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Before the Storm: Act 10, Chapter 07
🕑 Added 2025-02-18 01:30:14 +0000 UTC『Holy crap, that was annoying. Annoying and weird. Well, it wouldn’t have been annoying if it wasn’t so weird.』
Clara was rather annoyed as well, but she knew better than to join in on Liane’s tirade. The opening stages of their trade negotiations had not gone as expected, mainly because they ended up across the table from the wrong people.
She and her friends had gone into Rol’en’gorek expecting to deal with the local government, just as they had in the Draconic Kingdom. What happened instead, however, was that the local government had appointed the Merchant Guild to negotiate on its behalf.
It’s because we framed them as trade negotiations.
In hindsight, it was a careless move – one grounded in the norms of the society she was raised in. When a government pursued trade relations, it usually signalled a desire to grow closer to the subject in question. Apparently, Rol’en’gorek didn’t share the same interpretation. Trade relations meant trade, trade meant Merchants, and so Lady Xoc delegated the task to the Merchant Guild. Add to the fact that Master Leeds and his associates were from the Draconic Kingdom and thus far more familiar with the world outside of Rol’en’gorek and it made the Guildmaster a shoo-in for Clan Pa’chan’s principal negotiator.
Of course, the misunderstanding could be corrected, but the amount of influence that the Merchant Guild seemed to hold over Lady Xoc was something to be wary of. The accounting of the Guilds also gave them a better idea of the costs of doing business in Rol’en’gorek, so there was merit in keeping things as they were for the short term while they developed a better picture of the region.
“Let’s get back to the wharf,” Clara said. “Master Leeds said it won’t take long for him to bring down the extra dockworkers he needs.”
“Uh, how are we gonna do that, exactly?” Liane asked.
Clara took an inventory of their surroundings. Master Leeds’ party had left them on the platform and Ludmila hadn’t returned. The people from Rivergarden seem to have gotten used to being around the Beastmen…or perhaps they were only brave enough to move around in the part of the city where they lived and worked.
Florine rose to her feet, leaning forward over the table to gather their remaining things.
“By using our feet,” she said. “The way here didn’t seem much farther than walking across E-Rantel.”
“What if we get lost?” Liane said.
“Then we ask for directions,” Florine replied.
“What if the Beastman we ask is hungr–hey! Lemme go! Wh-Why are you pushing me in front of you?!”
Clara followed Liane and Florine back into the market square. As twilight approached, it felt like fewer Humans and more Beastmen could be seen. Liane’s resistance rose as they approached the way out of the quarter.
“It’s so dark out there,” Liane said.
“We all have Darkvision items,” Florine was undeterred.
“Which have limited range,” Liane said. “Doesn’t the world vanishing into a wall of darkness not make you feel anything?”
“The world is still there even if you don’t see it.”
“Logic has no place in this discussion!”
As silly as it sounded, Clara couldn’t help but agree. No matter how she tried to reason with herself, a current of irrational fear undermined her every thought and move. They were supposed to be in a city, but it resembled a jungle more than anything else – a place where Humans didn’t belong; where enemies lurked in the shadows and behind each tree. Every fibre of her being screamed at her to flee to safety, but safety was nowhere to be found.
Clara fingered the ring that was supposed to shield her from mental effects. Clearly, it offered no protection against her internal fears.
“Excuse me,” Florine asked an Ocelo standing at the entrance to the quarter, “which way is it to the port?”
“Follow this road around to the lift,” the Ocelo replied with a gesture of a massive paw. “It should be impossible to miss.”
“Thank you very much,” Florine smiled.
Liane eyed the Beastman suspiciously as Florine pushed her by. The torchlight that extended the margins of Clara’s vision faded as they put the decorated lanes surrounding the market behind them, leaving her feeling isolated in the bubble of enchanted sight provided by her equipment.
At some point, Liane decided to stop resisting Florine and picked up speed instead. Clara increased her pace to keep up with her friends, and then she let out a shriek as something caught her ankles and sent her tumbling to the pavement. She pushed herself to her feet as quickly as she could and sprinted past Liane and Florine, imagining wicked claws and teeth sinking into her delicate flesh.
“You there! Stop!”
A Nar and an Urmah stepped forward to block her escape, claws outstretched to capture her. Clara held her hands out in front of herself, screaming as she broke through them. Roars rose from the darkness she left behind, driving her flight to even greater speeds.
And, then, she was free. Or, rather, she was flying. She stared at the river below as the final vestiges of the evening cast a dim glow over the jungle canopy. A crowd formed around her as she alighted on the magically-lit deck of their convoy’s lead ship.
“My lady, are you alright?!”
Taiya came running to kneel beside her. She felt a tug on her shoulder.
“You–! Let go of Lady Corelyn!”
Let go?
Something was weighing down on her. She looked at her shoulder, finding a set of claws in the fabric of her dress. After a few moments of panicked twisting, she managed to dislodge three Beastmen who had latched onto her.
“Are you alright, my lady?”
Clara answered with a shaky nod.
“What in the world happened?” Her lady’s maid asked as she fussed over her.
“I’m not sure,” Clara said. “I should go and get changed.”
She was a total mess. There were tears in her dress and her carefully arranged hair had flown apart. The gossamer shawl she had purchased specifically for the trip was shredded. A sigh escaped her lips as she laid everything carefully over the edge of her bed.
“Lady Xoc’s court received a strange report.”
Clara started at the sound of Ludmila’s voice, then furrowed her brow at her amused smirk.
“Apparently, a Human ran off with three children and took down no less than six warriors as she did so,” Ludmila said. “Kidnapping…I had no idea you were such a dastardly woman.”
“I did not kidnap anyone,” Clara pouted.
“Then you will have to explain why the number of Beastman cubs on our vessel has quadrupled,” Ludmila said.
“Don’t ask me,” Clara said as she equipped the outfit that Lady Shalltear had granted her. “We were on our way back to the ships. Something grabbed my leg, so I ran.”
Ludmila came over to stand beside her, casting a critical eye over the ruins of her outfit.
“If you were that frightened,” she said, “you should have gone with the usual dress in the first place.”
“I was perfectly fine when we disembarked,” Clara replied, “but things got worse the longer we were ashore. My worth as a diplomat is questionable if this is how it will always be.”
“At least no one died,” Ludmila said. “That seems to be how the average encounter between Humans and other races tends to end. How did the negotiations go?”
“The Merchant Guild negotiated on Clan Pa’chan’s behalf. That is not a problem for the time being considering the crisis that Rol’en’gorek is facing, but we have few insights on the local government as a result.”
“You are in luck,” Ludmila said. “The court of Lady Xoc finds itself in need of someone with your particular talents. You have another chance to make an impression over dinner.”
“Hah?”
Clara sputtered a string of incoherent protests as Ludmila took her by the arm and led her back to the main deck. Liane and Florine awaited them near the top of the stairs. The three Beastmen who had attacked Clara sat on their haunches in a row across from Florine’s cub, who was watching them quietly in return.
“Go on,” Florine encouraged her cub. “Go and say hello.”
The cub didn’t move.
“I see things aren’t going as well as you would have liked,” Ludmila said.
“They’ve just met,” Florine replied. “He’s always been shy. I’m sure he’ll eventually warm up to other cubs like himself.”
“Those cubs have parents waiting for them on the wharf,” Ludmila said, “and dinner with Lady Xoc’s court awaits us.”
“Hold up,” Liane said. “Master Leeds is bringing some dockworkers to unload our cargo.”
“You’ve already completed your trade negotiations?” Ludmila asked.
“Kinda sorta probably not,” Liane answered. “The Merchant Guild has a lot of pull here – mostly because they’ve been allowed to do whatever. Leeds keeps trying to bargain with us over everything.”
“But you told me that your offer would be more than reasonable.”
“It is. Normally, a Merchant tries to get whatever they can get away with. When people are starving, that’s usually a lot. I’d be more than happy to do that, but our objective here is diplomacy over profit.”
“Except we’re barely getting any diplomacy done,” Florine said. “Lady Xoc was present, but she barely said anything.”
“The clan elders I spoke with had concerns regarding the influence of the Guilds,” Ludmila said. “I mentioned that Clara would be able to help them bring balance to the chaotic political situation their clan currently faces.”
“Me?” Clara blinked.
“It’s been at the core of all your domestic work for the past year or so, hasn’t it?”
“It is, but I can hardly say I’ve finished that work. If anything, it’s just begun.”
What Ludmila referred to wasn’t any particular project, but her overall effort to transition their society into one suitable for the new realities brought about by the Sorcerous Kingdom’s advent. Simply put, many of their old systems didn’t work – especially with the predicted rise in urban populations. It was a collection of issues that had to be actively addressed: new systems had to be engineered or the old ones would evolve out of control and in undesirable, unhealthy directions. The state of urban centres across the region was evidence enough of that.
“Which is a good thing,” Ludmila said. “The bulk of our knowledge and experience is based on Human society. Helping the Pa’chan Clan will provide valuable new insights.”
“Oh, Master Leeds is just going to love that,” Liane rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure he already sees us the same way as he does the Draconic Kingdom’s nobility and those two groups hate each other. The last thing the Merchant Guild here would want is Lady Xoc’s court becoming more like them.”
Ludmila narrowed her eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure the Merchant Guild simply loves how vulnerable Rol’en’gorek is against their methods.”
“Hey, I didn’t say I’m against it,” Liane raised her hands disarmingly. “I’m just saying that what you’re suggesting’s gonna meet resistance the second Master Leeds catches wind of it. The guy has so much of Lady Xoc’s trust that he’s basically running the city’s economy and he’s got plenty to leverage against any changes he doesn’t like.”
“You’d never know he’s the slave here,” Ludmila muttered.
“Yeah, well, slaves have become kings before,” Liane said. “At least that’s what the tales say.”
The appearance of Master Leeds cut their discussion short. Liane went ahead to guide him and his staff to the other ships while Florine herded the Beastman cubs down the gangway to their parents.
“My lady,” Taiya asked, “will we be accompanying you to dinner?”
Clara sent a questioning look at Ludmila.
“It’s safe enough,” Ludmila said. “Just don’t act like food. Also, bring some lighting with you. The Beastmen don’t illuminate their cities like we do.”
“What about us, my lady?” Asked one of Ludmila’s subjects.
“It would be better to wait until tomorrow morning to investigate their markets,” Ludmila said. “Not only is it difficult to see anything right now, but the people they expect us to deal with are already settling down for the night.”
When they went down to join Florine on the wharf, she was standing beside Boobeebee, happily chatting with the Beastmen who had come to retrieve their cubs. The cubs in question fixed their gazes on Clara as soon as they noticed her, their eyes reflecting the light from the ship above.
“I think they like you,” Ludmila said.
“They’re very adventurous at this age,” one of the parents said. “I hope they didn’t cause you too much trouble.”
Clara forced herself to smile in response.
“Does this happen often?” She asked.
“Oh, all the time. It usually isn’t a problem. Countess Xoc warned us that Humans are very fragile, but the ones living here don’t usually leave their part of the clanhold – especially after dark.”
She suppressed a shudder, recalling how firmly the three cubs had latched onto her. What would her fate have been if she hadn’t been wearing her protective accessories?
“Have there been any incidents with the local Humans?” Ludmila asked.
“No. We were prepared beforehand. Some guests we hosted in the past had plenty of experience living together with Humans, so they advised us on the challenges we would face.”
“Interesting…where did these guests hail from?”
“The Beastman Confederacy, I believe?”
The other Beastmen voiced their confirmations. Ludmila’s look turned thoughtful.
『That’s a useful bit of information.』
『I agree. We must go further abroad to study how other countries facilitate harmonious relationships between races.』
It hardly sounded harmonious. If anything, the new information was consistent with what they already knew about places like the City State Alliance. There were problems inherent to each race that countries were unable to resolve through centuries of existence. Unable to or unwilling.
“We’re done here,” Liane’s voice came from up the wharf. “Ready to go?”
“We are,” Ludmila replied. “Master Leeds, what should we expect of this feast?”
“We’ve prepared cuisine from the Draconic Kingdom, if that’s your concern. The Beastmen have their own food, of course. I was more worried about the other guests I heard about.”
“The Orcs should be fine with Beastman fare,” Ludmila said. “Lizardmen prefer fish. Goblins are fine with Human or Beastman cuisine.”
“And what about this fellow?” The Guildmaster asked, “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
“This is Boobeebee,” Florine said. “She’s a member of the Zern people. Boobeebee, Master Leeds of the Rivergarden Merchant Guild.”
“The Zern…I can’t say I’ve heard of them. What part of the world do you come from?”
“My people dwell in the Thousand Holes of the Abelion Hills,” Boobeebee replied.
“The Abelion Hills, huh? I always thought the place was an untamed wilderness ruled by monsters.”
“Human society may consider it an untamed wilderness, Master Leeds,” Florine said. “But it is home to many.”
“Of course,” the Guildmaster inclined his head. “Shall we be on our way?”
Clara observed the man as he guided them back into the clanhold. Flanked by his aides and guards bearing torches, he didn’t seem at all concerned about his surroundings.
“Master Leeds,” Clara said, “have you any idea what’s been planned for the feast?”
“The Beastmen show hospitality by providing food and shelter,” the Guildmaster replied. “As far as entertainment goes, the big warrior clans tend to attract all the Bards.”
“That’s not unlike how things are for Human hosts,” Florine said.
“In a basic sense. Inns, food stands, and the like exist in Rol’en’gorek as well, but there’s much to be improved upon. I’d like to work on those once things are stabilised and we have the industries to support it.”
“You seem quite driven.”
“I suppose that might seem strange, given my people’s history with the Beastmen. This is part of the Merchant Guild’s role, though. The world has left Rol’en’gorek behind and now we’re here to catch it back up. One day, trade with their neighbours will become the first recourse instead of war.”
It was an admirable enough vision for the future, but it created far too many unknowns along the way. Clara wasn’t certain what the Sorcerous Kingdom’s Royal Court would do if Rol’en’gorek did anything other than fall completely under their expanding sphere of influence. At the least, it would turn any competing powers into enemies and that didn’t bode well for Clara’s desire to peacefully extend the Sorcerous Kingdom’s political and economic reach.
When they arrived at Lady Xoc’s court, they found that it was already filled with guests. Well-stocked braziers cast dancing shadows in every direction as Beastmen of all types sat upon rugs arranged along rows of wooden tables. She spotted a group of Ludmila’s subjects sitting across from a crowd of Beastmen, not far from a table set for Human guests. Master Leeds went to speak with his associates seated there while Ludmila led them to join her subjects.
『You left Nemel alone up here? I’m surprised she hasn’t zapped anyone…or has she?』
『She isn’t ‘alone’. In fact, it appears that she’s fitting in quite well.』
As Ludmila observed, the imperial scion seemed to be excitedly chatting with the Beastmen directly in front of her. As they drew closer, Clara recognised several of the Demihuman mystics she had been introduced to during her visits to Warden’s Vale.
“And you were so reluctant to come with me earlier today,” Ludmila said.
Nemel abruptly stopped speaking to turn and offer a curtsey.
“Ah, Lady Zahradnik, welcome back. We were just discussing some shared interests with Elder Patli and his associates. He’s the senior Druid of Clan Pa’chan.”
“Figures,” Liane said. “A Wizard would jump into a Dragon’s mouth the moment magic is involved.”
“They would?” Dame Verilyn asked.
“Of course not,” Nemel said.
“Says the Wizard who nearly jumped down the Black Scale Dragon Lord’s throat.”
“You did?” Dame Verilyn asked.
“I didn’t!”
“I dunno,” Liane said, “them words of hers seemed miiighty temptin’.”
“What are you talking about with Elder Patli?” Ludmila asked.
“Mostly about magic in Rol’en’gorek, my lady,” Nemel answered. “It’s quite fascinating. Being raised in the Empire, I always thought that Demihuman tribes were all the same or at least similar when it came to their use of mystics and approach to magic. Since moving to Warden’s Vale, I’ve learned that it’s far from the case, but it never ceases to amaze me how different things can be. The mystics here are just as different in their philosophies and implementation of magic from our Lizardmen as our Lizardmen are from our Orcs. Practically speaking, the ratio of magic casters in Rol’en’gorek and their level of participation in all aspects of life reaches a level that probably matches the Slane Theocracy.”
“Yet they don’t seem to be anywhere near as advanced as the Slane Theocracy, magically speaking.”
“The differentiating factor would be time,” Nemel said. “Rol’en’gorek has achieved what it has in five or six generations while the Theocracy has existed for six centuries. As someone from the Empire, I can appreciate how much time, talent, and resources would need to go into managing such a feat. They’ve even done so as a collection of independent clans rather than under the direction of a single government.”
“I see. Well, we should let you get back to your discussion. I look forward to hearing more about what you’ve discovered.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Next, we should pay our respects to Lady Xoc.
The setting was familiar enough that the behaviours drilled into them since childhood made the decision mindless. To their surprise, however, Lady Xoc left her seat to come down and greet them.
“Welcome,” the Ocelo Lord said. “Thank you for this afternoon.”
“The pleasure was all ours, Lady Xoc,” Clara replied. “Once our cargo is unloaded, you can expect the first proper shipment to arrive within a week.”
“That quickly? Our barges would only make it halfway out of the jungle in that time.”
“We’re quite proud of our vessels,” Clara smiled. “They’re the backbone of our economic ventures.”
“Do you trade with a lot of places?” Lady Xoc asked.
“The Sorcerous Kingdom has only recently established itself, my lady,” Clara answered, “so we’ve only begun to make connections within the region. Speaking of which, what are your future plans when it comes to relations with the outside world?”
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Lady Xoc replied. “I already have my paws full leading my clan. Decisions like that are for the Confederation Council, anyway.”
“Do they control trade, as well?” Liane asked, “Master Leeds seems to be moving forward with his own plans without their approval.”
“Ah, no. The Council mainly oversees the defence of Rol’en’gorek. Merchants work for individual clans and the clans operate independently when it comes to their day-to-day business.”
“So relations with foreign powers count as day-to-day business?”
“Yes…no? I mean, I think just trade should be fine. The southern clans deal with the Great Lut, after all. But I’m sure anything more than that will count as a matter of collective security.”
『Their collection of customs puts them in an interesting bind. Not that we’re any better…』
Liane had a point. Much of Human society had the same blind spots as Rol’en’gorek when it came to their leadership. The nobility had formed out of what were essentially military governors whose primary purpose was to secure their lands against hostile threats and enforce local laws. These responsibilities still remained at the core of what it meant to be a Noble while other aspects of rulership were considered secondary priorities. The quality of a Noble when it came to fields such as commerce, technological development, and magic varied from person to person. That being said, even those who could be classified as ‘civilian’ Nobles tended to specialise in fields that contributed to their ability to compete with other Nobles in the civilian arena, such as diplomacy, espionage, and the fine arts.
“Does that mean there are no existing protocols when it comes to peaceful dealings between two countries, Lady Xoc?”
“How can there be?” The Ocelo Lord replied, “We’re in a state of permanent war with our eastern and northern neighbours. The south is only interested in the salt trade. And the west…well, our history with the west isn’t so great and now it’s just infested with Undead anyway.”
“If you’re interested,” Ludmila said, “we were about to go discuss some related matters with some of your elders.”
“You are?”
“Yes, my lady. They seem quite eager to assist you on matters of governance, so Countess Corelyn has generously volunteered to advise them on how Clan Pa’chan might be able to adapt to the change it faces.”
“We’d really appreciate it if you did,” Lady Xoc said. “I think I have an idea about what needs to be done, but I have no idea how to do it and no time to figure things out.”
『Y’know, maybe it isn’t Master Leeds’ fault that he’s getting away with everything.』
『I appreciate someone who can truly trust others.』
『Yeah, until they decide to trust your enemies. I wouldn’t be surprised if she stopped following your advice in favour of the next person giving her advice.』
『I find it hard to believe that will be the case.』
Institutions were inherently conservative, after all. She couldn’t imagine the sort of flip-flopping in policy that Liane suggested if Clan Pa’chan had enough ‘departments’ available to oversee daily governance and recognise change that was too radical for the established order or outright detrimental to society.
Ludmila brought them to the side on the opposite side of the court to the Human seating. The Ocelo gathered there rose to greet them as they approached.
“Baroness Ludmila,” one near the centre of the group said. “I see you managed to bring Countess Xoc with you.”
“It’s not as if they dragged me here,” Lady Xoc said defensively. “I heard that you were going to talk about something that might help with some of the things we haven’t been able to figure out.”
“Indeed,” the elder said. “We haven’t heard any of the details yet, but I find Baroness Ludmila’s attitude towards us is far more amenable than that of certain other outsiders.”
Ludmila said as she peeled Clara’s hand from her elbow and nudged her forward.
“Countess Corelyn here is the person I spoke of,” Ludmila said. “I’m certain she can help you lay the foundation of what your people need for the future. Countess Corelyn, this is Elder Cha’ac.”
Clara did her best not to cringe as the assembled Beastmen scrutinised her.
“Your reputation precedes you,” the elder said in growly tones. “We were present during your introduction earlier today, but we never realised that you were also a mighty warrior. We look forward to hearing the wisdom of such a venerable Human Lord.”
A what?
“I’m sure you won’t be disappointed,” Ludmila smiled.
Comments
Silmadrillion
agreed. hope everything is alright
Zarik0
Hmm a bit late and no new, I hope nothing happened and if that the case it seem because the next chapter as it seem will be a complex one and important one it will take a bit more time to flesh out and come out
GodImSoSorry
Xoc wakes up in the morning, and an elder says "Can't believe Master Leeds got drunk and challenged Ludmilla to a death match. Even harder to believe he was laying down in his locked home during the match. A shame."
Nodon667
-casually runs over 6 warriors -gets called a mighty warrior in response -*surprised pikachu face* XD great chapter as always
Vladimir Merritt
""Indeed,” the elder said. “We haven’t heard any of the details yet, but I find Baroness Ludmila’s attitude towards us is far more amenable than that of certain other outsiders.” Ludmila said as"" 'pretty sure that is structured weirdly as ludmila is not speaking lol and I love that all the girls are carving their unique niches.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
Gopard
She already has her vassals and knights with their knights and elite warriors there as well who well know the dangers and state of war she has issued on the guilds... Lmao! I'm even more looking forward to the eventual revelation of the survival of the draconic kingdom and Ludmilla being the leader of said "the west infesting undead horde" lol
ovrsurge
Can you imagine what its going to be like when Rolengorek discovers they've just made a trade alliance with the horde of undead who just killed about half of their warrior clans?
Duke of Coffee
Sigh Merchant's gotta merchant. Ludmilla is going to turn into Bloodmila if things go to Guild side too much...
Seri
Clara, trouncer of beast man and kidnapper of children
Brian Buslon
Lol, if I saw a girl beat six Warriors and fly off with three kids I'd think she was superwoman
Zarik0
Author alway manage to surprise us and give us some good chuckle with how he put in place some unexpected little situation and event/detail And moreover they often advance the plot in some way :)
