Fable - Ask New Alliances

[Divina Rosenstern]

Divina Rosenstern prided herself on many things. Her wealth, her affluence, even the associates she knew. All of them, money-grubbing, hungry for power or for her name. The Black Widow, oh yes, they were so creative with their names weren't they. Saying sweet words to her face and sniggering as she walked away, well, she hardly cared for their useless panderings and 'my lady's. Let them laugh, she always had her own way regardless.

After all, if one was to rule a capitalist empire, one might have the right connections. And so, she waited.

Within the high walls of her private garden, Divina watched the ships in the harbor. At times, all the wealth felt paper thin; like whatever affluence and money she gained through marriage or self-growth would sink under the waves. She worked hard for all of it... but how easily could all of it slip through her fingers. She was here to extend her dynasty, so to speak; if he was on time, that was.

Today, she dressed demurely once more, in a deep blue dress with a high collar, the embroidery of black flowers and vines trailing along the cream of her throat and the delicate thinness of her wrists. Long chestnut hair was swept up away from her face and left to cascade down, the cut of it simple enough but the richness of the fabric, the fine quality meant it more than some mere merchant's daughter wore it.

She was unafraid of her heritage. She would build it into her legacy. No longer for her children; two times she had tried, and two times she had failed. It was time for the Rosenstern name to live on in other ways. At a low stone table in the misty green garden she waited, the high walls surrounding it interrupted by windows into the Reach harbor view, and beyond.

Wine sat at her elbow, yet she did not drink just yet. Soon, perhaps, he would arrive.

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

His arrival was silent, as he requested the servant who escorted him to refrain from announcing him as he was shown to the garden.
It was indeed a beautiful place, one would find a no finer web than in the lair of the "Black Widow" herself, and he allowed himself to be ensnared by it.
But far more captivating than the surreal scenery was the sight of the mistress herself, Lady Rosenstern.

He was dressed in black formal attire for this meeting, the purpose of the meeting was not made clear in her invitation so he simply made an educated guess. They had talked some of business and some of pleasure when they first met and danced so he prepared for both.

The servant closed the door quietly behind him as he made his way carefully across the garden, choosing an indirect path that will bring him to enter the clearing behind her, his boots didn't make a sound on the path and he was careful not to brush against any of the plants until he was close enough.
She was seated at a stone table with wine already set out. She had been waiting for him.
Now he purposely brushed against a bush, allowing the rustling to alert her to his presence.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

She did not startle, but slowly turned in her seat, pale blue eyes staring with a keen sharpness across the Merchant King. It had been some time since they last met, but as she recalled, he was not the sort of man to keep a lady waiting. Indeed, she rose, giving a slight bow in response, her voice hushed.

"I do apologize for summoning you to my own home, instead of choosing a middle ground, but I do not trust the walls outside my own," she spoke up, fingers lacing before her. "Would you please sit? I am grateful for your prompt arrival, Tzuriel," she finally finished speaking.

She would not sit until he would; that was the manner of the game. Politeness, always carefully worded and managed to speak. He was a king of his own domain, and she would treat him as such.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"I do apologize for summoning you to my own home, instead of choosing a middle ground, but I do not trust the walls outside my own,"
"Would you please sit? I am grateful for your prompt arrival, Tzuriel,"

He smiled, all the politeness of a noble, all the grace of a lady and all the tact of a merchant.
"It's quite alright, I doubt you could have chosen a more beautiful spot in all of Alliria for us to meet."
He meant the location, but the double meaning indicated her own beauty as well. She was stunning even in the simplicity of the style.

He approached her and gently took her hand and kissed it with a small bow before going to sit at the stone table. This was still a game of politics, even in private.
"I'm grateful for your invitation, Lady Rosenstern..."
He smoothly took a seat across from her.
"... Although the nature of this meeting was not specified in your invitation, that only made me... supremely more curious..."
He met her eyes and held them there, all of his attention focused on one person and the purpose for which she desired this private personal call.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

Her lips twitched with a faint smile at his formality, blue eyes warming ever so slightly as well. "Forgive my rudeness... I would have come as a guest, but I was not certain if your abode had any eyes and ears that did not wish me well."

Hardly news for her really, many wished ill for her the moment she stepped foot as a member of the Council.

"... Although the nature of this meeting was not specified in your invitation, that only made me... supremely more curious..."

She nodded along, now a fuller smile upon her lips. "Indeed. My reason indeed was two-fold. I will not lie to you that I did not find you an attractive man at the ball where we met," a subtle nod towards him, "nor flinch in the face of expressing that I find you an intensely desireable person to be around with. That being said..."

She would nod towards the carafe of wine, if he wanted any he was welcome to partake. She would pour it herself.

"Business before pleasure, if either are in your interest. As it is, you mentioned previously of your interest in Rosenstern brand... I wanted to inquire if you still held as keen an interest." Her features were calm, open and welcome to allow him to lead the conversation as he desired, but there was a telltale glimmer in her eyes of some mild edge of anticipation.

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Forgive my rudeness... I would have come as a guest, but I was not certain if your abode had any eyes and ears that did not wish me well."

He nodded in understanding, but assured her nonetheless.
"I've been in the trading business since before the Alanthis Trade Empire was formed. Every deal made on my turf is absolutely secure short of an invisible spy directly standing in the room with us. But I understand your caution, it's difficult to be certain in our line of work."
Indeed he even developed a mental discipline that safeguarded himself from mind readers and the sort just to keep his secrets out of the rumor mill unless it was with his own permission. Caution has made him supremely successful in his profession.

"Indeed. My reason indeed was two-fold. I will not lie to you that I did not find you an attractive man at the ball where we met,"
"nor flinch in the face of expressing that I find you an intensely desireable person to be around with. That being said..."
"Business before pleasure, if either are in your interest. As it is, you mentioned previously of your interest in Rosenstern brand... I wanted to inquire if you still held as keen an interest."

The corner of one side of his mouth went up. So this is what she was unwilling to put in her letter, though even if she had put it in her letter he still would have come. While it was a bit premature to say the feeling was mutual he was more than willing to give those feelings a chance.
He let her fill his glass and sipped the quality wine, it must have been a sample of her brand.
"Supremely interested, Lady Rosenstern. You have quite thoroughly grabbed my attention. Like you said, business before pleasure, so let's get to the pleasure as quickly as possible shall we?"

He had offers like this on the daily, but few showed as much promise as Divina Rosenstern.
"You had mentioned your company produced wine, grain, fur, silks and that you also built your own ships..."
He regarded the wine he was drinking, he was hardly a connoisseur or critic, but this was certainly comparable to the wine in Oban.
"... And you also mentioned the potential branching out into industry as well, the processing of raw materials into viable products? That's a wide range for a single brand, but you seem to be able to find sufficient buyers and customers to keep what you have afloat... So I'm led to assume that you cannot viably reach into the industrial business without considerably expanding your client base, a service that my company can provide."
His face was thoughtful and considering and he rested his chin on his hand.
"Do I read you correctly?"

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

Thank goodness he wasn't one to drip praises on her head and expect her to be grateful for it. He would give credit where it was due, even be gracious, and yet when it came to business, he didn't blather on or be subtle. Too often she was used to men assuming that her successes simply came because of her husbands' though a part of it was true, her successes were purely of her own design.

And now it was time to grow. In new, unexpected ways perhaps.

"I have," she answered, nodding along calmly. "My education for seeking industry was taught well, particularly by both my husbands, though my second, Joshan, particularly had a keen mind for seeking a place of good production with minimal possible problems. Including worker wages."

Her features were calm... but blue eyes sparkled. This was her realm, her domain. Her most comfortable place to speak business and future in industry. "Though those within the Keep, and other domains, seem pleased with my brand, I cannot sit idly by like others within the Council and say that industry is best kept close to home."

She gazed directly at him, taking a small sip of wine. "So yes, naturally, I seek to throw my horizons further than the Reach, even beyond many borders. Though wines, furs, silks and grains are all well and good staples, they never last more than one bad season, one pirate raid away from a staggering loss."

She dipped her head once graciously, smile upon her lips a little more. "Yes, you read me well. A pleasurable thing, in fact, I find myself continuously arguing my cause to deaf ears, and not simply because I am a woman." Another sip of her wine, a calmness to her mannerisms. She was holding out a lure on her web, a small taste of what she could possibly bring.

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"I have," she answered, nodding along calmly. "My education for seeking industry was taught well, particularly by both my husbands, though my second, Joshan, particularly had a keen mind for seeking a place of good production with minimal possible problems. Including worker wages."

He nodded attentively while she spoke. It was good that she could talk about her husbands, it showed that she was able to heal and move on even from such tragedy. And those who survive always come out stronger for their hardships if they let themselves.
"He sounds like a shrewd man, you reflect his intellect well but you've added to it and improved it. We will have to compare notes at some point and discuss your ideas, they sound fascinating!"

"Though those within the Keep, and other domains, seem pleased with my brand, I cannot sit idly by like others within the Council and say that industry is best kept close to home."

"So yes, naturally, I seek to throw my horizons further than the Reach, even beyond many borders. Though wines, furs, silks and grains are all well and good staples, they never last more than one bad season, one pirate raid away from a staggering loss."

He rolled his eyes dramatically and grinned, "Oh please, let's not pretend that the counsel is even in the same league as us! You want your brand to see all of Arethil, you're not content with the stagnation of the doddering fools in the counsel so focused on one city and a comfortable lifestyle. I can take Rosenstern to every corner of the map and all places in-between then back with more gold than you'll ever know what to do with!"

"Yes, you read me well. A pleasurable thing, in fact, I find myself continuously arguing my cause to deaf ears, and not simply because I am a woman."

He drained the rest of his wine and set down the glass, "While I do admit that many women are simple and easy to read, you are far from simple. No matter where it came from you learned cunning and intelligence for yourself. You're a dangerous woman with dangerous ideas, something we have in common though I'm far from being as feminine as you. Although... "
He stood up from the seat and instead sat on the edge of the table beside her. His expression a mischievous smirk.
"I'm afraid I do have to admit that you are at least somewhat easy to read."

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

He can. He could. All words that spoke of a possibility, but not a certainty. He'd said much without agreeing or guaranteeing much for herself or her business; he was too clever to agree to anything without assurance on his own business. There was risk, after all, and not just with reputation. There was the risk of losing more gold, or of the added expense of additional trade routes; he both flattered her and gave her no guarantees within the same breath.

Which meant he expected more. A man of his ambition and desire, it was only natural. It was part of his charm. And yet... perhaps one of the reasons he could be so attracted was that, in the genuine spirit of things, they didn't need each other to be successful. But ah. You could be so much more successful with such strong allies in your pocket, after all...

The words they spilled for each other each held their weight in gold.

"Can?" She inquired innocently, brows raised subtly with a faint smile. "Or will? What is it you want, Tzuriel? Or may I be bold enough to presume we can address each other honestly?"

As he drew closer she hadn't moved, but stared up at him, that faint smile still in place. Fist propped beneath her chin, lips pursed slightly to consider his words with a chuckle.

"I'm afraid I do have to admit that you are at least somewhat easy to read."

"Well, mystery can only be alluring for so long; being easy to read when you want to be honestly expected works so much better, I think, than false pretense." Long dark hair swept from behind to over her shoulders as she regarded him once more, also with a more wicked smile gleaming on the corners of her lips. "But I do hope I'm not boring with my amateurish predictability."

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Can?" She inquired innocently, brows raised subtly with a faint smile. "Or will? What is it you want, Tzuriel? Or may I be bold enough to presume we can address each other honestly?"

He smiled at the last bit, "Perhaps once we get past business and move on to the pleasure, Lady Rosenstern."

She requested an answer. She was correct, he'd yet to commit to her brand one way or the other and it was mostly because he, as of yet, could only vouch for her wine. Grain and furs were simple commodities that he already brought to market for many other suppliers, it would be no trouble for him to add her brand to the list.
Her expansion into industry is what she needed him for, and what interested him the most.
"Indeed there is much I can promise, your original staples are easily negotiated depending on their quality and quantity. But I do hold off on my commitment till I know more.
Your industry interests; What products are you looking at producing through this expansion, exactly? Is this a new arena for your brand? Are you certain the product will be of good quality?"

He laid it out. What she intended to produce through her industry expansion would determine whether he considers the whole package deal. Her answer pending he was already recalling the various towns and markets around Arethil, what they lack, what their willing to pay for the import, market prices, travel expenses, etc...
He had a virtual list in his head of where products can best be sold to turn the greatest profit for himself as well as his suppliers.

"Well, mystery can only be alluring for so long; being easy to read when you want to be honestly expected works so much better, I think, than false pretense." Long dark hair swept from behind to over her shoulders as she regarded him once more, also with a more wicked smile gleaming on the corners of her lips. "But I do hope I'm not boring with my amateurish predictability."

His smile softened to a more gentle upturn of the corners of his mouth, "Mystery is captivating, but once the captive is caught the mystery dies. Yet you know just when to release the captive so that they don't quite reach that point of boredom. The result is refreshing, and it shows you play the game very well."
His gaze finally broke away from her and his eyes wandered over the garden in all its twilight beauty.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

She was pleased at his first answer. Blue eyes glimmered faintly with something that seemed very much like interest... but that was for later. Always the code, business before pleasure, and though you could have both... lines could be blurred. Misinterpreted. And though there could be people that would use their sex blatantly to appeal any deals, she loathed such underhanded tactics.

But he asked what she could bring to the table. Never what he expected. He wanted her to draw out her cards, without revealing any of his own. Arethil was well-managed, after all, and successful for a good reason, and it wasn't his charming smile or suave, dark-touched demeanor.

He wanted what she had to give? Very well.

Her hand swept over the table, barely ghosting past his own almost like an accidental near-touch. Sweeping over the harbor that stretched before them. "I bring what everyone else has failed to in the name of industry; the industry of bread. Of better-quality clothing, at a better price. Already, there are inventions made to reduce cost and waste of material; I have personally overseen the development of the initial factory; to harness power with better labor payment, we will harness the energy of the ocean. If you wish to see my exact blueprints, costs, and preplanned foresight I can arrange for that within a few minutes."

She didn't even blink.

Didn't even hesitate.

"I already know this will work, because I have a proven scale model," she replied, not an ounce of doubt touching her expression. Confidence, cool calm manner.

However, at his final comment, a faint flush touched her cheeks, and her head tilted in a nod. "It depends on the company I am with," she replied demurely. "If they are intriguing, and keep my interest just as captive... I do my best to keep up," she replied quietly, then smiled for the first time. A warm, private smile, a rare gesture of the woman beneath.

She was proud of her place, of her home. Rather unlike the controlled woman before him, this place was a riot of lush greenery, tall trees softening in the golden light. Every now and then interrupting the greenery was a brilliant white flower or deep red leaves, a barely-controlled jungle with the only real touches of civilization the archway wall, mossy paths, and the stone table.

Perhaps a hint of how Rosenstern really was.

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"I bring what everyone else has failed to in the name of industry; the industry of bread. Of better-quality clothing, at a better price. Already, there are inventions made to reduce cost and waste of material; I have personally overseen the development of the initial factory; to harness power with better labor payment, we will harness the energy of the ocean. If you wish to see my exact blueprints, costs, and preplanned foresight I can arrange for that within a few minutes."

So, what he gathered was that she had designs for more efficient or streamlined production of goods. This was her ace in the hole, the ability to quickly make quality goods for a manageable price. Creating worker incentive with a better wage policy which will boost production.
This was indeed a good plan, all she needed was her golden goose to bring her eggs to better markets. While Alliria was the center of trade in Arethil, that meant there was always competition, and Alliria wasn't known for fair regulations on the governmental side.

"You surprise me, Lady Rosenstern. I had expected industry such as metal working and producing tools or something similar..."
He was pondering as he calculated the potential of such a venture. "Industrializing simple goods though? I admit that idea is inspired on your part, well done! I would be most interested in seeing your plans for myself."
This was truly an impressive woman. Rosenstern will go far if he has anything to say about it.

"It depends on the company I am with," she replied demurely. "If they are intriguing, and keep my interest just as captive... I do my best to keep up,"

He glanced away from the garden and caught her smile, a sight which made him smile. She was more than this deadly black widow with a lethal business sense.
"I hope I'm intriguing enough, my lady."
He stood and moved around the table to sit down across from her once more. His smile wasn't smirking or mischievous, but gentle and encouraging.
"My lady, you've made an excellent case for your company. In all honesty I see no downside to partnering with Rosenstern and bringing your brand all across Arethil! If you have a contract with you I will be more than happy to sign it right now."

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

Blue eyes warmed with genuine happiness; he wanted to see her plans! A man of his importance not only was willing to listen... he wanted to see the schematics for himself. Most scoffed at a woman's want to step into industry, but she had been patient, listening, and biding her own time with small-scale models. From within a deep pocket, she withdrew a folded parchment, neatly written in concise, small handwriting.

"You've proved yourself more than capable, my Lord," she replied softly, head cocked. She set the paper down and smoothed it out as she unfolded with a delicate, practiced air. Within was the concept of the water wheel, a common enough schematic, but what was shown was to power not only the mills... but even the mixing process, the belt to move the assembled pieces. All of it drafted with a keen eye, even down to the types of nails used to hold it all together.

But she hadn't even finished setting it up when she registered words. Pure shock stilled her, blue eyes wide, and yet... her cheeks flushed, and she dipped her head, sudden shyness touching her features. What many presumed cold was far from the truth... and he would see it.

"You flatter me," she replied softly, gaze lifting to meet his, "and honor me by accepting. I hope to maintain the Rosenstern brand to your level, my Lord." Another smile, but this one lingered.

A rare opportunity for the Merchant King to witness, some of the armor surrounding the Lady Divina slipping ever so slightly.

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"You've proved yourself more than capable, my Lord,"

Blueprints, ideas, concepts... His eyes lit up as he looked over the precise drawings and notes, they were incredible and the idea was inspired! A brilliant mind came up with this idea and it could truly work! And when he looked up there was the heart and soul of this woman on full display.
She could see his excitement and what that meant for her, and now she could barely speak above a whisper.
"These are incredible, Lady Rosenstern! I've seen few things like it and in that regard there's an Artificer from the Von Stehlen family that you should meet. No doubt she will have some suggestions and improvements for your design but I think you two would get along swimmingly! or have you met Llyn Von Stehlen before?"
Von Stehlen is a military family, and Llyn Von Stehlen is the youngest of her siblings among her older brothers, all knights. She's the odd one out with her brilliant designs and experiments as opposed to her brothers warlike tendencies, but he's been both a supplier for her and a distributor of her creations for some time now.

"You flatter me," she replied softly, gaze lifting to meet his, "and honor me by accepting. I hope to maintain the Rosenstern brand to your level, my Lord." Another smile, but this one lingered.

He slid the designs back across the table to her, "I believe you will. As I said, I am willing to sign off on this immediately if you have the contract. I've never broken a contract in my life and I will hold you to the same standard.
Once I sign my name you have permission to call me Tzuriel."
He was smiling back at her.
His standards were high when it came to women and she surpassed his wildest imaginations. She was beautiful but her mind was sharper than a razor, her intelligence keener than an eastern katana.
He had to admit that he couldn't wait to be done with the business to get down to the pleasure.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

She seemed to visibly glow with pride in his enthusiasm. Never before had she dreamed of the luxury that someone would even care for her works and ideas, least of all the merchant king of Arethil himself. And to call in an artificer that he recommended himself! She smiled then, blue eyes visibly warmed. It was like handing over her own child, would she have ever had that chance. This was as close as it would be for her, or so the gods would seem to say, and she shook her head at the mention of a Llyn Von Stehlen. "I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure," she replied quietly. "Though if you have faith in her capabilities, I put my trust in that."

And there again was the mention of a contract. "Of course," she replied demurely. "I have it right here." Simple words, but even with the first drafted contract she hadn't expected him to agree so easily. In the Merchant Council, many of her other peers claimed to have been snubbed by his business dealings. From within another pocket, she withdrew a rolled parchment, and a self-inking pen.

She could practically feel the eagerness from the man before her, and couldn't deny there was eagerness herself to enjoy him at leisure. They were both busy people with their own corners of the world, but she couldn't deny there was an allure with stolen time.

"Feel free to call me Divina."

The faintest smile, but one that curled with the faintest devilish smirk, playful and practically coy with glittering blue eyes as both parchment and pen were slid over for him to view at his own pleasure, and to sign.

It was a promising day indeed.

Tzuriel Alanthis