FF2 -CH2- (Patreon)

“It was Alex, happy now?” Sylvia asked, her voice a growl, fingers pressed to her pin. “Can I ask for that deal now? Or have you not humiliated me enough.”

“Yeah, you can let your pin go, Sylvia,” Alex said, prodding Nannie in the side when it seemed like she might say something more.

The murderess looked like she wanted to say or do more, but Alex’s gaze apparently stopped her.

Shrugging her shoulders, she picked up the book she had chosen and started in on it again.

Sylvia put her hands in her lap. She looked rather angry at the moment, and Alex couldn’t quite blame her.

She’d been forced to admit something that no one would ever want to.

Especially since I had her completely at my control.

Or is that part of the reason?

She didn’t win the game. I just, forfeited and walked away. As if she wasn’t worth beating.

And just a bit ago I said she wasn’t worth keeping.

That was her big thing. Playing games. Fighting.

Winning.

She lost, by winning. Won in a way that had everything to do with being unworthy.

Alex smiled and gestured to her with one hand. Keeping his other hand on Nannie’s forearm, he leaned in closer to her, till he was leaning against her.

So let’s press some more of her buttons.

Nannie gave him an odd look for a second, and went back to her book. She was clearly very determined to master reading and writing.

Sylvia wasn’t in control of her emotions right now. The annoyance at his actions was clear on her face.

“I want a deal,” she said once again.

“Ok. What do you want, what are you offering?”

“I’m willing to give you back everything you had from me last time,” Sylvia said. “In addition to that, I’m willing to get in your bed twice a week.”

Alex raised his eyebrows at that. “Let’s first talk about what you want, before any type of price.”

Sylvia grimaced and pressed a hand to her temple. “I made a mistake. I got into a business deal that I couldn’t actually work in the end. It completely fell through, and they’re looking to blame someone.

“If I can’t… if I can’t get you to intervene and work this from the other side, they’re going to figure out it was me.”

“Ok… and why couldn’t you finish the deal, and how can I help?”

“I couldn’t finish the deal because it was directly against the county of Brit. They wanted to smuggle goods in and out. Enough goods that I knew for a fact it would slow down the economic gains the merchant class has been making.

“And I couldn’t do that,” Sylvia said, looking down at her hands. “You technically released me from all your oaths other than to not betray you personally.

“But I didn’t want to. So I couldn’t.”

Alex nodded once. “And I can fix this by simply exposing a source on how I did it, without you catching the blame.

“I’m surprised they were willing to get into the deal with you, considering you were pretty much labeled as my concubine.”

Sylvia shrugged her shoulders. “They knew about it, but seemed to think nothing of it. That neither of us had any loyalty to the other.

“Honestly, at the time, I didn’t think I did either. Then I suddenly did when it came time. And I… didn’t do my part. They got caught.”

Alex turned his thoughts inward, and hoped his goddess was listening. This would be a great time to have her insight.

I wonder if her soul would have been taken. Would she have broken her oath technically?

No.

Did she think it was going to break her oath?

No.

Thanks. Your husband is a very lucky man.

Have I mentioned you looked lovely in red and black? Are those his colors? You wore them very well.

Thank you. Do you really think so?

They’re his, colors. Yes. Yes.

I’ll make sure he knows you told me that.

“Ok… so you’re basically asking me to set up a fake resource that would have outed the operation, burn an actual resources, or something along those lines. That about right?” Alex asked.

Sylvia nodded her head.

“Except that’s not all is it? This isn’t something you’d normally get invested in. I get the impression you were trading mostly in secrets and information before this,” Alex said.

Sylvia’s chin sunk down toward her chest. She didn’t respond.

“And you’re probably drowning under debt since a lot of your assets were tied up in what info you had on your fingertips.

“You thought when it all ended you could just go back out there and resume where you left off.”

Sylvia nodded her head ever so slightly.

“You thought you could get back into the game. And they locked you out.”

Again, Sylvia nodded just a little.

“How bad is it?”

“I don’t see how that has any relevancy to this. I just need you to help with this bit,” Sylvia said.

“Because this’ll happen again. And I might not be able to get involved soon enough,” Alex said.

Can I use her? She might be valuable. I don’t really have any real connections to the underworld here. Who’s who, and whats going on.

Valeria and her people are more for noble intrigue. Not what’s going on at the ground level.

“Do you know who Riley was? She’s my personal maid now. Goes by one,” Alex said, changing the subject in another direction.

“Riley? Yes. She ran a gambling ring. It was all on the up and up. She paid the right people, her clientele list were all well-to-do middle class.

“She ran afoul of an independent gang who wanted money and other things from her. They ratted her out and took her business,” Sylvia explained. “I might be out of the game, as you said, but I still have my sources. I know who’s who.

“I just can’t get to the stuff that pays anymore.”

“Alright. I can do this. But it’s going to cost you,” Alex said honestly.

Sylvia sighed and pressed her hands to her face.

“Are you going to make me warm your bed every night?” Sylvia asked.

“No. I mean, have you seen Five here? Look at her. With just a bit more polish, a little longer hair, and she’d even give you a run for your money,” Alex said, reaching up and touching a fingertip to Nannie’s temple.

“My price is as follows. All your previous oaths will become active again. You will be my Four.

“The new parts to your deal will be that you spend one night a week in my bed, and one night on your knees for me a week. You’ll also be given mother’s bane after every coupling and be expected to take it.

“Additionally, you’ll be my master of the underworld I want you to know everything that’s going on in my counties, baronies, and cities. I’m going to put people under you to help you do your job as well.

“You’ll have a private room with the rest of the Numbered, and receive all the same benefits that they do. Your house will remain yours along with your accounts, assets, and people, of course. Everything of you, what is Sylvia to be Four, is mine.”

The young noblewoman didn’t move or breathe. She sat on the edge of her bed, with her hands pressed to her face.

“Alex, you’re not even giving me a little wriggle room here. Wasn’t this a game between us? Weren’t we playing with one another?” Sylvia asked, looking up to him.

“We were. It was fun for a time. But in the end, I had taken everything from you and there was little left. I could have had all I wanted if I just… pushed a little harder. We both knew that,” Alex said as gently as he could.

Sylvia’s eyes were locked to him. She didn’t argue with his assessment.

“And the game was over for me. So I let you go. This time, I don’t want to play a game. I want you, Sylvia. I want all of you to myself. I’m doing this at all because I care for your well-being. Normally I don’t allow others to dictate a deal,” Alex said.

Her head marginally went up and down. Agreeing again.

“I’ll have you, Sylvia. All of you. Or you can see how you fare out there without my aid, in a situation you created without my involvement,” Alex said. “You of course can say no, and I’ll do nothing against you. I won’t even act on the information you gave me about the problem in asking for help.

“It’ll be as if you never came here. You can agree, or go back to where you were, without any changes from me or mine. And I’ll swear on Leah’s name to that.”

Nannie put her book down and was watching Sylvia over her shoulder.

Sylvia shuddered, and put her face back into her hands.

Looking to Nannie he gave her a smile.

“We still on for dinner tonight?” he asked as softly as he could.

“What? You still want to go with me?” Nannie whispered back.

“Of course. How else am I supposed to get you into my bed tonight by your own volition,” Alex asked, grinning at her.

“But… you could break her in instead. She’s a lot better-” Nannie stopped talking when Alex moved forward, pressing his forehead to hers.

“Five… will you go to dinner with me or not?”

“Yes, Master. I will,” Nannie murmured.

Alex nodded and sat back down in his seat. Sylvia was still gathering her thoughts.

“Alright… I’ll agree to that price. But I want you to pay me for my work. I’m worth it.

“So I’d like to talk salary,” Sylvia said, letting her hands down. Tears were running down her face, but she smiled at him none-the-less. Her eyes moved to Nannie for a second, then back to him.

Always a salary. Though I wonder just how close she came to getting killed. She seems far more relieved than I expected.

Nannie must have picked up on the unspoken cue, because she closed the book and set it down on the table.

“I’m going to go check on the grub, I’ll be back,” she said. Leaving quickly she closed the door behind herself.

“I didn’t expect that from her,” Sylvia said.

“She’s a number, just like you are, Four. Numbers have to stick together because… well… there’s only five of you. And you’re all in my thrall,” Alex said. “Now, salary?”

“What are you paying your spy-master? The pretty one,” Sylvia said, wiping at her eyes with her fingers.

“Twenty gold a year for her position,” Alex said immediately. “Would that be agreeable to you?”

Sylvia sniffed, and then chuckled darkly. “I want thirty. I’ll be so dedicated to you, it’ll make the others try harder. I’ll be your bar to hold the others to. And if I’m not, I’ll spend five days either in your bed, or on my knees a week.”

“That’s a deal,” Alex said immediately. “Get yourself situated, Four. I’ll have your collars and tags dropped off tonight. Be sure to introduce yourself appropriately to Anna as a Numbered.”

Alex felt the deal lock into place.

Sylvia was his from top to bottom.

There was a sharp rap at the door, then Nannie stuck her head in.

“Master, I think you need to go to the courtyard. Somethings happening there,” Nannie said. “I saw Walter talking with someone and there’s a bunch of guards going around in every direction through the keep. I think they might be looking for you.”

Alex frowned, suddenly feeling a bit sick with anxiety.

Too much change at once.

“Alright, lead the way Five,” Alex said, getting up and going to the door.

He was in the courtyard before he realized Sylvia was trailing along close at his right side. Giving her an even look, he wasn’t quite sure how to take it.

“What? I’m yours, aren’t I? I should learn my position as quickly as possible,” Sylvia said, her mask back in place as if it had never slipped.

Shrugging his shoulders, Alex wasn’t about to argue with it. If she wanted to jump in day one, he wasn’t going to say no.

Unfortunately, whatever had been going on here was already retreating to his receiving hall as it were. The edge of a mass of people were moving through the wide entry doors.

What the hell?

Nannie, Alex, and Sylvia followed the rear of the group of people moving into the keep.

Not waiting for people to get out of the way, Nannie started shoving people to one side or the other, making their way to the front of the press of bodies.

Bursting out of the crush of people, Nannie stepped to one side, giving Alex a chance to walk free of the crush.

Standing at the center of his receiving hall was several guards, Walter, Max, and a young woman he didn’t know.

She looked shaken, bloody, and dead on her feet. Her height couldn’t have reached anything more than five foot even. Her frame and build were average, giving her a very normal appearance.

Her hair was a mess of partially braided dark brown hair. It had a disheveled look to it as if she’d been on the run for a long while. Her dark blue eyes had a hunted look to them. An edge of fear.

But they were alive and determined.

She had a sense of nobility and bearing that made him feel like he was looking at the duchess.

Too many people here.

“Alex! Oh, good, good,” Walter said, spotting Alex immediately. “You see there is-”

“Clear the hall,” Alex said, looking to Max. “Everyone but Walter, you Max, and my people.”

Max and the guards immediately stood at full attention. In the next minute, all the on-lookers, keep guests, workers, and anyone who wasn’t part of Alex’s immediate group, were shunted out of the hall.

“Now, let’s start from the place most polite conversations come from,” Alex said. Bowing from the waist to the young woman, Alex indicated himself. “I am Alexander Brit, count of Brit. May I offer you water, food, or some sort of refreshment?”

The young woman took in a slow breath, and then let it out in a rush and a fractured smile.

“My name is Quinn, Princess Quinn of the Xer tribe. I politely decline your offer of comfort, as my message is dire.

“I’ve come to you as the holder of Ridge, and to ask you honor an agreement made by the previous count,” said the young woman.

Alex raised an eyebrow at that and turned to Walter. “Did the previous count leave any documentation to that effect?”

“Not that we found, sire. If there is an agreement it’s likely buried away somewhere, but to be honest, it wouldn’t be yours to uphold,” Walter said, his eyes unable to look to the woman. “As you aren’t beholden to the previous count, or sworn to carry through his arrangements, all deals that were in place with Ridge are no longer viable.”

Ah. That’d be why she seemed to be afraid. She knows I have no reason to help her, or assist her. There’s nothing legally binding me to provide anything for her.

Looking to the young woman, he saw a momentary flash of anger, followed by defeat in her eyes.

It was exactly what she hadn’t wanted to hear.

“Hm. I’d like to offer you refreshments again, though this time, perhaps in a more private setting. We can also begin to discuss this more earnestly.

“I admit I know very little of your country, your people, the deal you made with Ridge, or your customs. I’d love to know more,” Alex said with a smile, and gestured to the back of his receiving hall. There was room there he used on occasion. This was a perfect opportunity for it. “Please. Let me tend to your needs while we discuss this.”

Quinn looked up to him, her eyes seeming to weigh him out.

“Your chamberlain stays here, as does your general,” Quinn said.

“As you like, but I’ll not be without my bodyguard or my personal adviser,” Alex said, indicating Nannie and Sylvia. “They’re sworn to me, and me alone. Not the county, not the king, not the emperor, just me.”

“That is acceptable. You’d be a fool otherwise,” said the Princess.

This’ll be fun. I wonder how much power I can get from her if I break her.

Alex only smiled in return, still gesturing to the back room.

She eyed him for a second more, before turning and heading toward his indicated direction.

Then again, for her to allow herself to be taken to a back room, outside of her power base, with nothing but whats on her… she’s desperate.

“Walter, send in lunch, would you?” Alex asked.

Nannie moved in front of him as he trailed along behind the Princess.

“Five, search her once we’re alone. Find if she has any weapons on her,” Alex whispered to her. “Worst case, we put her in the ground, and say we sent her on her way with nothing.”

Nannie flexed her hands and nodded her head.

“I know just where to drop the body,” Sylvia added thoughtfully. “Good season for it, too.”

Oh? Sylvia you might be earning your keep faster than I thought.

Once everyone had gotten into the small meeting room, Nannie advanced on Quinn.

“What? What’s the meaning of this?” shouted the small Princess.

Nannie snatched at the smaller woman as she darted by, and caught her by a wrist. Grabbing the other, Nannie moved the Princess to the wall and pinned her there. Holding both her small wrists with her single hand. With her other hand she began to roughly search the travel stained visitor.

“You have no right to do this!” shouted Quinn.

“I have every right,” Alex said, moving over to the table set to one side. “You’re a foreigner, claiming to be something that no one can validate, demanding a treaty be upheld, that no one can prove.

“So yes. I’m well with my rights to have you searched.”

Quinn blew out a hard breath, and glared at him as Nannie ran her hand all over her body.

Nannie fished a slim knife out from inside the princesses undergarments and looked at it.

Clicking a tongue she held it out to Sylvia.

Finding nothing else, Nannie let the princess go and moved over to stand beside Alex.

“See? No harm has been done to you,” Alex said soothingly. “I do apologize for it though. Would you please have a seat. Lunch will be served shortly, and I think we have much to talk about.

“Let’s start with what you wanted from me. The specifics.”

Quinn looked disturbed and distraught at the same time. As if disbelieving that he really had only wanted to check for his safety.

“You’ll not harm me further?” Quinn asked.

“It had never been my intention to harm you. I do have to vouch for my own safety though.

“If you are who you say you are, then there is nothing to fear,” Alex said. “Now please, sit, and let’s speak. What do you need from me?”

Quinn sat down in her chair slowly, her eyes moving from Nannie, to Sylvia, to Alex.

“Soldiers,” Quinn said finally. “My father, the king, has been imprisoned by his cousin. So long as I live, there’s a threat to his claim on the clan. It’s unlikely he’ll kill my father till he has me in custody but that’s no guarantee.

“I need soldiers. Soldiers to free my people and my lands.”

Alex smirked at that and leaned to one side in his chair.

“Soldiers. What you mean is money, arms, armor, blacksmiths, fletchers, a supply train, trainers, doctors, and leaders to guide the soldiers, is what you mean.

“Because a soldier without any of those things is worthless.”

Quinn’s mouth twitched, and she lifted her chin slightly.

“Yes. I simply didn’t feel it worth listing all those things out, as I assumed you knew those things would be needed,” Quinn said.

Uh huh. Sure.

“Well, I’ll be honest with you. I’m open to the idea. I think I’m willing to barter with you to save your clan,” Alex said. “So… let’s start with a privacy and secrecy oath. And move from there.

“Shall we?”

Alex grinned at her.