20demayo Chapter 413: Chapter XXXIII: Alinori Delegation
Chapter 413: Chapter XXXIII: Alinori Delegation
Chapter 413: Chapter XXXIII: Alinori Delegation
(General POV)
The chamber of the Ruby Throne turns mostly silent save for a few whispers here and there between the heartlander nobility. Most of them stared at the elven delegation with the usual calculative gazes natural to the majority of those in power, some looked downright bored, presuming to know how everything would turn out in the end, while only a pair held outright hostility in their eyes.
Emperor Titus on the other hand, was incredibly relaxed considering the situation "Ah, Lord Naris." He spoke softly "We have been expecting you for some time now."
"Kinlord." Narsis corrects to a complete and utter lack of reaction from the ruler of Tamriel "And our arrival is only natural, your own actions did force our hand."
"Force?" Titus rose an eyebrow "I force you to do nothing, my good man."
The elf showed no reaction to being called a man but those of a greater perception would notice his lips thinning ever so slightly.
Titus, naturally, went on without a care "The agents of your people have acted unlawfully within my own territory, and the very beating heart of it at that!" He barely raises his voice but his shifting demeanor is more than enough to bring forth his true gravitas as he simply straightens atop his throne "I cannot be expected to leave such things unanswered, now can I?"
A good number of the gathered nobility grumbled in agreement, most of them falsely.
Narsis' eyes sharpen "Agents that have yet to be expatriated for proper judgement, as you well know."
Titus merely gave him a blank look "They resisted arrest."
Accepting the answer just a bit too quickly, the elf nodded "As you say. However I am not here to discuss the rightness of your decisions against the agents of my people's... current government."
The tinge of disdain in his voice had one of his fellow dignitaries looking downright scandalized.
"Instead I wish to renegotiate your rather... brash." He settled on the word after a brief pause "Decision to outright embargo all trade between our two nations."
Titus nodded along 'amiably' "Internal security is very important for running an empire, as one of your station is no doubt aware." The old Emperor somehow manages to sound both respectful and patronizing at the same time "Permitting traffic, no matter how profitable, of such a scale to continue while acts of rampant sabotage abound is simply not acceptable to any self respecting ruler."
"And I do not expect you to, Emperor Mede." Narsis catches on "However I am sure that certain amendments can be made to ensure both sides are satisfied. Even your own traders suffer needlessly at the loss of access to such a large market, to remain overfirm would do neither of our peoples any good."
"I am, of course, open to negotiations." Titus' smile was not a pretty one "Beginning with restitutions of course."
Narsis didn't quite twitch but it was a close thing "Of course."
"However I would be a poor host if I forced such a discussion on you without allowing you a few hours to convalesce." The Emperor finally got to the meat of things "We would be delighted if you and your fellows would join us for a brief meal."
The elf was no idiot and knew what the Emperor was hinting at, simply nodding in response without even bothering to consult his colleagues about it.
The imperial nobles however were far less happy, only a few were quite inept enough to not realize Titus had just blatantly circumvented the Elder Council and decided to hold such important negotiations with only his inner council permitted to attend.
None spoke up however, one look from the resident dark elf swiftly reminding them of the visits all of them received in the past few evenings.
'People always say coin is the best social lubricant.' Reyvin thought with amusement as he watched a few of the Elder Council members attempt to hide their fuming 'They obviously never tried mass blackmail.'
(Reyvin's POV)
We all shuffled into Titus' own council chambers a few minutes later, most of the elven delegation looking increasingly uncomfortable as they walked deeper and deeper into the very heart of the Empire.
None held any illusions about their chances if things turned sour.
Narsis however held his head high, his daughter doing a fair job at mimicking him at least somewhat as they were shown into the large chamber and were actually welcomed by a genuine banquet.
Titus sat at the head of the table without any fanfare, quickly joined by myself, Minthara, and the rest of his council save for Alakim who was still working his ass off in Leyawiin.
The Alinori hesitated only briefly before their leader followed Titus' example and chose to pretend everything was perfectly in order, ever so slowly diffusing the situation as the air calmed somewhat.
There were some attempts by his fellow diplomats to begin talks but all of their requests were met by Titus requesting they enjoy the food and drink first, which even with all their almost inborn disdain, the group of Altmer readily accepted.
An imperial banquet was not something one got to experience all that often, even if one counted themselves amongst the highest nobility of Alinor.
About twenty or so minutes later, the tension in the room reduced enough for some small talk to begin, the diplomats knew of the councilors and Titus' advisors knew of most of them. Francis Vierre wasted no time in probing some of them about the current state of Alinor with almost disturbing proficiency, the kleptomaniac Breton managing to get a few words out here and there that swiftly had me gathering a rather clear picture of what was going on as the banquet went on.
The Imperial Seneschal was ran quite ragged in keeping him from making any outright deals however.
Narsis' hidden glowering at his subordinates was palpable, and no doubt deciding to distract himself he turned to me "Lord Dagoth, it has been some time since we last met."
"That it has." I nod, my smile genuinely amiable if a bit slight "Our previous business has concluded rather productively the last time, here is to hoping today will end the same."
He did not seem to share in my enthusiasm but still nodded as politely as he could.
"So" I went on, my smile replaced with a smirk "Are your guilds truly so dependent on raw resources that a simple embargo has managed to shake them this much?"
Another diplomat, the same one I got that little tidbit off, winces as he realizes what
happened.
proposals. Finally, just as Narsis looked ready to tell him to go and shove it where Auri-El does not gaze, the Emperor spoke "After thorough consideration." He closed his eyes as if he was forcing himself to speak further "I will accept your proposal for heavily controlled trade in the city of Anvil, as Leyawiin is yet unavailable due to pending investigations and large public works." Some of the Altmer looked relieved but their reactions were premature.
"The tariffs will be set to one full third however." Titus spoke with finality "It is the lowest I
am willing to go as things are right now."
Narsis looked genuinely disgruntled but nodded.
"And one final stipulation." The Emperor's voice grew grave.
The Kinlord prepared himself "Yes?"
"This trade deal will officially and openly be one between those cities aligned with yourself
and your other fellow Alinori, the Dominion will be getting no such privileges" The old coot was obviously holding back a vicious smirk right now "I see you are already hesitating so let me sweeten the deal and the tariff to a flat 30%. I am quite generous after all."
Narsis looked like he had just swallowed a lemon, the rest of his fellow diplomats looking something between outraged and downright terrified.
Sadly for them, their economy's dependence on the wider market was far too great to refuse the deal.
Most elven and especially high elven goods relied on their remarkable mastercrafted quality to be sold at outrageous prices outside their island to make a true profit and removing that from the equation would bankrupt hundreds of businesses in mere months.
They all relied on having family savings and investing in their work for centuries at a time and with their generally high living standards and the high prices of their homeland, the current state of things would start a massive cascade after only a few months which would lead to a good chunk of their population straight into the embrace of poverty.
And while it may seem wise to just let them set their island on fire, a destitute population is
an easily indoctrinated one, and the Thalmor would be practically bursting with new recruits whenever the inevitable war broke out.
And our guests knew this as well, as for the first time the entire delegation retreated to a nearby room and set up a temporary ward to discuss between themselves, the rest of us merely contenting ourselves to waiting in silence as we waited for the inevitable response. They thought they escaped Talos' shenanigans when they rebelled. How foolish.
Slowly, yet oh so inevitably, the delegation returned, most of them looking pale while Narsis looked like the grave as he spoke "We accept your terms."
Titus beamed "Excellent! I am certain our peoples will inevitably prosper from our renewed ties."
"Yes." The Kinlord's lips thinned "Now if you will excuse us, we will need to return to our accommodations. The road was exhausting and I am sure you are able to delay your Elder Council from lynching you if you make them wait a while."
"But of course." Titus smiled 'genially' "Take all the rest you need."
The elves picked themselves up and marched out without a word further.
Titus chuckled loudly and definitely not evilly "That ought to distract them for a while at
least."
The councilors voiced their agreement and soon began dispersing.
I did like Narsis somewhat so my next words did not surprise me all that much "What a
shame."
Minthara gives me a confused look "What is?"
Adding just a bit of regret to my voice I answer simply "We just forced him to sign his own
death sentence."
She blinks, considers for a moment, and then shrugs "Too bad."
"Right." I drawl.
"Speaking of death sentences." She looks at the doorway as if searching for someone "Who
exactly was that Naerys anyway? Besides being his daughter that is?" Without missing a beat I simply shrug "Just some dumb idiot who got roped into even
dumber Thalmor idiocy and thought it a good idea to help the Volkihar ambush me and the Dawnguard." I tilt my head "She is a pretty talented mage though so I suppose there is that."
For whatever reason, Minthara now looked at the doorway with pity.
I cast economic recession!
Only curable by vast quantities of stone of course
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