Last Life

Book 8: Chapter 4

“YOU MEAN TO SAY that you’ve somehow managed to determine that I belong to the Sapphire Guild by looking at my watch?” Aldrich van Klausen’s eyebrows rose. “I must admit, Your Lordship — the more I speak with you, the more you surprise me. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to indulge my curiosity and explain what made you decide this?”

I noticed, by the way, that he didn’t deny being associated with the Guild.

“Of course,” I said as I settled down a little deeper into my armchair and poured myself some more brandy. “Your Guild has a very curious motto. “The Star in the Crown — the Sapphire among Stones!” I believe that’s it, is it not?”

Aldrich didn’t answer. His gaze was riveted on every movement I was making.

So I just continued:

“The first thing that comes to mind when I read this motto, naturally enough, is that we’re talking about something valuable and unique. Something that stands out from the usual, from the banal. Like a sapphire among other stones. The star in the crown symbolizes exclusivity and rarity, and the association with a sapphire puts further emphasis on its value and beauty. Whoever thought of that motto must have been a true poet, no?”

Aldrich still didn’t respond; he was still staring at me with unblinking eyes.

“In fact, I was so intrigued by this motto that I decided to dig a little deeper,” I said as I stared at the dancing petals of flame in my fireplace. “What attracted my attention more than anything else was the use of the words “crown” and “star” in the magical guild’s motto. Later, I learned that among jewelers, the word “crown” refers to the uppermost part of a jewel — the part directly abutting the girdle from above. The gemstone’s largest facet is located in the center of the crown — the “eye of heaven,” which is surrounded by smaller facets known as “starpoints.” Beautiful, wouldn’t you agree? And in your case, it’s also symbolic. After all, the Sapphire Guild’s hierarchy has the same faceted structure — the Guild Council is the “eye of heaven,” and its masters are the “starpoints.”“

“One can only envy how well Your Lordship is informed,” Aldrich said icily after I finished speaking. “And yet you still haven’t told me — what does any of this have to do with my watch?”

“The wedge-shaped facet,” I smiled. “It’s been woven very artfully into the mosaic ornamentation on your watch’s housing. Considering what I’ve just said, and the fact that you’re a third- or fourth-generation Mage-Artificer, then you must be a master of the Sapphire Guild, just as your grandfather was before you. Besides, I’ve seen similar patterns before. Étienne de Mornay’s cuirass, for example, bore a similar mark.

And there’s a personal magical mark on the inside of the watch housing as well. The same one we’ve found on a number of chests and cases inside the Citadel’s secret treasury. And now I know whom the contents of those cases belong to.

By the way — judging by the numerous other personal marks we found on all those crates, barrels, and cases, it’s not just the Guild’s property we found, but also that of its masters.” That’s right: Aldrich van Klausen had a double interest in getting the Citadel back.

Not a muscle twitched on Aldrich’s face when I mentioned the Count de Mornay. In his eyes, however, there was a look of obvious dislike, directed toward me. Apparently, the Count’s death had hit him rather hard.

The young man had been one of the pretenders to the Bergonian Throne. Prior to my unexpected military campaign, the opinion had begun to spread among the local nobility that Count de Mornay could have been the center around which the whole country could have rallied. Supposedly, he could have taken control of the developing chaos... Now, of course, nobody even seemed to remember the would-be “savior of the fatherland.” Except his former colleagues from the magical guild.

Having come face-to-face with local realities myself, I personally had no idea how a man like Étienne de Mornay could possibly have united the Bergonians under his banner. The elders of the mountain clans, the city councils, the village headmen... Étienne de Mornay would never have bothered to give most of them the time of day. And even if he had, he would have stumbled over their fierce predisposition to independence; the fact that they had all been living according to their own laws ever since the start of the war was evidence enough of that. Really, the idea of anyone “taking control” of the chaotic situation in the country seemed pretty farfetched to me.

I have to give my guest credit, though: Aldrich van Klausen’s carefully-concealed irritation hadn’t surfaced once the entire time. His dislike of me personally, however, fanned as it was by the humiliating wait Hans had forced upon him, was obviously starting to slip through. Seven days of idleness in a second-rate hotel in some country backwater might do that to just about anyone... For Aldrich, though, it might have been even more humiliating, considering how many Dukes and Counts had so recently been beating a path to the doors of “Klausen & Sons.”

Despite that, though, I noticed a spark of interest in Van Klausen’s eyes when I mentioned the Count de Mornay. And I couldn’t help but wonder what version of events had reached his ears. Whatever the case, it couldn’t hurt to shed a little light on what had actually happened in Northland.

“I noticed judgement in your eyes when I mentioned the Count de Morney,” I said.

Aldrich flinched and squirmed slightly in his chair.

“I never — “

I raised a hand to stop him.

“I’ve heard that the Count underwent training with the Sapphire Guild, so I understand such an attitude on your part. Nevertheless, it was a fair duel, fought in strict accordance with the rules of the Great Trial. Besides, Étienne de Mornay made it very clear to me that he had no intention of sparing me if the chance arose. And I’m not one to leave a dangerous enemy lurking behind my back. Still less am I one to submit my neck meekly to the sword’s edge. I feel that we can finally move on to discussing the business proposition you’ve come to put before me.”

When I stopped speaking, Aldrich van Klausen leaned forward in his chair and lowered his head ever so slightly.

“First and foremost, Your Lordship, I want to say that I deeply regret it if I’ve caused you irritation in any way. I would never even have thought to cast doubt on your right to defend your own life. And yes — you’re absolutely right. I really am a master of the Sapphire Guild, and I’ve come to you on behalf of its Council to initiate negotiations for the return of our Citadel.”

Aldrich finally fell silent; he was frozen in position, his face still turned slightly toward the floor. I rubbed my chain. It was interesting to see one of the richest people in the entire country, overcoming his pride after being forced to show deference and respect to some upstart bastard nobody. I knew he would never forget the humiliation.

But that could come later. For the time being, the tension in his voice told me that he was worried about derailing the negotiations before they even started. Such a failure wouldn’t earn him any slaps on the back from his Council. Which wasn’t surprising, of course, because the wealth of the entire Guild (which they no doubt imagined was still stored safely in their treasury) was riding on the outcome of those negotiations.

Inside, I couldn’t resist a little smirk. What a surprise they had in store for them...

“Return?” I asked, feigning bemusement. “The Citadel and Chateau Gardien are my trophies by right of conquest. Who said I had any intention of returning them to anyone? A spectacularly-strong fortress, located in a fertile valley and defended by an unapproachable castle, is a perfect place from which to maintain control of the Imperial track. I know you must have seen for yourself that that road, which my forces are patrolling, is — I daresay — currently the very safest thoroughfare in all of Bergonia?”

Aldrich raised his head with a frown.

“As far as we understand, though, you intend to relocate to your own lands. You’ll have a lot of expenses waiting for you there. You simply won’t have either the time or the means to maintain the fortress in the valley.”

I shrugged and took a small sip of brandy. Then I answered:

“They need not be mutually exclusive. And anyway, what makes you think I won’t be able to maintain the fortress and my own lands at the same time? I have big plans for this region. Or do you assume I’ll be satisfied with a small Margraviate on the border with the Shadow? If so, why would I have undertaken this military campaign to kick the Atalians out of Bergonia in the first place? I could simply have made straight for Shadow Pass and left His Majesty’s marshals and generals to take care of things here.”

Aldrich’s eyes widened. I could almost physically sense the gears start moving in his brain. My words had obviously put him in something of a quandary, especially given that Hans and his people had spent the last month carefully spreading the rumor that I wanted to get rid of the Citadel.

“But you said you were starting to think we would never come. Why was this even on your mind, if you had no intention of parting with the Citadel?”

I smiled.

“It’s quite simple. I’ve received offers to purchase the Citadel from several parties over the last few months. Including a number of magical guilds. And I’ll be honest: some of them have been enticing in the extreme. Nevertheless, I was surprised that the fortress’ former owners were taking so long to make their appearance. And I was really interested to hear what they might have to offer me. Although, as long as I’m being honest — what do you need this fortress for anyway?”

At this, Aldrich stiffened. The news that other guilds had submitted offers was obviously concerning to him. He understood exactly what these potential buyers wanted with the Citadel. Beads of sweat were suddenly glistening on my guest’s forehead.

“This Citadel isn’t just a fortress to us!” Aldrich exclaimed with a healthy dose of melodrama; that said, I could tell by his gestures and his tone that he truly believed what he was saying. “It embodies the Sapphire Guild’s centuries of history and heritage. The Citadel is a symbol of our power, our tenacity, and our continuity over the generations. Losing this place would be like losing part of our identity. We’re proud of our past, and we strive to preserve it for future generations. Therefore, we’re willing to do whatever it takes to regain our Citadel now that it’s been taken from us.”

The haggling had begun. I had been nodding along appreciatively as he spoke, but when he uttered his last phrase I replied with a pointed frown.

“As I recall, nobody actually took the fortress from you. Your people abandoned it on their own initiative and ran off through the secret exit. For all intents and purposes, it was under the control of the Red Cloaks — the people I took it from. I repeat: spoils of war, fairly taken. Actually, I’d like to ask — why did your people abandon it in the first place? And why didn’t they bring the other occupants out with them when they went?”

Aldrich van Klausen frowned. He ran a hand across his beard and shot me a skeptical glance.

In my mind, I just chuckled. I knew he was trying to decide whether to divulge that secret to me or not. He was obviously unaware that I had discovered the answer to that particular secret some time before. I already knew that the group of mages and servants had never left the mountain at all. What had actually happened to them, however, was still a mystery.

“I don’t have an answer to that question,” Aldrich finally responded.

He had decided not to share any more than he had to. Which I could understand.

“In any case, the Citadel remains the property of the Sapphire Guild, even if it’s temporarily in your hands,” he continued. “A delegation from our Guild’s Council has already set off to see His Majesty in Herouxville, to swear fealty to him and demand the return of what belongs to us. In the interests of neighborly relations, however, we’re giving you a chance to resolve this issue without the King’s involvement.”

A wide smile spread across my face. Seeing this, Aldrich gritted his teeth.

“Beyond all doubt, I’m grateful to you for giving me this opportunity. It’s very kind of you. Nevertheless, something tells me that your delegation to Herouxville is in for a disappointment. In fact, I’m certain of it. I could even tell you exactly how everything’s going to unfold once they reach the capital. Would you like to know?”

Aldrich picked his glass up from the table, took a sip, leaned back in his chair, and raised his eyes to stare into mine.

“You’re possessed of the gift of prophecy? Well, then, by all means — do me the honor.”

I chuckled as I crossed my legs and turned slightly to the side.

“Come, now! There’s nothing supernatural at play here! Merely a knowledge of courtly realities and His Majesty’s character. To be honest, everything will transpire in quite a mundane fashion. First, the secretariat — and then every other official who’ll be involved in getting your request passed up the chain to the King — will require bribes from your people, to the tune of about a quarter of their ready cash by the time that process is complete. Then the guilds you’re on friendly terms with will take approximately an equal amount in exchange for the help you’ve asked them to provide. Then His Majesty’s jester will take his turn, and he’ll leave your people without so much as two coins to rub together. Finally, because of the King’s wound, your delegates will swear fealty in the presence of the Chancellor. And then, finally, after a few months (in the best-case scenario), you’ll receive an answer to your request from the King. It will be a refusal. Because His Majesty would never even consider taking a lawful trophy from his most faithful vassal, the man who’s brought him Bergonia on a plate. But I think the leadership of your Council — and you yourself — already know all that without all my prophesying. That’s why you’ve come HERE. You want to start negotiating without wasting time or money.”

As I spoke, Aldrich van Klausen kept staring straight into my eyes. And when I finished, he replied in a perfectly calm tone of voice:

“You see only the tip of the iceberg, Your Lordship. Over the long period of its existence, our Guild has developed a network of durable connections both within Bergonia and outside it. We have many ways of regaining what’s ours, even without the King’s involvement. But we’d prefer to handle this amicably.”

I shook my head.

“I don’t doubt it. But the time has come for new alliances and new arrangements. I’m afraid YOU may be the ones who are failing to see what lies beneath the surface of the water. It’s cold and dark, down in those depths. And the water is full of dangerous predators, for whom your Guild would be little more than a snack. So indeed — it’s most certainly in your best interests to handle this amicably.”

Aldrich set his glass down on the table. For the first time since he had arrived, his lips spread into something resembling a smile. He obviously hadn’t taken my words seriously. Oh well, I thought... We’ll see what you say when the Hrimthurs turn their attention to you.

“Does this mean you’re amenable to negotiating the return of our Citadel?”

I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose; then, as I pulled my shoulders back into a satisfying stretch, I opened my eyes again and turned to look at him.

“That will all depend on what you’re able to offer me.”

“Money, for example.” By my expression, Aldrich could see that this test shot had failed to arouse much interest in me, so he added: “And a treaty of alliance. Similar to the one we had with the late King. You’ll always be able to use the Citadel as a shelter and a bivouac base for your men. I have to hand it to you: you really have restored order in the northern part of the country. The Imperial track truly is one of the safest in Bergonia. More and more often, I’m hearing that the capital’s merchants prefer to add a short roundabout to their caravan routes in order to send them into Vestonia by way of Gondreville and the Citadel. At this rate, the economy around here will spring back to life in no time.”

I thought for a second as I stroked my chin, and then replied:

“Perhaps. Still, though, it doesn’t seem like enough. I could achieve everything you’ve mentioned without your Guild. Besides, you haven’t even told me how much money we’re talking about here.”

“Would 50,000 gold Imperials fit the bill?” Aldrich cocked his head to the side as he made his first offer.

By local standards, this was actually quite a respectable sum, but it was a mere drop in the bucket compared to what we had hauled out of the Citadel’s treasury. Besides, the question was obviously double-edged. It was just a test, and a rather artless one at that. An initial foray — nothing more. Agreeing too quickly would seem highly suspicious.

I burst into loud laughter; then, wiping away some nonexistent tears, I gave him my answer:

“I can only hope that’s a joke. If not, I’m afraid I don’t know what to think. I might almost start to suspect that you’ve been ignoring everything I’ve been saying.”

“I understand, Your Lordship,” Aldrich nodded. “In that case, please tell me what sort of sum you think we ought to be talking about here.”

“First of all,” I said as I scratched the bridge of my nose, “we’ll need to add another zero to the sum you just quoted me. In other words, I won’t even consider selling the place for less than half a million gold Imperials. Second, besides the money, you’ll guarantee a supply of bruts for my mages. Third, Chateau Gardien will remain under my people’s control. Fourth, I want discounts on all services, artifacts, and potions your Guild renders and produces. But that’s not all... Although... You know what? You’ll receive a full list of my conditions and demands later on.”

Aldrich van Klausen’s eyes kept getting wider and wider as I spoke.

“Your Lordship, this is — “ He tried to object.

“My dear Master,” I interrupted him as I rose from my chair to make it clear that our audience was at an end. “To my mind, this first round of negotiations has gone quite well. I’ll spell out my conditions and demands in writing, and my seneschal will have them sent to you. For now, however, I dare not keep you any longer than I already have. I’m sure you have many pressing matters to take care of.”

Aldrich van Klausen hurriedly rose from his chair. As he bowed farewell, he quickly rattled off the standard words of farewell, then turned and left my office in a state of gloomy pensiveness.

A few moments later, all my first-born appeared in my office with smiles shining on their faces. A secret door opened, and Hans’ satisfied face poked out from inside.

Upon seeing them appear, I said quietly:

“We’ll need to send a message to Baron Reese at the Citadel and have him increase his vigilance. I’m sure some of the Sapphire Guild’s scouts will be stopping in for a visit in the near future. They’ll want to try getting into their treasury before they negotiate any further...”