Man, f*ck politics.

The end of the discussion had Ares thinking. What if the Reptai denied wanting to become Rivean, in which case he wouldn't be able to hire them as an elite guard. Would they be offended? He had no idea, but it could be seen as a slight against them, and Ares didn't want that to happen.

He had already planned to reward them in some way, in fact the items were almost complete. He wanted to show the people of Rivea the good will that Ares had for the Reptai, but in a way that could warm up the people towards the mass of Reptai right outside their fort. How would he be able to do such a thing to also appease the Reptai and to show that Ares appreciated them, not just with his words, but with his actions.

Ares took a long puff of the leaf that Azzo had gifted to him in order for him to just relax. The warmth of the smoke filled him deeply, caressing his insides before he exhaled.