A Royal Gamble

[Gar]

The half-orc did not falter even as the king approached, squaring her shoulders and staring back into his eyes skeptically. She squinted and lifted her chin. "So by looking into my mind you also saw that the black ore is connected to the cultist's schemes. At least that saves me from explaining it..." Gar muttered, her eyes flashing with the sudden realization that she now verbalized, "And you'd allow us to sabotage your own structures to put an end to it?"

The barbarian couldn't help but feel a small touch of admiration for the king in that moment, though it quickly faded. She crossed her arms and frowned. "My party would not agree to work with a hobgoblin, even if he was a king. They abhor your slave culture, and I side with them in this regard..." she grunted, "Plus, one of them may even think to double-cross you after it was done to get the crown...and on the other hand..."

Gar stepped forward boldly and searched the king's eyes. "How do I know you won't just use us and then double-cross us as soon as we've served your purpose? Your armies could put a quick end to--and reverse--any progress we made once these slave uprisings were no longer convenient."