Eran Thouris is beaming like a cat who got the cream. Also the fish. Probably nibbled on a rare and endangered bird as well.

[So it really went that well?]

[Oh yes,] she assures me. [The number of offers we received is modest, but the impression we made was devastating. Once we prove we are able to move the quantity and quality we promised, orders will start flooding in.]

Fair enough, I suppose. On the surface once again, Lakespire is now in our wake as the brathians are counting their gains.

[Quick question. Is Eran your name, or your title?] I ask.

She turns to me, still struggling to keep the satisfied smile from her face.

[It’s both,] she says. [The Eran is the head negotiator for the Conglomerate, which also became my name when I assumed the role.]

[Wait, you have to give up your name to become the head negotiator?]

[Of course,] she nods. [In this position, I am the sharpest blade and the stiffest shield of the Conglomerate. In many ways, my role is more important than that of the Satrap. An Eran is required to be ready to go into battle at a moment's notice and fight to the bitter end. There is no role for ego in someone who takes up such a burden.]

Yeesh. There’s a glint of steel in her eye and I know she means what she says, but I remind myself she’s just talking about haggling. She doesn’t literally have to fight anyone. The brathians take their commerce way too seriously.

[Soooo, can I just call you Eran?]

[That’s fine.]

[Right. So, Eran, where are we going next, and for the love of life, will I be able to stretch my legs when we get there?]

Stuck in the middle of this tub, I’ve barely been able to move for days! If this goes on much longer, I’m going to lift myself up using gravity and I don’t care how dumb it looks!

[We are on our way to Freehill and should be there in another two days,] she says.

[That’s where the Folk hang out, isn’t it?]

[It’s where they… live. They’re a fairly nomadic people, but Freehill is the largest permanent settlement they have. They don’t have a centralised government, as such, but their council meets in Freehill to discuss matters that impact all of their people.]

Stolen novel; please report.

[Oh right. I wonder if they’ve decided if the Colony qualify as people yet.]

Eran frowns at me.

[I’m not sure what you mean.]

[We’ve met some of the Folk before. Found two of them on some sort of training journey and they stayed with us for a while. White and Grey, they called themselves. Helped us out in a pinch. I should probably try and meet up with them if I get a chance.]

Marzban, who’s been listening in nearby, chips in at this point.

[Where did you meet these two?] he asks.

[Up in the second stratum. We were in a tight spot at the time and they really helped us out.]

Do I need to detail the siege we went through, fighting against the Legion and golgari at the same time? I’ll go with no.

[It’s unusual to see them that high up,] Marzban says, arms folded across his chest. [Whoever was being trained must have been fairly young.]

[Yeah, White. Some sort of prodigy, or so I’m told.]

[Do you have any idea what sort of rank your associates were? Grey was the trainer, I think you said? It might be helpful if this person can vouch for us when we set up our stalls.]

[Pretty sure Grey said he was a blademaster.]

Eran freezes and Marzban blanches as I speak.

[What? Is there something I should know?]

Their reaction tells me that something is going on. Thankfully, they’re willing to explain it to me.

[Blademasters are the most respected—] Eran starts.

[—And most dangerous,] Marzban mutters.

[Figures amongst the Folk,] the trader finishes, shooting her brother-in-law a glare. [If a blademaster is willing to vouch for the Colony, then that will help a great deal in legitimising our business venture amongst their people.]

I didn’t realise Grey was such a big deal.

[Alright, that’s good, I suppose. I have no idea if he’ll be there when we arrive, but we can try and reach out, I suppose. He said he was going to try and get his people to approve an alliance with the Colony. Or at least not have them hunt us.]

I consider for a moment.

[What sort of place is Freehill anyway? I’m going to assume it’s above the water at least.]

Marzban fills me in.

[It’s a mountain, same as every other one in the fourth. The Folk don’t live inside it, like your people do, but Freehill is a city that runs around the outside of it.]

[Like… it encircles the whole mountain.]

He nods.

[It’s enormous. The Folk don’t really believe in dense living, so everything is quite spread out, and different sections of the city are usually inhabited by different breeds of Folk. The communal areas are higher up the mountain, and the council meets right at the top… of the city, not the mountain.]

Well, if it’s spacious, then surely I’ll get to move around a bit. Under guard, I’ve got no doubt. Who lets a mythic monster run around amongst your people? Soon to be eaten people. I mean, I wouldn’t, but someone like Garralosh? Doesn’t bear thinking about.

As we speed through the waters of the endless Lake, I can’t help but get excited about the chance to meet some new people, stretch my legs and catch up with some old acquaintances. The Folk are tightly allied with the bruan’chii, so I’m guessing they’ll be more or less happy to receive me and my siblings.

The only real question is whether they’re in need of finely made and well-priced goods.