“Have you [Analyzed] the ship yet?" Borala whispers to Orlan.

“I have not,” Orlan says but does so immediately.

The Entylamo (Exalted):

Created by the most knowledgeable master of mana and magic, this airship warps space inside, so it is far larger inside than outside and can support hundreds of people for long-term habitation. It sports powerful weaponry and armoring the likes few in the world have ever seen. Powered by a strong reactor and mana-gathering capabilities, this airship can put up a fight equal to all but the most powerful beings. It can hover indefinitely and fly at near the speed of sound in times of need.

It can fly?!

A chill creeps down Orlan’s spine; an Exalted ship like this would be able to single-handedly break past any siege. What do walls mean if the enemy can just fly over them? Plus, it can hold hundreds! That can be a small army of their best warriors who can attack any place in the city, or even directly target the palace itself.

Now Orlan understands why they waited for the completion of this airship. It’s a show of force, a warning that they are much stronger.

“What do you think?” Orlan asks Borala, the Grand Marshal, for her expert opinion.

“I do think they want peace. If they intended to invade, they wouldn’t show their hand. I [Analyzed] their guards; they aren’t all that impressive. I think they are compensating for that. Regardless of their reasoning though, the ship itself is a formidable threat that we cannot contest.”

Alysara did say that they are craftsmen, but she remained mostly vague. Could it be that her secrecy is because they are not a people of warriors?

Orlan examines a few of the guards around the elders, seeing they are mostly between levels three and four hundred with a few who are over four hundred. Experienced warriors for sure, but not what he’d expect for elite warriors which should be deployed to protect their elders.

Unless they sent expendable leaders. Orlan ponders, but he just as quickly discards that idea.

It would be stupid to do that. It might work if they need some of them to survive and report back, that would explain why there are so many, but Alysara can fill that job easily. Not to mention, if she is here, that should be all the more reason to send their best warriors. Alysara is undoubtedly one of their best people; even if the elders are expendable, she should not be. She has proven she does not need to be here in person, so the fact that she may be means they don’t intend to fight and risk her life.

“Let’s begin the negotiations; we have a lot of people in the airship eager to see the city and sell their wares.” Alysara translates for another one of their elders, who had introduced herself as Mara.

They certainly don’t waste time. Normally these things take a few days, but it seems the Runalymo culture is to get these things over with as soon as they can.

Mara looks like a retired gladiator, with her well-built body and long black hair pulled back in a tail.

Speaking of tails, Orlan can’t help but notice that Alysara is unique even among her people, not just that she has three tails, which is definitely a rare race evolution, but in how long they are.

Now, with others of her people that he can compare her with, Alysara somehow stands out even more. Not in appearance, but in everything else. It’s like she’s the equivalent of the Grand Healer of Helikan, who Orlan had only met once before.

The healer nation, Helikan, is a far away country on the other side of the land, and between them is the Forren Kingdom. It’s impossible to request their aid or or even knowledge for Alysara’s anima problem, due to these challenges. This is why he never mentioned it when Alysara asked; but with that ship of theirs, they can easily visit Helikan, and perhaps he can ask to ride with them. Then he can ally with the healers and make a deal to attack Forren.

If anyone can heal Alysara, it’s the Grand Healer; perhaps he can negotiate a trade and gain more knowledge from Alysara, but that will be for after the negotiation with the elders.

“Of course,” Orlan replies. “Follow me to the city hall where we can begin negotiations.”

Alysara has previously negotiated for security, but now Guklaro and the other elders are asking to buy a ‘trade hub’ or a market square in the city, a place where their craftsmen can set up shop and sell their wares.

“Having a consistent place every time we come here will make trading much easier for everyone. Your people will know where to go, and your security efforts can be concentrated in one location,” Alysara translated for one of the numerous Elders.

Orlan has a difficult time remembering all of their names, but it seems like they had given this a lot of thought, taking into account not only their interests but his as well.

However, he can’t just give in to all of their demands; it will set a precedent that they can just ask for whatever they want. A little pushback is needed, even if he agrees with their argument.

“What do you think, Orlan?” Governor Torn asks.

“If they want to buy land, they should be considered land owners and be subjected to taxes, the normal merchant rate.”

Torn and Borala nod in agreement, but Governor Kara asks Alysara a question.

“They plan to set up a market square in every city?”

“Yes,” Alysara nods, her tone and demeanor indifferent; however, her tails seem a little more active now.

“And how often will the market square be occupied?” Governor Kara asks.

“The current plan is to be here for a month before going back home and changing out people.”

“That leaves you about a week for each of our cities every month.” Kara says before turning to her fellow Governors, “I’m not sure they can afford normal merchant taxes, at least for the first few years. A one-time purchase for the land should make it profitable for them.”

“A week is all they need to sell their wares,” Borala argues a counterpoint. “Once word gets around, and we can help with that if need be, people will be swarming the market square to buy their wares. Given the exotic nature of their products, they will be able to sell high. The tax rates for merchants and licensed businesses is fifty-three gold coins per year, or about three gold and eighty silver coins per month. Don’t you think they will be able to make four gold in a week?”

“Borala is right,” Governor Torn says, the old man nodding to Borala's argument. “I suspect they will be able to make as much as fifteen gold.”

“You miss the point,” Governor Van finally speaks up. His sister has been quietly whispering to him, giving him her perspective on the issue. “It’s not just how much they make but that they will have to pay that for all the cities, and that will add up and cost us more than it will cost them.”

“What do you mean?” Orlan asks, looking quizzically at the large muscled man.

“Goodwill,” Van answers. “While our laws say that all land owners must pay taxes, didn’t Alysara tell us that is a foreign concept to them? They will not like that. They gave us what they saw as a fair trade; they buy the land and even considered our needs in our duty to protect them; subjecting them to this may even offend them and cost us this valuable opportunity, and at worst, drive them to neighboring nations.”

“You make a strong argument,” Governor Torn says after a moment of beard-stroking thought. “Consider me convinced.”

Orlan is naturally drawn to getting the most value out of something, considering he is gold Bonded, but that doesn’t consider the psychological part of trade; reputation is often more valuable than money. If Torn can go against his law Bond, then he can go against his gold Bond. Bending the law and his own personal desire for the future of the country is far more important.

“Very well, we agree to this deal,” Orlan says to the elders.

After that, they had to discuss where to build the market square, but the Runalymo have thought ahead and brought the building materials with them; the only thing they need is a location. The negotiations go smoothly and end after a few hours.

As The Runalymo turn to leave, Orlan gets Alysara’s attention.

“Alysara, I have some information that may help you with your Anima problem” Alysara’s ears perk up. She turns around, her tails still, waiting for further information.

“The healer country, Helikan, should have some information on anima. The person you should first seek is their Grand Healer, Lanya; if anyone can heal you, it should be her. I can introduce you to her, but there’s one issue; the Forren Kingdom lies between them and us, which means we’ll need your ship to get there.”

“I take it you want to come with?” Alysara asks.

“Yes, I have business with them; unfortunately, the war is in the way of that.”

“Thank you for the information; I’ll ask the elders to allow you on the airship,” Alysara says, bowing elegantly in gratitude.

Orlan gets the impression that Alysara is a little relieved at his information, although she hides that well.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sentaro Klaman waits for the Vocana Governors and Runalymo to leave the room before he teleports onto the hill overlooking the city. He feels the split-second flash of Alysara’s perception as he drops his stealth to vanish from his spot.

She’s improved. Klaman smiles as things have just started getting interesting again. The efforts to replace the lost spies have paid off.

He would love to get a closer look at the Runalymo ship, but that would alarm the powerful scryer.

He doesn’t want to simply kidnap her, that won’t be a good idea. He needs to build relations with these new people. He needs Alysara to willingly secure the Emperor's bloodline, but… does it have to be her? No, there are others that have the mark of the true Lunaleyan Lineage, those with royal blue hair, but Alysara is the only one Klaman can sense that is worthy to be Empress.

That’s not even considering her world notifications which makes her even more desirable for the role.

“Helikan, huh?” Klaman mutters. “Perhaps it’s time to call in a few favors.”

He teleports to the Helikan capitol, Yuasan, and directly to Lanya’s office. He feels Layna’s and her guard’s perceptive fields but pays them no mind. The guards instantly rush into the room to protect the Grand Healer, but fall to the ground as their legs vanish.

“Stand down,” Lanya says calmly to the two guards whose legs are rapidly regrowing.

“Lanya! It’s been too long!” Klaman says as if seeing a long-lost friend. Lanya, however, does not look pleased. Her green eyes are serious as always, and her long silver hair shifts as she looks up from her desk.

Lanya looks like a young woman in her prime; however, Klaman knows that she is just as old as he is. She has yet to reach the power of a legendary being, but due to her healing prowess, she still managed to find immortality through healing her age.

“You always bring trouble; go away,” Lanya says almost in a bored tone.

“I bring great news!” Klaman playfully counters.

Lanya sighs and leans back in her chair. “Well, spit it out then; I don’t have all day!”

“You will soon have a very important customer! A young woman with three tails, Beauty bonded. Whatever she asks, give it to her, and I will pay for it; all I ask is that you redirect her to me and let her know that the Empire is her benefactor.”

“It’s rare for you to take interest in someone,” Lanya remarks.

“Well, she has two world notifications now; how can I not be interested. Plus, she has the mark of the true Lunaleyan Lineage” Klaman smiles gleefully.

“That one, huh.” Lanya smiles devilishly. “And what if I ask for something you cannot pay? Such as information on the skills she has mastered?”

Klaman frowns. “You owe me, Lanya. Remember the werewolf incident? That cursed being almost annihilated this city and could have converted thousands into beasts.”

It is Lanya’s turn to frown. “I remember all too well; we have since forbidden such research.”

“Good, then consider that debt paid if you do this and help me to have her become my Empress.”

With that, Klaman vanishes from the Grand Healer’s room.