Tales of the Vangen: The Siege of Middengard (Book 2)

Chapter 43: Interrogation

{Year 10, day 129. Despite the knowledge I've gained from Danic and Middengard, perfecting the ultimate magickal vessel continues to elude me. I've managed to create seven powerful Brass Hearts so far with absorption rates at near two hundred percent, but there is still the problem of excessive runoff. The Hearts cannot contain the magick for long, even with the runes binding them together. My apprentice, Marus, brought up the idea of connecting the hearts to a larger fount to counter the runoff, but I remain unconvinced. What I need is a proper seal, not some imaginary golden source.}

-Magnus the Great, a translated excerpt from the Golden Heart's blueprints

"Jonas Golbeggar. Never thought I'd get the chance to meet you in person," Rhune said as they spread their hands out on the table. "I thought you'd be taller. "

The Vangen made quick work to turn the hall into an impromptu interrogation office, rows of tables and chairs lined up so that every Tribune, Chief, Captain, or otherwise could sit side by side with each other.

"I take it you two know each other?" Elba asked. She sat beside Regis on the far left, enough that she wasn't close to Libro, but near enough for him to still see her.

"Indeed. Avert your eyes, peasant, for you stand before the great and mighty Jonas Golbeggar, considered by many to be the unwanted black sheep of our dear ruling class. "Rhune made a grand gesture as they talked, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Although, to be honest, he's never been a real problem for my people, unless you account for the fact that he's a notorious cheapskate."

The man in question fumed from his own chair, the ropes around his arms and legs straining as he leaned forward. "Is this why you've dragged me here? For you to mock me?" He lurched towards Regis, sitting at the opposite end of the room. "I came to you to parlay and this is how you treat me?"

Regis shrugged. "You're alive aren't you?"

"This is not how you treat a scion of house Golbeggar! I will not stand for this! I demand you untie me at once!"

"Enough!" Libro slammed his armored fist against the table like a gavel, leaving a dent in the unpolished wood. Jonas immediately clammed up. "I don't think you understand the position you're in right now. You're not some noble hostage to negotiate for ransom, nor are you a mistreated foreign dignitary. You are my hostage, Golbeggar, and you will remain so until you stop being useful. Which, I'll add," he said through gritted teeth. "Is becoming more and more clear with every second past."

Jonas's eyes went very wide at that. "You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I? Regis, tell me again. What do the Vangen do with their prisoners?"

The Northman slid a thumb across his throat. "Cut and dump."

The nobleman visibly swallowed. "Now, hold on a second. I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement."

"That's exactly why we're here," Libro said, steepling his fingers in the same way Dux had to intimidate his enemies. The effect seemed to work.

"I have money," Jonas stammered out.

Rhune snorted. "What money?"

"I keep it hidden. Only I know the location."

"Is he talking about the coin purse we found tucked behind the wine casks?" Civis murmured in Libro's ear.

"I don't know," he whispered back. "But let's see where this goes."

"I have other things too!" Jonas said, brown beard quivering now that his first offer had fallen on deaf ears. "I have contracts! Mines brimming with gold ore! You'll be rich! Beyond your wildest dreams!"