Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Now that Canna had pinpointed the location of the oogla stones, he knew it was time to dive into negotiations. However, he recognized that negotiating wasn't exactly his forte. After a few moments of deep thought, an idea sparked in his mind as though a light bulb had flickered to life.

He stood up abruptly, drawing the attention of everyone in the meeting room. "Give me a few minutes," he announced, his voice steady despite the swirling thoughts in his mind. Without waiting for a response, he summoned the red portal once more. The air shimmered and rippled as the portal materialized, its deep crimson hue casting an otherworldly glow across the room.

With a decisive step, Canna entered the portal and vanished into its swirling depths, leaving the room in a state of hushed astonishment.

The portal had previously been used to summon formidable warriors, so the reappearance of it generated a buzz of speculation among the attendees. They exchanged curious glances, wondering what Canna was up to and what might come through the portal this time.

The minutes dragged on with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. The room felt charged with the tension of the unknown. Finally, the portal reappeared, its red light cutting through the dim ambiance of the meeting room. Canna emerged from the swirling vortex, flanked by two significant figures who immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

To Canna's left was Thrain, the robust and bearded head of the dwarves, renowned for his skills in construction and his no-nonsense approach to quality. On Canna's right was Kael, his keen-eyed and shrewd logistics expert. Both men entered the room with an air of authority and curiosity, their presence adding weight to the proceedings.

As the room's occupants adjusted to the unexpected addition, Canna took advantage of the moment. He stepped forward with a commanding presence. "Ladies and gentlemen, if your livelihood revolves around the oogla stones, then we're here to discuss purchasing them in bulk," he began, his tone both firm and welcoming. "Allow me to introduce Kael—my right-hand man, responsible for managing logistics.

And this is Thrain, the expert in charge of construction within my domain. He'll be the one assessing the quality of your oogla stones."

The introduction set a serious yet collaborative tone. Canna's words were clear: he was serious about the business, and his team was equipped to handle the task at hand.

With a confident nod, Canna prepared to leave the meeting room. He teleported once again, this time reappearing outside the room. His sudden appearance outside surprised two girls who had been eavesdropping—Mira and Dot. They had been hidden behind a partially open door, their curiosity about the negotiations having gotten the better of them.

For a moment, Mira and Dot stood frozen in shock. Their eyes widened as Canna materialized before them. However, their astonishment quickly transformed into excitement. Mira's face lit up with an exuberant smile, and she rushed forward, wrapping Canna in an enthusiastic hug.

"Canna!" Mira exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy. "We had such an incredible time! We explored the Sanctuary, sparred together, and even got a tour. It was amazing!" Her words spilled out in a torrent of excitement, each sentence punctuated by the infectious enthusiasm she radiated.

Canna's eyes softened with a smile as he looked at Mira. Her excitement was palpable, and it brought a warm sense of camaraderie. He then turned his gaze to Dot, who was standing shyly a few steps behind Mira. Dot's cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, but she mirrored Mira's excitement with a hesitant smile.

"Did you have fun too, Dot?" Canna asked gently, his voice filled with genuine interest. Dot's shyness slowly melted away under the warmth of Canna's smile. She nodded, her smile growing more confident as Mira's enthusiasm seemed to lift her spirits.

Canna chuckled softly, a deep, rumbling sound that conveyed both amusement and contentment. "Well, let's talk more about your adventures while we explore the village, shall we?" he suggested, his eyes twinkling with a playful glint. "I'm sure you have plenty of stories to share."

Your journey continues at empire

Mira and Dot eagerly agreed, their faces brightening with anticipation. Canna led the way, guiding them through the bustling village. The streets were alive with the sounds of everyday life—vendors calling out their wares, children playing in the cobblestone streets, and the rich aromas of local cuisine wafting through the air.

As they wandered, Mira and Dot recounted their experiences with vivid detail. Mira animatedly described their exploration of the Sanctuary, highlighting the awe-inspiring sights and the thrill of their sparring session. Dot, though more reserved, added her own reflections with growing confidence, her eyes sparkling with the memories of their adventure.

Canna listened intently, his laughter and exclamations of interest punctuating their tales.

_____________________________

Meanwhile, back in the meeting room, Kael wore a scowl of irritation that spoke volumes. Canna had a knack for being intrusive, and while his traits were numerous and varied, Kael found the man's intrusive and impromptu nature particularly grating. Just minutes ago, Kael had been absorbed in his tasks at the Sanctuary when Canna had appeared out of nowhere, eager to "show" him something.

Instinctively, Kael had sensed trouble, but he hadn't been prepared for the whirlwind that followed.

Now, standing in a room filled with unfamiliar faces and with Canna mysteriously absent, Kael felt a mounting frustration. The only piece of the puzzle he'd managed to grasp was that the discussion centered on the oogla stones—a commodity he knew was crucial for the Sanctuary's training grounds. Beyond that, his knowledge was incomplete.

Even Thrain, the grizzled dwarf known for his unflappable demeanor, bore an expression of confusion.

Thrain glanced over at Kael, his brow furrowed. "It's just like him," Kael muttered, shaking his head in exasperation. "I should've known Canna would drag us into this mess. And it's not the first time, mind you. If he's done anything, it's putting us in the middle of awkward situations."

Turning to face the room, Kael took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "I apologize for the confusion. It seems I've arrived in the midst of something I'm not entirely clear about. Ahmed, if you could bring me up to speed on what's happening, I would appreciate it."

Ahmed, the composed head of the meeting room, regarded Kael with a mixture of understanding. He gestured for Kael to take a seat. "Very well," Ahmed said, his tone measured. "We were just about to address the situation concerning the oogla stones."

As Kael settled into his seat, he glanced around the room. The tension was palpable, and he could sense the unease in the air. Ahmed began to outline the recent crisis: "Lately, the village has faced an unprecedented surge in monster attacks. Ogres and trolls have plan to overrun our defenses today. Just a short while ago, the situation reached a breaking point.

If it hadn't been for Canna's timely intervention, the village might have been overrun."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Canna? What did he do?"

Ahmed continued, "Canna summoned warriors from a red portal, warriors we were seeing for the first time. His troops fought valiantly, pushing back the monsters and reclaiming our village. Canna himself only observed, cheering on his warriors from the sidelines."

A murmur of appreciation rippled through the room. Kael's expression shifted to one of calculated contemplation. "So, Canna's been playing the hero again. Interesting."

Ahmed nodded. "However, while the village is safe—for now—we are currently stretched thin. My men and I, the defenders of this village, are exhausted. We've been under constant assault by monsters every day since last week."

Kael met Ahmed's gaze with a confident smile. "Well, Ahmed, imagine a place that offers not only complete protection but also provides food and clothing. A sanctuary where the entire village could find refuge—a place where you could sleep soundly at night with the doors left open, knowing you're secure.

If I could show you a place like that, would you and your people agree to trade us the oogla stones?"

Ahmed, along with the other attendees, stared at Kael in wide-eyed astonishment.

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