Page 3216

At length, Vanderberk seemed to be growing impatient. "Well? This silent treatment isn't my favorite thing in the world. Are you passing my message along or what?"

But even that, Raul did not wish to concede. In the quite likely event that this was all some kind of twisted bullshittery on Vanderberk's part, Raul didn't want to admit to anything. So instead, he decided to take a bit of initiative and ask, "Why do you want to negotiate? That's quite atypical for Abolish."

Vanderberk was sounding less jovial and more annoyed, however. "Are you asking just to stall for time, or is that an actual question on behalf of your elders?"

"Maybe a little of both?"

The man returned a flat look.

Perhaps now was not the time for cheek. Raul couldn't entirely help himself, though. Not when he was already pretty much screwed here. Might as well try and have some fun with it, he thought. "Look, dude, you're not exactly known for your sterling reputation. You really expect anyone to take you at your word when you say stuff like that?"

Vanderberk's gaze drifted over to a crowd of guardsmen who were beginning to gather, despite still looking quite confused. "So you're refusing to negotiate, then?"

"I didn't say that," said Raul. "But without some sort of logical explanation behind this sudden, uncharacteristic behavior from you, it'll be pretty difficult to negotiate in good faith, ya feel me?"

"Uncharacteristic?" said Vanderberk. "You don't know the first goddamn thing about me. All you know is what you've been told. You have no idea what's characteristic of me and what's not."

"I s'pose there's truth to that, but I've heard some pretty horrible things about you. You tryin' to tell me they're not true?"

At that, Vanderberk paused and looked over Raul's invisible form again, perhaps searching for his eyes. "Well. Who can say what's true, really? I mean, what even is truth, when you get down to it?"

Yeah, this guy was definitely full of shit.

Thankfully, Arumoro's silent instruction finally arrived. 'Ask him his terms.'

'There's no way we can trust anything this dude promises us.'

'We know. Just ask him. And try to be careful with your wording. You're speaking as the voice of all Rainlords, right now.'

Arumoro sure knew how to pile on the pressure. 'Okay...'

'If you're uncertain of anything, ask me first.'

'Right.' Somehow, Raul felt like he'd just been given the worst promotion in the world.