Completed The Noblest of Deeds

[Alistair Krixus]

Time was of the essence, now. This was the area where things could go wrong, but it was also like walking on coal. The slower they went, the more likely things would mess up.

Alistair looked to Kristen before quickly starting off down the hallway. His eyes darted back and forth between rooms that he was speed-walking pass. Not that one, the door was to plain. People were in that one. He could hear others in the next.

He saw it, the door had to be Banick's. It was decorated, but not enough to be gaudy, just like Banick. The last few steps felt like they were taken with led in his shoes. Every second he expected things to go wrong, someone reaching out and grabbing them.

That was why he was so confused when his hand finally gripped the handle of the door. He looked back to Kristen one more time before he swung open the door.

What waited for them inside was a beautifully maintained room decorated with various works of art and bookshelves lining the wall. The room was obviously used just as much as an office as it was a bedroom. How could Alistair tell? It might be that Walter Banick was in the room, looking to be in a meeting with Saydor Vinn and two other dreadlords.

Fuck.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

All eyes were on them once that door was open.

Kristen froze. She'd expected an empty room, one likely to be flooded with light from the hallway once they had opened the door. An empty room in which they'd have to wait Aionus knew how long before Walter concluded all of his business for the day and retired for some sleep.

Not this. Walter himself and three Dreadlords.

"Soldiers, you must be lost," said Walter, though his tone was harsh and suspicious. Every soldier in the Estate knew where they should and should not be.

It was not Saydor Vinn, but another of the Dreadlords who spoke next (whose name happened to be Jurin Munn). His most prominent feature was a large sword tattoo on his face, the black ink bisecting his countenance, the crossguard of the sword stretching out along the line of his lips and giving him the permanent appearance of an unnerving smile.

Jurin said a single word, eyes locked onto Alistair.

"Magic."

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was frozen there for just a moment out of shock. They had not discussed this possibility at all, and yet, this should have been one of the most obvious outcomes. What if the guards weren't around the room, but in it?

He could already see the dreadlords reaching for weapons or beginning their own magics. Were they going to have to fight? No, they would certainly die against three dreadlords. Instead, Alistair's eyes darted over to Banick where he locked eyes with him.

Now was the time for all or nothing.

He held up his hands to show that he was unarmed and then he severed the magic powering his amulet. The illusion immediately broke, to reveal Alistair's true form to all those in the room.

Everyone in this room could kill him at the drop of a hat if they wanted to. Fear was beginning to spring up in his stomach, but once again, Alistair's poker face paid off.

"Lord Banick, we have been sent to speak with you."

His eyes never wavered from being locked onto Banick's hoping that he remembered him.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen, following Alistair's lead, disabled her illusion as well.

Saydor and the other Banick Dreadlord each jumped up from their seats when the illusions were dropped. Not in alarm, no, but in quick and efficient readiness. All three Dreadlords had their gazes on the Initiates: Jurin calm, Saydor prepared, and the last with a hint of eagerness.

Alistair's gambit worked. The light of recognition was immediately apparent in Walter's eye. (Behind Alistair, he of course recognized Kristen as well—how could he not—but he presently disregarded her).

"Alistair Krixus," he said, slowly coming to stand. Gone was the harshness and suspicion, and in its place was a curious receptiveness. "Who has sent you?"

"The Republic," Kristen said.

"I'm aware of that." Annoyance, for what Walter felt was the obvious.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair offered a polite bow to the man, trying his best to turn this into a conversation and not some sort of standoff.

"Councilman Otto Berenger sent us. However, your brother also sends his regards."

Best to bring up the brother early, he seemed like one of the few that actually liked Banick, unlike the rest of his family who were eagerly awaiting for him to be defeated.

"Obviously, Berenger has asked that we speak with you...discreetly."

His eyes looked over the Dreadlords for the briefest moments, and slowly lowered his hands into a more comfortable position. Al wanted to look back at Kristen to see how she was faring, but it was like looking into the eyes of a predator. He felt that if he looked away for even a second, then he would be dead.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Berenger," Walter said, giving an affirming nod. Of his brother—one of the three of them anyway—he made no comment yet.

Adding on to Alistair said last, Kristen said, "This was the best method by which to do so. Apologies, Lord Banick, for any alarm caused."

Saydor had his eyes on Kristen, though it was impossible to tell yet if he truly recognized her or not. Jurin and the third Dreadlord, with their hawkish gazes, stared down Alistair. Each was but a word from Walter away from unleashing their magic.

But Walter gave a little inviting wave of his hand and said, "Come in. Have a seat." And then, "Jurin. Kelos. You may go."

Whatever reservations they had, neither Jurin nor Kelos showed them. They stepped away from their seats at the table, slowly stalking their way across the chamber, each passing by uncomfortably close to Alistair and Kristen, each giving the two of them hard looks as they did, and then down the hall they went.

Kristen, though a bit stiff and guarded in her movements, nevertheless stepped in further and took the seat Kelos once occupied. Walter sat as well. Saydor had yet to sit, a professional vigilance emanating from his posture and his gaze.

"I wouldn't have expected the scion of House Krixus and the Darling Daughter of House Pirian to come here," Walter said. A laugh could have accompanied his remark, but none came. "Berenger is, however, a clever one. Why specifically did he choose you two?"

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair watched the two dreadlords leave, not wanting to flinch under their steady gazes. No back down now, not while things were going well. He was quicker to accept the seats than Kristen, not wanting to seem hesitant about their talks.

"To be completely honest, his options were limited. The number of allies in Vel Anir for your cause are...limited. Berenger wanted two that you knew, which could also make contact unnoticed by political machinations."

Honesty was the best policy for now. Alistair held Lord Banick in high regard, so he believed that if presented the situation logically that Banick would ultimately come to the right decision.

"We are also...expendable."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Yes. I suspect they would deem you as such."

Walter beckoned Saydor over with a tiny motion of his fingers. With final assessing looks over both Alistair and Kristen, Saydor crossed over to Walter's side of the coffee table and sat down in the chair beside him.

"Your candor, Alistair, is as welcome now as it was at the Golden Rose. The artificial pleasantries of the Republic's official diplomats was becoming nauseating."

Kristen made a mental note of that. Hardly had she been raised to be forward and direct in her speech; why, she could easily recall the chastising sting of Mother smacking her wrist, correcting her if ever Kristen acted as such in her presence. But Walter was the opposite, a military-minded man to whom forwardness and directness were virtues. She'd have to endeavor to dispense with her own pleasantries here.

"We'll have to clear the air before we proceed," Walter said. "Concerning the Canal campaign and what happened there. Be done with it, so there is only the present matter."

"A lot has changed since then," Kristen said, firm in the truth of it. There was no acting nor pretense here. Her artificial hand was but the smallest change.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was surprised to hear at Lord Banick's suggestion to ignore their previous mission together, but he was glad to hear it. A small worry at the back of his mind had been that Banick would see them as incompetent from the results of the canal.

"Of course, discussions of such importance should be focused on the matters at hand."

It was likely that Banick already had suspicions about most of the information that Alistair and Kristen would tell him, but he needed to hear it from someone that did not work for him.

"Let's move straight to it then, Lord Banick. Your situation is...precarious to say the least."

Alistair glanced at Saydorr. He was a dreadlord, so he would understand the situation. The question was whether he would still want to fight even against such odds.

"Choosing to pick a fight with Vel Anir without any allies is a bold decision."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Walter was perfectly fine with letting Kristen's words be the sole comment on the Canal, and (keeping his Banick reservations against it to himself) simply tipped the girl a small acknowledging nod. Yes, that was fair enough. A lot has changed.

"'Pick a fight,'" Walter echoed. He leaned forward slightly, tapping his chest with a finger. "They. Picked a fight. With me."

He sat back in his chair. Clearly there was anger underneath his composure, the plain fact that he felt aggrieved back the acts of the Republic.

"Everything that I have done up to my formal motion for the annexation of the Peninsula has been in accordance with the laws and guidance of the Republic. This entire effort has been at the sole expenditure of House Banick: the campaign, the current construction of the Canal, even the forthcoming pacification of the Peninsula itself, all of it. And now the Republic has the gall to tell me what it is that I can and cannot do with my own expenses outside of their jurisdiction. Worse, they would seek to deprive me of that which I have earned and claim it as their own."

His nose wrinkled slightly, brow furrowing, and that was all the indignation he allowed to be shown.

"I want what is right and fair, but at the same time I am loath to weaken Vel Anir by causing further division. Yet the Republic is leaving me with little choice."

Kristen seized on the opportunity. "That is why we are here, Lord Banick. We are the last heralds of that choice you seek."

And she glanced over to Alistair.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was silent for a moment, while he considered what Banick had said. He was angry. He should be. This all seemed unfair to him.

"In fact Lord Banick, I agree with you, but if this fight goes on, Vel Anir will be weakened and you will be left alone to defend yourself."

They both knew that while Banick might be able to put up a fight, that ultimately, Vel Anir would raise this city to the ground if they had to.

"We have come here offering a way out. This incident would be swept under the rug for the most part. You would face a reprimand and a punishment, but you would avoid imprisonment and House Banick would be safe..."

The Republic would obviously get to choose who the city goes to, but that did not need to be said. The terms that were being offered were not favorable for Banick but they offered a way out.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Walter smiled. The sort of polite smile that Kristen was familiar with, for she'd seen it enough times amongst her elder nobles at socials and gatherings. One that suggested he ultimately disagreed with what had been said. Which parts, some or all? She wasn't sure.

Walter spoke, illuminating some of that question, "House Banick will fare well in either case." A soundless laugh, more a small rocking of his chest than anything. "My father Theodore has seen to that."

"Then shall we discuss terms?"

Turning his attention to her, Walter gave Kristen a somewhat harsh look before he said, "Berenger neglected to tell you the compromise I have already offered the Republic, hasn't he?"

Kristen was caught slightly off-guard. She and Alistair had been briefed on a few of the so-called redlines, things which were not within Berenger's power to grant or within the Republic's overall willingness to grant, yes, the obvious things like that. Not so much about the negotiations that had already taken place prior to their arrival.

"If...if I may, Lord Banick...what compromise?"

"I offered the Republic half of the Peninsula to do with as they pleased." He looked over. "Tell me, Alistair. Do you think such a deal is fair?"

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Berenger had in fact declined to mention that first offer. He should have told them, but no point in whining about it now.

"I would have found it agreeable, but out of curiosity, which half did you offer them Lord Banick?"

He highly doubted that he offered them the part with the established city, but more the part with recently removed elves and some sort of elven cult to deal with.

"Either way, allowing you to retain the city now would make the Republic look weak. They can not afford that, especially in these current times."

The simple matter of fact that if their was a war, Banick would likely lose. Splitting land 50/50 with a loser did not seem like much of a loss at all.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

I would have found it agreeable, but out of curiosity, which half did you offer them Lord Banick?

Walter smirked and shook his head. "We never even begun to hash out the details. The Republic rejected the offer out of hand."

Meanwhile, Kristen sat, listening intently for opportunities and trying to ignore Saydor's relentless gaze upon her. Alistair was doing a fantastic job. Concise and to the point, staying on subject, not antagonizing his interlocutor in such a way as to alienate or offend him nor allowing his interlocutor to completely dictate the flow of the negotiation. Kristen wasn't privy to the vast majority of Father's business dealings, but there were a few times when she overheard small pieces of them. Certainly it was not as easy as it seemed!

Either way, allowing you to retain the city now would make the Republic look weak. They can not afford that, especially in these current times.

"And now here I am," Walter said. "Because I had the audacity to demand fairness, I am set to lose Ostia Anir no matter what."

Despite what he'd said, he was smiling. He looked like a man confident that he held within his hand the winning move.

"You two—Alistair, Kristen—are uniquely positioned to understand what the official Republic diplomats could not. You are nobles."

He leaned forward and took his glass of whiskey from the table and sat back.

"Tell me honestly, what do you each feel about the Republic's treatment of the nobility?"

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Banick might be expecting sympathy here, but he knew Kristen was unlikely to say nobles were being treated differently. For Alistair...it was complicated, while he wanted to make his House rise in status, he found most nobility to be bothersome and lacking in what they use to be. Not to mention, the title of nobility was often used like some sort of leash for responsibility...He wasn't going to tell him that.

"I find the Republic's recent handling of the nobility...dismissive and inefficient. They would completely remove many of them if they could without risking all out war."

Many nobles lay about in their riches, forgetting that the reason they got to where they are is because they once served the people. Therefore, nobility should be given certain leeway in return for service to the public.

"I would ask you the same, but I feel I already know the answer."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Walter gave a nod to Alistair's answer. And then he looked expectantly to Kristen, taking a small sip of his spirits then.

"Well," she said, "I...must admit that I do not feel as though there is any undue antagonism toward us. The Republic has been remarkably gracious in victory, and even within Parliament now there sits no insignificant number of nobles as elected Councilors."

Walter just slid his gaze back over Alistair.

"It must be wonderful to be a Pirian, holding a naive view of the world."

Kristen sat up a touch straighter in her seat. Walter admired strength, did he? Good. For she was not going to let her Darling Daughter tendencies coax her into allowing that to slip by uncontested.

"And what of you? Denying these truths I have spoken and holding a cynical view?" she said, some of the testiness threading through in her words.

In the back of her mind, the awareness that she had just mentally praised Alistair for not antagonizing his interlocutor, and the irony which she through her own actions could not avoid.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair gave Kristen a look as if to say calm down. She was someone that Banick knew he could mess with her strings if he needed to.

"Lord Banick, we need thinkers like her the same way the world needs thinkers like us. With only realists, then how would the world create the miracles so many are fond of." Of course, if one were prepared, one would not need a miracle, but it is best to leave that unsaid.

"I do agree with her in some regards. The Republic does have certain improvements that royalty lacked, and...there are ways for us to make changes when needed. It just takes...time."

What was Alistair suggesting? Even he did not exactly know, politics could be played in the Republic just like during the monarchy. It could be easily argued that there was more room for politics. These new politicians that were often inexperienced in the field could also be easily corrupted.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Walter just smiled in reaction to Kristen's barb, the gesture and expression which went along with it one with the unmistakable touch of being impressed. Yet couched in this, perhaps visible as well in his eye but perhaps not, was the implication that he saw her as a trivial threat, that he did not in any way take her very seriously.

Back to Alistair. "The game is different, that is for certain."

He started to raise his glass up to his lips but then paused and lowered it again.

"You are young." He closed his eye and bobbed his head and made the concession to acknowledge, "Both of you. You do not own much. Yet. Even so, there is much you could earn, through the right of conquest or otherwise."

He took that sip.

"My efforts here are no longer for my interests alone. They are now as much for yours as mine. For all of the nobility."

"Lord Banick," Kristen said. Having caught Alistair's earlier glance, she brought herself to level composure once more, "if that is so, would it not be wise to take a more measured approach? You need not risk everything. By your own words, you have already been treated unfairly by the Republic. Your story here can still—"

"Really," Walter said flatly. "What would your father say? Or your Uncle Tobias? Hm? If this fizzled out as quietly as Berenger hopes it will?"

And then to Alistair. An inviting nod for him to speak. "What would your father say?"

From the way Walter said it...

...he, too, had not yet heard of Amadeus's fate.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Only the slight tightening of a fist was the only reaction to Walter's final question, but it was gone as quickly as it has arrived.

"I do not know what my father would think and it does not matter. He is dead."

He quickly changed topics on the subjects preferring to push the conversation in a different direction.

"Ok, if the Republic somehow did give in to all of your demands. How would that help the rest of the nobility?"

If it only served the nobility and not the rest of the Republic then all of this was useless. Was Banick just holding on to the last remnants of a world that was already gone?

"The Republic can be changed, but...this is not the right way to do so."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

A hard look of surprise, flattened brow and pursed lips, overtook Walter when Alistair mentioned the death of Amadeus. Made busy with his campaign and the beginning of the Canal's construction, far to the south of the buzzing nexus of rumor and public knowledge that was Vel Anir itself, Walter hadn't known of it.

He made no further mention of it. Alistair changed the subject, and Walter got right back onto the current track of the conversation.

"Precedent," Walter said. He spoke at measured length, clearly illustrating a facet inlaid at the core of his belief. "There will be no unfavorable precedent against the nobility if this issue is resolved amicably."

"All the more reason for it to be resolved so. Precedent, Lord Banick. You know that war is coming, that your actions have incensed the Republic to it." And with a slowly rising passion: "Yet are we not here now? Even as doubtless an army marches to Ostia Anir, are we not here now? Still the Republic offers the hand of peace. Yes, some punishment is due, but shall you not bear it worthily? If the nobility sees that transgressions as deep as yours can be forgiven, that at the very brink of war peace is still possible, would they not be invested with the same courage that you, Lord Banick, here now in Ostia Anir, have the opportunity to show?"

"Courage," Walter echoed, voice level. Not so convinced.

"Yes," Kristen said. Quiet was the word, though it was coated with heartfelt urgency. "To admit wrongdoing. To take ownership of one's missteps. To do what is right and trust in forgiveness."

She looked over to Alistair, eyes urging him to back her point however he can.

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair leaned back a little as Kristen began her impassioned speech. He knew that tone often brought with it a monologue. When it was finished, he looked between the two of them not exactly sure how to respond.

Courage.

Was it courage to give up his lands so easily? Ostia Anir, which he had spent years growing into a fine city would likely be removed from his control. Was it courage to accept being partially ostracized by his family? Another possibility. Was it courage to give up on his investments simply because 'the nobles had already had their time'? Alistair was not so sure about any of these.

If courage is admitting one's wrongdoings then that would make Alistair an outright coward. It would be hypocritical for him to suggest otherwise.

"Courage...in a way. You can end this peacefully, with a proverbial slap on the wrist, or condemning countless men to death with little to gain..."

That was the best he could offer. Simply because he did not believe in it. Banick did not care for courage. He wanted to look at this like an equation. He was the zero-sum loser, so the closer he could make all of this to zero, then the better off he would be.

"You seek precedent for nobility? To see the noble houses gain something from this grand venture?"

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen smiled to Alistair.

Walter however (though he did not know it) was of much the same mind as Alistair on Kristen's argument. He remained unconvinced, no epiphany sparked within his neutral features.

Readily did Walter turn his attention to Alistair when he spoke.

"That is what this has become, yes. Here all Vel Anir will see very clearly how the Republic treats the nobility. Even if I lose this battle—especially if I lose—Theodore, the other Houses, all will see the draconian measures the vengeful Republic is willing to use, and they will know it to be only a matter of time before they 'transgress' themselves, this likely in matters much smaller than mine as the bounds of tolerance shrink around them, and then likewise call down this excessive wrath masquerading as 'justice.'"

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

"You don't want precedent then. You want to be a martyr for another revolution...The nobles of the future will only see a rogue noble that tried to bring down the home that they helped build...It is the victors that right the history books. If you die for this goal, then your dreams will never come to fruition."

Alistair's face was stoic, not showing disgust at Banick's idea, but looking at the situation with the sad reality that would likely occur.

"What if we could ensure that the nobility gained something from this incident with no loss of life and lleaving you alive to continue to champion such ideals."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

However ready Walter may have been to further argue his point, after a moment spent in considering thought, he nevertheless put aside his inclinations to do so.

He gave his glass of whiskey a little swish, a tiny tip toward Alistair, and said, "Go on."

Even Kristen glanced over to Alistair, intrigued. Had he conjured something enticing? A deal that Walter would be helpless but to accept?

Alistair Krixus

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair wasn't sure just how much power he had in these negotiations. Berenger had given them liberties, but...did that mean the Republic was bound to whatever deal he built here. Were he and Kristen going to play such a large role?

"The Republic will gain full control of this area. That will be the bare minimum for them. However, we will ensure that the governorship and control of the area go to someone of noble blood. The person of noble will also be of a House with at least a neutral disposition towards you and your own, so that you may continue with any business in the area. In return, you will need to pay an increased...tax for two years. You, personally, will not be eligible to run for public office for ten years."

Alistair finally leaned back in his seat. A part of him wanted to keep going, but sometimes you needed to stop while you were ahead. Then again, he had no idea if he was ahead. For all he knew, Al had just made the worst negotiation offer of all time.

Kristen Pirian