Valkyrie's Shadow

Chapter 4

“L-let me out!”

“No.”

“You tricked me, dammit! I wasn’t told anything about this!”

A young man in a pale grey coat attempted to get by Dame Verilyn, who was blocking the way to the room’s exit. By his handsome, well-kept appearance, he was the scion of a Noble house, though he possessed no signet ring or anything else that might indicate which family he was from.

Dame Verilyn placed her slender hands on the man’s shoulders, leaning forward to seize his attention with a slight tilt of her head and a warm smile. He stilled and blushed despite his panic.

“You’re overreacting,” the Frost-Dragon-turned-Snow-Elf told him. “This is what you were sent here for, yes?”

The man was one of the ‘stalkers’ who had been tailing them from city to city. Even as the various imperial factions worked to figure out what they could about ‘Frost 19’, Fendros and her friends were, in turn, identifying each faction, their agents and who organised them. Lady Zahradnik expressed her intentions for them during dinner the previous evening and the following morning she sent for the first of them.

Nemel wasn’t sure whether Dame Verilyn had abducted the man, tempted him to follow her or used some other method to retrieve him, but his outfit was at least intact. She wasn’t even sure where she had gotten him from.

Had he been snatched from his suite while eating breakfast? Yanked right off of the street? Nemel wanted to think that Dame Verilyn had done something normal by Human standards, but she was by now fairly certain that the Frost Dragon only went through the motions of regular Human conduct because it made things convenient in a Human-dominated environment.

Visibly collecting himself, the man allowed Dame Verilyn to gently guide him deeper into the room. Or maybe he was enjoying her attention despite everything. Men could be stupid like that.

Whatever it was, he paled visibly upon returning to the end of the long, rectangular table. Lady Zahradnik with two imperial officers seated to either side of her was probably not something that any scheming Noble would ever want to see. The Baroness’ gallant image could turn frighteningly forbidding depending on how one perceived the situation.

“This is Baroness Ludmila Zahradnik,” Dame Verilyn said. “My liege. She has taken the time out of her busy schedule to visit Norford and hear your proposals.”

The man straightened and made an elegant bow. Going by his practised movements, Nemel guessed that the aristocratic mannerisms drilled into him from a young age had asserted themselves.

“Kering El Merex Flavella. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Baroness Zaharadnik.”

Count Flavella had sent his heir? House Flavella had at least two spares, so they must have decided that an alliance through blood ties was not on the table to begin with. Instead, they had sent their most qualified negotiator aside from the Count.

“The pleasure is all mine, Lord Flavella,” the Baroness smiled. “My time is limited so you will forgive me if I am brief: what does House Flavella have to offer us?”

The young lord blinked blankly. Nemel hid a smile behind her neutral mask. This was something that they all agreed would happen during their discussion the previous evening. Each faction had prepared for an extended effort that involved carefully feeling out the other party and figuring out the possibilities that could come with establishing a relationship. The last thing they expected was for that party to drag them out and directly ask them what they wanted after remaining aloof for weeks.

In the ensuing silence, Lady Zahradnik took a crisp sheet of paper from the stack on her right. An expensive-looking pen of unknown design moved in flowing, angular strokes.

“Are you not authorised to negotiate on behalf of House Flavella, my lord?”

“I…yes, my lady, I am,” the young lord cleared his throat and fixed his mask again. “It’s just that we hadn’t anticipated reaching this stage so early, so I am ashamed to admit that I can only offer a broad overview of what we offer.”

“In that case, I assume that you would like the opportunity to better prepare House Flavella’s proposal?”

“If you would be so kind to allow it, I would count it a favour.”

Lady Zahradnik rolled up the sheet of paper she had been writing on. She tied it neatly with a forest green ribbon and pressed a wax seal upon it. Dame Verilyn came to bring it over to her petitioner.

“Lord Flavella,” the Baroness said, “it would be in both of our best interests if you were to prepare a comprehensive proposal that will represent your house and its allies to their satisfaction. Please feel free to take as much time as needed to consult with all relevant interests. Also, I would ask that you encourage your allies to participate. Once you are ready, make arrangements with the contact that I have provided you. You and your party will be provided accommodations at Castle Corelyn, where you will be afforded the time to see what the Sorcerous Kingdom has to offer and conduct proper negotiations.”

Kering Flavella quickly glanced over the content of Lady Zahradnik’s letter. Nemel was fairly confident about what he was probably feeling at that moment.

One could not simply say and do everything that the Baroness had. By placing a single invitation in the hands of the young lord, Lady Zahradnik had recognised House Flavella as the leader of its faction, reinforcing its position and all that it entailed. It was something like a declaration of support or at least the intent of dealing with the Flavella faction through them, which preserved the social order that the Empire’s aristocrats were accustomed to.

Most Nobles – even the Emperor himself – would leave it at that, leaving House Flavella to sort out its own hierarchy and figure out how to dole out the fruit of their upcoming negotiations between their faction members. The Baroness, however, had implied that there was something for everyone. A minor house claiming that they could offer this to a major imperial faction would usually be dismissed as delusional at best and fraudulent at worst, but she had essentially challenged any suspicions by inviting them over to investigate at their own leisure.

It was an overt display of wealth, influence and power. Proper Nobles had no choice but to reciprocate.

“My lord father will be most pleased to learn of this development, my lady,” Lord Flavella replied. “I look forward to our next meeting.”

Even with a Noble’s mask fixed to his face, Nemel could tell that he was all smiles as he walked out of the room. Lady Zahradnik sent Dame Verilyn to retrieve the next faction representative.

“He was desperately trying to escape when he came in,” Rangobart mused. “And now he can’t wait to see you again. Even after seeing how things played out with the army, the way that you have with people never ceases to impress.”

“I’m not sure if it’s so remarkable as you suggest,” Lady Zahradnik replied, “I didn’t even offer him anything concrete.”

“That may be so,” Rangobart replied, “but the way you do things seems to always alter perceptions and expectations in favourable directions. Rather than acting as a Noble with limited resources and influence, you act as a sovereign with far more at your disposal.”

“I certainly don’t think myself anything like a sovereign,” Lady Zahradnik said, “but you may be correct about the rest. The Nobles of the Sorcerous Kingdom – the people in general, really – have far more at their disposal than they once had as subjects of Re-Estize. Despite its mostly competent administration and security, the Empire is not too far off from Re-Estize when it comes to its primary industries and other foundational aspects of its economy.”

“Your assessment is mostly accurate, I think,” Rangobart said. “Our territorial administrators have the benefit of the Empire’s standardised education, but, when it comes down to it, land and labour requirements for industry remain unchanged. Still, even with the benefit of your methods, there should be a limit to the Sorcerous Kingdom’s productivity, should there not?”

“We haven’t yet fully explored what can be achieved, but there should rationally be a limit somewhere. What can be done within those limits, however, already beggars the imagination. It will take generations to fully realise the potential of our territories and that only takes into consideration our current levels of knowledge and artifice.”

Nemel hadn’t even figured out how to get Goblins to farm potatoes yet, never mind thinking of all the big things they were talking about. Growing potatoes, then selling them so they could grow more potatoes…would she need Goblin Merchants, too?

“Did either of you have anything to note about House Flavella?” Lady Zahradnik asked.

“It should be as it appears, my lady,” Rangobart said. “Kering is the heir apparent of House Flavella, so there is no implied desire to forge dynastic ties. With as many disruptions to the western trade as there have been, I believe many of these factions you’ll be seeing today will be satisfied with the same arrangement.”

Lady Zahradnik turned her gaze to Nemel.

“House Flavella is very, um…normal if that makes any sense,” Nemel said. “They’re in a comfortable position and are focused on defending it from others. Their faction is filled with like-minded lords, so it’s likely that they’ll be trying to replace the foreign ties that they’ve lost due to recent events. As they’re quite conservative, they’ll be negotiating in a traditional manner which will be aimed at prospects that they consider safe.”

“That seems benign enough,” the Baroness said. “I would be more than happy if they were all like that…but I suppose it would be wishful thinking. What would a politically ambitious faction attempt to acquire?”

“The power to resist imperial authority,” Rangobart crossed his arms. “They won’t attempt any moves with two imperial officers present, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they made overtures to that effect when they negotiate in the Sorcerous Kingdom. Many resent His Imperial Majesty’s policies and past actions, so they may believe that they can return to their old ways if they can convince the Empire’s suzerain to shield them.”

Nemel shifted uncomfortably at Rangobart’s words. While she didn’t resent the Emperor, she was effectively shielding herself from imperial influence by becoming Dame Verilyn’s vassal.

“What will happen in that case, my lady?” Nemel asked.

“Officer Roberbad already knows this,” Lady Zahradnik answered, “but it is not my place to dictate imperial policy or involve myself in the Empire’s politics. Doing anything illegal will have obvious consequences. As they are imperial subjects, they may find a squad from the Imperial Army waiting for them at the border if we deem their activities sufficiently detrimental to the Empire.”

“You would uphold imperial policy in the Sorcerous Kingdom?”

Even Nemel would be tempted to side with whoever she thought was in the right. She didn’t have the rebellious attitude of a Worker, but there were still laws and policies that she believed hurt the Empire and its people more than they helped.

“If imperial citizens are involved,” Lady Zahradnik said. “This much is obvious, yes? I believe that regulations will eventually normalise between our states, but, for the time being, there are more than a few differences that would have people hopping back and forth over the border to do one thing or the other. For instance, the Empire has a system of indentured servitude. It would be somewhat ridiculous if a slave under contract could run over the border and expect protection because slavery is illegal in the Sorcerous Kingdom.”

“That’s a good point,” Rangobart muttered. “Things would become a chaotic mess. The Imperial Army has always considered those who fled the nation a lost cause so they’ll be surprised if people start getting sent back.”

Lady Zahradnik seemed the sort that adhered to order no matter what that order might entail. As the vassal of her vassal, Nemel hoped that this wouldn’t result in future problems.

The door to the room opened again and tentative steps sounded from around the corner. It took all of half a glance for the next man to bolt for the entrance.

Evening was upon them by the time they got through the entire swarm of ‘stalkers’ that Dame Verilyn had attracted since her arrival in Oestestadt. Lady Zahradnik went through them so smoothly that Nemel could only wonder if all that had occurred so far was the work of a genius with monstrous levels of foresight. Not only that, but the talent, drive and resources to ensure all of the necessary preparations were in place beforehand could only be compared to that of the Emperor. By all appearances, the Baroness had been in complete control from beginning to end and the future outcomes felt an inevitability.

Fendros, Elise and Ida returned shortly after the last representative was sent away, taking their seats to join them for dinner.

“It was strange watching all those agents slowly vanish over the day,” Fendros tied back her golden hair as they settled in for their meal. “I’ve become used to having them around.”

“They weren’t interfering with the stand’s business?” Lady Zahradnik asked.

“Oh no, my lady,” Fendros answered. “Agents of this nature try not to stick out and they were likely wary of the Sorcerous Kingdom besides. In a way, they helped with business since they were more warm bodies for everyone else to interact with.”

“In that case, I hope I haven’t crippled the stand’s operations.”

“There were other problems on the horizon,” Fendros said. “So we appreciate your coming to take all that pressure away…I suppose we have much to thank you for. Being able to live respectable lives was a vain hope until Miss Gran introduced us to Dame Verilyn. Even then, we feared you would turn us away for…for being attainted.”

“Like Officer Roberbad,” the Baroness replied, “I believe that it’s a waste of potential. That being said, you will still all be held to stringent standards.”

“Yes, of course, my lady – we’re just happy to have the chance at all.”

To Lady Zahradnik’s right, Rangobart stroked his jaw with a frown.

“I think I’ve missed something here,” he said. “My understanding is that they were assisting Dame Verilyn with her tasks in the Empire. Why does it sound like something more permanent? Will they continue to serve as her agents after her duties here are fulfilled?”

“They’ve become my…vassals?” Nemel said.

“Why is there a question mark at the end of that?” Rangobart looked over at her, “Can House Gran even afford to properly compensate them for their services?”

“How rude!” Nemel scowled, “If you must know, we’re leaving for the Sorcerous Kingdom with Dame Verilyn after she’s done with her work here. I’ve pledged myself to her service.”

“What!”

Fendros, Elise and Ida, shrunk back from Rangobart’s shout.

“Noisy!” Nemel said, “What did you expect after those introductions? I’ll be helping to administer Dame Verilyn’s territory as her seneschal. Rei, Liz and Ida will be assisting me as my subordinates.”

She might only be able to pay them with a few potatoes at first, but she would surely be able to afford more potatoes later.

“What did your family have to say about this?”

“…I haven’t told them yet.”

Rangobart sighed, scratching his temple. Why was he sticking his nose into her business, anyway? It wasn’t as if it was any of his concern.

“Your sense of responsibility is an admirable trait, Officer Roberbad,” Lady Zahradnik said, “but you should probably focus on the fight ahead of you. Oh, speaking of which…”

The Baroness reached into a pouch at her waist, which looked identical to Dame Verilyn’s magic bags. She withdrew a scroll case and placed it on the table between herself and Rangobart.

“This is for you,” the Baroness said.

“For me, my lady?”

“Your family has expectations of you, yes? You may give this to them or you may retain it for your own use. I’ve found your assistance during these past two weeks invaluable, Officer Roberbad.”

Rangobart reached out and picked up the case, opening the cap and gently shaking out its contents. A sealed letter, similar to those that had been issued throughout the day slid out onto his palm. He removed its forest green ribbon and unfurled the letter, looking back up at the Baroness after scanning what was written upon it.

“This is rather open-ended…”

“I may not be able to help you fulfil the wishes of your family when you were first assigned to me,” a ghost of a smile touched Lady Zahradnik’s lips, “but marriage is only one of the many opportunities present in the Sorcerous Kingdom that may be of interest to you and your house. Like the others, it would be better to see things for yourself.”

“In that case,” Rangobart replied with a slight bow. “I look forward to visiting you in the future, my lady.”

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