by Andur
“I am defending my rights against a group of people who are weaker than me.” It's a matter of fact. They are weak compared to me.
Then father raises his hand towards me and I feel something like an illusion spell forming around me. But it doesn't matter. It's very similar to a curse, so my amulet starts to act and automatically shatters the forming bonds of mana.
I show him my tongue and the middle finger while his expression darkens. I don't know why but that gesture is universal to all worlds I ever lived in. “Hahahaha. The great mind magician. Head of the Arenzien family failed his magic spell.”
After clapping by hands I start a little provoking dance, but father just turns around walks away.
“How boring! Is that all the Arenzien can do? Guards, a fireball and a failed attempt at illusion magic?” I call after my previous family but they don't let themselves be provoked.
It's for the better. I guess the personal police of the Arcane Academy is already on its way.
“You are surely trying really hard to get assassinated Ascathon.” Kane advances towards me from the side with three small pouches. He arrived earlier, but it looks like he hid in the crowd. “Here is your money. I hope you use at least half of it to hire an army of capable guards. I don't want to lose a good friend..... and a treasure box.”
“That's all I am to you in the end?” I grab the pouches and store them away in my coat.
“What will you do now?” Kane looks after my family with a distressed face. “They are still your blood relatives you know? Was it really okay?”
I shrug my shoulders. “It was bound to happen sooner or later. It's good that it happened here. I had to show them that they need to start a full blown fight in order to drag me off. A few buildings would have suffered and that's something father wouldn't be able to sweep under the carpet. I just wonder how they got here so fast? I guess they were already waiting for me in order to drag me home.”
Then I start to smile over the whole face. “And for my plans. I will go and buy my own principality!”
“Hahaha... it should be enough for a small one.” Kane looks at the dead guards and the crying guy. “So you are trying to tell me that your father can sweep something like that under the carpet!?” He waves at the scene. “What did you even do to them?”
I shrug. “I just showed them a few truths about themselves. Their greatest enemy? Their greatest hope? That which they hate the most? And their greatest fear?”
2 - A bet?
Arcane Academy, Eastern Planes
Then I turn towards Kane and hug him. “Goodbye ~mother~! I hope you will do well. We may not see each other for a while.” Hehehe. I know he hates that.
“Let go! You are creeping me out idiot!” He pushes me away and waves his hand and me. “Be sure to send me a letter when you settle down. I hope to hear from you soon!”
I pat his shoulder without saying a word and turn towards the opposing side of the plaza. While I walk I start to skip a little. New life here I come! Even if I get assassinated, so be it! From now on I will work on doing what I want.
In front of me on the other side of the plaza is a circular portal. It's a teleportation device which connects important places throughout the whole world. The fee to use them is expensive. But it would also be costly to make a long journey by conventional means.
As I reach the Gate I flip a coin towards the magician who is controlling it. Those devices need constant guidance by a qualified person. Otherwise you could end up somewhere you don't want to be. “The Norfolk Capital! And fast! I have an appointment!”
That's not entirely true, but at least the magician starts to wave his hands at the gate with complicated gestures and some glyphs start to glow.
Even though technology is despised, some artefacts are tolerated because of their practicability. And if they can be only used by noble magicians it's all the better. Something like my amulet which works for everyone would get me into jail asap.
The Gate glows up and a snowy city comes into view on the other side. I nod towards the magician who is controlling the Gate and step through.
Cold! Brrr! I cast a protection spell against the cold by mumbling a few words. Something like that is children’s play.
The architecture of the Norfolk capital is very different from the Arcane Academy. The overall height of the locals is a little higher than in Mislow but I guess it's okay. The ethnical differences on this world are very subtle.
The greatest differences can be seen between people of different noble bloodlines. I don't want to call it inbreeding, but marriages between closely related families are seen very often. Anything to keep the heritage pure and attain the strongest magicians.
The houses here are big and made of wood. There are very frilly and complicated designs on the roofs. I guess it isn't much of a problem to build a city out of wood up here in the north. The threat of a big fire isn't that big. There is snow everywhere so water is close at hand.
I start to walk through the snow and towards a carriage. Well, it's more like a sledge with skids. It has no wheels. I guess that makes sense in a country with eternal snow. The gate is located on another open area inside the city. But there are always carriages waiting close to them. Only people with money use the Gates.
So it's logical for carriage drivers to wait close to them. After arriving at the carriage, I jump onto it and pat the shoulder of the sleeping driver. “The Jarl's Hall! Pronto!”
The sleepy driver nods and swings a whip at the big and sturdy horses. They are fat monsters with long hair. I doubt that they feel much of the whip through their fur.
Yet it seems like the driver is working really hard to keep them going. He is whipping the lazy animals during the entire trip because they stop as soon as he ceases to motivate them.
After twenty minutes we arrive at a big round building with multiple floors. The driver stops while panting and with sweat on his forehead. Actually the whole trip seems to have taken a greater toll on the driver than the animals.
“Not a fun job, is it? Wait here. I will need you later.” I smirk at him while I press a coin into his waiting hand which is actually enough for an entire day of working.
He nods without saying a word. It would be hard for him to speak properly anyway. Well, he has time to catch a breath until I come back.
I hop from the carriage and walk towards the building.
Then I take a closer look at the big building. It's the first one which is made of stone. Maybe other people besides the Jarl aren't allowed to build with stone? The decorations are nice and there are many fighting scenes with mythical beings on the walls.
As I arrive at the big gates, two guards are blocking my path. “The Jarl doesn't give audiences at this time.”
I arch my eyebrow. “So when does he give audiences?”
“When he wants to.” The guard snorts at me.
Hah... I see. So they probably have commands to let nobody enter who isn't known to them? I sigh. “Could you inform the Jarl of my presence and that I want to offer him something valuable?”
The other guard shakes his head. “We aren't allowed to leave our posts for minor disturbances.” He gives me a stupid grin. It's clear that they don't want me here.
Then my eyes fall onto a big golden bell at the wall besides the left guard. “What's that thing good for?”
The guards grin vanishes. “That's to be used when important people arrive to call an escort. Don't dare to....”
But I already tipped the bell with telekinesis and a loud *gong* is heard. So much for that.
One of the guards draws his sword. “What do you think you are doing!?”
“Calling the escort?” I ask them with an innocent expression.
The guard steps forward when the door opens and a guy in very expensive clothing takes a look outside. His eyes sweep over me for a second and then he snaps at the guards. “What's wrong? Who is that? Have you guys forgotten your orders?”
I take the l
ead before the guards can answer. “My name is Ascathon Asceron. I came here to see the Jarl. There is something I want to offer him. I circumvented your guards after they told me about that bell. There isn't much a commoner could do against a noble anyway.” I bow a little.
“So you are that Arenzien..... want to plead for protection here? You are still from Mislow. Why do you think that we want to trouble ourselves with you.” The expensive guy snorts.
“I see that this information travels faster than I had imagined.” My smile doesn't waver.
“It's only common sense to watch the graduation ceremony of the Academy in order to identify future allies and enemies.” The expensive guy opens the door and waves me in. “And if someone has a full score, you should at least hear him out.”
I step through and the door falls shut behind me. But not before the expensive guy threw a final remark at the guards. “And you two idiots! Don't brag about the bell! Otherwise every roaming magician will tap it to disturb the Jarl! I will cut your payment today!”
Then the expensive guy leads me inside towards a throne room with a fat monster on a big stone-throne. He is fed with snacks by several blonde beauties. Whoa! What a life! I wonder if he can roll down a mountain if someone manages to carry him up.
There are several guards to the walls and the expensive guy walks up to the Jarl and whispers something into his ear. Despite being someone who loses easily to his desires, the Jarl thinks a long time while looking at me before he starts to speak.
“So what does a noble from Mislow want from me?” He waves a hand and the blond beauties pack up and leave.
“I want to buy a principality from you.”
The ridiculous proposal silences the room for a few long seconds.
“BWAHAHAhahahAHAHAHAR. Who do you think you are! Why should I sell my property to a foreign noble!” The Jarl snaps.
“I am a very powerful magician who cut his ties with his past. And I want a place where I have my peace and can be alone. You happen to have many such places. So I came to you with the money to buy one of them.” I grab one of the magical pouches out of my coat and toss it towards the expensive guy.
Then I draw a map out of my folder with documents and unfold it to show it towards the Jarl. “I want this place. The mountain valley which is located close to the great Sea. And the whole area with the mountains around it. I want full reign there. In fact, I want to be left alone as much as possible. I would even pay taxes for that.”
The expensive guy tilts the pouch and a flood of platinum coins starts to pour out of the pocket dimension. They are the hardest currency that's available in this world. It doesn't stop until a sizeable pile of them is on the desk besides the Jarl.
“One thousand platinum coins in exchange for full rights over that area.” I wave the map at the expensive guy who comes towards me and grabs the map from my hands to give it to the Jarl.
The Jarl arches his eyebrow at the map. “Even if I could sell you the property of my people. What do you want with that place? There are less than a hundred thousand inhabitants in the whole area and just a few small run down villages. The whole area would need two lifetimes to pay that much money in taxes.”
“But it's huge and the only access to those valleys is by the river from the great Sea or a few mountain passes. Perfect for someone who wants to be alone. And less people to govern means less trouble! If you are still concerned about selling your country to an outsider, I will make a bet with you.” I produce another document from my folder.
The Jarl gives me an inquiring look.
“We will sign this buying contract. I get full rights and the area belongs to me. But in case of the death of my noble house, everything I own will go back into your possession. It's a really nice bet for you. Think about the hordes of assassins which will be after me soon enough. My old family will send them, the enemies of my family will send some of their own. And those who want to harm you will send their assassins too!” I take a long breath.
“Why should my enemies send assassins for you?” The Jarl looks a little perplexed now.
“Think about the situation! How will it look if you sell that area to me? Wouldn't it look like I am your ally? You would never sell that much land to someone you don't trust. Even if it's worthless. You can only win in this bet! And even if I manage to survive and establish a thriving household, there is more money than you could ever hope to get from that land within your lifetime.” I wave both of my hands at the pile of money.
The Jarl tries to change his position but fails miserably. “You are a devious one. You forget to mention that I would have to pretend that you are my ally too. I wouldn't be able to talk bad about the one whom I sold my country's land. Otherwise people would start to ask questions.”
“Of course I would always ~honour~ my new homeland and the Jarl! Someone should never bite his benefactor.” I bow deeply with a smile.
The fat Jarl looks at me for several seconds. “I know that you have something in mind with that land. Don't think of me as an idiot just because I am fat! I just can't hold back while eating. You probably thought about a way to use it to great benefit. And you throw me these peanuts in the hope to snatch something valuable from under my nose!” The Jarl waves his hand at the pile of coins and my face crumbles a little. But just a little.
“But you know what? As long as it's worthless to me I may as well sell it to someone who can use it to great benefit? Who knows. Maybe your future taxes will be more than what I collect now from that land.” A contract appears in the hands of the Jarl.
The expensive guy takes the contract and brings it to me. Then he points towards the door and two guards grab me from both sides to pull me outside.
“Thanks for the audience!” I call out while the guards drag me away.
After leaving the throne room I hear the Jarl's voice who is calling after me.
“Don't die too soon! I want to get an idea how to use that area at least!”
A minute later the guards have me at the front door again and I am thrown outside in a high arc. Fortunately the landing is soft because of the high snow. It still hurt my dignity though.
The two guardians at the Gate watch me with malicious-joy.
I ignore it and take my first look at the document which I got from the Jarl. It's a letter of attorney which makes me the owner of the area which I specified. In addition it's a certificate of nobility for Norfolk which gives me all rights and responsibilities over the specified area...... including paying taxes.
“~Strike!~”
By jumping up and screaming I surprise the guards at the gates. Then I kneel down and grab a little snow from the ground to form a snowball.
I swore to myself that I will do whatever I want in this life! And that's something that just came to my mind! Nobody points a sword at me!
*Patsch*
A skilful throw and the guard who drew the blade against me earlier is hit directly in the face. I turn and run while I hear the hard wheezing of heavy armoured men behind me.
The carriage driver who brought me earlier sees the armoured men behind me and starts to whip his horses. He has good instincts and knows when it's better to be somewhere else.
I get a grip on the carriage by a hairs breath and let myself being pulled with it. The heavy breathing guards behind me give up their pursuit and can just listen to my laughter while I disappear in the streets of the Norfolk Capital.
“MWAHAHAHAHAHA!”
3 - Mercenaries?
Norfolk Capital
I am on the carriage again. I could count my negotiations with the Jarl as a complete success. His letter gives me more than I bargained for. Originally I thought that he would sell me the land just with a very complicated contract.
Instead he gave me complete rights as a noble of Norfolk on a whim. Of course it's just for as long as I remain in control of those lands but it still allows me to act in the way I wished for.
That brings me to my last business in th
is city. I tap the shoulder of the driver. “Who are the best mercenaries in Norfolk?”
The driver tilts his head while thinking for a second. “The official version goes with the Polar Cutters. They have the most men and are involved in almost all businesses regarding mercenaries.”
I shake my head. “But I don't care about people who are good in selling their reputation. I want to know who are the ~best~.”
The driver smiles. “If it's unofficial then you need most likely the Icewolfs. They have the best warriors. But there aren't many of them. And they are very picky with their contracts.”
After nodding, I gesture the driver forward. “Icewolfs it is.”
The driver nods and the whipping starts again. Aaahh.... I have to introduce a real method of transportation to this world. The sun is already setting and it starts to darken around us while the driver whips the horses in a steady pace.
Half an hour later we arrive at a run down building with a big shield over the entrance. “Den's Icewolfs” I read aloud.
The driver nods while I get off of the carriage. “Den is the leader. I will wait here?”
I nod and enter the wooden house. Inside I get almost overwhelmed by smoke and the smell of beer. Several big and burly men are drinking and laughing on multiple tables. It looks like I ended up in a tavern.
With a smirk I head towards the bar. “I want something strong!”
“Only for members of the house small one.” The barkeeper continues to polish one of his glasses.
“And how about an employer?” I sit down on a bar stool and smack my second pouch onto the bar.
The burly barkeeper finally decides to give me a beer. “I am Den. And I don't take contracts from young upstart nobles.”
I grab the bottle and take a sip of the beer which tastes awful. It probably showed on my face because Den snorts at me and continues to polish his glass.
“I am young and I am an upstart. But I have money! And I want to live. I am here because I heard that you guys are quality over quantity.”
“Then you heard right. But my statement still stands. We don't work for pushovers!” Den shoves the pouch back towards me.