Afterwards

[Iron Dragoon]

'An alliance, first of all. I have a small group of Earth elementals in my city, learning about mortals to better our understanding of each other. I'd offer you the same if you have any of sufficient curiosity and intelligence; mainly to avoid unintentional conflicts.

Beyond that, I'm at war with Shar. I can't call upon an army of elementals, I can only pay soldiers and pay for equipment. It's an unfortunate fact that the mortal worlds run on money and not exchange of knowledge and friendship. An alliance has value, but it's up to you what the value of the integrity of Ash is worth. Make an offer and we'll start there.'

[Anastasia]

'25,000,' Is an immediate offer back.

[Iron Dragoon]

'Per site or in total?'

[Anastasia]

'Per site.'

[Iron Dragoon]

'How many sites? How long is this campaign?'

[Anastasia]

'It is to be determined,' Is the answer to both.

[Iron Dragoon]

'Hmm. Not unagreeable, but there's a possibility of complication. The last site had two champions of Shar. If she allocated two to a single site, she'll certainly allocate more. Or even something else. We can't wage that sort of protracted war on our own, and the fact that you want us to fight them hints that you don't want to divert the resources either.

How about you map out the sites you find, do some basic reconnaissance, and we work together to figure out best deployments? Jarem here is my battlefield commander. He'll be able to bring significant experience to the discussion.'

[Anastasia]

'That is acceptable,' The voice says. 'It is agreed.'

[Iron Dragoon]

'Let me discuss it with my commander and see what he has to say. I won't fully agree until we meet face to face, though.'

Alyssa then sends Jeram a quick summary of the conversation.

[Anastasia]

'He seems focused,' Jarem remarks, 'Think he's telling the truth?'

[Iron Dragoon]

'People only lie when they get something out of it. The only thing he could gain from lying to us is our dying. The only way he benefits from that is if he gets something better at the end of it. So it comes down to: is he working with someone to bait us in return for what he wants. Which is the same for all elementals: Ash to be left to Ash or to expand it further.'

[Anastasia]

'Alright, then go for it unless you think you can get more money out of him,' Jarem says.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods and waits for Archomental to show in person.

[Anastasia]

CLUNK! What appears instead is a thick, large wooden chest. The top pops open, revealing a great heap of platinum coins within. 'For the first, when I need it done,' it declares.

[Iron Dragoon]

This was an empty room, right? Like the guy isn't standing in front of us?