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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 5, 2018 21:03:41 GMT
A luxurious office space on the upper floor of the Caltarys Ludus, where Lord Aeradar manages the books of his various business enterprises and plans grand spectacles for the benefit of the people of Linyanti (and his own coffers).
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Post by The Horror on Dec 5, 2018 21:13:54 GMT
There was a loud knock on Lord Aeredar's office door.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 5, 2018 21:39:08 GMT
The door was answered by an armed guard of Aeradar’s personal retinue, most of which were made up of former gladiators. Aeradar himself was sitting behind a smooth ebony desk, conversions with Doctore over the progress of some of the new trainees in the ludus.
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Post by The Horror on Dec 5, 2018 22:03:51 GMT
As the guard opened the door, he was met by a massive figure, clad from head to toes in black scale male and donning a helmet shaped in the form of a dragon. Lord Caltarys knew well what that meant: a member of the Governor's own Dragon Guard.
The giant of a man said no words, he simple stood aside, making way for thin frame of the Lord Treasurer. Beside them stood a desperate looking secretary slave, knew well he would be flogged for not announcing their arrival.
"Lord Aeredar, tell your dogs to leave. I wish to discuss business and I'm not in the habit of doing it in the presence of savages." The Treasurer looked as grim as ever. Rumor on the street was that he was always like that because he was hungry, for he wouldn't even spend money on food. Though clearly a creation of the mind of the common masses, it could explain both his frame and his well regarded term in office.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 6, 2018 5:18:17 GMT
Despite the treasurer’s brusque demeanor and notions on how Aeradar should handle his staff, the lanista greeted him with a warm smile. It was not due to any particular fondness for the man but because he had a sneaking suspicion as to why he was here and there were few things he enjoyed quite as much as a Tiger handing him coin.
“Have a seat, Lord Lisaerys,” Aeradar said graciously. “Wine? Food?” He gave the emaciated lord treasurer a pointed look at the second offer.
He dismissed his guardsmen but allowed Doctore and a single house slave to remain in case the man accepted his offer of libations and sustenance.
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Post by The Horror on Dec 6, 2018 9:14:44 GMT
"I will take some wine." The Lord Treasurer said while taking the seat across from Caltarys.
"At this point you'll have already guessed why I am here." By his tone it was clear that he wasn't very eager to be having this conversation. "Despite my urges for financial cautiousness, the Lord Governor insists on this big festivity to commemorate the colony's anniversary. He has instructed me to arrange with you, my Lord, a full week of publicly funded events."
It was clear that Lisaerys was trying hard not to roll his eyes that proposition. The Dragon Guard approached, laying a scroll on the desk.
"In that document you will find all of Lord Vaenor's requests. Free bread shall be distributed among the attendees. Of course, my lord knows how the rabbles gets in such events. So we expect that all the security measures will be taken."
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 6, 2018 15:32:21 GMT
Aeradar had the slave fetch a clay vase of a respectable vintage and fill a goblet for the Lord Treasurer.
"And the Lord Governor did not see fit to come himself?" he inquired, tone tinged with concern over the man he had called father in law not long ago. "I do hope he is well."
Aeradar read the proposition as he awaited an answer, doing a few calculations in his head to determine the cost for a week of games, the free bread, and the additional security he would have to hire on for the event.
"You say rabble. I prefer to call them connoisseurs of fine entertainment," he remarked, before quoting a sum that he though appropriate. "Does the Lord Governor have any particular requests for the games? Military victories he would like honored? Family achievements he would like those fine connoisseurs reminded of?" The games were as much a source of propaganda and political maneuvering as entertainment.
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Post by The Horror on Dec 6, 2018 16:25:00 GMT
"The Lord Governor has many commitments to see to before the arrival of the new colonists." Lisaerys said briefly,his eyes staring unblinking at Aeredar. "Furthermore, the Treasurer is better suited for such tasks. Lord Vaenor is prone to unnecessary spending, I fear that left alone in your presence he might have been swayed to a hire a service beyond what the treasury is willing to spend. Take that as a compliment, if you will."
"His grace has commanded me to tour your grounds and select the 'most exotic beasts' and 'most valued fighters'." An almost unnoticeable snort from the Treasurer. "Of course, I have no wish of wasting my time with such a tour. Since you are the most experienced in the business, I'll entrust you, my lord, with the responsability of putting up a show that fit those requirements. Or whatever they are supposed to mean."
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 6, 2018 20:10:56 GMT
"Come now, Lisaerys, this is the Founder's celebration. A time to honor all we have accomplished here. Can you really put a price on that?" He asked the question rhetorically, knowing the Lord Treasurer certainly would.
"Of course, I am happy to take the burden of planning the event off your shoulders. Elephant or Tiger, we both serve Linyanti in our capacities. I will assure the Lord Governor you thoroughly scrutinized my stock and ensure an event that will be talked about for generations."
(Charisma 80 to raise his disposition)
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Post by The Horror on Dec 7, 2018 1:33:28 GMT
(Success. Disposition raised by one level.)
Lisaerys was not amused by Aeredar's conciliatory tone about how the both served Linyanti. That was a typical Elephant strategy, always posing as the level headed ones, trying to co-opt the masses into thinking they followed the high road. However, he had enjoyed that Caltarys was more than willing to take that burden from his back.
"Two hundred thousand Golden Honors." The Treasurer's squalid face, that until now had been frozen into a scowl, somewhat lightened up, becoming more of a grown now. "That's your budget. No more, no less. And that's way over what I originally was willing to spend on this baffoonery."
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 7, 2018 2:14:32 GMT
"For the spectacle fit for the gravity of the celebration, I'll need at least two fifty to cover my operating costs," Aeradar countered. "Think of it this way: A properly entertained populace complains less come tax season."
(Charisma 80)
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Post by The Horror on Dec 7, 2018 16:55:57 GMT
(136 - Success)
"You present a fair notion, my lord. Two thirty and that's as far as the coffers are willing. We will also provide you with some convicted criminals, they should serve as the perfect fodder for some of your spectacles. " Lisaerys sneered at Aeredar's. He felt like he was been played, yet Caltarys had been very compelling in his argument about tax season. "You will have to make do with that and I'll expect to see something worthy of the great arena back in Volantis."
Lisaerys was about to raise from his seat when he remembered something.
"Lord Caltarys. I would refrain from making any political statement in your little show. No tigers, not elephants, at least not in the same presentation. Let's avoid having the tensions of the main land boiling over to our little piece of paradise." He said in a soft, passive aggressive tone. The sarcasm in those last words was almost palpable. "With tusk or fang, we all serve Volantis above all else here." This was followed by the fakest, most unenthusiastic smile Lord Caltarys had ever seen.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 8, 2018 21:28:08 GMT
"I will make do with two thirty," Aeradar replies, placing his hands in the air in mock surrender, as if the Lord Treasurer drove a hard bargain and had not just increased his budget by 15%. "And you have my gratitude for the convicts. I will be certain they pay their debt to society in full and benefit Liyanti with their dying breath more than they did in life." He did not bother to ask what their crimes were. It did not matter.
Aeradar drank deeply from his wine to hide the smirk as Lord Lisaerys deigned to lecture him on keeping politics out of the games. "I am an entertainer, not a provocateur," he said, with all the sincerity of a dragon claiming to be a vegetarian. "I assure you that no tigers will be trampled by elephants in my games. I prefer my patrons to enjoy an escape from the realities of the outside world, not a reminder."
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Post by The Horror on Dec 10, 2018 10:24:56 GMT
"Good... You keep up with that and next time I might even come here to deal with you willingly." Lisaerys finally rose from his seat, something he seemed to have been itching to do since his arrival.
"Garithos and a couple of his friends will bring you your payment." He said, nodding towards the mountain of a Dragon Guard. "Such a massive sum might be adangerous load to be accaried around town, so I would urge you complete secrecy on this endeavor of ours. Whatever we spoke in here will not leave these walls, not even if the Archon herself comes asking. Are we agreed on that?" He stared blankly at Aeredar and then turned towards Doctore.
"Your man speaks anything about this and I'll make sure he receives a visit from the Dragon Kinght." The Treasurer said matter-of-factly.
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Post by Lord Aeradar Caltarys on Dec 11, 2018 18:51:39 GMT
"I would remind you, Lord Treasurer, that the coin in the coffers you ably manage came from the generous investments of noble families, my own among the most prominent," he informed Lord Lisaerys, as affably as he was able despite the lecture. "You should be overjoyed for the opportunity to darken my door."
"I am happy to provide them with an additional escort if you are so concerned with robbery. But I assure you, people do not steal from House Caltarys. Wyrmtail sees to that," he motioned to the wicked looking Valyrian steal whip that was coiled on his desk like a snake ready to strike. Most slaves and freemen alike preferred to stay on the amiable Aeradar's good side, especially whenit only took one lash to strip flesh from bone.
"Keep your threats to those in your own employ, my lord. Doctore would sooner fall on his sword than gossip with the fishwives."
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