The Ratfolk Elder's expression softened slightly. "I care more about what's happening now than the future."
"So do I," Annan agreed. He turned to Illymoyas. "Let's bring your parents over first."
"But you'd better put these gold bars away first."
Illymoyas's Parents were every bit as greedy as she was, if not more so.
Before the Ratfolk Elder could react, Illymoyas said, "I'll help you."
"No—"
He was too late. Illymoyas had already lunged for the gold again, with Annan right behind her.
Damned robbers!
The Ratfolk Elder could only console himself with the thought that Annan Thing had never taken his money before. If Annan was taking it now, perhaps that meant he considered the elder one of his own.
"You're too hasty. We haven't even agreed to work together yet," Annan muttered, though his hands never stopped moving.
"If the Ratfolk won't give us any, it means they aren't sincere."
"You have a point... Leave some for me!"
In barely a dozen seconds, the remaining gold bars vanished as though they had never existed.
Annan was still complaining that the gold was too impure. Once he took it back and smelted it, he would lose almost a third of it.
Then he got down to business. He had the Ratfolk Elder prepare an open space and told the other Ratfolk to carry on with their work as a backdrop. Then he cast a spell to summon Illymoyas's Parents.
The first summoning was forcibly interrupted. Annan waited a moment, then tried a second time.
Illymoyas's Parents had already landed and were staring through the Portal at the human, the dragon, and the Ratfolk.
The Dragon Father looked stern and appraising, while the Dragon Mother was warm and gentle. "Annan, what did you want with us?"
Annan smiled with delight.