"Who are you? Guards!", shouted the biggest Atol wearing an armour. He also grabbed the spear behind his back, and prepared to fight. I replied "Calm down will you? I'm here to talk with you, for now". Another Atol dressed in elegant robes, asked "What do you mean 'for now'?". But before I could answer, the guards from downstairs arrived, and drew their weapons.
I said "If I wanted to kill you, you would be dead already. You obviously have no idea who I am, but he knows", then pointed at the third Atol from their group. It was Ulon, the guy I met a few years ago, when I visited Apium. He taught me how to plant all the herbs. He was the one who I left to take charge after Florin. Ulon looked at me, and said "I.. I don't know you… We never met!". I replied "Yes we did. You took Florin's place thanks to me". The shock on his face was evident, while the Atol dressed in robes exclaimed "It was you who killed Florin? Guards! Kill that man!".
I released both of my Auras, which enveloped the whole building. The guards behind me stopped, unable to move any further. The others especially Ulon, dropped to the floor. Only the Warrior Leader was not affected that much. 'He must've broke through his Half Step. Otherwise, he would have a hard time too' I thought.
I said "I don't have the time nor patience to deal with your games. You have no clue what shit I had to go through, just to get here. So don't test me". Warriors Fraction Leader asked, "What do you want Human?". I replied, "Why didn't you send more warriors to the frontlines?".
The Craftsmen Fraction Leader replied instead, "It's none of your concern!". I was done. I walked over to that Atol and grabbed him. "Boom", I smashed my fist into his face, and dropped him to the floor. He was much more sturdy than I expected, even though I didn't use my full strength.
I continued, "Let me make this clear. If Eterians win, you will be doomed either way. Maybe you will have a choice of death, or become slaves to them. Not a great perspective for the future eh?". The Warriors Fraction Leader replied "I know that, but these two blocked me from making any actions. They think, if we sit this out, we will actually win big time". 'It seems the Warriors Fraction Leader is not pleased too. He is a warrior after all, war and battles are his purpose' I thought. I was satisfied with the warrior guy, but the other two? Useless.
I asked "What do you mean, they blocked you from sending help to us?". He replied "That is due to the ancient law, it must be obeyed. In simple terms, there are three Fraction Leaders, and all of them have votes. If the two vote against one, he or she has to oblige". I said "And I assume, Ulon simply voted against it?".
He replied "Of course. He is more of a puppet to that bastard, than a Fraction Leader. Florin wouldn't vote for this, she would fight the war". I replied "Florin is a history. She would do anything to gain power here, I found that out first hand. If you think she would be any good, you would be wrong. Either way, we need people at Sedon. Things don't look so great anymore".
Craftsmen Fraction Leader picked himself up, and grumbled "What do you mean?". I replied "Arangard fell. It was attacked, and sustained great damage. Sedon is in ruins too. The Royal Army left, which means they are much more vulnerable. You on the other hand? Sit on your asses, and claim to be our allies?". No one answered anything, therefore I continued "Do you think I would come here, if the situation looked great? You are welcomed to be selfish now, but when the time comes, you will pay a much bigger price".
The Warriors Leader stepped in, and said "Now do you see? Did you think sitting here will help us? These people consider us allies, and our greatest enemy the Avians, already perished. We need to help the Allied Armies". But the Craftsmen Leader still opposed "No! We can have a vote on this, but you will do nothing against our laws. You can't turn away from our ancestors!".
The Warriors Leader seemed to struggle, so I stepped in. "You can have a vote then. Ulon, you will vote in favour of the Warriors Fraction, right?". Ulon just stared at me, but didn't answer. The Craftsmen Leader accused me, "You are trying to threaten him! A stranger has no deal with our own laws. You have no say here". I didn't pay him attention, and looked at Ulon. I saw a glint in Ulon's eyes, the same glint I saw in the past. He decided, but I wasn't sure what. Ulon said "Let's vote then". The Craftsmen Leader replied "Right! Very well, let us vote, and decide this once and for all. We will vote for and against. The question we will vote on is: Are we sending our own troops to help Sedon? Those against it, raise their hands now!". He of course raised his hand up, but Ulon didn't.
The Craftsmen Leader's face change, he asked "Ulon? Your choice?". Ulon replied "Those who vote for, raise your hands now!". Ulon raised his hand. The Warriors Leader was so shocked, he actually forgot to raise it. Ulon cleared his throat, and the warrior finally woke up to raise his hand too. I said "It seems this has been decided then".
The Leader of Craftsmen exclaimed "You threatened one of our people! This vote is invalid!". I replied "Did I? I never pulled my weapon on anyone. I didn't make any threats either. Just because you don't like the outcome, that doesn't mean the vote is invalid". The guy fumed with rage, and still maintained I influenced Ulon. I said "I have an idea. Let's have another vote. The question is: Should I dispose of the Craftsmen Fraction Leader? Raise your hand, if you are against it".
The Craftsmen leader replied "Insolence! You have no say here Human!". I looked at the Warrior and Ulon, then asked "I can dispose of him, if you vote for it right? It is the law after all". The Craftsmen Leader shouted "Guards! Arrest this man!". But the Warriors Leader stopped them, and said "Stand down. Return to your post". The Craftsmen Leader replied "You! You are corrupted! Both of you are corrupted! People will hear about it!".
The Warrior replied "No one will kill anyone here. But, you lost and that is that. I had to deal with it as well, don't accuse anyone here". The Craftsmen Leader stuffed it, and didn't say anything else. I on the other hand, had a few more things to say. "We need craftsmen too. Sedon walls needs to be repaired, and they are not craftsmen". The Craftsmen Leader laughed loudly, and said "Good luck then. None of my people will leave this place". I replied "You can vote on it".
I could see his rage almost exploding. They did vote on it, and he lost again. I expected more insults and whatnot, but he just smiled, and said "Fine. You can take anyone who agrees to go by their own free will. If you try to threaten them, they will instantly not go. Those will be the rules". I replied, "That is fine, I will not drag anyone with me, against their will". He just laughed, and asked "Is that it? I must return to my Fraction now". Their meeting ended, while only the Warriors and Floral Fraction Leaders stayed behind.