In the current moment William could feel the potential tension in the air. He could have turned down the meglomanic usage of his power. But he liked his chairs they were comfortable the sun shade was even better. It was practical dammit. However, as William looked upon his 'guests' the only real tension came from the centurion but even it wasn't towards him it was...toward the Legate and this woman with him? Why did he look sullen like a sad cute puppy being dragged by a leash? It was only until he looked at the two in charge that he knew the answer.
As he had planned this meeting he had expected awe, anger, fear, sadness or grief. Instead he got awe, child like wonder at something new, but also the need to examine. It threw him off so much that he didn't watch them sit. Even the first real words of the parlay went to them. The Legate spoke first "If I might have your name Lord as I wish to know it so I may commend you for your magics." William saw no reason to lie so he gave them his name in full. "Then I, Legate Locke Adler, admire Lord William Willow for his feats in conjuring these luxurious pieces of furniture."
Curiously, William saw the woman next to Locke lean over and spoke into the Legates ear. His eyes moved to the chairs and after his eyes flashed blue. He looked giddy. William almost couldn't contain his laughter as he watched the high ranking Legate nearly vibrating in his chair. The centurion rolled his eyes and coughed then said "sir." Locke seems to finally realize how he was presenting himself and with reluctance calmed down. He then spoke in a more courteous manner. "What is it you wish of us? I won't bother with trying to get anything more then passage without any more slaughter. Do you agree with those terms?" "Sounds great"
Then William thought on his reparations then spoke with grace deserving of a noble “Of Runick's reparations first. All cattle that were released during the attack are now Runick property. There should be a total of sixty. Secondly I believe that you are most likely returning to where you came with food supplies. I either want some of the grain you return with or for you to bring the village bags of seed stock of every grain or vegetable the you can part with. Next up your legions removed sixty percent of the mortal population of Runick. Which means we are without much of a workforce besides that which we already picked up. Therefore upon your return you shall have brought every orphan the city has except those that can’t walk or fend for themselves and I mean every single one. I also would like any criminals who have crafting trades. None of them may be murderers, rapists, arsonists, have assaulted anyone, or have a history of abusing children in anyway. Anything else is free game don't care. As for my reparations. I want a small bar of every magical metal you can get me they need to be three to four inches in length two inches with with a depth of a knuckle. Finally I want your aide to be left in the village until the legions return that should be early spring when you get back. Perfect time to start planting. So do you accept my terms?”
The centurion is shocked. Locke thinking. The woman doesn’t say a thing she barely bats an eye as Williams eyes rake the group as she seems to have already made her mind. The centurion stands in fury and yells “This is preposterous how can we accept such terms you barba…” Will can only smirk at the outburst but before the centurion can finish his words Locke chimes in “Centurion sit down and shut up”
“Sir you can’t seriously be consideri…” “What did I say centurion and for your information I am more then considering. Think on this and stay quiet. The supply of food I can’t offer the legions to the south require the supplies. I can offer the seed stock and the cattle were yours when you asked. The orphans and criminals are fine the city could use a few less mouths to feed.” Once again the centurion pipes back up “But sir we can’t give over imperial children to some backwater…” “Centurion I will demote you from primus so help the Lady and I will place you instead at the head of the under strength century of twenty men.” Will uses [ Create ] and makes a strip of duck tape the perfect size for gagging. “Here this will shut him up.” He hands Locke the strip put it over his mouth. Locke only tacks his fingers to the underside and smiles “Our host is most generous. Come here centurion.” He slaps the strip over the centurions mouth then continues.
“Think of it this way my primus these orphans have several paths. One is they so happen to have an affinity for mana and become a caster. They then are snapped up by the colleges and taught theory until they graduate then they have two directions. Become a civil servant basically a slave, or become part of a mage auxiliary. Neither are good choices. They might join the church its safe and boring. Worst choice yet because of being an orphan they will never be more then a low priest unless they gain a class that brings them more divine favor. Then they become a person of importance. No privacy at all never left alone for a moment. Not a good choice. Whats left after that. Oh they could have a knack for crafting that’s probably the best for them. But they have to impress a crafter to become an apprentice in the first place. Most masters don’t teach past the basics to not have competition. Not a good choice then. The rest either become criminals, merchants, or join the legion. I don’t think I need to say how bad all of those choices are. They could become an adventurer and go into the Rift but that’s what this deal does anyway. No I won’t give them these choices, instead I place them in his hands. As for the criminals you can take as many as you want I can get at the records easy enough to meet your stipulations. As for the last point I sadly can’t make that choice.”
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“Why is that?”
“Because Lord William, Legate Irene Adler is the same rank as me but also because she is my wife and I cannot make a choice like that for her.” The woman finally pipes in her voice like that of a low metallic tint of an aristocratic woman “Thank you dear and the answer is yes Lord William I will stay within Runick for the duration of this deal” Will can’t help but smile and with a half bow holding out his hand say as he activates [ Contract ] “It’s a deal then?” “It’s a deal” Locke replies shaking his hand earnestly
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[ ** NEW ** Contract: (Take it or leave it!) Keep Legate Irene Adler alive until Senator Locke Adler can deliver the Reparations. Rewards: Terms of the deal, +300 manapool, 500 XP ]
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Couldn’t resist the extra cherry on my sundae.
“Now that business is out of the way I guess you come with me and I’ll let you two get on your way. Oh and to make sure you have a keepsake to remind you of why we are doing this.” William gestures a stump flies out of the forest. “Centurion if could you set this one hundred yards away from the treeline it would be so kind of you.” The duck taped centurion looks to Locke and Irene they reply in near unison “You heard him” The centurion sullenly takes the stump and jogs a hundred meters away sets it down then jogs away before he is more then five yards away five holes adorn the stump.
“Be so kind and bring that back for your commander!!” Will shouts then looks to Locke and Irene. “That’s a souvenir for you Locke. Missus Adler be so kind as to follow me once you say your goodbyes.” The two Legates turn to each other hug then kiss. Then Irene follows dutifully behind William who waits at the edge of the forest. He motions her through the trees where Grock and Kena are waiting. He then calls out waving. “I’ll be waiting for your return Legate until next time.”
He then strides into the trees and undergrowth. Walking back to his troop and motions to the hunters to lead them home. Within minutes Irene has started to converse with Kena though its small talk nothing of real note. Irene makes her way through troops trying to speak to each of the thirty four present. But each person is just polite and gives little.
As she does William starts to go over what needs to be done back in Runick to prepare the first would be to get the desperately needed coal but he would have to twiddle his thumbs until the legion passed and gave Runick its deserved cattle. The next few tasks would be to break and fix the quickly poured concrete then continue construction on the wall. He had already sent Cluci back on wing to deliver the good news and stop the hasty construction. Thankfully the danger had been negated. Housing would need to start in earnest with winter on its way and the fact that he just added a great number of new villagers of various ages to the hundred eighty seven he already had.
It could take anywhere between a dozen years before this investment payed off but it would be worth it. His thoughts were interrupted as Irene started walking next to him.
“So either these are the most multilingual people I have met or something weird is going on as every single one is speaking in high molgham or my native tongue from the northern empire.” “Oh that’s simple it’s a skill I have I taught it too them to allow communication.” “You gave it away for free?” “Yeah?”
Irene starts to chuckle “You have no idea how much coin it is to learn a skill from someone.” “I thought the [ Teacher ] skill would be widespread” “It is doesn’t mean someone doesn’t want to make some extra coin. Knowledge in the Imperium is guarded and kept out of most hands. The plebeians are taught basic maths as a way to make sure they are not cheated out of their coin but anything else requires coin to learn.” “Well my knowledge and teachings come free of charge. Also there is no coin out here in the Rift. I like that keeps people honest and from being greedy. A sense of belonging and community is what drives the Rift. I see that as a positive. Especially when I am pushing for things that not everyone agrees with but my arguments bring them around eventually as everything I do is to better Runick.” “Agree to disagree on a few points but I do like free knowledge. May I enjoy such teachings as well or am I just a prisoner.” “Gods no you are free to move and speak to whomever you wish however I would advise being back at the gathering hall every night as we currently don’t have housing seeing as your legions burned it all. Now unless you have anything else you wish to know please remain quiet these forests are not as kind as the road.”
“I have just one it has been eating at my husband and I since we saw the first ball. What are those weapons and how do they work they are not magical we know that for sure.” “Alright well they are called air rifles they take compressed air and use it to propel the ball. Before you ask no I will not allow you to see the inside of one. I have already instructed those that carry one to never clean it in front of you or ever show you its internals. I don’t trust weapons technology to warmongers. I will show you much more worthy technology for praise when we get to Runick. Now I think that is your question answered. Now please, lut us walk in silence for the relative future.”