“Hello, Pol, Annya. I hope you are doing well. I came by to discuss a few things, although I was expecting you to still be at the island. Athena already filled me in and I agree with your plan.”

  Annya says “Hello, Ash. We have been good, I trust you are doing well?”

  “Yes, Annya, I am doing well enough.”

  Pol says “As always, I am at your disposal. What do you need?”

  “There are a couple of things. First, I had an idea about opening a gate to the southern empire so that we can trade with them. I need you to figure out the kind of economic impact it will have and if it is a good idea or not. Second, the army is increasing at an impressive rate and I am worried about food supplies.”

  Pol says “Opening a gate to allow for trade will have a number of effects on the economy. However, it will quickly adapt and straighten itself out. It isn’t something you need to worry about. You only need to set a fair tariff on the goods that pass through the gate, that will take care of things. As for food, I have already arranged for the purchase of additional supplies. I will also see about purchasing more when we reach the kingdom. Although, if you do create a gate, we should be able to purchase what we need from the southern empire.”

  “Oh, I didn’t even think about that. That will definitely solve the problem. Alright, I will build the gate then as long as you don’t foresee any major problems.”

  Pol says “The economic problems shouldn’t be anything major. Although, there may be issues with security depending on where you plan to put the gate.”

  “I was thinking that I would put it in the new city since that is meant to be a trade city. I don’t really want it in the capital, there might be issues of race.”

  Annya says “That is a good idea. I don’t think the elves are ready for that kind of exposure yet. What about the other end?”

  “I will let the emperor decide where he wants it. After all, he should know where the best place to put it is.”

  Pol says “Sounds good. How long do you think it will take you to make the gate?”

  “It shouldn’t take me more than a couple of hours, honestly. I’ve gotten quite a bit of experience with gates lately.”

  Pol says “Do you plan to make a gate to the northern empire as well? Because if you do, then we don’t need to worry about the crew for the ship.”

  “No, I don’t. I don’t trust the northern empire enough to have an open gate to their territory. I trust the southern empire more and I like the royal family, but even so it is still something of a risk.”

  Annya says “Risks can be controlled though. For instance, you could build an emergency cut off into our side of the gate. Something that can be controlled by someone other than you, since you won’t be around all the time.”

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  “That’s a great idea. I can certainly do that.”

  Pol says “I will assign someone I trust to manage the gate and the trade that goes through it. How big do you plan to make the gate?”

  “Large enough for a wagon to pass through. That is about as big as I think I can make it and still keep it stable.”

  Pol says “Then I would also request that you build in some kind of signaling system to prevent wagons from trying to pass both ways at the same time.”

  “That is a little more difficult, but I will see what I can figure out.”

  Annya says “You should also let Leonarr know the plan so that he can assign security forces and plan for contingencies.”

  “Another good idea, I will definitely do so. I was planning to talk to him anyway to see if any of the new people we have rescued want to join the crew.”

  Pol says “A few more people would definitely be helpful.”

  Annya says “We have just enough to run the ship, but we will be short if anything serious happens.”

  “I will do what I can to find you more people. It is just unfortunate that sailors are fairly rare on the peninsula. I could probably recruit some in the southern empire, but I don’t know how we could trust them.”

  Pol says “If this was a normal ship it wouldn’t be a problem, but Athena is way too special to let people we don’t trust on board. They probably couldn’t learn anything, but it isn’t worth the risk. We will make do with what we can get locally.”

  Annya says “I agree. It’s just not worth the risks.”

  “Don’t worry, we will find some people. If not from the freed slaves, then from the clans about to join us.”

  Pol says “More clans are joining us?”

  “They should be once I visit them. That is part of my upcoming agenda.”

  Pol says “That will be good. Do you know which clans you are going to be visiting?”

  “It should be monkey, ape, and ogre if I remember right. Plus any others that happen to be in the same area.”

  Pol says “Be careful with the ogre clan. They are famous for their combat strength. They won’t submit without a fight.”

  “I know that, but it won’t be a problem. I could beat the entire clan in a fight, it won’t be hard to convince them.”

  Pol says “That’s true. I don’t think there is anyone out there who can match your strength. Except maybe a god.”

  “No, there are still other things as strong or stronger than me. Dragons, some demons, some drakes, and I’m sure there are others that I don’t know about.”

  Pol says “I notice beastmen are not on that list.”

  “Not from the clans that haven’t joined us. Eventually, some of those that have joined us and gone through the process might be able to get to the point that they can challenge me.”

  Pol says “You saying that makes me happy. It means that the future of our people is brighter than it has ever been before. I feel honored that in serving you I have become a small part of building that future.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Pol. You are a large part of this, I couldn’t have gotten to where we are without your support. In fact, as far as things go, you are probably the biggest contributor to our current situation.”

  Pol says “You honor me, Your Majesty!”

  Annya says “No, he is recognizing your hard work. His recognition is proof that your loyalty hasn’t been misplaced and part of what makes him such a good leader.”

  Pol says “I know and choosing to follow Ash is the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. Everything I went through was worth it because it led to me meeting him.”

  “I am glad you feel that way, but because I met you, I am really glad that I attacked that mine.”