System Break

Chapter 101: The old lecherous duke

There was a tapping on the door. Alejo stood, turned, and drew his sword in one swift motion.

Gisael walked calmly to the door as I scanned the area with my sight. Even if that bastard hid inside the walls I would be able to see his qi-core and streams.

She opened it and pulled the man in by the shirt before slamming the door again. He stumbled and before he knew it she had her sword poking his back.

"What's," he cried. "happening?"

"Larry," I said. "Answer this very carefully because if I find out later I'll rip your balls off and stuff them down your throat. Do you work for the Chancellor?"

He raised his hands. "No. I only obey the duke."

I leapt a couch and grabbed his throat. "No weasel words will save you. If you take any money or do anything he tells you the punishment is the same. This isn't some nansy pansy court. Think carefully. Do you report to the chancellor or do his bidding now or ever?"

He shook his head vehemently and pissed his pants a little. I released him with a push and Gisael pulled her sword just intime.

His eyes widened when he saw Alejo. "I ," he hesitated. 

"Spit it out. Why are you here?"

"There is a meeting with the Dule of Salastria," he said. "You ," he breathed. "You need to work out the details with your prize - The Reach."

"Is it a trap?" Alejo asked.

"A what? No," he said. "Sir, why are you here? What happened?"

Alejo ignored the questions.

I slapped Larry lightly. "Hey look at me," I said. "You never saw Alejo here. Got it?"

He nodded. 

"Good. Don't make me angry Larry because I'm like a wild animal on heat. I attack threats first and ask questions later."

"Yes, sir," he whimpered.

"Now, when is this meeting?"

"As soon as you arrive in the caste. The Duke of Salastria is being flexible, he'll meet you when you're ready."

"Oh," I said. "How kind of him." I cast a glance at Alejo. "You got this?"

"I won't leave Kysandre," he said.

I nodded at Sakaala. "Come. Just us two."

She grinned at Ailen who frowned in response.

"Okay Larry let's go."

The ambassador looked at my bandage but was smart enough not to say anything. 

He walked through the streets and we followed. I was learning the city, but it was good to have a local show me around. The castle was unmistakable. It had a central portion which was larger than the rest and then three wings to the North, South and West. The main gate of the main hall lined up perfectly with the main gate into the city. Which was a few miles to the east.

I leaned close to Sakaala. "You do the talking and I'll step in if I need to. If you're unsure about anything do what you normally do and look at me."

"Okay," she said. "What do we want out of this? What's our goal?"

"Protect what is ours."

The Ambassador lead us past the guards and into the main entrance. We went up the sweeping stairway and down the corridor. Before long we were permitted into a large chamber with a lounge and adjoining rooms.

"This is the royal guestroom," the ambassador said. "The Duke's aide will inform him you are here. Please sit." We sat and the ambassador took up a position behind us. 

"Are you staying Larry?"

"Yes sir, it is my duty."

I turned and stared at him.

"May I have your permission to stay sir?"

I relaxed and turned back around. "Sure Larry."

"Do you want to take off your helmet sir?"

"If I wanted to take it off I would. Stop asking stupid questions." My antler mask had many uses. It wasn't just intimidating; it was a weapon and protection as well.

The old duke entered the chamber with two aides and a guard. He didn't acknowledge us until he sat down in the large chair across from us. He held out a hand and his aide who was already pouring a drink quickly finished and carefully put the glass in the duke's outstretched hand.

The old duke took a sip and I yawned. I felt like taking a nap while we waited for him to start.

If he was expecting us to be undisciplined and have to fill the silence he was mistaken. Sakaala was a pro and I didn't give a shit what he did.

She smiled sweetly and adjusted the leather around her breasts. By pulling on them she drew his leering eye. She was a pro alright. Her blank smiling face just looked at him in silence as if she had nothing to say.

He turned to me and I leaned back stretching out my arms. I slid one down her back and onto her ass and the other along the top of the couch.

The old duke grunted and said. "Thank you for coming."

"It is our pleasure," Sakaala replied. He looked from her to me. I just squeezed her butt and ignored him; she did a good job ignoring me groping her.

He leered at her. I was expecting drool to trickle down any second. "I'd like to discuss your prize and if we can come to an agreement we can ratify its terms in the form of a treaty."

"That sounds wonderful," she said. Oh my god she was good. I almost believed her.

"Are you negotiating on the forests behalf?" The duke asked her but peered at me.

"I have the protector of the forest's blessing. His silence is his consent to my words."

"He was awful chatty last night with the Duke of Dawnharbour. What happened? Did he drink too much wine?" The duke guffawed and his aides duly followed suit.

Sakaala smiled sweetly and waited patiently. When the laughter died down she said, "He's usually very quiet but when he kills a few people he opens up."

I would have high fived her but that would ruin the mood she just set up. A threat of violence from a powerful monster. Instead I grunted and picked her up with my hands squeezing her thighs. 

She sat up straight in my grasp and I moved her onto my lap. She dutifully wiggled her butt to get comfortable on my crotch.

The duke leered. I could smell the jealousy oozing from him. I barely looked at him with my head resting on the couch behind me, but I could sense it all the same. 

"Now I'm comfortable," she said. "Let's begin negotiations." 

Her words surprised him. I guess he thought Svartalfar would be like animals barely able to form an intellectual thought. It was common for someone to underestimate me and it was a mistake then and now. One we would take full advantage.

The old duke cleared his throat. "The prize was a guild hall in the reach with the rich hunting grounds which surround it. It is to be provided rent free, but there are levies on any qi cores which are obtained by the guild. And of course we expect you to secure the mine from the mountainfolk. Have you any run ins with them?"

Sakaala sniffed. "Of course we want to have good relations with all our neighbours. The mountainfolk and the fort by the lake. It's our understanding the mine belongs to the mountainfolk. What claim do you have on it?"

"All this land belongs to us. It just needs taming."

"So are you saying that if you tamed the forest it would belong to you? The gatekeepers built this island didn't they? They brought us and the mountainfolk here as well as you. What gives you the right to take what is not yours?"

The duke sighed. "I knew you couldn't be relied upon. I will have to seek another guild for the commission."

"It's not a commission it's a prize," she said and smiled sweetly. "We fought hard for this right and you will not take it from us because it doesn't suit your illegal claims."

He thumped the arm of his chair and his aide cried when the drink spilled. "Who are you to say what's legal and what's not?"

She smiled sweetly. "Me, I am no one. But I am guessing that with a little research we'll find out how shaky the ground that you're standing on is. Remember my dear duke. I am not a true Svartalfar. I am an adventurer, a skilled negotiator and trained in legal matters."

The old duke grumbled curses on adventurers. "The young duke warned me about you lot," he said.

"How about we make you an offer. One that will satisfy your needs without causing you trouble."

The old duke grumbled and nodded. "Go on."

"You want the mine for ore? We will mine the ore and sell it to you at a fair price. One that will be much cheaper than you trying to take it."

"We need ore and coal," he said. "Then there is transport to Salastria."

"That won't be free, it's a long and dangerous journey."

He grumbled.

"This is the same no matter who gets the ore from the mine. Don't worry we're pretty good at killing. We'll find a way."

"And we will bring trade to the Reach. Send your most progressive merchants. But we won't be paying any levies. We already hunt in this area and have a fine home nearby. Give us a storehouse for goods instead. You can tax whatever we sell you."

"What sort of goods?" 

She touched her breasts. "See these leathers? We kill the monsters and our friends are fine leatherworkers. There's also forest craft. The finest cloth, honey, and fruit delicacies. Maybe even furniture if there's demand."

"What about our farms?"

"Monster clearing is free of charge. Just have your people in The Reach welcome us and we'll kill whatever they want. Excluding sentient peaceful races like the mountainfolk."

"They're not peaceful. They killed our people."

"Who were trespassing in their mine? What did you expect? Did you even try to negotiate with them?"

His lip curled in distaste, but he did not reply.

After a long wait he said, "In the interest of peace I will accept your terms. On one condition, the price of ore has to be half what the Dokkalfar are charging."

"Put the price in the document and know we can easily check."

He frowned. "I know. I saw your friend at dinner. How does he feel about you undercutting him?" He grinned with the last statement.

She smiled sweetly. "He won't mind. Business is business after all."

With her sitting on my lap and performing so admirably my dragon began to stand to attention.

She must have felt it because she smiled and said. "I think we're done. Have your aide deliver the document to us when its ready." She stood and turned to face me and held out her hand. She smiled at me shyly and I was glad I was wearing my mask because my smile wouldn't quit.