Contract

“It is clear you believe strongly that your cause is a just one,” Lord Brighton began, the trace of a smile on his lips.

“Nevertheless, you’re asking us to enter into a complicated situation with great risk attached. Not only does Europe fall outside of our jurisdiction, it is far more organised and intolerant to outside interference. My apologies, but we cannot do as you ask.”

“But Father-” Moira began, before being cut off by a glance from Lord Brighton.

“We can, however,” the Lord continued, producing a document from the drawer of the desk and placing it, along with a quill and inkwell, in front of John, “offer protection for you and Miss Perrault. In turn I ask you to sign this.”

I, the signatory of this document, hereby offer my services as an employee to the Order of the Golden Rose (henceforth designated as the Order) in whatever magical or mundane capacity they should require. While I am under the employment of the Order, I will not make deals with any other Abyssal organizations without first consulting the local branch of the Order and will respect their request for exclusivity when made. In return for my service, the Order will provide protection, training, and daily necessities…
Failure to abide by the above agreement will result in a termination of this contract and my infliction with the Mark of the Oathbreaker.

John almost laughed as he finished reading the contract but managed to keep himself in check. Red shot him a concerned glance, having finished reading it herself and finding it no more favourable.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t sign this. I’m not looking to join any organisations right now,” John explained trying to measure his voice in a friendly way. “But I’m sure we can work something out that suits us both.”

Unsurprisingly, he lost Reputation Points with both Moira and her father for refusing to sign. It was a consequence John could accept when the alternative was selling his freedom to a religious order of paladins.

“I see,” Lord Brighton said, stone faced. “However, I strongly encourage you to reconsider this offer. It is for the best that we guide your path forward into this treacherous world.”

“I’m happy and willing to work alongside you in return for protection, provided I maintain my independence. Perhaps I could be hired as a contractor?”

Moira’s father thought for a moment, before nodding. “It is true that the Order has hired contractors in the past. Yes, so long as you conduct your business with the appropriate integrity and abide by certain rules, contract work will be acceptable.”

The Lord took out a blank scroll from his drawer and began writing up a new contract with a quill and ink. He must have been magically assisted, because he finished damn fast.

I, the signatory of this document, hereby offer my services as a contractor to the Order of the Golden Rose (henceforth designated as the Order). As a contractor of the Order, I will assist in whatever magical or mundane capacity they require. Payment will be negotiated per assignment. While I am under contract, I agree to operate by the standard rules and practices outlined in section II below and accept that failure to do so will result in the termination of this contract. While I am not required to work exclusively for the Order, I agree to never offer my services to the following organisations: The Cabal, Black Velvet, The 33 Scions, and all others listed in Section III…
Failure to abide by the above agreement will result in a termination of this contract and my infliction with the Mark of the Oathbreaker.

The document was several pages longer than the last but was much more agreeable as far as John was concerned. Section III basically just outlined how John was forbidden from taking innocent lives, outside of self defence, except when encountering members of enemy organisations, in which case it was free pickings. There were a few other moral codes he had to uphold, but it all pretty much agreed with John’s own beliefs, and there was nothing prohibiting a harem, so he was pretty happy with it.

“This seems reasonable,” John said. “But I have a few questions, just so I’m clear on everything.”

“Of course.”

“So if I sign this, you’ll protect Red and me?”

“Yes. We will consider your immediate protection as the payment for the first assignment,” the Lord explained. “Rest assured, the both of you will not be touched while you remain in Springfield. If you wish, I can also assign a covert unit to any close relatives living in the area.”

John nodded. “It’s only my Mom and I at home, so it’d be great if there were eyes on her while I’m not around.”

Lord Brighton had Reginald make a note of it before gesturing for John to continue with his questions.

“Will Red have to sign this?”

“No. The Perrault family are members of a clan of wargs known as the Hounds of Járnviðr. It would be problematic if we were to contract a member without consultation. We will provide her with protection, nonetheless.”

“So could the rest of the Hounds be a problem going forward?” John asked.

“I doubt it,” Red cut in. “If my Pa was to go to the other alphas for help, he’d be scorned and seen as weak. That’s almost asking for someone to make a challenge for authority.”

“Indeed,” Lord Brighton agreed. “Wargs live by a very… archaic social structure.”

John could sense Red was readying to make another remark and squeezed her hand while quickly pressing on with his questions.

“Will my availability be taken into account? Between school and dealing with my own problems in the Abyss, I might not always have the time to help.”

“Do not fret. We we will, of course, consider schedule,” Lord Brighton assured him. “However, there may be circumstances of high priority, in which case we will require your full time and cooperation.”

“Fair enough. My only other question is, what exactly is this ‘Mark of the Oathbreaker’?”

“Ah, an understandable question. It is simply a measure to ensure all parties in a magical contract fulfill their ends. The mark is a kind of metaphysical label that lets others know the bearer does not keep their word. It cannot be masked, and removing it requires both the completion of the previous terms and a pardon from the one the oathbreaker cheated.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound too pleasant,” John frowned. He could understand the logic behind it, but that didn’t make it any more comforting to have such a measure overshadowing their contract. Not that John intended on breaking it anytime soon.

John picked up the feathered quill that had been offered to him and signed his name as best he could. The end result looked embarrassingly like the scribbles of a five year old. “Any chance I can retry that with a pen?” he joked.

“The quill is the medium by which the contract is sealed,” Moira chimed in. The smile on her lips betrayed her amusement at John’s effort. “It doesn’t matter if you just scribble on the page, the quill will syphon a small portion of your mana to sign the contract.”

Sure enough, when John checked, he found he’d lost five Mana Points. Both Moira and her father added their signatures to the document before it was handed to the butler for final processing.

“I will have a unit assigned to your mother within the hour,” Lord Brighton told John, standing up and extending his hand towards him, “and will arrange for a secure location to accommodate the both of you. It should be prepared within the next few hours. You will be free to attend school and otherwise come and go as you please, but I recommend you do so with an escort.”

“Fair enough,” John agreed, standing up to meet the offered hand.

“It is fortunate we could reach an agreement, Mr. Newman, and I’m pleased to have met such a promising young man.”

“Likewise, it was an honour to meet you,” John smiled.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to address. My daughter will show you out.”

“Sure thing,” John said, more than pleased with the result of their meeting.

Things went pretty much exactly the way Nancy had said they would: the Order wouldn’t go on the offensive but would provide protection.

Achievement Unlocked: Novice Negotiator
You fared pretty well and got what you wanted.
+2 Charisma
+1 Wisdom

And now Gaia had generously placed the cherry on his cake. But John wouldn’t let his spirits soar too high just yet, he still had money to farm…