Kismet's Folly

[Groshyr]

"How come that you didn't use a Bustard, which is much easier to get and maintain, but instead - an Arbiter?" The Fae smirked, listening to the bird's arguments. "Your voice now has matter - you could order dismantle or exchange with any organization interested in this at any moment - yet you didn't. I understand that you are under threat, but so are we - the Elder's shells are powerful guardians to the new home of ours, but as I said - they are way too notable."

"I thought of an alternative - a ship that would satisfy our needs. It could be an Aquillion Carrier, one made by Zoners. It would require certain refit to have relays allowing us to use our abilities for communication with the Elders at a greater distance, but in the end, I decided that a missing Arbiter wouldn't raise as many questions as an unknown group trying to procure an Aquillion from Zoners, some of whom, especially from Edge Worlds, are known as supporters of the Order."

"Nevertheless, you are right - the Arbiter is not easy to maintain, and we hoped to trade your experience for something of ours and together make the ship work as flawlessly as possible. However, if you no longer need our assistance with fortifying Inverness... we can..." The man stopped talking as soon as he sensed the presence of the Elder - Melia. Unlike Eris, who was his, if it can be named so, mentor, and flown in disorder and chaos, yet perfectly organized one, Melia was like a peaceful ocean - not something Crius was used to.

"Welcome, Elder Melia."