Stubborn

Once inside, Kael and Ria are met by a thin, well dressed man who eyes them uncertainly. After a moment, with an audible sniff of disdain, he gestures for them to follow. Kael glances at Ria, who shrugs, and they walk behind the man, their heavy boots loud in the finely tiled floors. There are guards everywhere, in front of every closed door, and Kael warily keeps his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Finally, the man stops in front of another door, turning to face them. “Lord Malen is within.”

Taking a breath, Kael opens the door and walks in, followed closely by Ria. The room is what appears to be a meeting room of some sort, with a large round table surrounded by chairs in the center. The walls are lined with bookshelves, and there’s six armed men stationed around the room. Their uniforms are different than the guards outside, and Kael gets a sense that these are the elites, Rastus Malen’s personal bodyguard.

The man himself is already seated at the table, his eyes watching Kael and Ria closely. He smiles coldly, gesturing towards the chairs. “Well. Sit.”

Kael does, making sure none of the guards are behind him. “Hardly a welcoming atmosphere.”

Rastus chuckles, shaking his head. “No. Because you are not welcome here. Now say what you have to say.”

Kael swallows his anger, and stares at Rastus, who simply smiles. “You know exactly why we’re here. The laws have changed. The slaves are freed. You must comply, or there will be consequences.”

Ria nods. “You can’t simply lock your gate and flout Lord Greyheart’s rule.”

Rastus shrugs. “Can’t I? It’s worked so far. And as for the new law, it’s madness. Humans were meant to rule. The other creatures were meant to serve.”

Kael shakes his head. “No. Why should they be enslaved or killed simply because they lost a war?”

Rastus’ smile slips, shifting to anger. He slams a fist onto the table. “We are right because we are mighty! They are less than us, and we proved it by beating them into the dirt!”

Ria clenches her fists. “And if I come over there and beat you into the dirt, does that make me right?”

Rastus laughs cruelly. “Ahh, but my might is the might of coin! To get to me you must go through all these.”

He gestures around the room at the guards. “You are strong, but you are simply attack dogs. Your words carry no weight here.”

Kael sighs, feeling things beginning to escalate. “We are here as a final warning. If we cannot persuade you to stand down and release your slaves, more **** measures will be taken.”

Rastus leans back in his seat, still grinning. “Don’t take me for a fool. You know as well as I that I won’t be swayed by your words. You know how far I’ve already gone. You saw the blades my money can bring.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Just because the first attempt fails does not mean the threat is ended. I can be patient.”

Kael grimaces. “Yes, I saw the blades you can hire. Killed one myself. And you know that threats won’t win you this battle. There’s no scenario where this ends up in your favor.”

Ria nods. “Even if you hold out here, you’re an island. What’s your plan? You have no endgame. You lose, no matter how long this game lasts.

Rastus grins. “The difference between us is that you’re only playing one game. I’m playing many. And I never lose.”

He folds his hands in the table. “So, unless you have something else to offer me, I think we’re done here.”

Kael shakes his head. “You know that if you send us away, the next step is using ****.”

Rastus shrugs. “Assuming it lasts that long. I know you won’t attack me right now, and by the time you get back again, I will have won. So, no, I will not bow to the so-called ‘king’ and his little attack dogs.”

He leans forward, an evil smile on his face. “And be glad I’m letting you leave unharmed. For now.”

Kael again swallows his anger, feeling Ria tense beside him. He stands, seeing the eyes of the guards on him, and nods. “Fine. It’s on your head, then.”

Rastus just laughs, waving them towards the door. Seething, Kael and Ria turn and walk out. Rastus’ laughter chases them out the door.