Thanks in large part to Graham's navigational abilities and memory for terrain, the trip through the desert to Uruk passed...peacefully, if not exactly swiftly. It didn't matter; they were here now.
As they approached the exterior walls, Altanis observed them critically. The fortifications were certainly...impressive. Staging an attack against this city would be difficult, for certain. Toppling the walls would likely be a fool's errand with anything but extremely heavy firepower...but going over them? That provided another option that most simply weren't ready for.
But no matter; Altanis wasn't here for conflict. She was here to see about...business.
She let Graham handle the talking for the moment; he seemed to have some idea of what this place was about and how it had been built. In the end, he ended up requesting an audience with...'King Gilgamesh'. What a pompous buffoon...king of what, exactly? A single city? Ridiculous. Altanis did, however, recognize the name as one she had heard of in Dante's Abyss, when she participated, and an idea began to form in her head. A suitable excuse for coming to pay this visit, to break the ice and prepare for the talk of business.
The audience was granted...eventually. They were loathe to do it, until Altanis spoke up for herself. "The most recent iteration of Dante's Abyss reminded me of the king's...victory, in the previous one. I merely came to wish him a belated congratulations, and to speak on matters of...business." That seemed enough to placate the initial surge of worry, and get the gears turning.
Many, many hours were passed in waiting, before they were finally shown to their goal. An audience with Gilgamesh himself.
The King of Heroes was amused, as they arrived. "I hear you come with rather belated congratulations for me," he murmured, his lips curled into a light smirk. His elbow rested on the arm of his throne, chin resting in the upturned palm. "But I suppose it is the thought that counts."
"You must forgive me for the delay in such a thing." Altanis knew when to bite her tongue; and now was most certainly that time. She dipped her head in a gesture of respect. "Life has had...a way of keeping me busy, since then. I was only reminded of it when this most recent airing of Dante's Abyss was announced. Given I was close by..." She trailed off, with a smirk.
Gilgamesh laughed softly, peering intently at the tactician. "So I can see. That isn't the only reason you came here, surely?"
He was testing her now. She knew it. He had likely been told her message verbatim before even allowing her and her allies in here to begin with. Changing it now would only get her thrown out.
"Of course, my king." She forced her expression to remain neutral, and her tone to stay civil. "There is another matter I wished to speak of." She turned her head, looking out a window. "Your city is...impressive. In its size, splendor, and how soundly and quickly it has been constructed."
The gilded monarch turned his head as well, staring out the same window. "Yes. It is quite impressive, isn't it? A fitting city for one of my station."
"Your city is precisely why I came here today." Altanis snapped her eyes back to Gilgamesh. "Specifically...its construction. I have need of some...assistance with a project of my own, and thought of no better resource than someone who had such a splendid city constructed so quickly and efficiently."
The seated king barked out a laugh, throwing his head back as he let his amusement ring out. "Your flattery is amusing, but unnecessary." He lowered his gaze again. "Business is business, after all. What is it you seek to have constructed, then?"
Altanis hesitated for a moment. This seemed...entirely too easy. It almost seemed as if he was simply agreeing then and there. Mentally gathering her focus, however, she pressed forward. "A ship, your majesty. Once that can aid me in going between the different worlds of this..." She waved a hand in the air. "...crossroads."
Gilgamesh nodded his head absently. "And you have...the means to procure such a thing?" he murmured. "Funds to acquire the supplies and materials. Plans for its design?"
"Of course." Altanis produced her designs, holding them aloft where they slowly twirled and rotated in place above her hand. "I have spent a great deal of time in making sure these plans were...adequate. I can provide ample funding, but I lack the resources and connections to have it put to any use."
The gilded monarch was silent for a long, long moment. Then his expression changed. He smirked, a merry twinkle flashing through his eyes. "Very well, then..." And he snapped his fingers, gesturing for one of his men to retrieve the plans. They were given over and brought to him, where he unfurled them and began to look through the pages. "Quite detailed and meticulous... This will be quite the undertaking...but don't fret." He rolled them up again, rising from his throne. "I am in a good mood this day." He tossed them back to Altanis. "Consider your request granted. I will have my men contact suppliers and craftsmen to begin construction, and you will provide the necessary funds for the acquisition of materials and labor for their work."
Altanis nodded her head, then sank into a half-bow. "Your generosity is unexpected, your majesty, but immensely appreciated."
The king waved a hand dismissively. "What have I said about flattery?" He lifted his chin a touch higher, peering down at the tactician and letting his eyes rove over her small entourage. "When can you have the necessary coin ready?"
Altanis lifted her head, staring directly at the king. "Within the day."
"So prompt. Good." Gilgamesh nodded, turning to walk slowly away. "Then once it has been handed over, I will have the work begin." He waved a hand toward Altanis. "You may leave now. We may speak again when the work is done."
Altanis bit down on her retort, simply nodding. "As you wish." And she, too, turned to depart.