The Clutch of Sharys: Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter 34- Prices and Ports

With these bonds in place, the first riders took off, emboldened by the power of Sharys and the thrill of new partnership as the wind beneath their wings.

Eyes flicking between each of the women in front of them, the Baron silently listened as Petra directed Ahnn to outline what they would need from the Baron in terms of supplies and support when the time came.

"That is no small thing that you ask me, Princess Petra." The Baron remarked after Ahnn finished. "I know that some of my fellow Barons have said we should keep out of the Netian succession tangle, given the number of possible outcomes depending on the heir." Their eyes followed Cara's dragon as they spoke, the young creature standing up and repositioning before curling back up beside her rider. After she had finished her adjustment, Baron Veshmi's eyes briefly flicked up to Cara, a feeling of emotionless assessment lingering even after they looked back to Petra. 

"My answer to that would be that you are no fool, Baron Veshmi. You know that your counterparts are business people, and good businesses always take advantage of changes in the market to make a profit." Petra replied, her chin lifting slightly and inviting the Baron to disagree with her words. 

Instead, the Baron leaned back, considering the woman in front of them before speaking."My question then, your highness, is this." Baron Veshmi said, pale eyes fixated on Petra's crown."Why would I risk my business relations, fighters, and wealth on such an imprecise probability?" They crossed their legs and set an elbow on their thigh, lightly resting their chin atop their jewel-covered fingers. 

Ahnn was the one that swiftly replied, her tone crisp and exact as she spoke. "Baron Veshmi. You know, as well as we do, there are few contenders for the Netian throne, and Petra is one of the strongest in terms of breeding, power, and backing. How would it not be beneficial to join your support to hers and prosper for it once her highness takes the throne?" 

"I mean no offense to the princess, but she is not the only candidate of whom that could be said." The Baron stated evenly. "Both Fane of Kalatis and Adoni of the Servants have powerful allies backing their claims, and the Kalatis heir rides a King as well." 

"Yes." Petra agreed, slowly inclining her head. "It may be true that I am not the only viable candidate to back." She paused, smiling slightly as she tilted her chin down to meet the Baron's eyes. "But I am the best." In reply, a slow smile spread from the corners of the Baron's lips, eager anticipation lighting their features. 

"I assume you're willing to cede me some shipping taxes that Lord Kalatis has withheld from our steel and wool shipments?" The Baron inquired, lifting their chin and calling the servant back into the room with a swift word in Cetnan. A different, older member of the staff entered this time, depositing paper and ink in front of the Baron. As the business talk began, they started writing out the specific terms of their agreement with Petra and started haggling over tax rates on their imported goods.

While the two of them haggle out various ports and prices, Cara's attention was caught by her dragon suddenly raising its head from where it rested in her lap. The creature huffed, slitted nostrils sniffing the air as she looked to Cara's left for something that must have caught her attention. 

There, where the walls were covered with the lengths of fabric that billowed down from where they covered the ceiling, unlike their counterparts lining the halls. Cara caught a hint of movement behind the silk, a flash of blue up high, and a glimpse of a tan ankle before it disappeared. Keeping an eye towards the side of the room, Cara dismissed the movement as the servant from earlier and focused back on the talks. 

"-completely eliminating it is out of the question. Cebrene relies on those funds to help support its economy." Petra insisted, expression firm. 

"My apologies, Your Highness, but without any way to ensure your capabilities, I have to have large rewards to desire taking on such large risks." The Baron replied, their mellow tone a careful neutral as they laid down the pen they had been using to write down the details of the agreement. 

"They're worth it." A gentle voice said, its tones filled with breath and mild laughter. Fabric rippled once again as it was pushed aside by a long, tan arm that connected to a familiar face. Feeling her stomach slightly flip in confusion, Cara immediately looked down at the silver dragon beside her, brow creasing as confusion crept into her mind.

"Ah, decided to join in?" The Baron asked the blue necklace, still worn on the chest of the pale-haired person who Cara had met in the alley the night before.

"I planned on observing until I glimpsed your esteemed guests." The stranger replied in their airy tone, eyes flicking towards Cara like they were sharing some private joke. "Well, then." Baron Veshmi replied, turning back to Petra and Bree. "My child, Fatimi." They introduced the newest addition to the room, who inclined their white-haired head gracefully. 

Today their hair was gathered back in a ponytail, the pale sheen of their locks falling behind their shoulder like fresh snow in the morning sun, smooth, pure, and an uninterrupted sheet of white. The newest person in the room crossed to stand near their sire, allowing Cara to take in the low-waisted pants of loose periwinkle cotton and short black shirt they wore. The ensemble was topped by a long, lavishly embroidered blue sleeveless coat, golden thread whirling into clouds and blossoms lining its edges. The deep blue necklace still stood out over their shirt, the many lengths of the lapis pieces shining in their intricate wire housing. 

"I know at least one of them to be a capable combatant." Fatimi remarked, remaining standing and sliding an arm along the top of the cushion that the Baron sat on, leaning against it. 

Bree looked back towards Cara, eyes glinting between her and Fatimi in a clear question. "Who do you know that of?" Cheska inquired suddenly, her voice tight. 

"Lady Myzanti. Clearly, this would be the stranger you referenced this morning," Ahnn remarked, tone flat. 

"We had a dance together the previous evening when I was out on business, and the little red one helped to tame some of the people who attacked me." Fatimi said. Cara quickly noted that the Baron did not look surprised at this piece of information whatsoever, indeed looking as though they had already heard it. 

"A single person's prowess in combat is not enough to make a safe decision off. "Baron Veshmi noted, their expression neutral. "But perhaps if they were to be tested, to show dedication…" Their voice trailed off, eyes sliding over to the group. 

Cara couldn't help but get the feeling that this had been the plan all along, and whatever the Baron was about to offer next was the real transaction they had come for. "Are you familiar with the Cetnan traditions for hatching eggs, your highness?" Baron Veshmi inquired, suddenly looking to Petra. 

The Princess blinked once before responding, quickly glancing at Ahnn as she spoke. "I'm aware things are done differently outside of Netis, but I would love to learn more about them." She said carefully, her voice polite. "She has no idea." Cara thought to herself, watching the way Petra glanced at Ahnn. 

"Well, I'm sure you're aware of the history of our nation, but when those first Farcan nomads flew to the northern cliffs in search of sanctuary, they found this cavern and used it for shelter, to build a home in, even though it was far more space than they needed at the time." The Baron's eyes twinkled as they paused, clearly waiting for their audience to laugh. After a pause, Cheska offered a wobbly grin, and Cara offered a few weak chuckles before the Baron shook their head, continuing. 

"The children of the first settlers scoured the cliffs, scaling and exploring while their parents used their dragons to prise gems from the cliffs and hunted their dangerous inhabitants for food." The Baron gestured towards Cara's dragon as they continued. "There they found the eggs of dragons, nests carved into the cliffs from when the creatures roamed free before the forming of the seal. These adventurous children hatched the eggs, and the tradition has remained since then that Cetnan youths of age will brave the cliffs and their dangers to find the nests of dragons, which are allowed to make their homes freely in the surrounding area." 

Finishing their lecture, the Baron called the servant for something else, the sandy-haired youngling answering their call this time. "It would appear, however, that some of my fellow Barons think we should adopt a more rigid, transactional system, similar to how the Netians control the quality and distribution of their eggs." Pausing, Baron Veshmi looked meaningfully at their guests while the young servant again marked the work in their small ledger. 

"I suppose you'd prefer to see things stay the way they are." Bree remarked, accepting the cup that the servant, who had returned with a tray, offered her. 

"Quite so. I'm proud of the heritage and culture of our nation, and while I understand that there is profit to be made here, I do not care for the cost it requires of our history." Baron Veshmi vehemently responded. "I do not look kindly upon those beneath me that would change that against my wishes."

"We are not assassins." Cara said, catching the implication behind some of their words.

"A shame. It would make things easier." Fatimi replied, glancing down at the Baron. "Perhaps if instead, you retrieved what has been wrongfully taken, that would suffice as enough of a test?" Their sire looked up, inclining their bald head before returning to the group. "An excellent point. If you were to help right the wrongs of those Barons, we would handle any other… measures." 

"Baron Veshmi. What is it you require from us?" Ahnn asked bluntly. 

"Ah yes, the renowned Kitisalian charm." The Baron remarked wittily, looking over Ahnn once more. "Please do not think I have ignored what your presence here means, my lady. I am well acquainted with the reputation of your mothers." Ahnn simply stared at the Baron in response, awaiting an answer to her question. After a brief moment of silence, the Baron smiled slowly and obliged. 

"I'd like you to help liberate the eggs that Baron Surrik has stored in their warehouse for shipping. Take back what is not theirs and help preserve our traditions while allowing me an opportunity to observe your capabilities and grant you the aid you crave should you succeed and return them. A simple transaction, I think, but a fair one" They wiggled their fingers once more as they spoke, small waves of luminescence coloring the air behind them like small ribbons of light. 

"How does that work?" Cara asked, suddenly curious. "That you're able to watch us?" The images she had seen in the prism came back to her, of things and people she shouldn’t have been able to see.

"You could call it my specialty, I suppose." Baron Veshmi replied. “Sometimes, those of us who ride in the light can see things within its rays. I have a small knack for being able to concentrate on the things I see so long as the light touches them." 

"What a unique interpretation." Bree remarked, meaningfully throwing a look at Cara that told her this was an excellent example of her previous point. Resisting the urge to make a face in return, Cara petted her dragon as she thought about her friend’s words. This was an interpretation of the element that may not have been the most flashy, but it was highly useful if Baron Veshmi's magic worked the way they said they did. 

"Will there not be any local law or reinforcement that would hinder us at the warehouse?" Cheska asked, her brown eyes alight at the thought of a fight. "It will be well guarded, but I'll draw most of them away." Fatimi replied, shooting Cheska a confident smile. 

"You seem sure," Bree remarked, looking over at the late addition to the room. "I wasn't aware we received assistance with this." 

"Fatimi feels they owe something to your companion for a service rendered previously." Baron Veshmi replied, indicating Cara with a nod of their head. "If they feel this is the best way to repay it, then I have no complaints." The Baron shot Fatimi with an affectionate, confident smile. "My child is more than capable of creating a diversion to allow you access." 

"Wait." Cara said, holding up a hand and looking over at Petra. "You do realize they're forcing us to make an enemy of other Barons, right? We're attacking their property and fighting their guards." 

Before Petra could respond, the Baron spoke, answering Cara's question. "Yes. You will make some enemies in the process of our deal." 

Cara’s heart began picking up its pace. "To show how far we're willing to go to earn your favor? Why not use your men if you're fine with your child being spotted at the scene of the robbery?" 

The Baron tilted their head in acknowledgement of her words. "Yes." They said again, answering her first question. "This goes a long way towards proving your commitment towards better business with me and your capability to ensure that the agreement comes to fruition." 

"So there's no way this ends favorably without this demonstration." Cara finished, causing Baron Veshmi to break out in a smile. "I like that this one does not need things spelled out so obviously for her." They remarked, speaking to Fatimi instead of Cara. 

"It does make things easier." They replied, tilting their pale head forward and causing several long strands of hair to fall with the movement. 

"Well then," Petra said suddenly, her voice bright and firm. "I agree to your terms. Let us finalize the paperwork and straighten out the details so we can be on our way." The Princess clapped her hands together as Baron Veshmi nodded their agreement, picking up the pen and paper once more. 

Maps were brought, along with additional refreshments, and the afternoon quickly wore into evening by the time they made their way back to the inn for a change in attire. Armor donned, and weapons readied, everyone made sure they had all of their belongings before leaving because Baron Veshmi had insisted that they weather the night at the lavish manor house so they could depart first thing come the next day. To linger would be to invite revenge, as Cheska pointed out, and with the constraint on time that the group was under to reach Corfu, an angry Baron’s delay wasn't an option. 

"Are you sure the Baron said they'd swap the lodging for the dragons?" Petra asked Ahnn as they made their way down the street, dodging carts and the dragons pulling them and the curious stares of the citizens heading in for dinner and bed. "Your highness. I confirmed it with Borast, the chief of staff for the Baron before we left, and paid the fee for their troubles." Ahnn confirmed, adjusting the tightness of her sword belt as they walked. 

Cara felt a dull anticipation pulling at her senses as she looked down at the eager dragon trotting down the road by her side. Their plan was simple, though she did not feel happy for her part in it, being relegated as a lookout while the others did the work. Bree was to be their method of breaching the defenses, Petra in charge of directing the attack. Cheska and Ahnn had been left to secure the eggs, with Cara watching their backs from a safe distance. According to the maps Baron Veshmi had provided, the layout of where they were headed was that of a standard warehouse that one could find anywhere, a long rectangular building with a roof, some doors and windows, and a fence surrounding the perimeter to keep out any unwanted visitors. 

Those visitors reached the sidesteps where they were directed to meet Fatimi, a small group of people waiting for them. The Baron's heir was one of them, a longbow strung over their shoulder but no ammunition that Cara could see aside from a couple of knives sheathed at their hips. "Good evening." Fatimi greeted them as they approached. They shared the same sort of excitement that shone out of Bree's deep blue eyes, a certain anticipation of combat and violence on the horizon. 

"I shall proceed. Once you hear the shouts, make your move with haste." The Cetnan archer told them, eyes bright with anticipation. "Should trouble arise, fall back out of the main entrance of the building, and we shall do what we can to aid your retreat. These eggs cannot stay in Baron Surrik's hold." 

With that, Fatimi turned on their heel, drawing their bow off their back and gesturing for their guards to follow as they stepped out of the side street and to the left, readying their weapons. Cara and the others waited in the darkness as they looked at each other, their weapons and the plan in whispers before the noise began. 

A long, grinding screech sounded, like something being scraped against glass, and Cara looked over at Bree, who looked just as confused as she did. "What in the wide gaze of Sharys-" Cheska muttered, looking at the slowly protruding chunk of ice creeping around the corner. 

However, the monk's question was fated to go unanswered because shouts and calls went up, rushing towards the direction Fatimi had gone.