Last Hold (Outsider Book 10) by Aiden Phoenix

Author:Aiden Phoenix [Phoenix, Aiden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

New Ventures

Dare, Marona, and Ireni all bowed in the dwarvish fashion to Elder Torik and the two younger clerks accompanying him.

The dwarves bowed in return, exchanging polite introductions, then they all settled down across the table from the dwarves, with Hormot seated at the head with an attendant behind him.

“Very well,” the duke began in formal tones. “Let the records show this arbitration between Lord Darren Portsmouth, Baron of Cordery Province and claimant to Gurzan's Last Hold, supported by Lady Marona Arral, Baroness of Terana Province, with on the other side Elder Torik the Conciliator, representative of Korogan's Vaults, has begun.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Torik said with a seated bow. “And you as well, Lord Darren.” Another seated bow. “First things first, a gesture of earnest intent.” He produced a small chest from what looked like some sort of dimensional storage item, handing it to one of his clerks, who hurried to present it to Hormot with a low bow. “For your inspection, Your Grace.”

The duke cracked open the chest's lid, then his eyes widened and he flipped it around so Dare could see.

It was full of truesilver coins. Five hundred, at a guess, the full 50,000 gold asked for.

That was definitely a sincere gesture of goodwill. Particularly considering the dwarves' love of truesilver; the fact that Torik paid with that metal spoke volumes.

“A good start to the negotiation,” Marona murmured, placidly clasping her hands over her pregnant belly.

“It is,” Dare admitted. “Allow me to respond in kind.” He motioned to Maril, his Illusionist, standing by the door. She curtsied in acknowledgement and began casting.

A 3D representation of the entry hall of Gurzan's Last Hold appeared on the center of the table; in spite of the fact that it was only a few feet across, the spellcaster managed to show the vast scale of the cavern with the help of people standing at the base of the columns.

Torik's breath caught at the image, and his attendants murmured in awe. He leaned forward until his face was almost touching the Illusion, beady eyes gleaming as he pored intently over the image.

Smiling, Dare motioned and the Illusionist shifted the spell as if showing a bird's eye view of flying through the various tunnels and chambers they'd already explored. The young woman's face showed some strain at the concentration required for the task, but she performed with commendable professionalism.

“So this is the hall of my fathers,” the Elder whispered, stretching out his hands as if to grasp the image. “The stonework is gorgeous, even after so many millennia . . . did they know secrets of the craft we've forgotten?”

Perhaps they had, if they'd worked the stone by hand instead of relying on the ability system. “A beautiful place, Elder,” Dare said. “It would please me to see it in the hands of good dwarves who properly appreciate it.”

“In spite of everything?” Torik asked with a pained smile.

“I suppose that depends on whether you're true to your word about Korogan's Vaults.” Dare motioned to the Illusionist, who canceled her spell.

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