The Ultimatum

“I say, this went well,” Senka remarked as she leaned back in her chair once the door to the adjacent room closed behind their hosts.

Vivian sighed as she took off her glasses, placed them on the table and rubbed her eyes. “This was always a possibility. If we hid the more depressing aspects of things, and they later found out, it could lead to tragedy at worst and at best a ruining of our working relationship. I just wish there was a better way we could have told them.”

“Ripping off the bandage was the only way it could have been done,” John said, reaching over to rub Vivian’s back in support. “I’m not sure there is a good way to broach the subject of a guild killer running around.”

“We’ve done all we can, I think,” Verida added. “There’s only so much we can do to secure this deal. At the very least, we’ve given a presumably strong group the head’s up that foul things are about. If Phantom Reach is still around, it’s good to bring their evil to light.”

“Enemy of my enemy as a consolation prize, huh? Better than nothing I suppose,” John remarked before he looked over to the door. “The suspense is going to kill me.”

“I should have mentioned that there would be a chance they’d have to step away to formulate a response to our offer,” Vivian said, putting her glasses back on. “And with what we dropped on them, I’m sure we’re going to be sitting here for a while.”

The words had scarcely left Vivian’s lips when the door clicked open, causing all of them to straighten their posture. Vel led his party out of the room, their expressions giving nothing away of their decision.

‘That was far shorter than I expected,’ Senka remarked.

‘Yeah. There’s no way they could sort through everything we dropped on them that quickly,’ John thought. Then, something struck him. ‘Time dilation is an option listed as something I can do with my barriers. They could have something like that in there.’

‘Certainly a handy feature,’ Senka thought.

The dwarf led party retook their seats in dominating silence, a tactic John assumed was some kind of intimidation move, that was slightly diminished by Lara needing to hop up onto her seat and levitate up to be level with Vel and Gin, and by Lita failing to keep from looking like she wasn’t sure why she was even here.

‘Kind of feel sorry for her,’ John thought privately of the tall cat girl. ‘Kiera would be doing the same if she was actually here.’

Vel cleared his throat before he began, causing John to quiet his thoughts.

“You’ve certainly given us a lot to think about,” he said, his tone painfully neutral. “And we’re sorry to have to say that a full decision is something we cannot make without consulting the greater clan first. However, that does not mean we don’t wish to enter into a contract.”

“We did drop a lot more than a job offer on you,” Vivian said. “It would be reckless for anyone to jump in right away after learning about that.”

“Indeed.” Vel nodded. “Now, it is our opinion that working with you is in our best interest so that’s the position we will be advocating, but we can’t make any promises about what the remainder of the clan will say.”

‘Well, it’s not a wholesale rejection. We’re now in the hands of people we’ve never met and who might not have the business sense to see how good a deal this is.’

“Now,” Vel continued, “there is something you can do that might sway some. Prove to them that you’re interested in more than just employing our skills to dig up your raw resources.”

“You speak of an alliance?” Vivian asked.

“At this moment, nothing so binding,” Vel answered before his eyes turned to John. “I’m sure you recall meeting my son, Tok?”

The corndog eating dwarf immediately came to John’s mind and he nodded.

“Well, we have been planning a sort of coming of age ceremony, an old clan tradition,” Vel explained. “And per my son’s request, it is a trial to showcase his prowess in combat, to prove his worth as a fighter. This opens up an opportunity, as another old tradition exists for when assessing the quality of another requires a display of their merits.”

“You intend for us to join your son in his trial?” Verida asked.

“If not that, then a separate one can be arranged with little difficulty,” Vel clarified. “But I’m sure my son will be amenable. In either case, you would be wise to equip your chosen representative in the best gear you can fashion or obtain.”

“So not only a show of our valor and skill, but also what material wealth we can bring to the table, either by access or association,” Vivian said.

Vel smiled at the redhead. “Very astute. Now, there is one other thing we request of you. If we are to work with you, we need some reassurance that the Order will come to our aid should we need it against these guild killers. Seeing one of them standing alongside you, and one of us if Tok’s up for it, would go a long way to smoothing over old assumptions.”

Vivian cast a glance at John and Verida before saying, “We’re fine with such a test of our mettle, but we can’t speak for the Order’s opinion or willingness to participate. The most we can offer is to tell them of the situation and to get in contact with you for more information.”

“That’s all we can ask of you,” Vel said.

“We’re not expecting you to be able to bend their arm,” Gin spoke up with a chuckle. “If they were that easy to twist, they wouldn’t have the reputation they do. Or even be around anymore. Got to give them credit where it’s due, they are resolute in their views.”

“That they are,” Vivian agreed. “I can’t say how long it will take them to get back to you, either directly or through us.”

“I imagine if they’re serious about the issue you brought up, they’ll be quick to get things settled, one way or the other,” Vel remarked. “And if they are slow to respond, like I said, Tok’s trial is only the path of least resistance for us. We can produce a suitable showcase for you to make your case with little effort.”

Vivian nodded. “If that’s all, I think it’s time for us to take our leave and contact the Order about your offer.”

“Sadly, that is all we can do at the moment,” Vel said, his tone solemn. “I will ask if we can keep the samples you’ve presented to show the other leaders of the clan.”

“That is acceptable,” Vivian replied. “We didn’t expect them to be returned anyway. If they can help build trust in our organization, then do with them as you please.”

“How gracious, free samples,” Gin joked, dispelling most of the heavy atmosphere that filled the room.

With no more to be said, both parties bid each other goodbye and Tamia escorted them back outside. With one final farewell, she returned to the barrier, leaving them at the doorway.

“I think it went well,” Senka said as they began towards the car.

“Well enough,” Vivian sighed. “We still have the chance for this to work, but it’s going to rest on whether we can convince the Order to undertake another group’s cultural trial and currently unknown clan elders to make things work out. There’s a lot of places where things can go wrong.”

“Let’s hope these leaders are less dogmatic than the goblins,” Verida said softly.

“Given their focus on business, I think that’s more likely,” Vivian said.

“I didn’t get the vibe they’re antagonistic to the Order, so that hopefully means there’s not bad blood between them,” John added. “If the Order meets them halfway, then I’m sure we can work something out. If not, then I’m sure we can find someone to work the mines eventually.”

“I choose to have hope the Order’s sense of duty will keep their pride in check,” Verida remarked, her tone seeming to grow more weary. “I do have to say I’m glad it didn’t take much longer. I’m not sure if Kiera can keep up my manifestation for much longer.”

“You guys don’t need to keep it going anymore, if it’s causing issues,” Vivian said as they reached her car.

Verida shook her head. “Kiera wants to try and hold it until we get home. Says it’s training.”

John shook his head and smiled. “Just don’t push yourself too hard, Kiera. Working yourself to the bone’s not going to be good in the long run.”

Somehow, Kiera’s embarrassed blush bled through their combined state and colored Verida’s cheeks. Or maybe Verida herself found John’s concern endearing and the blush was her own. He wasn’t going to press the issue.

Instead he let his thoughts move to what their next steps would have to be. Even if the Order wouldn’t play ball, there was the chance that Clan Baz would still want to evaluate their commitment. And that meant undertaking the trial. Alone.

The question of who to send wasn’t a cut and dry one. Aeolia was no doubt their most experienced fighter, but she was a dedicated sort of combatant. A handful of skills honed to a sharp edge but limited when on her own or against something that hard countered her. That was the truth for most of them. John had to admit that he was the most flexible among them, between Observe letting him gain info most wouldn’t be able to gain, Evocation giving him a wide variety of effects he could call upon and the **** multiplier of having Senka, Candle and his elemental spirits at his disposal.

‘Not sure how I feel about having all this on my shoulders, but it’s not like it’s the first time,’ he privately thought. ‘First it was with Teri’s elders, then it was the Order, now it’s the dwarves. Guess that old saying about having greatness thrust upon them holds water. Great.’

Being a leader of a growing faction of magically gifted people, some of them not even human, was not something even his wildest dreams could have conjured up. He never thought he’d be anything special. And now he was at the center of so many things and he had no real training in how to deal with them.

He took a breath and centered himself as Vivian began to drive. “So, how are we going to tell the Order?”

“I’ll call Ramirez and give her everything we have,” Vivian answered. “And I’ll stress how getting the dwarves on our side will help us get raw materials out of the ground and into the market or into the production of goods. If they want the tribute they require from us, then they’ll have to step up to grease the wheels.”

“I’d throw in something along the lines of ‘it’s good to have outreach with a group of killers roaming around’,” Senka chimed in. “Tug on their heartstrings a little.”

“Not sure how well that will go, but that’s one of the arrows in the quiver,” Vivian sighed. “I’ll need some time to work out how I’m going to sell this, but I won’t take more than a day. Strike while the iron is hot and all that.”

“And maybe in that time, the dwarves will get back to us and say the Order’s involvement is not needed,” Verida remarked. “That is, I admit, an outside chance, but who knows how their other leaders will take things.”

“We won’t know until we try, so worrying about how the cards will fall isn’t going to help us do anything but work ourselves into knots,” Vivian said. “What we can do is brainstorm how we’re going to prepare and who’s going to represent us.”

“If we’re going to start fielding suggestions now, I believe John’s the best equipped to do so,” Verida said. “Your versatility alone makes you well suited for this task.”

“You know, hearing someone else think that makes me feel less shitty about going down that line of thought myself,” John sighed.

“It’s a testament to your character that you considered how it would look to put yourself above everyone else,” Verida said with a fond smile. “Your pride has not outstripped your humility.”

“Or my well developed imposter syndrome." John chuckled. “Sometimes it’s still hard to fully wrap my head around how I’ve changed since my birthday.”

“It’s hard to fault you for that.” Senka lightly laughed. “I’m not sure many would adjust to such a culture shock well.”

“I can think of a few who would let the magic go to their heads and blunder their way to their doom,” John said, his face grimly set. Even as horrible as people like Frank and Vanessa were, he did not wish them ending up dead at the hands of the likes of Phantom Reach.

“Well, if it means anything, that you’ve faced those trials and made it here should also stand as a testament to your resilience,” Verdia remarked.

“Don’t forget about the loads of luck I’ve had,” John sighed. “If Aeolia hadn’t been tracking that Bill bastard, I probably wouldn’t have made it past day one. I did freeze when those vine hounds attacked.”

“Then you decided to throw a hunk of plastic at one to take the pressure off her,” Senka said. “Wasn’t luck there.”

“That’s fair,” John admitted.

“Whether by luck or choice, you’re here now. That’s what matters,” Verida attested. “If that path has led you to being a leader, then do not shy away from that task when we’re ready to stand beside you.”

“Right,” John said, his nerves over being thrust into this position abating somewhat. “Guess I’m the guy then. Unless someone back home has another idea for who should represent us.”

“I doubt that anyone will have a problem with it,” Vivian remarked. “Unless someone wants to throw a curveball.”

John’s phone chose that moment to ring in his ear, a single chime signifying a text message. He quickly summoned his phone and checked it.

My sister just showed up. And she’s saying something about us making a workspace for the gnome dude.