Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

Prilgrat ignored Holli's sweeping glances. He knew the elf was sizing him up. Many others had done so in the past and others would do so in the future. He had grown accustomed to it, perhaps even encouraged it. To him, it was inconsequential. What mattered most was that he had the elf and the delver in his study, and though it was not under the circumstances he hoped, he would make the most of the situation.

Placing his focus almost entirely on the elf's companion, Prilgrat directed his initial observations to the delver.

"I imagine you were the one causing all the ruckus in the streets. I received a report of an unregistered delver resisting the inferns. Then again, I'm not surprised Ryson Acumen would wish to avoid half-demons."

Prilgrat revealing Ryson's name caught the delver off guard.

"You know me?"

The regional steward's calculated comment succeeded in his intention. He had confirmed the identity of the delver and had Ryson on the defensive.

"Don't be so modest. You're nearly a celebrity."

Ryson didn't appreciate the term. He also found a blaring inconsistency in the answer.

"How is it that you know my name and the inferns don't?"

"Inferns are interesting creatures. They don't follow the news. They're not up on current events, but they do follow orders. They also take a certain pleasure in completing tasks assigned to them. I have to tell you, they're not too pleased that you got away. They thought you left the city. I, of course, knew that wasn't true."

There appeared to be a hole in the explanation, as if Prilgrat didn't really answer Ryson's question. The delver remained unsatisfied and pressed for greater detail.

"But why did they want to know my name if you already know who I am? It doesn't make sense."

"I appreciate that it wouldn't make sense to a delver-you're such curious individuals." The remark sounded like an insult framed around a compliment, but Prilgrat continued with a pleasant demeanor. "The inferns knew you were unregistered. They wanted your name so they could complete their duties."

"Why are you registering delvers?"

The delver was asking the questions, but they were questions the steward could answer. With a good-natured demeanor, he deftly built a foundation of responses that would justify the current conditions in Ashlan. It was what he hoped to do from the beginning.

"Why not? You have so many impressive qualities. Delver service might be needed in the future. Why wait until the last moment? It's certainly not out of the ordinary. There are times we have had to press all kinds of people into the service of the valleys. We have conscripted young men for wars. The threats that we face now might require individuals quick of foot and with strong senses. The delvers that live in the valleys are expected to serve just like anyone else."

"But I'm not from the valley. You must know that. And if you knew I was here and told the inferns, they wouldn't have attacked me."

"Attacked you? That's not the report I have. The inferns insist that you instigated the conflict. As for why I didn't inform the inferns of your arrival here in the city, let's just say that I don't reveal all of my information to underlings. That is a policy that is often followed by leaders in every city."

Holli entered the conversation before Ryson could respond again. She didn't wish to have the focus of their discussion placed upon the delver. She had many questions of greater importance, and she wanted them answered.

"So the inferns are your underlings? Does that mean that they report to you?"

The steward shifted his focus to the elf with casual ease.

"Everyone in Ashlan has to report to me in some manner. I am the regional steward. Even the mayor and city council must consult with me. It's how we maintain order."

Once again, the steward did not answer the question, and Holli wanted to understand the true chain of command in the city.

"It seems to me the inferns are maintaining order. Are they under your control or not?"

"I thought I already answered that question."

"No, you didn't."

"Well, I'm sorry you misunderstood me, but let's return to you. What is it exactly you want from Ashlan?"

"Answers."

"Then you have come to the right place. In fact, you should have come here first rather than skulking about the city. I could have saved you a great deal of time."

"The time spent skulking about, as you put it, allowed me the opportunity to understand the city. Questions are better asked when there is a level of knowledge behind them."

"But partial knowledge can lead you to unwise conclusions. If you don't talk to the right people, you don't get the full and true story."

"And if I simply came to you, I would have never discovered that you are behind many questionable decisions."

Prilgrat's smile grew, and his expression revealed good-natured surprise.

"Questionable? You're judging me?"

"When you order land councils to turn over farms to goblins, yes, I will judge that as questionable. You find it unreasonable for me to question that decision?"

"I hardly believe a visitor to the Great Valleys is qualified to judge anything based on a few days of exploration."

Holli, becoming somewhat frustrated at the stewards reluctance to offer unambiguous answers, decided to move in the direction Prilgrat allowed in hopes of getting some clarity.

"Is that why you ordered us captured? You wished to prevent us from exploring the farmlands and coming to unqualified conclusions, so you dispatched our descriptions to town guards throughout the region?"

"Captured? You make it sound so diabolical. I simply ordered you held until I could speak with you."

"How did you even know we were here?"

"I'm a regional steward. I'm supposed to know."

"That does not answer the question, either."

"Of course it does. I have contacts all across the valleys. You were spotted and I thought it would be important to meet with you."

"Spotted by who?"

"As I told your friend, I don't reveal all my information, not to underlings and not to intruders."

"Is that what we are to you? Intruders?"

Prilgrat's smile grew. Holli had actually asked him to justify his assertion, and the steward was more than willing to oblige.

"At this moment? What else would you be?" If the steward truly considered the elf and delver invaders, he didn't express it beyond his words. Instead, he maintained his jovial disposition. He continued to paint a picture of marauders entering his home, and yet he did so with a bright smile and a wink of the eye. "You barged into my home… armed. You didn't ask to see me. You simply marched through my house as if it was some town hall open to the public. You didn't even knock at my study door. You simply threw it open as if you were nothing more than common barbarians. Thank goodness it wasn't locked. I imagine you would have kicked it in. If you wish to maintain your hostility to me, I can accommodate you."

"You have not seen hostility… yet," Holli growled.

Ashlan laughed.

"Don't threaten me. It's pointless and you don't even seem to grasp the situation. You are obviously here to accuse me of some wrong doing, some evil intention. Well, let's have it. What exactly have I done?"

"You are conspiring with goblins."

Despite the accusation, Prilgrat continued to smile.

"I meet with them openly. You think my friend here came in the back door? Absolutely not. Every one in Ashlan is aware of our meetings. We hold them late at night because my friend is more comfortable at that time. Now, what exactly is the conspiracy? What crime has been committed? What lapse in ethics have I indulged?"

"People are running from the valleys."

"Just some of the people, and what exactly are they running from?"