Empress Atesh says "That is fine. I wouldn't mind another daughter. Besides, we can always try again. Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me."

"You're right, I don't, but you are welcome. Hm, do you have a piece of jewelry that you always wear?"

Empress Atesh says "Yes, this necklace. It was my mother's and I never take it off. Why?"

"I am going to enchant it so that you cannot be poisoned again. It should also make sure that any children you carry stay healthy."

Empress Atesh says "Oh, thank you!"

It only takes me a few minutes to enchant the necklace and hand it back. Then we leave the room and the emperor immediately hugs his wife and asks how she is. As they are talking, we return to our seats and our interrupted dinner continues.

Despite the break, the food comes out hot and fresh which makes me feel a little bad for the chefs. Considering the time we took, they obviously had to remake everything from scratch. Then again, they are cooking for the emperor so they probably won't complain.

Emperor Amn says "So, I've been thinking about it, but I can't come up with a good enough reward for what you did tonight. Is there anything that you can think of that you want?"

"Not really. Honestly, you don't have to worry about it. It may be a big deal to you, but it didn't cost me anything."

Empress Atesh says "It may not have cost you anything, but it is a service that no one else could have done. That kind of thing deserves a reward."

Emperor Amn says "If you can't think of anything, then I will just go with my thoughts. First of all, is there a way for us to contact you again once you leave?"

"Yes. I can leave you a communication amulet. You will be able to contact me even when I return to the peninsula."

Emperor Amn says "Good. I am going to scour the entire continent. I will find every remaining elf and get them no matter what it takes. I am also going to sign a treaty of alliance with you. From this day forward the empire is allied with your kingdom. Your enemies will be our enemies!"

"While I will gladly accept any more elves that you can find, the alliance might not be a good idea. You see, I have made several enemies on my journey, including the Magic Kingdom and several gods."

Emperor Amn says "The Magic Kingdom is no threat to us and our gods don't really get along with the other pantheons anyway. I appreciate your concern for us, but I have already made up my mind."

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Empress Atesh says "I fully agree with my husband, but I am rather curious as to why the Magic Kingdom is your enemy. Normally, they keep to themselves and look down on everyone else."

So, as dessert is being served, I tell them about Lin and her situation in the Magic Kingdom. Since it is basically a love story, the Empress is completely enthralled. While I am at it I tell them about the delegation, since it might come here looking for me.

Emperor Amn says "If they do come here they will get a nasty surprise. Our Protector has blessed the borders, any foreign entities who cross are weakened. The delegation will find that their magic is weakened once they cross the border. Although, I am willing to bet that even without that, our mages are better than they are."

"That's odd, I didn't feel anything when I crossed the border. I am pretty sure that I haven't been weakened in any way."

Empress Atesh says "Maybe that is what drew her attention to you. After all, it is not normal for an angel to descend and act as an escort for someone."

"That's probably true, but I didn't try to do anything. I just flew over the border normally, I didn't even feel anything."

Emperor Amn says "I am sure that the goddess would be depressed to hear that. I think the worst part is how casual you are about it. It is almost like you are used to causing gods distress, which is slightly terrifying."

Luckily, before I have to answer that, several attendants come in with the alliance documents. The documents are surprisingly simple since there are no conditions to the alliance. The emperor and I sign both copies, but there is a problem, I don't have a seal.

In the end, I just create one to use right now and then throw it into my pouch. With that, I am now an ally of the southern empire, not what I was expecting. The emperor has already sent word to the border, if the delegation arrives they are to be rejected.

If the delegation reacts badly, the border guards are allowed to deal with them. The emperor doesn't seem to care that this might start a war, he really isn't worried about the Magic Kingdom. Before I forget, I make the emperor a communication amulet and add a few extra enchantments.

"Now that we are allies, call if you have any serious problems. Even if I am on the peninsula, I will be able to return here fairly quickly."

Emperor Amn says "I will keep that in mind. We may not be able to respond as fast, but if you need help we will do what we can."

"Actually, I can leave a platform here. It would allow me to open a gate easier. However, your mages are not allowed to mess with it."

Emperor Amn says "Alright."

Empress Atesh says "That's perfect. In that case I expect an invitation to your wedding. After your story I really want to meet Lin. I think she and I probably have a lot in common."

"Sure thing. If we didn't have so much going on right now I would bring her here. Maybe once things are settled down on the peninsula I will bring her here for a vacation."

Empress Atesh says "That would be delightful!"

After getting their agreement, I make a platform with some added defenses. For now, I leave it in the emperor's suite, they will move it once the new palace is complete. We spend a while just chatting before we say goodnight and I return to my suite.

However, there is someone waiting outside my suite, someone bearing the symbol of the merchant group. Apparently, Zachariah asked the local branch to deliver me some materials. Unfortunately, this branch doesn't have any rings, so the materials are outside.

When I follow him outside I see wagons unloading hundreds of crates. It would seem that Zachariah asked them to provide me with all the materials that they can spare. I am guessing he thought of this to avoid having to come up with the gold for my share of the profits.