Chapter 76: Alliance

Foster took a slow breath, carefully observing every reaction around him. He could feel the almost tangible tension, like a rope ready to snap at the slightest carelessness. He knew now that this name, "Kaizen", was more than just a legend to them. It was an ancient wound that refused to heal, a dark memory that the dwarves preferred to bury deep in their memories.

- Before anything else," he said calmly but firmly, "I'd like to retrieve something that belongs to me. A stone taken from me by your guards.

King Thorgrim frowned, visibly annoyed by this unexpected request.

- A stone?" he asked suspiciously. What stone?

Foster raised his head slightly, holding his gaze with feigned determination, skilfully concealing the real importance of the object.

- A useless stone," he replied in as calm a tone as he could maintain. But of great sentimental value to me. I simply want it back.