Chapter 12: Terms and Conditions

" So what are your terms, Slave 132-X?" Lord Prestonheim eagerly asked.

With everything in going as planned, Servus 132-X must make sure that the negotiations wouldn't go crumbling down on them. He sorted it out first, mapping the possibilities of every crucial decision that he might deem necessary.

It didn't help that his fever is pestering him with headaches now, As the sun scorched even hotter as the day went.

There were just too many variables, he needs to convene with the others, so he asked Lord Prestonheim for some time just enough for them to huddle.

" My Lord, I asked you to give us a moment to convene and--"

" Maybe I wasn't making myself clear, but I asked YOU for the terms. No one else."

The leader of the 5th battalion is getting impatient. If he takes another moment to decide, it might be too late for them. He must act fast, since they are as dispensable as the next slave. He let his mind carry out the variables and possible scenarios again. Finally, he made a decision and hopefully, he'll not come to regret it.

" My Lord, I have my conditions ready," he said as he steadily stood to assert a little bit of confidence.

He clears his throat and began his list, " Firstly, my Lord, I would like you to hire us, but not treat us as slaves."

" What do you mean by that?"

"That means you will treat us the way you treat your knights, or like someone you have a contract with. That will include provisions and medications if needed."

" My Lord, that is preposterous!" one of the knights exclaimed.

" Why is it, Ser Knight?" He asked, " If we will guide you to this trove of crystals, wouldn't it be right to have at least the same welfare as yours? Aren't we risking our lives as well?"

" But my Lord you can't--"

" Silence!" Lord Prestonheim commanded. " I am the one being offered here. I am not asking for your opinion."

The knight silenced himself. Lord Prestonheim gestured Servus 132-X to continue.

" Thank you, my Lord," Servus 132-X cleared his throat. " Secondly, we asked to be freed from slavery once we complete our task. Our payment will be the entire cavern full of Aetherium for the Principalia to mine. Aside from that, we need a year's worth of a soldier's salary once we're free, so we can start our lives anew."

Lord Prestonheim looked at him straight in the eye, " Why would I consider these terms?" He looked uninterested with the conditions at hand.

" Let's just say, we kill you now," he stood up, " You already told us about the location of Aetherium, don't you think we won't scower the place if you won't tell us?"

" You can! Without a doubt," Servus 132-X paused. " But for how long and how far? Or better yet, how without the others knowing?"

The inquiring lord sat silently with his thoughts. Servus 132- X tried his very best to compose himself under the sweltering heat and the burning fever that's consuming him by the moment. Lord Prestonheim shrugged his head.

" I still don't see the point why I should spare you and your cohorts, "

" Very well," Servus 132-X is seeing speckles in his vision, but he pushed through. " Tell me, Lord Prestonheim, which one of your men can read and speak Daelitheid?" he asked just like what was instructed to him by the mysterious woman in his dream earlier.

" Daelitheid?" Lord Prestonheim looked around, " Where is Mnemsiel? Call for him!" he instructed a knight who ran into the infirmary.

A moment later, the knight brought an elf to the Lord. From the looks of it, this elf is part of the Principalia. He wore the same armor and colors as the rest of the knights. The only difference is, he is an elf, and he wore a weird band on his head that Servus later found out to be an insignia of his tribe.

" Mnemsiel, do you speak Daelitheid, good ser?" Lord Prestonheim aksed.

" I'm afraid, I don't my Lord," he shrugged his shoulders, " That is an ancient forgotten language that even most of the Faerkind are unable to understand, let alone learn.

" This slave claims that someone in their group can." He looked at the elven knight," Is that true?"

Mnemsiel took a gaze at the dwarf and elf, he immediately knew the answer, " Yes."

This stunned Lord Prestonheim. So, he asked for more details.

" Tell me who?"

" My Lord," the elven knight politely bowed. " That dwarf can speak it. Based from the seals on his clothing, he was once a smith. Dwarven smiths were taught of that language because they use it to engrave their runes into weapons for enchantment. That elf woman, on the other hand, could be part of a sect we had in our elven kingdom known as, the Indicens. It's a sect that uses the Daelitheid language to communicate with the spirits of the old."

Lord Prestonheim thanked the elven knight and dismissed him back to his chores. He then stood up from the chair and walked towards Servus 132-X.

" One last thing, why should I need all of you?"

" Well, my Lord…" Servus 132-X was getting dizzy already. " ... because, you need this to be done discretely. Without alarming too much that it might get into the attention of the Lord of this Isle. You don't want them to pry and ask the Principalia for more because, as far as I know, they will have the advantage to ask for anything and that might include your properties and House."

" You are a smart man!" Lord Prestonheim offered Servus 132-X his hand. " I might have to consider you as a threat."

" Perhaps," he took his hand and shook it. " Or turn me into an ally, to do the dirty work for you."

Lord Prestonheim cracked a smile, " I Lord Augustus Prestonheim, Commanding General of the 5th Batallion, Patriarch of the House Prestonheim, hereby accept your terms!"

" It is our pleasure to serve you, Lord Prestonheim."

" By the gods! You're heating up!"

" I know. So I would need those medicines right now, my Lord."

The Lord chortled," You amuse me! Knights, get this man to the infirmary, also give them provisions to set-up a camp. I shall contact the Prince and ask for his help on this matter."

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