Zach got another visitor the next day. It was someone he had neither hoped nor expected would arrive, but it was someone he liked seeing anyway. It was Derot.
Zach naturally invited him inside and offered him something to eat and drink. Derot wasn't interested in Zach's refreshments. He was there on business.
"Zach," he said with a heavy voice. Zach had already expected something heavy based on Derot's expression and gaunt look, but the way he said his name all but confirmed that he came bearing bad news.
"Yeah?"
"Word on the street is that you are a traitor."
"I'm not, but…"
"It's not good for business. There are rumors that all the recipes and alchemical theories that Alzara has provided are from the barbarians to the East. I've done my best to quell them, but it's not working. It's like trying to put out a wildfire with spit. I'm working uphill here," Derot explained the situation outside with a hanging head as he beat around the bush, delaying the inevitable.
