Chapter 6 - Meeting

A sweet scent of honey and green leaves entered Vallen’s nose as he approached the cup of tea to his mouth. He took a sip and nodded slightly. ‘This is indeed fine tea’ thought him. Green tea leaves were quite a rarity as they could only be grown in certain parts of the new world. This wasn’t something that anyone could experience. A kilogram of these leaves would cost almost 10 gold crowns. ‘He is wealthier than I thought.’

His sight left the teacup and looked again around the room. Four leather couches were placed in the center of the rather large living room. The walls were white as milk and filled with paintings and decorations of different kinds. Small lamps engraved with green runes were lighting the room and different flowers were keeping the air fresh and perfumed.

This was a tradition in Nan. Middle-class and high-class families would use special flowers that refresh the air instead of using perfumes.

This was a high-class villa in the center of Nan. Vallen estimated that the terrain on which the house stood would cost more than one hundred thousand gold crowns alone, after that the price of the house, which was built from fine ebony wood and all the furniture and decoration would add up to more than four hundred thousand gold crowns.

‘He is for sure one of the richest persons in the federation, if not the richest.’ Thought him, and who could blame him. Duke Gales was a Bohemond in terms of wealth. He owned a few proprieties like this one in Nan alone and his businesses were vast and unknown. ‘If things go well, maybe in a year or two, I will be able to afford such a place.’ Estimated him.

Vallen's eyes seemed to freeze in place as he remembered his position a few years ago. Because his domain was lacking in income, he rucked quite a few debts. All he could do was watch as his domain was crumbling away. It was then that Duke Swis, one of the seven dukes of the federation took a fancy to his oldest daughter and proposed to gift him enough money to get on his feet in exchange for marrying his daughter. At that time he thought it is a good idea. He would resolve his problems and his Jamila would enter one of the highest noble houses… He was such a fool.

Even when Jamila implored him to not agree to the proposal he ignored her and still made the agreement.

Unfortunately, things were different than he imagined. He still remembers his shock and anger when he found out that this was Swis plan all along. He used all kinds of means to bring him into that situation only to force his hand.

What was even worse was that not only a year after the marriage, he found out that Jamila had an accident and passed away. He could have thought that this was just the tricks of life, but learning that Swis remarried only 2 months after Jamila’s passing, he finally understood that he had been taken for a fool. ‘’For that bastard… she was just a toy’’ thought him.

He was lost in thought when a voice suddenly woke him up. ‘’ Lord Vallen, his highness Duke Gales is waiting for you in his study. Please follow me.’’

Vallen’s eyes lifted and he looked at the young maid in front of him. She had black hair and deep brown eyes which reminded him of Jamila. He shacked his head and rise up putting his personal problems at the back of his head. He needed to concentrate on the matter at hand and could not be distracted.

He followed the maid on the corridor until he reached the door at the end. The maid knocked on it and asked for permission.

A stern voice sounded from the room which implied that they could enter. She opened the massive wood door and Vallen stepped inside with caution.

The room was a small one. Only a desk and a few chairs could be seen inside along with a few small bookshelves. Two large windows behind the desk let the light fall in the room. This was a pretty modest study. Compared to the rooms he saw in the rest of the house, it could be said that it was odd. ‘’it didn’t fit. ‘’ thought him.

The man behind the desk was an elderly one. His white hair was almost covering his head, living space for only a few dark spots. He had a big round pair of glasses behind which resided some deep blue eyes. E gray silk suit was covering a massive body that seemed to be as big as the desk at which it stood.

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Duke Gales was looking at some papers when he entered the room and only raised his head when the maid closed the door behind him. Gales's eyes locked onto him and a weak smile broke on his solid face.

‘’Count Vallen, please take a sit’’ Said him while gestured towards the lounge at the corner of the desk.

Seeing that, he didn’t wait and sat down a little nervous. The man in front of him was one of the most powerful and influential persons in the federation. His will could do and undo a person such as him, so he needed to be extremely cautious.

‘’Relax a little, my friend.’’ Said Gales. ‘’ I asked you to come here on a joyous occasion’’ continued him with his usually stern voice.

Hearing the duke mentioning a joyous occasion, a single thought came into his mind. ‘’ Could it be that the results came?’’

Gales nodded while a smirk grew on his face. ‘’ Yes. Starting next month, my house will take over the administration of Nan, and implicit, the administration of the whole federation.’’

It felt like a huge weight was lifted from Vallen’s shoulders as he back began to stand up and he relaxed a bit. ‘’This is excellent news. Congratulations Lord Gales on your victory.’’

Gales nodded proudly.

Vallen knew that this old man in his sixties was an honorable man. He was a little conservative and didn’t enjoy the traditions and practices of the younger nobility. He preferred the old ways. To this kind of people, a little lips service was always welcomed.

‘’Count Vallen, you should be proud of yourself. Without your help and Zephir’s I doubt that I could’ve won,‘’ said him sincerely. ‘’You helped me more than my supporting men.’’

‘’It was our pleasure.’’ Added Vallen.

Seeing the smug face of Vallen, he couldn’t help but laugh a little, which terrified Vallen instantly. Gales’s stern and serious face looked evil when he laughed. ‘Maybe that’s why he doesn’t laugh often’ Thought Vallen.

‘’Don’t worry count. I don’t forget favors that easily. There will be a place for you in the administration and for some of your friends. ‘’

‘’Thank you, my Lord! You just lifted a weight off my shoulders.’’ Said Vallen.

‘’Don’t mention it. It’s only normal for me to reward you. I am in my position today because I knew how to treat my people. ‘’

Vallen approved in his mind. He knew that while the seven dukes of the federation wielded more power and influence than the counts, barons, or any type of lord… that was only in theory. In practice, there were some counties or barons that had more influence than some Dukes. Politics in the federation was a messy place to be. But he at least agreed with Duke Gales. Only when one had a network of people and relations could he exert his influence.

‘’ I am planning to make you my new minister of commerce. ‘’ Said Gales arrogantly.

Hearing this, his legs seemed to give out. The position of commerce minister was a peak government position. He would be in charge of all the trade regulations internally and externally. His mouth opened but he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t expect such a position. At most he thought that he would be an advisor or a similar position.

‘’This…’’

‘’Don’t worry. I already thought this through. ‘’ Said Gales trying to calm him down.

‘’As for your friend Gerver…’’

‘’Don’t worry my lord. My position is already more than I could ask. I couldn’t really ask for more for my friends.’’ Said him hurriedly.

‘’No. The decision is already taken. He will be the head tax collector for the North-western part of the federation. As for your other friend Count Tallon… although he is young and inexperienced, I decided to make him Deputy of the city watch.’’ Said Gales firmly.

‘’Thank you, my lord!’’ Said him without adding anything more. He didn’t know what to say.

‘’I rewarded you based on your performance. There is nothing to be modest about. ‘’ Added Gales. ‘’ As for Zephyr…’’

Hearing Zephyr’s name, Vallen suddenly woke up from his shock. He knew that Zephyr’s did the most for the Duke out of their group. Hell… maybe he did more than all the people that supported the duke. Unfortunately, he couldn’t be given a position since only nobles of the federation were eligible for a position in the state administration.

‘’For Zephyr… Since I cannot give him a position I have to think for another way to reward the lad.’’ He had a very favorable impression of the young man. Whether he would be talking about warrior talent or commerce he was a person that few in Nan could compare to. The Duke would have married his youngest daughter to him if not for him being a castaway noble from the Empire. Even if he didn’t care about those things personally, the family would object firmly and even he could not ignore them on everything.

‘’Tell him to wait for a little. I will need to verify something and if things develop as I predict, I may have a way to reward him and at the same time give him the opportunity of a lifetime. I just need a little bit of time.’’ Added Gales a little dispirited.

Vallen nodded in approval.

‘’Good. Now that the matter is settled, about the business that you want to open… ‘’

‘’Yes,’’ Said Vallen hurried as he didn’t want the duke to wait on him too much. ‘’ We will need approvement to sell runic equipment to the southern kingdoms, and maybe a permit to own more than for warships.’’

Gales thought a little about the requests and said: ‘’ The permit is not so easily obtained, but I think that once you get your position you will find a way to increase your warships. As for the runic equipment matter… It can be done. ‘’

‘’I understand. I will communicate this to my partners.’’

‘’Are the southern kingdoms preparing for such a war that they need to import a large quantity for us?’’ Asked the Duke. He would usually have information on matters such as this. But it would take some time. Why wait when he could find out now.

‘’It seems so. Who knows? As long as they are bringing profit and they keep their wars at home it is not really our problem.’’ Said him.