210 Armistice (1/2)
As Corco and Fadelio strode up the hill at the edge of Lord Makipura's lands, he looked at the table that had been set up on the new border between the Kingdom of the South and Kingdom of the Center. By now, weeks had passed since his last battle against Pacha, and the snow in the north had melted.
After all the long-winded negotiations, atop this lone hill would be where he and Pacha were to sign the final peace treaty that would end the war that had lasted for two seasons. However, when Corco reached the top of the hill, he failed to find his uncle. All he saw at the lone table set up on the hill's crest was an old-familiar servant he hadn't met in a long time.
”So Pacha wouldn't come, would he?” he asked the man. While he took a seat himself, the servant stood to pay his respects.
”Greetings, King Corcopaca. This servant's name is Pallatio and will act as a proxy for King Pachacutec.”
”What, my uncle couldn't come himself? Is he worried about an assassination? We've wasted so much time trying to find a meeting place both sides would agree on though.” Corco touched his chin in fake thought.”Or maybe he thought I'd humiliate him for losing against me, again? My good uncle Pacha should have come. I'm not that petty.”
”King Pachacutec has made an oath: He will not meet King Corcopaca until he is the master of the south. However, King Corcopaca can be relieved that this servant is indeed able to serve in King Pachacutec's stead. This servant is a long-standing member of House Pluritac and thus both fully legitimized as well as honor-bound to fulfill his duties to the best of his abilities.”
”Yeah, I know. I remember you.” Even though it was a reunion after many years, Corco really wasn't too happy to see the veteran servant again. There weren't many good memories associated with their meetings.
”This servant is honored.” Pallatio raised his brows. ”Don't look so surprised. I got a good memory.” As he observed the servant's reaction, he put on his well-practiced merchant's smile. ”I remember quite well. Even back when my father was still around, you always stuck with Spuria and her kids and never paid much attention to me.”
”This servant was only ever interested in the continued success of House Pluritac. After the attack on young master Corcopaca and his mother, young master was no longer in a state to defend the throne. Although the attack itself was vicious and unforgivable, its nature had no impact on the consequences.”
”So you'd rather break with tradition and have an impostor on the throne than the rightful heir, just because he wasn't tall?” Out of turn, an angry Fadelio chimed in. Of course, the strong idiot persona he often wore in front of enemies would let him get away with these kinds of outbursts. ”That doesn't sound like a very good idea. Now all the princes know they can become emperor by killing their brothers. Aren't you just inviting more poisoning and backstabbing between the Pluritac heirs in the future?”
”I would not expect the son of an upstart to understand.” Even when his voice and words turned sharp like swords, Pallatio's face remained polite.
”That's enough, out of both of you,” Corco interrupted before the two servants could derail his business any further. He wasn't here to listen to the power struggle between the warrior families of House Pluritac.
To his surprise, not only Fadelio, but even Pallatio calmed down as soon as he ordered them. Though he was surprised, he would make good use of the silence and ask what was on his mind.
”So, now that you've seen me fight, or at least heard the stories, do you still think I'm unfit to rule?”
”This servant is deeply gratified to see King Corcopaca fare this well despite the troubles of his youth. Yet some decisions cannot be reversed. Though it is unfortunate, the choice has been made.”
He looked genuinely sorry, which elicited a deep sigh from Corco. At this point, the borders between the three kings were razor-sharp. There would be no proper alliance between any of them and no one would be able to work with more than one and expect to be treated as anything more than a traitor. Of course, an experienced, stern advisor like Pallatio would never make such a basic mistake.
When he left Arcavia, all Corco had wanted was a unified Medala Empire, so they could grow in peace and face the challenges of the future together. What he got was a divided empire of mortal enemies, embroiled in constant war. Really, the entire fatality of their position only worsened Corco's mood.
”How about we just get into the details of the contract and sign the damn thing?” he asked in a tired voice.
As his attendant handed him paper after paper and Corco began to organize the final document that had come out of the negotiations over the past few weeks, he started to paraphrase the agreement for final confirmation.
”First off, we'll exchange all the injured and dead between our sides. As per the usual ways, any imprisoned warriors who are not in imminent danger can stay in the respective territory of their captor until they are bought free for a ransom.”
Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
This was one part of the post-war cleanup Corco was quite looking forward to. Although his battle against Pacha had ended in a retreat and they hadn't made many prisoners then, they still had many warriors left in their care from their earlier war against Rupilo, and from Dedrick's conquest of the northern encampment.
”This servant will once again note that King Pachacutec is not convinced by the medical abilities of the southern kingdom. Thus he offers to take care of the injured of the southern kingdom. For a price, of course.”
As he thought about the barbaric methods Pacha's doctors might be using on his men this very moment, Corco shuddered in fright. Then his mind wandered to his group of Chutwa doctors who had managed to save an astonishing number of lives and limbs during the last war.
”No,” he almost shouted, though at the last moment he managed to hold himself back and retained his pokerface. ”No, that won't be necessary. They are my men, so they are my responsibility. Even if they might end up without the best help, I will just have to compensate their families. Plus, what the heck kind of price is Pacha expecting for a bit of medical assistance? Is my uncle running low on cash?”