Of every way that Raen could have asked for a magical item, Arwin was pretty sure that had been the worst one he could have chosen. It took a force of will to keep himself form letting out a burst of laughter. “Yeah, I’m not agreeing to that,” Arwin said with a shake of his head. “Get more specific. There’s no way I’ll promise to make you just some generic magic item and then have you showing up asking for a city-melter. What kind of item? Why do you want it?” “You can make an item that melts a city?” Raen asked. “I think you may have missed the point,” Arwin said. “And no, I can’t. And I won’t be making anything at all if you don’t tell me what it is you’re looking for.” Not yet, at least. I haven’t exactly tried. Don’t really want to. Nothing good is going to come of making something that melts cities. Raen was silent for several seconds. “What if I promise that I won’t ask for a weapon?” “Specifics,” Arwin said. “I won’t agree to anything else. I could always just say yes and go back on my word, but that’s not how I like to play. If we’re going to work together, then be honest and I’ll do the same. Put your shit on the table or leave.” The Dawnseeker guildsman rubbed two fingers together, twirling a stray hair between them before inclining his head just enough for Arwin to notice it. He let out a small sigh. “I need something that can significantly change an appearance. Permanently, or at least as long as the item is being worn. Something that will last years. Forever, if its possible.” Arwin blinked. That hadn’t been at all what he’d been expecting Raen to ask for. Even though the man had already specified it wasn’t going to be a weapon, he’d fully thought he was going to be asked for something that was basically a weapon in everything but name. If she’s fine with the offer as well… I don’t see any reason not to take it. Getting Twelve’s attention off us and the Infernal Armory is the most important move we can take right now. At the very least, this will give us a potential path forward. “Fine,” Arwin said after several long seconds of silence. “I think I can help you with that. If you really don’t want anything else, then I believe we have ourselves a deal.” Arwin extended his hand. Raen smiled, took it, and the two of them shook. “Fantastic,” Raen said as he released Arwin. “I had a feeling we would get on well. When will you be prepared to go to the dungeon? It is important that we acquire the Dungeon Heart with utmost haste. The Ardent Guild had the same idea we did, which is why they sent for this key in the first place. They’re going to find out that their caravan never made it to the city rather soon, and then we will be on a time limit. It will not take Tironal long to suspect me.” “Won’t he suspect you anyway once we give Twelve the Dungeon Heart?” Lillia asked. Raen’s smile turned cold. “It won’t matter at that point. Complaints only have power when they are spoken by someone with the ability to turn ears. That power will evaporate when Twelve pays us for the Dugeon Heart.” “And what exactly is it that you plan to do when you move into Milten?” Lillia asked. “The exact same thing the Ardent guild is doing? There’s already another merchant family here, isn’t there? The Montibeaus. Are you going to crush them as well?” “Rarely do cities only have a single mercantile guild. Most are not strong enough to monopolize everything,” Raen said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “And Melissa’s family is not powerful enough to interfere with our sales. She will find her space selling what we do not, and we will do the same. My move to Milten is not entirely because of the city. To be frank, its location is terrible. There is little in the way of valuable exports — though I suspect your guild may be changing that soon.” “You don’t care about Milten? What’s the point of all this, then?” Arwin asked with a frown. “The Ardent Guild is the point,” Raen replied, his eyes as sharp as those of a hawk. “We have unfinished business. I move not to advance pieces on my own game board, but to shatter theirs. Business is more than growth. It is also ensuring that your enemies know exactly what you are capable of.” Looks like there’s more than a little unfinished business between the Dawnseekers and the Ardent Guild. Well, I can’t say I’m particularly bothered. The Ardents tried to blacklist us and were nearly the cause of a Dungeon Break. I doubt the Dawnseekers are really all that much better, but at least our relations with them aren’t curdled. “I’ll gather the guild. We’ll all be ready by tonight.” “Prompt. Good,” Raen said with a nod. “How many of your people are fighters?” “All of us,” Arwin replied. “But too many would probably end up causing chaos in a dungeon. We’ll go with six people. Me, Lillia, a healer, a warrior, and two close-range fighters.” “You? You are a smith, are you not? Wouldn’t it be wiser to remain behind? I can provide extra men to reinforce your team if needed, but this is an Adept level dungeon.” Arwin smiled. “I think we’ll be just fine.” “If you’re certain,” Raen said, not sounding particularly convinced himself. He rose to his feet. “Very well. I will arrange for your guide to arrive here at nightfall. Be prepared.” “We will,” Lillia promised. “Best of luck,” Raen said. “I hope for both of our sakes that your efforts are successful.” With that, he swept out of the tavern. Arwin and Lillia exchanged a glance.