"An array of that size will take months to set up, and calibrate correctly," The leader lifted his blade, and laid it across his knees.
"I'd be able to set the crystals in a few weeks myself if I focused solely on that," I shrugged my shoulders, "But I can't focus just on that. I have other things I need to do. You on the other hand. You have connections globally. No one would question you travelling to remote regions around the world. That's a freedom we don't have. As far as calibrating, and testing the crystal's goes I can do that easily. All you'd have to do is place them."
"How many?" He asked bluntly.
"Two thousand," I made a large box appear from my storage device.
Setting it on the table. The box had about seven hundred crystals in it still. I had two of these boxes. The other one was completely full.
"Now I can place the ones we need along our route with minimal problems," I leaned forward, "But anything off the beaten path is beyond my reach. No one will believe that a merchant needs to go deep into the woods for anything. The crystals are already fully calibrated by someone with more experience then me. They just need to be placed."
"And how will this massive sealing array be activated?" he gripped the hilt of his blade tightly.
"A single rune," I smirked, "Once that rune activates the array it creates a chain reaction. Activating all the crystals near simultaneously. By the time they realize that the planet is sealed off it will be too late."
"And on the off chance that someone finds one of your spatial crystals?" he leaned his sword back up on the couch so it was no longer on his lap.
"They won't," I smirked.
I pulled one of the spatial crystals out of the box, and set it down on the table. Tapping the center of the runic circle that was engraved into it twice. The crystal vanished. It was embedded into the ground beneath his office. Nearly ten feet down into the solid earth.
"The crystals embed themselves deep into the ground," I glanced over to his son, "And they give off no mana until they're activated. The only way you're going to find one is if they know where to look."
"And you can guarantee me work, and housing once we've moved to this new planet," he cocked his head.
"I think you would be well suited to a teaching position," I smirked as I handed his son another cookie.
He seemed to be hesitant to take them on his own with us here. Sekka sat down on the couch next to me.
"And how do you benefit from this?" He turned his attention to Sekka.
"My mother is still alive," Sekka answered honestly, "I came to get her back."
"Why do you think that this crazy plan of yours will work?" he leaned back into the couch.
"Arrogance," I chuckled to myself, "The elves of this century think themselves invincible. I plan to take advantage of that fact."
He actually laughed aloud.
"That might actually work," he kept on laughing aloud, "Use their own arrogance against them."
"Pride comes before the fall," I leaned forward.
"I like that," he laughed loudly, "Where did you hear it?"
"It's a phrase I heard from a human," I could feel my core starting to complain about a lack of mana within it, "I won't be able to maintain these barriers much longer. Could I get your name?"
"My name is Malor," he stood up slowly.
Offering me his hand so I could shake it as I also stood.
"That gesture is awfully human," I shook his hand.
"I thought it best my son know both halves of his heritage," Malor clarified.
"I don't disagree with the sentiment," I let the barriers fall, "But it's time for me to leave."
The barrier dropped quickly after that. Layer after layer.
"This should help with your deception," Malor tossed Sekka a small talisman on a string, "Run your mana through that talisman, and you'll have the same mana imprint as me."
"Couldn't that get you in trouble?" Sekka asked nervously.
"I prefer one on one combat not spellcasting," Malor shrugged, "Even if someone were to realize they aren't likely to connect it to me."
I suddenly blinked in close to Malor before the last barrier could fall. Plucking one of the long hairs from his head. It was so unexpected that he was legitimately surprised.
"It's a bit archaic but I can transmit my thoughts to you if I use enough mana," I plucked one of my own hairs.
Cutting them both in half, and weaving them together. Keeping one half for myself, and giving the other to Malor.
"I'm giving you some of mine so you can contact me as well," I cracked my back, "Don't get any ideas about that hair."
"You fear I might go, and find out what you are," Malor shrugged off my worry, "You've already promised to show me your true colors. I have no reason to hurry."
I wished I could take credit for the crystals, but that was more Letty, and Bryce. I did come up with the idea of sealing the planet away, but it wasn't my effort that would make the plan possible. Letty was the one that pointed out we'd need a proper exit solution to the planet. If the elves followed us through then we'd have a war we couldn't win. The elves were far too strong for us to fight them in force right now.
We needed those extra years to pull it off. I left his office with my eyes back down. In step behind Sekka as I went straight back to my slave act. I could see that the each at which I changed my behavior disturbed Malor. Interesting name Malor. The old elvish translation being unyielding spirit.