by Tamryn Tamer
“You effectively have,” Hansel said. “You just haven’t done so formally. Assigning me as governor of this town is basically no different than granting me the title of Count or Earl. The responsibilities and benefits are fairly in line as well. The land is essentially mine to govern and profit from as long as I send the king’s twenty.”
“You know it doesn’t work like that,” Frost said. “You’re limited on how much you’re able to collect and you need to report where the resources are being spent.”
“I’ll admit there are some nuances,” Hansel said. “But my point is that you have granted both land and title. The land is Kald and the title is governor but you have granted them and what I intend to ask for is something much smaller.”
“What do you have in mind?” Frost asked.
“A hundred acres of land north of Kald on which to build an estate and the title of Baroness,” Hansel answered.
“Baroness?” Frost chuckled. “I had no idea Hansel.”
“For Lauren,” Hansel said, gesturing at the maid standing beside him. “It’s as you said, I have grown fond of her.”
“Hansel!” the maid exclaimed in shock.
“If you’re fond of her just marry her,” Frost said. “I don’t see what gifting her titles and land accomplishes.”
“My mother would kill herself if I married a commoner,” Hansel answered. “It would also weaken my position in Zira’s court. But marrying a baroness of a growing territory would be seen as a savvy move as long as the territory’s growth continued. Which would give me incentive to help the territory grow more prosperous and that would obviously benefit you. It would also give me a reason to remain within the territory that wouldn’t be construed as treasonous.”
“I take it you haven’t talked about this with her?” Frost asked while pointing at the trembling maid that looked like she was ready to pass out.
“Hm?” Hansel glanced behind him. “Are you opposed to it? I thought it would please you given how often you’re talking about how nice it would be if we could actually be together.”
“I…I’m not opposed but…I…are you sure?” the maid asked. “You know my past…”
“Plenty of noblemen began their lives as criminals,” Hansel said. “Arguably most of them if not all. In fact, the current King of Rilia murdered his way to the throne.”
“Technically accurate,” Frost nodded.
“All that really matters is the land and the patents of nobility,” Hansel said to the woman. “If you have those then my family would be forced to recognize you. My cousin’s wife is a notorious gambling addict and has been known to lay with cutthroats while my cousin is away at court and nobody cares. Land and titles are all that matter.”
“But I haven’t done anything…” Lauren mumbled.
“I’ll decide which hundred acres and you’ll be paying whatever taxes I decide are fair on the land,” Frost said while thinking through what the requirements for nobility should be. He didn’t necessarily want them tied to level since he needed effective governors but he also recognized that titles were a good way to incentivize people. “I’ll give Lady Lauren the title but in return she’ll be required to pass multiple classes at the academy as well as take various tests. If she fails, she’ll be stripped of the title.”
“What classes and what kind of tests?” Hansel asked.
“I’m trying to figure that out now,” Frost said as ideas popped around his head. “For starters, she would need to pass the same tests that the territory officers need to pass. On top of that I would require her to travel to every village in my territory and write some reports on them. I would also like her to have recommendations, not just from people in Kald but from demihumans. I would definitely want a recommendation from one of the Arachne Queens since I’ve promised that they’d have a say in matters like this.”
“Arachne?” Lauren said nervously. “But…”
“Did you think of all of that in an instant?” Hansel asked.
“I’m still working through it,” Frost said while tapping his head. “There may be more and I need to figure out how to formalize it.”
“You never cease to surprise me. Those stipulations are reasonable,” Hansel said while ignoring the girl’s reaction. “But the title needs to be granted immediately so that I can justify remaining in Kald.”
“Hansel…” Lauren lightly tugged his arm.
“Does that mean you’re marrying her right away?” Frost asked.
“Marry…” Lauren mumbled while swaying back and forth.
“Marriage doesn’t need to happen immediately if you’re concerned that she might fail to meet the requirements,” Hansel answered pensively. “As long as she has the title, I can court her. The courting process can be anywhere from two months to years. But since she’ll only be a baroness and I’m a duke anything over three months could be viewed as an insult.”
“Three months?” Lauren pulled a small pouch to her face and began breathing into it. “But…”
“Okay,” Frost said while thinking through the timeline. “I think we can work with this. Does this need to be taken care of before I leave?”
“As long as we’re in agreement then no,” Hansel said. “I’ll be able to write my mother a letter stating that I’m courting a baroness and give her a few details. The actual patent of nobility will only be required once the proposal is accepted. I’ll send word to Princess Brynn Hilde on the situation since she’ll know how to create one.”
“Good,” Frost said. “That gives me time to figure out exactly what I need to get done.”
“Hansel,” Lauren tugged on his arm. “What is going on?”
“Was it not clear?” Hansel asked while looking at the girl.
“I mean…” Lauren looked around at everybody as if they were all insane. “Do you really intend to marry me?”
“Yes,” Hansel said bluntly.
“But I’m…” the maid touched her eyepatch and several of her tiny scars. “You’re a duke and I’m…”
“Herald Frost,” Madam Gardenia interrupted while pointing to the gulf. A large merchant vessel appeared on the horizon and anchored itself a fair distance away from the ports. A white flag bearing a black crown was being flown as men loaded onto small boats and started rowing toward the docks. “It looks like they’ve arrived.”
“Can we finish this another time?” Frost asked while looking back at Hansel.
“Of course,” Hansel said while staring at the ship. “Is there a reason they’ve stopped so far out?”
“They don’t have approval to stop here,” Madam Gardenia answered while tossing two large enchanted packs over her shoulder. “Merchandise purchased or sold at this port could potentially end up benefiting Rilia due to your trade agreement with them. The last thing any company needs is a squad of Rilia’s soldiers wearing boots they manufactured. To make sure that doesn’t happen, most ships have been ordered to bypass the port.”
“Interesting,” Frost said while staring out at the small skiffs pulling up to the docks.
“We should get going,” Madam Gardenia said while gesturing at the rest of the packs on top of the carriage. “They’re probably on a schedule and will want to be moving again as soon as possible. Girls, grab your bags.”
“Aww,” Jasmine whined while looking around the small town. “But we didn’t even get to look around!”
“Jasmine,” Madam Gardenia glared at the orange-haired Myrran. “Are you arguing with me?”
“No ma’am,” Jasmine sighed while grabbing her bags from the wagon.
“Don’t worry Jasmine! We can always look around when we get back!” Zinnia said cheerfully.
“That’s right,” Iris agreed. “Herald Frost is in a hurry to get to Nir right now but he won’t be in a hurry when we get back.”
“When he gets back, he’ll be rushing to see the most beautiful and perfect priestess in all of the universe,” Cassia said as she walked past the three women. “The poor thing is
going to be so lonely without her husband around.”
“I suppose you best be on your way then,” Hansel said while gesturing toward the docks. He glanced up at Sumina and Rania. “If you two need to rest before returning to Pluma I can find you rooms.”
“No thanks,” Sumina said, handing the reins to Rania as she leaned back. “We’d prefer to get back home. Oh, right. Herald Frost, how will we know when to come back?”
“We’ll send a message,” Frost answered. “It will be good to test the communication orbs.”
“Alright then,” Rania said while inspecting the top of the wagon for any leftover bags. “We’ll be going then. Have a nice trip!”
“Yeah,” Sumina yawned as she tilted her hat over her face. “Have a nice trip.”
“Come on Herald Frost,” Madam Gardenia said while making her way toward the docks. “They won’t wait all day!”
CHAPTER 20
They arrived next to the large merchant vessel in the rowboats and were slowly hoisted up. The ship was impressively constructed and much larger up close than it was at the distance. It was completely normal except for some additional masts and sails, including two on the sides.
The crew of the ship was predominantly made up of humans but a few demihumans filled out the ranks. They were most likely used to do tasks that humans wanted to avoid. All of the crewmen looked like they hadn’t bathed in a week and based on the smell of the ship, Frost might have been underestimating.
Frost and the others waved at the captain as the crew secured the small boat.
He was a middle-aged man with long black hair and a full beard, and he was massive. He rivaled Frost in height but was probably twice as wide and it didn’t appear to be fat. His arms were like tree trunks and completely covered in black swirling tattoos. He wore a dressy blue vest without a shirt and matching blue slacks that ended at his thighs. A sword hung from the left side of his thick black leather belt while three small daggers meant for throwing hung from the right side, along with a much longer dagger meant for combat.
“I take it you’re the one that sent the flying rats,” the captain scoffed while scanning at Frost. “Level forty, huh? You don’t look like a wealthy merchant lord.”
“Fortunately, I’m wealthy enough not to care what I look like,” Frost said as he hopped off the boat and onto the deck of the ship.
Madam Gardenia explained to Frost that Nir would not allow him to enter since his reputation preceded him. He was an ally of their enemy, a herald, and a notorious troublemaker. But she also couldn’t falsify information without potentially risking her own status. Fortunately, the fox-eared madam had a simple solution to that problem.
Frost would present himself as a merchant with interests in Pluma and Zira that wished to do some business in Nir. None of which was a lie. Frost was coached on what he should and shouldn’t say as well as how he needed to present himself prior to leaving the village. If all went well, he would be able to enter and exit the country without a problem.
There was only one part of the plan that aggravated him.
“I can assure you that Lord Sebastian is a very skilled merchant and very wealthy,” Madam Gardenia said as Frost lifted her off the boat. “Thank you so much for agreeing to this Captain Cage. I know it was very sudden but Lord Sebastian is a very busy man and wished to arrive in Nir as soon as possible.”
Frost resisted the urge to growl at the sound of his first name, although it was admittedly much more palatable with the word lord in front of it.
“Haru Bloodtail,” the captain nodded his head. “I must say I was surprised to see a message from you. It’s not time for your yearly visit.”
“I know,” Madam Gardenia said as she walked toward the large man and shook his hand. “But for some reason I’m completely unable to refuse Lord Sebastian.”
“Must be quite the impressive merchant then,” Captain Cage said while glaring at Frost and his entourage. “Something doesn’t sit right with me though. Why did I need to pick you up here?”
“That’s my fault,” Frost answered. “I’ve been doing business in Blackwater and Pluma lately which is how Haru and I met. I was in the process of finishing some business in Pluma when the opportunity arose and Kald was the closest port.”
“Did the harpy belong to you Lord Sebastian?” Captain Cage asked. “Haven’t met a slaver that kept pet harpies.”
“I don’t own her,” Frost answered. “She’s more of a business associate.”
“And why would a wealthy merchant be business associates with a winged rat?” Captain cage asked while fiddling with this sword.
Frost didn’t have to scan the man to know his level. Due to his experience scanning others and his other abilities, he could sense how powerful the captain was and fairly accurately approximate his level. He would have estimated level forty-five and based on the various scars adorning the large man’s body, the man had plenty of combat experience. Which also explained his good instincts and healthy skepticism.
“I do a lot of business in Pluma which has resulted in me forming relationships with all sorts of demihumans,” Frost responded. “Harpies have specific talents that make them extremely valuable to somebody wise enough to use them. Harpies also aren’t the only demihumans I deal with.”
“You mean monsters,” the captain corrected. “Harpies are pests, not demihumans. You may have trained one but that doesn’t make it a demihuman.”
“Demihumans,” Frost insisted while smiling at the man. “And harpies are extremely useful, as the one that found you demonstrated. Personally, I’m surprised that you don’t have one of your own. Their vision is much better than that of your spotter and they would be able to scout the surrounding areas for land. If you’re a merchant you should be looking for the best results while spending the least rel, correct? Well, harpies cost very little and used properly offer fantastic results.”
“Heh,” the captain smirked. “You certainly are an interesting merchant, Lord Sebastian.”
“Lord Sebastian has been spending quite a bit of time in Pluma,” Madam Gardenia said as she elbowed the captain’s arm. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. The Herald of Shalia is a lover of demihumans and his territory is rapidly growing. Lord Sebastian is very respectful of demihumans and it’s one of the reasons he’s so well-loved in Pluma. As the territory grows, so will Lord Sebastian’s influence. Hence why it’s important to acquire him for the Black Crown before anybody else does.”
“I see,” Captain Cage said. “So, you like demihumans Lord Sebastian?”
“Like is an understatement,” Jasmine offered while grabbing his arm. “Lord Sebastian loves demihumans. Isn’t that right Lord Sebastian?”
“Ahem,” Cassia grabbed Jasmine by the neck and tossed her a good ten feet away.
“Watch it! This is a new dress you ancient hag!” Jasmine hissed, landing on her feet as she slid several yards.
“You would do well to keep your hands off of Lord Sebastian mongrel,” Cassia said while glaring at the Myrran. “That goes for everybody on board this ship.”
“And who the hell is that?” the captain asked while scanning Cassia. “A level fifty-four Shrine Maiden…”
“I am Lord Sebastian’s bodyguard,” Cassia interrupted. “I am here to ensure his safety.”
“You’re a jealous old bitch is what you are!” Jasmine snapped.
“Lady Mitty is very protective of Lord Sebastian,” Madam Gardenia said while glaring at Jasmine.
Frost appreciated Cassia’s sense of humor when it came to her aliases. When she met him she announced herself as Cala and for the trip she was waffling between Alami and Mitty.
“Lady Mitty,” Frost took Cassia’s hand. “Jasmine, Iris, and Zinnia are allowed all of the access they need. Haru as well.”
“You must have a very close relationship with Lord Sebastian if he’s calling you by your first name,” Captain Cage stared at Madam Gardenia suspiciously. “How exactly did you meet Lord Sebastian?�
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“He came into my brothel,” Madam Gardenia said. “His unique appetites are also why he has such a strong relationship with Pluma.”
“Wait a minute,” Captain Cage glanced at Frost and then at the demihumans. “I thought it was just a rumor that the humans in Pluma territory were fucking the animals. Are you saying that this bastard is one of those depraved demi-fuckers?”
“I wouldn’t call it depraved,” Frost said, smirking as he stared at the captain as he thought about how far the rumors had spread. It was no wonder that all of the humans in his territory were heading back home to clear things up with their families if random sailors were discussing it.
“That definitely explains it,” Captain Cage said while sneering at Frost. “I knew something was off about him from the moment he stepped foot on my ship. That explains the winged rats and why we’re picking the degenerate up at this port. Not to mention his relationship with you. I assume that’s also why he’s looking to purchase demihuman slaves.”
“I’m standing right here,” Frost said.
“You understand why I didn’t broadcast that information,” Madam Gardenia said. “I don’t wish anything to interfere with the business arrangement and it isn’t entirely unusual for lords to have unique tastes. Several merchants have tastes of torture, rape, and various other unsavory things. At least if he’s bedding demihumans he’s not harming anybody. Also, let’s not pretend like none of your crew have ever found themselves short on funds and high on desire. I have seen plenty of broke crewmen receiving services from demihumans in alleys near the docks. A human is preferred but a Durra will do, isn’t that right?”
“I certainly haven’t asked them and they’re not about to volunteer that information if they have. I suppose you have a point though,” Captain Cage nodded. “Anyway, you’ll find your cabin below deck.”
“Cabin?” Madam Gardenia. “As in one?”
“This isn’t a fucking luxury barge Bloodtail,” Captain Cage said. “You’re getting my first mate’s room and he’s not thrilled about it himself. We tossed in plenty of blankets. It’s either that or you can sleep in the cots with everybody else.”