Williams Morel had mixed feelings: disgust at seeing someone he would rather avoid, frustration he could not vent, and even a little happiness?
"You should call me Clan Chief," Williams corrected after taking a deep breath.
"Your father calls me Ancestor. Calling you my nephew is already a compromise," Annan said with a smile.
"...So what do you want?" Williams skipped past the subject.
“Where's little Ah Alma? This concerns him.”
It took Williams a while to realize “little Ah Alma” meant his father. Holding back his temper, he said, “My father is still in the mountains.”
"Then pass this on for me. I need a lot of Rat Ears. Have your father send them to me."
"What do you need them for?"
"Proof."
Annan did not elaborate. Cheating was hardly good for his authority.
After a moment's thought, Williams did not refuse. "I'll tell my father, but ratfolk have a habit of eating their own kind. I'm not sure how many he can get."
"The more, the better..."
Annan changed the subject. "Now, about us. Your expression tells me you've run into trouble, my nephew."
“I... At least show me some respect.” Williams Smo sounded oddly unsure of himself.
"You're right. Let's each use our own titles, then. I'll call you Clan Chief, and you can call me Ancestor."
"...Can you lend me some money?"
"What do you need money for?" Annan asked, puzzled.
"A group of Rock Giants came down from the south side of the mountains. I want to hire them, but their price is too high."
"Clever. In war, you have to weaken the enemy by any means necessary," Annan praised him. "No problem. Leave the money to me... but I have one condition."
"What?"
"You know I'm human. I want vampires and humans to become