Victor of Tucson

Book 7: Chapter 4: - The Proposal

Victor felt a sudden urge to direct Alec toward Sea Keep, where Rellia was currently managing her operations. Hed been speaking to the guy for less than a minute, and he was already talking about favors. Victor knew relationships between towns, countries, and political factions were built on mutual benefits, but hed hoped to just talk to the guy and show him around, not start wheeling and dealing immediately. His scowl must have been more evident than hed intended because Alec held up his hands and, after a quick, shaky laugh, said, Let me stress, its not a big favor. I mean, its not for you, but for us, it might mean the difference between continued existence and destructionOlivias words, not mine.

Valla squeezed Victors arm, her cool fingers pressing into his biceps. Dont worry about him, Alec. Hes always frowning like that. Why dont we show you to Victors home, and you can tell us about this favor over a cup of tea and a crumble cake one of Victors admirers gave us?

Victor chuckled at Vallas description of the cake one of Dunstans former thralls had baked for him. Actually, thats a good idea. I bet youll be interested to hear about the woman who baked it. Shes a human from a world other than Earth.

Oh? Alecs eyebrows rose, his surprise evident.

Victor nodded, gesturing toward the path that would lead to his travel home. Yeah. Im not sure if its a coincidence or . . . Victor laughed at himself, shaking his head. No, never mind that. Its definitely not a coincidence. The System chose vampires and their undead minions to invade these lands. The world they came from was settled by Death Casters whod fled Earth when the Energy stopped flowing there.

Ah, seriously? So, your conquest was against invaders from another world? Alec turned when Victor gestured to his left. Straight ahead, down a long, flower-lined gravel lane, sat Victors jade travel home. Oh, what an interesting dwelling!

Its Victors travel home. Hell build something more substantial eventually. Valla led the way up the steps, and Victor stood back, holding the door as she and Alec stepped inside.

Ah! Dimensional magic. We have a few structures employing it back in First Landing, but not so heavily as this one! Well, other than Morgans tower, I suppose.

Morgan . . . Victor frowned, scratching his chin. Thats the one who went to Tharcray, yeah? Olivia told me about him.

Right.

Howd that go? Valla asked, taking the lead down the hallway toward the dining area.

Um, he hasnt brokered any sort of lasting deal, but he did manage to get some assurances that the Ridonne dont care too much about us at the moment. Theyre dealing with some inner strife and political issues concerning their presence in other worlds. In fact, Morgans gone off-world, which threw our little community for a bit of a loop . . . Alec trailed off as he stepped into the dining hall and the adjacent kitchen area, his eyes taking in the big table, the bright daylight streaming through the kitchen windows, and the vaulted ceiling with the skylight. What a space! Id never have guessed looking at the exterior.

Take a seat there with Victor, and Ill put together a snack. Valla didnt wait for any objections, walking past the table and into the kitchen.

Victor rapped his knuckles on the tables smooth surface. Anywhere you like, Alec.

Thanks. Alec sat down in the chair closest to the head of the table on the near side, so Victor moved around to sit across from him. As soon as hed taken his seat, Alec hit him with some questions, Youre saying you had to fight invaders from another world to win these lands? I thought the conquest would just involve fighting monsters or, well, natives, is the right word, I guess.

Id have a hard time justifying something like that, but yes, the System made that part easy by filling these lands with undead monstrosities. Victor shook his head, grinning wryly. Dont you think its interesting to learn that there used to be Energy users on Earth powerful enough to flee through portals they created?

Its more than interesting. It conflicts with what we thought we knew of the System. Morgan was the first human to wake here on Fanwath, and, according to him, the System didnt recognize humanity right away. It makes you wonder how broad the System is and how often each part of it communicates with the others. Does it send out updates once a month, once a century? Does it need to do that, or does it just know everything thats happening everywhere all the time? Sounds more like God than a system, if so.

Yeah. Im pretty damn sure the System isnt God. Victor chuckled and looked over his shoulder to check on Valla. He hated being responsible for entertaining strangers.

What makes you say that?

Uh, the fact that there are plenty of species that existed and worked with Energy long before the System came around. My ancestors, for instance.

Ah! Thats one of the things you might be able to help us with. How about I go over my little proposal? Is it too soon? I hope Im not overstepping . . .

Nah, its fine. Victor was annoyed, but he also was happy to let Alec talk for a while. It would give Valla time to rejoin the conversation.

Well, Olivia indicated in our communications that when shes brought up the idea of you coming to First Landing, youve been less than enthusiastic. Shes a bit of an outlier among our citizenry, what with her unusually high affinity with multiple attunements and her unnatural proclivity for mastering new magic. Alec held up a hand and laughed. Dont get me wrongfrom what weve gathered, dealing with some unpleasant nobility and the locals in our neck of the woods, it seems humans generally have high Energy affinity, but Olivias a standout. Im bringing this up because shes often banging the drum about how important advancing in levels and gaining power is when she comes to town, and her words are often less than enthusiastically received.

Yeah? Victor was having a hard time figuring out why he should care.

Yeah. I mean, there are some who are pretty gung-ho about leveling and exploring, but oftentimes, their abilities and enthusiasm dont exactly match up. Take me, for instance. I was pretty happy just running a business in town; I opened the first tavern and made a killing. I expanded the business, and now Ive got a full-blown hotel; well, inn is probably more accurate. Im a level eighteen Tavernkeeper. Alec smiled, shaking his head at a pleasant memory. When I first told Olivia that was my Class, she laughed and laughed. Shed already been at Fainhallow, you see, and was studying about Classes with a great deal more . . . gravitas, shall we say?

Uh-huh. Victor nodded, glancing again for Valla and sighing with relief when he saw her approaching with a tray. Here we go. Youre going to love this cake, Alec.

Oh, Im certain youre right. He paused his discourse to watch Valla set down the tray with three steaming mugs, a crock of whipped butter, and the sweet, nut-and-fruit-loaded crumble cake.

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Help yourself. Valla smiled and sat at the head of the table between the two men.

Dont mind if I do. Alec grinned, took one of the mugs, and then slathered a slice of the cake with some of the soft, creamy butter. Once his little plate was before him, he sipped the tea, smiled and sighed, then took a bite of the cake. Mm! His eyes glazed over as he chewed. Valla helped herself, and Victor, of course, carved off a generous slice. The conversation was put on hold for a few minutes once they were all working on their snack, and Alec continued to exclaim about how good it was.

So, Valla said, pushing her plate away. You were telling Victor that there are some ambitious folks among you, but theyre a minority? Is that the right way to explain things?

Ah, no, not exactly. I was about to use myself as an example of how most of us are ambitious but not in the way that makes us personally powerful. Im very interested in seeing my business grow, gaining wealth, and buying properties. Back on Earth, such success would eventually have made me a powerful person. Here, according to Olivia and our few run-ins with less-than-savory folks, Ive learned that that kind of success can be very fleeting. Everything I have can be taken away in a snap. To illustrate, Alec snapped his fingers. I believe it, Olivia believes it, but many of the people in our settlement think that our government will protect them and that they can continue to focus on finding success as theyd always done.

Well, theyre not exactly wrong. Victor shrugged, not seeing the problem. Its the same in native cities; not everyone is out challenging dungeons or going to war. Plenty of people build businesses or lead small service-oriented lives.

Right, but according to what Ive learned from Morgans correspondence and Olivias studies, this world has been rather sheltered. Havent the Ridonne limited travel beyond this world? Havent they, themselves, grown powerful beyond even the heroes who make their living facing dungeons and whatnot? Isnt it only a matter of time before a more dangerous world connects to this one? What if a true powerhouse comes through and makes some real trouble for us? If I can read between the lines well enough, thats whats happening in Tharcray. I think the Ridonne have stunted the growth of this world to their own detriment. I believe theyve encountered something theyre struggling with and, due to their imposed limitations, the rest of the populace isnt in a position to help them.

I mean, I dont know what youve heard, but the trouble the Ridonne have been having might just be me . . .

Oh, I heard about your encounter with their Legion. Talk of it was all over Persi Gables when I passed through. Thats not it, however. Morgan contacted us about the Ridonnes troubles a good four months prior.

Why so cryptic? Cant he just tell you whats up?

I would think so, but hes . . . incommunicado.

Valla set her steaming cup down and cleared her throat. Okay, Alec, were losing sight of what you actually want.

Right! I was hoping that Victor and you, of course, he nodded at Valla, would speak to our populace. I was hoping youd sit down and have a sort of town hall where you speak about what youve seen on other worlds, or from other worlds, and why its important to . . . Whats the word they use, um, cultivate power? Thats it, cultivate. Why its important to build up a Core, to gain levels, and advance your bloodline.

Victor grunted, shaking his head. It seems pretty damn obvious to me, Alec. You really need me to tell people why power is important?

Our people are stubborn, Victor. Weve got a hundred engineers working on reinventing automobiles and airplanes using Energy-driven engines. Weve got people making repeating cannons, landmines, and machine guns. I mean, its great, but Olivia says one elder being could wipe them all out, that someone whod achieved tier ten or, hell, even tier five could probably ignore most of the war machines we can come up with. Whats worse is that our Artisan Class citizens are far outstripping the cultivatorsweve learned to build portal stones, for instance. Whats going to happen when we open a connection to a high-tier world, and someone truly powerful sees our potential as, well, as slaves?

So you want me to come there and scare them?

Alec laughed, shaking his head. I mean, that might work, but Olivia had the idea that you could just talk about your time in, um, I have it in my notes, but what was the name of the world where . . .

Zaafor? Valla supplied.

Thats it! She says you met many powerful beings and that you had to flee because of a villainous warlord or some such. Is that right?

Victor sighed and nodded. Sure, Alec. Youre right that opening yourselves up to advanced worlds and powerful people before youre ready is a real risk. In fact, I wouldnt be surprised if the Ridonnes tight control over world travel has a lot to do with that, but that wont stop travel in the other direction. The System can be a real bitch, but it wont send a challenge here thats much beyond you. That doesnt mean a powerful individual or, yeah, warlord couldnt find their way here. If they did, if they opened their own gateway without the Systems help, then they could easily dominate this planet.

So, just a town hall? Valla pressed, trying to pin down the commitment Alec was looking for.

And perhaps a demonstration. Our Artificers have been building war machinesEnergy-driven automatons. Think of a tank crossed with a robot. Theres a faction in our government who think were already strong enough to take on the Ridonne, that theyre just backward, medieval tyrants whom we can steamroll like Patton taking on a Roman legion.

Patton? Valla frowned, slowly turning her cup between her palms.

Hes talking about people from Earth.

Oh, Im sorry, Lady apYensha! I was trying to draw a comparison between a modern military with guns and heavy artillery versus an army using spears and swords. When Valla continued to frown, her eyes betraying her confusion, he added, I mean, Im sure Victor has described our world to you a little, yes? We didnt have Energy or magic, but we had technology far beyond what you see on Fanwath. We had weapons that could strike a person down instantly from great distances. We had bombs and missiles that could destroy entire cities. Olivia worries well go down that road again, become too sure of our capabilities, and then run into someone with deific powers. Victor, here, might be able to give our populace a taste of that. Thats all Im saying.

Valla nodded and, to Victors delight, continued leading the conversation. If you want Victor to do battle with your automatons, youll need to tell us what youll put on the table.

Alec nodded. I understand you want to advance your colony stone.

Thats right. We need to advance at least two more ranks before we can open world travel.

Thats what we can help you with. Weve stockpiled a lot of Energy beads through our own development and from trade with neighboring towns and villages. I have it on good authority from our development committee that a million beads will go a long way in the early colony stone ranks.

Is that what youre offering? A million beads? Valla didnt betray much, but Victor knew her well enough to hear the excitement in her voice. A million beads would probably get them where they needed to be.

Thats right. What do you say? To Alecs credit, he didnt break eye contact with Valla to gauge Victors response. It was probably a good thing because Victor was sold and didnt have a good poker face.

Victor and I will visit your town, answer your questions, and Victor will destroy your automatons for one and a half million beads.

Victor almost laughed, surprised to hear Valla being so cutthroat. However, Alec didnt laugh and didnt even look surprised. He smiled, nodded, and said, Its a deal, but youve reached the limit of my negotiation authority, so please dont push it any harder.

Okay, Victor? Valla looked at him for the final word.

Hmm, I guess. I dont mind beating the shit out of some robots, but Im not really excited to be on the spot answering questions on a stage. Ill do it for Edeya, though.

Edeya? Alec was smiling ear-to-ear like hed just made the deal of the century.

Valla began gathering the empty plates, stacking them on the tray. Our friend. Shes the reason we need to open world travel as soon as possible. That said, Ambassador, when shall we depart for your town?

I left the portal stone with the steward of your, um, travel pavilion. Im ready to go whenever youd like, though Id hoped to meet the other leaders here and perhaps establish a residenceI intend to participate in the community youre building.

Victor pushed his chair back and stood up. Its early still. Lets take him around. Rellia and Borrius will want to meet him. Well get him a room in the inn, and then, Victor paused for breath and to lock eyes with Alec, if youre feeling up to it, we can go to First Landing in the morning. Im sorry to rush things, but I feel like Ive put my friends welfare on hold long enough. She needs help, and if youre offering the Energy to advance the stone, Id like to do my part as soon as possible.

Alec, too, stood, slowly nodding his head. The inn, hmm? Well, itll do for now. Will I be permitted to build an official embassy eventually?

Definitely. If Rellia wont allow you one here, then you can build it on my lands.

Your lands? Theyre separate from these? Alec looked confused, and Valla chuckled. She stood and moved beside him, taking his elbow and steering him toward the front of the house.

Theres much you need to understand, Ambassador. I dont know how much Victor told Olivia, but these lands, the Free Marches, are more vast than the entirety of the Ridonne frontier. Even after gifting deeds to his allies, Victors share of the conquered lands numbers nearly thirty million acres. Thats assuming we dont continue to expand, pushing into the untamed lands further south. Victor listened to her as she and Alec walked ahead, his mind struggling to stay focused as he thought about everything Alec had told him.

The idea that humans had come to this world and were immediately trying to recapture the way of life theyd left behind didnt surprise him, but it certainly bothered him. Of course, theyd try to make planes and tanks and machine guns. Of course, theyd see Energy as just another fuel source, a way to power their tech. He hoped they werent all focused on such things. They couldnt be, could they? Some among them had to have awoken spirit Cores. Surely, some of them had learned to see their inner selves and auras. There was so much more to Energy than, well, energy. It was the essential, vital force of everything and the connection every cultivator had to the universe. If a person didnt see that, didnt internalize and process the gifts Energy could grant, theyd never understand. Victor would have to show them. Hed have to give them a glimpse of the power of a sleeping god.