“So how many would you suggest, sister?” asked Noir as the only ones that remained in this room were Elda, Antoine, and his advisor.
“I think a 100 for the first supplies they will give us will suffice. If it’s good to go we can increase it a bit with the condition that whatever they found on the research should be informed to us too,” suggested Elda, knowing that the have 100 of thousands forming in every week.
“To mine 100 gems, how many days do we need, Raymond?“ Inquired Noir to his advisor.
“With our man-power, probably 2 weeks,” answered Raymond slickly.
Elda supposed Raymond is good with his job and also quite trustworthy. Noir wouldn’t choose any advisor he has randomly. Usually they’re exceptional people.
“The supplies from Solen?”
“Coming in a few more days, the estimation.”
Elda thought that it would be good then. One thing for sure, Solen is quite fast on the uptake. Seems like the scholars there are quite smart. It will be good to have their research prowess for now.
“Alright then. Make sure some of the people I called upon the meeting didn’t interfere with this business. Also the scholars from all over the world that gathered earlier, make sure they will really help us with the supply research. In the next meeting ask the Ventus’, Aqua’s, and Terra’s region on what they want in exchange. They may have not given us supplies like Solen did but they gave us scholars.”
In which Elda was also wondering. What would the other tribe, nations, and kingdoms want? If Elda were to make an educated guess it may have been just knowledge and information, because they sent only scholars. Elda found no problem with it because they would also research it for the Tenebris Kingdom.
“Is knowledge why you also agreed to the term?” Asked Elda curiously.
“Partly, yes. Because I’m not all knowing Elda, and despite having glimpses to the future I don’t know everything. So, having them researching would also benefit us, so we can also use it.”
“And you’re not afraid that it would lead them to attack us instead?” Inquired Elda. Noir didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Well if they do that, there would be more casualties. Besides this extreme weather is not to their advantage. Even the scholars and Jibran are having a hard time adjusting to the cold. In our turf, it is more safe rather than us attacking other lands.”
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Elda supposed that made sense. It was why other countries didn’t attack them all this time. It would be too much of a hassle and waste of energy to even siege them. Elda stayed silent though, because it seemed that Noir wanted to add something.
“Also let’s just say I have a deal with the four spirits. If other countries attack us. All the magic would be zapped from them.”
Noir smirked when Elda widened her eyes. Antoine and Raymond seemed to have known about it because they didn’t react even one bit.
“How do you get that deal?”
Because Elda knew that dealing with them wouldn’t be exactly easy. Their father seemed to be half-human and half the species the spirits are. But even then, Tenebris dislike how it’s not easy to strike a deal with them.
“By promising peace. The four spirits just don’t want their land to be compromised.”
Noir replied so easily, as if there was no weight in it. In which Elda thought that this was magnificent information.
“So that’s another reason you don’t want to expand.”
“Precisely. But that also is insurance for us.”
Elda discovered yet another secret move her brother made. Truly Noir’s a formidable foe in chess and life. He was always a step in front. While musing to herself, Noir then commanded his aide.
“Also Antoine, in the next meeting tell Jibran the amount and condition we will be willing to give. The meeting will be held when the first batch of supplies arrives. We won’t be able to use it yet until the agreement but at least we can measure how generous they are. Raymond, you can go back now.”
Raymond took notes of all of that diligently and nodded before bowing and excusing himself. Probably going to do his job promptly. Antoine bowed slightly but still remained beside Noir. After Raymond went away, Noir crumpled on his seat. Seemingly have no energy left. It did make Elda worry.
“Are you ill or injured? Or fatigued?”
“I do have a bruise from falling but that has been taken care of. It’s more of a fatigue. Don’t worry about it,” reassures Noir. Elda hesitated on going back first.
“You could retire first. Just ask William to come in and escort me back. Antoine will be with me too,”
William, Noir’s most trusted bodyguard at the moment. Elda was satisfied to hear his command and went out to the door where William stood there, guarding it. As she told him the instruction given by Noir, she saw Jibran sitting by the chessboard. The game earlier hasn’t been organized and he’s mulling over it. His expression was oddly reminiscent of her own. She came over to him.
“I always tried to outsmart my brother in chess, but truly it was a futile effort as he could foresaw a lot of possibilities.”
“And yet, you still play?” Asked Jibran without looking up.
“And yet I enjoyed playing with him. Foolish,” answered Elda and it got Jibran to finally stop looking at the board and her instead.
“I would want to play with you again, my Lady, if you don’t mind,” said Jibran.
“I wouldn’t mind playing with anyone. So let’s just play before the next meeting to stave off our boredom,” offered Elda.
Jibran just then saw the sky darkening by the window. While it’s generally always quite dark in the daytime too, the night was way darker, so it was still easy to discern. Maybe the sun still stubbornly tried to light land. He stood up and bowed to her.
“It would be an honour, I should go now. Good night.”
With that Jibran went to his quarters alongside his bodyguards and servants with addition of some of Noir’s men that’s appointed to him. Elda eyed the chessboard for a while before returning to her quarters, wondering what the next game would bring.
