"You haven't been forcing anyone to submit to you, have you?"
Muyaun says "No, master, I have been following the rules. There is just a lot more involved in building a nation than I had imagined. When you get to be my age, anything new is fun and interesting."
"Well, as long as you are following the rules, then I am glad that you are having fun. How are things on the land bridge?"
Muyaun says "The demons are still building the road. We have directed as many beasts as we could towards them. They have managed to kill all of them, but not without taking casualties."
"That's good enough. I already knew that we wouldn't be able to stop them. The goal is to slow them down and weaken them as much as we can before we engage them."
Muyaun says "We have certainly done that and will continue to do so."
"That's good, but I hope you don't have all your people deployed down there. I am going to need people good at sneaking for another plan I have."
Muyaun says "Only about half my scouts are currently on the land bridge. The rest are ready and available. What's the plan?"
"We need to gather the other clan chiefs and Leonarr, then we can discuss the plan."
Sarah says "That's not hard. The clan chiefs are here in the city and Leonarr should be at the military base. Should I summon them?"
"Yes, please. I need to talk to all of them together, so as soon as Leonarr can make it here."
Sarah says "I'll take care of it. Anything else you need? If not, I will be gone for a bit while I talk to Aaron."
"That's fine. Muyaun can be my escort from here on."
Muyaun says "It would be my honor!"
Sarah leaves and Muyaun takes over showing me around the rest of the palace. She also updates me on the movements of the demons that her scouts have been able to spot. She then apologizes that her people completely missed the activity on the island.
"Your people have no trade or anything to do with the water. It is not surprising that you didn't think of it. Don't worry about it."
Muyaun says "Thank you for forgiving us. I am trying to figure out a way for us to keep an eye on the coastlines, but it is a lot of ground to cover."
"Yeah, it is. For now, don't worry about it. The island is the only place we need to worry about right now. That is the most likely spot for the demons to try and attack."
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Muyaun says "Alright. I will make sure to send some people to keep an eye on the place."
"Worry about that after this next mission is done. I am going to need most if not all of your people."
Muyaun says "As you command. Well, this is the last of the palace, is there anything else you want to see?"
"We should still have some time before the meeting, is Mason, Pol, or Annya in the city?"
Muyaun says "I know that Mason is here and I think Pol is as well, but I don't know about Annya."
"Alright, take me to Mason first and then to Pol."
Muyaun says "Of course, master. This way please."
Muyaun points out what the buildings we pass are as we walk through the city. Of course, Muyaun leads me to one of the construction sites to find Mason. He is overseeing the workers and he seems to be enjoying himself.
I don't really know him, so we don't talk for more than a few minutes. All I really do is compliment him on the job he has done and invite him to tour the elven city. He seems really excited about seeing a city built by non-humans and rushes off.
I hope that he lets people know that he is leaving and doesn't just run off like I would. Well, as long as he leaves the design plans behind I am sure that someone will figure it out. Next, Muyaun leads me to an area just inside the north gate of the city.
This gate leads to the road to Illium and the area inside it is obviously set up for merchants. It is surrounded by inns and areas for wagons to park while the middle is a large market. Muyaun takes me to one side where a large building is flying my personal flag.
It is only when I see it that I remember I had to create one when I became a noble. I never even used it, but I guess that Pol decided to use it for some reason. When we enter the building, everyone inside stops to bow to me and then someone guides me to Pol's office.
Pol bows and says "My king, welcome back!"
"Hello, Pol. It is good to see you! I have to say that you are looking really healthy, married life seems to agree with you."
Pol says "Oh, you know about that?"
"I was told. Sorry that I couldn't attend the wedding, but I don't blame you for not waiting. Congratulations!"
Pol says "Thank you, my king."
"So, how have things been going while I was away?"
Pol says "Things have been great! We are making more money than I know the numbers for! I have eliminated all the slavers in the Free Union and I have also taken care of all of Pine's allies. The outcasts are prospering like never before and are even more loyal to you now."
"It sounds like you have done great work! I appreciate everything that you and Annya have done for me."
Pol says "You don't need to thank me, I owe everything to you. You freed me and gave me a purpose. Not to mention that without you I never would have met Annya, who you also saved from slavery. Besides, I have found that I really enjoy being a merchant and earning mountains of gold."
"Well, then do you want to continue as a merchant? Or do you want to be a politician?"
Pol says "Definitely a merchant! After dealing with politicians and nobles, I would never want to become one."
"Alright. Then how would you like to open trade with the main continent?"
Pol says "That sounds like it would be fun, but how are we going to do that? We have no way to get there."
"Right now, at the port on the island, is my ship. It can easily make it to Demon Hunter city as long as it is fully manned. However, the elves that were manning it aren't interested in continuing to do so. We will need to find a new crew for it. Once that is done, opening trade should be easy."
Pol says "I can find crew easily enough, but they won't have any skill."
"I had someone convince a few of the crew to stick around to train the new crew. You just need to get them to the ship. Although, we will need more than just crew, we will need to be able to defend the ship. The demonic beasts will attack the ship as it sails past the demon lands."