Season of Bloom - 27. Advisor Adversity

“Excuse me?”

Lapis sighed quietly, hearing the incredulous tone of Kassil. He didn’t know how much clearer he could be. It had been two weeks since returning from their last expedition. He was itching to get on the road again, but there were things that needed to be done in Ismenia. He just needed to explain them to Kassil and Kesten. Again.

“I want to build a kobold quarter in the western part of the city. You refer to Kiba as Consul Sootscale. It would go a long way toward cementing any alliance with his tribe if we actually allow kobolds within the city. Come Pharast, I want to send Kiba with an invitation to his tribe. We will welcome them with open arms. If we treat kobolds like monsters, they will continue to see themselves as monsters.”

“They will steal everything that isn’t nailed down. The guards will have their hands full trying to keep the peace,” Kesten protested.

“That is why we start small. When I found Khemet, he enjoyed chasing our queens. It took me some time to teach him this was not okay. It will be the same with the kobolds. We will respect that they are kobolds. We will put precautions in place. And they will have to understand that they are strangers in this city, and there are rules that need to be obeyed. But it will still foster a sense of closeness.”

“And… the other thing?” Kesten demanded.

“I have done my research. Bastet, Calistria, Lymnieris, and Arshea all entertain sacred prostitutes. Would it be unreasonable to give them a place to practice their worship safely? Even the clerics of Cayden Cailean would likely appreciate having a brothel in the city.”

“It goes against everything Erastil stands for,” Kassil pointed out. “Many of the people here would not be pleased to have a pleasure house in their midst.”

“I may be young, but I have learned a lot in my travels. And one of my biggest lessons is that it is impossible to please everyone. If they start calling me the Whore Cat of Ellesmera, I will not be ashamed. I am providing a place for worship. There is nothing shameful about it at all,” Lapis said firmly. “Besides, there are several benefits to having a brothel in the city. Do you know how many secrets I learned in my days as a prostitute in An? Being able to relieve tensions will help keep the crime rate down, reduce tempers. The brothel is only going to help the city.”

“Do we even have the money for two more projects on top of Jhod’s research?”

“I believe I can answer that satisfactorily,” Kanerah announced suddenly, striding into the room.

The tiefling smirked at Lapis, dropping a heavy book on the table the three were gathered around.

“Lapis approached me about these project last night. It would seem we need well over twenty four thousand gold to see them achieved properly. This is currently beyond our means. However,” Kanerah added with a delighted smile, “there is a way we can gain this money easily enough. Lapis has shown that he is the new baron, and that the new baron is here to stay. It is beyond time we start levying taxes upon the people. I would advise doubling the taxes that the former lord of these lands held. It would be the most expedient way to fill our coffers.”

Lapis let out an outraged yowl, nearly hissing at the tiefling.

“Double the taxes?! The last lord here was a bandit who stole from the people, and you would double that burden?!”

“The last lord here was a half elf who helped the people. But by all means, ignore his accomplishments. Don’t seek to build upon them,” Kanerah scoffed.

“There is another option, my lord.”

Faes stepped into the room, drawing glares from nearly everyone in the room.

“This is a private meeting,” Kesten said sharply.

“Then it’s a good thing the Baron’s advisor is here to ensure it remains private,” Faes smirked. “The people can ill afford double the taxes of the robber baron known as the Stag Lord. Instead, I suggest we raise them by a third. It will fill the coffers a little slower, but it won’t be much more of a burden upon the people. More importantly, it will keep an angry mob from cutting our heads off in the night.”

“But you told me to double-” Kanerah started.

“I said doubling was an option to discuss. I never said it was the right choice,” Faes smirked. “You decided that yourself.”

“Kan- Kaessi,” Lapis said quietly, drawing the tiefling’s attention. “You will show Faes the books and let him take over the position of treasurer. You are welcome to stay in the barony, but I will not have someone in my inner circle who does not prioritize the needs of the people.”

“But-”

Lapis’ eyes narrowed, a feline growl escaping his maw, and the tiefling blanched. She grabbed her book from the table and hurried from the room. Faes smirked at the amurrun.

“I’m glad you’re finally seeing things my way,” he said, bowing slightly before following the tiefling.

Lapis let out a loud groan, slumping in a seat. His rest did not last long.

A guard knocked on the entrance to the room.

“My lord, Jhod Kavken has something he wishes to discuss with you.”

Faes set a circlet on his head, feeling the rush of clarity that always came from this particular item. He held power now. If he wanted, he could stop Lapis at any time. It was a different feeling from the power he felt on a battlefield. That power was raw, untamed, but this, this was the power of the mind.

The hollowborn settled into his seat behind the desk in the treasurer’s office. Money had to be found for a kobold quarter and a brothel. He knew which he would search for first. But even before that, Jhod had a request for money for a project on the curse of a missing child. Faes wasn’t sure how that was a curse; it seemed more like a blessing to him. Still, he couldn’t afford to upset the cleric.

And so the game continued. He would play his cards carefully, let the money flow just right to make more money. And if that meant he had to play nice with the other advisors, or with the people of the barony, so be it. Kaessi had her ways of making money, and Faes had his own. The hollowborn knew his ways were superior.

Even better, as the treasurer, much of his days would be behind a desk, not trekking through some bog in search of monsters. His days of adventuring were over. It was time to enjoy the life of the privileged few.

Pulling out a quill and an inkpot, the half human leaned back in his chair.

“By order of Baron Lapis, a brothel shall be built in the northwest corner of Ismenia. Members of any faith will be welcome to attend, but rooms shall be set aside for clergy of Calistria, Lymnieris, Arshea, Bastet, and Lamashtu.”

As he spoke, the quill dipped itself in the ink and began gliding over the waiting parchment. Orders were written out as the hollowborn rolled a gold coin over his fingers. By the time Faes was done, the sun had set behind the distant Narlmarches, the half human left to think in the dark.

A mad goddess rising from the forest, bringing death to cities. Advisors that questioned his every move. And through it all, a dragon crawling through the shadows.

“I can smell you,” Lapis muttered as he walked through the halls of his new home.

‘Well that’s a rather rude thing to say,’ Cirrus scowled, his body shimmering into sight beside the amurrun.

“I’ve had a hard day. Forgive me if I am over eager to have it done with. How is Kiba doing?”

‘He’d probably do better if everyone stopped acting like he’s sick. Kobolds do this all the time. He’ll be fine in a few months. Besides, Khemet is guarding him.’

“And you would leave your master unattended with a tiger in the room?”

‘Your tiger. Are you telling me your tiger will hurt your friend?’ Cirrus questioned.

“I am reminding you that Khemet is a wild animal, even if I can speak with him. He does what he wants, and though he likes Kiba, there is a chance he might eat a kobold that appears to be dead. As cats occasionally do.”

‘That is a fair point. I will return to my vigil. But first, I must ask, how is your barony when it comes to information?’

“What do you mean? Letters come and go easily, and we get reports readily enough. Or so I’ve seen,” Lapis frowned.

‘But do you know what your neighbours are plotting? Do you have contingencies set up in case they try to invade?’

“No…” Lapis said slowly. “But why would Lady Aldori accept me as baron if she wanted these lands for herself?”

‘I don’t know. But I know how to find out. And when he wakes up, I can make sure Kiba knows too. Think about it. A kobold learning secrets. Who would suspect him of duplicity? Most kobolds are not that bright,’ Cirrus smirked.

“I suppose not,” the amurrun sighed. “Can you give me reliable reports? And more, do you have to include Kiba?”

‘Imagine a mole comes to a meeting to relay information. There is no one waiting for him, only a voice that whispers in his head. To help you, I need a face. And Kiba would work masterfully under my tutelage.’

Lapis frowned, but nodded along with the dragon’s knowledge.

“I will have someone set up a test for Kiba. Secrets are delicate things. I don’t know how you plan to train him while he sleeps, but if he can perform well, then you can be our spymaster. Gods… why is this so complicated?”

‘Don’t worry too much. Let your advisors do their jobs. That’s what we’re here for.’