Chapter 31 Jirminshawl

Jirminshawl was seated at his widely arced balcony that gave a grand view of the nobles district. The sky began to darken as the drizzling rain turned into pouring rain. He sat on his heavy cushioned chair while he ate to the soothing sound of rain, the slanted roofing above the balcony protected him and his plate from the darkening weather. After he finished munching down on his food, he pushed the plate aside on the small table in front of him.

Jirminshawl gave a satisfying burp while padding his face with a napkin. He then addressed the unnamed man that was standing behind him. The man wore a faded yellow mage garb that had a dragon symbol on it.

“You should not be here; we have no business together.” Jirminshawl was clearly unhappy about the man’s presence.

“Jirminshawl, we require your resources to keep that Lotus girl away from the castle.”

A maid brought Jirminshawl some cake and then offered the stranger some refreshments to which he ignored. When the maid grabbed Jirminshawl’s finished plate to take it away, Jirminshawl got her attention.

“Hey.” He addressed the maid.

“Yes Master?”

“Who made this food?”

“Orthia did, believe she said she had help from a new girl.”

“Hm, that's so?”

“Yes, it’s her first time to my understanding, I deeply apologize if its unsatisfactory, we can definitely show her how to properly make it-”

“No. This was exquisite. Continue to make it like this.”

The maid nodded before walking away.

Annoyance grew in the mage’s voice. “I’m not here to mess around Jirminshawl, are you going to send guard to the district perimeter or not? The west side of the noble’s district is under your control.”

Jirminshawl, still in his chair, raised two fingers.

“Let me make this clear, I owe neither your organization nor Frederick anything. In fact, the person who is owed is I, for that generous loan I gave Frederick to pay for your ridiculous colleague to wreak havoc in Regalia. I will not dirty my hands in the name of your group or Frederick again.” Jirminshawl called back the maid. “Be sure to escort him out dear.” The maid that was attending him nodded and began leading the man out.

“If the Lotus girl succeeds in interrupting our work, you will be made to pay Jirminshawl.” The man stopped midway to make his threat.

Jirminshawl put down his spoon, the comment acting as a barrier that stood in between him and his cake.

“Tell me, isn't the warden still hunting your people down and killing them like rats? Ten years of hiding with nothing to show for it. It really is sad, and it is an even sadder investment. Best be careful, before I cut my losses.” Jirminshawl, now satisfied after making his point, took a big bite of cake as the man finally left the room. “Such a deprived day. That dirty city councilor has spoiled my mood.” Jirminshawl leaned back into his chair and back to his view of the noble’s district. A new maid approached and brought him a platter of fruit.

“Lessening your indulgence is a good step to a healthy body.”

“Yes but, is adding a few years worth the loss of such delicacies.” In a moment Jirminshawl paused, realizing something was off. The fact that this maid just initiated conversation with him and her voice sounding so familiar made him quickly turn to her. Jirminshawl flinched back once he recognized her.

“I heard you liked my food.” Snow smiled.

Jirminshawl looked afraid.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t poison you, even though I should have.” Snow took a servant-like stance next to him looking out at the rainy view.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t have my guards remove you this instant.”

“Because I feel an opportunity has arisen that as much as I hate to say, would benefit both of us.”

“hmph.” He smiled realizing his life wasn’t in such immediate danger when business was the intent. He relaxed a little bit, resuming his position on his chair.

“This better be good. Let’s hear the proposal. You have a high bounty on your head, let’s see if you can offer something worthwhile.”

“I need access to the king. Give me that and I will give you five percent of the labor guild’s yields.”

“Labor guild? Are you really still trying to bargain with that? You are being hunted by city guard and Frederick wants nothing to do with you. As far as I can tell, the labor guild would never even come to existence.”

“Yes, it will. When you give me access to the king.”

“It is to my understanding that your mother doesn’t wish to declare the guild progress done, why would getting the king to decree it be any different?”

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“The means to get the guild formulated is no longer information you are privy to. All I am asking for is information and in return you will be granted a stake. I don’t care for your money, you have no risk here. Unless you have stakes with Frederick, that is?”

“Me allying with Frederick? Good one. Let’s say I believe that you will be successful. On the off chance you turn the king's favor and he decrees your will, I am afraid what you are offering me is much... too.. little.”

“How much is not too little then.”

A slow smile creased on his face.

“Thirty percent.”

“That’s too high.”

“You have very little choice in this matter. Frederick will be bringing his deed to the king by the end of today. Without my help you have no hope of stopping him and if you don’t stop him, your guild doesn’t get passed through consul, however that will be the least of your issues.”

“So you support his declaration for war, are you sure you will come out on top if such a thing happens?”

“The way Frederick explained it, I would be a fool not to. But a fool I would be if I openly partook in supplying arms against a ruling country. No, I have no such interest in igniting war. I will only seek to profit when the opportunity is presented.”

“You’re the reason why all this started. You used me as an excuse to leave that meeting. You killed the deal. You funded the attack in Regalia. You tried to buy the deed before us and now you pretend as if you are doing me a favor?”

“I've merely put myself in a favorable position, I can’t be blamed for that. Why would I share any stakes with my competitors.” Jirminshawl shrugged. “As for the deed to that loathsome property, you are mistaken. I have no interest in dealing with it or that snake, Lazarus.”

Snow turned her head sideways at the mention of Lazarus.

“So you claim that Lazarus holds the deed to the property?”

“Yes, of course he does. He would never sell it to anyone, he clutches onto it harder than that ivory paint brush of his. Ever since he corrupted my son into being a degenerate, I have done all I can to financially crush him. He persists only because that council position protects him as well as his network of collars. I feel bad for your family, dealing with him is dealing with poison.”

Snow looked out into the rain that was now pouring, spending a few seconds in thought.

“You are right Jirminshawl, I am not bargaining with the Labor guild. What I am really offering you is a way out.”

“A way out? Please tell me, why would I need that?”

“The council is broke. Do you think they will take the king’s money? Or continue asking for yours? Today they will ask, but what of tomorrow? Or the week after that? They will take all you have. Do you think Frederick can continue paying off the mercenary guild with council funds on top of war preparation? You do not need to be a mathematician to see how foolish that is. Who really wins here? Certainly not you.”

He put on a dissatisfied face.

“I am afraid you are low balling me for your current predicament princess. You say that I need you, but right now, you need me. This information you seek is invaluable. I daresay you don’t have a choice in the matter. Fate has dictated you to me.”

“Fate does not dictate my decisions, Jirminshawl.”

“Information on how to reach the king isn’t the only information I have, would you like to know, let's say… the location of your sister?” Snow’s eyebrows went up at the mention of Lussuria and Jirminshawl smirked. “Yes. I know where she is. I would give that info as well for fifteen.” Jirminshawl’s face was now smug.

Snow couldn’t believe he dared to use her sister's life in this deal.

“You would dare use Lussuria’s life in negotiation?”

“We are all valued at something, Is five percent worth your sister’s life?”

“My sister’s life is worth more than this deal. In fact, I am offended you would value her at five percent. For your offense, the deal is now nine percent.” Jirminshawl looked surprised.

The maid came back with a bunch of guards.

“My lord! She’s not a real servant!”

Jirminshawl stood quiet, the guards began approaching.

“Your hand has been shown Lord Jirminshawl, you must accept the deal, for it is the only way you have a guarantee. IF you accept the deal and I am successful you will profit, if you accept the deal and I fail, you lose nothing. However, if you deny me, whether I am successful or not, you will risk losing everything. Do you think I entered your estate on my own? The councilors with sense know that I am here. If you do not play along, you will fall along with Frederick.”

“You really expect me to believe that the councilors I have in my pocket will choose to betray me? Including backing out this late in the game? That is foolish.”

“You said it yourself, you dirtied your hands. Who can trust you after that? The council is full of snakes. Tell me, where is their guarantee to you? That they won't backstab you when the king or Frederick comes for them? I would say you put yourself in the opposite of a win-win situation. By playing all sides you played yourself. Good thing you have me right? This is your last chance. Would you like to continue believing in your delusions? Or shake my hand? Those are your only options left.”

Jirminshawl eyed her, looking for weakness. The guards were standing right behind her. Waiting for orders. Snow could see, behind Jirminshawl’s shark-like gaze, a crack. There was an incense stare-down, before Jirminshawl looked away to his guards.

“Don’t you see I am conducting business? Out of my sight!” He waved them off.

“Yes, my Lord.” The guards backed off.

Jirminshawl stood up, looking down at her.

“There is an alternate way into the regal district. A garden connected to my estate, you can enter from there. The garden is packed full of shrubbery and large flower beds that someone of your size should be able to maneuver through without being seen right up to the perimeter of the castle. There are guards on the main entrances, so your best bet is to enter through the servant entrance, which is also there. From there the king should be in his chambers at the very top of the castle or at the throne room in the center. Once you are inside, the guards will believe you are a guest. The regal guards know not of Frederick’s schemes.”

“Ok, and my sister’s location?”

Jirminshawl got up and approached the balcony rail that was under the rain, Snow followed behind him. He pointed off in the distance towards the east side of the noble’s district away from his estate and the castle.

“That big warehouse on the east side. She is being held by that infamous mercenary.”

“The guy with the eye patch. Just who is he?”

“They call him ‘The tracker’.”

“The tracker?”

“He is one of the best trackers of the mercenary guild, he is good at laying traps. He is a runic mage that used to belong to the Daiga mage guild and one of the few people left that can use lightning magic. I have hired him myself before. I would hate for our deal to end prematurely so I recommend you go straight to the king. If your sister is in his charge then the king would be the only person who can free her.”

“That concludes our meeting, thank you Lord Jirminshawl.” Snow started to walk away.

“Regalia, be smart. Go to the king! Don’t make me regret this deal!”