Summoned to a Shattered World

Birthright Chapter 30 - Striking a Deal

After checking that the ogres were content and not likely to start any trouble, we joined Lord Biustarn for dinner to discuss his potential aid. The dining room was considerably more spacious than Elmidath's, taking up a whole floor near the top of the tower.

Despite the ample space and enormous dining table, it was only the three of us. Taking a sip from my wineglass as we waited for the food to arrive, I did my best to look sophisticated. "Will your daughter not be joining us?" It seemed like a safe question to start things off and break the ice.

Biustarn smiled politely at me, and I felt a little relieved that I hadn't messed anything up by asking. "I'm afraid not, she left for the capital on business not long after we returned home."

Presumably his daughter was acting as his representative in the capital, it sounded like something nobles would do. "A pity." It was a little terse but I didn't want to come across as too disappointed, he might think I was unduly interested in his daughter.

"Indeed. But no matter, it has no bearing on what you're here to discuss. I take it you've come up with a suitable proposal?"

I looked to Elmidath, signalling for her to start. Even if I'd been the one to come up with the idea, I felt more comfortable having her lay out the details of the proposal. I was all too conscious of my own lack of knowledge when it came to proper manners and the like.

With a tiny, almost imperceptible nod to me, she began. "I believe so. Now, my understanding of your problem with committing your soldiers to another invasion is that regardless of the outcome you don't stand to benefit, is that right?"

"It is."

Having confirmed that much, Elmidath seemed more confident. Shifting position slightly in her seat, she sat a little straighter. "Then I think I have a solution to both of our problems. You need a legitimate reason not to contribute to the war effort and I need soldiers. So, I propose that you help us subdue the Tertium warlord threatening our borders. Lord Azuren must realise that's more important than whatever invasion he has brewing. This way you can avoid the war, and put me further in your debt while you're at it."

The room fell silent and I stared hard at Biustarn, trying to discern his thoughts. As far as I could tell, his expression didn't shift one iota and I was able to read precisely nothing of his intentions. Holding my breath in anticipation, I could hear my heart beating in my ears. Had our confrontation with Lord Sarinknell been this tense? It felt absurd that a conversation could even compare to fighting for our lives, but this didn't feel much less tense. Perhaps it was better to think of this as just another struggle for survival.

Not meeting either of our eyes, Lord Biustarn tapped the nail of his index finger against the lip of his wineglass. The sound rung out through the silent room. He tapped once. Twice. Thrice. With no other sound to compete with, each tap was disproportionately loud.

As the tension built, my hands balled into fists. He had to be doing this on purpose to rattle us. But why? Was he intending to refuse? That didn't make sense. Then he had to be intending on negotiating a better deal and-

My thoughts were cut short when, without preamble, Lord Biustarn finally replied. "I accept, I will provide you with at least twenty able soldiers for the duration of your little campaign. It will take me a little while to marshal them, but they should join you within a week."

Flooded with relief, I took a breath and swallowed to moisten my dry throat. Elmidath and I were both smiling, unable to contain our joy, when Biustarn raised his hand to forestall our celebration. "But I have one condition; any spoils or territory taken in the course of this little conflict will belong to me, and me alone. No discussion, no negotiation."