Ranus was standing once again on the docks, awaiting a ship to arrive.
He looked around this time, far more nervous than when getting a significant visitor. The last few prominent human and non-human visitors had been stressful, but this one made him want to run from his position.
Shi'Tan.
The one race that he never wanted to have to deal with.
He knew this would be an intense visit that could quickly become a disaster. He was unsure how the town's population would react to the arrival of a Shi'Tan. Danrum was present with ten additional members of the Watch. They were positioned around the dock, keeping back the people hanging around, looking to see who was coming.
"We are prepared as much as we could." Albrot was present with him. The tension between them was gone, as they both needed to work together on this. "We will need to get whoever arrives away from public view as fast as possible."
"As soon as it is seen, the word will spread like wildfire across a plain in a drought." Ranus knew Albrot was right, but it would do little to contain what might happen.
"I know, but we must do what we can." He was tense as well.
"The population of Kyber have been raised on stories of the Great Shi'Tan Incursion and the following wars." Ranus knew the stories well.
"Yes, I know. It led to the creation of the Old Empire and to the fighting of the next three attempts to conquer the continent."
"We fought wars against other races but never had to endure what they did during the Incursion. Gods, it even sickened most of the other races!" Ranus shuddered. He remembered reading the Elven historian Lightword's account of the Incursion. He disliked humanity, but he was horrified by what he witnessed. His reports changed many opinions against the Shi'Tan.
The Great Incursion took place at the height of the Shi'Tan Imperium. At that time, the continent was as divided as it is today. It was later discovered that they had been playing the local leaders off each other for over a century, keeping them weak. The Shi'Tan invaded with blinding speed, driving deep into the continent.
The Skaald lands were nearly overrun, as were the Riverlands and large sections of land to the south. The city-state of Cythia led the opposition to the invasion. Over the years, it had developed a fearsome military. Located near the continent's centre, it had held the other human powers with force and diplomacy.
It looked like the continent would fall as the Shi'Tan armies marched, crushing all before them. The Cythia army stopped the invasion with the first victory of human armies against the Shi'Tan. They had been organised into a new formation called Legions.
It took another twenty years to remove them from the continent. The Incursion's last great victory declared the Cythian Empire's creation. It took another century to unite the continent, but it was under the Empire. That was the first and, so far, the only time that humanity was under one banner.
"Sail to the south! Flying Ostrul colours!" Came the cry from the watchtower.
"Here we go," Ranus spoke to no one in particular. Danrum moved up to stand by his Lord. "Are we ready?"
"As much as we can be," Danrum replied. He was as tense as Ranus.
The ship came into view from the river bend. She was a large ship. Much larger than the last that visited from her city of origin.
"A bulk haulier." Ranus identified it straight away. That was odd as they were used to carrying large numbers of slaves or cargo over the oceans, not plying the riverways.
"You're right. That is odd." Albrot agreed. He was watching the ship approaching the docks. The harbour master was directing the ship to the largest pier. The main sail bore the symbol of Ostrul, but a lesser family symbol caught their attention.
"Seamoon." Ranus named the family.
"We knew they were coming, but for what purpose." Albrot wondered.
They waited for the ship to slide next to the pier and throw out its mooring lines. Due to its size, the ship needed to stay on the river. The pier gang moved quickly and tied the ship to the mooring posts. The gangplank came down and made contact with the wooded pier with a loud thunk.
A figure that Ranus knew walked down the gangplank and onto the pier.
"Good new day, Lord Goldwind."
"Good new day, Envoy Halor." Ranus returned the greeting.
"I am pleased to have returned to your community even after the differences of my city's last visit." Halor was laying it on thick. Ranus was sure that things were going to be going wrong now. "I have come bearing two requests we hope that you will entertain and, in your wisdom, deem worthy of being allowed."
"Of course, I will hear your words. Shall we retire to another place to discuss your proposal?" Ranus wanted to get him away as the ship drew more attention, which was unwelcome.
"Alas, I need to have you hear my words first." Halor face and demeanour spoke of a heavy burden he needed to perform. Ranus knew it was all performance.
"Then I shall. What are your requests?" Ranus wanted this over and the best way to do it was to find out what he wanted.
"Praise you, Lord Goldwind, for your patience and wisdom." Halor went back to putting it back on thick. "May my words find your mind and will you be willing to embrace them."
Ranus said nothing but gave the impression of getting on with it. Halor read his audience and continued talking.
"First, the great family of Seamoon lost one of its scions to the Dungeon. They have learned that his body is still within and seek to reclaim it for proper burial." Halor body language portrayed his hope that Ranus would allow it.
"As you know, I have handed control of access to the Dungeon to the Adventurers Guild. The Seamoon clan will need to arrange access with them." Ranus indicated to Albrot, standing just behind him. Halor nodded, knowing what he would say.
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"We understand and thank you for your tolerance," Halor said. Ranus knew the big request was coming now. "The sublime city has one more request of your gracious self."
"What would that be." Ranus braced himself.
"Another of our friends has approached the sublime city to act as a means of introduction to yourself. We have brought an envoy of this nation aboard our vessel. He would disembark and present himself to your excellence with your permission." Halor had not laid it on with his usual gusto. He knew what was being asked and presented the request with what amounted to efficiency for him.
Ranus took a deep breath. The moment of choice was here. He had debated what to do since he was informed of the passenger. He could refuse and turn the envoy away or have it enter the town. Either way, there will be trouble for the town and himself.
Releasing the breath, he chose.
"I welcome all those who come in peace and respect the laws of my lands," Ranus said. Halor blinked, and briefly, Ranus noted his surprise before it was hidden. It seemed they expected him to refuse. They both knew what was on that ship. The Ostrul envoy was no fool to believe that the others' presence had not been noted and passed to Ranus.
"You are a truly wise and noble leader of men, Lord Goldwind." Halor bowed slightly. He raised a hand and motioned. From the deck, the crew were in motion at it. "He will disembark within several moments."
Halor blabbered several more platitudes to pass the time as the envoy emerged.
From the ship emerged a figure that Ranus truly hoped he would never encounter. The Shi'Tan slivered along the deck and down the gangplank. The naga had a humanoid upper body and the lower of a snake. It was about five feet—five with a similar build to a man. Ranus knew that the naga's body was slightly stronger than a man's, so he needed to be weary. Its scales were a dull green with brown patterning. They gleamed slightly, maybe from being oiled. As it approached, he could see that it was hairless, and its tongue was shooting in and out of its mouth, tasting the air. Its upper body had a silk robe wrapped around it, red in colour with blue symbols of his language stitched onto it.
Ranus felt the tremor of shock and anger through the air as the people around the docks watching realised what had disembarked. He would need to move quickly before a mob could form. Danrum was ready and he had hired additional help from the Adventurers Guild.
"Greetings, Lord Goldwind. I am Nassar, envoy of the Shi'Tan Imperium. I bring greetings and words from my people to your wise self." The naga spoke with no accent and bowed before him.
"I greet you, envoy Nassar. If you both excuse me, but I find the weather not to my liking, we should withdraw to a better location and enjoy some refreshments while I hear your words." Ranus could not have the envoy in the open. Both understood what he was saying and showered him with more platitudes as he moved them to a more secure location. The murmurs from the crowd were turning dark.
He moved them to the building that doubled as the town's administration centre and his home. The Watch surrounded the building to prevent any incidents. Ranus was unsure if they would be enough. The main meeting room would have been prepared in advance for this meeting if Ranus had allowed the envoy to disembark.
After the receptionists removed themselves, the two envoys, Albrot and Ranus, were the only ones present. The other Guilds did not have a master of rank available in time, so they agreed to leave the meeting with Albrot. Danrum was guarding the door outside.
"Now, envoys, why are you here?" Ranus asked, sitting at the desk in the room.
"The Shi'Tan Imperium has sent me to open diplomatic channels with your community. The new Dungeon has caused quite the stir, and we wish to avail ourselves of the opportunities it will present." The envoy made his opening argument.
"All fair requests for most but not the Shi'Tan Imperium." Ranus decided to get to the problem and avoid an extensive conversation.
"Yes, the history between our races has not been pleasant or productive," Nassar admitted.
"Eating human babies in front of their parents would do that," Ranus replied dryly. Nassar never rose to the bait. He knew the game and the part he would need to play.
"The Imperium was in a less civilised period then." Nassar sought to shift the conversation. "The Imperium of today is more willing to make an olive branch to humanity, starting with you, Lord Goldwind."
Ranus had heard the stories and seen the slave cargo. Ostruls's largest single customer was the Shi'Tan Imperium. Rumours were that the Imperium still indulged in its "less civilised" activities. They now did it in private to avoid censure from the other races and some of the Gods.
Accepting their offer would open the door to trouble from many in the human nations. Yet denying them could lead to others as they might seek to replace him through less obvious means. He suspected his family would get a mysterious backer. His father might not question it too much. His family's patriarch would have, but he is unwell and is not much longer in this world.
He had to buy time to think about how to extract himself from this situation.
"If and envoy Nasser, I mean if, I accept this what is being offered by the Shi'Tan Imperium," Ranus asked. The other two men listened intently to the conversation, not speaking, knowing it was not their place unless asked.
"The fair and generous offer the Shi'Tan Imperium would like you to consider is the following." Nassar was preparing the offer he was assigned to relay. He might have been surprised he had gotten this far and not been killed, but he controlled his features. Male Shi'Tan were sent on these diplomatic missions as they were considered expendable by their Matriarchal society.
"First, we offer trade to your town. We ask that our merchants be allowed to access the markets within your domain. We humbly ask that a trade mission be established to help facilitate this trade between merchants. Our adventurers seek access to the new Dungeon and we implore you to grant them entry. To help with the problems, we know that this will cause us to offer a rent of one hundred gold coins per year for the trade mission. We seek to be a friend to the young Lord of these lands today and in days to come." Nassar presents the request and offer to Ranus, with a subtle threat at the end.
When they spoke of the Lord of the lands, they did not say his name, hinting that they would make the offer to another if the opportunity arose. Ranus was unsurprised by that, for the Shi'Tan's arrogance was as legendary as their atrocities.
Ranus was weak in his position, and the envoy knew it, but that did not mean he was without options. He was a trader before being a Lord and learned how to counteroffer.
"An intriguing offer, envoy Nassar." Ranus began. "I must, unfortunately, refuse it. But I am willing to entertain the following agreement."
Both envoys were focused with more intensity now. This was not what they expected.
"The Shi'Tan Imperium may operate through an Ostrul trade mission in the town. Any merchant will need to work through it and if they visit the market, they must be escorted by a security group of adventurers who are of good standing with the Guild. Access to the Dungeon must also be arranged through the Guild, as all must. Within my lands, laws are to be followed and trespasses are to be answered through the court administered by an Arbiter of Lawdrun. Finally, the rent will be equal to the location and size of the mission as the other nations have been granted. I will have to refuse your generosity of the gold as I seek not to be seen as one who such things can sway." Ranus knew it was despite ploy, but it was the best he could come up with.
The two envoys were confused, elated and suspicious in equal measures. Nassar never thought it would get to this point. His eyes narrowed briefly as he tried to see what the catch was in Ranus's offer. Halor started to understand sooner.
"That is an amazingly generous offer, Lord Goldwind. We both will need to communicate it with our noble leaders to learn their thoughts on it." Halor spoke up, receiving a sharp look from Nassar, but he followed the other's lead.
"Indeed, envoy Halor is correct. I will need to communicate your offer to the Shi'Tan Imperium." Nassar needed to understand what was being offered and time to think.
"Very well, I will have my Watch Captain escort you both back to your ship." Ranus stood and the two envoys left with a shower of platitudes on him. When they were gone, Ranus slumped, letting out a deep breath.
The laughter was a surprise. Ranus turned to Albrot.
"Well done, Lord Goldwind. You navigated that situation extremely well." Albrot was grinning like a fool.
"Do you think they will take the offer?" Ranus asked.
"Hard to say. But getting Ostrul to be a guarantor of the Shi'Tan's good behaviour was a masterstroke!" He said as he laughed again.
"Yes, I am a bit proud of that one."