Archbishop Abilene gestured towards some chairs around a round table and sat down so I followed suit with Elise then Abilene started speaking.
"Welcome second prince Zeth and I also give welcome to your adviser I am archbishop Abilene lady of Velor in your letters you proposed a trade deal?"
I cleared my throat and spoke.
"Yes if the holy city of Velor can provide a few of ironbark sapplings to Serothor your missionaries may build a shrine in Serothor's walls"
The archbishop sat back in her chair and spoke with fake exasperation.
"Oh how one sided of a deal... ironbark and a holy shrine? I'm certain your people can make a three or four day pilgrimage to pay their respects I am not hearing what we will get out of it"
I decided to play my only trump card I had to deal in this conversation.
"Well the divinity Velor will gain much more worship if a shrine is built especially since Serothor is now a protectorate of the great empire but if you really need something I can give you a secret"
Abilene looked at me with expectation so I continued.
"I know a way to burn ironbark"
The archbishop's face changed instantly and she spoke.
"You had better not be lying but if by chance you are telling the truth I would even fund a chapel if however it is a lie you are forfeiting your life right here"
I nodded which made Elise look at me with anger but I spoke anyway.
"Well the short answer is fire but I would like to keep my life so I will just tell you straight up the way to burn ironbark is any last stage fire"
Abilene had a blank look on her face and asked a question.
"last stage fire? I've never heard of anything like it explain"
I decided to just give the bare details.
"Well it is any fire with a property hell fire, dragon fire, divine fire, the golden flame the list goes on anything more than mortal fire will burn ironbark"
Abilene looked extremely disappointed and spoke.
"The ability to use those types of flames is extremely rare even if what you say is true it is of little use to me or my enemies"
I retorted.
"Ah but it is the priestdom of Joryac can access divine fire, the iron emperor is a master of hellfire, and dragons have been seen in the east if this information was found out imagine the consequences...
Velor might be a minor god but the priestdom hates any outside divinities and while the iron empire has nothing against Velor it is a conquering society and dragons hate divine energy"
The archbishop looked at me then spoke to Arthur.
"Arthur go get the contract paper"
After that we spent a few hours working on the terms of our deal and Elise and I returned to our lodging for the night.
I bathed in the bathroom since it would be the only one for a few days and after brushing my teeth I went to bed where I fell asleep.
•••Oz pov:
Zeth had been especially impressive in that deal with the archbishop though he will have to do better than that in order to secure serothor's future especially once this war comes into full swing.
While he is toiling away on his little adventure I am doing all the hard work our souls are so damaged that the power inside our body is damaging it from the inside.
We have a stronger body due to his bloodline but even then that same bloodline is causing near irreparable damage the sooner he gets to the great empire the better there we should find a way to fix this problem.°°° back to normal
The same chest pain had been bothering me for weeks but Oz said it was fine so I might as well listen to him it was still to early to leave so I decided to do some work outs.
I walked outside just behind the inn was a small park area where it was large enough to practice a few things first I was going to start with magic.
I breathed in then spoke.
"gust"
I focused the wind to swirl around me it was still a little too weak to actually do anything other than guide other magic's but I can feel a breakthrough coming.
I stopped casting gust and switched to practising my staff fighting and aura usage it was still very amateur but I had practice now and my aura is easier to control.
A few hours of practice passed and I headed back took a bath then Everyone was ready to start travelling again the carriage had been checked and everything was ready.
Climbing inside with Elise, Aaron was the first driver on first shift I preferred Eren she was a much more gentler driver but I can't complain.
It would be a week and a few days until we reach the capital of the empire so there is still plenty of time to plan and prepare with the dracodons the travel time would only be a week for the whole trip.
However since we need to stop at a few cities and settlements along the way it increases our travel time by a week.
There are roads the rest of the way so that helps but there is no straight path to the empire meaning having to pass through places Elise spoke bringing me out of my thoughts.
"It's been bugging me but why did you choose me to be your escort instead of someone like Kyle?"
I looked at her and replied truthfully.
"While both you and kyle share rank and strength I can not have someone too objective to everything I say on this journey kyle is great as a point of reference you are better at following orders"
Elise looked at me as if I had insulted someone but then started breaking up in laughter her entertaining personality was another secret reason for bringing her along with me afterall it will be a long road back.