"Sorry, Rory," Louie said, moving toward him.
"It's fine, buddy," the dwarf said and patted Louie's back with two of his thick fingers. "It is an expensive thing I'm trying to do, but it'll be worth it one day."
"Are there job ads that are specific to that type of thing?" Louie asked now as he trotted back to his DEM tablet.
"Ye could say that," Rory replied. "Though most of the people offering their services in response are likely to be either thieves and cutthroats or not experienced enough."
"What about this?" Louie asked, and we all received a notification.
Name : The Platinum Slayers
Members: 23
Average Level: 34
Realm: Mithardir
Specialties: Dragon Slaying
Rating: 3.75/5.00 (81)
Description: Has a dragon been harassing your township? Fed up of the flying beast terrifying your livestock and burning down your crops? Have you found yourself in need of a magical item that belongs to a dragon's hoard? The Platinum Slayers is a band of adventurers with sixty years of experience in eliminating dragons of all sorts. Some of our previous accomplishments include, but are not limited to: killing red dragons, blue dragons, and draconic beasts of many kinds. If you've got a dragon problem, we can slay it.
Price : Varies depending on size, race, and age of the dragon in question. Please contact us for a FREE consultation.
"A bunch of jokers, I'm telling ye," the dwarf laughed. "That's what they are. They wouldn't stand a chance against..." Rory paused and reconsidered his words before continuing. "No, the company I'll employ have been slaying dragons for millennia. If anyone can do this, it's them."
"And they charge that ridiculous amount of money?" I asked.
"Worth every damn penny, lad. Speaking of which," Rory said, not very subtly trying to move the conversation on, "do ye want to do this weekly business catch-up ye're so fond of?"
"You like it as much as I do, dwarf," I replied, ultimately deciding to let him get away with the change of subject. I'd done the same thing for the sake of Leo only a few moments ago, after all. "Especially when we're doing as good as we are now. You wouldn't know the numbers by heart otherwise."
"I run a business with a purpose. Of course I know the numbers by heart!"
"Well?" I prompted him.
"We control 60% of the arrows being bought in the states of New York and New Jersey, and between 60% and 80% in all states to the east," he explained and took his long pipe out of his pocket. "Sales are still increasing, but much slower now."
"That is only natural," the dragon said. "The closer you get to occupying the whole market, the slower you will grow."
Ommanth had recently taken an interest in our business proceedings and even Rory couldn't argue against having a dragon as an investment adviser. Dragons having hoards wasn't a myth, at least according to Ommanth, but it wasn't the only way they amassed wealth.
The Apocosmos was a multiverse with worlds at all stages of development. Some of them resembled medieval societies, while others were closer to the Cosmos or even more advanced. This meant that there was a place for dragons that hoarded gold but also for dragons that invested in industries, real estate, and the Apocosmos Stock Market, which was exactly what our resident dragon had done.
Most of the time, Ommanth's advice was quite helpful, which made it easier for Rory to listen to what he had to say even when we weren't talking about money.
"What about other neighboring states to the west and south?" I asked Rory, since those were currently under his purview.
"I'll be talking to a crafter in Pennsylvania next week to see if he's good for the job. He'll be taking care of his state and Maryland. And after that, I'll go to Virginia to interview another couple who might be taking care of their state and West Virginia."
"Wait, are you driving there?" I asked.
"Of course I am," the dwarf said and inhaled a big pull from his pipe. "I've told ye I don't like talking business over the phone. And how else will I be able to see if they're trustworthy and able?"
"You're right," I agreed. "Do you want us to come with you?"
"Can we go?" Louie's ears perked up at the mention of a road trip. "Maybe we can keep my window open?"
"Come if ye will, lad," Rory said. "But ye don't want yer face shown to the other crafters, do ye?"
"No, I won't come to meet with them, but it might be nice to take a small trip. What do you say, Leo?"
Leo was still absorbed in the book in his hands, not paying any attention to our conversation. Again, I had completely forgotten he had to deal with his parents.
"I mean, after we're done with this book issue of course," I said.
"Yeah, sure," he said absentmindedly.
"Okay, let me have it back," I said, trying to take his mind off of it. "I'll keep it in my inventory until then."
"It's fine," Leo said. "I'll take it to my clan anyway, after the quest."
"No, elf," Rory interjected. "We agreed that Alex would carry it because he's got the dragon orb too. The orb is S grade and conceals him from divination spells."
"You're right," Leo said. He stood up, leaving the book on the table. "Please excuse me. I'd like to rest now."
"Sure, man," I said and pointed down the hallway. "You can take the room at the end of the corridor. There are blankets in the closet if you get cold."
"Thank you. Good night, everyone."
We all waved at him, but once he'd disappeared into the bedroom and closed the door, I turned to look at Rory again.
"Oh man," I sighed.
"Ye think he's damaged, but give it some time, lad," Rory advised. "He'll be up and ready tomorrow."
"I hope he will," I said. "I'm not used to doing this."
"Doing what? Being a friend?"
"Yes. That," I said, frustrated at how accurate
