Magister Cromwell sat at his desk looking over the multiple reports on his desk. He threw the papers down and rubbed the dark circles around his eyes. He rose and headed to the liquor cabinet, pouring a generous amount into the crystal tumbler.

He drank the entire glass, “By the Virtues, I can’t handle this,” he said looking his desk, “The arena incident, buildings catching fire, and all these damn murders,” He poured another glass, “And the Duke’s busy playing matchmaker with his youngest daughter and the hero.” A knock came from the door, “Come in.”

An attendant entered and bowed, “My lord, there’s a lady here to see you,” he said looking flustered.

“Does she have an appointment?”

“No sir,” the attendant said peeking out of the door, “But she looks to be important, perhaps a noble from another province, or at least a noble’s proxy.”

Cromwell rubbed his eyes, “Understood, show her in,”

Cromwell gasped as a beautiful woman with red hair entered his office with her two attendants. The noblewoman wore a dark blue dress with puffy sleeves that hung off her shoulders showing her enticing collarbone and ample cleavage. A lacy black veil hung over the left side of her face pinned to her elaborate bun. The two attendants, both Amu’Ryjin, wore red and black silk robes with a golden floral pattern and a dark green sash. The man stood tall with his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword tucked into the belt holding his puffy black pants. The woman attendant stood tall but with her head down, trying not to outshine her mistress. Cromwell couldn’t help but notice her since she was just as beautiful, and her voluptuous form.

Cromwell cleared his throat, “I’m magister Cromwell, and who do I have the honor of addressing?” he said kissing the lady’s knuckles.

The woman gave a charming giggle, “My name is Meridith,” she said, “And these are my attendants Hykaru Kogna, and his sister Mina.”

“And how may I be of service to you, lady Meridith?” Cromwell said gesturing to the two sofas facing each other.

Meridith sat gracefully with her knees pointed to the desk, “I’m here on behalf of my master,” she said, “He’s looking to gain some influence in the city and wishes to open a business.”

“What business would he like to open?”

“My master is a…connoisseur of spirits, shall we say,” Meridith said, which got a chuckle from her two attendants, “So he was hoping to open a tavern.”

Cromwell rubbed his jaw, “A tavern?” he said. We could use a new establishment since Delilah’s tavern looks to be closing. “I believe that’s possible. Is there any spot you’d like to set up?”

“Yes, there is,” Meridith said with a bright smile, “There’s a spot in the lower city that caught my master’s attention.”

“The lower city!” Cromwell said, “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely!” Meridith said, “The lower city is full of opportunities, if you know where to look. And my master enjoys seizing these opportunities.”

“So, he’s looking to revitalize the lower city?” he said. Meridith’s smile brightened. “That’s quite the project. Does he have the capital.”

“He does,” Meridith said leaning closer, “But you and I both know that it takes more than money to make such drastic changes, and so does my master. I can assure you; he’s thinking long term.”

Cromwell went to his desk to grab a map and laid it out onto the table in front of her, “Where did he want to set up?”

Meridith looked at the map for a few moments then tapped on a spot marked by an X, “Right here.

Cromwell cocked an eyebrow, “There,” he said, “You know there was a building there that burned down. Was your master responsible?”

“No,”

Cromwell scratched his chin, “Give me a few hours to have the documents drafted,” he said, “Then we can discuss further on your master’s plans.”

“Oh, I thought you would reject the offer?” Meridith said with a sly smile.

“I’d be a fool to turn down such an offer,” Cromwell said, “Especially if it can fill the city’s coffers,” He gently shook Meridith’s hand, “I look forward to working with your master.”

“I’m sure he feels the same way,”

Cromwell headed to the door, “I’ll have an attendant bring us some refreshments,” he said. He turned to the attendant, “Go retrieve an administrator and have him bring a blank contract. Then run to the kitchen and bring our guest some tea and cakes.” The attendant bowed and ran off down the hall. Virtues, please let this go well.

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Three hours of negotiations led to this. “So states the contract,” the administrator said, “The city of Jericho hereby sales the land of 3321 Opular street in the lower district to the signee for the sum of seven thousand-five hundred gold,” Lady Meridith sipped on her tea, “The signee will have full control to build upon the land and the section of sewers beneath for any establishment of their choosing. The signee will hereby be exempt from taxes for the remainder of the year and shall pay seventy-five gold in taxes at the start of the year. Should the signee fail to uphold the contract, the city will regain control of the land and all assets on it and pay a fine of five thousand gold. Should the city fail to uphold the contract, the signee shall be reimbursed for the seven thousand-five hundred gold along with all other accrued costs.”

“Is this acceptable, my lady?” Cromwell said trying to control his smile.

Meridith set down her cup and dabbed her lips, “I suppose so,” she said, “Would it be alright if my master paid in gold bars? He’d feel uncomfortable with paying in coins.”

“The city will gladly accept the payment,”

“Excellent,” Meridith said signing the contract and its copy.

Cromwell read the signature, “RL?”

“My master likes his privacy,” Meridith said, “I hope you understand.”

“I understand completely,” Cromwell said standing and kissing Meridith’s knuckles, “Until we meet again.”

“I look forward to it,” Meridith said with a smile talking the contract, “Kogna will bring the payment this evening.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Please let your master know, that his Grace appreciates his support,” Cromwell said with a large smile. Meridith nodded and stepped out of the room.

“Sir, are you sure about this?” the administrator said, “This is…an unusual contract.”

“Yes,” Cromwell said turning to his desk, “We need to recuperate our loses spent on repairing the damage from the ants, and not to mention constant drain from the war,” Cromwell rubbed his temples, “This is a cow we need to milk for everything its worth.”

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Meridith stepped out of the castle with a victorious smile. She handed the scroll over to Kogna, “Can you please hold onto this for me?” she said.

“Yes ma’am,” Kogna said pocketing the scroll into his robe.

“Did everything goes as planned?” Mina said looking worried.

“It went pretty well,” Meridith said heading down the steps, “The initial cost of the land, and subsequent taxes are higher than I wanted,” she chuckled, “But getting the tax exemption for the next seven months should cover the costs. Not to mention the penalties against the city should they break the contract.”

“Where’d you learn your speech craft?” Kogna said keeping watch on the crowd.

“The Black Horn Guild,” she said turning into the upper city’s shopping district, “Master Aberny made sure all the receptionists could negotiate contracts with paying clients. I really should visit the guild some time.”

“Do you think the master will approve the contract?” Mina said looking through the shop windows.

“He’ll understand,” Meridith said stopping in front of a window. There was a mannequin showcasing a sleeveless, rose-colored dress with a high collar. Meridith pulled Mina in front of her, “You would look lovely in this,” she said checking out Mina’s reflection.

“N-no, I don’t think so,”

“Of course, you would,” Meridith said, “Right Kogna?” Kogna shrugged when he looked at the dress. Meridith sighed, “You’re no help.”

“Shouldn’t we return to the master?” Kogna said.

“You’re right,” Meridith said heading back down the street. “You may be bringing the payment by yourself Kogna,” she said, “I hate to say it, but the only other person skilled enough to act as a guard is that woman.” Kogna chuckled, “Something funny?”

“No ma’am,” he said.

“Good,” Meridith turned to Mina, “You shou-…Mina?” Mina wasn’t there. Mina stared at a shop a few feet behind them. “You need to stay with us Mina,” she said looking at the window. Multiple instruments were showcased upfront, “Did something catch your eye?”

Mina pointed to one of the larger instruments. It was the same type of instrument that Mina played when she served at Delilah’s tavern, but this one was made from an exquisite redwood inlaid with gold and silver. Flower petals painted in a myriad of colors decorated the body. The glare from the window made it look like the instrument was glowing.

“I’d never thought I’d see a rymujin again,” Kogna said staring at it in awe.

“Is this from your home?”

“Yes,” Mina said barely blinking.

“It’s an important moment for an onomori to acquire her rymujin,” Kogna whispered into Meridith’s ear, “It means that her talents have been acknowledged.”

“I see,” Meridith said looking at the bright-eyed girl. Meridith stepped into the shop breaking Mina from her trance.

The shop was quite homey. Each wall neatly organized between string, woodwind, and brass instruments. Meridith noticed that each of the instruments were branded with the shop’s logo.

An elderly gentleman stepped out of the backroom, “Welcome madam, how may I be of service?”

“I’d like to purchase the Amu’Ryjin instrument in the window,” Meridith said pulling out her coin purse.

Mina tugged on her sleeve, “Please don’t lady…Meridith,” her eyes were transfixed on the instrument when the shop owner brought over the instrument.

The shop owner gently slid the instrument into a masterfully made leather case, “That will be two hundred gold coins,” he said keeping his thumbs over the latches.

Mina gawked at the price, “It’s too much!” she said, “Please!”

“Nonsense,” Meridith said brushing the hair out of Mina’s face. She placed two platinum coins on the counter.

The man smiled flicking down the latches, “Thank you for your patronage,” he said taking the coins and spinning the case around.

Meridith turned to Mina, “Take it,” she said.

Mina gently took the case and held it close. Meridith smiled at her and headed out the down.

“Please come again!”

Mina shook with tears in her eyes, “A-are you sure?” she said.

“Of course, sweetie,” Meridith said wiping away her tears.

“But…what if master gets mad?”

“Then I’ll smash the other side of his face,” Meridith said.

Kogna chuckled, “I’d love to see that,”

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Mina held onto the instrument tightly. The scarf over her face covered the smile that wouldn’t go away. Yet, fear still hung at the back of her mind. Meridith spent a lot of money on her, money that the master could have spent on more important things, and that terrified her.

Reviled unnerved Mina. She didn’t want the monster to take out its anger on Meridith for wasting money on her. At most, she hoped it would tell her to take it back for a refund.

“Welcome back,” Blegt bowed to them as they stepped into the camp.

“Has she arrived?” Meridith said scanning the camp.

“No ma’am,” Blegt said, “But I’ll let ya’ know when I see the blonde-haired bitch.”

Meridith smiled, “Thank you,”

Mina looked at Meridith, “Are you going to keep calling her that?”

“She needs to learn her place Mina,” Meridith said with a sneer.

Meridith stepped into Skivret’s tent. Mina stopped in her tracks when she saw Reviled sitting at the table looking at a piece of parchment. Its finger digging a hole into the wood. Mina decided to sit next to Cappy, who was still holding onto the ant egg.

Meridith sat next to Reviled, “I’m back master,” she said. Kogna sat next to her.

“How did the negotiation go?” Reviled said still looking at the paper.

“Fairly well,” Meridith said taking the contract from Kogna and passed it to Reviled. “I was able to get us a tax exemption for the rest of the year alongside a hefty penalty against the city should they try to interfere.”

Reviled unfurled the contract and read it, “Looks like our costs are high as well,”

“I failed on that part,” Meridith said bowing, “The magister clearly wanted to get as much money out of us as possible. Please forgive me.”

“That’s fine,” Reviled said handing the contract back. It looked between Meridith and Kogna, then turned to look at Mina, “What are you doing over there?”

“I-I wanted to stay out of the way,” Mina said hiding behind her instrument.

“And what do you have there?”

Mina tightened her grip. She tried to speak but her voice wouldn’t come out.

“It’s her new instrument,” Meridith said, “We found it in the shopping district on our way back.”

“How much was it?”

Tears started running down Mina’s face.

“Two hundred gold.”

Mina couldn’t stop shaking. Her breath was caught in her throat when she heard Reviled get up from the table. He’s going to take it. It’s footstep stopped and she could feel it staring down at her. He’s going to take it!

“Mina,” Reviled said softly causing her to look up. Mina couldn’t keep her eyes off its hand when it reached out to her. It gently brushed her hair, “Would you please sing for us?”

“What,” Her voice came out hoarse.

“Meridith says you have such a lovely voice,” Reviled said caressing her hair, “We’re a little jealous we haven’t heard it yet. Please perform.”

“Y-you’re not mad?” Mina said staring up at it, “She spent so much money. Money that could have been spent on something important!”

“You are important,”

Mina started crying, “I’ll play.”

After calming down, Mina took out the rymujin and tuned the strings. The others pulled their pillows over to watch her. What should I play? She looked at everyone. They were smiling at her, happy. She even noticed Cappy rocking in her seat with her hands and feet peeking out of the side of the egg. That’s it.

Mina started playing two high quarter notes consecutively. Kogna recognized the song and nodded in approval. Her playing shifted to add a deep, low half note at the end of the chord. The air shifted with a warm, gentle breeze that had a sweet, earthy smell. After the third chord, Mina started singing. She sang in a light, cheerful tone. This was one of her favorite songs.

Mina picked up the tempo and added more high notes making the song sound light and airy. Meridith started clapping along, and Cappy danced with the egg. Mina could see the wererats gathering around the tent’s entrance. The song was coming to an end, so Mina decided to show off a bit. She increased the speed again and added a few complex chords to make a strong impact. Finally, she stopped and ended the song by slowly plucking the two high notes the song started with.

Quite hung over the tent, then the crowd outside started cheering. Mina couldn’t help but smile.

Reviled sat next to Mina and embraced her, “Truly beautiful,” it said petting her. Mina smiled but flinched when Reviled’s tongue slithered out and started caressing her cheek. “You’re singing was lovely, Mina.” It’s tongue gently slid down to her jaw then back up to her cheek. This must be how he shows affection.

A commotion came from the tent as one of the rat children rushed in, “Lady Meridith,” he said, “Blegt said the bitch is here.”

Meridith groaned, “It’s about time,” she said standing up. “Thank you for the song, Mina,” She left the tent. Mina couldn’t stop herself from crying again.