However, if possible I would prefer not to have it affect me or my kids. I really want to discuss it with Lin, but not in front of Zachariah, so I will have to wait. Luckily, Almort returns before I drive myself insane with frustration from playing with the spell.

Almort says "Alright. The council has accepted you as a visiting king and recognizes you as a diplomatic entity."

"Okay, what's the bad news?"

Almort says "Surprisingly, there isn't any. I explained that you were just visiting and not acting in an official capacity and they accepted it. The council members all expressed an interest in meeting you, but they didn't mention any public appearances. That might be because I explained what you are, as best as I could."

"That sounds too good to be true. It makes me suspicious."

Zachariah says "Actually, me too. The council isn't as bad as most politicians, but they still play politics."

Almort says "Right, but for whatever reason the council was more interested in your map than in you. However, I was asked to ask you a question, but it wasn't by the council."

"Then who was it?"

Almort says "I was asked by the ambassador from the northern empire."

"Oh? What did he want you to ask me?"

Almort says "He wanted me to ask if you knew anything about the destruction of the pirates, since you came from the east."

"Oh, yeah that was us."

Almort says "It was? Really?"

Zachariah says "You destroyed the pirates?! That's great! Thank you! We have lost so much money because of them!"

Almort says "You and every other merchant in the north. The council will probably be grateful just for ending the complaints. What was annoying for us was a major problem for the empire. I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to give you some kind of reward."

"That would be fine. I just hope they don't see me as a threat that needs to be eliminated."

Zachariah says "Even if they do, they won't try anything while you are in the city. They can't afford to violate the treaty."

Almort says "That's true. I am fairly sure that it won't come to that. The benefits of befriending you outweigh the threat you might pose. Although, just to be safe, anything you can do to highlight those benefits would be a good idea."

"Did you have something specific in mind?"

Almort says "No, not really. After all, I don't even know what you are capable of. The simple answer would be to do something with your enchanting, since you are far beyond our enchanters."

"What, like the rings? I can only make those with very specific materials."

Zachariah says "Materials that are expensive and hard to come by."

Almort says "No, not the rings specifically. Just something that only you could make. Something to prove just how valuable of a friend you could be."

Lin says "Well, this is Demon Hunter City, so why not make something for fighting demons?"

"Yeah, I could probably do that. Almort, can you get me any knowledge and spells that the association has for demons? Zachariah, can you get me examples of weapons designed for fighting demons?"

Almort says "Normally, that wouldn't be allowed since you aren't a member. However, I think I can swing it once word spreads that you destroyed the pirates. That is going to earn you quite a bit of goodwill."

Zachariah says "The weapons are easy, we have some in stock."

"That should allow me to make something better. The question is, would that be enough to discourage people from wanting to dispose of me?"

Zachariah says "It would, but it would need to be something you could produce a lot of. Just one or two weapons wouldn't really make a big difference."

"That shouldn't be a problem. Especially if you can get me a quantity of unenchanted weapons so I don't have to make them myself."

Zachariah says "No problem. We have a number of blacksmiths who work for the group."

Almort says "Alright. Now that that is settled I should probably go report to the council and the ambassador. Then I will start working on getting you access to our information on demons."

"Thank you, but if I can ask, what's in this for you? I doubt you are doing all of this just out of friendship with Zachariah."

Almort laughs and says "That's true. What I get is prestige, being the one who introduces you will benefit me. In fact, if this goes well I might just be able to join the council the next time one of the members retires."

"Okay, good. Knowing your motivation makes it easier for me to trust you. No offense."

Almort says "None taken. I am an adventurer, so I actually hate all the politics. Unfortunately, in order to get on the council where I might be able to change things, I have to get involved."

"Understandable."

Zachariah says "Does that mean you want to know my motivation as well?"

"Do you have any motivation besides profit for your group?"

Zachariah says "Well, no, not really."

"Then I already know what I need to know."

Zachariah says "I guess so. So far, all my group's interactions with you have been of benefit to us. That's why I want to continue doing business with you."

"That is why I can trust you. I know that you will always act in the best interest of the merchant group. While that won't always mean going along with my plans, it at least is predictable."

Zachariah says "Does that mean you are going to leave the sale of these new weapons to my group?"

"Of course. You are providing the weapons, so you already have a stake in this deal. Besides, I don't see a point in looking for another partner when I already have one I can trust not to try and cheat me."

Zachariah says "Excellent. Are you going to want your share of the profit in gold or in materials?"

"Materials, please. Especially if you can find me more of the mana rich silver."

Zachariah says "I should be able to. Clairette told me that it was useful to you so I already instructed her to look for more."

"Good. Thank you."

Zachariah says "Of course. You are an important client. It is only natural that we attempt to find what you want the most. Doing that gives us a stronger bargaining position, it is just good business."

Almort says "Okay. It sounds like you don't need me for the moment, so I am going to go report in."

*DONG**DONG**DONG*

"What's that?!"

Almort says "That is the city's alarm. We are under attack!"