No matter how she tried, Enid couldn't keep the smile from her face, so she eventually stopped trying. The legendary Silver City, heartbeat of the most populous stratum of the Dungeon, had turned out to see the Colony go to work, and go to work they did.
Ants were everywhere, forging, chopping, carving, shaping, using their Skills honed through evolution, mutation, and most importantly, relentless hours of experimentation and practice. Around every stall was a small crowd of fascinated onlookers, watching, enthralled, as the monsters displayed their wares and abilities, a brathian merchant close at hand to smile and speak, avarice gleaming beneath the surface.
And it was working. Deals were being struck everywhere. People were walking away with goods tucked under their arms and satisfied expressions, merchants were haggling for distribution rights left and right. In the middle of it all, Eran found her, looking like the cat who got the cream.
"It's all going well, then?" Enid laughed.
"Fabulously," the brathian purred, eyes alight with the glow of gold. "Our reputation has preceded us, and the people are flocking to see what all the fuss is about."
Enid's eyes widened as she finally realised what had been happening.
"You expected Anthony to cause issues at the previous stops?"
By the time they reached this destination, the final and most critical of the trip, word of mouth had done the advertising for them! The crowds around Anthony weren't just there to see a powerful monster up close, they wanted to see the monster who'd done such damage to Greystone, out-pettied the Magpei, and gone undefeated amongst the Folk.
"Well, I didn't expect him to destroy half a mountain," Eran scowled, "but yes, we anticipated that there would be some… activity… that would help to build a little buzz by the time we arrived here."
"You weren't worried his antics would scare people off instead?"
"It was a gamble, and one we thought we'd lost after Greystone. Yet, even that worked in our favour." She looked around at the crowd with satisfaction. "I knew if we managed to get eyes on the Colony's work, then we would be successful. Quality is one thing, but price and quantity have a quality all of their own."
Looking around, it certainly seemed as if that was the truth. Enid doubted the ants, especially Anthony, had any idea just how much wealth they were about to receive as a result of their trade. A flood of cores would flow into their nests, fuelling the growth of generations of ants. Perhaps it would only make a dent against the number of cores they needed, but it would result in thousands and thousands more ants receiving full evolutions.
"You're satisfied with the trip, then?" she asked the brathian leader.
"I think we've done about as well as we could have hoped," Eran replied, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.
"I thought you'd be out there, trading more directly, like you have elsewhere."
The purple-scaled brathian smirked.
"The merchants here know better than to speak with me directly. They'll avoid exchanging words with me like others avoid disease. After my people have settled on preliminary terms, they'll turn negotiations over to me. I can't be cut out of the process entirely, since I have final say on all contracts involving the Conglomerate."
With a sigh, the lead negotiator for her people stretched and sat down next to the older human. Enid scooted over a touch to make space and they both leaned back against the pillar, the base of which they were sitting on.
"I have to thank you for allowing me to accompany the trade mission," Enid said. "It's been… a wonderful experience."
Eran brushed her away.
"Nonsense. You don't need to be thanking me at all; the Colony insisted you should come."
"Ultimately, it was you who allowed it, so I am grateful."
The two traders sat and watched the bustle around them, an island of calm in the midst of the swirling rush of bodies.
"I always loved places like this," Enid said. "There's more exchanged than just currency. Little moments, small interactions, a meeting of cultures, personalities and minds. It's a beautiful thing."
"Currency is enough," Eran said and smiled. "To suggest any different would be almost blasphemous to my people. Though, between the two of us… I do agree with you. I sincerely hope that the Colony is able to survive into the future. I believe that they are peaceful at heart, and will continue to be so."
In the distance, Anthony continued to strike pose after pose, the giant monster flexing his front legs or stretching himself out to impress the onlookers.
"As long as Anthony is around, I think they will be. Without that leadership… I'm not as sure," Enid admitted.
"In that case, let us pray for long life and good health for that ridiculous ant. May the Dungeon be kind to him and his people. I need it to be, since I will accrue tremendous wealth the more time passes!"
"You're giving a fat percentage to the Colony thanks to that ridiculous ant, remember?"
Eran winced.
"I'd rather forget about that, if I'm being honest."
They sat side by side in companionable silence for a few more minutes before Eran eventually stood.
"Time to go and finalise some deals," she announced, a wicked twinkle lighting up in her eye.