The dragon blooded general's own dragon blooded Longma was fucking big! Not only was it a big bastard but it was also very intelligent as it's cold and haughty eye's took in my form as Nau Xioalin brought me to it's 'stable'
And it's stable was less of a stable and more of a large ornate, and well-decorated room in a raised apartment just behind the Lord Shugengan's own smaller palace. With it even having a thickly padded bed in the corner that looked more valuable then several commoners' homes.
"Your companion isn't going to try to trample me if I begin measuring it will... She?" I asked as I realized the gender of the half-dragon and half-horse creature.
Nau Xioalin gave a small chuckle, and I saw in the corner of my eyes as her slitted eyes glowed as she said softly. "No, she will not unless you make a fool out of yourself."
'Damned dragons... They literally breed with anything and then use those creations as servants.' I thought with a twitching face as I approached the haughty-looking Longma who flared her long razor razor-sharp whiskers as she took in my scent.
Then it huffed and looked away towards the window as though telling me I was above its notice. Which was fine by me, I had my father's War-Goat Azulback that I loved like my own family, I wasn't jealous about not having a half-dragon mount at all.
I seriously wasn't. Having a dragon mount was for them, up-jumped up pansy Elgi across the sea on their blasted floating island.
Still... "Do you have a name?" I asked curiously to the Longma, who huffed, and Nau Xioalin snorted as she took a seat in an ornate raised seat that was obviously for her to spend time with her mount in her apartment.
"Longma's do not care for those who aren't dragon-blooded. I offer no offense in this but you should just do your work master dwarf."
At the not so polite dismissal, I myself snorted with flames escaping my nose at the rudeness but. I just ignored their stiff reactions as I continued my work. But not only was I recording the Longma's various body dimensions.
I also HAD to draw her dimensions in great detail due to her twisting scales and raised portions of thicker scales that protected her vitals and horns that jutted from some of her joints.
"This drawing... I hope to keep this after the work is done." Nau said thoughtfully and I shrugged as it made sense as my drawing skill naturally was rather high due to my engraving skills crossing over as well.
Finally I leaned back from the Longma and I looked towards Nau and said bluntly. "Now, besides the material costs that I will need to aquire aside from the Supreme Matriach Miao Ying's own orders. Enchanting a suit of such armor will take me days so this will be rather expensive."
Nau Xioalin gave a wane smile before she waved a hand at her empty palace and said somewhat flatly. "I can offer little besides my families name of support with how the clan's patriach was killed outside the Great Bastion. I doubt you will just take such a debt, and that Jet you were given was a family heirloom. But with armor for my partner, I will be able to quickly pay you back."
I gave her a long hard look as this was just a complete fucking waste of time... But then it hit me. No matter what I did here in Grand Cathay, I was going to not only be an outsider, but I was also going to be an outsider unbound to their traditions due to their worship of the dragon emperor and such."
But, if I could get this dragon blooded Lord underneath my thumb. I could be able to enter and leave the Grand Bastion at will. Which was extremely important! Because I still had the gamer power and thus to truly grow. I needed to bath in the blood of the worlds evils I slay.
So I exhaled and said slowly. "That's a princely sum you are asking Nau Xioalin. I don't know you, and your clan's name is worth shite with nothing behind it but your own blood which hasn't proven itself... Yet."
I could see Nau Xioalin's face darkening at my words before she paused at the end and I knew this spoiled little princess was weak to actual praise most likely. So I continued. "You want me to invest in you and your declined clan? Well this hits me in my stone heart because my own clan was wiped out so I... Very much understand your feelings."
I took a deep breath and said flatly. "Give me a week, I still need to finish Lady Miao Ying's project but at the end of the week your Longma will have it's armor and you yourself will have a weapon worthy of Clan Barruk's name... But when you leave the Bastion to gain glory. You WILL take me with you to earn glory beside you. Do we have an agreement."
There was a pause as Nau Xioalin's slitted draconic eye's took in my form and she spoke in clear consideration. "I came to you because I have learned about your kinds almost unrivaled smithing and enchanting skills besides the Emperor and Empresses own hands... I also heard that your kind put's their honor and deals above all else as well is that also true?"
I smiled but it was all teeth as I responded coldly. "One of our messagers had their beards shorn by an arrogant elf king after seeking justice. And that injustice brought our entire race together and we almost wiped ourselves and the elves out during the War of the Beard."
"We take our deals and honor above all else. If I make a deal, I will give my all to meet the letter and spirit of any deal I make. Now... Do we have a deal Nau Xioalin?"
The dragon-blooded lord looked at my smaller hand before nodding and shook mine before she said. "Good, then for my own weapon, I need a long spear that I may use upon my mount."
To which I smiled and said as I shook her callused hand. "I will make a spear that even your great-grandchildren will still be using without issue."
As any dawi weapon made from a smith's hand had to at least last a century even in the hands of the foolish Umgi whose short-sightedness made them build with no future in mind.