The enormity of what Emily requested was not lost upon Sen-sen, but he understood immediately.  No attempts to seem more sagelike, no chewing the scenery or trying to make sure he had heard correctly—this Traveler was straight to the point.  “You are effectively asking to take over the Monolith, to rule it in place of the Journeymen.  Certainly to outsiders we may seem a bit...quirky, but I assure you we have governed well.  I suspect that I need not launch into a mantra of how long our city has stood and how many perils we've overcome.  I might as well tell you that, as of our Chronicler's latest report, we are the most prodigious manufacturing center in Cyprus.”

Now, Sen-sen was still.  He and Emily had almost reached the end of the short bridge that led to the Sestet before they had stopped.  “You say that you don't need resources or letters, which would have gained you allies.  Allies are what fight wars, and resources are what wars are fought with.  Strength comes from the sharpness of swords, the payloads of ballistae, and the might of magic.  Power comes from those you have influence over.  If you wish to use our city as a base of operations, fine.  We never turn down someone seeking shelter, for the costs of living here are inherent.  If you have new avenues of labor, so be it.  Labor is what sustains this city; it is what our Workers do.  We already have more industry than we do outputs for it, so a cause for it to be useful will be welcomed...as a suggestion.  However, you cannot 'host' the Travelers.  Workers are bound to Monolith in order to stay alive, a physical link.  When a Worker becomes a Traveler the link is only mental.  Travelers are free to wander the world, and all of them do.  Some keep contact with us, like our Chronicler.  Some return to Monolith to take positions as teachers or guardsmen.  Some cut all ties and are never seen again, pursuing their regained memories.”  

“Regardless, Travelers are spread across the planet.”  Sen-sen held up his hands.  “Uniting them is an impossible task even for the Journeymen, and the only authority higher than us in this city is a silent one.  We have hundreds of thousands of Workers in Monolith, but fewer than a hundred Travelers.  To be sure, they are warriors unlike anything else on Cyprus, with enchanted bodies and magic that easily rivals the strength -if not the versatility- of human mages and demons alike.  But they are only a small part of the whole, and the whole is not organized.  Monolith is not like the empires of Cyprus.  It is like a nest.  A world unto itself, in which incredible things can grow and take wing.”

Sen-sen bowed.  “Forgive me, my eloquence is likely boring you to tears.  The bottom line is, we will work for you, and you may construct your 'Heart' in our city, but you cannot rule us, and uniting the Travelers spread thin across the planet is out of the question.”

He looked to the side, and seemed surprised to discover that Salvadore, Kai, and Elvilika were all watching.  They had come up, quietly but not attempting to be stealthy, while Sen-sen spoke.  At a loss for words, Sen-sen bowed to them as well, then returned his focus to the little lady he had addressed.