City of Ineford

City Administration Building-Reagents Office

Jacob stared at the new representative of the Gilded Handz, she was a level 45 High-Elf Mage and looking at some of her tattoos that he could see, a Mind-Bender. No wonder they had sent her to try and negotiate, but due to his marriage to Cathrine, the Mind Bender would sadly be disappointed if she thought her abilities would give her an edge. Of course, the idiot James Doncun was there, glowering and trying to appear superior. All his posturing confirmed in Jacobs mind was that he was an idiot and useless in any negotiations. Dudrik sat between Jacob and the representatives of the Gilded Handz as a mediator.

Alert...

Immortal Shanda Bright-Eyes has used Analyze on you, it has failed.

Immortal Shanda Bright-Eyes has used Mind Sight on you, it has failed.

Alert...

Jacob smirked at the High-Elf, "Not the best first impression, I thought you were going to be a negotiator for your clan and would be better than this idiot. Apparently, I was wrong, your just an idiot in a more subtle manner." Jacob told her as her eyes bugged out a little at her failure to both Analyze and get a peek at his head as well.

"If that bitch does anything like that again, I will kill her." Cathrine hissed out using Mind-Speak, "I gave Dudrik and you a Mental Shield so you should be completely Immune to anything she can do with Mind Magic."

Cathrine seethed that someone would try and get into Jacob's head but he casually sent warm thoughts her was as he patted her arm to calm her down, "Relax dear wife, they will pay for their arrogance." Jacob told her through their Bond.

"What are you talking about milord?" Dudrik asked as he looked between the two parties.

"The Gilded Handz new negotiator is a Mind-Bender and tried to look into my mind, she failed. Now I am sure she is trying to figure out how to recover or still turn this her way." Suddenly Dudrik flinched as if he had been pinched and glared at the High-Elf, "Don't worry too much, my wife is protecting you from what she could do to you." Jacob told the Dwarf as he continued to pat Cathrine's arm.

"My apologies Lord Dudrik, I was trying to get some insight into..." Shanda began before Jacob cut her off.

"You were probably trying to figure out my goals, what resources I have available, or what advantages your guild has over mine. Then when that failed, you probably tried to influence Lord Dudrik and failed at that. Fact is, you have no idea who I am or who I represent. You seriously overestimated your position coming into these negotiations and you have made your guilds position worse by using underhanded tactics to try and influence their outcome. So please tell me one good reason why I should not have every caravan that your guild has hunted down and destroyed within the Basin?" Jacob said as he leaned back in his chair and contemplated his choices.

Then the bigger idiot snorted and spoke, "As if you could do that." James sneered causing Dudrik to wince and shake his head.

Jacob smiled at James, "Your guild is a merchant guild, I am assuming you have maybe 20-30 members dedicated to combat. Most of your military might will be outsourced to mercenaries, either locals or Immortals which is expensive. My guild is expansive military with very little in the way of merchants not to mention I could flood the Basin with locals with the sole purpose at destroying your guild economic strength. Not to mention the fact I could cut you off from the markets here at Ineford."

Shanda looked troubled at Jacob's statement while James at first smirked but when Dudrik failed to refute Jacob's statement he began to worry as well. "So Shanda, what is it that your guild wants and what could your guild do for mine? In other words, why should I keep you around instead of destroying your guild and then recruiting your survivors?" Jacob asked the High-Elf. Shanda was trying to control the situation, but it was devolving quickly. She had been sent to negotiate any trade agreement with this new player and it looked like she had made the situation worse. After the Gilded Handz had lost access to Middlebrough, they had almost dissolved the guild due to losing half of their members. If they lost Ineford, they would have no choice in the matter.

The fact was, this Jacob was negotiating from a place of strength and held most of the cards. The leadership of her clan had sent her to negotiate because she did have Mind Magic, but either due to his resistance or Immunity, Jacob was immune and had shielded Dudrik as well. "Who are you?" Shanda asked the other Immortal who just smiled back.

"Who I am doesn't matter at this moment in time. Answer my questions." Jacob continued to stare at her while his hand rested on the woman next to him.

"We need to reopen the market of Middlebrough, as long as Weighted Chance and their allies control that trade hub the Arathia Basin and all of its inhabitants will be at their mercy economic wise. We can provide discounted transportation for goods throughout the Basin, say 10% off our standard prices and perhaps a 5% discount on any sales of goods." Shanda responded causing Jacob to snort in derision this was going to be a long negotiation.

Palace of Night

Medical Wing

Ezekial slowly woke, every part of him hurt as if it had been dipped in acid before being put back together. "Well, well, well, my old 'friend' finally wakes up." Ezekial slowly glanced over at the Royal Torturer who was sitting in the corner of the room. Beside him, 6 of the Heart Guard surrounded his bed. "We had a bet going on if you would wake or slowly succumb to the poison like the rest. Now before you start spinning any stories or lies we will have a Mind Mage and Truth Speaker come in for any questioning. So think very carefully about your answers to the questions that are coming your way my old friend." the last was said with a snarl before the torturer left.

"Ezekial, by order of the Crown your Title and Rights are suspended pending investigation of allegations that you are a member of the Cult of the True. Do nothing that could be construed as a threat to anyone and you will not be harmed, is that understood?" the Sergeant asked. Ezekial nodded his head in acknowledgment before closing his eyes again in rest. City of Ineford

City Administration Building- Reagents Office

"You seriously can't expect us to give you a 30% discount on transportation costs and a 20% discount on any goods. That would be insane." Shanda responded to Jacob's offer.

Jacob smirked, "Even if I can assure you that Middlebrough will be reopened to you and that new markets will become available to you if you agree. I warned James that his guild should send someone who can negotiate and make an agreement. You sound more like a salesperson than a negotiator." Jacob responded. They had been discussing various options and he was firm on their latest offer while Shanda had not budged on anything. "The art of Diplomacy is compromise, you have compromised on nothing Shandra. If you are not empowered to compromise on anything, perhaps you should send for someone who can." Jacob told her as he stood to leave, "Dudrik, we will be staying at the Gilded Rose if you need to contact us. We will be heading home tomorrow, any further communications will be done through you, my friend." Jacob told the Dwarf before turning and leaving.

Dudrik nodded at his retreating back before turning back toward Shanda, "He is correct, you either don't know how to be a diplomat or you don't have the power to compromise. Also for your actions in trying to use Mind Magic in negotiations, I am suspending Gilded Handz rights to trade within Ineford for 1 week. We will also be reviewing the Trade Agreements you have and any indications of impropriety on your part will result in the suspension of your Trade Agreements. You are personally banned from the city for a minimum of 1 months time. You have 12 hours to vacate the city." Dudrik smiled as he stood and left hearing the woman's cursing amused him immensely.

"What are we going to do Shandra?" James asked after the Dudrik left. "The Council is going to be pissed that our Trade License is suspended even for just a week."

"I don't know, both of us made mistakes. Yes, they are going to take it out on me because I am the more senior member. Whoever the Council does assign better be willing to compromise and negotiate because I am sure that guy wasn't lying when he said he would cripple us even further if we didn't form some sort of treaty." Shandra responded before a Guard came in and hit her with a Hunters Mark.

"That mark is to make sure we know where you are at all times. In 12 hours it will change into a Deaths Head curse if you are not outside the lands claimed by Ineford. Your description will be posted at all guard stations, if you try to enter our lands again before the 30 days are up, you will be killed. Good day, Immortal." The Guard informed her before turning and leaving the room. Evergreen Forest

The Portal tore open spilling out a squad of Deathwalkers, a squad of the Dawn Guard, 4 Wood Elves, Jacob and Cathrine. They were here to return the abused Elves home and leave, not for battle but all of them were nervous. They were a little over a week traval east of Ineford right on the edge of the Evergreen Forest and home to the Wood-Elf City State of Sylfemel. It had been founded a little over 1000 years ago and they were fiercely protective of the Evergreen Forest.

Before Jacob could take a step into the forest an arrow slammed into the ground at his feet, "Ware halfling, this forest is closed to all outsiders. State your business of why you have come here." A Wood-Elf called out.

Jacob could see the one Wood-Elf but heard 5 more in the surrounding area and a patrol coming down the nearby road. "We are not here for a fight or to invade your forest, we are here to return 4 of your people that were kidnapped and abused. That is all." Jacob called out to the Wood-Elf who studied the 4 women. Jacob turned toward them and ushered them forward to the forest. 3 of the women darted toward the forest but the last kissed Jacob on the cheek and whispered thank you before following the other women.

"Should I be jealous husband?" Cathrine asked as she followed the last Elf with her eyes before Jacob swept her up and kissed her.

"Never dear one. You own my heart, body, and soul." Jacob told her after kissing her.