Mark of the Fool

Chapter 411: Bargaining From a Seat of Power

I like the idea of everybody wins if you can get that, Alexander Roth had once said.

The Thameish wizard had been sitting beside the fire talking with Drestra in the Generasians encampment, and the Sage had hinted at the troubles Lord Aenflynn was bringing. Shed sought advice while still keeping the negotiations with the fae lord secret.

And Alex Roth had replied: I like the idea of everybody wins if you can get that,except monsters or assholes trying to kill you, of course. They can all go straight to every hell in all the planes for all I care. In tiny pieces would be best. But for everyone else? I like to think that if theres another way, pick the other way. Like a third way. One of my mentorsChancellor Baelin, who youll be meeting soonalways tries to get us to think our way out of problems. Youre the Sage, right? Maybe youll come up with another way thats best for everybody.

The idea of a third way had set a fire in Drestras mind, and shed spent months trying to find that third way.

Shed thought of summoning monsters, constructing servants or even hiring mercenaries: anything that the other Heroes could find acceptable while still meeting Lord Aenflynns needs.

Yet, none of her ideas had been practical.

The mercenary idea was madness born from desperation and was dead before shed wasted too much time on it. Even if the crown was interested in spending large sums of coin to hire a small army of mercenaries, there was a big glaring, insurmountable problem with the idea: mortal mercenaries tended to be adults, mortal adults were well beyond five winters old, way too old to even try pawning off as younglings the fae lord could raise and train as soldiers for his army. Shed dismissed the idea almost as soon as it came to her, then started considering an army of summoned monsters for Aenflynn, but quickly recognised that this solution came with its own problems. One would need an entire army of wizards to maintain summoned monsters andwhen the spells mana ran outthe creatures would abruptly vanish back to their home planes. Shed also thought about asking the Generasians to help create golems to offer to the fae lord, but if Thameland had the resources to commission an army of powerful golems, they wouldnt need an alliance with the fae in the first place.

For a few wild nights, shed even toyed with the idea of tricking Aenflynn into accepting something he didnt really ask for, then binding him to it by using his word against him.

Unfortunately, no amount of desperate schemes or overthinking would have solved their problem, because in the end, Aenflynn could always turn down anything they proposed andeven if she succeeded in tricking him and gained the fae warriors they neededtheyd be fighting alongside soldiers sworn to an angry, bitter and vengeful fae lord. Who would they have to keep more of an eye on, the fae warriors fighting beside them, or dungeons full of attacking Ravener-spawn? The fae scenario had disaster and a fae blade in the back written all over it.

But now that shed learned how to control a dungeon core, a door had opened, and it solved their problem, eliminated desperation, and gave them an edge.

Truth was, they didnt really need Lord Aenflynns soldiers anymorethe fae were preferable fighters in ways Ravener-spawn couldnt bebut the Sage could conjure an army from literally nothing, which meant unlimited numbers and the greatest tool anyone could have in a negotiation.

The ability to simply walk away.

If Aenflynn doesnt like what were offering, he can hang, she thought. And well make our own fighters Though, having access to the fae gates would be a big help to us, maybe we should see what else he has to say before we walk away.

Lord Aenflynn had been silently eyeing the Heroes for heartbeats, looking from one to the other like someone whod been told a joke they didnt understand.

Sorry we couldnt work things out? he suddenly broke the silence. What are you saying? You need an army to deal with your Ravener-spawn problem. You also need my fae gates to transport your troops.

I dunno about that, Lord Aenflynn, Cedric said. Ylook at these three, an all ysees jus a beginnin, yknow. Were masterin this everyday, soon well be makin our own armies.

And how did you manage this? Aenflynn asked, looking at Drestras bag.

Respectfully, Lord Aenflynn, we have our secrets, Drestra said. As you no doubt have yours.

His lip twitched.

So, we get it, Hart said. You want something from us and we want something from you, but as youve said, you dont need anything from us. And while wed deal with you if you wanted to negotiate, these monsters are our best offer. Mortal children are completely off the table. If you dont want what we have, thats alright. We respect that. Well just go our separate ways.

You need my forces, these monsters cannot compare to my warriors, the fae lord said quietly. The brute actions of what are barely more than beasts can never match even one faes hundreds of years of experience.

True, Drestra said. Which is why we still want to bargain. But in the end, we can let this go.

That Lord Aenflynns eyes flashed.

A bolt of fear and excitement ran through Drestra.

You ancient beast, when was the last time someone told you they could walk away from you? She wondered. Without insult, or dishonourjust the ability to walk away? How does it feel not holding all the power for once?

Obviously, not good.

The fae went from throwing the Ravener-spawn a cutting look, to openly glaring at the Heroes.

You need me, he said. You need my forces.

His power flared and the cave system began to rumble.

It occurred to Drestra that holding this meeting underground might not have been the best idea. If Aenflynn wanted to bury them under a mountain of rock out of childish rage, he could, thered be little they could do to stop him or escape.

Stay the course, she told herself. If he was going to bury us, wed already be buried.

Or at least she hoped that was true.

Wed like your help, she said. But were willing to do without it and use our own power.

So, as things stand, Cedric added. Ycan have loadso monsters treplenish yer forcesthough we gots final control over eman well take proper care o yer elderly fae an give em a good life in their latter days. An your fae warriors can fight alongside usor well take our monsters, bid you farewell an part as friends.

Friends? Lord Aenflynn choked. Do you think this is a joke? Do you think you are all cute?

Well, my mother and father thought I was cute, Hart said.

Mine too, Drestra chimed in.

Da n ma thought I was downright adorable, Cedric said.

Drestra burst into deep laughter, soon joined by Hart and Cedric. Relief. She felt relief and couldnt help but laugh; from the moment shed been Marked, shed lost control of her own life. The church controlled her destiny. Uldar controlled her destiny. Aenflynn kept leading them around by the nose, and hed been playing with them for months.

But now?

Now they couldpolitelytell him to piss off with his games.

And damn did that ever feel good.

Well I do not find you adorable, the fae lord pronounced. I should curse you right now and let your people wither under the tide of these monsters. Butout of kindness, I shall give you a chance. Forget this foolish counter-proposal and I will give you one moon to think things over.

I do not wish to waste your time, Lord Aenflynn, Drestra said. None of us do.

His face was a thundercloud. And is that your final answer?

Yes, all three Heroes said as one.

fools. He glanced at the Ravener-spawn then fixed them with a long glare. Foolsimpudent fools.

She could see him struggling for control. It was like watching a child losing their favourite toys for bad behaviour, but not wanting to lose either the toys, or the bad behaviour.

Will your honour and pride allow you to bend? she wondered. If you let us walk away, youll always know that weve walked away as equals: that you lost control of us. Do you want that?

Fifteen hundred, the fae lord grunted.

Pardon? Cedric asked.

I want fifteen hundred of these monsters.

And there it was.

Then we want five hundred fae warriors fighting at our side, Drestra said.

Hah! Lord Aenflynn laughed. You mortals are amusing. You asked for fifty originally!

Aye, but the deals been changed a lot since then, hasnt it? Cedric asked him. So why dont we work this out all proper-like now.

Fine, they heard the fae lord say. We will bargain in earnest.

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More than an hour passed. An hour of conversing, haggling, bargaining, threats to depart, negotiating, thinking, stepping aside to confer in secret and then coming back with new proposals. For a while, the fae lord was actually shouting, shaking the entire cave system with his power.

Butat lasta pact was reached.

One hundred and twenty of your monsters, to be given once per moon in groups of thirty or more, not less. In return, you will have the service of one of my fae warriors for every three monsters you provide me. He looked down at the rings theyd received from Elder BlodeuweddDrestras mother. In addition, you Heroes will have full access to the fae gates, letting you cross the five highways of my realm and quickening your travels across Thameland. Your armies will have use of the same, though you will all be under fae law while travelling through the fae wild. If any of you violate our laws, you will be subject to our punishments.

Aye, got all that, Cedric said. An if we betray you, then you will command your fae warriors to set on us and rip us to shreds. If ya betray us, then any Ravener-spawn weve gifted t ya will make things nasty for ya. Well also have folk ready tcare fer yer elderly changelings in two moons time.

Fair, Lord Aenflynn said. Do you three swear to honour this pact on your names?

The Heroes nodded at each other, then swore their oath.

Excellent. Then I, Lord Aenflynn, ruler of the Realm of Och Fir Nog, will honour this oath.

A wave of power swept the air.

The deal was done, and Drestra felt ancient magic bind the four of them.

Even as that weight fell on her shoulders, she felt another slide away.

It was done. Theyd done it.

At months end, well deliver the first lot of monsters to you, the Sage promised.

Good, Lord Aenflynns spirits were high. Then, as a gesture of my good will, I will send ten of my best warriors to aid you inanticipation of this months payment. Theyll find you within one day.

Thank you, Lord Aenflynn. Drestra bowed her head. Your generosity is only exceeded by your fairness.

Fie on that nonsense! Fie, I say! The fae lords voice rose. Fie on such empty flattery. If you meant such a thing, you would not have kept threatening to walk away from the bargaining table. And on that matter, fie on this realm, he said, looking around the cavern. Until we meet again, Heroes.

Aye, if we ever do, Cedric said.

Oh, we shall, Heroes of Thameland. The fae lords voice boomed.

Wind swept through the cavern, woven together with the heat of summer, wetness of spring, the damp of fall, and the chill of winter. Aenflynns form grew until he was the size of a titan; his shadow loomed and spread over the caves walls, his silver eyes blazing like miniature suns.

The path you walk now is unlike any other, and it is not one you walk alone, his voice was thunder and flame. Like any path that departs from the known trail through the woods, you now step into peril. Fell things watch you. Allies quake. Whispers slip through the dark. Your post is abandoned and you are wanting. Every step you walk now will bring forth doom again, and we will meet again when you see the black ichor on the chair. In your desperate hour. Farewell, Heroes of the Prophet God, walk your path toward completion. Walk your path toward doom.

There was a peal of thunder that shook waves of stone dust from the ceiling.

Then a terrible flash of light that half blinded Drestra erupted.

She shielded her eyes against the flash andfor an instantsaw flame.

Flame that danced across a battlefield before a great escarpment.

And from atop it, the empty grin of a bleached skull smiled at her.

Soon the light faded, and with it, the images. When her eyes adjusted, the fae lord had vanished.