Michael's interest deepened.
"Are you an outsider as well?"
The chief did not answer immediately.
Michael glanced around him.
"Should I take that as a yes?"
The chief's grip tightened around her staff. A low pulse spread from the purple crystal. Several guards near the gate trembled, though none dared rise.
The chief's violet soul flames fixed upon Michael. Silence spread across the settlement.
Michael felt his curiosity intensify. He placed both hands behind his back.
"I didn't come here to attack your settlement."
The chief remained motionless.
"Then why have you come?"
"I'm searching for dark-element resources."
The violet flames within the chief's skull flickered.
"What kind?"
"High-quality ones."
The chief fell silent. For the first time, the soul flame within her skull showed something resembling hesitation.
Michael noticed it immediately.
"You know something."
