Chapter 7 – The Art of the Deal
The two partners argued for several moments before SJ gently coughed, drawing their attention.
"Dear both, I can see that you appear to be at an impasse when considering the decoration of the new building," SJ said.
"Wood isn't durable and gets damaged too easily; we would incur continual costs replacing stalls and structures," Husa stated, folding his arms.
"That's absolute rubbish. I have already proposed using Brandwood for the structures. It is as strong as stone," Wendil retorted.
Before they could start their back-and-forth again, SJ spoke.
"Why can you not use both? Look around you in this very room; there are some beautiful examples of wood and stone being amalgamated together to provide the essence of both in their glory."
Both Husa and Wendil glanced around the room. Within the council chamber, various items indeed stood as combined structures. The main one being what they sat at, the council chambers' main table was a stalwart piece of furniture of a grandeur that little could compare to. It stood on beautifully carved stone legs depicting beings from the various races of Amathera, yet its surface was a dark, aged wood with a brilliant shine. SJ had seen the items dropped on it, heard the number of times it had been struck by angry council members and not a mark touched its surface.
Husa muttered under his breath.
"Pardon?" SJ asked, smiling at the dwarf.
SJ watched as Husa's cheeks coloured ever so slightly. "I was just saying that they have done a half-decent job with some of the items."
SJ's smile broadened. At last, a glimmer of a break in their stalemate. "Then why not prove between the two of you what can be achieved when two exceedingly skilled craftsbeings like yourselves work together?"
Wendil looked up and met Husa's eyes briefly before looking away again. "I know I could do better than what is here," he said nonchalantly.
"So, do we have an agreement? Will you both work together to show your crafts to their full extent?"
Husa mumbled again as Wendil side-eyed him. SJ could have rolled her eyes at their childish behaviour. It didn't matter how many years a being had on their side; childlike manners always shone through.
They sat in silence for several moments.
"I'll take silence as acceptance. Right then, the reason I wished to speak to you both is about the taxes and levies that you will use. I understand that you want to turn a profit from your endeavours and for your investors, yet this must be done in a way that doesn't drive trade away. I propose that stall rights can be purchased in accordance with the standard stalls available within the town. Obviously, the difference is that these are rentals and there is no transfer of deeds."
Wendil went to speak. SJ lifted her hand as she continued.
"I know your immediate reaction. You think that standard prices are too low and that it will take too long for you to take a profit on rental fees alone. That is why there would also be a levy on sold goods, as per any usual trader within the town boundaries, at a rate of five percent. In this instance, I am willing to allow for the same rate of five percent." Husa was about to interject when SJ again lifted her hand. "But the town will only take a three percent cut of this levy, rather than the full five percent. That means that on top of the rental fees you will charge for stall use, you will also gain two percent of the associated revenue that the stalls make."
Both Husa and Wendil now looked at each other, SJ able to see the unspoken words passing between them. There was no way that two astute beings like themselves hadn't previously discussed rates and fees.
Husa turned to SJ. "One per cent to the town from traders' levies. Three percent will take years for the investment to pay off, and as you said, we have investors who require funds."
SJ smiled. This was precisely what she had hoped for; if the proposed growth patterns of the town continued, the number of new beings and the expansion of trade would also grow exponentially. This alone would bring more funds to the town, and she had worked out a conservative estimate of two per cent rather than three and had stated three to allow for a point of negotiation.
SJ stood and walked thoughtfully towards the window, rubbing her chin. The sun streamed in from outside, and her features caught the light perfectly. She appeared almost angelic with her flowing dress and translucency of her smaller wings. Both Husa and Wendil followed her movements transfixed, not just awaiting her answer but because of her beauty. Her charm skill was in full effect.
"Perhaps, perhaps we could lower it to two per cent. What do you think of that?" SJ said, turning to look at the pair.
Husa flashed a look at Wendil, who briefly nodded his head.
"Aye, we will accept two percent."
"Excellent," SJ beamed. "I will get the papers drawn up for your signature before the end of the day. I want to thank you both for being so accommodating of my request, and I can't wait to see what amazing craftwork you produce."
As the pair left the council chamber, talking to each other almost civilly, Dave spoke. "That was handled exceptionally well. You really are getting good at these negotiations."
'Thanks,' SJ thought as she tidied away the drinks items before leaving the chamber and heading downstairs again. The usual bugbear who oversaw the chamber saw her leaving with the tray and hurriedly went to take it from her.
"There was no need for you to clear up, ambassador."
"SJ, not Ambassador Leonal. I've told you so many times before," SJ said, sighing at him.
Leonal nodded as he took the tray and returned to the small area where the refreshments were housed.
SJ reached the first floor and headed towards Zigferd's office. The usual miniature town, situated in the middle of the large open area in front of the offices, was currently undergoing significant changes, and three beings worked skilfully as they continued to craft the miniature details, capturing the town's expansion.
Both Alice and Zigferd were in his office.
"Morning," SJ said as she entered.
They both replied as SJ walked to one of the chairs and flopped down.
"Everything alright?" Alice asked, frowning.
"It is now, I just agreed on the new terms with Husa and Wendil on the market area."
"Excellent," Zigferd said. "Did it go well?"
"As we discussed prior, they accepted my proposal, and we will claim two percent of the sales revenue on top of the standard tax rates for the building."
"That's great news. I had heard there were problems," Alice said.
"Yes, stubbornness, from both of them, but hopefully it will be resolved now. I plan on calling in and seeing them to see how they are getting on, to check they aren't at each other's throats."
Zigferd nodded his head in understanding. "They are headstrong, the pair of them."
"Are you both going to be at the riders' practice event today?" SJ asked. "Kibble left this morning to collect the flight."
"Yes. I think most of the town will be trying to watch the practices." Alice replied.
"Lorna has requested that I pick the riders and wyverns for each phase," Zigferd said.
"Great, well I need to go and draw up the papers for Wendil and Husa to sign, and by then it's likely to be nearly time for it to start. Additionally, I need to stop by Asterfal. I have a couple of things I need to sort out before the chancellor arrives."
"Oh, I hope it's nothing too serious," Zigferd asked.
"No, Fas contacted me saying that the guild wished to see me."
Both Alice and Zigferd raised their eyebrows at the comment. They were well aware of her ties to the assassins' guild but never asked any questions about the activities she undertook. After all, she was an assassin by class, and the easiest way for her class to improve was through completion of guild activities.
"I will be back before the official party arrives. Has Petunia confirmed her attendance yet?" SJ asked.
"Yes," Zigferd said, his shoulders slumping as he did.
SJ and Alice couldn't help but grin. Zigferd loved Petunia like a mother, yet they both knew he would be in for a hard time. SJ actually felt a little sorry for him this time, knowing what she did about Isavil.
"Right, I'd better get these papers drawn up or I won't make it to the practice," SJ said, standing again.
"Oh, SJ," Alice said.
"Yeah?"
"Can you call in to see Darren later today? He is currently on rotation at the crags and wanted to talk to you."
"Why doesn't he just call me?" SJ said, frowning. All of her immediate friends now owned communication stones.
"Not sure; he mentioned something about Legionnaires."
"Oh, okay. I'll try to see him later," SJ said as she left again. She wondered what Darren would need to speak to her about that related to Legionnaires that he wouldn't do over a stone.
The shadows cast by the approaching wyverns made many look skyward as they flew in an arrowhead formation over the town before landing at what had been named the flight school. The area was situated to the southeast of the town. A clearing had been made in the forest to accommodate the new construction of a flight school, where harnesses and other items were stored.
The newly drafted agreement sat on her desk, weighed down, preventing the parchment from rolling back up, and allowing the ink to dry thoroughly before she would take it to Husa and Wendil to sign.
SJ heard the screech of the wyverns through her office window and smiled, recognising their call. She thought back to their paternal mother, who had been injured during the attack on Killic and had eventually been healed by the druids after the battle. Under Kibble's instruction, it had been ordered to leave the area. She was, after all, a wild wyvern and would never fall under his imprint, having already been much older. The wyvern had left the area after being healed and had not returned since, and doubted it ever would, knowing the threat her own children would pose to her if she had remained or ever returned.
SJ shrank and took off through her window. It didn't take her long to reach the flight school.
Kibble was busy hopping around the five wyverns, barking orders at them as several beings were placing their harnesses on them. Lorna stood to one side with the twenty would-be riders lined up as she briefed them. The practice flights today would be used to cut down the twenty hopefuls to ten who would perform before the chancellor when he visited.
"Hey, SJ," Kibble chirped as she approached.
SJ smiled at her companion as she reached up and scratched Snaffle on his chin. Blusher, on seeing SJ, hopped over, causing the dwarf trying to attach her harness to curse loudly as he was dragged sideways. These wyverns really didn't know their own strength.
"I'll come and see each of you," SJ said with a smile. "Let Grathew attach your harness."
Grathew grumbled as Blusher stopped moving as he threw the harness underneath her girth to a ratkin member of the flight hand. The flight hand was a group of designated beings who maintained the flight school. They were selected for their skills working with beasts, and several were druids. There were also designated leatherworkers, who maintained the harnesses. After each flight, they would be carefully checked for any signs of strain or damage. The last thing they needed was a strap snapping mid-flight.
"Have they all been briefed fully?" SJ asked.
Kibble scoffed. "What do you take me for? Of course, they are all well aware of the requirements. We have flown the route on several occasions, and they are also aware of the restrictions."
None of the wyverns would act unless in the case of preventing harm to themselves. They were to allow the riders to control their movements through their commands. The wyverns, not being as intelligent as many other beasts, had a limited understanding of the common tongue, but it was enough that command words could be given by riders, without Kibble's interaction.
Rasper hissed loudly, drawing Kibble and SJ's attention. He turned his head angrily and snapped towards one of the flight hands, the young dryad staggering backwards and falling onto his rear. Kibble squeaked loudly, ordering him to stop. His head turned over at the miniature wyvern with an almost scowling expression.
SJ walked over to where the harness had just been clamped and noticed that the edge of one of Rasper's scales was caught.
"You need to be more careful," SJ said, loosening the strap and retightening it for the young dryad who had attached it.
He blushed as he stammered a response. "Sorry. It's my first day."
SJ smiled, looking at him. "Don't worry, Rasper's hiss is worse than his bite," she said, patting the wyvern on his muscular neck.
Rasper let out a deep grumbling sound from his throat, making the dryad step back in alarm.
"That's enough, Rasper," Kibble squeaked.
The wyvern let out a mewling sound of complaint.
Kibble allowed his lightning to form across his jaws as he hopped forward.
"Don't even think about it," Kibble warned.
SJ was accustomed to seeing Kibble speak to the wyvern, but to many, even those at the flight school, seeing a miniature wyvern hop between the monstrous beasts and order them about was amazing. Only SJ could understand what Kibble was saying, which added a further level of mystery to the proceedings.
The dryad scrambled back to his feet and hurried off towards the flight school building.
'Poor being,' SJ thought, doubting he would be remaining at the school very long, if he was that worried about the wyverns. Many had come and gone since it had been created, not able to face their fears working alongside the beasts. It was no different from the lizards behind the Wanderer's Rest. Many townsfolk were fearful of them and their capabilities.
"SJ," Loran said, walking over.
"Hi, Lorna. Is everything ready?"
"Pretty much. The flight details have been confirmed, and they need to go and collect the various items. They will compete in flights of five; the top three from each flight will progress, and then we will have a final run with the remaining twelve."
The second phase would be the most exciting, as the flights of three would then be competing against the other two wyverns being flown by Cristy and Lorna. This final phase would then eliminate a further two from the four groups of three prior to the final ten being confirmed to perform for the chancellor's visit.
"Right, if you're all set here, I'm going to head over to the docks," SJ said.
"Yes, we are on schedule for the first flight to take off in fifteen," Lorna answered.
"I'll let Zigferd know," SJ smiled as she shrank and headed towards the docks.
Along the dock, a stand had been erected. It would be used for the chancellor's visit to allow him and his representatives to watch the spectacle, and a spectacle it would be. SJ had been involved in the planning with Kibble, and the acrobatic movements the riders were to undertake were quite extreme. SJ had suffered the movements herself in the valley by Farleck and knew how they felt. The forces on a being's body were quite intense.
The first phase was more of a race, whereas the second phase would be aerial combat. This was being completed above the lake for safety reasons; if anything happened, at least they would fall into the water and not into the branches of the surrounding forest.
The training ground clerics were also all on standby at the docks, and a significant crowd had already gathered, with many of the stands' pews already filled. Several vendors had taken the opportunity to sell snacks and food to the crowd. Holly was even running a drinks stand on behalf of the Hogling Arms. The top stand area was for the town officials, and SJ flew in beside where Zigferd and Alice sat before she grew.
"Fifteen minutes," SJ said as she took her seat, as Alice handed her a glass of honey wine. This afternoon's activities were going to be fun.
