A Muchily Superficial Arraignment (Private: Avanthar)

[Desmodus]

Upon hearing Avanthar's favorable reception of the proposal brought to him, Morris' eyes squeezed briefly shut, and he began to let out a deep, long rumbling noise that one might take to be purring. This only lasted a moment, however; probably realizing that such a demonstration of feline emotion was not worthy of his dignity nor appropriate to the situation, Morris quickly stifled the sound, and his mis-matched blue-and-green eyes shot wide open again. "Very well, Lordship" he said as he regained a cooler more businesslike tone, "let us begin."

Glancing meaningfully at a chair about mid-way up the table in Avanthar's hall, he asked: "May I, Your Lordship?" After getting himself as comfortable as his host's hospitality permitted, he produced Lord Brian's letter, looking at it to decide what of it Lord Avanthar needed to hear. "You had mentioned a markup of between twenty and thirty percent. I suspect that would be quite acceptable to my employer -at very least as a decent first offer, if not the final agreed-upon terms. I shall forward twenty percent as your first bid to my master." Morris prided himself on serving the best interests of *all* his benefactors, and he was sure that the Lord of Dar Havark would be pleased by the fact that he was leading with the bid most favorable to him.

"Now with their credentials and references from Primus Gaudeo, Lord Brian's associates should have little trouble getting the land they would like from the Acumin Aedile. However, if the plan is to resell the land to you, it will be a question of what sort of land Your Lordship wants. So one of the things I will need to come back to Lord Brian with is some description of the types and uses of land in which you are most interested."

The talkative Persettie paused here, and his whiskers twitched thoughtfully as he gazed back down at Lord Brian's letter. After a brief, musing pause he looked back up. "Please forgive my distraction, Your Lordship. But what occurs to me is that, even though Lord Brian's associates could acquire the land from the Acumin Aedile easily, any transfer of that land would have to go through his office. The Aedile could prevent an owner from selling his land, if he sees fit. However, there is a way around that.

"There is precedent and provision in the law for another legal way to sell the land to you. Since our people and their families will mostly originate from Primus Gaudeo, it is permissible under the right conditions for them to transfer the land under the auspices of the Primus Gaudeo Aedile, thus circumventing his Acumin counterpart altogether. It is a bit tricky, requiring some familiarity with the ins and outs of the provincial capital, but Lord Brian's connections there are quite up to the task, I can assure your Lordship."

There was another brief pause, another lowering of bi-colored feline eyes to peruse the old nobleman's letter. "My master states that one of his conditions is that you trade only with him, but I don't think that one need or even ought interpret that literally. I am certain what Lord Brian means here is that he be the only vendor from the city of Primus Gaudeo with whom you trade.

"If you already have other connections you prefer to use for particular things," the Domestikatta hastened to add in the most soothing possible of tones, "or presently have agreements you cannot afford to break off, I am sure that Lord Brian will still work with Your Lordship. But if that is the case, I would like to be able to tell my master what those other arrangements are that you prefer to keep, and what, if anything, might persuade you to change your mind."

Morris stopped himself short here, apparently realizing that he was possibly not being as clear as he could be. "To be brief, Sir, what I would need from Your Lordship to go back to Lord Brian is: an offer for an agreed-upon markup (which I will happily tell him is twenty percent), an idea of what sort of land you are interested in, and a clear statement on what, if anything, from Primus Gaudeo you are willing to agree to buy only from my Master in the future."

Folding his nearly-white paws delicately on the table in front of him, as if wanting to demonstrate his resolve not to damage it, the Persettie fell silent and awaited Lord Avanthar's response to his and his master's proposal.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Morris was a shrewd negotiator and one that possessed the hallmarks of a major player in court intrigues. Leaning back against his cushioned seat as he regarded the Katta, his pale face a calm mask as striking blue eyes caught note of each subtle movement. In a position of power, he made a slight gesture with his hand indicating that the meeting was to proceed. Remembering very well what the proposition consisted of, Avanthar had been generous at the start with the offer of his markup, but then again he was one that desired swift resolutions to be made. Spending days, weeks and months bartering was not something the Shadow Lord particularly enjoyed.

Smiling to himself, there was little doubt that this Morris would truly seek to ‘rob’ him of his wealth. There were few mortals now capable of rivaling the Archmage’s strength, and even fewer whom would seek to bar him from seeking vengeance against a wrong.

‘We must do this slowly and cautiously… to be wary of acting too fast.

‘I believe we should start with the lands that those of Acumin require for their rebuilding first. Any agricultural areas would help me monopolize the local supply of food, forcing them to either purchase goods from me, or be forced to be supplied with items in other areas, something exceedingly costly and obviously above their current capabilities to achieve.’

‘Farm lands… any lands with resources that we may extract and further help with supplying Dar Havark, mines, forests, whatever is necessary. After the primary lands have been taken of, then we can continue discussion any further lands, such as ones located near main trading routes that will no doubt prove profitable after Acumin has reestablished itself and increase demands from neighboring lands.’

‘The condition is… acceptable. I gather most of my goods from my own personal projects scattered throughout the empire, yet I am sure your Lord Brian possesses other items that I may find difficulty in attaining... for the moment there will be no arrangements that will affect this particular connection with Lord Brian…’

Obviously nothing was entirely free, there was always a catch, yet this particular catch was something Avanthar did not overly mind. Trading with a powerful figure within Primus Gaudeo would only enhance the growth of his establishment. The free flow of goods, items and information would be important considering the city was the capital of the Centripax. More importantly there were still those loyal to Avanthar whom would seek him out if anything was amiss. Pausing momentarily as he considered it in a more thorough manner, the Lord’s clear voice pierced the brooding silence of his hall.

‘Yes… you may return to Lord Brian with the agreed upon markup with Lord Brian. Also… notify him that our services are also offered for any special… ‘tasks’. Dar Havark requires talented men and women as well as mundane items of trade…’

[Desmodus]

Morris watched Avanthar intently as the lord spoke, almost as if he were searching his words for a weakling to single out and pounce on. Overall, the courtly domestikatta appeared to like what he was hearing. Once or twice he glanced down at the letter he held in his pale-furred paws, as if to confirm something, then he nodded slightly and returned his blue-and-green gaze to Avanthar. "My master will be gratified to learn that his terms are acceptable to your Lordship," he purred.

The Persettie then paused; his eyes slid up and away from Avanthar's face and seemed to focus past his host, as if he were watching a bug scaling the wall behind him. "Your Lordship is wise to suggest moving deliberately. It is not merely a question of keeping the operation hidden from the Acuminites. Right now the village is sustaining itself, but has little money flowing in, and no ability to import anything other than very basic supplies. I was at the town meeting that the Aedile called, and heard his proposal: he wants to build activities that will bring the village money and attract outsiders, activities that can be fairly profitable even when fairly small in scale, like beekeeping, marketing teas and preparations made from the unique local herbs, raising breeding-stock for other communities rather than trying to produce and sell their own meat. Then he plans to move on to things like making maple sugar, apple- and pear-tree farming, and herding sheep."

His eyes snapped back onto the Lord of Dar Havark. "If I may make a recommendation: I would suggest that perhaps you should mix up the types of lands you buy from the beginning, rather than focusing on one, and then the other. Monopolizing the farmland too soon might choke off Acumin's prospects before it becomes a calf fatted enough to be worth slaughtering; also, starting to position yourself on the trade routes now, *before* trade picks up again, might be more strategic than waiting until later. Mixing the types of land that you buy would also further conceal your intentions, make it harder for mistrustful eyes to spot a pattern before our plans -that is, your Lordship's and my master's- are ripe.

"There is a risk that buying prime farmland too slowly will mean facing higher prices and slimmer pickings later on; however, even that could turn out to our advantage, if the prices go up too quickly, before Acumin has regained enough prosperity to be attractive to outsiders. Latherin would be scrambling for more buyers in such a case.

"- But all that is for your Lordship and Lord Brian to consider," Morris added deferentially. The katta then looked down thoughtfully once more at his employer's letter. "I have taken the liberty of snooping around a bit, and of talking to my companions Rellik and his outfit, whom your Lordship has so graciously accomodated here.

"You do indeed have impressive resources at your disposal here, more so than my Master realized, I suspect. But you lack some of the specialty woods and stones you might want to round out your magnificent city. You have plenty of stone, but no marble or alabaster. You have plenty of spruce lumber for construction, but no cherry-wood for furniture and such, and not enough oak or pine to go around for the expansion you seem to be undertaking. These are things Lord Brian can get you, as well as some of the finer, more specialized trade goods you tend not to make here, as far as I can tell, in favor of more utilitarian things."

Morris stopped suddenly. He had let an edge of distaste creep into his voice that had no place at a negotiating table with the Lord of Dar Havark. The truth was, Mmawrr-Hriss Arrin did not much appreciate staying here in Dar Havark, nor with the hayseeds in Acumin and its accursed barrier, nor in the forest where he had spent all-too-much time camping in the rough with Rellik and his crew of bounders. Doing the field-work to gather all the information he had had been a necessary evil, and he looked forward to reaping the fruits of his labor, and leaving the toil of said labor behind. And with that thought he put away Lord Brian's letter and began to gather his things together, although he had not yet risen from the table.

"Your Lordship can rest assured that Lord Brian will be most pleased with your generous and kind response to his proposals. If you have no further questions or requests for me, I shall arrange to send this letter off to him. With your permission, I could remain here until my Master's reply arrives, or I could return to Acumin, or I could go to Primus Gaudeo to deliver your response personally. However Your Lordship wishes, I am at your disposal."

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Considering the recommendation of Morris carefully with careful thoughts, diversifying property would reduce any possible risks, and though profit would not be as good as monopolizing, in the long run it shall be more sustainable. The more Avanthar pondered the more plausible it was, yet then again, it was why discussions existed, why ideas were refined so that better results may exist. Indeed, with large amount of future trading being with him, and, more importantly, if he controlled the routes themselves, then there was no way that those of Acumin could rid Avanthar of his influence…

‘As you wish… it seems that you have a clear idea and great understanding of the current situation in Acumin. Fine, mixing the lands and positioning into key areas for current and future trade routes…’

Sensing conversation to be twisting to another possible deal, the striking necromancer regarded Morris with a keen eye. Whatever he thought he knew of Avanthar was simply the surface of something far more devious. There was still much within his grasp that he held in secret, connections throughout the empire, allies and forces that he could call upon if the need was great. Biding his time, Dra’Aran smirked…

“In the future perhaps we need such rare commodities… and specialized trade goods… yet as you can see Dar Havark currently has attracted only a small amount of curious folk… and those that are here, as of yet, have little need for such things. But when the city begins to grow, I shall seek Lord Brian for such goods.”

With negotiations having gone underway, the Shadow Lord indicated for Morris to leave, yet a slight flicker of his finger he called forth his personal spectre, Eltarik, its horrid elven form seen by only the Dark Lord. Possessing great powers in stealth and invisibility, it bowed its head as it disappeared, to follow and observe Morris’s actions and report to the Lord if anything was amiss.

[Desmodus]

Morris watched impassively as he listened to the dark warlord's response. Lord Brian would be rather disappointed that Avanthar would not be a bigger customer for his trade goods, at least not for the short-term, but the Lord of Dar Havark's response promised of a brighter future. "With your permission, Lordship, there is something I would tell you in confidence:" He looked at Avanthar with a pleased, hopeful expression, as if he were offering Darksoul the remains of a freshly-killed pigeon. "My Lord is an older man, and he has mentioned to me that he thinks that his health and strength may be starting to fail him. I doubt he would appreciate my telling Your Lordship that; however, I believe that, in the end, it may actually help his interests and long-term goals for me to do so.

"The people that Lord Brian can use to help you purchase land are loyal to him, but being childless as he is, and with the Council of Nobles being all-but-defunct, there is no provision for transferring their fealty to any sort of successor. My point is that, in the event that Lord Brian passes on, those people will be in search of employment." As shall I the Persettie completed mutely.

"Even before then, there may be some among my Master's followers who would have an interest in finding continued or other employment after they have re-sold their lands to you. I do not know how many would be so interested, or what sort of talents they could offer Your Lordship, but it is something you might consider looking into when the time comes."

Realizing that the interview was now over, the smooth domestikatta rose and bowed gratefully. "I shall be pleased to forward your Lordship's response to my Master promptly," Morris purred as he gathered his things into his valise. "He shall probably send his response through me, so hopefully we shall meet again soon to share good news. Serale." Bowing once more, Morris took his leave.

Avanthar's spectre would tell him that, from his interview, Morris would call upon Rellik and the members of his outfit residing within the walls of Dar Havark. In addition to finding out how and what the brigands were doing, he asked the human several pointed questions about new arrivals into the citadel, about what sort of construction was going on, and especially what the availability of building materials, supplies, and goods was like in the slowly burgeoning fortress. The Persettie would pracenda and spend the night with Rellik and his men in the quarters Avanthar had provided for them, then he would rise early the next morning and depart Dar Havark for a campsite a few miles away. If the katta was aware of being followed, he gave no indication of it.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Noting his words, which weren’t entirely subtle, the veteran knight made the slightest movement indicating that he understood quite clearly. Most men of this world were greedy, seeking profit at every point and turn. So be it. Dra’Aran had enough resources to quench their thirst, and for the moment Dra’Aran desired growth and stability more than anything. If this Lord Brian was at the end of his life, then so be it. He would enter Jalat’s realm like the many others upon this world. Pondering on this even further, he knew the streets of Primus Gaudeo well enough… considering his prolonged stay there, and the Black Lust brothel which even now rewarded Avanthar with an abundance of information and gold.

‘Tell those that wish to listen… that I offer employment to any that are willing and capable… we accept all, and those that shall help with the growth and future of Dar Havark will be rewarded…’

‘… and send my regards that I wish Lord Brian well…’

Indeed it would be best if his deals with Lord Brian were complete before the old noble died. It would certainly make things easier in the long run, and for the moment he needed him. Thinking to himself upon the fragility of life, Avanthar knew very well what it was like to die. Then again, unlike others Avanthar knew of a way to continue life in another form by his own arts nad knowledge. Saying nothing more as he watched the departing form of Morris leave, the great hall was once again silent as Dra’Aran brooded amidst the darkness…

Reporting back through their unnatural bond, Eltarik’s report spoke of nothing Avanthar did not deduce himself. Morris was an intelligent and cunning creature that knew who and where profit lay. Smirking as he listened, it was certainly in the interests of Morris now to stay in good side of Dar Havark. Avanthar however would never place complete trust on such a character… though he may give Morris the impression of great influence and power here… those of the Brotherhood here would forever be in control.

All he needed to be wary now of Morris stationing his own influence…

[Desmodus]

ooc: Just so you know, Castimoniastu is no longer GM of PG, and I don't know if he is still active anywhere, so I've PMed Rogue to find out if that GM is interested in taking over Casti's part of the plot. When I get an answer, I'll continue this IC

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

No probs~ ^^ just delete this post when you continue it~ Thanks~