The Oaths

Alex and the Emperor arrived in a secluded room that Alex hadn't been to before. The dark room had little to no furniture, so the two monarchs stood around.

"So, let's get it done," Alex said.

The Emperor nodded. "Make the oath then," he said. "In 20 years' time, you will give me everything you can for me to make pill clouds."

Alex closed his eyes and thought through what he wanted to say.

"I swear to the heavens that in the next 20 years I will offer a trade for everything I have that can help you call the pill clouds, so long as you can offer me something worth double what I am offering back if we come to a settlement," Alex spoke.

The oath landed on Alex, but they didn't bind him just yet as the oath had yet to be completed. It was a two-sided oath and unless both sides agreed to the words that were being said on the oaths, it didn't activate.