Chapter 133: Who's Working For Whom
Ambrose hadn't expected the dwarves to want to talk to him.
The formal negotiations were only days away. Why would Hoffmann Ironfist suddenly request a visit now? He knew the elves were staying here. Was he trying to reach some kind of understanding before the official talks began? That would make sense.
Negotiations failed most easily when the two sides were completely incompatible. The discussions might quickly devolve into bouts of red-faced shouting and mutual insults, dragging the whole process out indefinitely.
Hoffmann Ironfist's visit was likely meant to sound out Queen Catherine in advance so that everyone could stay restrained when the real talks began.
At least, that was how it seemed.
Ambrose did not dwell on the matter. After all, now that he had sketched out Catherine's glorious future as a corporate wage slave, he knew the elven queen would not be in any real danger, at least not before the war ended.
With that assurance, he could relax a little. Everything else could proceed step by step. Fate would take care of the details.
Hoffman Ironfist appeared to be in a hurry. Only a few hours after sending his notice, he arrived at Ambrose's castle.
Heki Stone, the vampire acting as the dwarven intermediary, accompanied him.