Athel ReturnsThey had just started digging out their new rooms when there was a shout from outside the fort. “Hello!” called a voice that had been showing up in some of Mandy's nightmares lately. “What in the three hells is she doing here so soon?” cursed Mandy as she went to meet Athel.
“Well it is fall.” commented Art. “Though I personally think the dead of winter better suits that woman.”
Mandy cursed to herself, what with the human traders and planning their new sleeping arrangement, she had completely missed the turning of the season. They still hadn't quite replaced some of the cloth goods from their trade with the humans either. A couple of barrels of sunshine would probably cover any shortfall but hopefully Athel wasn't expecting that much from them to begin with.
“Ah, there she is, the mighty Mandy!” said Athel upon spotting Mandy emerging from the back door of the fort. “Oh come now, there is no need to scowl at me like that. We are business partners after all. You keep that up and I may be forced to call the deal off. Can't have a hostile work environment after all.”
After a few unsuccessful attempts, Mandy finally managed to get a grin on her face by picturing Athel being lowered into a pool of carp by her beard. “I'm sorry but I had other things on my mind. We just had another report of slugmen which Akigagak has gone out to deal with.”
Athel shuddered at that. “Oh I can see why you would be frowning. Terrible things. Thank you again from saving me from them when we first met.”
“If you really wanted to thank me you could just go away.” grumbled Mandy under her beard.
“I will pretend I did not hear that. Now why don't you show me what you have done with the place since I've been gone?” said Athel heading towards the door.
Mandy resisted the urge to growl and scurried to get ahead of Athel. “You have already seen the farms the last time you were here.” said Mandy attempting to guide Athel around the corner of the fort towards the trade depot.
“Oh I won't mind seeing them again, especially since it seems you would rather I didn't.” commented Athel with a big grin as she dodged past Mandy and through the door. Mandy, cursing herself for not thinking of locking the door, followed after.
Athel stood next to the sunberry fields with a big grin on her face. “Mandy, you sneaky demon. Where did you come across sunberries? They don't grow in this area. I'll have to insist on taking a barrel or two of sunshine back with me of course.”
Mandy groaned, she had been hoping to keep the sunshine a secret only pulling it out if Athel thought their other crafts were insufficient. Now it appeared she would be expected to make a donation of it.
Athel's grin slipped a little from her face. “Well? I asked you a question.”
“We had some elves wander by.” responded Mandy. “I think they might have been lost.”
“Oh? Indeed? Not likely, I don't think I've ever heard of an elf actually lost in the woods. I think I may have to have a word with some of the rest of the caravan about the importance of secrecy later.” said Athel before the grin re-asserted itself. “Now what about through here?” she asked heading towards the doors by the trade Depot. “Last I was here you were putting up a dining hall if I recall.”
Mandy nodded and led Athel to the dining room.
Athel stood in the room and gazed about. “Not bad for a wood building. But I'll bet you would like some nice stone and engravings instead. Which brings me to my next question. Where is your office?”
“My what?” asked Mandy
“Office. You are the head of this fort, you do have an office don't you?” replied Athel.
“Uh, no. Not really. We just meet in here.” said Mandy a bit non plussed. Having her own office hadn't even occurred to her.
Athel sniffed. “Well that would explain all the scratch marks on the tables. I suppose it will have to do, but next time I want to meet in a real office not your dining room.”
Mandy just shrugged. “I'll see what we can do.”
“Good good.” said Athel taking a seat and pulling out some papers. “Now why don't you sit down and we can discuss what I want you to have next year and what you think you will need.”
Mandy blinked at Athel. “But we haven't even looked at what you brought on the wagons yet! How am I to know what we will need without seeing that?”
“A very good question. Makes it more interesting this way I think.” said Athel with a grin. “Now sit.”
(She's baaaack!)
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Topic: Apexwhips - Convicts at large (Read 24025 times)