Dragon Quest III [ME6]

[Makeshift]

"It is my Grand Design! I am laboring to bend the very laws of beauty and perfect composition to the uses of suffering and tyranny! All eventualities have been considered!"

The nalfeshnee almost shrieks.

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Forgive me," he bows with a smirk, "I wouldn't wish to insult your lordship. After all the aesthetic is indeed heart-stopping. And this is from one who has tread the grounds of many horrors. It's just I can't help but see potential in your realm's location. And I imagine the bones you could peddle coming off of the bloody fields of the blood war... why just think of all the power you could obtain through trade and good relations with the dustmen."

He points to Ikkit. "This goblin businessman can even act as your broker. All we ask is to take a look around for the bones of this dragon."

[Makeshift]

The nalfeshnee sneers.

"Cagers. Rarely are you good for anything else but a laugh and a decoration. But your words are sensible. We may open negotiations. Just as soon as the matter with this..." He hefts the dragon skull. "...Is resolved."

He considers for a moment.

"If you wish to postpone payment for... a later date... I will require... Assurances..."

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"I don't suppose you'd take jink then? Gold if you prefer? The first of many transactions?" He nods at the sensible request. "What assurances do you need my lord?" He adds, "You know we could do the negotiations now and make the exchange at a later date. It would give you time to clear the road of pests. Or we could come back tomorrow and do it for a fee I suppose."

[Makeshift]

"Gold! You insult me! Such gaudy stuff... I will not touch it. If you wish to actually conduct trade with me... Three currencies which I will accepts... 1) Souls, preferably innocent ones 2) Raw materials for my designs and 3) Artifacts of... considerable magical potency."

He licks his lips.

"And as for assurances...."

Hellfire manifests around his right hand, shining in a malevolent red.

"A simple Geas will do... We can discuss the timetables as well... The sooner the better, for me of course..."

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Hmm, magical potency indeed. Very well!" Cyprian nods. "That won't be necessary lord. We can make the exchange tomorrow. With your leave we'll return home, work out a deal with the dustmen's guildmaster, and come back with magical artifacts on the morrow. We can make the exchange, raise a toast to future deals, then take the skull off of your hands. Everyone stands to profit."

[Makeshift]

He wags a hellfire coated finger.

"And do not forget the replacement for my linchpin... It would go a long way for... Diplomatic relations..."

He smiles and the hellfire ceases.

"Marvelous! You may go, with my leave. I shall expect you tomorrow. Do not be late."

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"My lord," Cyprian bows. "We wouldn't dream of missing it."

He'll look to the others if they have anything else to add.

[Akh Uur Hoon]

Akh wouldn't interfere now just as she hadn't so far. This whole turn of events proved to be out of her depth and she was grateful for more outspoken types to have come. She wasn't entirely sure what in fact had been agreed on, but time for clarifications would be found later.

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"Sorry about the tall fellow and the whole... gold and long-term trade business. He got ahead of himself without remembering that we have yet to successfully complete our first transaction. After all, you'd be a fool to deal with us further if we can't complete our first trade satisfactorily."

He shrugged.

"Heroes. What can you do?"