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Arc 8 Chapter XXXIII: Alinori Delegation
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 23:07:23 +0000 UTC(General POV)
The chamber of the Ruby Throne turns mostly silent save for a few whispers here and there between the heartlander nobility. Most of them stared at the elven delegation with the usual calculative gazes natural to the majority of those in power, some looked downright bored, presuming to know how everything would turn out in the end, while only a pair held outright hostility in their eyes.
Emperor Titus on the other hand, was incredibly relaxed considering the situation "Ah, Lord Naris." He spoke softly "We have been expecting you for some time now."
"Kinlord." Narsis corrects to a complete and utter lack of reaction from the ruler of Tamriel "And our arrival is only natural, seeing how it was forced by your own decisions."
"Forced?" Titus rose an eyebrow "I force you to do nothing, my good man."
The elf showed no reaction to being called a man but those of a greater perception would notice his lips thinning ever so slightly.
Titus, naturally, went on without a care "The agents of your people have acted unlawfully within my own territory, and the very beating heart of it at that!" He barely raises his voice but his shifting demeanor is more than enough to bring forth his true gravitas as he simply straightens atop his throne "I cannot be expected to leave such things unanswered, now can I?"
A good number of the gathered nobility grumbled in agreement, most of them falsely.
Narsis' eyes sharpen "Agents that have yet to be expatriated for proper judgement, as you well know."
Titus merely gave him a blank look "They resisted arrest."
Accepting the answer just a bit too quickly, the elf nodded "As you say. However I am not here to discuss the rightness of your decisions against the agents of my people's... current government."
The tinge of disdain in his voice had one of his fellow dignitaries looking downright scandalized.
"Instead I wish to renegotiate your rather... brash." He settled on the word after a brief pause "Decision to outright embargo all trade between our two nations."
Titus nodded along 'amiably' "Internal security is very important for running an empire, as one of your station is no doubt aware." The old Emperor somehow manages to sound both respectful and patronizing at the same time "Permitting traffic, no matter how profitable, of such a scale to continue while acts of rampant sabotage abound is simply not acceptable as of right now."
"And I do not expect you to, Emperor Mede." Narsis catches on "However I am sure that certain amendments can be made to ensure both sides are satisfied. Even your own traders suffer needlessly at the loss of access to such a large market, to remain overfirm would do neither of our peoples any good."
"I am, of course, open to negotiations." Titus' smile was not a pretty thing "Beginning with restitutions of course."
Narsis didn't quite twitch but it was a close thing "Of course."
"However I would be a poor host if I forced such a discussion on you without allowing you a few hours to convalesce." The Emperor finally got to the meat of things "We would be delighted if you and your fellows would join us for a brief meal."
The elf was no idiot and knew what the Emperor was hinting at, simply nodding in response without even bothering to consult his colleagues about it.
The nobles however were far less happy, only a few were quite inept enough to not realize Titus had just blatantly circumvented the Elder Council and decided to hold such important negotiations with only his inner council permitted to attend.
None spoke up however, one look from the resident dark elf swiftly reminding them of the visits all of them received in the past few evenings.
'People always say coin is the best social lubricant.' Reyvin thought with amusement as he watched a few of the Elder Council members attempt to hide their fuming 'They obviously never tried mass blackmail.'
(Reyvin's POV)
We all shuffled into Titus' own council chambers a few minutes later, most of the elven delegation looking increasingly uncomfortable as they walked deeper and deeper into the very heart of the Empire.
None held any illusions about their chances if things turned sour.
Narsis however held his head high, his daughter doing a fair job at mimicking him at least somewhat as they were shown into the large chamber and were actually welcomed by a genuine banquet.
Titus sat at the head of the table without any fanfare, quickly joined by myself, Minthara, and the rest of his council save for Alakim who was still working his ass off in Leyawiin.
The Alinori hesitated only briefly before their leader followed Titus' example and chose to pretend everything was perfectly in order, ever so slowly diffusing the situation as the air calmed somewhat.
There were some attempts by his fellow diplomats to begin talks but all of their requests were met by Titus requesting they enjoy the food and drink first, which even with all their almost inborn disdain, the group of Altmer readily accepted.
An imperial banquet was not something one got to experience all that often, even if one counted themselves amongst the highest nobility of Alinor.
About twenty or so minutes later, the tension in the room reduced enough for some small talk to begin, the diplomats knew of the councilors and Titus' advisors knew of most of them.
Francis Vierre wasted no time in probing some of them about the current state of Alinor with almost disturbing proficiency, the kleptomaniac Breton managing to get a few words out here and there that swiftly had me gathering a rather clear picture of what was going on as the banquet went on.
The Imperial Seneschal was ran quite ragged in keeping him from making any outright deals however.
Narsis' hidden glowering at his subordinates was palpable, and no doubt deciding to distract himself he turned to me "Lord Dagoth, it has been some time since we last met."
"That it has." I nod, my smile genuinely amiable if a bit slight "Our previous business has concluded rather productively the last time, here is to hoping today will end the same."
He did not seem to share in my enthusiasm but still nodded as politely as he could.
"So" I went on, my smile replaced with a smirk "Are your guilds truly so dependent on raw resources that a simple embargo has managed to shake them this much?"
Another diplomat, the same one I got that little tidbit off, winces as he realizes what happened.
"The industries of Alinor are as robust as they are storied." The Kinlord answers calmly, at least on the surface "However one must always see to their people's best interest."
I just stare at him blankly for a long while, my eyebrow rising with deliberate slowness.
"Damn it all yes." He sighs.
I grin "That is what I thought."
Narsis just keeps glowering internally "It is a matter of scale, adapting productivity to changes in trade is never a simple affair, especially when the cutoff is so sudden."
"And let me guess." Minthara interjects sounding just a tiiiny bit too enthused by the whole thing "Your masters were too proud to come themselves and saddled you with the job."
He gives her a considering look for only a moment and speaks "The Dominion is a rather prideful leviathan. To admit weakness before those they perceive as lesser is utterly unacceptable to them."
"They?" Minthara quirks an eyebrow, drawing the attention of Naerys who had been trying and failing to come up with a reason to insert herself into the conversation for a while now "You speak as if you are not one of them. How refreshing."
"Not all of us from Alinor are Thalmor, young godling." The title was not used in praise and was instead a statement of fact "Most of us still hold our loyalty to the murdered Aranas far too tightly to serve their murderers outright but I am as ever a servant of my homeland."
"Yes, the only reason they even fought in the first war was the temptation of freeing themselves from 'imperial oppression.'" I cut in with a lazy handwave "A rather prideful bunch, our distant cousins."
His eyes shifted to me for a moment before turning back to Minthara "As crudely as Lord Dagoth put it he is not incorrect. The Thalmor are but a political bloc whose influence simply encompasses so much they may as well count as our central governing body now that the line of kings has been cut down."
"A rather useful distinction that." Minthara held back a snort of disdain "Seeing as it neatly lets you present yourselves as an Alinori delegation instead as one of the Dominion itself."
"Alinor is but one constituent of the Dominion." Narsis says flatly "The distinction is quite a real one I assure you."
Naerys finally decides to speak up "Father, are you certain it is wise to speak of such matters so openly?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" He raises an eyebrow at her "There are no Thalmor here" He leans in "Are there?"
She pales slightly as her shoulders sag a bit "No, of course not."
Minthara does not hold back a snort this time, drawing an immediate glower from the Altmer mage.
"Lady Naerys." I decide to interject and save her the embarrassment "Fancy meeting you here."
Her expression immediately brightens "And I am delighted to meet you again as well."
The wording choice was rather obvious but I was frankly not moved in the slightest "My presence is indeed a thing of awe." I say only somewhat dryly "Though I did not think you would be allowed to participate what with your previous entanglements."
"My daughter was in need of some additional perspective in her life." Narsis interjects before she can answer to my well hidden sarcasm "Acting as an observer to a diplomatic mission is always a useful experience."
She once more shrunk at the admonishment.
"Speaking of roles." The Kilord goes on "What exactly are the two of you doing in such a meeting? With all due respect of course."
"Why I am slowly taking over the Empire by controlling the minds of everyone present with my scary dragon powers." Minthara answered blandly "It is going quite well so far."
Titus, seeing the opportunity presented, pretends to pale slightly as he hears her speak.
And out of the corner of my eye, I notice one of the silent diplomats perk up at this 'terrible discovery' no doubt already preparing to report all of it to a certain group of asshats.
Just as planned of course.
"How truly droll." Narsis drawls "We will be certain to attend the coronation."
He pretended to take it as a joke but one did not need great levels of education to know what a Dragonborn represented. The mere fact Minthara was constantly around the supposedly heirless Emperor was indication enough about what was truly going on.
Everyone knew about it, or so they told themselves.
Some more small talk was had as other conversations around us picked up and died down, and a few dozen more minutes later I found myself sharing hushed whispers with Minthara and then with Titus and Jukulus, a rapid scheme forming between all of us.
A scheme which signaled the reopening of the actual negotiations now that the banquet excuse had been exhausted.
More of the same talk from the throne room was had, only in greater detail with propositions and amendments from both sides but no agreement as of yet. The Alinori were willing to go quite far to reopen trade but Titus kept finding more and more obtuse reasons to refuse their proposals.
Finally, just as Narsis looked ready to tell him to go and shove it where Auri-El does not gaze, the Emperor spoke "After thorough consideration." He closed his eyes as if he was forcing himself to speak further "I will accept your proposal for heavily controlled trade in the city of Anvil, as Leyawiin is yet unavailable due to pending investigations and large public works."
Some of the Altmer looked relieved but their reactions were premature.
"The tariffs will be set to one full third however." Titus spoke with finality "It is the lowest I am willing to go as things are right now."
Narsis looked genuinely disgruntled but nodded.
"And one final stipulation." The Emperor's voice grew grave.
The Kinlord prepared himself "Yes?"
"This trade deal will officially and openly be one between those cities aligned with yourself and your other fellow Alinori, the Dominion will be getting no such privileges" The old coot was obviously holding back a vicious smirk right now "I see you are already hesitating so let me sweeten the deal and the tariff to a flat 30%. I am quite generous after all."
Narsis looked like he had just swallowed a lemon, the rest of his fellow diplomats looking something between outraged and downright terrified.
Sadly for them, their economy's dependence on the wider market was far too great to refuse the deal.
Most elven and especially high elven goods relied on their remarkable mastercrafted quality to be sold at outrageous prices outside their island to make a true profit and removing that from the equation would bankrupt hundreds of businesses in mere months.
And they knew it as well, as for the first time the entire delegation retreated to a nearby room and set up a temporary ward to discuss between themselves, the rest of us merely contenting ourselves to waiting in silence as we waited for the inevitable response.
They thought they escaped Talos' shenanigans when they rebelled. How foolish.
Slowly, yet oh so inevitably, the delegation returned, most of them looking pale while Narsis looked like the grave as he spoke "We accept your terms."
Titus beamed "Excellent! I am certain our peoples will inevitably prosper from our renewed ties."
"Yes." The Kinlord's lips thinned "Now if you will excuse us, we will need to return to our accommodations. The road was exhausting and I am sure you are able to delay your Elder Council from lynching you if you make them wait a while."
"But of course." Titus smiled 'genially' "Take all the rest you need."
The elves picked themselves up and marched out without a word further.
Titus chuckled loudly and definitely not evilly "That ought to distract them for a while at least."
The councilors voiced their agreement and soon began dispersing.
I did like Narsis somewhat so my next words did not surprise me all that much "What a shame."
Minthara gives me a confused look "What is?"
Adding just a bit of regret to my voice I answer simply "We just forced him to sign his own death sentence."
She blinks, considers for a moment, and then shrugs "Too bad."
"Right." I drawl.
"Speaking of death sentences." She looks at the doorway as if searching for someone "Who exactly was that Naerys anyway? Besides being his daughter that is?"
Without missing a beat I simply shrug "Just some dumb idiot who got roped into even dumber Thalmor idiocy and thought it a good idea to help the Volkihar ambush me and the Dawnguard." I tilt my head "She is a pretty talented mage though so I suppose there is that."
For whatever reason, Minthara now looked at the doorway with pity.
