Legends Never Die: Polite Words (ch. 84) (Patreon)

Becoming nobility came with some unfortunate costs that only made themselves known in hindsight. The social protocols that I benefited from, which made me someone that simply couldn't be ignored, also applied to others. Noble obligations, as Jill described it. An unspoken and elaborate web of social niceties that were expected to be upheld at all times. Most of it, despite my annoyance, was stuff I already knew -- such as treating the nobility with a base level of respect.

Most of my experience with foreign nobles came during times of war and, more often than not, when they had been captured by me. That wasn't the case here. So, no matter how tempted I was to simply kick Hadi back on his ship the moment that the deliveries were made, I couldn't. It was a harsh insult to deny someone hospitality when they arrived at your hall, and no matter how irritating I found Hadi, he hadn't done anything to deserve such an insult.

Which is how I found myself sitting across from Hadi as he stood in my hall, behind him were a dozen men all carrying heavy chests. Beyond them was a man I had some interest in -- he wore an orange colored robe that left one shoulder exposed and a necklace made out of thick wooden beads. Both his head and face were shaved, his eyes were dark, and they looked around the longhouse with some interest. But, it was Hadi who held my attention.

“In accordance with the deal made outside of Antioch, the knowledge gathered by Prince Harun al-Rashid has been delivered,” Hadi informed and while his voice was neutral, his gaze betrayed that he would rather be anywhere other than here. “This is the first of twelve deliveries that shall be made over the course of a year.” I would have preferred it all delivered at once to avoid any interruptions if war broke out once more, but I suppose that was the point. Stretching out the deliveries made sure that I wouldn't compromise it by raiding their settlements.

It was a lesson learnt, I guess. Next time, I would have to be more specific.

“Behind me are talented scribes who know both Arabic and Greek. With your permission, they shall start their work of translating the works under your watchful eye,” Hadi continued, and by that, he meant they were spies. There was nothing stopping them from shipping the translated texts. He was dressing it up as a favor to me, because I would admittedly have some suspicions about the texts. I wouldn't put it beyond the Abbasids to give me falsely translated texts because I wouldn't know any better. So, having my own men watch over them where our displeasure for trickery was an immediate consequence would encourage honesty.

“Lastly, the Monk Gyatso has agreed to accompany this mission. He is a Wiseman from the east, here to spread word of the Heavenly Buddha,” he finished, and the monk stepped forward and bowed his head to me. His gaze was measuring as he looked upon me. I would put him around his early to mid twenties. Well muscled as well. He, however, said nothing as he rose back to his full height.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of his presence. He sounded a great deal like a Christian pilgrim seeking to convert others to their God, and I had quite enough of that as it was. But, I was curious about his god, I could admit, and he did seem to be a different breed of man from the Romans and the Abbasids. I knew of a land called India because of Alexander’s conquest and the texts about Ashoka the Great, but I knew little of what laid beyond.

But, I was mostly curious on why he was here. Was he a volunteer? Or was he volunteered because Prince Harun wanted to get rid of a pagan? Or did he simply assume that because we were both pagans that we would accept each other with open arms?

I suppose I would simply have to wait and see.

“I welcome you all into my hall as guests. You have my thanks for the prompt delivery and I am eager to see the wisdom that the Abbasids have hoarded,” I greeted them with warmth I didn't feel. Half of them were spies. I didn't even need to use True Sight to see that. “I invite you all to sup with me after a long journey.”

Refuse. I tried to convey the message with my eyes as I held Hadi's gaze. I'm almost certain that he received the message, but what came out of his mouth wasn't the answer I wanted to hear.

“You honor me, Lord Siegfried. We shall gladly partake in your renowned hospitality,” Hadi replied, his tone infallibly polite.

The reason why he had to accept the offer was obvious enough. He even glanced at Princess Jasmine, who was seated at the high table in a position of honor. She sat next to Jill, and standing between them was Alim. Jasmine knew how to look regal, I could admit. She wore her silks and jewels like they were an extension of her body, her head held high and her dark eyes focused and attentive.

This whole deal was an excuse to check in on Jasmine. To see how she was being treated. And to steal a private moment so Jasmine could send whatever message that she liked to her family.

It was a strange thing, I decided, and it renewed my distaste for politics. It was a secret that we all were aware of. A secret that we all knew everyone else was aware of. Yet, we didn't utter it out loud because then none of us could claim it was mere suspicion and our hands would be forced to take action.

“A feast,” Jill spoke up, and I'm pretty sure Astrid only started to pay attention when she heard the word feast. “We have reason to celebrate, I think. For you have recently been married, have you not?” She said, and Alim translated her words into Arabic.

I knew of the marriage. And I was aware of Hadi's new position -- news had been brought over with returning Abbasid citizens who wanted to settle in Norland with their families. Hadi had married a prominent noble in a region called Egypt. To my knowledge, Sheba was of middling nobility, but she had earned vast riches and a moniker.

The Queen of Trade.

Some supposedly looked down upon her for gaining her wealth through trade, but her power couldn't be denied. Especially when I had greatly weakened her rivals by slaughtering their armies in Ravenfeast Valley. It was a quite telling rumor that when I heard about the marriage, the tale was phrased that Hadi had married her rather than that she had married Hadi, a regent to a powerful land.

In response, Hadi offered a tepid smile. “I have. And my thanks,” he said, his gaze never leaving me.

And out of every feast I had ever had, it was by far the most awkward.

…

I was seated at the head of a long table, my wives at my side while Jasmine sat directly across from me. She wasn't the guest of the evening, but she was still a princess of a powerful empire. Seated next to her, a respectful distance away, was Hadi. His presence had an odd effect on Jasmine -- what I had seen of her was an excitable young woman with a keen, outspoken, interest in whatever matters caught her attention. However, that girl was nowhere to be found and she was hidden under a polite mask that betrayed nothing.

Putting on appearances, I suspected. Though, Hadi wasn't much better.

Honestly, I don't think anyone would have said a word to each other if it wasn't for Jill filling the silence with polite small talk. Something that Hadi was forced to entertain. “The reconstruction efforts have gone well then? I'm glad to hear it,” Jill said while Hadi wore the same fake smile.

“As well as we could hope,” Hadi corrected ever so slightly. “It would seem Norland has earned itself quite the reputation. Most of the people coming to settle in the area tend to stay when they learn that the original holders of smithies and farms are in Norland.” He informed, and I swallowed a twitch of annoyance.

That would explain why the migrants from the Abbasids were far lower than I hoped they might be. And, from the implication, it sounded like Norland didn't have a favorable reputation in the Caliphate. That wasn't surprising. I did sack several of their cities. I'd be very confused if they did like me.

“It's been an unexpected boon, in that regard. The land has been depopulated since the war, and my wife was quite worried about what it meant for the region,” Hadi continued, his gaze flickering to me. I couldn't help but feel there was an accusation in his eyes, but he didn't voice it. “As much trouble as it caused, my wife has nothing but kind words to say about Norland itself. She called it an opportunity that was fully seized.” He echoed her sentiments before his lips thinned ever so slightly.

“Something she has prodded me to do as well,” he said, slipping a hand into the folds of his silk clothing before pulling out a small scroll. He handed it to Alim, who unfurled it before frowning. “It is a letter of introduction. Norland, despite being a Roman territory, currently enjoys a great deal of freedom and we wish to make use of it by strengthening trade with your city. For while it is your city.”

My gaze slid to Alim, who looked up at me and offered a hesitant nod. Then my gaze slid back to Hadi and I found myself…

Annoyed.

Hadi just lied to me… but he didn't have a tell. Alim had to give it away. I'm sure that the letter was one of introduction, and I'm sure that he did desire an increase in trade. Yet, I was certain that there was something else in the letter that Alim wasn't telling me. What it was, I could only guess. That wasn't really an issue as I saw that coming, but I was more annoyed with Hadi simply because he managed to subvert Tell Spotter for no reason greater than he was simply an exceptional liar.

“Is that so?” I replied evenly, holding his gaze and I…

It annoyed me how irritating I found Hadi. I should be impressed with him, I knew. However begrudgingly. Hadi had proven himself to be a rare caliber of man and, enemy or not, he should have my respect and admiration. There were others who had inconvenienced me more and I respected for less.

If Hadi detected my annoyance, he didn't show it. “Details will need to be discussed with individual Mayors, but with Norland as a neutral harbor, it would be a natural stopping point between the Romans and the Caliphate. This is a mere formality to gauge your interest,” he replied, being unusually blunt and that annoyed me too.

And I knew why, as shameful as it was.

If he served under me, I would admire him. Even as an enemy, I respected him, but no other had managed to inspire such irritation and annoyance in me. Not King Charlemagne, who was one of the greatest and most powerful kings of our age. Not Roland, who was a mighty warrior who could face a cavalry charge and have it break upon him like the sea on a mountain. Nor Astolfo, whose skill with a spear was peerless as she delivered death to anyone within her range.

I knew why he annoyed me so much. Why I found him so frustrating even as I respected his achievements.

Hadi was no great king. He wasn't blessed by the gods, as far as I could tell. He was simply a very talented man. A normal man. But one that had proven to be an obstacle to me and I… I didn't mind it as much when there was a clear reason why my path was obstructed. Charlemagne and his Paladins were blessed by their God. They were more than just men.

I'm not entirely sure when it happened exactly, but I had started to look down upon unblessed men. It was something that I only realized in hindsight. It was not as if I disliked people for not being blessed by the gods, or God. We were the honored ones. We were special. But, it was clear as day -- war was where I thrived. The only defeats I had suffered on the battlefield had been at the hands of Roland, when I had to make a deal to spare my life. I was used to crushing my enemies. Sweeping over them with fire and fury, my plans manifesting perfectly and my victories absolute.

Yet, Hadi, unblessed as he was, proved to be a thorn in my side. A normal man was able to stop me from accomplishing every goal that I set out to accomplish. It was not even that he had outright defeated me, which would at least be enough to justify my annoyance with him. I simply didn't win as cleanly as I was used to.

It was arrogance, I knew. Arrogance that I had earned, I think. But, it was arrogance all the same. A sign that I was letting the words of others lift me beyond what I was -- people called me a god, and while I still didn't believe that I was, I had, at some point, started to believe that I was more than a man. My victories made me start to expect them. Become entitled to them. So, proof that was not the case was… unwelcome.

I blew out a small sigh, feeling ashamed, mostly due to the fact that I was still annoyed even as I understood the source of my annoyance. So, I forcefully shoved it away. “I don't foresee any complications with my current allegiance, so I am amenable to the idea,” I voiced and Hadi seemed faintly surprised at the willful change in my demeanor.

“It is a relief to hear it,” Hadi replied, his tone still neutral but he seemed to have lowered his guard ever so slightly. “You made quite the impression upon my peers. There were many who feared that your hunger for knowledge was a feint. In any case, the deal has worked in my Prince's favor -- he has far more reason to seek out knowledge and wisdom.”

He was good at talking, I could admit. He was always careful to steer the conversation to neutral topics. “I will admit that I was surprised by the volume of the texts delivered. For what reason has Prince Harun gathered such treasures?” I asked him, and while the first delivery paled in comparison to the imperial library, by the end of the year, I would be in possession of a large library indeed if each delivery remained the same size.

“My brother has always had a passion for learning. He found it more enjoyable than learning swordplay,” Jasmine offered with a smile beneath her veil. “I recognized some of his favorites in the chests.” That was interesting to know, I suppose.

“Does he possess copies?” I questioned and to that, Hadi stole a glance at Jasmine, who made the most demure shrug I had ever seen. I frowned for a moment, considering a thought.

The Abbasids were trying to court me. It was obvious enough. They didn't outright say it, but I could guess their game easily enough. Simply put, they didn't want me to fight for the Romans. They'd prefer it if I fought for them, but they would settle for my neutrality. And I was considering giving it to them.

But not now. And not for a low price.

The only thing of value to me was Rome’s wealth of knowledge and Greek Fire. The Abbasids, so far, seemed to be able to match the Romans in terms of knowledge. And once I had the Greek Fire…

I could get paid to do nothing. That was the dream of mercenaries, as far as I could tell.

Or… I could play the Abbasids and the Romans off each other to drive up the price.

“I will have copies made and send back the originals,” I said and I saw a ghost of a smile from Jill. Either because she saw my plan or because I was actively engaging in the conversation now. “I already am doing the same with the Roman texts. If Prince Harun so wishes, he can use his scribes to produce his own copies of the texts.”

Hadi tilted his head at that, “I see. He would be most amenable to the idea, I believe-”

Jasmine nodded eagerly, “He always complained how stingy the Romans were when it came to texts from their libraries.” And I was starting to see why Jasmine was so quiet during official meetings. Now that the overwhelming tension in the room had lessened, she spoke more freely and she was… too honest.

Hadi inclined his head to Jasmine, “So he has.” Then he looked at me, “Shall I take it that you intend to recreate the Library of Alexandria?”

Now I wore a smile, “We have already settled on a location.” There were several buildings that I wanted to create, but my library would be the first of them. “Soon, we shall break ground and begin construction. I hope that within a year, it will be completed.” Basic Construction helped me out some, but working with actual architects had helped out more.

I fully intended my library to act as a central feature in the settlement, so the land around it would be developed accordingly. There were other challenges with developing a library that I hadn’t quite anticipated. I was single handedly raising the prices for parchment and ink, and scribes were in short supply. The costs weren’t prohibitive, but if I wanted to leave behind something in the library, then I needed to think of something soon.

“A wonder of the world,” Hadi said, glancing down at his cup of wine for a moment. “There are others,” he spoke up, catching my attention. “The Pyramids of Giza, and the Great Sphinx. I had heard tales of them as a boy, but it was only when I assumed the regency over the area that I saw them myself. They are… breathtaking,” he said before he looked at me. “Perhaps you shall see them yourself?”

An offer. An invitation. And a warning all wrapped up in one.

I had to smile at that. “Perhaps I will.”