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It is all well and good that Artuileno is more than willing to give you money, especially since he wanted you to use that money to drive out the Svengalians. But there is always a caveat, a quid pro quo, when it comes to diplomacy. Cynical to some, though you knew it to be a somewhat unpleasant reality. If history is something to go by, most states on this continent only lift a finger for the other in times of extreme need, while ordinarily they're more than happy to see the other on the slaughterblock.
And you could guess as to the price the elves were going to extract from you.
<span class="mu-i"> "I assume you want us to take Alfand next?" </span> You flatly asked; hardnosed realpolitik was something a younger you would have mocked, but it was something you learnt out of need.
<span class="mu-i"> "Want" is too strong a word. That would infringe upon your freedom of action as the supreme warlord conducting this war. I merely 'advise' you to go to Alfand. My contacts upon the island shall inform the local elflords of the intentions of King Karl. If you go there, there might already be a war going on, though that is an 'if' that shall remain an 'if' until you land there. I do not mean to impose on your objectives you mean to achieve with your own steel. That would hardly be fair, now, would it? </span> A roundabout way of telling you yes, but no as well. Very elven.
<span class="mu-i"> ''You're being awfully generous with your terms.'' </span> You told Artuileno.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Perhaps I am; perhaps I am merely giving you the means to do that which you had already set out to do. You don't strike me as the type of person to leave with just Ölfland. Now are you?'' </span> Artuileno asked in jest.
Do that which you already wanted to do; all those words, and he could have just told you as much. He's likeable, but good heaven, does he dance around the point.
That being said, there are other things you should smooth out. Elven silver and gold is all well and good, but your men-at-arms can't eat metal; they're not dwarves, who allegedly sprinkle it in their food. They need food, preferably of the salted and pickled kind. Asking for elven weapons would be taking it too far, but food is just as important as money.
