[By the time they're in front of the mayor Peter's managed to get his act together completely, broad shoulders squared like with a ruler, face with the same demanding confidence.]

There is something wrong. Something that you don't just want to agree to.

[The official seems slightly confused at these two, but their directness means that realization hits him that there's no point in doing the formality of pretending he doesn't know what people are talking about.]

"Our town is being politely pushed against a wall. That gentleman is offering to purchase and 'liberate' us out of ownership, and on the other end we have the lifeblood of our village."