10:40 A.M. [Jazdia "Slyph" Crystalspark] Angel's Share Inn, Rascade, Kingdom of Kindeance [b][[color=ed1c24]FIVE[/color] DAYS BEFORE THE DECLARATION][/b] _____________________________________________________________ "Three consecutive months with zero net profit." The elf announced calmly, fingers tapping against the polished wooden table as she returned the income statement back to her manager. Both of them knew how bad it was, but such gestures were needed to emphsaiz how messed up he was, also as another slap to the manager's dignity. He accepted it with his head low. Sipping her tea, the elf, Jazdia Crystalspark sighed inaudibly before reviewing her findings. "I can understand if low sales and occupancy caused the loss, but windows repairs every two weeks? Chairs and tables? What or who in the world were you inviting in all these months? Circus animals? "Even circus animals are more behaved than these people!" The elven woman's blue eyes narrowed. "Who are these people?" Lucas straightened. The change in her tone and expression was something he didn't expect, yet he knew the dangers when he saw it. It had been a precious knowledge for him to know that his investor was not someone to be trifled with. "Locals." answered Lucas in a single exhale. And he immediately wondered if tomorrow he would hear someone was dead again. He had prepared the names should the lady ask for the specifics. "But it stated there you allocated some of the capital to pay the guards to do more patrol on the neighborhood." "That..." It was at this moment Lucas knew he was the one in real danger. His investor hadn't inquired him about that fateful night, where a rabble-rouser, after being forcefully tossed out, was killed in the same night. The situation turned from bad to worse after that night; sales plummeted and potential guests were turned away by mobs. Not a week passed without one or two windows getting stoned by God knows who. And the city guards, more often than not turned a blind eye to such kind of accident. As if deliberately commanded to do so. He gave up and told her the rest of the story, along with a letter that arrived two days ago. What else he could do? [center]*****[/center] What's worse? Letting two thousand gold coins down the drain, or having another audience with Fredricus the Weaselly? When she waltzed into Rascade royal palace, the guards and sentries were there, manning their station per usual, but strangely nobody seemed bothered to stop her. Oh, she had been expected and she recognized this kind of ploy all too well. Remembering Lucas's story, such an accusation was not entirely far-fetched. Her last meeting with Fredricus four months ago did not end in an entirely cordial manner. Maybe Fredricus was still holding a grudge after her flat refusal to aid him with removing his political enemy? She could see the situation was not improving from four months ago, and maybe, just maybe, the sleazy monarch lowkey held her business ransom out of desperation. She knew this hall all too well. Her last attendance at one of Fredricus' banquets was not the first, but turned out of the most memorable. She wondered how the rest of her party was doing right now. Yvonne said she planned to have a vacation somewhere outside of the nation, Cedar returned home for his hibernation, and Doctor Solomon... honestly she wasn't so sure. Fredricus had shown a great interest in having those last two under his command, and her departure was so abrupt she didn't see the aftermath of their dealings. On her way, a certain boy greeted her, he was accompanied by that poshy chamberlain who stood straight with eyes half opened. "Greetings Lady Crystalspark! My father has been waiting for you." said the boy, beaming with youthful excitement when Jazdia answered his offer for a handshake. "Good to see you again, Alec." the elf managed a smile. Was it just her or he'd been getting taller for the last four months? "His Young Highness Has been coronated, and thus milady shall address him more appropriately." the chamberlain butted in. Really, nobody asked him. "Oh really? Managed to set aside her irritation, and turned it into a weapon to tease, Jazdia shifted to Alex again and leaned forward. "So from now on, I have to call you Lord Alec, Lord of Rascade, Heir to the crown of Kindeace? The weather is lovely today, ain't it milord?" ' The prince shot his aide a glare before turning to Jazdia with a suppressed blush. "Please, milady, that would be unnecessary." Jazdia continued her march toward Fredricus' office while the prince followed beside her. There was a small talk about her arrival, how her journey was, and then how her business was doing. Awkward, but the elf appreciated the cordiality and did not want to burden this young heir with details too big for his not-so-broad shoulder to bear. Despite the Chamberlain's assistance, Alec opened the door himself and invited Jazdia to enter. Fredrocus was there, sitting at his table, guarded by his loyal Paladin Matilda Ironsword who looked rather tensed when she saw the elf. "Ah, you are here, good." said the king after Alex bowed and proceeded to stand by his side. Unlike their previous meeting, there was a chair prepared, and Fredricus gestured for his guest to sit. "I was actually here to see the minister of trade and industry. Turns out your bureaucracy reform was so efficient all matters went straight to the king himself. Not bad for four months' worth of progress." Fredricus, who took his time uncorking a bottle of wine and poured it into his own glass, didn't seem very impressed by the sarcasm. "Cut the chatter. I think now is the time for you to listen more and talk less." Jazdia took a deep breath when she fished out an opened envelope from her pocket and tossed it toward Fredricus' desk. "No, you are the one who should listen. What the hell is this? A letter to shut down my business just because one of the patrons was murdered? This is an abuse." "An abuse, perhaps. But it was a legitimate order." the king sipped his wine before continuing. "I think you have heard that they took advantage of the dead's background to amplify their message. You tell me, as someone who used to deal with this kind of propaganda how should I handle this situation? Jazdia's silence answered the king's question. And it was a rare occasion. "I have no dealings with [i]that[/i] kind of business anymore." "Yes, I heard it multiple times..." Fredricus straightened his posture and gestured his chamberlain to prepare him a parchment and ink. "I understand. I will use my authority to revoke the order and... maybe have more guards stationed there..." Fredricus stated, solemnly, slowly as if his words had a hidden meaning in them. Jazdia accepted the freshly sealed documents. But then her expression turned sour when she read one of its clauses. "compliance for requisition by the authority for the effort of war?!" "Good luck running a business in a nation with martial law." Smirking, Fredricus sipped his wine again, enjoying the countdown before Jazdia's imminent outburst. And Jazdia, not even bothered to remind Fredricus that she might bring this to a court, snapped angrily. "Are you out of your mind?! A War?" "Yes, it's waiting for legalization in Parliament. Want me to show you a copy of the draft?" "I told you you should have still your hand and let the Delving decline on its own--" Fredricus suddenly barked a laugh "More reason for you to feel responsible then! I did just that, and the results were those traitorous bastards doubled their effort and pushed me from every direction. Now everyone wants the war, the people, half of the Senate. And maybe Meche too. Jazdia narrowed her eyes, her hand gripped the decree like it was some wet towel. "What about Meche? What do they say about this?" "Nothing," answered Fredricus, shaking his head in frustration. "Nothing. I sent my envoys, even before the accident four months ago and none of them are coming back. I have tasked Antigone to relay my message to Savoy and see if their neighbor can respond but that too was unsuccessful. Jazdia turned her sight away, toward the young prince, and then to the window. "You know very well starting an unprovoked war would earn you a bad name." She said in a quieter voice. "That's a weak reason to not start one," Fredricus pointed at his wine cabinet to have another stemware delivered. "But fair enough. I know in that elven head of yours, there is a secret you don't want to say. Why this war is bad business and why you are so interested if Kindeance would start it. Fine, keep your secret." Jazdia tapped her fingers against the handrest of her chair and glanced at Fredricus keenly. "Do you want this war? Into the new glass, Fredricus poured some of his wine and placed it on the other side of the table. "Ha! Hardly. But if this is something inevitable, at least Kindeance would annex Meche if we can win this. Unlike you, I don't have much care about some farmers outside my border. If they value their lives, they should move aside and let my army pass, if my army wants their cattle they give it up." "Same goes for you people in times of war," said Jazdia contemplatively. "with the requisition and all. They can do nothing because war will subsume daily existence, and they can't turn to the law, because law and court too are created for normal daily lives." "It's a loss for you too." Jazdia reached for the stemware and downed the wine. "Shut up!" "I have a plan---" "Don't want to hear it." "You would want to. At least you can mend your damaged pride that way." "The only thing you can do is contact Meche and see if they are fine with this." Jazdia necessitated. The wine and euphemism made her want to vomit, but she needed the kick. "That's indeed the plan. I know what you are thinking, attacking Meche unprovoked would trigger a harsh response from your former organization regardless if Meche was their ally or not. We are not that stupid. Internation law-- the old law, stipulated that the challenged nation would be given fourteen days after the declaration of war was signed. Two weeks, then all bets are off. I know Denon well enough and he doesn't want this." "So you need King Denon's formalized response to stop this madness." "Correct! If not for good, then at least people would be able to know his side of the story. I will ink a letter for Denon tonight." Seeing her puzzled expression, the king shrugged before continuing. "This, despite all said and done, is just a mere... invitation for you, Lady Crystalspark. I have prepared my team and they are expected to heed my summons in [b]three days[/b]."