This is still just backlog, I tend to change a lot of the details so figured that I would try and get it as close to finished as I could before putting it on this blog.
So you will be updating this every time you change your mind about something?
Yep.
So one every few days?
Not that often.
Chapter 2
Jarro blinked, then turned to his king,”Cub? I'm twenty-six for goodness sake!”
Emgran stifled a snort of laughter, “ 'Not a good place to go on holiday?' Ha! I'm surprised that that was all; believe me, he could have said much worse.”
Jarro did his best to appear insulted, then dropping the act asked with puppyish excitement,”So what terribly important mission are you sending me off on? Somewhere in the Ignutumlands guessing from the questions, but why am I going?”
“Trade. And could we please skip your silly act, I know you enjoy doing it to annoy people but enough is enough.”
“Trade?” The Third Minister gave Emgran a piecing stare, completely ignoring his last comment,”Since, as I was last aware of it, the Grycites dismembered anyone who so much as stuck their nose into their citadel, a major change in government must have taken place, yes?”
The king gave a nod, “This new Chillda took over a few months ago our spies say, and this one does not sit about drinking tea if you know what I mean. He wants change and is very clear how he wants to do it. And one of those changes involves having more outsiders to trade with, so he wants an arrangement so it can be official.”
Jarro jerked his head up,”The Chillda? He's trying to make these changes? You must be mistaken. Where did you hear it?
“We have a very trusty man in the capital, and I read his message myself. That is what he said.”
“Really? Odd, their figure head is taking action. I'll bet that the Erected are not all that pleased about this. Did your spy say anything about what their views on this trade agreement is?”
“Yes, the Erected are split, some supporting, others in disagreement. But despite the fractures in the counsel it was passed.”
“Ok, now I know something is wrong; the Erected have to be in complete accord in order for a decree of this importance to be passed. No one can be ignored, the decision must be unanimous.”
“Interesting, well in this case it is not.”
“Huh, well then, how did the old Chillda die?”
“From what our agent can gather he was poisoned. They haven't figured out who did it yet.”
“Huh? Poison? But, but, that just can not be. Normally a new ruler would not be appointed until they know how and why the old one died. It is the law, and can not be avoided. When I get out there I will be able to give you a better idea what is happening, but right now?” he rubbed his forehead and sighed, “there are just too many inconstancies, I haven't a clue what is going on.”
“Well I look forward to your reports then. And I'll send the message from our agent round later. You might get something more out of it,” Emgran said shrugging. “That is why you're going. Most of the negotiation are going to be handled by Fifth Minister Lunarious; you are just there to advise her and me of what is going on.”
“Loony is going to be coming too? What for? We need someone to make sure they invade before the year is out? Because that is what putting her in charge of this mission will result in you know.” Of all the people why did it have to be the one with a death grudge against him? People may say that hate is love seen from another angle but this wasn't hate. It was loathing, detest, and 'stick a dagger in your back soon as look at you'.
The king minutely inspected his well worn dagger before answering,”Aside from a quite incomprehensible disgust of you she is our best negotiator. Lunarious is brilliant, and our minister of trade. And while you are the highest ranking man in my high counsel to have any idea how their political system and customs work you couldn't negotiate your way out of a wet paper bag. So long as you two together don't start a world war it should be fine.”
Huh, he did have a bit of a point there, Jarro decided, money was one of his many weak points. Price tags were he considered, the best invention of the century. Time for a graceful admission of defeat. “Fine, but if you get our decapitated corpses back with the messages,'goodbye and stay out' keep in mind that I warned you!”
The young monarch threw back his head, laughing,”If that happens I'll keep it in mind, though,” he said his teasing tone turning serious,”It will be dangerous you know.”
Jarro looked nonplussed, “So?”
“You just said that you are going into a city in political tumult, it sounds like it would be wise to be on your guard.”
Jarro waved a hand vigorously, “Oh I know that, if I can go there danger, and intrigue will abound! Whereas if I stayed here,” he dispassionately surveyed his office. “Paper work and bugging Retin would be about the only things of interest.”
Emgran rolled his eyes, “Just as long as you try to be a little careful.”
Jarro sort for a way to change the subject,”So when are me and Loony leaving?”
“Whenever the Changer delegation gets here, so within the next day or two. They're arriving by portal so it's only a matter of who they are sending and getting suppliers together.”
“Okay,” A idea crossed him mind.”Can I bring Retin with me? She is an assassin so she is use to danger, and she is equipped to deal with it. Would she keep you happy?”
Emgran nodded,”That would be prudent, I am also assigning a honour guard to the party, these should be ample protection without looking to untrusting to the Grycites.”
“And another reason to bring Retin, she knows how to get more pens.” Jarro still a little behind in the conversation.
“I sometimes wonder if she is your secretary or your babysitter.”
“Retin is not my babysitter!”
“Yes she is.”
“No she's not!”
“Yes I am.” Jarro whirled to face the suddenly appearing girl and tried to look as hurt as possible.
“Et tu Retin?”
“Misquoting old plays will not get you out of the fact I babysit you.” she announced, attempting not to laugh.
The king nodded goodbye to the now arguing couple, who were ignoring him completely, then left, throwing the words over his shoulder. ”You both need to be ready by tomorrow remember.”
“Are too.” Berila replied tranquil as a becalmed sea.
“Are not!” Jarro growled, a hurricane in the making.
“Are too.”
“Are not!”
The monarch rolled his eyes as he strode away from the battle.
A few hours later Jarro shoved open the double doors leading to the room he sheared with his mother and sister, deftly avoiding standing on any of the tiny dragons that skittered and squeaked around his feet.
“El! Mum! Where are you?” He pushed open a door and entered a room quite simile to the office he had just left. Clothes in a hundred different shades and pattens lay on the floor, draped on chairs, or hung over the bed. In the midst of all of it sat a girl, she was about ten years his junior, with brown-blond hair and grey eyes. A sewing machine sat on a table that wobbled as her foot work the peddle under it. Her black skirt was knee length, scandalously short, and white shirt was pushed up to her elbows.
El looked up with a grin, “Where's the fire?”
Jarro push a heap of half finished clothes off a chair and sat of it backward, arms resting of the back. “ Ignatumlands!”
“What about them?”
“That is where I am going!”
“Really? When? Why? Can I come too?”
“No, it will be far to dangerous for such a delicate flower, ouch!” The delicate flower punched him squarely in the shoulder.”We're leaving the day after tomorrow, and I am going to be adviser! Of a sort anyway.”
“Who are you going to be advising?”
“The Grycites have asked for a trade agreement, I'm going along to help as I know so much about them.”
“Isn't that what ambassadors are for?” El interrupted.
“No, the embassy are in merka so they know even less than me, besides they are better at numbers then politics. Also Grycites think that ambassador is just a nice word for spy.”
“Okay, I guess that makes sense.” El nodded.
“Yeahs so I think one of the assistants is going with us that that it it. Another problem is a few the major families in the Ignatumlands are heavily involved in the black market, there is a chance of them trying to stop us by force. I personally think that it is unlikely they would risk so much but the king doesn't agree.”
El nodded slowly, “I see now.” She peeked at him from the corner of her eye, “So there will be real danger?”
Jarro gave a dismissive wave, “Probably, but really with what I will get to see, and a few months out of that office I am happy to risk it.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip.
“Don't worry! The worst that will happen is I will get sea sick, you will see.”
“I will hold you to that!”
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