Three days of preparation for the coronation and there were already changes to the castle. While the hole of the roof of the throne room is being repaired, food was already being procured from the [Fishmongers], who sold them to Racieros at discounted prices. Numisley prevailed on Çienten to deliver their best-selling fish sauce to Ovespuerte, sending a letter that may take two or three days to arrive. The Scribe’s Guild had worked together with the Messenger’s Guild to spread the news of the coronation. The [Mages] of the Mage’s Guild had begun surveying the enchantments in the castle, determining which ones to repair.
Although Numisley assisted Racieros in regards to purchasing goods and services, much of the work was done by the castle’s [Steward], with the assistance of Dustitoz and Adriasta. Although Racieros and Numisley hated to admit it, both nobles had more experience than Racieros and Numisley when it came to preparing for an event. Even if they knew that both of them have ulterior motives.
On the third day, the first Commerros arrived at the gates of Ovespuerte. After a slight delay, these twelve riders had rode straight to the castle, past the milling men and women on the streets, five of them demanding an audience as soon as they had arrived. These five [Lords] and [Ladies] rode ahead from the rest of their sluggish House, taking their retinue’s fastest [Riders] and applying speed-boosting Feats to themselves.
After another momentary delay, they were granted an audience to the castle. They were led by a [Servant] past the throne room, which they saw a towering scaffolding dotted with [Laborers] from the Builder’s Guild, applying brick and mortar to the hole. The Commerros found themselves in a more private setting, in the office where the former patriarch of House Commerro once sat. On the same wooden chair Racieros sat, and faced them as someone who wants to prove that he deserves his position.
“Greetings, Lords and Ladies Commerro.” Racieros addressed the five nobles who demanded to speak with him. “Are you here for me?”
“Yes.” The oldest of the five spoke, a man whose beard was as sharp as a spade, monocle gleaming in the indoor candlelight. “Condolences to your father, the greatest of us. Your brother too, the bravest of us.”
“Thank you, uncle.”
“And we understand that as the remaining son of Torresso, you would want to take your father’s burden.”
“I will.”
“Yet.” The older Commerro spoke. “Yet, your mother is of lower blood. The laws of the Divine Decree–specifically our Amithrales Charter–dictates that even counties must follow ichorial legitimacy.”
“I’m the son of Torresso Rahmeiros Commerro.”
“And we are House Commerro. The position of Contiearl and higher titles are for the heritages closest to the Thousand Bloodlines. We declare the right of conclave, contesting your claim on the basis of unsuitable lineage. We shall elect the most suitable among our House.”
“Which is you or every head of the House.” Racieros didn’t say that out loud, yet his uncle knew what he was thinking.
“The rest of the House do not recognize your authority, nephew. If I’m deemed worthy of the position, out of respect for your father, I will be your regent until I deem you ready, without relying on other people.” Racieros’ uncle pointedly stared at the bookshelves behind Racieros.
Although Racieros has [Verbal Riposte] at the ready, every word his uncle said was true. The metaphorical blade would bounce off his armor of sound logic.
“Stop this coronation before you waste too much coin on unwilling guests.” His uncle and the rest of his entourage left the office. Racieros sighed, as he had to arrange rooms for them to stay in.
Racieros swung his sword on the table, as a release to his frustration. He stared at the scar on the wood and the tiny motes of dust and splinters on the ground.
“I know this would happen to me someday.”
Numisley limped out from behind the bookshelf.
“Did you say that he is your uncle?”
“Unfortunately, Garrenno Commerro is my uncle,” Racieros replied. “And I think he saw you.”
“What? A Feat?”
“No. He’s an [Artificier Lord]. A crafter and seller of wands and other magical stuff. His magical monocle saw you, I think.”
“Damn. Is he influential?”
“Very. And rich. Second richest in the House, in fact. You know what ‘Commerro’ means in our tongue?”
“Which is?”
“The origin of our name comes from the phrase, ‘Nobles of Commerce’. By the Decree, I shall not be the poorest Commerro in this era.”
-
Dustitoz had already employed [Spies] within the castle in those three days. One of them instantaneously transmitted the information that he had gathered just now in Racieros’ meeting with his uncle, further reinforcing the fact that Racieros is still inexperienced. He had neglected to consider that people like him can eavesdrop on his conversations, and the office’s enchantments that prevented that had already degraded.
Dustitoz formulated a couple of moves within his mind, each one an alternate way to discredit Racieros and Numisley. From what he had gathered in the past three days, there are rumors of a hostile takeover among the guilds. He followed the trail of coins of the castle’s expenses, and discovered that they were already paid for by the Merchant’s Guild.
He simply waited until more Commerros arrived. They would want to listen to what he has to say.
On the seventh day, more Commerros had arrived in Ovespuerte, hearing of the news of their new young patriarch of their House. They gauge the lordling on how he conducted himself and how the coronation itself is being prepared. Some oppose him openly or covertly, and some, the most orthodox adherents to the system of legitimacy in place, support Racieros merely on the basis of his heritage, or angling for being regents and valued subordinates of the young [Count].
Stolen story; please report.
Aside from feasts prepared and decorations strewn, the preachers of the city's temple prepared hymns and doubled their loud processions in the street, extolling the virtues and the future that Racieros would create for Ovespuerte.
On the same day, the fastest [Courier] of the Obscure Ocean had arrived at the docks of Ovespuerte. Johoon had welcomed the skiff to the docks of Est Provés. The magical chests of gold had floated themselves out of the ship to the docks, as Johoon thanked the [Courier]. Later, Johoon presented the chests of gold as an “anonymous donation” to Racieros. Yet a train of carts to the castle was noticed by many bystanders, by the visiting nobles especially. The implications of a patron unknown to them became apparent to the visiting members of the Commerro House. They saw many foreign [Mercenaries] and the troops bearing the colors of the Kaminor as security.
Conspiratorial conclusions simmered on House Commerro’s minds, and some had conspired to cripple the preparation for the coronation. An accident here and there had significantly hindered preparations for the past few days. Disunited in method, yet united in goal, the Commerros had reduced the workforce dedicated for the coronation. They bribed many workers to stop working, and a major incident within the castle was the collapse of the scaffolding within the castle as the hole within the castle had finished repairing. Many had been injured, and some had died, disabling the skilled labor in one fell swoop.
Despite the influx of funds, supplies and the participation of the Guilds, there are never enough people to commit to the menial labor that the preparation for the coronation outside of the castle, especially after the strange accidents and sudden disappearances. Members of the Guilds were expensive to hire even with financial assistance from Johoon and Aryyad. Most people outside of the most dedicated to the doctrine of the Divine Decree, or the poorest people of the slums do not flock to the aid for the coronation, simply because they have their own livelihoods and are paid enough for it. Many of the metropolitan people of Ovespuerte possess the status of freedmen, and fewer are [Serfs] and [Slaves] that can be called for work. Aryyad had already noticed this discrepancy in their labor force, and had arranged for the transport of additional labor force via his contact.
In the afternoon, a hulking ship propelled by magical wind blowing on their sails arrived at the docks of Ovespuerte, and Aryyad summoned Racieros, with Cultrost and Numisley in tow. A depressed parade in chains and rags walked the gangplank. It dawned on the Gildin Brothers that they are Beastkin [Slaves], shipped from the sea across the Golden Triangle. A man with an indistinct face and groomed, short hair akin to feline fur had first approached the master of the solemn procession. With a pouch of gold, he had bought the youngest [Slaves], and two other people had appeared from the buyer’s side. They promptly disappeared with the crowd next to the docks, never to be seen again. What was left was the oldest and weakest of the merchandise, yet still useful.
The [Slave Trader], a horned Beastkin with grey leather skin, approached Aryyad and Racieros with Cultrost and Numisley behind him.
“Well met.” The [Slave Trader] greeted. “I see the Goddess–the grace of the Decree shone upon this land.”
“Racieros. Numisley. Cultrost.” Aryyad spoke. “This is my associate. Irhamn Erjan. I noticed that you lack the personnel needed for menial labor, and hence he is willing to sell you his merchandise at a discount in honor of your coronation. Hence, for the sum total of my merchandise, you can purchase them for thirty gold.”
“Do any of them have Feats for harder tasks?” Racieros asked.
“Of course, Lord Commerro.” Irhamn said. “I made sure that they have some form of endurance-Feats. Some had learned in the art of smithing, cooking, and all manner of housework. You can work them for many bells before they require rest.”
“Racieros.” Numisley, in an act of impropriety, held the lordling’s shoulders tight as he spoke heavily. “Really? We have enough hirelings for the coronation.”
“We don’t.” Racieros replied. “I thought we have enough workers and time. Accidents and disappearing workers had slowed down our progress. We have enough gold for it.”
“It’s not a matter of gold.” Cultrost interjected.
Numisley and Cultrost were apprehensive about this whole affair. If there is anything that cannot be bought or sold, it is the freedom of others. They barely hid their disgust at this exchange. Yet they know that even in their homeland, indentured servitude existed. Aryyad raised his eyebrows in both annoyance and embarrassment for them.
“Apologies.” Racieros spoke to Irhamn. “They are my trusted advisers on matters of economics.”
“Advisers?” Inharmn stared at Numisley and Cultrost. “The cripple, I understand. But that red-thing? A Satyr, was it? His callous hands and proven musculature says otherwise. If I were to buy him from you, he would fetch a good thirty gold coins.”
“You ain’t buying shit.” Cultrost spit at the Beastkin’s covered hooves.
“Enough, Cultrost.” Racieros scolded. ”I’m willing to buy your [Slaves] on your price.”
“Excellent. Let me draft up a contract.”
The contract was read aloud, which includes the witnesses of the contract and the individuals that he sold to Racieros. Effectively, the thirty [Slaves] were owned by Racieros after he paid the gold coins to the [Slave Trader].
Numisley defiantly stood in front of Racieros, leaning heavily on his walking stick.
“Free them. Remove their collars.” Numisley demanded. “It is the right thing to do.”
“If you two are adamant about it. After my coronation.” Racieros said.
“Now, Racieros. Now.” Cultrost said. “This isn’t right.”
“I know you two come from a different culture. Where your ancestors overthrew [Kings]. From a place where [Slaves] take refuge–”
“It’s not about our differences in culture or the need for coin. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want to be enslaved? No? It is as simple as that. Nothing more, nothing less.” Cultrost interrupted. “If you are worth following, if the [Guildmasters] and your subjects find you worth following, do the right thing. Right now. Or we have no reason to work with you anymore.”
The deafening silence between Racieros and Cultrost that overpowered the crashing of the waves lasted for a short eternity before Racieros acquiesced to his dearest friend’s demands.
“This is the reason why you are my dearest friend.” Racieros broke the silence. “I’ll do the right thing.”
“Are you sure about that, Lord Racieros?” Aryyad asked. “They are perfectly functional [Slaves].”
“I’m sure.” Racieros asserted. “I purchased them. Therefore, I can do whatever I want with them.”
Racieros handed Cultrost the keys to their collars and cuffs, and he proceeded to painstakingly removed the bindings of each one.
“Sorry about this, Irhamn.” Aryyad turned to his associate. “I didn’t expect this.”
“It is of no issue for me as long as I get paid.” Irhamn reassured. “And enfranchised merchandise can always be captured, after all. Except for the expensive ones.”
The [Slaves] didn’t comprehend their freedom. They wondered why their cuffs and chains were on the floor, and why anyone didn’t pick them up.
“You are now free.” Numisley announced. “No one will have the right to purchase you again. You can all go your own separate ways, or if you wish to earn coin, we shall pay you your due. One silver per day of labor, lodgings and all. We shall not force you, nor mistreat you.”
Some simply left, wandering deeper within the city individually, in pairs, or groups of no less than five. Thirty people had remained, willing to work for Racieros and the Gildin Brothers. This incident became known to those who constantly spied on Racieros. Although the sabotages continued, and some Commerros openly protested that he is not fit for being the head of the House, preparations for the coronation have been completed.
On the tenth day, the coronation of the new Contiearl of Ovespuerte and head of the Commerro House proper had begun.