> Negotiating with him was like dancing with an inferno. His power affected me in ways I did not imagine, and even with the Myrmidón close, I still wonder if perhaps I didn’t act in a way that defied all reason. We had no concept of what he would become at that point, of course. We merely thought salvation for House Leos had been dropped in our laps. I saw the chance to save my family, and I took it without hesitation. Perhaps it was the selfish choice, but I don’t care. It was my duty, and I did it gladly.
Arthur took a moment to collect his thoughts before answering.
“I was never a Champion,” he began with complete sincerity. “I was trained by someone of a similar caliber—” also completely sincere, if not in the way they expected “—and benefited from those lessons, but I have never officially been part of the Star Kingdom’s forces.”
Atreus’ expression had become a frown when Arthur had denied the tall Myrmidón’s assertions, and the glance he gave Cassandra showed that as expected, his residual contact with Arthur’s mind had likely allowed the Myrmidón to discern that there was complete truth in the answers provided.
Even if that truth only existed for wildly more deceptive reasons.
“That is unexpected.” Cassandra admitted. “We had thought you a renegade or exile in over your head, but directly asking a Fringe nation about their most elite forces’ internal politics is courting trouble no one in the Ascendancy wants or needs.”
“It does raise even more mysteries, though at this point I believe we are erring between caution and paranoia.” Atreus said brusquely. “My delve was neither resisted nor defended against, and I have satisfied my immediate need for certainty. I officially declare you clear of immediate suspicion, Arthur Magellan.”
Arthur relaxed into his chair at the Myrmidón’s words, and let out a sigh of relief.
“Does that mean we can begin talking about remuneration?” he half-joked while sitting back in his chair and attempting to relax.
Perseus and Endymion had been entirely silent through the entire affair, though he assumed that to be a matter of station more than anything else.
Atreus, he suspected, outranked both Kidemónes by a small but notable margin.
“Almost.” Cassandra said with a smile that seemed equal parts rueful and bemused. “First however, there is the matter of your psion count.”
Arthur raised his eyebrows at her words and glanced from the Admiral to the Myrmidón. “I had thought that explained, Admiral.” he said carefully.
“The circumstances, certainly, if not the origins. It is impolitic to ask after the biological history of a person absent just cause, however, and I have a feeling that there are truths there that none of us will feel comfortable airing.”
She was likely suspecting him of being the bastard child of a very powerful member of Aurelian nobility, which is exactly what Arthur would have guessed. While she was wrong, she was closer than he wanted to admit, and it was better to let her believe whatever she wished instead of correcting her.
After all, the truth would only serve to complicate matters even further.
“The simple reality, Magellan—” Atreus’ lack of honorifics was strangely relaxing to Arthur, if for no other reason than the fact it elucidated on how bluntly honest the Myrmidón was “—is that you are now simply too valuable to be treated as another contractor. We have also noticed that despite your now partially confirmed skills, you are ostensibly without an Eidolon of your own.”
Ah. There it was. The missing piece that all the Graecians were likely curious about.
What manner of successful Knight-Errant didn’t own a personal Eidolon?
“About that. Regretfully I—”
“Let me stop you there, Arthur.” Cassandra cut in firmly. “To be candid, and despite the fact it may be an entirely innocent tale; I believe that not knowing the reason a pilot of your caliber is bereft of an Eidolon to be in the best interests of the Ascendancy, and my own. What we do not know, we need not lie about when making denials.”
Arthur paused and then nodded with understanding. It was a sensible approach, and when combined with the fact it saved him some very carefully worded truths; Arthur was not about to look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth.
“I take it this is going to be a bit of a different contract than the usual Freelancer fare?” he asked her with a half-smile.
“Yes.” Cassandra said with a dazzling smile of her own. “While most Knight-Errants are contracted for the span of two Solar years by the nations that retain them to fight on their behalf, it is rare that those Knight-Errants feel any true measure of loyalty or belonging to those nations.”
Knight-Errants. It was a colloquialism for Eidolon-piloting Freelancers, hearkening back to adventuring Knights in legends and tales from Terra. It was a universally accepted term, though often spoken in different names by different stellar cultures. With English being the ‘common’ language of human space, however; it made for an easily understood term.
“As such…” Cassandra continued. “With Lord Atreus’ blessing and under my own authority, I would like to make you two offers.”
The Yponávarchos lifted her hand and Arthur’s omni-comp vibrated against his wrist. He glanced at it and then back to Cassandra, and she nodded for him to proceed.
The requirements of basic social courtesy met, Arthur casually flicked his wrist and tapped the black band of metal to activate the two dimensional projected screen. A tap of perplexingly empty-solid digital projection later, and he navigated to his mailbox. Within he found and opened two contracts, which he immediately began reading.
“The first contract is a standard fare; two Solar years’ exclusive operation as part of the Ascendancy Royal Navy’s Eidolon Corps, with a standard retainer and bonuses per enemy defeated and battle won.”
“Contingent on participation, I take it?” Arthur asked with an upward glance.
“Of course.” Cassandra confirmed with another smile.
“Sounds right. My apologies for the interruption, and please continue.”
The Yponávarchos waved her hand dismissively at his apology, and continued as if the question had never come. “The second contract is somewhat more atypical, and I have made some last minute modifications since we no longer need the deniability clause for worry of Aurelia coming looking for a deserter.”
Atreus snorted, and Arthur chuckled.
“This contract,” Cassandra continued unaffectedly, “offers you a place within House Leos as one of our Hetairoi, to fight with us and serve us in the capacity of a sworn Knight. You would answer only to my husband, Menelaus Leos, the Duke of Pallikári. In return, House Leos would not only give you a home, a very lucrative stipend, and address any desires you may have within the bounds of law, honor, and tradition—but would also fund, with our considerable resources, the creation and development of your very own Eidolon.”
Arthur’s eyebrows had risen slowly when she’d begun, and by time she was finished they were in his fringe. “That’s… very generous.” he said while being careful not to insult her accidentally. “May I ask, my lady, if there is more to it?”
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“Of course there is.” Cassandra said with a warm bell-like laugh. It almost made him shiver. She was ridiculously attractive, in both voice and features. “Per the terms of the second contract, you will be required to share with House Leos any Eidolon technology you include in your design, though you will receive the rights to any patents—shared with the House—that emerge as a result of your efforts.”
Arthur took a moment to absorb her words, and couldn’t help but chuckle when he did. Cassandra was a truly shrewd woman, and it only took him a few moments’ puzzling to understand it. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was brilliant—and her rise to Yponávarchos suddenly seemed far less than she deserved.
“So you give me a blank cheque for Eidolon development, let me keep the income from any technological leaps I desire to patent, and benefit as a minority shareholder in those patents at the same time.” he listed off while ignoring the faint throb in his head. At least it was no longer sharp blades. “You do all of this, while also maintaining plausible deniability if anyone from the inner sectors comes knocking.”
“In essence? Yes.” Cassandra confirmed shamelessly.
“That’s a good offer.” Arthur said bluntly. “Too good of an offer.”
“Ah. You caught me.” She said with a wry smile. “I suppose it was too much to hope that you wouldn’t.”
“I dislike being deceived more than I dislike flattery.” Arthur said without ire. Cassandra had been honest and honorable in her dealings with him thus far, inasmuch as he could tell. The fact she hid something wasn’t what concerned him. Hiding things was what aristocrats did. He had certainly hidden his fair share of things in Pendragon.
At least, he assumed so. It felt like he had.
His concern was the gravity of what she was hiding, and whether or not it made the deal untenable.
“I understand that.” Cassandra said with a genuine smile. “And the truth is, Kyrio Magellan—”
“Just call me Arthur.” he cut in impulsively, and with no real understanding of why other than the fact it was exhausting to be referred to by formal titles constantly.
“Very well, Arthur.” she assented with a smile that, surprisingly, seemed warmer as a result of his request. “I will be candid. My family is currently in a somewhat dire position, and your addition to our ranks would be—in all honesty—something of a miracle we are desperate for. I am afraid, Arthur. I am afraid for my husband, for my daughter, and for all those that depend on us; and I have neither the power nor the means to protect them.”
Cassandra’s stormy eyes focused on him unerringly.
“In you, however, I see a chance to change that… and I will do whatever it takes to seize it.”
Arthur listened to her in silence and, when she was done, sat up straighter in his chair. His eyes moved across Cassandra’s face, over to Atreus, and then toward both Perseus and Endymion.
When he spoke, it was to the older of the two non-psionic Kidemónes.
“Is this why you brought me here, Endymion?” he asked in a measured tone.
“Yes.” the Kidemónas said with unashamed pride.
“I see.” Arthur said while looking back to Cassandra. His mind was working rapidly over everything, from the return of his memories and all that they carried with them, to the new realities of his situation, to the truths the Lion Duchess—a fitting name, in truth—had given him, and finally to what he was even doing in Graecia. Again he wondered why Nataliya had sent him. Again he wondered what it was she expected him to accomplish.
He found nothing in his mind. No hints, no inklings, no idle thoughts or implications.
If he wanted to learn more, though; he knew he’d need to stay in Graecia.
To do that and be able to truly find what he was sent to find, he needed allies.
To that end, a Dukedom he personally saved from imminent destruction would be perfect. He’d never need to worry—at least in the immediate future—of being easily betrayed or abandoned, not if he single handedly brought them back from the brink of devastation.
“Very well, Lady Leos.” Arthur said while hiding his thoughts. “You’ve given me much to think about. Before we move forward, are there any other details I need to be aware of?”
“Well, firstly, I would highly suggest that you have a solicitor look over these contracts before signing them.” Cassandra said with a smile. “As much as I would like to believe you’ll help me, I also see intellect in your eyes, and I do not want you going in blind.”
“Thank you.” Arthur said genuinely.
“You are welcome.” Cassandra replied before continuing. “As for your question, there is one more detail to be aware of—but it is not for me to say.”
Cassandra instead gestured to Atreus, and Arthur—with a mild apprehension—turned his gaze to the tall, black-haired Myrmidón.
The Spartan’s golden eyes met Arthur’s unblinkingly.
“Given your experience, origins, knowledge, and ludicrous combat potential in or out of an Eidolon; we cannot simply let you wander around unprotected.” Atreus began blithely. “When news eventually does break regarding new strides in our technology—and no matter how hard we Myrmidónes work, it will break—and our enemies and other powers begin probing around to find the source of those changes, you will immediately become a target.” his expression turned grim. “One that the Ascendancy cannot afford to lose for the foreseeable future, if you prove to be the asset the Duchess believes you can be.”
Arthur’s eyes narrowed in consideration of Atreus’ words, but he didn’t interrupt.
“Thereby and given your value, talents, and psionic gifts; I have decided to personally attach myself as your protector, citizenship sponsor, and cultural mentor. Additionally, Tacticus Endymion has agreed to commit himself and Kidemónes Andino to aiding me. Their Hexaron is deployed elsewhere, but in time they too will join us.”
Arthur looked toward the two Kidemónes at Atreus’ words and they offered him nods in turn as if confirming the black-armored man’s words. Arthur hadn’t realized with immediacy that Endymion was the leader of the Hexaron he and Perseus belonged to. That put a lot of things into clearer context, too.
“I see.” Arthur said slowly while turning back to Atreus and Cassandra, and splitting his attention between both Graecian officials. “And why is it that Duke or Duchess Leos cannot sponsor my citizenship?”
“You are not sworn to House Leos,” Cassandra said simply, “and I did not want to coerce you into it by making that a contingent part of your ability to remain within Graecia.”
Arthur’s eyebrows rose at that, and he folded his arms in genuine surprise. It was entirely possible Cassandra was manipulating him, of course, by pretending to be the kind and noble Aristocrat—but truthfully, he didn’t even care. Whether she was genuine or not, the intelligence on display if she was manipulating him would have impressed him just as much as if she was being honest.
Which, truthfully, he actually thought she was.
That alone was rare enough, given his own experiences in Pendragon.
Arthur peered at the assembled quartet quietly, and then spoke again to Cassandra.
“Let me understand this, then. I give you technology, and in return you help me build whatever Eidolon I want within the limits of your manufacturing abilities, provide me the highest level of protection one can find within the Ascendancy, and you give me whatever I want within the confines of the Law, Honor, and Tradition—but not at the expense of your national security, nor your nation’s relationships with older star nations that may theoretically have a bone to pick with me.” he said while ticking off his fingers. “Is that about the gist of it?”
Cassandra nodded with an approving smile of her own. “Precisely. If there are demands to hand you over, and they come at the end of a proverbial sword; we are not prepared to go to war with a Fringe power just to retain you.”
“Not yet, at any rate.” Atreus rumbled from beside her. “If you prove to us you’re worth it, both with demonstrable knowledge and demonstrable loyalty, that may change..”
“Reasonable enough.” Arthur conceded with an approving nod. He liked their terms. They were pragmatic, honest, and most of all respected his ability to think critically. They didn’t treat him like a fool, and that alone was a massive boon for their attempts to convince him. “I take it that the mentioned loyalty would be born of service?”
“Yes.” Cassandra confirmed. “Fight for us. Show us what you can offer House Leos, and the Ascendancy at large. In return, and once we have had time to integrate any potential upgrades to our technology that you may or may not produce, which may or may not hypothetically allow us to comfortably stave off a Fringe power…” the dangerously beautiful Rear Admiral smiled in a predatory manner.
“Well, that gives us options.”
“I understand.” Arthur said with a smirk. “And I only have one more question, really.”
“Yes, Arthur?” Cassandra asked with a small smile.
Arthur adopted a wry expression, and gestured idly with a hand.
“Could you recommend a good lawyer?”