Fostering Faust 2, page 3
part #2 of Fostering Faust Series
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.
When she finally burst out of the crush of people, Nannie stepped to one side, giving Alex a chance to walk free of the mob.
Standing at the center of his receiving hall were several guards, Walter, Max, and a young woman Alex didn’t know.
She looked shaken, bloody, and dead on her feet. Her height couldn’t have reached anything more than five feet. She had an average frame and build, 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 to Max. “Everyone but Walter, you, and my people.”
Max and the guards immediately stood at full attention. In the next minute, all the onlookers, 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, then let it out in a rush with 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 the effect of existing pledges?”
“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 at 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 seems 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, Alex 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, and your customs. I’d love to know more,” Alex said with a smile, then gestured to the back of his receiving hall. There was a room there he used on occasion, and this was the perfect opportunity for it. “Please, let me tend to your needs while we discuss this.”
Quinn looked up at 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 if I break her.
Alex only smiled in return, still gesturing to the back room.
She eyed him for a second more, then turned and headed 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 what’s on her… she’s desperate.
“Walter, send in lunch, would you?” Alex asked. “I believe I already had three meals coming; add a fourth.”
Nannie moved in front of him as he trailed along behind the princess.
“Five, search her once we’re alone. See if she has any weapons on her,” Alex whispered. “Worst case, we put her in the ground and say we sent her on her way with nothing.”
Nannie flexed her hands and nodded.
“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 small wrists with a single hand, Nannie used her other hand to begin roughly searching 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 no one can validate, demanding a treaty be upheld that no one can prove.
“So yes. I’m well within my rights to have you searched.”
Quinn blew out a hard breath and glared at him as Nannie ran a hand all over her body.
Nannie fished a slim knife out from inside the princess’ undergarments and inspected 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 Alex really had only wanted to check for his safety.
“You’ll not harm me further?” Quinn asked.
“It was never my intention to harm you unless I deemed it reasonable. I do have to watch out for my own safety.
“If you are who you say you are, then this talk will be as easy as it could be,” Alex said. “Now please, sit and let’s speak. What do you need from me?”
Quinn sat in her chair slowly, her eyes moving from Nannie to Sylvia, and then 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 that traitor’s 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—that’s 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. Seems like I’ll need to tutor you a bit.
“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.
Chapter 3
“What kind of oath do you expect me to take, exactly?” Quinn asked, her voice taking on an edge.
“An oath of secrecy, privacy, and that you won’t betray this trust to anyone. On your soul and your life.
“That anything we speak of here and now will never be revealed to anyone outside of a similar oath to me,” Alex said.
“What about them?” Quinn asked, pointing to Sylvia and Nannie.
“They’re my Numbered; they don’t count. Now… this oath would be on Leah. Are you willing to deal with me?
“Otherwise, this meeting will be over. We’ll have lunch together if you’re willing, then I’ll leave you to your own devices. You can proceed however you see fit,” Alex said. “Whether here in Brit or elsewhere.”
Quinn narrowed her eyes, staring death at Alex.
“He actually means it,” Sylvia said, breaking into the conversation. “There is no lie behind his words.”
Nannie nodded simply in agreement.
Hm. Wasn’t expecting them to help. Though to be honest, they know how this game goes now. Since they’ve both experienced it.
Quinn moved her glare to the two Numbered.
“Fine. I swear it. To everything you stated, on Leah’s name,” Quinn said.
“As do I in return,” Alex offered back. “Now, with that settled—you say you want me to put together an army and take back your family throne. Is that the simple version?”
Quinn nodded her head once. “Yes, that’s it.”
“And what exactly am I receiving for doing this service?” Alex asked.
“The… the previous agreement with Ridge was based on a series of trades and traditions. They would protect our lands, and we would provide wives or concubines as needed for the Ridge family.
“It’s been this way for many years,” Quinn said.
“I have received nothing from you or your people. Why should I assist you?” Alex asked.
“We would of course give you the same that we did for Ridge. The same deal,” Quinn said, her words final.
She has quite the presence.
“No,” Alex said with a shrug of his shoulders.
“No,” Quinn repeated, her face not understanding.
“That’s right, no. I have no need for concubines or wives. You may be a beautiful young woman, Quinn, but so are these two,” Alex said, indicating Sylvia and Nannie. “And they’re both sworn to my bed.
“What else do you have to offer?”
Sylvia put one hand on her hip and shifted her body toward Alex. At the same time, Nannie lifted her chin up, looking down at Quinn.
Hm. They took a certain amount of pride in that statement. Interesting.
“I can pay you,” Quinn said, her spine stiffening.
“The cost of a campaign, even a short one, can be prohibitive. I imagine if you could afford the soldiers, you’d be hiring mercenaries,” Alex said.
“I’ll pay you after I get my family’s throne back.”
“Uh huh. No guarantee on that. For all you know, your entire treasury is empty, spent, stolen, or shipped elsewhere.”
“Land. I’ll give you land.”
“What, in the wilds? No thanks. It’s beyond the protection I can reasonably give at this time.
“Not to mention it isn’t really suitable for much. I hear that land can’t grow much more than grass.”
Quinn minutely shook her head back and forth. As if she could argue away his points, even though they were completely true.
Slowly, her head tipped downward, her eyes breaking contact to settle on the floor.
There we go.
“I do have something I want, though,” Alex said. “And it’s within your power. It won’t even cost you a single copper coin, either.”
Quinn wrinkled her nose, her mind clearly jumping ahead to where he was going. She didn’t speak though, her eyes still focusing on the ground.
“I want you as a vassal, Princess. I want you to become part of the county of Brit.
“Not immediately, mind you, but over time. I figure a decade or two would be slow enough to make it seem like it was inevitable,” Alex said.
“You want me to… be your vassal?” Quinn asked, facing him directly now.
“To start, yes. In addition,” Alex said, holding up a second finger. “I want you as a concubine. You personally.”
Quinn’s face became pale as a sheet.
“Third, you’ll be celibate. Pure as untouched snow. You’ll not engage in a romantic or sexual encounter with another man or woman—or yourself, even—without permission from me.
“That’s what I want. Agree to those three items, and I’ll save your clan. Otherwise, you may have lunch with me and go your own way. As if nothing ever happened and you never told me no.
“Nothing will happen to you. At all. I won’t even be offended,” Alex said, dropping his hand to the arm of his chair. “No is as valid an option as yes.”
“You… you, you, you monster,” Quinn hissed at him, her face bright red now. “You want me to prostitute myself and my clan to you.”
“If that’s how you want to look at it, yes. I do. I want you to myself, and I want your clan to eventually become a county.”
“And what am I supposed to do as a queen without a husband? Hm? I’ll never produce an heir if I don’t wed,” Quinn said, her voice becoming raw with emotion.
“I’ll be happy to provide you with an heir when the time comes. As far as your status as a princess, I don’t believe you need to be married to become Queen,” Alex said.
The princess was taking deep, quivering breaths. It was clear she was little more than a ball of incensed fury right now.
“You can always say no, Princess. You came here looking for something; I’m offering it to you at a price of my own desire.”
There was a soft tap at the door. Sylvia laid a hand on Alex’s shoulder and turned to the entry. Opening it slightly, she peered out. Then opened it all the way.
Two men in livery entered quickly. They put down four settings for lunch and then left immediately.
Nannie looked at the dome on her food, then turned to the princess.
“Any chance you’re going to decide before we eat? I’m hungry. Can’t turn my back on you unless you agree, and if you decline I’m going to make sure you eat by yourself over there,” Nannie said.
Sylvia laughed softly to herself and then sat down next to Alex, where she immediately lifted the dome off her meal.
“Five, you’re positively a delight. Oh, it’s some lovely looking meats and soft bread,” Sylvia said. “If you like, I could get your lunch into manageable bites for you so you don’t have to take your eyes off her.”
Nannie glanced Sylvia’s way with a furrowed brow before looking back to Quinn.
“’Kay,” said the murderer-turned-bodyguard. “Thanks… Four.”
“Of course. We Numbered have to stick together. How else will we get our revenge on Master?” Sylvia asked with a smirk. She leaned over Nannie’s food and started prepping it for her quietly.
Sylvia is trying to worm her way into Nannie’s graces, isn’t she? Not a bad plan.
Get Nannie on her side quickly, and Sylvia is suddenly much more likely to get along with the rest.
“How… how often would I be expected to serve as concubine?” Quinn asked, her small body slumping into her chair.
“As often as I like, and in whatever way I deem fit. That’s the role of a concubine, after all. Though I’d never share you with anyone else.
“You’ll call me husband or Master in private, and whatever appellation is correct in public,” Alex said, not turning away from Quinn. “Though I can promise you this: I will never, ever mistreat you in any way, nor disrespect you in public.
“I’ll even have a vassalage contract and oath prepared for you today. You will receive all the benefits, protections, and expectations a normal vassal would receive.”
“A vassal. A concubine vassal,” Quinn muttered.
“In charge of her clan, with strong protection given from a man interested in her and her safety. All the goodies that come with it as well. Like trade, protected trade routes, and a garrison,” Alex said. He wanted to make sure she understood the benefits that came with vassalage.
Closing her eyes, she hung her head.
“I agree to your price, and swear to it,” Quinn said, just barely loud enough to be heard.
“I accept, and I swear my own word on this oath back to you,” Alex said, and the deal smashed into him. It felt like a bolt of thunder had just cracked over his head.
“Splendid,” Alex said after a short pause. “Come on over here, my dear concubine. Let’s have lunch together. We can talk details about you and our clan.”
Alex wanted to eat right now. He had no doubt the rest of today was going to be filled with meetings to go over numbers, troop dispositions, money, and planning a campaign.
All things he didn’t care much about and would leave to his managers to handle.
Though he’d still have to be there to give final say.
Need to check in to see how much that deal made for me.
***
Groaning, Alex dragged himself through the door of the inn and into the common room.
Ugh. Considering the crystal column was literally replaced with a new one and then filled up almost seventy percent, this is worth it.
But in the same breath… it really isn’t.
His guards, assigned by Rudolph, had already rented out the entire building. Even going so far as to have anyone already in the inn removed.
Anyone displaced had been paid twice their room price in recompense.
“You ok, Master?” Nannie asked.
“Tired, Five. A full day of meetings, followed by a mad dash on a horse,” Alex said. “Only to have to wake up early tomorrow morning and hit the road to go see Baroness Tilly.”
“Ha, you won’t mind doing that. You liked seeing her just fine, last time,” Nannie said.
Alex nodded, then tripped over his own feet, nearly taking a header.
Nannie’s warm grip on his elbow was the only thing that kept him upright.
