28 The Best Laid Plans (1/2)
With a worried look, Corco spied out of the window, down onto the streets in front of the Fastgrade Merchant Company. Across from his position, the prince found the small crowd which had been standing there for days on end, right on the corner of the street, as they observed anyone who entered or left the place. At this point they didn't even try to hide anymore. While Corco was focused on them, another man walked past as he ate an apple. Just as he crossed the entrance of the Fastgrade merchants, he threw the half-eaten fruit over his shoulder, into the front yard. At least he had the decency to not aim for one of the windows. A good man.
”So this is supposed to replace our old contract?”
With a sigh, the crown prince turned around to the source of the voice, only to find Dedrick sitting in front of the desk in Corco's study, leaned over a piece of writing.
”That's right,” the prince answered casually.
”We're not servants to anyone. We won't become your own private army, so you best forget about this new deal of yours.”
Upon Dedrick's rejection, Corco frowned, before he left the window and walked over to take a seat in his chair opposite the mercenary. It seemed like persuasion might take a while.
”You won't be my private army. It says so right in the contract. Once I am ready to leave for the Medala Empire in two years, you and your men will accompany me. You will stay under my command for five years, help me stabilize my rule and train up my own private troops. After that, you get to go back home with riches and honors. It's the same agreement we had before, except it's more long-term. Where's the problem?”
”If we're just hired for a while, then why does it say here that we're supposed to be your 'warriors'?” Dedrick pointed at one of the items on the agreement, crumpling the paper in the process. Annoyed, Corco snatched the contract from under Dedrick's finger and tried to smooth out the fresh wrinkles.
”No other way around it. Within the Medala Empire, the other nobles would never allow the existence of an independent mercenary army, especially not one filled with foreigners. If you want to fight for me, I will have to elevate you and your people into the warrior class, at least for the duration of your stay.”
”Wait,” the mercenary raised his hand, wide-eyed at the revelation. ”Are you saying there are no mercenaries over there? No militia? No conscripts? None?”
Although Dedrick wasn't strictly speaking correct, there was no reason to bother with too many details for now.
”Not every place is Arcavia, you know? Our customs are our own.”
”Yeah, sure, but you're saying that in your country, I'd need a special status first to die for you. How does that make any sense?”
Corco put away the contract to launch into a proper explanation. He had really hoped to save this explanation for later, but the prince hadn't expected Dedrick to actually give the contract a proper reading.
”The warriors do more than simply 'die'. In Medala, there is a much stricter class system than here. Technically, you would become part of the walla. They're warriors; or at least they should be. That gives them great authority, since war itself is revered in my home country. Every warrior is directly subordinate to one of the noble families, so they take on their names. Which gives you, my uncouth friend, the great name of Dedrick di Pluritac. Congratulations.”
Corco looked up at the rough mercenary with a faked smile. In reply, Dedrick pretended to spit on the expensive carpet. For a few seconds, the men stared at each other, before the prince said ”anyways,” and continued as if nothing had happened.
”Unlike the commoner castes, a warrior is allowed to enter the inner parts of Medalan towns and cities. He can also bear arms openly, which might be important if you want to do the protective work I spend all that money on.”
Corco couldn't hold back his little jab. Dedrick's men were expensive after all, and with this new contract, their price would only increase further.
”Warriors might also receive training in cultivation techniques, though most families are tight with their secrets. The one I've been teaching your men is a simple technique for soldiers, straight from the imperial family. You can consider it a down payment on the contract,” Corco continued.
”Technically, warriors are one of the two noble castes of Medala, which means you get to cut down peasants or anyone else below you with little justification. If it's a merchant or a craftsman you don't need to justify anything, actually.”
”Sounds like my kind of deal,” Dedrick grinned.
”...Forget about the last part. Seriously. And keep your men in check as well. We're civilized after all, whatever that means. I won't have my reputation smeared because one of your men lost a dice roll. Oh, and just so you know, there's... a few downsides to being a warrior too,” Corco said as his smile transformed into a grin.
”Like what?” Dedrick sat back in his chair, vigilant towards the prince's next words.
”Well, you're already cared for by the grace of your master, so why would you need property? Walla can own no land and run no business, which might limit your options a bit. You also get to fight and die in all those glorious Medalan wars, while your master, that's me, stays out of the slaughter to engage in more elegant and refined duels.”
Corco spat out the last few words as his smile ran away from his face. He wasn't a big fan of some of his home's practices, now less than ever. ”Oh, and while they are technically warriors, and though it might sound impolite, a lot of lords will just call their warriors 'servants'. Because that's what they are, really. Since no one else is allowed into the inner cities or the lords' mansions, warriors have to take over every job the lords won't do themselves. Guards, shop keepers, manservants, musicians, courtesans. From the lowest water carrier to the lord's personal advisor, they get to do almost everything. Aren't you glad?”
”What, you want my guys to clean your palace? Best be careful or you'll wake up with an empty treasury and an army on the run,” Dedrick barked.
”No need to worry, I won't have you do actual work. I doubt you or your men are capable of anything beyond wanton slaughter.”
Although any other man would have objected to Corco's dismissive words, the mercenary seemed almost proud and didn't challenge the matter further.