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FOR THE SECOND TIME that week, Finn stood in the greater throne room, waiting for a diplomatic envoy. A representative of the Inquisition had shown up that morning and had demanded an audience. If Gudmund and Elina, standing at his side, and their Rebellion didn't mess everything up, then he could hand over Gilgin to the Inquisition and be rid of the responsibility for all these people. He had to keep an eye on them. They had every reason to sabotage the negotiations. Fortunately, Rockbreaker, on his other side, supported his course, as would Birgit, whom he had chosen as citizen representative for the council.
A trumpeter announced the approach of the envoy. His notes echoed through the Hall. The guards near the door, dressed in full ceremonial uniform (where had Gudmund found that?) completed the display. It probably wouldn't impress the envoy, but it was the best they could achieve given their circumstances.
A man with a grey beard tucked into his belt marched through the door. His walking stick ticked on the floor in a steady beat. A herald next to the doorway announced him. "Arvid Valter, envoy to the Inquisition, under flag of truce."
Arvid marched straight to Finn, completely ignoring the Manhir around the room, and stopped five feet away. He looked Finn up and down. His gaze didn't give away any hints about his thoughts.
Finn gave a small nod. "Well met, Arvid. I am Finn Trollarvik, interim ruler of Gilgin. May our discussions be long and successful."
"Ruler of Gilgin, is it?" The envoy shook his head. "Anyway, I am Arvid. I have been sent here by Jorun, patriarch of the Inquisition, rightful ruler of Gilgin. May wisdom shine on our negotiations." He finished with a small bow.
"Jorun?" Finn asked. "What happened to Ragnur?"
"That is an internal matter." A smile played across the envoy's face. "Let's just say everyone agreed that losing a capital city to demons does not demonstrate the qualities we prefer in a leader."
Finn hesitated. Jorun was more fanatical than the pragmatic Ragnur. That would complicate matters.
"Don't worry about Ragnur," Arvid continued. "He will behave. His daughter ensures his cooperation."
"Kelsa?" Finn asked. "What have you done to her?"
"Done?" Arvid asked. "Nothing, of course. She's a close guest of Jorun, and she ensures everyone keeps the best interests of the Inquisition at heart." Finn raised a hand to his mouth, feeling Kelsa's soft lips touching his. The envoy's smile widened when he saw the reaction. "Enough gossip. Here are our demands. You will return Gilgin to the Inquisition unconditionally and surrender all your arms. You will jointly pay for the damages caused, to the sum of five hundred gold pieces. In return, all humans who repent will receive a full pardon and will be free to go."
"Outrageous!" Gudmund shouted. "Just another sign of the Inquisition's greed. We'll never bow to your extortion!"
Finn's thoughts strayed to Kelsa. She had been the rock on which he could build ever since his father had died. The Inquisition would hurt her to get to him. He noticed that the envoy had stopped talking. He grasped for the first thing that came to mind. "What happens if we don't meet your demands?"
"Then," the envoy said, "we will take back Gilgin by force."
Rockbreaker rumbled from behind Finn. "That might not be as easy as you think."
Arvid addressed Finn, ignoring the Manhir. "Your demons won't help you. Our armies are mobilizing as we speak. If we can't take the city, then we'll simply starve you out. You will only doom yourself and the citizens of Gilgin to a slow death."
"What about the Manhir?" Elina asked. "You didn't include them in your pardon."
Arvid crossed his arms. "They will be exterminated."
"Unacceptable!" Gudmund shouted.
"They are demons heralding the apocalypse," Arvid said. "Be glad we're offering you this chance to absolve yourself of your role in bringing them back."
Finn dragged his thoughts back to the conversation. "We need their support to fight the Ochloroc," he said.
Arvid gave a dismissive wave. "They are a myth."
"I assure you, they are real," Finn said. "We fought them here, in this hall, a week ago."
"If that is true," the envoy said, "then that's just more proof that these Manhir are a plague on the land. The Ochloroc, who no one has seen in over a thousand years, show up the moment the Manhir wake up?"
"They were keeping the gods of the Ochloroc contained," Elina said. "They were holding them back."
Arvid laughed. "Is that what they told you? Say that again and really listen to yourself. Isn't it all too convenient?"
"No, it's not," Finn said. "They fought just as hard as we did. We need each other."
"I see they have already poisoned your mind," Arvid said. "Wrestle yourself free from their influence to see clearly. Otherwise, I cannot help you."
"You're a madman," Gudmund said. "How can we ever agree to these terms?"
Finn raised his hand, silencing Gudmund. "We need to work together."
"That I agree with," Arvid said. "Us humans need to stick together."
"I will agree to your terms," Finn said. "We will hand over Gilgin and pay your damages." Gudmund muttered something under his breath. "But only if the Manhir walk free."
"Consider your options, son." Arvid should his head. "Do the right thing. For the people of Gilgin, for yourself, and for Kelsa."
There was the veiled threat to Kelsa again. "We will consider our options," Finn said. "Thank you for bringing us your offer. We will need some time to discuss it." He needed time to get her free.
Arvid gave a gracious bow. "Of course. I will retire to my quarters. Let us meet again tomorrow."
With that, the envoy turned on his heel and walked out of the hall. The oaken doors swung shut behind him. Everyone around Finn started talking at once.
Finn thought of Kelsa. He needed to reach an agreement with Arvid to protect her. Gudmund, Birgit, the Manhir, and Elina crowded around him, shouting to be heard. Finn raised his arms. "Enough! Quiet." Silence descended on the hall. They stepped back, giving Finn room to breathe. "Thank you. Let's go through this one at a time."
Gudmund spoke up as soon as Finn closed his mouth. "We need to strike at the Inquisition now, before they have a chance to assemble. They're out for blood, so I say we give it to them."
"Why?" Finn asked.
"They are still assembling their troops," Gudmund said. "If we strike now, then we've got the element of surprise on our hands. We can fight and defeat their forces separately."
"Bloodshed will only make things worse," Rockbreaker said. "They will never trust us if we attack them."
"They will never trust you anyway," Gudmund said. "But that won't matter if we cripple them."
Rockbreaker shook his head. "This was only the opening debate. You never reveal all your stones in the first round."
"You heard him," Gudmund said. "He thinks you're demon spawn."
"Just a negotiation tactic," Rockbreaker said. "If we can sit down with him, we can show him otherwise. And once we reach common ground, we can forge a plan."
"You're underestimating his hatred," Birgit said. "He doesn't even want to get to know you."
"I fear you're right," Finn chimed in. "But we're not going to use violence unless there is no other choice."
"We have nothing to negotiate with," Birgit pointed out. "He might not be able to take the city, but he can make sure none of us ever leave. You heard him. They're willing to sacrifice their own citizens to get what they want."
"What would you do, then?" Finn asked.
"I vote we hand over the city." Birgit held up her hand to forestall the shouts about the handing over the Manhir. "We have no other options. They'll get it anyway. But it will take their armies time to get here. We don't have the manpower to prevent the Manhir from leaving or to track where they're going. It's the only way in which we keep our lives and the Manhir escape."
"We can't do that," Elina said. "They would hunt the Manhir down and exterminate them. It would only postpone the inevitable for the Manhir, except that you wouldn't be there to see it."
"It is the only way for everyone to survive this," Birgit argued. "And you would see that if you weren't so blinded by your hatred of the Inquisition."
Elina took a step towards Birgit, and Finn stepped in between the two women. "Everyone has made their points," he said. "We need to buy time." Finn turned to Rockbreaker. "I need you to sit down with Arvid over the next couple of days and tell him everything you can think of about the Manhir. That should buy us some time."
Rockbreaker nodded. "We can do that."
Finn faced Birgit. "Can you contact some of the nearby cities and ask if they want to harbor the Manhir? It's good to have a backup plan."
Birgit nodded. "I'll do so. I have some friends I can write to. They might help or know of places which might welcome the Manhir. Not everyone likes the Inquisition."
"What will you do?" Elina asked.
"Me?" Finn said. "I'll go rescue Kelsa."
"You can't just run off," Gudmund scoffed.
"You heard Arvid threaten her," Finn said. "They feel like they hold all the cards. If we can free her, then that will make the Inquisition feel less secure in their negotiations." And I can't let her get hurt because of my actions, Finn added to himself. "If we do it right, then I'll be back before Arvid misses me."