Dylan picked up one of the gold pieces, gaping as its weight hit him. The other two followed his example, examining the currency.

"This... this is ancient Imperial gold! If these are solid all the way through, then they're worth - they're worth - a whole lot! Why would you give these to us?!"

[I'm not going to give them to you. Any of you.]

They all look up at me. Good - I've got their attention.

[I am, however, willing to pay you to lead me out of the forest, to whatever city you come from, and convince whoever you need to that I'm not an enemy.]

Dylan tilted his head, curious. The big human looks wary and the cat-woman looks a lot less willing to attack me with gold on the table.

I recall what Kerem said about humans and gold and chuckle to myself. How right he was.

[After that, I want you to take me to Lymphadra, where I will promptly give you all of the gold currently in my possession.]

They seem to think that I have more gold than what I'm showing them, even though both Joule and I know that I don't. Exactly as I wanted them to think.

"That's a tall order, bud." The big one talks directly to me for once, hefting several coins at a time. "I don't know if we can do that."

[I could always wait for the next humans to come here.]

The cat-woman cuts in, impatient. "That might be a long way away."

[I've got nothing but time. I'll just get stronger here, and then work my way there without you, and keep the gold for myself.]

"What would you need it for?" Dylan blurts out, clearly a little flustered.

[I don't need it. But you want it and I have it.]

[Wow. Did you learn this from Noah or is this all you?]

[It's all me. They want gold and I have it, so why would I give it to them for free? Dylan just told me that it's high in value, so I might as well use it for all it's worth.]

[I think I may have underestimated how much smarter you got.]

[Thank you.]

He pauses, conflicted. "Can we talk for a moment?"

[Of course.]

They walk to the back of the room and lean in amongst each other, talking quietly enough that I can't hear them.

I wait patiently. Ants are good at that sort of thing.

Finally they walk back over, and the big one speaks bluntly. "We'll do it. But you've got to promise each of us, by name, that you'll honor your side of the deal."

[I'm an ant. We're nothing if not honest.]

"I'll take your word for it. Now then, promise to us."

[...What are your names?]