“Warehouse number 15, warehouse number 15,” Alex murmured to himself as he walked through the streets, searching for the location mentioned in the letter. Alongside him, a small group moved forward, their faces hidden by cloaks, making it impossible to recognize anyone in the crowd. The city, as usual, was full of hooded figures keeping their identities concealed.
Finally, they arrived at a place marked with the number 51. Alex approached a maid with long rabbit ears, who was attending a small table.
“Is warehouse number 15 open?” Alex asked quietly, ensuring only she could hear him.
The maid quickly examined the three Gnolls accompanying Alex, then consulted a paper beneath her table. After reading it, she nodded.
“The guest seems confused. This is warehouse number 51, and our special is the seafood from the seven seas,” the maid responded energetically, offering a discreet smile.
Alex nodded almost imperceptibly, understanding the hint. The maid gestured to another woman to replace her and then led Alex and his group through a maze of narrow streets and hidden passages.
The group finally arrived at a discreet door, barely visible in the shadows. The maid stopped and turned to Alex. “This is the place. Go ahead, they are expecting you.”
Alex nodded in gratitude and approached the door, followed by his men. As he pushed the door open, they entered a dark, spacious area, dimly lit by a few torches on the walls.
In the center of the warehouse, there was a long table surrounded by chairs. Alaric, the Council member Alex had spoken with earlier, sat in one of them, alongside two other men with serious, vigilant expressions.
“Welcome, Alex,” said Alaric, standing up and extending his hand. “Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss.”
Alex shook Alaric’s hand and sat down, indicating to his men to remain close but alert.
“Alaric, I’ve arrived as agreed. Now, what’s so important that we needed to meet in such a... discreet location?” Alex asked, eyeing the surroundings with suspicion.
“I understand your caution, Alex. The situation in the city is delicate, and we need to ensure our discussions remain secret,” replied Alaric.
“Sure, but could you be more specific about this imminent disaster?” Alex asked.
Alaric sighed and began to explain dramatically, “Alright, I know I sound alarmist. I know it might mean nothing to you since you don’t depend on this city, but for me and many others who do, this city is our life, our lifeline. If we lose it, we have nowhere else to go.”
“Cut the crap, Alaric,” Alex interrupted abruptly.
Alaric sighed again. “Fine, you’re aware of the broad movements of both super factions. The free cities have always maintained our independence and stood together, but for whatever reason, all the major actors of the neutral factions have been faltering. An example of this is the Faeclaw Kingdom to the south.”
“Without these neutral factions, it’s harder to present a united front, I imagine.”
“It’s not just harder, it’s impossible. We need a well-coordinated army to stop invasions from other planes. Generally, the free cities supported the neutral coalition as much as possible, but now all the pillars of that coalition are shaking.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
Alaric sighed again. He had thought the young man would be much easier to convince, which is why he had used a grandiose narrative, hoping Alex would naturally step into the hero’s role.
“Alright, you win.”
“Good, I’d like you to be more direct. Don’t sugarcoat everything.”
“Fine...” Alaric resumed a more casual and serious demeanor, more typical of himself. He sat slightly sideways in his chair and asked one of the rabbit-eared maids to bring refreshments. Once everyone had a drink, he continued, “Basically, I want to receive a special offer from you, vassal privileges, something more than the others for being the first.”
“The first of what?”
Alaric exhaled loudly, seeing Alex still acting the fool. He leaned forward and lit a cigarette.
“In the council, the factions fighting to join one of the two super factions don’t even bother to hide it anymore. However, these factions are small, and many of us in this city originally came here fleeing from them. There’s no way we can go back to them,” Alaric took a deep drag on his cigarette and continued, “The rest are aligning with neutral factions. Everyone knows the city can’t remain independent anymore. This is where you come in. I’m willing to work for you. I know you have the strength to defend this city.”
“How do you know?”
“One doesn’t reveal their sources, boy.”
“And why do you think I’ll treat the city well?”
“I know about your famous constitution and that you enforce it to the letter. If you’re as lawful as you appear, then it’s worth it.”
“You know about the constitution. That rules out anyone who hasn’t been in the forest. It can’t be the Resh or the Gnolls, nor the Dwarves. That leaves only the mages, but none of them came here except...” Alex’s deduction left Alaric stunned. “So, you’ve been in contact with those Elves, Marya and Rin.”
Alaric’s expression immediately soured. “Yes,” he admitted, defeated.
Alex leaned back in his chair, evaluating the situation. “So, what exactly do you hope to gain from me?”
“We need protection,” Alaric replied frankly. “The city is at a crossroads, and without a strong ally, we’ll be absorbed by one of the super factions or destroyed by invasions from other planes.”
Alex nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “And you’re willing to offer me your loyalty and that of your people in exchange for that protection.”
“Exactly. Not just loyalty, but also the city’s resources. We’re a key commercial port and can be a strategic base for your operations.”
“Interesting,” Alex said, taking a sip of his drink as he pondered. “But I need more details. What specific resources can you offer, and how do you plan to ensure the city’s loyalty?”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Alaric extinguished his cigarette and began to elaborate. “First, the port. We can offer you exclusive access to the maritime trade routes we control, allowing you to move your goods and troops more efficiently. Second, our craftsmen. We have some of the best blacksmiths and alchemists in the region, capable of producing high-quality weaponry and potions. Third, information. Our network of spies and contacts can provide you with valuable intelligence on the movements of the super factions and other potential enemies.”
Alex nodded, intrigued. “And what about the city’s loyalty?”
“That’s more complicated,” admitted Alaric. “There are factions within the city that aren’t convinced yet. But with your support and mine, we can win over the majority. We need to show that you can deliver what you promise: security and stability.”
“I have an army of several hundred thousand fighting in the forest, and I’m recognized by the Great Council of the Forest Beasts. So, the fight against other planar forces is guaranteed on our part.”
Alaric immediately felt a chill and realized he had heard something he shouldn’t have.
“Shut that damn door, shut it immediately! Check everyone in the surrounding rooms,” he began to bark orders frantically.
Alex just raised an eyebrow at Alaric.
“Sorry, Alex. I really didn’t expect you to drop such a bombshell here,” Alaric waited for one of his maids to return and nod before continuing. “An army of hundreds of thousands? How can you maintain it?”
“I have several million subjects scattered in the forest. It’s true that for now, it’s hard to employ them all within the forest, which is why we’ve started the offensive outside to take fertile lands from the other super factions.”
Alaric was struggling to deal with the situation. He didn’t know how to play his cards. On one hand, Alex had a tendency to steamroll over everything around him when he didn’t like the game, and Alaric knew those who had the power to back him could afford that luxury. On the other hand, Alex had been quite open to responding and communicating, but there was information Alaric preferred not to know, simply because he didn’t know how long he could keep it hidden.
“So, can I know how the constitution method works? If the city joins your faction, what laws will apply and other legal matters? I need all that information to convince the rest.”
“Tell me something, is there anyone who even supports you or knows about this? What’s the real situation?”
Alaric measured Alex slightly, thinking about how much to really say, but after a few moments, he opted for blunt honesty.
“The truth is, I’m only here because I’ve been excluded from all the other factions. I’m the last one, and to be honest, none of the others convince me. That’s why I’m trying to create my own. I’m just seeking your support because, like me, you arrived last. I believe we can make a good combination, combining my influence in the city with your forces, resources, and growing influence outside the city.”
"Do you truly have a vote in the city council?" Alex asked.
"Yes, my son currently sits on the council, and we are closely connected. However, it's crucial that no one knows this. Almost no one in the city is aware of my true identity and connections," Alaric replied.
"I see, you've really put everything on the line. If that's the case, I won't let you down. Let's start with governance. Different parts of my government have what I like to call extended autonomy. This means they manage and regulate themselves, having the power to create and enforce their own laws as long as they do not conflict with constitutional laws."
"And how can we trust that you won't use these constitutional laws to override our city's autonomy?" Alaric asked.
"The constitution specifies that the king, which is me, guarantees these laws. Each constitutional law applies universally across all territories and societal sectors. To avoid discrimination, they cannot be specific to any race, religion, culture, or region," Alex explained.
"Is there a way to participate in the creation of these constitutional laws?" Alaric inquired.
"Not currently, but I plan to establish a mechanism for this in the future. It will be necessary to ensure cooperation among a larger and more diverse population," Alex said.
Alaric processed this information. "So, you're saying you commit to not interfering in the city's affairs?"
"Of course not. I will indeed interfere in matters as you will still be my vassals. I see each vassal as an independent entity, and my dealings with them are one-on-one. For example, the city will pay tributes to me, and these tributes can only be used within the city or for coordinated defense," Alex clarified.
"I suppose that last point about coordinated defense is the ambiguous area open to exploitation," Alaric noted.
"When fighting external forces, everyone must contribute. You can't expect the Gnolls to bear the brunt of the enemy forces while you continue to grow fat," Alex stated bluntly.
"True..." Alaric conceded, contemplating. "Has it worked so far?"
"Relatively. As you can infer, most of my subjects are Gnolls. They pay the majority of the tributes and contribute the most to defense. Next are the Resh. The Dwarves, however, do not have an active army on the front lines, so they participate economically," Alex explained.
Alex and Alaric sat in the room, their gazes fixed on each other. Both knew that the next exchange would be crucial for setting the tone of their collaboration.
"So, Alaric," Alex began, his voice firm and controlled. "We've talked about resources, loyalty, and the constitution. But I want to know something more. What do you really want from this alliance? Power, security, or simply survival?"
Alaric smiled slightly, leaning forward. "A combination of all those things, Alex. Power to maintain our independence, security to protect our people, and survival in a world where super factions threaten to devour us. But, above all, I want to ensure that my city has a future, and that my family has a future within it."
Alex nodded slowly. "I understand. But how can I trust that you won't switch sides when things get tough?"
Alaric straightened, his expression growing more serious. "Trust is a two-way street. How do I know you won't use our city merely as a pawn in your game? We need to ensure that both parties are equally committed."
Alex smiled, admiring Alaric's candor. "Fair point. My commitment is to protect this city and ensure it prospers under my protection. But I also expect you and yours to uphold your end of the bargain. The autonomy I mentioned isn't just an empty word. It means I will respect your internal decisions, as long as they don't compromise overall security."
Alaric scrutinized Alex. "That's what concerns me, Alex. Internal decisions may seem insignificant to you but are vital to us. What guarantees do we have that your interests won't interfere with our affairs?"
"The guarantees I can offer are simple," Alex responded, his voice calm but firm. "As long as your decisions don't endanger the alliance's security, I won't interfere. But if your actions ever compromise the city's or my territory's safety, then yes, I will take measures. Autonomy has its limits when survival is at stake."
Alaric pondered for a moment, then nodded. "That's reasonable. But I need something more concrete. What specific measures will you take to protect this city? I don't want vague promises; I want clear actions."
Alex smiled, appreciating Alaric's determination. "First, I'll strengthen the city's defenses. We'll send troops to reinforce the walls and train your militia. Second, we'll establish a surveillance network to detect any external threats before they reach our gates. Third, we'll secure the trade routes to ensure a steady flow of resources. These are the initial measures, and you'll see them implemented immediately."
Alaric nodded slowly, considering Alex's words. "Good, those are concrete actions. But there's still the matter of loyalty. We need a blood pact, a symbolic and practical way to seal our alliance."
Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A blood pact? I didn't expect something so... archaic from you, Alaric."
Alaric smiled. "Sometimes, the oldest traditions carry the most weight. A blood pact is not just a symbol of our alliance but also a promise that both of us are willing to shed our own blood for this cause."
Alex considered the proposal, then nodded. "Very well, a blood pact. But it won't be just between you and me. We'll do it in the presence of your leaders and my men so everyone can witness our commitment."
"Agreed," said Alaric, extending his hand. "Let's do this, Alex. For the future of our city and our alliance."
Alex shook Alaric's hand, feeling the strength and determination in his grip. Both knew this was just the beginning of a long and complicated relationship, but for now, they had taken the first step towards an alliance that could change everyone's fate.
The tension in the room eased slightly, but the determination in both men's eyes remained. They had agreed on the initial terms, but the real challenge was yet to come. Alaric would face a long process of convincing others of the need for Alex, now that he had a suzerain with enough power. He could start moving his pieces accordingly. Meanwhile, Alex needed to begin demonstrating his superiority more broadly to assist Alaric's efforts.