Kyros and Aurelius began to discuss in length their wants and needs from this deal. Aurelius stated, "So, you are willing to give up 30% of your 70% cut in that Grand Dungeon, Kyros? That is quite tempting." Kyros just stared directly at Aurelius as he said "Yes, as you can see I'm serious, you won't even need to send guards for security or logistic staff, I will handle all that. Just sit back and take pure profit. That 30% is pure profit, Aurelius."
At this Aurelius seemed to ponder his words, "Hmm, yes this deal is very much in my favour. Which I don't like. This is not like you Kyros, why so eager to give up benefits? Is wiping out the Vaelgrim family this important to you?"
At this Kyros seemed to fall silent, as if lost in another memory, then his head shot up and his face had a look of conviction on it, surprising Aurelius. "Yes, this is that important to me, they took something dear from me, it's just... I only realised that now." As he said this his eyes held a melancholic expression.
Aurelius seeing this responded "Wow, was Elenora really that special to you? I knew you cared for her, more that anyone I have seen in our decades of friendship, but to go to these lengths... very well. This is a win-win for me, free profit, and I get to help out my dear friend and little niece." He said at the end with a cheeky smile on his face.
This marked the end of a surprisingly easy negotiations for Aurelius and the start of a fierce retribution for the Vaelgrim family.
.....
Within the large castle of the Vaelgrim family a meeting was underway between father and son. Jacob Vaelgrim the head of the family and his father the former head, Marcus Vaelgrim.
Marcus was an older version of Jacob, with long instead of short snow white hair, some wrinkles marking his face, and duller but still fierce red eyes and a long and sharp nose with arched eyebrows.
"So, you are telling me that cold-hearted man is legitimising that daughter of his?" Said Marcus with incredulity in his voice. Jacob seated in front of his father in what seems to be a private meeting room within the castle simply nodded his head, meekly.
Marcus seemingly in a world of his own at the moment, as he says "Ridiculous. Why does he care about that bastard girl? There has to be as reason? What am I missing? That man doesn't do anything without a reason, and a benefit in the end." Tap, tap, tap, Marcus finger taps the leather arm of the sofa as he mumbles all this to himself.
Suddenly his head shoots up and his eyes pierce his son as he says " No matter boy, we will prepare, and be ready. If he does end up seeking revenge, we will give him the surprise of a lifetime." Jacob flinches at his stare as he nods slowly, then with his head slightly bowed and voice a meek mumble, replies "You are going to use them, Father?"
At this Marcus lips curled up into a twisted smirk "You know the rules of this world, my boy. The strong prey on the weak. We, as much as I hate to admit it, in this scenario are the weak. I will not allow us to be preyed upon. If that so called Lightborn wants to destroy us, he will have a surprise of a lifetime."
Jacob seems to have a conflicted expression on his face, as he slowly nods again and decides not to reply to his father. However, inside of his head he thinks "I hope you know what you are doing father, because if he survives, then they get exposed by him, all our years of hard work will be for nothing and those beings may get angered.'
Marcus noticing his sons disposition says sharply "What are you thinking about? Do you think they will lose? They are blessed by a higher race for goodness sake! They are our and many other nobles family years of hard work and they have had resources pumped into them ready for that day, using them early to get rid of a future problem, while securing our families future is not a bad decision. I did not think I raised a weak son!" He shouts at the end. At this Jacob flinches then stutters "Father, I'm sorry! I am just being over cautious that is all." As he says this, Marcus stands up and huffs, before walking to the door, when he reaches it he turns his head slightly and says "Prepare in case Lightborn decides to confront us. I will deal with them, do not disappoint me." He growls, then leaves.
Jacob left alone leaned back and brushed his hand through his hair, and sighed. He seems to be doing that more lately he thought. Then, he got up to prepare, he cannot disappoint his father...