â€œKoralheim, it has been far, far too long my friend. To what do I owe this pleasure?â€ Father Brass remarked flatly, staring at the merfolk who had so plainly entered his private study. So much for sending the guards after him, then.<br/><br/>The merfolkâ€™s smooth face was as impassive as it had ever been, even with those once-expressive eyes. The untimely death of the artificerâ€™s wife had indeed changed him, but Brassâ€™ plans had been far too underway to take any notice at the time. His hands moved with the practiced grace that he had come to expect, and still showed no cuts or scrapes. He had always been so very precise.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œDo you mind if we speak as we did during our partnership, Father Regent? I have a great deal of information to discuss.â€</span><br/><br/>â€œTelepathically? Yes, feel free.â€ Brass replied, actually somewhat bewildered. Telepathy was reserved for very intimate business deals with trusted associates, or conversation with friends and family. Even further, Conclave-level telepathy was something to behold and drove every foolish being who wasnâ€™t a merfolk to go absolutely insane. It seemed that the other species were simply not wired to be able to hold onto their individual identities in such a wash of information. Truly a wonder, but Koralheimâ€™s unique presence in his mind, hot and cold at the same time, and ever gentle, snapped him out of his thoughts.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œYou know the Fifth is returning like I do, James.â€</span>The merfolk began. He had always been a very concise businessman, and a knowledgeable one. He reached into a satchel and produced the powerstone that he had taken earlier that day and placed it on the table.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œItâ€™s the only reason you would venture into making fresh stones. Youâ€™re trying to put a little extra into some old war machines. Iâ€™m surprised you have the ingredients, honestly, but if anyone had the reach, it would be you.â€</span><br/><br/>â€œYou flatter me Koralheim, but surely you have not risked your own execution simply to return a piece of my property.â€ Brass replied sternly. â€œAnd Iâ€™m well aware that we have different goals for the return of the Fifth.â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œWell, yes. We have different goals for the world, certainly. But both our plans could hit a snag if we do not act together. Do you remember when we were young, and we raided the conclave under Rez? The extensive lore that went on and on about the Dragonborn and all that nasty business?â€ </span>The merfolk asked.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œI have been busy since we parted ways, James. They are indeed real, and quite angry Iâ€™m afraid.â€</span><br/><br/>Father Regent Brass settled back into his chair and stared wearily at the merfolk in front of him. â€œI am aware of their existence and hoped to beat them to the punch. The ignorant beasts-â€œ<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œForgo the will of the dragons they would think of as gods, yes. That is why the drakefolk were the chosen people when the dragons made their sacrifice.â€</span>Koralheim finish.<span style="font-style: italic"> â€œI was the one who channeled the will of the conclave, so I remember it well too, James. So tell me then, how many dragons have you bred?â€</span><br/><br/>Brass sighed heavily; Koralheim did indeed live up to his reputation. â€œWe have a breeding stock of twenty four, currently. We found four stasis-suspended nests in the wastes last time we attempted to explore them.â€ he explained. â€œThough I suppose youâ€™ve gotten farther in that regard, too.â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œYes I have. Iâ€™ve also been to the place the misinformed dragon-worshippers call home more than once. They are ready for war, and I fear that Razorplains is already lost to the world. An associate informs me that a particular drakefolk lord had been abducted. You know how few and far between those are, anyway.â€</span><br/><br/>â€œThere are maybe two, and theyâ€™re usually the only noble houses that donâ€™t pay church coffers.â€ Brass replied easily. â€œEven the elves pay up, and the merfolk somehow make money off of paying us. You know how it is.â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œI do indeed, James. Now, we have need of eachotherâ€™s resources to deflect this threat so that we may deal with the real one that will soon overcome us. Reason seems out of the question; their leader seemsâ€¦ insane, not a term I use lightly. I believe his deluded need for revenge has clouded his ability to see the world as anything but a thing to be dominated.â€ </span>Koralheim reasoned.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œThere is no way that we could mobilize in time to outright save the city, but he can be stopped if we work together.â€<br/></span><br/>â€œSubversion?â€ Brass suggested, surprisingly uplifted through a conversation with an old friend turned enemy so very long ago.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œMislead and redirect. I will engage him outright. Iâ€™m more than capable of vexing him long enough for the fifth to arrive, and that will demand his attention.â€</span>the merfolk replied like the solution was truly as simple as him walking into a warzone and just stopping an army.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œIâ€™ve got the colossus working again.â€</span><br/><br/>Brass leaned forward quickly, his expression incredulous. â€œExcuse me?â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œThe desert colossus is functional, I just needed a fresh stone. Iâ€™ll borrow this one, and a few other toyâ€™s Iâ€™ve built since we last met, and I can be enough of a nuisance. I only ask for some small payment that isâ€¦ obscure, but comprehensible.â€</span>Koralheim replied, slipping the stone away.<br/><br/>â€œAnd that is?â€ Brass questioned.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œIf I just so happen to not return, as unlikely as that is, do try to find Lady Rasha Mar. If there was ever a drakefolk that had enough power to rally them behind a leader, it was her. Plus, sheâ€™s been alive since the sacrifice. Auramancy is such a fascinating brand of magic.â€</span><br/><br/>Brass chuckled to himself and stood slowly. â€œAnd how is our dear friend, Rasha?â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">â€œShe will melt you if you call her that, James. Start slow, sheâ€™s had a rough time with Kella and Kekkan dying of the plague.</span>â€ Koralheim explained, standing and extending a webbed, bony hand.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œAre we settled, then?â€</span><br/><br/>â€œThe colossus alone cannot stop an army, otherwise the war would have been over before the fifth intervened.â€ Brass explained, extending a hand to shake Koralheimâ€™s own. â€œIâ€™m sure you have a trick up your sleeve.â€<br/><br/>Brass noticeably tensed when a metallic, spider-like automaton crawled onto Koralheimâ€™s shoulder.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œMore than one, Father Regent. Then we are in agreement. Wish me luck.â€</span>he remarked, and with a loud snap, he vanished from view.<br/><br/>â€œYou never needed luck, fish man.â€ Brass wondered aloud. â€œBut I wish it for you all the same.â€ he added, throwing open his office door, his voice resounding in the halls. â€œGather the guard captains, we have much to plan for, my children!â€