A pawn for a pawn, so to speak.

Intrigued, I saw no reason to stop him. 'Judging by the context, I would guess the deal has to do with either the information from the prisoner, or something to do with his children's politics. Either way, I don't see a downside to letting him speak.' I gave a polite nod for him to continue.

Norman took a moment to consider something before he spoke. "Now, let us be fully honest with each other. You are not a selfless man, the type to do things purely for others. I say this not as an insult, for I believe those who are truly uncaring for themselves in such way to simply be fools." He waved his hand dismissively, emphasizing his distaste of a type of people that was commonly idolized.

I gave a fake nervous chuckle in response. "I suppose such a statement is true. I cannot claim to be truly righteous, as doing so would not fully serve my lord. I must ask, why exactly does this pertain to the arrangement?"

Norman interlocked his fingers as he laid back in his chair slightly. "I feel it is a necessity for us to be honest with each other in order to continue. I know you seek more from Wodegta than a simple church, and I very much doubt your plans end with simply being praised by my children." He raised his eyebrow questioningly.

I raised mine in return, "I don't fully understand what you mean by that. Of course, I seek to spread my god's word and following, so I will attempt to do so to the best of my ability, however that may be done. As for your comment with your children, that is where my confusion lies." I was being somewhat honest with that statement, not quite grasping what he was trying to offer.

He let out a somewhat disappointed sigh before he continued. "Let's start with what I want then, shall we? As I stated before, my eldest son has been led astray. However, my plans require him back here."

I scratched my beard in slight befuddlement, "Why is it you need him? I don't have a complete understanding of your family, but I do believe there are others within your children who could very well play the role of lord."

I noticed his hands clench in slight anger as he replied. "No. I require him specifically. Let me put it in the terms of the game before us. In this game, moving one of these small pieces to the end of the board allows you to trade it for a better one. To use the analogy, you could say I have spent a lot of time moving him to the other side, only to have him be taken just before I had him in the proper location." He stared at me with a slight glare, and I nodded in understanding. "However, unlike this game, his removal does not mean all of that effort was wasted. I can still push him over the edge, I just need him here in order to do it."

I brushed along the mustache part of my beard with my pointer finger as I rested my chin on my thumb. "So, you would like me to... reacquire your son for you, yes? I believe it should be possible, though I lack information on his whereabouts or condition."

Norman rested his hands more spread upon the table. "I can handle such details when the time comes. I simply need you to bring him to me, alive." He stressed the word, leaning forwards as he spoke to hammer it in.

I gave a slight chuckle, "Why of course! I would never bring someone I made a deal with the corpse of their kin. That is simply barbaric!" I laughed it off as I had a few flashbacks to the double-crosses I have committed in my lifetime. Depending on the reward for this job, I perhaps would look for ways to poison the delivery.

His expression was not as amused as my own. "Indeed. Well, now that allows us to get to the part you most likely care for much more. Your reward. Should you be successful in this endeavor, I will grant you a handful of things. First, once the deal has been properly sealed at a later date, I shall give you the hand of one of my two daughters who have chosen to sponsor you. Once the deed is done, I shall give you a formal claim to the city of Wodegta, as well as its surrounding land. I will formally send a letter of acknowledgement of your church and God to the king as well, cementing you as a legitimate faction and preventing the light from declaring you some form of cult. Lastly, I will arrange a formal knighting for Oliver, whether you see that as a better tool to use or genuinely care for him, I have no regard."

He shifted his hands to a palms-up position while tilting his head back. "I trust these conditions are to your liking enough? If there are things you would like instead, I do suppose I could exchange some rewards if I find your offer sufficiently tempting."

I considered for a moment before I gave any form of answer. 'It seems like a quite good offer, but perhaps that is the problem. I know near nothing about his son, so for all I know he could be the second coming of the first demon king or the like. The rewards seem far too good for a simple retrieval...'

I decided I should question that fact, "I find the rewards tempting, but I must admit that may be the part that has me concerned. In my eyes, they are more than one would be expected to offer for a simple retrieval." I looked at him with a poorly hidden doubt.

Norman rested his arms upon the rests on the sides of his chair, "I can understand that belief, but I suppose I have an explanation for all of them. A hand in marriage seems a fair enough reward, doubly so when they are already flocking towards you." He didn't seem happy with that fact. "As for the claim to the city, I have two main reasons. The first being my doubt that any of my children who remain could properly run the place. Secondly, I have a feeling you would make an attempt on my land regardless." I could feel his glare as he looked down his nose at me. "In regards to the letter, I partially am intrigued to see where your church will go, and am also taking the opportunity to get back a little at the light. And lastly, consider the end me repaying my debts to your knight, as well as a partial investment."

I hummed consideringly, "You speak of the church with hope despite not having listened to much about my God. I suppose I can understand your reasonings, however..." I feigned a somewhat deep in thought expression.

Norman seemed genuinely surprised for the first time in the meeting. "Is something not to your liking? I can assure you my donations come with no strings or other obligations, if that is part of your concerns." He seemed to be probing, trying to find where I could see problems in order to hook me in.

I had a very different plan, however. "No, nothing of that sort. It's just... I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong with this chessboard..." I reached forward, using a slight amount of growth magic on the table. To my delight, I found that even though the wood was dead I could still make it grow a piece in the vague shape of a rook, though slightly misshapen.

I examined the piece for a while, looking it over with a faked confusion before tentatively holding it over the board. I spent a few moments finding the right space for it before setting it down on the side farthest from me, ever so slightly towards the darkness.

As Norman looked down at the unsightly rook, he opened his mouth to speak. However, just before he could the door to the room was quickly **** open.