"Okay then," (Patreon)

I blurted abruptly as I pulled a small sack of gold out of my Elfintory.  "Here's some petty cash you can use to persuade Lysander to come talk to me."

"But sir, Lysander is unreliable," Vernier protested.  "He betrayed Duchess O'Daisies, his best and most dangerous customer, for a paltry sum.  He would not make a good ally."

"That actually indicates to me that profit may not be the only thing that motivates him.  It's an admirable and interesting quality.  Besides, I'm not entering into an alliance with him right away.  We're just going to discuss a business deal.  Now, off you go."

"But, but," Vernier stammered.  "Don't you want to hear my theory about why you have such a weak spot for lowfolk femmes?"

"Next time, next time," I insisted.  "You have a pressing mission back in town.  Now scoot!  Some of you Ixies, see to it that she gets home safely, then return to me."

As soon as Vernier left, I addressed the trees:  "Tell Ash I said .. hello to you too."

There was a rustling as the forest relayed my message, and a few minutes later a reply came back:  "Ash Marten says LOL whats up?"

I sighed with mixed surprise and disappointment upon hearing this.  Did it mean he was a Vulpitanian?  Or was he merely a simpleton?  No .. he of course must be pretending to be a simpleton - but why?  I already knew enough about him to be sure that wasn't the case, and furthermore he KNEW that I knew.

Fine, I would play his game for a little while at least, just to see what would happen.

"Tell him I said nothing much, how about you?"

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