231 New Faces (1/2)

He had told everyone to be ready for a meeting from this morning all the way to the afternoon because he did not know how long negotiations would take with the duchess, but it seemed everyone was promptly there.

Everyone, and more.

Occupying one half of the wooden meeting table smelling of cedar was the usual inner council of the farmer's guild. Old Thane sitting straight with his burly arms crossed. Ivo next to him in the exact same posture, basically mirroring the old man in all things except for the fact that Ivo had yet to become bald.

Ven'thur and Sindra were next to them, with Ven'thur tipping his tophat to Li's entrance and Sindra busy as usual, her attention focused entirely on scribbling down notes on a piece of paper next to her.

Already, though, her notes had formed quite the pile, indicating how many lengthy topics had been discussed already.

Not too surprising considering the other half of the table.

There was the count Alexei, his tall, lanky stature wrapped up in black, formal suit. His skin was several shades tanner than his usual deathly paleness, and his eyes had shifted color from their deep crimson to baby blues. His face seemed less bony and more filled out, more youthful, and overall, he looked to be quite striking in the looks department.

Next to him was Gronn. The dragon's human form was like that of a bodybuilder's, immensely built and large to the point where the seat under him looked like it would collapse at any given point. His close-cropped hair and roughly square features littered with scars gave him all the poise of hardened warrior.

By the dragon was Cicero, his wrinkled hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea as he, like his former student Sindra, looked down at notes he had written.

And, perhaps most surprising of all, was the presence of the hero Meld. She was not in her hero costume this time around. Without her black blindfold, wide brimmed hat, and leotard, she looked surprisingly normal in a lacey white shirt and leather leggings.

She acknowledged Li with a look, her eyes completely pale and clouded. She, like Old Thane, was blind.

”Well, this is quite a surprise,” remarked Li as he took a seat at the head of the table.

”Lots of people!” said Tia as she looked around wide-eyed. When her eyes settled on Gronn, she exclaimed, ”And dragon! Like me!”

”Not like you,” said Gronn. ”The highers were wrong. You are not lesser blood. You are higher. I am lesser.” He bowed his head. ”I defer to you.”

”See, papa, even big dragon knows I strong,” said Tia rather happily, and Li could only help but smile at her.

A shame the gracious count refuses my tea. I quite pride myself in my brewing skills, too. I suppose he prefers…other beverages.”

Alexei gave Ven'thur a piercing stare, and Ven'thur did not say much more. The two knew instinctively that they were high tier undead, but where Ven'thur was a man of levity, Alexei was just the opposite, stone cold serious in all of his interactions.

”I will summarize for you so as to not waste any further time,” said Sindra with a quick sidelong leer at Ven'thur, and Alexei nodded at her serious composure. ”As you instructed, this meeting was held from sunrise til' now when noon reaches near. Old Thane immediately consulted us with what you revealed to him from the night prior.

Hearing of your plans, we spent much time deliberating upon what to do among ourselves. We decided Ivo would take upon both roles as master of ceremonies and master of fields while myself and Ven'thur will maintain our administrative positions within the city.”

”And…everyone else here?” said Li as he eyed the rest of the non-farmer's guild side of the table.

”Count Alarie asked to enter the meeting soon after we reached an agreement among ourselves. He has offered us as much aid as we require during these trying times and also wished personal audience with you. Soon after, Cicero intruded with Gronn and this hero. Before their intentions could be made known too deeply, you arrived.”

”Alexei, good to see you,” said Li with a nod, and the count nodded back. ”Though, I have to ask, how did you know about this meeting?”

”I have ears across this entire kingdom. I do not spy on you, per say, but I do keep watch upon the activities of your followers so that I may be more proactive in aiding them,” said Alexei.

That explained why Alexei was so capable of figuring out what Li needed seemingly before Li himself knew and before he ever even approached the vampire.

”Well, I do not mind you keeping tabs on us. I trust you enough to be discrete and helpful about it.” Li turned his attention to the stranger in the room. Meld.

”And you, hero? I have to say that it is a slight bit uncomfortable seeing you here. Knowing where your allegiances lie and all.”

”An understandable concern,” said Meld.

”She is with me,” intervened Cicero. ”As I mentioned to you in our first meeting, we have been working together to unveil the machinations of Lucius and his closest advisors. She and I are here to propose an agreement with you.”

”And Gronn tagged along just to listen?” said Li.