Desperate, Ania grunted, "This is why we wanted Oli to--"
"You know Oli would be too worried about cultivation to attempt leading a territory. Just because he might be mentally capable of that, doesn't mean he would have the strength to back it up," reasoned the man, shooting down every excuse Ania offered. "That would be seen as puppet leadership, with you being the target of the rumors."
"I would never do that!"
"I know. They know. But that's what the rumors would be all the same."
"Uhhh…" Pestered to not think of anything else, Ania tried to change the subject. "Where is Oli, anyway? Maybe I'll agree if I can meet him and--"
"Sorry, but I won't disclose that information."
"Why not?! At least tell me where he is, even if we're not allowed to meet up," complained Ania, rapping her fingers along her hammer's hilt in impatience. But while the man remained silent, she remembered something. Her gaze instantly shot back at Vloz. "Tell me where Oli is!"
"Ania--"
