by Eric Vall
“And no matter what happens, do not whip it out,” Aurora giggled. “Only half the people in attendance would appreciate the gesture.”
“Yeah, but how many votes do I really need?” I asked as I sent the women a roguish grin, but then Temin stood up, and my nerves doused my ego in seconds.
I rarely got to hear Temin use his ‘king’ voice, but as he solemnly addressed the nobles on the issue, I was honestly kind of floored he just talked to me like a regular guy all the time. He looked so stately up on his throne looking out at us all, and I registered pretty much none of what he said as the last three goblets I chugged finally started making their way to my head.
Then Deya tapped my elbow, and I looked over to see her violet eyes glittering with adoration.
“You look really handsome tonight!” the elf whispered, and I couldn’t help grinning.
“Thank you,” I chuckled. “That helps.”
“I’m proud of you, and I’m proud to be yours.”
“Thanks,” I sighed. Her words really did make me feel a ton better.
Deya nodded and smiled sweetly, and I looked straight ahead as Baron Ralish took the floor in his mustard yellow robes. Right away, his snide voice grated on my nerves, but I was mostly distracted trying to place him because he looked familiar for some reason. Then he sneered, and I realized he was one of the men the guy in green had been talking to earlier this evening.
That’s when my gut started to heat with a deep seeded fury, and I decided there was no way this fucker was gonna have the last say today. Not when he consorted with the same asshole who was plotting to threaten my women.
So, I sat there and took in every word he had to say, and the longer he spoke, the more I hated him. He appealed to the nobility’s pure greed for wealth, and he praised the railway over and over again for solidifying their places above all the rest. He made a few underhanded references that I didn’t understand, but I could tell they were meant for specific lords as a way of hinting that they owed him their approval on the issue for some reason.
I could see why the tariffs had been instilled with guys like him around, and he openly berated the dwarven Elders for never allying with them in the past, but to be honest, he was only making it abundantly clear why they hadn’t. He spoke of nothing but money for the rich, and for a guy who sold oats, he sure thought a lot of his contributions to the nation. I would have liked to see him create anything of genuine substance, but judging by the papery hands he kept folded on the podium like a priest, I knew it was too much to expect of the guy.
A few of the seated gentlemen argued against his points here and there, while others stood to make obnoxious declarations on Baron Ralish’s behalf, and by the time the guy finally returned to his seat after what felt like an hour, I couldn’t even count how many times I’d rolled my eyes.
I was also reaaally feeling the wine now, and Cayla sent me a sidelong glance as the buzz of conversation amongst the nobles filled the hall for a moment.
“I recognize that expression,” she muttered under her breath. “Just try not to tell them all off, Mason.”
“No promises,” I chuckled, and Temin rose from his throne once more.
“Baron Flynt, you have the floor,” Temin announced, and I could have sworn I saw him smirk as I dragged myself to my feet.
The hall fell silent again when I was in place behind the podium, and I braced my weight as I gripped the edges of the metalwork. Then I took a moment to admire the craftsmanship because it was actually very well made. The podium was solid gold and must have been casted to create an elaborate brocade all around the edges, and a person could do some serious damage if he happened to have the ability to lift the thing.
I eyed Baron Ralish as I contemplated how an elf might handle this situation, but then I caught the look on my women’s faces, and I realized I should probably start talking. So, I cleared my throat and looked out at the many, many, nobles seated in front of me.
“So,” I muttered, “I don’t even know where to start after all of that. That was … enlightening.”
To my surprise, several people chuckled while Ralish’s expression soured a degree, and I bit my cheek to keep from smirking.
“Well,” I began, “I guess first I’d like to thank the Elders of Aurum for joining us today. It was very considerate of them to put up with listening to that, and it’s always an honor when the representatives of such an ancient and honorable nation choose to travel so far to discuss things in person. The dwarves are some of the best forgers in the world, and they’re willingness to provide our own nation with goods as well wrought as theirs is not only an honor, but an essential contribution to us at this time.”
A scant few nodded in agreement, and I furrowed my brow.
“Which was kind of the whole point of the railway,” I clarified. “To improve the relations between regions and the circumstances of everyone. In every quarter of this city, there are people who are relying on the trade agreement for weaponry, provisions, and income, and the wealth it’s brought to our nation was never meant to be siphoned into the pockets of only those present in this hall. These tariffs alone have made it so, but lowering them to a respectable degree in no way threatens any of your positions. Trust me, you’ll do just fine, and as a bonus, those beneath you will do much better, too.”
Aurora smirked at the tone in my voice, and I cleared my throat as Cayla sent me a nervous look.
“Now, with all of that being said,” I continued, “keeping the tariffs in place and destroying our alliance with Orebane for the sake of your own thirst for wealth will certainly do the opposite for you. The dwarves are reopening eight mines in the west this week, and they had intended to offer the wares to our nation until all of this came up.”
“What do these mines offer?” a lord asked as he stood.
“Well, some of them have additional reserves of copper and gold,” I told him, “but more importantly, the others could provide us with platinum, alexandrite, and black opal for the first time in hundreds of years.”
Conversation broke out across the hall as several in attendance began muttering anxiously to one another at the news, and I could tell by how quickly Lady Emonie was fanning herself that I’d certainly caught her attention. The fact that every noble family seated in her vicinity were eyeing her reaction told me I might have just sealed the deal so easily, but then Baron Ralish rose to his feet, and his grating voice cut through the buzz of the hall.
“Baron Flynt, your greed for metal is widely known throughout our nation,” the man sneered, and I furrowed my brow. “We are not so foolish as to think you speak without bias now, so do drop your pretenses. The mines in the north are rich with all manner of metal, and few of us are so gullible as to doubt you came here this evening solely to ensure your own precious supply is not threatened.”
“Okay …” I muttered as I tried to find an appropriate way to respond without just telling him to fuck off. “You are aware I own my own mine, right? Two, actually. Not to mention, my powers allow me to access metal reserves anywhere, so I don’t need anyone’s help to uh … satiate my greed for metal, as you put it. However, platinum is something I’ve never encountered in my travels, and a metal as precious could influence the markets of Illaria in ways--”
“Yes, yes, and you hope to cash in on the profits yourself,” Baron Ralish cut in. “It’s plain as day you have monetary interest in this subject, Baron Flynt, so your attack on our own monetary interests is wholly unfounded. You know nothing of the delicate balance that maintains our stations in Illaria, but seeing as we are well aware of your own stake in these tariffs, I suggest you own up to the fact that your position would be threatened if the trade agreement with … ”
The baron trailed off as all heads of the nobility turned, and I followed their lead to the heights of the hall where Dogra had risen from his seat and was now looking severely down on all of us.
“Let it be clearly stated,” Dogra announced, “that Baron Flynt
will have full access to any and all resources within the borders of Orebane regardless of the agreement reached between our nations. The rest of Illaria, however, will not.”
The last of his words rang through the silent hall with a punishing finality, and he said no more as he returned to his seat.
“So,” I continued, “clearly, I speak for the sake of the citizens of both Orebane and Illaria without any self-serving interests in the matter.”
“And you would do well, Baron Ralish, to consider the man you are accusing of such a charge is responsible for the railway that has been filling your pockets these last months,” Lord Allen added, and half the hall began muttering in agreement.
“Yes,” I continued, “and I didn’t build the railway to fill your pockets. The citizens of both our nations, as well as Cedis, are just beginning to reap the benefits of this trade agreement. Here in Serin, everyone’s quality of life is improving. People are rising from poverty to a degree they never imagined possible, and half of them are simply hoping for the bare minimum of keeping their children out of your fields, Baron Ralish.”
Lord Allen grinned as Baron Ralish’s pallor turned sallow, and I barreled on since I finally seemed to have gotten his attention.
“You may seek to profit from the labor of others,” I informed the baron, “but the majority of us here can understand this doesn’t mean others shouldn’t be allowed to profit as well. Your narrow sightedness alone will sacrifice their ability to provide for their own families, and as the man who brought this railway to fruition to begin with, I can assure you I’m not above rectifying the issue of my own accord if necessary.”
“And what exactly are you implying, Baron Flynt?” Baron Ralish scoffed.
I glanced at Cayla as I realized I was potentially about to overstep my bounds, but the princess smirked, and my other women grinned like they were definitely hoping I’d continue.
So, I did.
“I’m implying only one man in this nation could bring that railway into creation,” I told the man bluntly, “and the same man is more than willing to see the railway that runs near your lands no longer does so. If your greed threatens the agreement reached between Illaria and Orebane--an agreement achieved only due to mine and the mages’ direct efforts--then I see no reason to abide by the bullshit of a guy who sits back and lets others do the work for him. Frankly, I’d like to see you lay all that track, you spineless piece of--”
“Baron Flynt,” Ralish growled, “our Royal Highness would never permit such blatant discrimination--”
“Oh, fuck you,” I finally snorted, and a few nobles gasped in shock while others tried their best to stifle their amusement, but I could still hear Aurora burst out laughing above it all. “You’re discriminating against the dwarves and everyone below your station right now, and don’t think I’m not aware that selling your oats at a quarter the price in Serin is what put you in this position to begin with. I may be new around here, but I’m not an idiot, and if all you have to offer is your fucking oats, then there’s gotta be ten other barons here who could knock you right out of the market easily.”
“Thirteen,” Lord Allen called out, and the men beside him chuckled.
“The point is,” I sighed, “by instilling these tariffs, you’re gouging the citizens of Orebane, and as a result, you’re minutes away from ensuring the people of your own nation never benefit again from the wares of a people with infinitely higher quality goods to offer. I could make a dozen other solid points, but I’m honestly out of patience. So, vote as you please on the issue, but keep in mind, that railway has my name stamped on it, and I ally with the dwarves, as does your king.”
“I move for a decrease of the tariffs by half,” one man offered as he shot to his feet, and several quickly nodded in agreement.
“Is that the deal you’re giving Cedis?” I clarified, but the man quickly averted his gaze, and I nodded. “That’s what I thought.”
Now, several barons shot to their feet to make their case, and while their voices echoed around the hall, I shifted my weight and reminded myself that shooting them on the spot would be a very Nalnoran way of handling things.
So, I ground my teeth instead and let them carry on, but then something else caught my attention.
It was a static energy drifting through the air from above, and I furrowed my brow as I looked toward Aurora.
“Do you feel that?” I mouthed to the half-elf, and she looked around in complete confusion as I tried to pinpoint where the sensation was coming from. It was pressing down heavy on me now, and it was distinctly familiar to my own powers, except I wasn’t summoning them at all. As far as I knew, none of the nobility were mages, either, except for one.
Then I found the Baroness in the crowd, and she was the only one not paying attention to the argument taking place. She was looking straight up, instead.
The static presence was growing stronger now as my gut told me something was about to go wrong, and when the Baroness’ eyes suddenly snapped to mine, she nodded.
“Temin,” I said above the din as I turned to the king’s throne. “Something is--”
But then a thundering crack broke through the bickering of the nobles, and the ceiling collapsed on us all.
Chapter 11
Shrieks rebounded around the marble hall as I dove out from behind the podium, and I sparked my Terra powers with my palms up as I came crashing to my knees. Then every shard hurtling toward the crowd froze in midair as the weight of the shattered ceiling collided with my magic, and I quickly looked over to be sure the dwarven Elders were unharmed in their pew.
All of their jaws were dropped as they stared at the massive chunk of marble only a foot above their heads, and half the nobles were frantically running into one another while the other half couldn’t seem to move an inch as they gaped at me.
Then the static presence of the magic that had caused this disappeared, and I gritted my teeth as my veins burned under the effort of splitting my magic while holding everything in place. I sent my Terra powers surging through the castle one floor at a time as I sensed servants running around in confusion of where the thundering crack had come from, but then I found them.
There were nine people three floors up who moved at far too quick a pace, and I turned to my women as I tracked their course through the upper levels of the castle.
“Three floors up,” I growled, and my women all ran for the entrance as they pulled their pistols from their holsters.
Then I forced the shards of the ceiling to rise, and my brow was drenched with sweat from the effort by the time I had every massive piece fused into place once more.
“Evacuate the castle!” I hollered to Temin as I jumped to my feet, and I shoved past the frantic nobles while Temin’s voice rose above the panic and ordered everyone to the outer courtyard.
I was barreling up a stately flight of marble steps when I caught up with my women, and I sent my magic ahead of us to find the culprits of the attack.
“How many?” Aurora gasped as she struggled to keep her gown up.
“Nine,” I panted, and we rounded the next flight of steps as servants rushed past us on both sides. “All Terra Mages.”
“Gods,” Shoshanne whimpered. “Mason, they could bring the whole castle down.”
“Not with me here,” I growled. “It took all nine of them to break that ceiling, so we know they’re not as strong as Dahko. They’ll probably try to drop us all through the floor the second we approach, so we’re using our numbers to our advantage.”
“How?” Deya asked with a nervous frown, and she wasn’t even winded as we poured on the speed.
“Starting with you and Cayla,” I replied, and as we came to the third floor, I could already tell it was deserted. So, I motioned for my women to continue onward to the fourth floor, and I pulled my pistol out as I lowered my voice. “Deya, you’re going to be invisible for this. They won’t be able to track your course with your necklace on, so I want you and Cayla on sniper
duty while Aurora, Shoshanne, and I pursue them directly.”
“Be careful,” the princess warned, and I nodded.
“You two hang back a bit while we draw them out,” I continued. “Aurora, contain the flames as best as you can, and Shoshanne, see if you can get a hold of their lungs to slow them down.”
Then the steps in front of us broke open, and I quickly sparked my magic to keep my women from dropping through while they stumbled to regain their stance.
“There!” I hollered as I caught a glimpse of two mages disappearing at the end of the hall ahead, and we barreled onward while Deya flickered out of sight beside Cayla.
The two of them dropped back when we rounded the corner, and the mages I’d seen sparked their magic as they looked back over their shoulders. I’d anticipated their attack, though, and as the hall began crumbling on either side of us, I forced the pieces back into place while Cayla and Deya fired two bullets.
They only caught one of the mages on the arm as the two men dove around the next corner, but it was enough to start a blaze beneath the skin, and the man’s tortured screams echoed around us he was devoured by the flames.
Then a shot resounded throughout the fourth floor, and we all froze as I heard a servant dropped to the ground close by.
“That was a revolver,” Cayla muttered as she hurried to our sides.
“The mages have revolvers?” Aurora clarified, and I could see a flicker of fear in her emerald eyes as adrenaline began to mount in my veins.
“Change of plans,” I decided. “If we’re all together, they only have to get us cornered and empty their cylinders on us. Split up.”
“But what if they break the floor open,” Shoshanne said as she stared in horror at the stonework beneath our feet.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep track of all of you. I won’t let you fall through.”
Aurora pointed to the stone ceiling next. “Or get crushed?”
“Mason, that’s too much to do all at once,” Cayla countered.
“It’s our only option,” I replied. “If they fan out much more, they really will be able to take the castle down, and they’ll be too spread out for me to do anything about. Move fast and use your bullets sparingly. We don’t have any extra magazines, so we’ve gotta make every shot count, and if you find any servants, tell them to get the hell out of here.”