Limits.

Ulon took me to see Florin . When we entered her office, she was a bit baffled, and asked "Do you need something?" . I replied "I have another invention, which you may be interested in . Although I will not tell you how to make that stuff, I can sell you some" . She was intrigued, and asked "Can you show me, what is that invention of yours?" . I took out a small bottle, that contained about 20 milliliters of Zenith Blood Yarn Extract, and pa.s.sed it to her .

She looked at it, and then asked "Is this made from Blood Yarn?" . I nodded my head, and said "Yes . This is at least 50 times stronger, than what you can accomplish currently . If you take 10 or 20 milliliters of this, your blood will be purified to a much higher degree, compared to the Blood Purification medicine that you make . I don"t think I need to mention, what benefits that brings" .

She nodded her head, and said "Indeed . This is something, that can allow someone who reached their wall of Inner Limits, to break through it . You are very interesting indeed, young man . I"m willing to buy it, let"s have a private chat" . She then looked at Ulon, who was standing next to me, and he quickly realised, that he was supposed to leave .

When Ulon left, she did something, and the whole staircase disappeared under the vines . "Don"t worry, this is to prevent others from hearing our conversation", she said . I nodded, and asked "Tell me, what do you propose?" . She smiled, and said "You are special, with someone like you on my side, I could easily control this whole place . I can give you pretty much anything in return, as long as you join me" .

I was a bit shocked, and replied "That was not the topic, I wanted to talk about, but alright . Enlighten me, why would you need my help?" . She sat down on her chair, and continued "I don"t believe, that this is the only thing, your mind can invent . You are also very strong . From what others told me about you, you are not a simple man" . I stood there, and didn"t respond, I wanted for her to finally make a point, before I decided anything .

She continued "I want that medicine, and I want you . I already mentioned, I can give you anything you want, for your help . This includes me" . I almost dropped to the floor, and looked at her weirdly . "Why the h.e.l.l would I want you? As my slave? . . . No… As my woman!" I thought . This concept never appeared in my mind . "Can even humans be with other races? Is that even possible?" I thought .

She noticed my weird expression, and said "I know what you are thinking, and it seems you never heard of it before as well . Yes, humans sometimes take other races as their partners . This is not that uncommon, but they don"t appear much in public" . I looked at her, and though "I"m not attracted towards Atols whatsoever . It seems, it takes special kind of human, who would be attracted to other races . Unfortunately for her, I don"t spin that way" . I might"ve been able to rethink that, if the other race was basically a human like creature, but Atols looked completely different .

I replied "I"m fine, I don"t spin that way . I don"t treat other races, as my potential partners . I"m not saying this to offend you, but I don"t find you attractive at all" . She shook her head, and replied "I"m not offended, I was just saying . My question still stands, would you like to join me? I can offer you herbs, money and whatever you like, as long as you help me take control of this place" .

I thought about it, and asked "Why should I chose you? After all, I"m not only good with herbs . I could easily join the Warriors . Besides, why should I involve myself in your politics? I don"t plan to stay here forever" . She replied "Warriors? That bunch of idiots would get us killed, if not for the council . You can"t join the Craftsmen Fraction either . With Oran angry at you? You can forget about them . Even if you somehow convince the Leader of the Craftsmen Fraction, and team up with them, they will betray you sooner or later . With me, you only get benefits" .

She then continued "It"s true, that our politics have nothing to do with you . Yet, I want to break this deadlock . If you do help me, gaining an ally that can supply you with herbs, and whatever you like, is not such a bad deal" . She was right . Gaining an ally, that could help me in the time of need, would be something, I could take advantage of . The problem was, how truthful was she?

I asked "What guarantee do I have, that you will not go back on your word?" . She replied "We can make a Blood Pact, if that is what you are after . If I try to break it, I will die . The same would be for you, if you break it, you will die" . "This is quite extreme . A Blood Pact aye?" I thought, then said "First . Tell me, what is it that you require from me?" .

She replied "I want you to get rid of the other council members . They will be replaced, but with my own people . This will make me owner of Apium . Besides that, I want you to supply more of that Blood Purifying medicine, for the people that I chose . That, is pretty much it . Of course, I would also like to know more, about your new inventions in the future" .

"That is quite a list, but I guess the rewards are also quite big" I thought . Florin spoke no more, and gave me some time . I replied "I need some time to think about it . Give me a day or so, and I will give you my answer" . She nodded, and replied "Of course, Take as much as you need . I still hope for good news" . She then opened up the staircase, and said "I will buy this medicine, next time we see each other" . I nodded, and left .

I met Ulon downstairs, and he asked "I never saw this happen . She must"ve been really keen, to make a deal . So how did it go?" . I replied "Not bad, let"s go back . I need to take care of few things" . Ulon realised, that I didn"t want to talk about the conversation, I had with Florin . He didn"t ask anymore, and we went back to the fields . When we arrived, I said farewell to Ulon, and returned to my own room .

Inside, I called out "Frosty, what do you think about it?" . Frosty came out, and asked for something to write on . I gave it the notebook and coal . Frosty wrote what was on its mind . "We can"t trust her, and especially, don"t make that Blood Pact . This thing can be nasty, if done wrong", was what Frosty wrote . I said "I also have some doubts about that Blood Pact . What is it exactly? You seem to know about it" . Frosty nodded, and wrote "Yes . Because we have a Blood Pact" . I was totally stunned, and asked "Since when?"

Frosty wrote "Since we met . When we shook hands, the Pact was completed" . "So that was why, Frosty wanted to shake my hand" I thought . I then asked "Does that mean, if I shake someone else"s hand, they may create a Blood Pact with me? Without me even knowing?" . Frosty shook its head, and wrote "No, our situation… was different . With others, you will need to exchange blood" . I then asked "So, if I die, you die as well?" . Frosty shook its head, and wrote "No, our Pact is different . You really know nothing Nex" . This was the first time, Frosty actually wrote my name .

Frosty then continued writing "We cannot be separated . I will be able to find you, even if we are far apart . This is the same for you . You can"t feel it, because I"m always close" . I didn"t know what to say at this stage . I felt as if, I didn"t even know that blue lizard in front of me . After a while, I asked "How do you know all that stuff?" . Frosty started writing something . When Frosty finished, it dropped the notebook and coal, then climbed my shoulder, and changed back to the tattoo .

Only when I picked it up, I realised what Frosty wrote . "Don"t take her offer . Sell her the Extracts, but don"t agree to her demands . We will talk later", was written on the notebook . I contemplated about it for a while, and burnt the pages from the notebook .Ulon took me to see Florin . When we entered her office, she was a bit baffled, and asked Do you need something? . I replied I have another invention, which you may be interested in . Although I will not tell you how to make that stuff, I can sell you some . She was intrigued, and asked Can you show me, what is that invention of yours? . I took out a small bottle, that contained about 20 milliliters of Zenith Blood Yarn Extract, and pa.s.sed it to her . She looked at it, and then asked Is this made from Blood Yarn? . I nodded my head, and said Yes . This is at least 50 times stronger, than what you can accomplish currently . If you take 10 or 20 milliliters of this, your blood will be purified to a much higher degree, compared to the Blood Purification medicine that you make . I dont think I need to mention, what benefits that brings . She nodded her head, and said Indeed . This is something, that can allow someone who reached their wall of Inner Limits, to break through it . You are very interesting indeed, young man . Im willing to buy it, lets have a private chat . She then looked at Ulon, who was standing next to me, and he quickly realised, that he was supposed to leave . When Ulon left, she did something, and the whole staircase disappeared under the vines . Dont worry, this is to prevent others from hearing our conversation, she said . I nodded, and asked Tell me, what do you propose? . She smiled, and said You are special, with someone like you on my side, I could easily control this whole place . I can give you pretty much anything in return, as long as you join me . I was a bit shocked, and replied That was not the topic, I wanted to talk about, but alright . Enlighten me, why would you need my help? . She sat down on her chair, and continued I dont believe, that this is the only thing, your mind can invent . You are also very strong . From what others told me about you, you are not a simple man . I stood there, and didnt respond, I wanted for her to finally make a point, before I decided anything . She continued I want that medicine, and I want you . I already mentioned, I can give you anything you want, for your help . This includes me . I almost dropped to the floor, and looked at her weirdly . Why the h.e.l.l would I want you? As my slave? . No… As my woman! I thought . This concept never appeared in my mind . Can even humans be with other races? Is that even possible? I thought . She noticed my weird expression, and said I know what you are thinking, and it seems you never heard of it before as well . Yes, humans sometimes take other races as their partners . This is not that uncommon, but they dont appear much in public . I looked at her, and though Im not attracted towards Atols whatsoever . It seems, it takes special kind of human, who would be attracted to other races . Unfortunately for her, I dont spin that way . I mightve been able to rethink that, if the other race was basically a human like creature, but Atols looked completely different I replied Im fine, I dont spin that way . I dont treat other races, as my potential partners . Im not saying this to offend you, but I dont find you attractive at all . She shook her head, and replied Im not offended, I was just saying . My question still stands, would you like to join me? I can offer you herbs, money and whatever you like, as long as you help me take control of this place . I thought about it, and asked Why should I chose you? After all, Im not only good with herbs . I could easily join the Warriors . Besides, why should I involve myself in your politics? I dont plan to stay here forever . She replied Warriors? That bunch of idiots would get us killed, if not for the council . You cant join the Craftsmen Fraction either . With Oran angry at you? You can forget about them . Even if you somehow convince the Leader of the Craftsmen Fraction, and team up with them, they will betray you sooner or later . With me, you only get benefits . She then continued Its true, that our politics have nothing to do with you . Yet, I want to break this deadlock . If you do help me, gaining an ally that can supply you with herbs, and whatever you like, is not such a bad deal . She was right . Gaining an ally, that could help me in the time of need, would be something, I could take advantage of . The problem was, how truthful was she? I asked What guarantee do I have, that you will not go back on your word? . She replied We can make a Blood Pact, if that is what you are after . If I try to break it, I will die . The same would be for you, if you break it, you will die . This is quite extreme . A Blood Pact aye? I thought, then said First . Tell me, what is it that you require from me? . She replied I want you to get rid of the other council members . They will be replaced, but with my own people . This will make me owner of Apium . Besides that, I want you to supply more of that Blood Purifying medicine, for the people that I chose . That, is pretty much it . Of course, I would also like to know more, about your new inventions in the future . That is quite a list, but I guess the rewards are also quite big I thought . Florin spoke no more, and gave me some time . I replied I need some time to think about it . Give me a day or so, and I will give you my answer . She nodded, and replied Of course, Take as much as you need . I still hope for good news . She then opened up the staircase, and said I will buy this medicine, next time we see each other . I nodded, and left . I met Ulon downstairs, and he asked I never saw this happen . She mustve been really keen, to make a deal . So how did it go? . I replied Not bad, lets go back . I need to take care of few things . Ulon realised, that I didnt want to talk about the conversation, I had with Florin . He didnt ask anymore, and we went back to the fields . When we arrived, I said farewell to Ulon, and returned to my own room . Inside, I called out Frosty, what do you think about it? . Frosty came out, and asked for something to write on . I gave it the notebook and coal . Frosty wrote what was on its mind . We cant trust her, and especially, dont make that Blood Pact . This thing can be nasty, if done wrong, was what Frosty wrote . I said I also have some doubts about that Blood Pact . What is it exactly? You seem to know about it . Frosty nodded, and wrote Yes . Because we have a Blood Pact . I was totally stunned, and asked Since when? Frosty wrote Since we met . When we shook hands, the Pact was completed . So that was why, Frosty wanted to shake my hand I thought . I then asked Does that mean, if I shake someone elses hand, they may create a Blood Pact with me? Without me even knowing? . Frosty shook its head, and wrote No, our situation… was different . With others, you will need to exchange blood . I then asked So, if I die, you die as well? . Frosty shook its head, and wrote No, our Pact is different . You really know nothing Nex . This was the first time, Frosty actually wrote my name . Frosty then continued writing We cannot be separated . I will be able to find you, even if we are far apart . This is the same for you . You cant feel it, because Im always close . I didnt know what to say at this stage . I felt as if, I didnt even know that blue lizard in front of me . After a while, I asked How do you know all that stuff? . Frosty started writing something . When Frosty finished, it dropped the notebook and coal, then climbed my shoulder, and changed back to the tattoo . Only when I picked it up, I realised what Frosty wrote . Dont take her offer . Sell her the Extracts, but dont agree to her demands . We will talk later, was written on the notebook . I contemplated about it for a while, and burnt the pages from the notebook .