Chapter 45: The Price Others Have to Pay

"And Naz'i'car is the next Grandmaster," the servant announced the hall.

No one made a move, and no one clapped or bowed or knelt. One by one, we all just turned and left, leaving the leader of the Khaganate south smiling grimly at the stool by the statue's foot.

Once we got out, my Numbered smiled. One gave me a soft peck on the cheek. And the Oialas designation came and congratulated me. The other five groups looked frustrated and confused as they left. I could only hope that they understood what was really happening and chose to end it here.

We had thoroughly achieved the deal. We'd set out with the revelation of a lot of information. We knew the southern branch of the Khaganate had no real recourse. We could destroy their political standing almost instantly, turning every branch of the assassination of the court against them, as well as getting them exiled from their own country. But they were willing to play along so long as we didn't release that as expected. But if anything, the leader was rather pleased with the outcome. It wasn't his fault so much, but it was his predecessor who had left the mess for him to clean up. Now, he held one of the most powerful positions in the entire human world.

Of course, he did have to bow to me as his puppet master, but I had made no demands of him and made it clear that I would have none as long as he stayed out of my affairs. I made some allusions to grander works that I hadn't planned and didn't have time to deal with the day-to-day operations, and I didn't mind if he used it to enrich himself as much as possible. This went over rather well, and everyone who walked away from our blackmail attempt was satisfied. It is really more of a negotiation and forcing them to listen to us.

And once we had laid our cards out on the table, the animosity for us had vanished between breaths. I didn't trust that supposedly newfound goodwill one bit, but self-interest was one of the most reliable tools.

When we got back to the place we were staying, we met up with two and three. They had stayed behind, unwilling to allow the other delegations to be aware of their presence. Three was the nuclear option in many ways, as One explained to me. Her presence was almost an open declaration of war again for many of the other branches. So it'd be best if they could watch our quarters and make sure that everything was secure. It allowed Five to join my delegation, bringing it up to the proper five people rather than being the only four.

Still, it was nice to be back in the house where we could mostly relax. The Oialas delegation joined us. Six served me and a few of my Numbered drinks while the rest made their own as we gathered in one of the parlors. A few members of the foreign delegation had to bring in chairs from the dining room to seat everyone, but in general, the mood was light. Several of the foreign assassins were chatting amicably with Four and Six as Three and her sister discussed something quietly off in the corner. One in. Two were relaxing with me. I noticed One had become much more clingy ever since Two had arrived, both competing for my affection.

Five was currently on duty keeping watch, so she was the first to hear the news. The town was boisterous around us. Even the wealthy quarters dug deep into the cliff face were hearing some of the commotion. It appeared that the second that we had decided on a new Grandmaster, the new city's ruler had been appointed. And because of that, there was feasting and celebration. So, the commotion was not entirely unexpected. But when life came dashing in a warning on her lips, it was clear that something else was wrong.

"What happened? Five, what's the news?" One asked before I could speak.

Five stopped in the center of the room and turned to face me directly. But everyone perked up and listened. "The South's delegation has been annihilated. The other five have banded together to overthrow our new Grandmaster. It wasn't even an hour after the election was done that he was dead. At least according to my sources."

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The dozen or so of us in the room exchanged tense looks, and everyone looked to me for a decision. I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, trying to project a steady calm while I fumed. I made eye contact with Three. We hadn't had a chance to talk on one. Nor had I with Two. I felt that it was necessary for me to get a feeling for them. So, I had to rely on One's judgment for the most part. But the look she was giving me told me that she was ready to act just as much as the rest of my Numbered. I look to One. "Is it time?"

Five and Six both perked up on that, remembering our early conversation about what would happen if the court was no longer useful. One shrugged. "It could be if you want."

I considered whether this was worth salvaging or not. I sighed and, picked Two up under her arms and lifted her off my lap, setting her standing next to me when I stood up. "Prepare yourselves. It appears that the court needs severe restructuring at the minimum."

My Numbered sprang into action, quickly preparing themselves. The Oialas delegation looked concerned, but after Three shared a few words with them in their native tongue, they understood.

Doja stood and faced me. "Do you require our assistance?"

I knew that if I asked, they would be obligated to come, but at the same time, they were not eager to borrow trouble. This was the point of having allies. But when I sized up the six of my Numbered and me. I didn't think we would need the help.

"No." I shook my head. "Go and shelter until tomorrow. The servants will be calling only two delegations to vote."

She nodded and quickly left. It was just my Numbered and me.

I looked over at them, One through Six. And mentally paired them off. "One and Two, you are taking. The central. Four and Five. The north."

Five opened her mouth to protest, but Four grabbed her arm. "Six. Ihererin."

The Ihererin were the least combat-capable, by my estimation. And six would probably be the weakest party working by herself. Five could have maybe done better alone, but I wanted her to watch out for Four. Also, the Khaganate were numerous, as if not individually skilled, and hopefully, a pair of Numbered would be more than enough to do it by themselves.

"Three, the Nar."

She actually did speak up in a voice that I had only heard in singular words or distant conversations for the most part. This was the first time she'd spoken a lengthy sentence to me. "Are you sure, master? The Shunul are not to be underestimated."

I smiled. "I know, but I have other reasons," I said, glancing at Four's arm, and all the Numbered bristled. "I trust you to take care of the Nar yourself."

The Nar were perhaps the most dangerous in a way. They didn't have the same proclivity for poisons and trickery that Shenal did, but they were fierce warriors. But they worked perfectly against my assumptions of Three's style. A straight-up fight wouldn't be something they wouldn't do exactly, but it would be the closest thing Three would get to. And well, I wanted to see if everything I'd heard about her was true.

"All right," I said. "One, information."

She reached for a folder of papers she always kept nearby and passed out cards. Each one of us received a piece of paper detailing everything we knew about the delegation, every member, and all the support staff they had brought. Their locations and patrol routes were carefully mapped out by informants that Five had contacted on the first day we were in the city.

"How reliable is the information I asked?" And the others looked on interestingly.

"Pretty reliable. The counts should be almost absolute patrols and might have changed. Locations were updated after the vote." One said. I could only appreciate her many, many talents.

"Whoever finishes first, go and support Six. Six, if you feel the need, wait half an hour for backup before you move in. Focus on containment rather than striking." Six looked slightly offended but nodded. "I will do what I need to," she said, and I nodded in appreciation. "Good."

I finished strapping on my sword and checked all my poisons before I stepped out of the door.

It was nice to be done with playing politics.