Dreadlords Negotiations

[Salak]

He could not hear the conversation.
A fact that ate at his substantial but not infinite patience.
"Alistair, I hope you and the Quinnick girl know what you are doing."
He said, not taking his eyes off the dastardly couple.
"Right now we have them and can bring a swift end to this, eliminating known traitors and sending a message to the rest of Gilram's Rogues. I do not agree with the Senate's decision to agree to any of their demands."
He would rather accept the loss and kill them now. End the threat rather than let it inside the door. Erodin and Amelie were monsters, unlike Edric who did not hold good folk hostage and seemed to be reluctant to harm others, Powers rest Byron's soul.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

"No, not entirely, but I will follow the Senate's requests. We were sent here to negotiate not fight." Alistair whispered before focusing back in on the conversation.

For the two rogues to be focusing so heavily on Livia, meant that they needed to find something, that was obvious. The question was what were they looking for? Was it something as equally dangerous to Vel Anir as Gilram, or was it the very same thing Gilram looked for? Whatever it was, it was clear by what Alistair could hear that the couple wanted to kill Gilram as bad as the Republic, and they could work with that.

"We have the chance to save several lives, maybe all of them if we play the game a little longer."

He paused as he looked over the hostages. A thought occurred to him that brought the smallest of smiles before it disappeared. It was something that showed that Kristen must have been having more of an influence on him than he thought.

Turning to Salak, he whispered, "In this new Republic, Dreadlord must serve as protectors, not only killers."

Salak

 

[Erodin]

Erodin listened to the proposal as the girl read, smiling to himself as things fell in place exactly as Amelie had planned they would.

Their little venture into Vel Anir proper truly had been fruitful.

"What do you think my love?" He asked, his head rolling over towards Amelie so that he could look at her. "It sounds a bit...restrictive."

Erodin mused out loud, entirely ignoring Livia's questions for the moment. His head shaking as he glanced briefly towards the crowd behind them. Lips pressing to a thin line, and then letting out a long sigh as he answered himself before Amelie could. "No, don't, I know what you're going to say."

His fingers slipped from hers.

"You're right, of course. Sometimes we have to give ground to gain it." There was no decision to be made between them of course. Amelie was rooted so deep within his own mind that his thoughts were practically mimicked within her mind. Talking to one another was almost performative.

A loud snap rang out, and then suddenly throughout the crowd behind them several of the wraiths disappeared into nothing. Flickering from existence and releasing their grasp on those who had been holding. Children, teenagers mostly, seemed to breathe sighs of relief. Though none moved, not sure what to do or still frozen with fear. "We accept the terms, girl."

Erodin said with a smile. "We'll even swear the oath."

As if such a simple bit of magic would bind them.

"Bring your Representative back here, and anyone else who cares to listen." Briefly his gaze flickered to the two Dreadlords standing together. "And yes, then my darling and I will tell you what the three of us will be looking for."

The Dreadlord said, staring directly at the girl with a smile. Finally answering her question.

 

[Amelie]

Amelie sighed just before her beloved, correctly, pointed out he knew what she was going to say. Almost in tandem with the wraiths vanishing every single one of the teenagers and children within the village dropped to their knees and let out a collective gasp.

Unheard by the Anirian's, Amelie spoke a single command to each of the prisoner's they'd just freed. Go. The word spoken directly into their minds, the children of Tolven moved forward. A mass of bodies stepping up to the members of the Anirian Guard that still remained behind.

"I suppose the Republic's show of good faith is on the way?" Eyes like a fox zoned in on the initiate before them, Amelie fully aware it was a question the child couldn't answer.

Not that they really needed it, the acceptance of terms was more than enough. "Fetch your bureaucrat," Amelie glanced down at her nails as if the conversation was beneath her, "just be quick about it."

Their plan was falling into place but the longer it took to borrow the initiate the higher the risk they'd encounter Gilram, or one of his rogues, and an oath of safety meant they'd have to prioritize protecting the girl from harm. Making any sort of altercation with Gilram's ilk far more difficult than it needed to be.

Will this be our lives from now on?, she said to Erodin without moving her lips, at the whims of these pencil pushers?

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia half turned, looking back towards the representative and beckoned him over. She did not deem walking to and fro was warranted when the man had his own feet to use. It also saved her from being grilled by him, and he was no patient being having to listen to an Initiate speak.

Her eyes then turned to those moving towards the Guards, free from the hold the Rogues had on them. Livia turned to face them now, not waiting for the representative to join her. They had not answered her about how long they needed her, or any other detail besides it would only be the three of them working together.

At least she will have the oat---

No... she would not. If it were strengthened with a rune, her corruptive magic would disarm it. Her first year at the Academy had seen many failed attempts in her rune magic education, but her magic back then was unruly. Now? It had leeched from her, stolen from her and fed from her, like it would to a rune.

"The Oath of Safety is only verbal, is it not?" She tried to not sound hopeful as she questioned the two before her, hearing the Representative chastise her by clicking his tongue. "A word to honour?"

 

[Salak]

Salak hated waiting but thankfully he did have something to do now that SOME of the prisoners were freed.
"Captain!"
He rode up to the head of the Guard.
"Be careful, these people may be subject to mental suggestion. They may have triggers imbedded in their minds to perform certain actions. Watch them, keep and feed them but watch them, set up camp outside of the perimeter for shelter."
The Captain made meagre protest about the resources needed.
"The Senate's inability to think through the added cost of compliance with Rogue's is not our concern. Bill them!"
This was costly, you could spend two types of coin in life, gold and blood. The choice to try and save these people was going to cost them and like all politicians when the time came to pay the piper they would no doubt balk.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair blended into step behind the Representative but looked on in satisfaction at seeing the young children and teenagers freed. It was not much, but was a small victory. The larger victory he was hoping for was on the oath because if it was done right then it would provide a level of security for Livia.

"No, such an oath can be bonded with magic. We will swear the oath on your safety, but we will not tie it to you. We will bind it to...Salak."

If Erodin were to swear to Livia, and then they broke the oath, there would not be much stopping them from still killing her. However, if they bonded it to Salak or someone else here then they would at least be aware when the oath was broken. Then, they would come and rectify the infraction.

As for choosing Salak, he seemed the most driven to bring about swift justice. And in that circumstance, swift justice would be required.

"Well done, Livia."

Alistiair's skills with oath magic were not by any means masterful, but any magical merchant or diplomat worth their salt had learned the basics for their business purposes. This would be a bit more stringent, but better than nothing.

"Mrs. Cosades, the Republic's show of good faith is the Initiate Mrs. Quinnick, is it not?"

Erodin Amelie Salak Livia Quinnick

 

[Erodin]

No, my love. Erodin's thoughts echoed within Amelie's mind as his hand reached out and reclaimed hers. Fingers slowly intertwining as his head turned in ignorance of those who approached. His focus drawing down upon the only person in the clearing who truly mattered.

We will play their game. He whispered softly within her mind. But only until we break it.

Erodin's hand squeezed hers, resisting the urge to pull Amelie into a reassuring kiss. We have played it before, we can do so again. Just for a little while.

Until they burnt it all.

Slowly, almost painfully, his attention returned towards those who now stood in front of them. His lips pressing to a thin line of disgust as he heard a name he recognized; Salak.

One of them is a poisoner. Erodin warned, his eyes briefly flicking towards one of the wastrel Dreadlords in front of them. Touch nothing they offer.

"Y-Yes." The Representative answered Alistair's question. "Miss Quinnick is our extension of goodwill...and I have the authority to sign your bargain into legal right. As long as the terms are followed..."

The man hardly seemed to want to speak for fear, but he slowly, shakily held out a paper.

From here, Erodin could not read it of course, but a brief glimpse would see that the document the Representative now held was a quickly scrawled agreement of the terms the Republic had acquiesced to. A piece of paper that in many places of the world, would be worth a castles weight in gold. Erodin glanced at it, and then ever so briefly at Salak. "Bring it here, Girl."

He motioned to Livia, and as she took the parchment watched closely for any sign of poison. As the girl did as she was told, bringing the paper to the two Dreadlords, Erodin watched the others. Lips pressing to a thin line until the document was presented in front of them. He read over it briefly, and then plucked a quill and ink from beneath his seat.

"Tell me." Erodin whispered quietly enough so only Liv would hear. "Is a part of you excited?"

The Dreadlord asked, his eyes meeting hers as he looked down on the piece of paper. "Half a decade ago, some would have killed to be in this position."

Erodin mused, still thinking on when the Patriarch of House Virak had pushed both himself and Amelie to take on Initiate's to mentor. A ploy, of course, to gain more power through them. Something they had both rejected earnestly, and often.

The only base of power they were interested in building was their own. "We are searching for the same thing Gilram seeks."

He declared, signing his name upon the document and sealing the bargain the Republic had made.

"Five things in fact, three of which he already has." Erodin spoke truth, offering what they had learned and following the bargain they had made. "Two are left, and when he is finished..."

The Dreadlord trailed off, allowing his beloved to reveal the secret of what the items were; keys to a vault.

 

[Amelie]

A tinge of annoyance sparked, if only for a second, as the Krixus dog and his representative reiterated that the child was their gesture of good will. "A single initiate, and an oath of safety, for the next generation of an entire town?" Her smirk grew, her shoulders tensed, "no matter, I suppose I'd value one of us the same as a village of mundanes, too. Just a tad surprised that the Republic shares such views."

Amelie relaxed ever so slightly as she read the thoughts Erodin whispered to her. We lost thirty years of progress playing their game, when the idealists flipped the board over and took their toys away. It was a sticking point the two had discussed at length.

Working in between the lines for men like Lord Virak or one of his noble tributaries. Waiting, biding their time, with the only thing driving the pair the promise that Archon would eventually grant. A title. Power. Real power.

Only for the Guard and a group of traitorous Dreadlords to usurp all they'd ever known. They brought a poisoner? Only the new Republic could be so foolish as to believe simple poisons would have tricked First Levels as seasoned as Erodin and Amelie.

Amelie wore that same prideful smirk the entire time her husband spoke to the initiate and explained the events thus far.

Only cutting in once he had stopped speaking. "...he'll open a door. None of us here, particularly your cute little senate, want to know what's on the other side." For the first time in several minutes the smirk faded an a serious look dawned upon her pale features.

"Be warned though, once we capture these final two objects," her free hand, the one that wasn't intertwined with her lover's, balled into a fist, "he will come."

And if they weren't prepared he was going to kill anyone who stood in his way.

 

[Livia Quinnick]

"Is a part of you excited?"

Livia chewed her cheek, unable to answer audibly, but her gaze gave way to that morsel of importance she felt being asked to track down something important, valuable. This was no noble missing an heirloom that was misplaced and they had forgotten. This was no missing person case that she needed to build a case in order to pinpoint their location.

This was the moment Livia felt as if she were valuable herself.

The Initiate listened to their hushed tones, her mind working to process the information they imparted with her. The way they spoke to Quinnick was not down at her, but rather, a trusted member of their party.

"Will he come after you? Us?" She asked. If Gilram were to kill anyone in his way, then he surely would come for her, the girl that lead Erodin and Amelie to the very things he seeks. "Or do we hope that there will be others to come to our aide?" Livia pretended to inspect the signed document, buying them some time to speak before she had to return to the senate gathered.

 

[Salak]

"And what about the rest of them?"
Salak gritted his teeth as mumbled to himself.
The young of an entire town were safe but only in the most foolish and indirect of terms.
They were still being moved to the hastily set up perimeter when he was approached again by the Captain who brought more "good" news concerning the children.
"Of course they are crying and distressed. Send for nursemaids for the babes and apothecaries for the ones stricken by shock. Grab every one you can from the nearest settlement and offer them a weeks wages to come here and tell them only that there has been a disaster. No details."
The same doubt spilled from the Captain again.
"Yes, the Senate will pay for everything, keep records of the costs."
The management of this debacle alone was a headache. The Captain went about their work.
"Yes, let us just give them all that they desire while we're at it."
He continued his dissatisfied grumblings where only his horse could hear as he waited for word on what new developments Livia and Alistair were making. Silently he tried to not curse them for fools and hoped they'd have the good sense to realise that Amelie and Erodin were frightened and desperate. That is why they wanted an Initiate, that is why they let the children go.
"Come on, notice it..."
He begged in hushed tones as his eyes fell on his allies, he tried to will the information into them.
"Their hand is not as strong as it seems."

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Only cutting in once he had stopped speaking. "...he'll open a door. None of us here, particularly your cute little senate, want to know what's on the other side." For the first time in several minutes the smirk faded an a serious look dawned upon her pale features.

Alistair would not speak for the rest of them, but he sure as hell did. Whether it was his curiosity or his common sense, Alistair wanted to know what Gilram was going after and then take it right out from under him. It would anger the rogue Archon, but that was the idea. Then he would come to them.

He glanced to Livia who was doing admirably at holding her own against the pressure from two-level Dreadlords. Alistair turned back to the guards that were gathering the kids, and more importantly Salak. He motioned for the man to join them.

"If there are no objections, I will be the one binding the oath." He looked at the two rogues questioningly. It was the best answer, he had adequate knowledge on binding oaths, and it would allow for too many loopholes if they allowed the rogues to bind the oath.

While they continued their negotiations, Alistair never lost track of the citizens being taken further and further away. Every little step was a greater deal of safety if something went wrong.

Alistair's eyes trailed back to the remaining hostages, he looked at some of their faces. Some of the braver individuals now looked relieved seeing their children reach safety, while others showed anger and fear at not being one that was saved. He felt pity for them, but he turned to focus back on the negotiations. Alistair still had plans to see them all safe, but obtaining their safety would be far more delicate than the previous matter.

"The oath will be bonded between Amelie and Salak."

Erodin Livia Quinnick Amelie Salak

 

[Erodin]

"No one will help you." The First level said to Liv, his eyes settling on the girl. "No one but yourself. Don't ever count on the aid of others."

There was an authority to his voice, as if the words could not be more true. "Gilram will come, but we have time yet."

He let the words linger in the air, saying them loud enough so that even the others understood. Things had to be done carefully, and quickly, if this was to work

They both knew that Gilram would come after them eventually. As soon as he heard about this pact there was little doubt. Thankfully, it had been Erodin who ran a large part of the Archon's spy network, and without him it would take a few weeks before the old man actually heard about any of these dealings.

At least if the republic kept a modicum of intelligence.

This time. He whispered in his beloved's mind. His eyes only briefly flickering to Salak as he began to approach the small group. We'll set the pieces ourselves.

Houses, Commoners, what the fuck did they know about power? What did they know about what he and Amelie deserved. This time they would not wait to be given a reward, they would not wait for what they merited.

No, this time they would take it.

"No, it won't." Erodin said to Alistair, slowly beginning to rise from his throne. "The oath will be bonded to me."

He said, stalking forward towards the girl. A hand reaching out to gently settling upon her shoulder before she could step away from his side. "I'm better suited to the task."

It wasn't true. Both their magics were powerful, enough to make most other First Level weary. But the only Oath Amelie would ever be held to again, were the ones she had made to him on the night of their wedding. That had been a promise of his own.

 

[Amelie]

Amelie stared down the child as Erodin explained something a proper Dreadlord academy should’ve drilled into her head day-after-day. It was a fact of life during her own tenure at that place. Reliance upon the aid of others was a weakness, one that Amelie and Erodin never tolerated in one another.

Your enemies will use everything at their disposal - including your ‘allies’ - to get at what they want.

She lowered her voice to echo her husband’s final point. ”If we thought it was hopeless against Gilram we wouldn’t be here.” They’d likely be in self-exile in Alliria or some other minor city-state amongst much better company. Amelie’s gender ensured that Oban was never really an option, an unfortunate reality as so many of Virak’s connections had been there.

The girl might have promise, she transmitted to her partner.

She was emotionless as the Krixus whelp spoke his intentions. Her face remained completely blank even whilst her husband rose to object and offered himself as the one to be bonded. It was useful that so soon after they’d instructed one lesson upon initiate Quinnick a second would present itself so suddenly.

Never allow others to dictate commands that you follow in silent obedience. ”It’s true,” she offered, ”lots of ritual suicide in this town if I’m to be bonded and things go awry.”

Another lie, but one she was fine telling.

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia did her best not to flinch as Erodin placed a hand upon her shoulder. She was dressed in fighting leathers, the Initiate uniform she wore often when out on mission. Armour was never her thing, not when she relied on being as flexible as she could when it came to a fight with her daggers.

Olive eyes stared at Alistair, to the Proctor. The nerves had vanished from her, replaced by the higher standing of duty for the Republic... but now, facing the people she worked alongside with, it was startling how it felt to stand before them like this. "Just get it done." She shrugged, face not changing from the hard look of her expression. Almost as if she were beginning to be bored. It was her fallback appearance, and one she fell into more and more as of late.

No one would really care she would be gone for some time. Houri and Thraah were not happy with her, things between her and Silas were still confusing... and any other friends she had made... for the first time, she wondered if they would care she would be absent. But something else inside her was glad for this, to get away and not be present to deal with it all.

"Better to be quick about this." Both of Livia's magic swelled within her, giving her the strength to stand tall and ready.

 

[Salak]

Salak approached on his horse. Even eyed with Amelie and looking down at Erodin though, never at his comrades.
"Keep your hands to yourself Erodin, your wife is watching."
He saw no reason to put on any pretense of not being tired of the couples shit.
"Alistair, you beckoned?"
His horse snorted and he patted him again to ease his tensions. So, animals could sense evil.
Part of him wanted either to snap, then he could watch them die.
Salak's years had taught him many important lessons but one of the first was one that applied here.
A Dreadlord never bargained for what they could take.

Alistair Krixus
Livia Quinnick
Erodin
Amelie

 

[Alistair Krixus]

For the first time in the entire event, Alistair smiled something that never reached his eyes as his glassy stare looked at Erodin. The knowing grin was like Alistair was reading some piece of information that none of the others could see.

He and Erodin both knew that Erodin's objection was a lie, but in this context it really did not matter. Erodin was getting what he wanted and...Alistair got something else.

"Very well, the oath shall be bound to Erodin. Salak, would you be willing to serve as the Justicar of this oath? You would be bound, and so you would know if the oath has been broken. If the oath is broken then you will also be magical driven to hunt down Erodin for due punishment."

And so, Alistair's fingers fluttered through the air, like he was pulling on unseen strings, and as he did runes appeared. Forming the oath was rather simple, and as soon as the two men agreed to the stipulations then he would add them as the anchors of the oath. The more runes that were added soon a simple golden string appeared in the air just waiting to see who it would tie to.

"Erodin, do you swear that you and your companion Amelie will do all in your powers to protect Initiate Livia Quinnick from physical or mental harm, and also to refrain from any mental or physical manipulation of her and against her will?"

Livia Quinnick Erodin Amelie Salak

 

[Erodin]

White hot rage flickered through Erodin for just a brief moment at Salak's words, but his face remained an implacable mask. Not a hint of his displeasure showing as he simply cocked an eyebrow and looked at the poisoner. "Sorry, do I know you?"

He asked, dismissive arrogance dripping from his tone as he turned his attention to the boy named Alistair.

The boy, he knew, had been underneath the catacombs of Vel Draza when he'd rescued that idiot Edric and his blithering comrades. Runes, Erodin noted, seemed to be something of the lads specialty. Perhaps one of his rats in the Vigilite would be able to find out more. "My own death isn't enough?"

He chuckled wryly as Salak made his own list of demands. "The girl will be kept safe for the time we need her, and a day and night more. She will be bound to me, and any harm will be avanged by my hand."

Erodin's voice was nothing less than cold steel as he said the words. The meaning clear, Amelie would not be bound to death, but if she broke the Oath Erodin would be compelled to kill her just as he would anyone else.

Not that they had any intention of breaking the Oath anyway.

"Of course we would never attempt to undermine the Republic. We are it's allies now, and soon a part of it's Nobility." Erodin said with a self satisfied smile. His words chosen to speak truth. The Republic was giving them what they wanted, there was no reason to undermine it. Not until they had what they wanted. "If this is acceptable."

He glanced at Alistair.

"Then I swear it." Erodin said as he sealed the compact, feeling the magic grip him. Just as he whispered in Amelie's mind. Then we'll ensure we get only the best out of her.

Keeping the girl alive was a small price to pay in order to keep ahead of Gilram, and if she turned out to be useful beyond that? All the better. Erodin and Amelie knew well not to throw away a tool until it became useless.

As the Oath was sealed, and Salak completed his part of the compact, more of the wraiths within the crowd slipped away. Disappearing and unhanding a few of the adults who almost immediately collapsed to their knees in a tremble. Most, however, still remained standing. Amelie's control keeping the blades at their throat.

Erodin's eyes glowed for a brief moment, and within the clearing between the Republic's gathered forces and the town of Tolven the air began to shimmer. Slowly, from the ether of the other side, a massive wraith drew itself into existence. The ghostly and half opaque form of a huge Sky-Ray coming into existence as Erodin called upon his wealth of magic.

The Dreadlord did not take his eyes off his new 'allies' as he spoke. "Climb aboard."

He told the girl, releasing her shoulder as he waited for Liv and Amelie to step upon the backs of the wraith. As he did so, he pulled a small scroll case from his belt, holding it before tossing it over to the boy, Alistair. Pointedly still ignoring the fuming Republican ambassador.

"Our part of the Bargain, what we know of Gilram, his hideouts, and the objects he's taken and seeks." No one could ever claim they were not true to their word, when they deigned to give it. "We will find the staff."

He told them all simply, allowing the Republic to hunt the last remaining artifacts the Archon sought; an ancient coin.

 

[Salak]

Salak smiled.
"If you both died a hundred times it would not be enough to make up for your life of treachery Erodin."
He held the reigns of his horse and turned to the Initiate.
"Miss Quinnick, I expect you to conduct yourself in a manner that upholds the principles of the Republic and high standards of The Dreadlord Academy. Do you understand?"
The purpose of his little speech was two fold, first to enshrine in Livia that she was effectively alone during her time and secondly he hoped it would bolster her resolve. She would need it to survive this little adventure intact.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair caught the scroll easily wanting to open it right then and there, but he would be patient. They needed to show a little bit of trust.

Instead, he moved over closely to Livia and whispered in her ear.

"This will not be easy. They will look to break you and then build you back up. Hold onto the things important to you...Do not be swayed by the easy path."

That was all he could think to say. He reached up and reassuringly gripped her shoulder before turning and walking back to Salak and his horse. By now, other hostages that had been released were streaming towards the direction of the guards and where the children had been sent.

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Her eyes fell onto the Sky-Ray, seeing both the Rogues make their way towards it.

Then Salak spoke to her, and Liv realised her heart was beating faster. She curled her hands into fists at her side, willing herself to calm and stay present. It was all happening now. Quinnick was about to leave the safety and familiarity of the Academy, or Vel Anir...

Her olive eyes glistened as Alistair approached and spoke to her softly, all the while the Initiate nodded her head and put on a brave face. She was now their representative for the Republic. Entrusted with such a task, and now in the care of two Rogues... that wished to come back to the fold.

"Thank you." She forced herself to say and gave Alistair a sad smile. "Then it is a good thing I am no stranger to hard times." Her path to the Academy and to now was not smooth sailing for her. Before she could say anything else, or hold up the Dreadlords she was to work with, Livia nodded to both Alistair and Salak and moved to the wraith that would take them away from here.

And as she watched Tolven become smaller and further away, Livia turned her head forward, steeling herself to not look back.

She had a task at hand now, perhaps the most important one she will have in her life.