Chapter 42: Penalties of the Contract
Daeranyx POV
"You certainly know how to persuade someone, Lord Drakonar. It will surely serve you far better than any sword," said Crolys, his face etched with seriousness and approval. "I was prepared to sign the contract even before your proposal of that ritual, but now, I can pat myself on the back for choosing to ally with you. However, there is one thing I would like to read before signing the contract: the penalties that the offending house would face should they break the terms of the agreement." Corlys rolled up the parchment and looked towards me, expecting another feat of magic as he awaited the conjuring of the document detailing the penalties.
Corlys believes I have the skill to persuade someone to join my cause, but in reality, I understand his desires, which allows me to manipulate him. He is correct, however, that the ability to persuade is more powerful than any sword, for it is the mark of a true leader. Regarding penalties, they will be harsh but fair; as much as I value loyalty, I equally detest betrayal. That is why I have imposed strict penalties on House Velaryon should they breach the terms of the contract.
I began the same process I had used previously when I conjured the terms of the contract on parchment for him. With a few thoughts and a bit of wandless magic, I conjured a parchment detailing the penalties the offending house would face and handed it to Corlys to read.
1. Magical Decay:
The offending party will suffer from a gradual loss of magical abilities, whether it's the dragon-riding power of Velaryon or the magic and dragonlord skills of Drakonar. This decay would manifest as weakening physical or magical strength over time, making it harder to control dragons or perform spells.
2. Dragon Disobedience:
Any dragons tied to the offending house (through bond or birth) will become restless, disobedient, and harder to control. In extreme cases, they may reject their rider entirely, causing a dangerous rift between dragon and rider. This is particularly severe for both houses given their dependence on dragons.
3.Cursed Bloodline:
Future children of the offending house may be born with a weakened bloodline—lacking the innate dragon-riding ability or magical gifts that were previously dominant. This curse would affect the legacy of both houses, with Drakonar's children losing magical potency or Velaryon's children failing to bond with dragons.
4.Physical Deterioration:
The heads of the offending house (those who signed the contract) will begin to suffer physical deterioration—aging faster than normal, developing illnesses that no healer or magic can cure, or even experiencing pain when near their dragons. This would directly weaken their leadership and standing.
5. Loss of Wealth or Naval Power (Velaryon Specific):
If House Velaryon breaches the contract, their trade fleets will mysteriously begin to falter. Ships will be lost at sea, storms will target their naval routes, and profits will dwindle. This penalty directly impacts Velaryon's main source of power—its wealth and control of the seas.
6.Exile and Banishment:
For the most severe breaches, the offending party will be magically exiled from their lands, as the contract marks them as traitors to the bond. Their status will deteriorate, and they will be shunned by their own family members and allies, forced into hiding or banishment.
Corlys' expression began to shift from its previous state, gradually turning grimmer as he read through the severe penalties that the offending house would incur should they violate the terms of the contract.
"I personally believe this is excessive, Lord Drakonar," Corlys stated gravely. "Should House Velaryon or your own house breach these terms, we would be reduced to beggars in all but name. Our venerable houses' long history could be erased by a single misstep, whether intentional or accidental. However, I trust that you have contemplated all of this before proposing these terms to me. Please elucidate how these penalties would function without devastating our House," Corlys implored, his anger apparent after perusing the penalties.
I suppose it's to be expected, as he is correct: if these penalties were applied to the offending house, it would be reduced to nothing in due time, and recovery would be too difficult for any house, mine included, without the aid of magical knowledge how to avoid magical impact of breaching magical contract. As Corlys mentioned, I have discovered a way to prevent this. The penalties will be imposed on the house gradually over time, not instantaneously. Instead of moons, it will take years for the penalties to slowly and progressively dismantle the house that has breached the contract. The head of the house that has violated the terms will be aware that they are facing penalties. However, they will be powerless to act, as the magic will prevent them.
After I detailed the penalties to Corlys, he responded, "Even so, there would be no escape if a House inadvertently violated the contract. What you've explained implies that it would merely be torment for the house head, because to know that an Old House is falling due to an unintentional mistake—if that isn't torture, then I don't know what is."
"To address your question, simply approach the other House and formally mend the breach to renew the alliance. And before you question the possibility of rejection, it won't occur as I will include a term mandating that the other house must reconcile with any house that has breached the terms after mutual reconciliation. I trust this resolves all your concerns, Lord Corlys," I responded. He pondered for a moment before nodding, prompting me to sigh, realizing I should have imparted this information to him gradually rather than all at once. Poor Corlys seems caught between a rock and a hard place; he's reluctant to sever his alliance with my house, and understandably so, as the penalties are not to be taken lightly.
After observing Corlys' hesitation and contemplation, I decided to inform him that drafting a contract would take some time. This would allow him to thoroughly consider everything and provide me with a decision. Honestly, even if he declined, it wouldn't concern me; I would simply withhold the benefits his house would have received upon signing a contract with mine. I could choose any soldier in the upcoming war or during my travels with enough loyalty to me and after giving them skills potent enough with help of magic to challenge venerable houses like House Velaryon. It would naturally take time for them to amass the wealth, power, and connections that houses like Velaryon and Redwyne have cultivated over the years, but I could expedite the process by sharing modern methods and magical rituals. They would likely not hesitate to sign a contract, regardless of the terms I might include. Nevertheless, I would offer House Velaryon, or Corlys himself, one opportunity to decide their future.
"Do not worry too much, Lord Corlys," I reassured him. As I spoke, he turned to me, emerging from his reverie. "I will need some time to draft the magical contracts, and during this time, you can ponder and decide whether you wish to sign them. Remember, your decision will not influence the alliance formed through my marriage to Laena. So, feel no pressure to sign; I desire for you to do so with a happy countenance and a smile, not with reluctance." As I conveyed this, Corlys' audible sigh of relief resonated throughout the chamber.
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