Emancipation

[Anastasia]

"If you had hypothetical, undeniable proof?" Rald reasons, "It depends on how far the leadership is corrupted, and if the rank and file would revolt or not, hypothetically."

[Corwin]

"It's best to bring such matters to light whenever possible," Seira voices. "After all, I'm assuming your knowledge had a part in your decision to retire. People should always make decisions concerning their fates based on all relevant information."

It's a similar principle to spreading knowledge on a Prime, and helping mortals understand everything properly. The greedy and the short-sighted may not be affected, but there are all sorts of people.

"His shady dealings is one thing, but might you have conclusive proof that Eligaas is actually part of the Consortium?"

[Anastasia]

"I know but I can't prove it," Rald says, "You'll need to find that yourself. You know who to target, work from there."

[Corwin]

"Very well. And the information on Dis?"

[Anastasia]

"Melcharda," Is Rald's answer, "He lives very quietly on Fire, in a free community of salamanders called Ssslar." A hissing name indeed, "He's an malebranche who had a messy divorce with Baator. He's not the slightest bit reformed, but he's tolerated because he extracted a favor of protection from Imix. He sells information to the highest bidder, and I know he has information about Dis. His information network is good enough that a few mercane houses come to him for purchases."

[Corwin]

Seira nods slowly. "I understand. I'll have your payment delivered to a location of your choosing, now." She had intended to pay with gems, originally, but a some like that in gold coins would surely trouble the owners of the establishment were Seira to summon it here.

"In the meanwhile, would you be willing to lend your expertise on a dimensional travel ritual I've been reconstructing?"

Intention to hit him for the Calley notes research

[Anastasia]

"Winds of Profit will do, it's a few streets down," Rald says smoothly, putting aside his drink. "I could, depending on the project. I'd want an overview before I commit to it - any project enough to stymie someone like you is specialized knowledge."

[Corwin]

"It's specialized knowledge, alright, but in the field of dimensional travel," Seira elaborates, summoning her summary of the purpose of the ritual for Rald to review. "I don't expect an investment beyond a few hours of your time."

[Anastasia]

It's looked at and looked at carefully, "Double the amount in your local bank and it's a deal."

[Corwin]

"Alright," Seira agrees. "The same privacy proviso applies here, of course."

[Anastasia]

"Agreed," Is the answer. Paper is presented as Rald gets to work. As he does Sanzha sips her drink before, "What a charmingly productive meeting."

"Productivity is the world's best aphrodisiac, for it feeds success and wealth from the breast." Rald doesn't look up as he works, "Respect the hero who fights bravely, but honor the soldiers who handle his logistics."

"Temen Pal?" Sanzha ventures, "Or one of those ilk?"

"Mmm-hmm," Rald works away, "His biography motivated me in my younger days. Another good one: Heroism is but another commodity, always in demand but seldom in supply. A mercane who knows this cultivates heroes and trades them, like any other commodity."

[Corwin]

"I prefer an outlook that sponsors the heroes, with the understanding that having more hope in the world is only a good and sensible investment."

[Anastasia]

"Another quote," Sanzha's lips quirk into an amused smile, "The darkness of the heart will pay anything for its desire. Learn to give what your clients desire and want, not what they need."

Rald keeps on working, but pauses a moment. "Heroes are stable investments, but the selfish and greedy are profit spikes. Temen Pal was wonderfully pragmatic. He understood how to play all sides to the best profit. Perhaps he said it best: Opportunity rarely knocks, unless you create it in front of your door."

[Corwin]

"I find myself in disagreement about just how much darkness there is to be found in the heart of the common man," Seira muses. "A lot of missteps can be attributed to foolishness and shortsightedness rather than malice, after all."

[Anastasia]

"On that I disagree," Rald says, "I've seen too much money be made on the malice of others. I've seen spite overturn centuries of profit, hatred incinerate piles of gold in the flames of war."

"Malice...foolishness...both are problems inherent to the mortal condition," Lady Sanzha says, a clink as she places her glass down. With an elegant sweep of her arm she says, "But you know how to make money from everyone?"

"I'd hardly be a retired mercane if I didn't," Rald retorts right away. "In the end, it all comes down to providing what people want."

"Forever and for all time," Sanzha smiles ever so sharply, "Don't you think we could help treat that? The churches of Seira can do excellent work with mind healing."

Rald visibly pauses at that, "It is what I want," he admits, "But what I need is more gold."