Chapter 40 - Negotiations

The next day, Ryan sat at the dining table at the palace for breakfast. Harken slapped Ryan on the shoulder as he walked in. “How ya feeling?”

“Still sore as hell. Those demons of yours sure do not hold back, do they?”

“They certainly do not. Your summons held up fairly well, though. Except that little flying one. She just yelled profanities the entire time.”

Ryan scratched his head and chuckled. “Yeah, that’s kind of her thing. She is an amazing healer, though. She can also buff my men’s stats and debuff the enemies. I told her not to yesterday, though. I wanted to see your men’s strength. They did not disappoint. No wonder the demons don’t need a massive standing army. There’s no quit in them at all.” Ryan rolled his shoulder. “I definitely felt a difference fighting with one arm, though. In the end, we came out on top, albeit barely. But a win is a win.”

“Meatloaf had fun. Meatloaf beat demons. Meatloaf’s men weak though.”

Bubba spoke up next. “I told you, Master, you should’ve evolved me. I could’ve handled all of them on my own.”

Ryan laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Zareth said as he walked into the room.

“Oh, nothing. Just one of my shadows complaining about how he got his ass handed to him, basically. The other is mad I wasted mana summoning those ogres. I’m in a lose-lose situation here.”

Harken laughed. “I’ve been meaning to ask, if it’s not rude. What happened to your left arm?”

“Oh, this? Ummm, a friend bit it off.”

Zareth and Harken stared at each other as Zareth sat down. “What kind of friend do you have that can or would bite off your arm?”

Ryan scratched his head. “Dragons?”

Harken slammed his hands on the table and stood. “DRAGONS? DID YOU JUST SAY DRAGONS? YOU HAVE DRAGON FRIENDS WHO BITE OFF ARMS?”

“Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but yeah, basically just that.”

Harken sighed and sat back down. “The more I get to know you, the more I fear becoming your friend.”

“Did you hear that, Zareth? He likes me and considers me a friend.”

“I am glad you all get along now, though,” Zareth said as he sat. “My father will be expecting us after we eat. We can start the discussions and negotiations about the Guild.”

“Oh, you’re mistaken, my friend.” Ryan took a bite of the meat laid in front of him. “There won’t be any negotiating.”

“Oh, well, I wonder how long that outlook will last once you meet my father.”

“He is not one to be trifled with, big brother. He is the strongest demon, and he is the most stubborn one to have ever lived.” Harken looked at Zareth. “My apologies.”

Zareth laughed. “No need. He is right, though. My father won’t budge an inch on anything. So I’m sure you two will get along perfectly, Kade. Now, let’s eat. You’re going to need a full stomach for the ensuing battle.”

After the three ate their meal, Harken left for the training grounds. Zareth wiped his mouth and pushed up from the table. “Well, how about we get to it?”

Ryan shoved the last piece of meat into his mouth. With his mouth full, he spoke. “Hell yeah, let’s get ’er done.”

Zareth led Ryan into the Demon King’s chambers. Behind a desk, in a large chair, sat the king. His skin was red, his eyes black. A large beard covered his face. Two horns protruded just above his eyes and curved toward the sky. The king stood to greet Ryan. Ryan looked up as he rose. The king towered over him, standing at least eight feet tall. He stuck out his hand.

“The King of Elyndor and the Guildmaster have had nothing but wonderful things to say about you. My own son and even Harken have had nothing but praise for you. It is nice to meet you, Mr. Kade. I am Olax, the King of the Demons.”

Ryan watched his hand disappear as he shook the king’s hand.

“Holy shit, you’re huge. No offense, but like, damn. Your son is all normal-sized, and here you are.”

Olax laughed and took a seat in his chair. “An observant one, you are. My size is due to my talent.”

“Ohhh, and what is that?”

Olax raised a finger to his lips. “That’s a secret.” He winked. “So, let’s get down to business, shall we? We can discuss other things later over a few pints of mead.”

“Now you’re speaking my language.”

“My son, wait outside the door and ensure we are not bothered.”

Zareth bowed. “Of course, Father.”

“So, the Demon Kingdom wishes for a forty percent split of the profits with the Guild. That is our first demand.”

“Just going right for it huh? Well, sorry to dissapoint but, twenty-five,” Ryan said deadpan.

“Thirty-seven.”

“Twenty-five.”

Olax tilted his head. “Does the Guild not wish to negotiate?”

“The Guild doesn’t negotiate. The split is twenty-five percent. That is already fair enough as is. If they give you more, then we have to concede more to every other kingdom. Considering what the Guild brings to the nations they are in, I’d say twenty-five is already very generous.”

“We are not like every other kingdom, though.”

“You’re exactly right. You aren’t. In fact, I’d say a Guild here would bring in more adventurers than any other Guild in any kingdom.”

“What gives you that thought?”

“Well, for starters, demons are straight-up fucking strong. The dungeons here are more plentiful than in any other land. There will be many adventurers who will wish to test their strength, not just against stronger dungeons for better payouts and loot, but against the demons themselves.”

“What exactly are you saying?”

“You could use that to your advantage. You could start a coliseum. Let adventurers fight demons. If they defeat a certain number, they can challenge a general of yours for a prize or money.” Ryan raised a finger. “Of course, you charge an entrance fee to fight. And honestly, there’s barely a handful of adventurers who could stand up to demons, let alone Harken and the other generals.”

“I like the way you think. Very well. Thirty-five percent.”

Ryan squinted his eyes. “Did you not just hear me? Twenty-five is the most. And with the coliseum, you’d bring in more than that extra ten percent would give you.”

“Oh, I heard you. But we will not allow adventurers from other kingdoms to come into this land and mock my people for less than thirty-five percent.”

“Holy shit, that’s a totally different discussion, and I feel like you’re using that excuse to get more out of the Guild. You’re fucking crazy. Twenty-five percent, and we can discuss ways to ensure the mocking and whatnot does not happen, or the punishment for those who partake in it.”

Olax stood. “I said thirty-five percent. Then we can discuss everything else needed after you agree to that.”

As Olax finished, the doors to his chambers flew open and smacked against the walls. Two of his generals walked in and bowed.

“I apologize for interrupting, sir. An emissary of the Beastkin is here to see you.”

Before Olax could say a word, Ryan turned around just in time to see a Beastkin walk between the two generals. He bumped shoulders against them and sent them stumbling. He was unlike the prince Ryan had met at the summit. This was a man who resembled a bear. Behind him followed ten guards, each of them men who resembled wild boars.

The emissary and his guards stood behind Ryan and stared at the king. Ryan looked back at Olax, whose fists were clenched and veins protruded from his arms. He could feel the tension between the two men as they sized each other up.

Olax slowly stepped forward. “Ruigerd.”

The way he said the name made Ryan turn fully toward the Beastkin. Whatever negotiations he and Olax had been having were clearly over.

Ryan sighed and leaned back against the desk. “I’m guessing the mead is going to have to wait.”

Olax never took his eyes off the emissary. “It would appear so.”