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East Empire Company Office, Lalrial, Imperial Heartlands, Ethica

  The sound of feathered pen on parchment was the only sound in the small yet cozy room to break the silence. The main office of Ralltene’s guild holdings in Lalrial was a fairly impressive affair. Polished Redoak adorned the walls, giving them a dull red hue, along with tasteful works of art that had caught the young Princes eye. He dared to say he had something of an affinity for artwork. One particular work he had stumbled upon during a business trip to Starborn City several years ago. The rooms primary source of light came from a strategically positioned ceiling window that allowed the high noon sun to cast its gentle rays that brightened the room as a whole. The exotic plants residing in each corner-- straight from Kawachian lands-- casting strange shadows against the heartwood walls.  

  A knock came to the door distracting Ralltene from his current work. "You may enter," came the passive reply. 

  His assistant, Alceste Léger, opened the door shortly after. "Forgive the disturbance my lord, but a Duke Certes Seval wishes an audience with you."

  Ralltene frowned for but a momentary thinking of a reason for such an out of the deep blue visit. He naturally assumed it had some bearing on the coming election though anything was possible. 

   "Send him in," Ralltene ordered before finishing his letter and folding it neatly.   

  Entering with polite bow Certes took a brief moment to acquaint himself with the lavish room before greeting his host, “Prince Ralltene, you have my sincere thanks for making the time to see me today, given the circumstances.  I can only imagine how busy you must be what with the upcoming election, though I do hope this meeting might provide a welcome distraction for you there.” Gesturing to a nearby chair the Duke added, “Might I take a seat?” 

  Ralltene offered a smooth reassuring smile. "Why of course, have a seat and make yourself comfortable." Ralltene stored his letter away in a drawer at his desk before leaning back a bit in his chair and folded his fingers together as he rested his elbows on the smooth wood. "So Duke Certes of Ramoi. How might I help you today?" 

  Relived to sit down after what had been a day of navigating the meandering streets of Lalrial Certes couldn't help but return the Prince's smile, “If it’d please you your grace I would have a proposal to make, but first tell me; have you ever heard of Jeseaer?”

  The merchant princes eyes squinted ever so slightly as he searched his mind for the meaning of that oh so familiar name. After a short pause, he looked back up at the duke's eyes, "I happen to recall that being some far off land across the western seas. An apparent paradise or a land full of yet more savages depending on who you listen to. A few captains who work under my employ have mentioned it offhandedly now and again. I confess some ignorance as to any real details -- but why do you ask?"

  As if in unspoken reply Certes green eyes seemed to shine at the Prince's question.  Leaning forward he spoke more softly, “I ask your Grace, because Jeseaer is a myth, a legend spun by the Drathii to justify their asinine superstitions. Or at least, it was.”  Smile turning to a subtle grin the Duke elaborated, “I believe I’ve found it”

  Ralltene visibly perked at this revelation as he leaned slightly more forward. His mind already dissecting the greater meaning of what this could lead to, containing any excitement with practiced ease of a professional the prince voiced, "Well Lord Certes that is quite the news if I may say so. Yet, many sailors and explorers before you have made similar claims. How can you be so certain you have found the island's location after all these years?"   

  Relaxing back into the chair Certes met Ralltene’s evaluating gaze, “How can I be certain?  Well your Grace I can’t be, no more than you can be certain of any man's word.  That said, I can be confident.”  Pulling a pair of small ledgers from the pockets of his blue jerkin Certes explained, “Most of the accounts given by these sailors and explorers you speak of lack two things: consistency, and the vital detail of a plotted route.  What I hold here is the original log of a ship that I believe has reached Jeseaer, a log that not only explains in detail how the vessel happened upon the island but what they saw there.”

  Returning the log to its place at his side Certes held up the second, far older, ledger, “And what they saw, this second account seems to corroborate. Those who travel to Khemita are rarely bold or curious enough to dig deeper than they must, but what I hold here is the product of the rare individual unphased by the Drathii.  A family heirloom, it is an amalgamation of everything gleaned from the savages over the centuries and perhaps the only one of its kind, given one can imagine what may have happened to it’s author.  Predictably the account of Jeseaer it offers is one steeped in mythology, but the details behind the lore match those of the log I have acquired.  A clear route and a consistent account, this your Grace, is the source of my confidence.”

   Ralltene nodded has he tucked one arm across his chest and balanced his other arms elbow upon it as he brought a hand to his chin. Laying back he gave this news a moment for his mind to digest. "I will admit this is more concrete than what past would be explorers have had. Yet, that leaves the question I wager I already know the answer to, but shall ask all the same." Ralltene gave a smirk. "What does this new land have to do with your visit?"    

   Certes gave a short chuckle and replied, “I wager you do.  After all your Grace it’s an open secret that the Dukes of Aeche don’t quite stand up to their title, and despite the efforts of myself and my wife I fear I’m no exception. So it is unable to fund my own expedition that I come to you. My proposal is this, have your East Empire Company provide the capital necessary to journey to Jeseaer and by doing so claim dominance over any future trade with the island, trade that would doubtless find its way to my own city of Ramoni. Certainly it is a risk for us both, but should our efforts prove fruitful the investment may well see itself returned a thousand fold.”

   "There is no small risk in this venture," the prince began. "Even should your information be accurate there a multifarious number of things that could go wrong. Never mind the Drathii, Xain pirates, and other strange things that prowl the Black Sea. I have never been much of a gambling man. I've built a great deal of what I have from knowing how to read the changing tides... still I have also prided myself on knowing where to make a sound investment. Nothing in this business is always a guarantee after all." 

   Ralltene ran the side of his thumb through his mustache as he sat forward once more. "Lord Certes, most men would simply turn away such a proposal. Counting the risk and writing off such a venture entirely. Such man would be counted wise by many... but such men are those prone to remain where they are never to rise further due to a fear of taking certain risks... but placing faith in another is no small thing. So here is what I shall do. I shall offer you the loan for the ships, men, and equipment needed. As par the course. However, as part of our deal, I will select the ships and have a say in the selection of crew- you won't believe how often a competitor has slipped in a spy or two in my career. Beyond that, I will send forth a seasoned captain of my own I know well to..oversee this investment. I would be a fool, after all, not to have a trusted man on such a venture. So what say you?"

   As offers went it was not unreasonable, in truth it verged on generous, and that was what set Certes on edge. Such expeditions had the potential to make whole houses rich beyond measure, but they could also ruin them. To offer so much Ralltene had something more to gain from this than simple money, but what?  If the Merchant Prince were elected Emperor he’d doubtless gain an early political victory but in equal measure the loss of the expedition would be enough to humiliate him before he was even crowned. Whatever the Prince sought to gain Certes was acutely aware deals didn’t always benefit both parties, but there were ways to complicate the other partners ulterior motives. Interlocking his fingers Certes leaned in from his relaxed position, “I say the offer is fair your grace, though perhaps unnecessarily restrictive.  Your means are great, of this there is little doubt, but I would like to search for additional trusted sponsors to better ensure the success of this venture. Why, the Tallurians are known to be prolific patrons of such endeavours, and their position would still leave us first to reap the rewards.  A thought, if nothing else.”

   Ralletene sat back as he thought on this request. It was true he had more to gain from this than first met the eye. But to include another house still waving in the wind on who though would support to the throne? Yes, there was an opportunity here for further gains. "The aid of House Tallurian?" Ralltene nodded at the prospect, given their position they would not be capable of pushing him out of the deal even if they had a mind to. "Very well, if you can gain their compliance to this expedition. Then we can make our agreement here official. I'll have the contract written up within the coming days."    

   With a smile Certes stood and extended his hand, “Then we have an agreement, you have my thanks your Grace. It was a pleasure and it is my hope our next meeting will be as fruitful as this one has proven itself.”

   Standing as Certes did Ralltene returned the hand-shake with a smile. "Of course, Lord Certes. I hope this venture proves fruitful for both of us."

   With a bow the Duke made his way from the room and left the prince to his letters and his thoughts.  Departing the estate and shielding his eyes from the now low sun Certes couldn't help but move with a liveliness that he’d been missing for far too long.  Ralltene was planning something for certain, but with the potential support of house Tallurian Certes had a buffer and beyond even that the coffers of Ramoi would be all but untouched.  He knew it was foolish, unfounded even, but for the first time in years Certes felt like he was getting traction.  Little steps did not make great men, and for the second time in his life Certes was preparing to take a leap.

   Whether it was one of faith or foolishness, only time and the chasm below could determine.
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