"What is it you want?"

I tilted my head and smirked at her, "Whatever could you mean?" I did not at all try to portray actual question.

She glared at me slightly before taking a deep breath. "You have been avoiding any offer I make, yet you have still assisted me. So what is it you want from me?" Isabell seemed on edge for the first time since I had met them.

I clicked my tongue, "That's because all of your offers are veiled attempts to control me. " She grimaced as I said that, making no attempt to cover herself. "I hope we have reached an understanding in that regard. I am not a pawn to be used, I am one of the people sitting at the game board. So, I expect any future negotiations to be far more in my favor, yes?"

Her voice waivered as she responded. "Yes."

I gave a nod, a sinister grin spreading across my face. "Good, then is there anything else you wish to discuss?" She paused and considered before shaking her head. "Then you may go." She left without a word, Isabell looked between me and Millana a few times before quickly moving to catch up with her.

"Was that necessary?" I turned back to Oliver in response to his echoing voice. "I feel you may be being unreasonably hostile."

I considered for a bit before shaking my head. "Unfortunately I must disagree. Lana challenged me to the duel, and I was not aware of how strong that spell would be. I care not for those zealots, as not a single one of them actually wanted to follow me. And Millana needed to understand that I am not someone she can use. Otherwise, my future endeavors in these lands would have been far more difficult."

"Your future endeavors?" I could sense his confusion.

I held up my finger, "Ah, yes, I haven't told you. I plan to start a church here."

He shook his head, "I doubt that will work well, with Lana and all."

I wagged my finger, "That's precisely why I performed that duel, to assert the truth of my lord's divinity, so that they will be unable to deny my right to construct one."

He considered my statement for a second. "I suppose so, but they can still give you a very hard time."

I shrugged, "That is among the things that I will have to deal with. My god has marked these lands, so I shall work upon them."

He looked at me to question my statement, but was interrupted by Norman speaking up. "Dinner shall be served shortly, may all my children please proceed to the dining room with their chosen companion." I watched as the groups broke up, each having their leader walk out of the room with one member of their following. I could see Millana going with Isabell, 'Hmm, it seems this may be it for my time here.' To interrupt my thoughts, Norman approached me. "If you would wish, you may join us." He gave a nod and I bowed in response before he walked off. He spoke over his shoulder, "And you may bring the knight as well."

I turned to Oliver, "You hear that? We're part of the big leagues now." I gave him a soft elbow before walking after them. Oliver hesitated for a moment before following as well.

He caught up with me as we walked down the hall. "What did you mean before?" I turned to look at him with a confused expression. "You said your god has marked these lands, what did you mean?"

I put on a hesitative act, seeming to consider before I spoke, "My lord has imbued a large region nearby with his own power. It will greatly increase the land's fertility and growth." He seemed pleased with this, but I continued. "But, rampant growth could very much have an ill effect. I need to maintain these lands in order to save a lot of lives. Therefore, I need a church in this city, or else it may not survive."

We stood in silence for a few moments before I hesitatingly patted his shoulder and began slowly walking forward. Oliver stood staring at where I had been for a great amount of time. Once I had reached a far area of the hall, he seemed to snap out of it and rushed to catch up with me.

It was at the moment he caught up that we reached the corner, turning to see the dining room.