章節 15: Ch 15: Sealing the Deal
Volundr flicked a thread of Laksulm to call Ulmira.
"Do you need something sir?" Ulmira asked.
"Get Tulio for me." Volundr said.
After she left he pulled out some parchment and began writing a simple contract. His quill was enchanted and whatever he wrote appeared on another piece of parchment.
"We can discuss the finer details and write out an extended contract with your parents but since time is of the essence we'll start with this provisionary one." Volundr said.
He passed a copy over to Baldeur to read.
It was a very simple contract in exchange for 20 years of service, Volundr would get his father back and provide the full protection of the Zeerous Trade Company for his family.
"Ten years is the standard time frame for new hires but since you still have that long before you'll be of use to us I set it to 20." He said.
"This will be enough for now." Baldeur took the quill from him and signed the contract.
Volundr did the same and left a copy with Baldeur.
It was not long afterward that Tulio knocked and entered the room.
"Baldeur Aslanbek, this is our branch head of security Tulio Alvatein. Tulio young master Aslanbek will be working for us contingent on a small matter. For now I'd like you to escort him home and provide full protection for him and his family. It seems that Pantel Nievok has taken a liking to his mother." Volundr said.
The room was immediately filled with a dense killing intent at the mention of Pantel.
Baldeur would soon learn that Tulio's daughter had been one of Pantel's victims and in the end she killed herself over the damage he caused to her.
The only reason Tulio hadn't killed the bastard was because of his granddaughter. If he made a move, she would be at risk.
The girl was most likely Pantel's daughter but the bastard wouldn't allow for any testing of paternity.
"If he makes a move..?" Tulio said.
"Use whatever method you need to keep the Aslanbek's safe. Though it would be best not to kill Pantel… For the time being that is." Volundr said.
This caused Tulio to smile. "Understood. If you will follow me young master, I'll need to gather a few people."
Tulio didn't understand why Master Volundr would go to all this trouble for this kid but if it meant he could cause trouble for Pantel, he'd fulfill this mission to the best of his ability.
After they left, Volundr called Ulmira back in.
"Get my carriage ready and rouse Echdonn. I'll be heading to the Explorers Union then to the district Pillar." He said.
"Was what that little boy had to say that interesting?" Ulmira asked.
Volundr couldn't hold back his smile any longer. They were still in the gambling stage but it was looking like the odds were going to be in his favor.
"You should try and introduce Renie and Anika to him." Volundr said.
"He looked a little young for a honey pot." Ulmira was just as confused as Tulio about their boss's attitude towards this child. But she trusted him enough that if he wanted her to introduce her daughters to the kid, Volundr must have a reason.
"This is probably the first time in my life that I regret not having children. I can't go into detail but we have to do everything we can to make him and his family safe and happy." Volundr said.
This made Ulmira even more confused. What could they have discussed that would bring this sort of reaction out of her normally calm and controlled boss?
After she left, Volundr picked up a black stone from a small box on his desk.
"Find out where Pantel Nievok has Vivek Aslanbek and get any evidence you can within the next two hours. I'll be meeting with the Duke by then and I need everything to be as lined up for me as possible." Volundr said.
"Understood." The person on the other end of the stone was the spy master for the branch.
Volundr soon found himself in a carriage with their branches' hidden weapon. In addition to being a master in Infernius, Echdonn was a seasoned solicitor and the finest accountant Volundr had ever met.
The old man was accomplished in the Zeerous Trade Company before this district was even formed a century ago. This job was a bit of a retirement for him and Volundr only asked for his help in important matters.
On the way, Volundr made sure that no one could eavesdrop on the carriage and explained everything to Echdonn.
The old man only raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard that they were in the process of securing someone that had at least four Sources.
He decided that this was a situation that required his attention. Echdonn was also getting bored recently. Scaring a few young idiots should provide a bit of entertainment. He might even be able to interact with another of the district's old monsters.
They hadn't sent word ahead, so the Explorers Union burst into a frenzy when they arrived. It was very rare that someone on equal footing to their boss would stop by unannounced.
Volundr and his companion soon found themselves in the Union's best room being served the best refreshments that could be gathered on short notice.
"Master Volundr to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Hogarth said as he entered and shook the other's hand.
He gave a deep bow to Echdonn who didn't get up to greet him. Everyone in power knew who this was and that he only made appearances when the Zeerous Trade Company was serious.
"I was hoping we'd be able to make a quick business deal. Time is of the essence in this matter." Volundr said.
"What sort of business can my Union do for you?" Hogarth wasn't phased by what he said.
This wasn't the first time a merchant house approached him in a hurry. They often had whispers coming to them and needed the help of the Union's experts to confirm them. He was just annoyed that he had most of his best on the other side of gates so they wouldn't be able to help Vivek.
"I want to buy the contract of one of your people." Volundr said.
This did surprise Hogarth. The different powers only approached each other to buy contracts after the person in question had agreed to the trade. Hogarth wasn't aware that anyone was being pursued by Zeerous.
"Who's contract do you want to buy?" Hogarth asked.
"Vivek Aslanbek." Volundr said.
There was silence for a moment before Hogarth could collect himself. There was no way that Volundr would make this request without some idea about what was going on at the moment.
"I'm afraid that he is unavailable to approve the selling of his contract." Hogarth knew that if he did sell the contract it would upset Pantel and potentially expose him.
"A letter of intent to sell will suffice at the moment. Once the young man is retrieved I'm sure things will progress smoothly." Echdonn said without looking directly at Hogarth.
"I'm also not sure that I want to sell. Vivek is very valuable to the Union." Hogarth said.
"So valuable that you haven't even tried to free him from captivity? So valuable that you allow that pervert to harass his wife? So valuable that you'd allow children to be put in danger?" Volundr wasn't a saint but he had a few morals.
One of them a fierce protective loyalty to those under him. If he had been in charge at the Trade Company when Tulio's daughter was harmed he would not have sat still like his predecessor did. It was one of the reasons Volundr ousted the man and took over.
He long wanted to put Pantel down but knew the main Trade Company wouldn't back him. But if he could bring in Baldeur, that might change.
"Do you really want to go through the trouble for some Cultivator that has no doubt been tortured and maybe even crippled?" Hogarth had no idea why Volundr wanted the contract, but he needed to dissuade him from the idea.
"Sigh. It seems that you are misreading the situation. Do you think I would take the trouble to come visit you, if I thought you had the right to turn me down?" Echdonn said.
Even Volundr was a little surprised at the aggressive tact his colleague was taking. He was expecting the old man to just be a passive threat and to help with the exchange of the contract.
The truth was that Echdonn was also big on loyalty. That similarity was why he let Volundr take control of the branch a few years ago. It wasn't that hard for him to work out that Hogarth had betrayed his subordinate. So he had little patience for this man.
After a moment of internal struggle, Hogarth relented.
Volundr wasn't too vindictive and offered what was a reasonable amount for Vivek's contract.
Now that this minor matter was settled they were off to the main event.
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