“Ugh, who is it?” I groggily said. I looked outside and it was still pre-dawn, the sky mostly dark with a muted pink and orange fringing the horizon. I realized I hadn’t even looked at the stars yet to see if I could figure out where I was.
And stars are just cool to look at. Gotta remember to smell the roses.
“Vana,” came a bright and way-too-cheerful reply for this time of day. “Gabor said he was picking you up for another big day today so I got you up extra early to make sure you were fed. I imagine Ignition on an empty stomach was probably not a fun experience.”
Choosing not to correct her, I swayed to the door and opened it, expecting room service. She looked me up and down in just some sheer pajama pants, having upgraded from boxer shorts yesterday, and gave a small sigh. “Kid, I know you got the goods but maybe start putting some damn clothes on when you answer the door. I was already in the hot kitchen baking, I don’t need anymore heat.” Before I could reply, she simply turned and headed to a door three down from me.
I quickly dressed in my simple clothes and made my way downstairs to eat. It was a hearty meal of bacon, eggs, potatoes, bread, and some very watered-down ale. I’ll have to check in on the local well issue before I start asking for water but it feels weird to drink beer for breakfast. Then again, when in Velez. I tipped the mug back and overestimated my chugging ability, spilling a fair bit on my shirt.
Trying to cover my embarrassment, I scarfed down the meal and headed back upstairs before Vana could see, dressed in the best clothes Vana procured for me, and did a review lesson from Darko. I was pretty sure I had some of the sentence structure down and at least some basic vocabulary.
A much sharper knock came on my door. “One second Gabor, I’ll be right there.” I stowed my tablet, took a quick peek in the small looking glass to assess my presentability, and opened the door, using my winning smile I practiced the previous night before having another small panic attack.
[New communication connection established]
“Yes, hello there. I am here to take you to see the Council. But before you are allowed in chambers, I need to prepare you.” A rail-thin and greasy-haired man that was almost a full foot taller than me gave me a sniveling smile.
“Nope, sorry. Waiting for my friend. I don’t know you.” And I quickly shut the door, keeping my eyes on him the entire time. His shocked face was surprisingly expressive but didn’t show any malice.
Consultant survival tip #52: Rarely outright reject someone if you aren’t sure who they are and if their request – or often demand… – is legitimate. This can lead to unnecessary tension where a few more questions would have given you the context to make an informed decision. Saying no is fine, saying no without proper information can lead to trouble.
Whoops?
Isekonsultant survival tip #12: Never go to a new location with someone you don’t know for reasons you can’t assess. That’s the best way to get locked in chains, whether mundane or magical, literal or metaphorical, golden or iron.
About two minutes later, I heard a brief conversation happening near my door. Gabor’s voice started to rise so I popped my head out.
“I know you have a big day planned for us Gabs so I am ready to go. Let’s be on our way.” I walked to a respectable distance, still outside the reach of Lurch – I decided to go Addam’s Family for his nickname – and waited. I was ready to pull out my morningstar at a moment’s notice but it didn’t seem actually tense.
“Ah yes, Mr.… Terry… As I was just informing Guard Gabor here, I need to give you protocol tutoring before we can see the Council.” Turning to Gabor, Lurch said, “It is a requirement, whether people like it or not.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know but you don’t take someone from their room without an introduction. He has enemies and those who would wish him harm. Did you really not think about that?” Gabor was already worked up and was wearing a very crisp and well-kept uniform.
Seeing my look, he said, “Yeah, yesterday was time sensitive but yes, we have to dress up to see the Council. We will take Lurka with us to meet up with Risto – no, not for training, at least until later – and then use a meeting room at the Hall of the Council to go over protocol. We are asked to be there at first light.”
I barely staunched my laugh at Lurch’s name but had enough control to nod and move to fall into step beside Gabor. Lurka had to use a halting gait with his frighteningly long legs behind us to not run us over. Once we got downstairs, Gabor asked him to just meet us at the Hall and Lurka gave a genuine smile and a bow that looked aborted as he would have headbutted the guard’s stomach had he gone much deeper.
“Strange guy,” I commented on our way to Risto’s house, which was only a block from the school.
“Eh, he was actually one of the most welcoming when I moved here. I put my foot in my mouth in front of the Council a few times and he smoothed things over for me. So, yes, a bit strange in his demeanor but generally a good guy. And he’s surprisingly good at cards. I thought he might just see them from how damn high up he is but nope, just gets people well.”
“I think I was a bit rude when he showed up at my door but as you said, I’m not going anywhere with people I don’t know. I am still not sure how big the implications of everything are from yesterday but I do not want to be chained, no matter how gilded said chains may be.”
“That’s what we’re going to head off today. And then you can hopefully have a normal day after. And many more of them after that. Well, normal for you. I don’t call getting beat up by kids and barely understanding class for five year olds normal but you do you. And choosing to eat with Tilda, that’s not normal. She may be a looker but she’s trouble! Definitely the fun kind sure, but still. TROUBLE!” Gabor cracked himself up more and more and we actually had to stop as he wiped a tear away from his eye.
I was less impressed.
“So, what am I missing for this meeting? How bad am I jebbie-d here?”
“Let’s wait for the meeting room. It’s warded at least and I don’t know who could be listening. Yes, I saw you Ranka, you are not nearly as good at hiding as you think!” A small girl let out a shrill noise between a shriek and a giggle and ran off.
***
Sitting at the large, dark wood table with Risto, Tiesa, Gabor, Lurka, and Jasna – a friend of Tiesa – I was getting the run down of how to properly address each of the Council Members and what each person would respond positively and negatively to.
Consultant survival tip #26: As much as protocol, decorum, and pomp and circumstance are often obnoxious, they are very important to some people in order to get them to even listen to you. Very few people want to wear the monkey suit but the ones at the top feel they have to, thus they force everyone else to. It is bowing down to power and showing obedience in a way that is relatively benign. Deal with it and charge the dry cleaning to the client.
Isekonsultant survival tip #13: Don’t be obstinate for the sake of it. There are things that are worth the trade of a small part of your general freedoms. Don’t obey in advance. Don’t be their lap dog. But dressing and acting the part can gain you far more than the small hit to your pride of participating in the dog and pony show. Just don’t become the pony.
Lurka actually worked for the Council, which shocked me when I learned it. “No offense to Lurka but why are we having him in this strategy meeting?”
Tiesa went to respond but Lurka held up a hand. “They send me for a few reasons. One is simply when they want people to behave properly. Decorum is important to a few of the Council, especially a few… recent additions.” There were a few amused chuckles and a dark look from Jasna.
“Sometimes, they want to ensure meetings come to a successful outcome. I am here to train you how to act to get what you want and to act as the negotiator so the decisions are, for the most part, made before the doors open to meet with the Council. They called an emergency meeting to meet with you today.” Lurka gave a weak smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Gabor cut in while I processed. “Lurka is actually very helpful. Yes, some of the members of the Council are duplicitous, sanctimonious, or any other number of long adjectives, but this whole,” he gestured wildly around, “thing is important for them to address some of the biggest issues for Velez. And Lurka has been very honest in his dealings with the guard. He is incredibly skilled.”
“Thank you. I enjoy working with you Gabor. And Tiesa, I enjoy working with you more. I tried that gingerbread recipe—”
He cut off at a cough from Risto. “Okay, yes, we all love Lurka. He prevented my school’s funding from getting cut for a rich kids only academy. But we are here for Terry and we only have two bells to prepare.”
That’s about two and a half hours! This is going to suck major donkey kurac, isn’t it.
***
For the first hour, our meeting was actually very productive and informative. Laying out my list of requirements and desires, separating them into non-negotiables, important, and this would be nice buckets, we opened it all up for comments and criticism. Tiesa was by far the most helpful and Risto was anything but.
We started to form a framework for how the city could deliver what I was asking for in a reasonable manner without upending everything as well as what I was willing to give back based on Gabor’s ideas and Lurka’s direct feedback – sometimes essentially live via AAI chat – from the Councilors.
I wasn’t going to be at anyone’s beck and call. Becoming the singular essence sponge had good and bad sides to it but the city was going to need to fund my training further and allow me to delve safely and progress. There weren’t any flight spells that someone below Tier 5 could absorb without essentially collapsing their essence channels – and even the most powerful people in the Kingdom were rarely too far above Tier 5 – but I required better gear so I was prepared for higher-Tier delves as well as higher-Tier guards when necessary.
Surprisingly, a lot aligned with what the Councilors wanted – they didn’t want me to be so fragile that an errant arrow or monster attack would kill me. And what I was asking for – high Tier 1 equipment and a few guards – was very inexpensive.
It felt like we could actually build a partnership.
“So can you please put into plain language what you are requiring of the city and the Council? I do not want you to fail to agree based on a simple oversight.” Lurka was actually taking physical notes and said he was sending pictures to specific Councilors.
“Let’s frame it in what I want to achieve. What does good look like, you know? At the core, I want,” I began ticking off on my fingers, “first, to be able to progress at a reasonable speed.”
At a nod, I forged forward. “Second, to retain my autonomy. Third, a reasonable share of the rewards of the delves; that should be defined pretty tightly so someone doesn’t stiff me. Fourth, further training to integrate and then thrive in the Kingdom. Fifth, more protocol lessons – I don’t know what I don’t know.”
Lurka laughed and I thought it was at me. “Sorry, I firmly believe all people would be more equipped with similar enlightenment and training as the last two.”
Getting back on track, I continued, “Sixth, help in starting my undisclosed business – a location, an interest-free loan, and no taxes. And finally seventh, magical training.”
“I apologize but I believe never collecting taxes on your businesses will not be possible, though a few years should not be unreachable. However, most of what you have requested is surprisingly reasonable.”
Consultant survival tip #11: Know when to make the big ask and know when to show you are a team player. Yes, you want all the things but it’s often far more important to get your fair share and show that you are reasonable so people come to you with further work. Put a fence around the work so people can’t drag you into other things without paying but being unreasonable from the start limits your long-term relationships.
“What I’m not willing to compromise on – my non-negotiables – are keep me safe from assassination and the like, don’t throw me into danger there’s no way I can handle, don’t try to stuff me with essence in a way that harms my cultivation, and don’t do experiments on me without my consent.”
From what I had learned, we had some time before things got potentially dire with mass rift breaks spewing monsters out and causing people to be unwilling to work farms, leading to mass food shortages, so rushing would potentially get me killed.
My pie-in-the-sky included a nice house with a cleaning service – I was always bad about cleaning my place –, a monthly stipend, improved gear as I tiered up, first access to rifts, discounted skills, robes like the Magister I’d met in the town hall – they were just too funny to not want –, and access to the Scanner in Pitola. I had also asked for a blanket pardon and clearing of my name in Zalano but got an immediate rejection.
As good as the first hour was – and as much as it felt like home, just a collaboration session with people I enjoyed – the next hour and a half were nearly torture.
Such and such person required formal address and direct eye contact but not greater than three consecutive seconds. Ms. What’s Her Name wants you to slip in at least three dirty double entendre jokes, especially if they get by her rival. Etc.
While I thought it would all be thee and thou type speech, it was far more nuanced and therefore more difficult. But I thought I had it down in general. Finally, a very low-pitched but powerful gong struck, reverberating the entire room.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
With a deep breath, I stood and prepared to face my judgment.
***
“Huh, that was easier than expected.” I was walking with Gabor towards the school to begin classes for the day. First up a gaggle of giggling goo-covered guys, girls, and go-betweens. Nope, awful attempt for NBs. Chuckling to myself, Gabor stopped.
“Yeah, that went pretty well but it was only a preliminary decision. They will vote on it later. And your dirty jokes were definitely too clean for Councilor Illeva and probably too obvious for Councilor Nikolov, so that will mean you lose out on a few of the finer points.”
Jasna approached from a spot she’d been leaning on the building. At my eyebrow raise, she said, “They wouldn’t let me in. My family name is tarnished here so it likely only would have hurt. Did you get what you need?”
“I think so. They seemed pretty amenable. Despite the crazy decorum rules, I’ve spent the last few years doing high-stakes presentations to grumpy stakeholders. This was advocating for myself, and that is rare, but still, this isn’t new to me.”
She looked happy for a second but then turned her head slightly. “And here comes Lurka to deliver some news. I will want to discuss this later. You have my AAI. Tonight over dinner would be preferred.” Before I could answer, she had disappeared.
“Invisibility,” Gabor chuckled. At my look he shrugged, “Or close enough to it from your point of view.”
The gentle giant came to a stop and bowed. “Mr. Carver, thank you for your frankly slightly above adequate performance.”
At my wince, he held up a hand. “I was expecting abysmal, not because of your lack of skill but such is the way of first meetings in front of the Council. There are Councilors who may want to meet with you later but I have your AAI connection and will send you more information should such requests occur.” He bowed again and walked back into the building at a quick pace.
“Nice guy. Okay, take me to school papa!” I cried using my best kid voice. Which frankly with this new body was terrible. At least I managed to stop a few passersby to stare.
“You know I am married to a woman whose most cherished role in life is to embarrass me, right? Just don’t call me daddy and we’re good. Now let’s go son.” He grabbed my hand and started pulling me along. We dropped the theatrics a few blocks later but just walked the streets in an amiable silence.
Risto was already outside, directing fights between a number of small children but waved as we approached. “Same sod— stuff, same stuff, different day. Grab that buckler and hand axe and we’ll get a few volunteers to come at you in waves.” Ten hands shot up immediately. “Well, there you go. On your knees and call out your ready.” I shot off into the school to change.
After over an hour of battling off children – which included going without a weapon, using a large balloon-like piece of equipment on my hand, training two handed, with a shield, with two one-handed weapons, and with my legs tied together – it was off to language training and what should be my normal daily routine.
***
Jasna surprised me while I was sitting alone and listening to some music, preparing to take my simple lunch of a pulled pork sandwich from my ring. Vana was a very good if not overly inventive cook.
They had music here that sounded like pop punk but played on more orchestral instruments. It was interesting and I learned a lot of new words, some of which were redacted and I vowed to ask Tilda about them.
“You have half a bell now, correct? Walk with me.” Without waiting for an answer, she pulled me to my feet and started dragging me away from school grounds. Risto apparently only saw me getting manhandled and started to rush over but I waved him off. He spotted it was Jasna and started laughing.
“So, where are we going? I know you said dinner but I already have dinner plans, at least for the next few days. After that, I’d love to take you out.”
She gave me an odd look like I was a child asking a grownup out on a date. Then I realized, at about 18, my body would probably give that impression somewhat. Age of adulthood was a weird question given the shorter years here but it seemed to fall in the 16-18 years old range on Putijama but Jasna was clearly older, probably later 20s.
“You know, I am actually probably older than you, I just got put into this younger body. How old are you, about 24 or 25?”
Always guess low.
At an even more odd look, I remembered the guide.
Consultant survival tip #212: Don’t assume you know what is causing a negative reaction. Moving on an assumption without any clear evidence may result in further confusion or cause you more challenges. See tip number 139; it is already weird, don’t make it weirder.
“Strange question. I do not see what your age has to do with our meeting or dinner. I am 28. You look 18 but Tiesa told me of your age. No, I wanted to talk to you about your dealings with the Council. Uros Barno, he is a bad man who cannot be trusted. He was responsible for the death of my uncle and if you aren’t careful, will be the same for you.”
By the end of her short monologue, she was holding both my hands in hers. They were callused yet soft. The earnest look in her eyes was hard to ignore. I hadn’t really looked at her much in the meeting earlier but she was comely in a very plain way.
Then again, everyone here seems to be attractive. And flirty. Not sure how I feel about that.
She had clearly been through some rough times but had luminous brown eyes that showed a fierce determination and what I guessed was just as much intelligence. She was athletic, as expected of a delver, and she felt powerful but that power was radiating protection, not danger. She gave me an odd tilt to her head. “Come, we will get lunch and discuss further. You are in danger, even if the Council rules in your favor.”
Expecting a restaurant, I found myself back in the same room I had eaten with Aras, with one of the food court attendants at the town hall bringing in a large plate of ribs and some roasted vegetables on skewers.
Man, I wish I had some hand sanitizer. Their hand washing is not up to my standards.
Without a word, Jasna reached forward and ripped off four short ribs and began eating hungrily, taking a swig of ale to wash it down.
“You said this Uros killed your uncle? But he’s on the Council. I remember him from today but he didn’t say much and I didn’t have to do any silly games for him.”
“No, Uros is not overt in his dealings except when he knows he has the support. And he did not kill my uncle but he is still dead because of that awful man’s underhanded dealings. My uncle was accused of horse thievery, a death penalty-eligible offense in Chazin Mark.”
She looked up from the spot she was staring at on the table. “That’s where I moved after what happened with our village. Uros campaigned specifically to enforce the penalty because they were the horses of a key business partner.”
She had looked haunted when she said ‘our village’ and I wanted to comfort her.
Because that went so well with Tilda.
Instead, I focused on the task at hand: keeping myself safe.
“So your uncle was innocent and he knew that and still had him killed?”
Is that really all I want? To keep myself safe?
“Oh, he was guilty. My uncle was not a perfect man, that is for sure. But he merely needed them for a job delivering some
“My AAI refused to translate what he was delivering. Was it an illegal substance?”
“It’s not illegal but it is only decriminalized and the AAI manufacturing company is rather boring. Having sex after imbibing
Note to self: look up whatever she was talking about.
“Okay, so he’s bad news. Do you have any other stories of his misdeeds? I understand why you hate him but why do you think I am in danger?”
“I know he has many different business interests. Chazin Mark started to fall apart with the collapse of the green essence area – it is very reliant on trade with the Monetary Might – so I believe he is struggling financially. If you really can delve the rifts and take the null essence, it will greatly help Velez and the entirety of the eastern Kingdom. But if you are at odds with his money, he will seek to eliminate you. He cares not for anyone else. Mark my words.”
“Is there a good way to deal with him? What more do you know?”
“Pray you don’t have to deal with him. And don’t borrow horses from his friends without permission.” She shrugged and then took another huge bite, through bone and all, then chugged her mug of full strength ale, giving out a satisfied sigh and a small burp.
How is that what I’m into? Having an 18 year old’s body again sucks.
***
At about 3pm – or 2.5 bells past midday – I was wrapping up my lesson-based learning to head back to the inn.
[Incoming Message from Lurka Horvat: Your presence is required tonight at the manor of Councilor Illeva. This is all I may say. A half bell past sunset. Dinner will be served. Wear a different outfit. I have sent word to our rush-job tailor. You can find their contact ID here. Do not be late, do not make a mistake. – Lurka]
Sodus. Okay, send a message to Tilda about dinner. Wait, she doesn’t have an AAI. I’ll send to Gabor to tell her and then off to the tailor apparently. Also, why did he sign it? Such old people texting vibes.
Tinkling a small bell above the door, I entered into a very small waiting area; there were bolts of cloth everywhere and not enough room to sit on the half-covered chez lounge. It was mildly dusty and smelled slightly of mothballs.
“I’ll be with you shortly,” an older, androgynous voice called out.
I started to review a lesson on Darko and update my notes app when a young woman was shooed out of the shop by a slender person of indeterminate gender with wrinkles that were almost a knuckle deep spread across their face and neck. Their hands however looked extremely nimble and dexterous.
“Carver? I’m Deva, pleased to meet you. I need to see what you wore today to make something different enough to actually appease that old codger Azarov. He can be so fussy.”
“I go by Terry if that’s okay. And can I simply describe it to you? I’d rather not go get it.” I was wearing my storage ring but didn’t see a need to tell them that.
“Oh, is it not in that storage ring? Thought you would have brought it. I need to chastise Lurka about not giving you better instructions.”
At my reaction, they said in a sarcastic tone, “My boy, I am older than you can count. I was a delver in my better days – or worse some may say – and you aren’t doing anything to shield its aura. So, come on, out with it. I – or rather you – haven’t got all day!”
They examined the high-collared velveteen outfit from that morning. “Ah yes, Vana came and grabbed this the other day. It was off the rack so I am surprised it fit that well. I guess my minor fitting enchantment worked. They can be fussy after all. Anyway, it’s simple as can be so let’s give you some flare!”
Three hours and 22 silvers later I was dressed in something that was closer to a pantsuit than the stately robes I had expected. The Magister of Scans didn’t know a color scheme from a puked-up piece of confetti cake but the cut of his robes themselves looked cool.
But apparently that would communicate something I didn’t want to – what it was, I couldn’t fully grok – so we just went with something that threaded the difference between Saturday Night Fever and boring business woman in a dull brown. At least it was comfy.
Lurka opened the door as we were finishing. “I was sent to escort you. Some of the Councilors were worried you might not be able to find it.”
At my raised eyebrow, he merely shrugged and gestured out the door. I thanked Deva and we were off.
A much less amiable silence was the theme of the trek across town. I tried to strike up a conversation a few times with Lurka and was met with a small headshake. When I went to say something about one of the Councilors, I got a very violent shake.
Ah, they might be monitoring him via AAI or other method. I guess this is sink or swim.
I checked my AAI and didn’t see a message from Gabor so I sent another one. As we approached the grounds of a towering manor that was near the center of town, the interface for my AAI suddenly winked out.
Alarmed, I looked to Lurka. “What just happened?” He said something but I didn’t understand so I turned around and walked back a few paces as did he.
“There is an AAI restriction for anyone not on the allowed list. Yes, I am on the allowed list. No, you are not and will not be added tonight.” At my sour look, he simply shrugged.
“You know I won’t be able to communicate, right? As in, this is a non-starter but not only because it is very suspicious that I won’t be able to call for help. No one can understand me without my AAI.”
That’s a grim realization. Gotta buckle down on the language learning…
“Your safety is guaranteed by the Council. This might be the safest place in town, especially after what happened today.”
“What happened today?”
“I am sure Gabor will fill you in later. Now please follow Igor here who will take you to be seated. I have sent a message to Councilor Illeva to give you information translation communication only.” Without waiting for a reply, Lurka bowed and walked away towards the gates, moving far more quickly than I had ever seen.
Well, sodus.
***
I was ushered into a sitting room with Councilor Illeva and a man I hadn’t see at the Council meeting that morning. Was it a meeting or was it a hearing? Did that matter?
“Ah, Mr. Carver, please come and sit down, sit down. We have a wide selection of drinks for you to enjoy. And that wand there will detect poison if you so wish to remain safe. I recommend keeping it with you for the remainder of the night.” She threw me a saucy wink and stood up to greet me.
She was dressed in a sparkling green dress that showed a lot of cleavage. Her wavy greenish hair fell around her shoulders and she had on a light dusting of blue-green makeup across her cheeks. The man was wearing a pantsuit that matched mine in style and her in color, also showing a fair amount of cleavage. It also had long slits up both pant legs but somehow his legs weren’t flapping in the breeze. Magic I guess? He also had on some makeup but it was eyeshadow of a brilliant yellow.
Seeing my eye fall to his suit and my slight eyebrow quirk – tip 47: don’t react to clothes! – she laughed, a tinkling noise that still managed to set me on edge.
“I’ve seen that look. I am guessing my husband’s outfit would be slightly strange to you in your land. Yes, we all know all about Cornelius. He only briefly was in town and we directed him to greener pastures. Ha, Pitola literally was greener with denser green essence. Anyway, that, my dear essential asset, is Maksim.” The man merely tipped his glass filled with amber liquid at me, and turned to peruse his own library.
“You can ignore him for the evening. He’s a wonderful man and partner but he hates politics and power play. Well, except…” At my eyeroll, she gave her tinkling laugh again. “My, my you are so easy to rile up. Let’s sit down and discuss what is about to happen. I know Lurka was unable to assist you as multiple Councilors instructed him not to. It wasn’t worth spending any of my political capital to overturn that decision. But we have <17 minutes> before we have to make our entrance. Let’s make it count.”
I grilled Councilor Illeva – or Katarina as she insisted I call her in private – about the purpose of the dinner and any major potential pitfalls. It was very non-standard to have a meeting outside of Council chambers, especially for anyone that was not a visiting Councilor or part of the Royal Retinue or Family. Being my fourth day in town and having no known associations prior, it was utterly unprecedented.
Only five of the nine Councilors would be in attendance, along with their main partners. One of the Councilors, Marko Azarov, had a husband and a wife but would be coming alone as he was only allowed a single plus one and didn’t want to upset either. Another, Teodor Bondar, was part of a large harem – and surprisingly he was considered one of the least important members. It sounded more like a polycule to me as he was only partnered with two women but I really hadn’t ever learned the terminology well enough to comment. One of his wives would be coming. The two remaining Councilors, Uros Barno and Aleksandra Podlipa, were also bringing their wives.
Huh. Pretty open, especially for people in power. Neat. Not my bag but good on them I think? Maybe it’s chill or maybe it’s all Eyes Wide Shut for the powerful?
“You are to address each Councilor only by their first name while at this dinner. This will show you believe you are on an equal footing. If you don’t, you will show weakness and fewer and fewer of your many asks – I found a few quite funny and have given support to all but the most outlandish – will be even entertained.”
“Every partner there is to be referred to as ‘Consort of the Councilor’ unless they give you public permission to say their name. I’m still not sure if Maksim over there will do it.” He didn’t even turn around and just raised his drink slightly.
“Your main mission is to be entertaining. If one of the Councilors tries to bring up any of your requirements and requests, you must successfully deflect. It is unbecoming of a gentleman to deal over dinner.
“Thus, tell a story of your homeland. Tell us of the differences in technology and culture. Tell us where we differ. Flatter like your life depends on it. Be charming, be entertaining. Though I do not recommend mentioning Cornelius yourself, it is likely to come up. Be prepared.”
Councilor Katarina Illeva either was my saving grace or was preparing me for a complete disaster, only time would tell. We heard a high-pitched gong that set the entire room vibrating – no, it only vibrates me, the liquid didn’t ripple. Interesting but not now – and Katarina stood up, giving one arm to her husband and the other to me. “Let’s make our entrance a good one!” Her husband gave a hearty chuckle.
We entered the entertaining hall – the room was far more spartan than I was expecting – to an opulent wooden table softly glowing with runes.
Those high-backed chairs look more aesthetically pleasing than ass-thetically pleasing. 7/10, pretty good one. I smiled at my own private joke.
There were two near thrones at the heads of the long rectangular table and eight places sat around them with seven people sipping on drinks and idly chatting.
A smarmy looking man in more casual clothes than the Councilor robes gave me a wave. “Come, come, my boy. I have saved you the second best seat in the house, only outshone by Lady Illeva’s of course. And I poured you a drink.” Uros Barno was wearing a sodus-eating grin and looked like he was about to win a wonderful prize.
At least I have a poison detecting wand. I think…
Well, sodus.
***
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