Chapter 527 - Treaty

The Yardraks became quiet at once when Ileus said that he had a counter offer. Their leader Kahn clasped his finger and put them on the table. He bent forward and steepled his fingers to support his chin over it. The dwarves weren't used to this kind of a thing, especially counter offers. It irked their temper and the Loreans knew about it. But the fact that the offer was coming from the dark wizard, they couldn't afford to be irate. They weren't curious either. 

Iona was a genius in architecture. The Yardraks were the ones who were supposed to be the best in the Lore in this field. Obviously now they were challenged by a witch and that too such a young witch. As against their most brilliant architects who had studied science for centuries, the young witch was showing inherent talent that they wanted to acquire. They would have invited her for internship at their kingdom, something which was sought after and often never achieved, but they knew that she would decline because she was pregnant. And that is why they added a clause in the treaty. The plan was to get her on board and then use her skills infinitely. They had an elaborate plan for her. One which involved her staying there forever. They would return the baby to the father after he or she was born.   

"Please elaborate," said Kahn. His eyes had narrowed to the extent that they were hardly open. Wearing a purple jacket over black pants, and a green shirt, he looked nothing short of a Mexican parrot, but it was his wrinkles on his face that showed the rich experience the man carried. 

Ileus tapped his fingers on the table and then tilted his head. "Iona is pregnant and so it is impossible for her to go to Yardrak."

"We can take care of pregnant females, or is it that the dark wizard implies that we are not good at such tasks?" Kahn countered immediately.

Ileus smirked. He wasn't the type to get under pressure. "The offer is that you can send any four of your people to stay here with her for a period of six months. They all can mutually benefit. This offer is not from me, but it is from king Rolfe. If he will allow two Yardraks to stay in his kingdom, that is." He looked at Rolfe, who gave one tight nod, his expressions severe, eyes boring into Kahn. "There will be no clause in the treaty about Iona going to Yardrak or for that matter anywhere. She will stay in Galahar and she will move freely at her will." Ileus became angered and agitated at this point. He crossed his leg over his knee, planting his feet widely. "Those are our conditions and if you do not wish to fulfill them, there is no treaty." 

Kahn's eyes flew wide open for a second, but it was just enough for Ileus to catch it. The dwarf instantly resumed his demeanor and said, "Iona is a very talented girl. You should know that you are stifling her talent by making her stay in Galahar. She should be allowed to soar high and not just be pregnant and have babies!" What he implied was that the king had chained her at such a young age with pregnancy. 

"What do you mean?" Rolfe's voice boomed across the meeting chamber. He never wanted her to be pregnant, but it was something he couldn't prevent. On the inside he was damn scared of it, but he would never show it to the others. "I know how to take care of my wife and don't you dare say anything of the sort!" 

Kahn didn't move an inch. "Then you must send her to a proper school to study. Every one of you has got proper education out here, has she?" He glanced at them slowly, one by one, accusingly. 

Ileus knew that the Yardrak was too clever and that he was playing the emotion game. He had to bring their focus back to the purpose of the meeting. "Let's talk about the treaty, Kahn. You don't have to discuss what Iona should be doing or not. If our terms and conditions are fine with you, a new treaty will be drawn and sent to you by evening. Till then enjoy our hospitality." What he meant was that they could leave if they didn't agree to his demands. 

He was so to the point that Kahn clenched his jaws. The wizard wasn't allowing them to play the game. He looked at Brantley for support, but the Aztec king only gave them back a blank stare. It meant that they were on their own. Though Brantley was close to both the Yardraks and Ileus, there was no way he was going to get in between the politics of two kingdoms. And Kahn understood that. "We need a few hours to ponder over it," he replied finally in order to buy time.

"Sure," Ileus said and exhaled heavily. "Let us know when you are ready to talk and we will come back." 

Kahn nodded and the dwarves left with grumpy faces. They felt as if a chance of a lifetime was slipping just like that. 

When the doors closed behind them, Rolfe let out a breath and his shoulders crunched. "That was close!" he gritted. "But now I am feeling guilty for not letting Iona's talent flourish." 

"And you think her talent would soar with the Yardraks?" said Haldir, with a smirk on his face. "The Yardraks are a very clever race. They love to acquire talent and then never leave it. If you go to their kingdom, you will see people from various other realms who they have trapped in their treaties and clauses. Yardraks let them feel that they are enhancing their talent, but that is certainly not the case!" 

"You can always educate Iona in Galahar," said Ileus. "After she gives birth to her baby, but you will not risk her life and send her anywhere other than Draoidh or Silver Vales." His voice was very harsh, as if commanding. 

Rolfe nodded as he bit his lip. "Let's go to the library!" he offered in tension. "And spend the next few hours around the treasure." 

Haldir raised an eyebrow. He looked at the others and then very quietly got up. "When do we meet next?" he asked, ready to go to his favorite place.

Ileus rolled his eyes at the horny elf. "We are not going to the library."

Everyone's expression fell flat. 

"We will go and visit Galahar and check for potential threats. Ever since Edyrm has flown out in his feral form and your sister followed him, it is not safe," Ileus continued. "While I will be looking at all that you have done in the past few months along with Rolfe, Haldir, you will check out potential threats." 

"I have been checking them Ileus!" Rolfe said. 

"There is no harm if I also check, Rolfe. Please understand that Iona has just returned back safely. And there is nothing I will leave undone for her safety!" 

Rolfe wanted to fight him for suspecting his safety measures for his wife, but he decided against it. Ileus was being super overprotective. "Okay…" he replied with nonchalance. He waved his hand forward and said, "Be my guest. Where do you want to start from?" 

They visited the various villages around Galahar. While Ileus inspected the new developments, Haldir went around to check for threats. Brantley too joined him. 

A few hours later, they all gathered back in the meeting chamber. The Yardraks had asked to meet them surprisingly faster than they had thought. Kahn was sitting with his usual calm as were the others. "We have come with the decision," he said. 

They all waited to hear him out with equal patience and coldness. 

"We will send two men every six months to work with Iona. They will exchange their skills with her," said Kahn. "And this will continue for the next five years and has to be written in the treaty."

A muscle feathered in his jaw and Rolfe said, "No, I wouldn't allow it." How dare she work with other men? If they accidently touched her, he might end up killing them. "I am okay with six months, but five years?" 

Ileus tilted his head. He scratched his stubble and said, "No." He crossed his hands over his chest. "It seems the talks have failed." 

He was about to get up when Kahn stopped him. "Fine, six months, but then again this has to be written in the treaty." 

"Of course!" Ileus immediately accepted the offer. He looked at Rolfe with a winning face. "Send them revised papers to sign." 

"I will," said Rolfe triumphantly. 

The Yardraks left the chamber gruffly but who was bothered. After a heavy lunch with the family, the men went to their den. The women were still talking about dresses and pregnancies and so much more.. Adrianna and Dmitri had formed plans to visit Ed and Howard for two days, till Ileus and Anastasia were there.