"I am aware of the remaining son," Garin conceded. "Though, he seems far more interested in the Temple than the province. His devotion to Zet leaves Srad contested both within and without. Has your father set you to approach him after your departure here?"
"It was a consideration," she admitted, though speaking no further. The Zetian temple was a last resort. If the Yalayi could not ally with Sahvorin, they could seek protection from Salekh-Thul's heir and Zet, in hopes the other tribes would respect his lineage and the deity. Sabriyah was not so sure.
"I would intend to do no more or less than Salekh-Thul, himself, bade me. However, as much as I would prefer not to impose myself as recognized figurehead, since my desire is only to maintain this barony, there are at least two tribes that would gleefully remove my head... and most others would be indifferent if those two were successful." Garin settled back into the throne, wrists lazily dangling over each arm. "I, honestly, see Sahvorin as no more than the tenth tribe. We are new, yes, but we are here by invitation. Were the other tribes content to carry on as if Salekh-Thul remained, and merely appoint new barons, I would happily work with them."
"But the Paklani and Veskan'To insist that you had part in the disappearances," Sabriyah concluded for him. She, too, was well-informed. She received no feedback from the warlord, however. She might as well have reminded him that fabric was flammable.
"I wish harm to no one. I require only what Salekh-Thul has already demanded as tribute from each tribe for protection of the Phaeccian border, prior to his disappearance," he said. "No more, no less."
"Three warriors or horses per year, plus provisions. That is all you require from my people in exchange for our protection?" Sabriyah reiterated Salekh-Thul's terms verbatim, to ensure clarity.
"Permanently, yes. Temporarily, I require what would normally be provided the Caliphate per cycle. Either until his return, or until another Caliph is determined."
This was not unexpected, and in truth, far more beneficial than assumed when she departed the village. Both she and her father had expected to eventually bargain down to twice the former tribute cost than he was currently proposing. Her confidence spiked, the earlier incident all but forgotten. A slight, solemn nod was offered in response to Garin. "As we have already agreed to those terms with Salekh-Thul, we will stand by that commitment."
"Oh, and let us not forget two female slaves, per year."
Sabriyah's brow furrowed. She was unaware of such a stipulation. There was nothing in any document that would corroborate it, but he spoke as if it were a given. "I do not recall that in the prior terms, my lord."
"As you may have noticed during your brief time here, women are scarce," Sahvorin responded evenly.
"Yes," she admitted without pause, "but as the Yalayi do not keep slaves, it would not be something we could readily provide." Slaves were expensive, and were she to agree, the tribe would give up more in their cost than the worst case scenario tribute she and her father had discussed. Especially if it were annual.
"No matter," the stillness of his body was a bit disconcerting. "I do not mind if their training needs be performed here. Your tribe may take from common stock. Preferably if any are as beautiful and intelligent as you."
Sabriyah paused. The compliment was ignored, as she recognized it as a part of the bargaining posture. The lord was attempting to throw her off guard; get more from the exchange than he previously admitted. It occurred often enough. She had a response prepared for a similar occasion. "If I may... as the new member of the province, perhaps it would benefit the people of Sahvorin to enter into a marital exchange agreement, instead. Such and arrangement would weave your people into the culture. My people would find it equally as beneficial for our Sahvorin protectors to be wed to Yalayi women. We would welcome it, in fact, as soldiers committed to our tribal lands for our protection while also supplying herdswomen and homemakers for your soldiers here at the keep would provide a spiritual incentive for our protection as well as the mere mercenarial one," she spoke measuredly.
Though a riposte, it was truth. Beyond merely posting a few guards at campgrounds and villages, the endeavor could be a means to make the men feel more connected to the people that they were defending over time. For the first time since her arrival, Sahvorin appeared thoughtful for a moment before speaking.
"That is a very convincing argument," replied the lord. "You are correct, it would also provide a measure of protection for us were we more publicly ingrained ourselves into the local culture." The pensive expression melted and boredom resumed. "I am in agreement."
Zadanan's daughter was both pleased and relieved, though she kept it internal. "Very well, my lord. Shall we talk specifics?"
"Let us begin at one Sahvorin-Yalayi marriage per two hundred of your people. One half to live with the Yalayi as protection, and the other to be welcomed here." There was the smallest hint of a smile across his lips. "I will also grant a local garrison of twenty more men where they find it most strategically sound for your defense. By my estimates that would provide roughly thirty soldiers at your disposal," he concluded.
"I believe that would be more than sufficient, given the reputation of your people's prowess," Sabriyah replied. She was growing more confident by the second.
Such number of highly trained soldiers would do well to ease her people's fears and deter the Fhalad Datu'ul.
"Very well," he agreed, "then I will agree to the weddings, the garrison, and I will reduce the number of annual slaves to but one." Garin leaned forward, clasping and raising his goblet of water. He paused there, cup midair, awaiting her response.
Sabriyah had begun to reach for her own goblet with a measured smile, but froze as he finished speaking. The curl of her lips evaporated, her brow creased into concern before she caught herself. "I do apologize, lord Garin, but as I have stated, the Yalay tribe does not command any slaves. Our tribal lands are desert-locked, inland, and do not have the resources to purchase, nor the inclination or ability to war for them. Our numbers have dwindled in recent years. It is partly why I am here to negotiate protection."
"True, but you still number some four thousand people," he replied evenly. Frozen, but for his mouth when speaking, the vision of him awaiting the toast was a little unsettling. "What is the freedom of one compared to so many?"
The ambassador's mind raced as quickly as her heart for the right diplomatic solution.
We could possibly trade with another tribe... one of the border tribes, but the expense may prove difficult for Yalay until relations are improved.
Yet even before the pan-Caliph's disappearance, inter-tribal trade for them was sparse. "Perhaps," she began slowly, "a little time to consider?"
"Certainly." Garin lowered the cup and straightened a bit, the hint of a smile did not yet diminish.
"For all other terms, however, we are in agreement," Sabriyah asserts as she rises and leans forward to offer her own goblet in placation to the warlord.
His smile spread as the metallic clink rang dully through the chamber. The boyish appearance glowed in the varied light from the mosaic windows and multitude of candles overhead. In that moment, the emissary found him quite charming and handsome, and was unable to ignore the former fire deep in her belly that began to rekindle, despite her subsequent effort to suppress.
Both have a sip from their cups, then returned to their previous position and postures. The marriage arrangements would provide eight or nine Sahvorin warriors (depending on the split) to assist in keeping their settlements safe, and the garrison another twenty. With such an agreement, this fortress could possibly also serve as safe haven should it become necessary.
But can I condemn one of my fellow tribeswomen,
per year
, to enslavement for our safety?
The concept of the greater good had not escaped her, yet she knew well the treatment of many slaves, particularly those that were reluctant or resistant. It would likely be just as difficult to find "volunteers" as it would be to purchase them to serve that portion of the agreement.
Sabriyah wished she had time to return home and speak to her father, but to ask the Baron for such patience in finalizing their bargain by the few more days that it would require for travel would not be diplomatically appropriate, especially with the representatives of other tribes currently en route. Perhaps, at the very least, she could take time to return to the camp outside so as to consult with Yessol; if for naught else, then to hear someone else verify the necessity of what she must do. Otherwise, they would have to withdraw and and set sights toward the Zetian Temple.
Though it seemed almost as fair as appealing to the outlander for protection, Sabriyah had reason to be reticent in approaching the Temple, herself. The clergy there were more pious and would thus be far more restrictive in Zet's directives than her father and tribesmen had always been. That she has not yet wed and simultaneously not an acolyte to the faith would put her at a severe disadvantage, in negotiation as well as her own intellectual freedom. She had a nagging fear that should she choose to cross that threshold, it would be only once, agreement or no. There was little her father would be able to say in that circumstance. Though she had her doubts whether Lord Sahvorin was entirely aware of the implication in his earlier comments concerning the Temple, the emissary had to assume he knew well, considering how informed he has proven otherwise.
