddenly froze over. He poured the concoction into another glass and took a sip, adding two cherries and sitting down.

"Cart's yours if you want it."

"Look, I'm here. It's been a tremendously long two days. Or I guess basically 24 hours. You're right, I don't trust you. But I'm here for answers, not idle chitchat." I placed Steve on my lap and began gently stroking between his ruined eyes as he cooed softly.

"Interesting that it translated twenty bells in such a way. Oh yes, I know the little one likes to eat, shall I order some food from the kitchen?"

I was going to decline but Steve had already learned the word food and fully woke up, sniffing around.

Before I could say anything, I received an AAI message. [Incoming AAI-Backed Guarantee from Uros Barno: 'I, Uros Barno, am not aware of any plans of myself, my household staff, or anyone at my estate's plan to harm Steve Carter, your bond, in any way, shape, or form. This guarantee excludes a stomach ache from overeating. I will update you if that changes while you are at my estate. This guarantee terminates in two bells.]

Sighing, I nodded. "Thank you, he would love some food. I notice you didn't do that for the drinks."

"You wouldn't take one anyway. You are more concerned about his contentment than your own. It wouldn't have engendered trust to do so after you hesitated. That said, it would be exceptionally stupid to do anything to harm you, at least during this meeting. Not just because of what you represent for the area but also because people know you are here." He smiled but it looked slightly pained.

He took a drink and really stared at the liquid for a second. "I am not the most well-liked person on the Council and, at best, harming you in any way would result in everything I've built here – and am building given how new I am in Velez – falling apart. Doing anything to you here is simply not worth that. It doesn't align to my goals or ethics either but it hurts my interests so I think you will believe that more."

"Why are you being so… open with me?" I asked, truly bewildered by his behavior.

"You won't trust me today but if I all I ever tell you are truths, or at least versions of the truth that are reasonably close to your experience and knowledge, I hope to someday earn your trust. And quite honestly, telling you the truth does little to no harm to me, so why not? Lies are far harder to keep track of than the truth." He shrugged and took another sip from his drink, smacking his lips loudly in enjoyment. "Manipulation is a tool best saved for when it's necessary, not when it's merely fun."

"Okay, I am still not sure of your angle but let's talk. Why did you bring me here?"

There was a light knock and the door opened. Three people wheeled in a large amount of food on carts. Steve began wildly sniffing the air and struggling in my arms as nine cloches were removed to reveal an assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, and a few dishes I wasn't familiar with. I grabbed a plate and piled a number of things onto it, eating some myself before I thought about it.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

I made a second plate for Steve and sat back down.

"To answer your question, Katarina has been a busy little bee. I know you have closely allied with her and, I'll be honest, I didn't think that was the best move. For you or for Velez. She has been a little less than forthright in her dealings with me and I want to undermine her position with you so that I might become your ally too or possibly fully replace her."

"Again, you are saying the quiet parts out loud. It just feels… odd…"

"I know." He laughed heartily, spilling a bit of his drink. Steve batted at my hand to indicate I wasn't feeding him fast enough to his liking.

"Terry. Can I call you that?" At my nod, he continued, "Terry, I think you were dealt a bit of a sodus hand of cards. I'm not going to lie and pretend I want to change that for your sake. But I think we can both see a huge benefit from working together. I have ways to make things better for you that advantage me far more. My rising tide will lift your ship."

He crossed his hands in his lap and made sustained eye contact. "I see that you have reasonable needs and wants that can also serve my greater ambitions. We can find ways that benefit us both, not just me, which I can see is something you work towards. I don't want to use you like Katarina. Well, I do, but I want to make sure you get paid out for it." He chuckled again slightly and got up, filling his own plate.

Crap. He speaks my 'work love language'. The number of times I was almost booted from a room for bringing up 'mutually beneficial outcomes'… Mutual beneficiality might not be an actual phrase but if I ever got a tattoo, it would probably be that…

I want to hate him and I know I can't trust him but that doesn't mean I can't work with him, charming snake that he is. I just have to know the knife is poised to strike my back at all times.

"Okay, you said you had some things specifically for today?" I was trying to not show that I was leaning more and more metaphorically forward in the conversation. And that I was too tired to be eloquent.

"Yes, I wanted to fill in some holes as to the meeting we both just suffered valiantly through. I figure you already know Katarina got in contact with the alchemist and botanist in Pitola and invited them here, correct? They arrived in town during the meeting."

At my nod, he continued. "And you are smart enough to realize she reached a deal without actually securing the flower, figuring she could get you to agree to her terms? Even I thought that was going too far and I hardly know you." He laughed and rolled his eyes. "That woman and her schemes. She was clearly gunning for the Chief Councilor position when it comes up to a vote later this year. I think today sunk her chances for that for good. Maybe even her seat on the Council. I'm not sure how she'll feel about you, whether she'll blame herself or you for her failings. I know you like a good bet so I'll wager she'll blame you. Want in on that action?"

I ignored the question. "You mentioned a few things I don't think you should know. About my Cap and some items. Care to elaborate?" I said, trying to remain calm.

"Before we get to that, I want to make sure you figured out that Katarina was charging all the things she told you she was providing you to the city. I think she even upcharged what you wheedled out of poor Marko!" He slapped his knee. "That was some good negotiating on your part, at least from the retelling I heard. But yes, she hasn't funded much more than a few gold and the food for Steve here. Even her carriage usage and repair charges were egregious."

"And where are you hearing these things?" I asked, genuinely surprised at how well informed he was.

"Why would I tell you that? I still don't know where your allegiances lie but I can assume they aren't with me. Again, ask yourself, what benefits me from telling you that? A little bit of trust at most for burning excellent information sources? That's a foolish trade, why would I make it?"

"Fair point," I conceded and gestured for him to go on.

"So, Katarina played Marko and you to get a few more gold out of the deal. Which, fair play, we all skim, but it was a risky move if anyone ever talked to you about it. Not bringing you in on the grift was a silly decision in my view."

He got up and started walking idly, gently running his hands along books and other décor in the room. "Other Councilors started to get a bit suspicious when your dungeon delve resulted in a bond egg but the tax situation on the delve was so nebulous that no one paid anything. Pitola is extremely upset at the Adventurers Guild on a massive missed revenue opportunity, Pitola and the Pitola branch of the Adventurers Guild are furious with Velez for creating the situation, you somehow have more enemies, etc. Basically, people started looking into it and everything Katarina was doing started to emit a stench so to speak. There was rotten smoke to mix phrases."

"Yeah, I am starting to understand that more and more. But that doesn't answer my question about my personal information."

"Oh, simple. Katarina told the Council. Probably within the hour of finding that information out. She used to be great at fostering her own information network and schemes but seems to have slipped considerably in the last few years from what I've learned. I think maybe she's a bit financially stressed though it's hard to get exact details given I haven't been here long. Putting out insurance contracts on the city walls was extremely risky, though it looks like it might pay off with you."

Welp, one of my biggest allies seems to have been betraying me the entire time… Maybe 'betraying' is the wrong word but I need to process this.

"I will say, we are all obligated to tell the Council about something like the items you picked up at that utterly fascinating facility. Even I wouldn't have withheld that information. Your Innate Capability, we probably are obligated by the letter but not spirit of the agreements to disclose. However, I don't think a single other Councilor would have. Probably not for some silly ethical reason like to protect you but it just wasn't a smart move in my view. Little gain and lots of downside – just looking at you, I can tell she's on your sodus list. But she traded that away for a bit more influence."

"Okay, so you have severely shaken my confidence in Katarina. Is that what you wanted?"

"Somewhat," he replied with a shrug. "But as I said, I think we can work well together going forward. So, as I mentioned to even get you interested in coming here, I have a merchant that I know from The MM coming into town and I can set up a meeting. Tomorrow should work, I'll have him clear out an hour to do your scan and assess your items. AAI-backed guarantee they won't share the information with anyone to boot. On me. What do you say?"

"I say: why? This feels like going a bit above and beyond when, as you said, I don't trust you and have never really spoken with you outside of a few awkward quips at a dinner before today." I was simply too tired to do anything but give it to him straight. Steve took that moment to let out a big yawn and fall asleep in his plate of food.

"I think you can be a real force for this city. A force for what, I'd like to influence. I am betting heavily on Velez. I have some other reasons that I won't disclose but at the end of the day, you get what you want and there aren't really any drawbacks I could see from your perspective. So stop looking me, your gift horse, in the mouth." He laughed then slapped his knees and stood up, doing that universal sign of 'it's time to get the hell out of my house'.

"Can I let you know my decision on the merchant in the morning?" I asked.

"Sure, though I know it will be yes so I already sent him a message. Now, go meet with your friends, I'm sure they're worried I've kidnapped you or something." And with that, he ushered me out, sending his AAI guarantee a second time.

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