The Engagement Contract
1549 Words
Ashton woke up excited about today. He had spent weeks preparing the contract to seem like all his tribe wanted was the benefits a marriage gave. The Earth City rulers were not exactly known for being smart, they flaunted their wealth that was inherited and took advantage of everyone that came to them for assistance. Now it was time for them to learn they were not the rulers the people wanted. Tiger clan would rule again with the persistence and patience they had.
"Are you ready Ashton?"
His parents called to him.
"Yes, I will meet you in the meeting hall"
They were signing the contract for marriage today. Hopefully Elspeth didnt mind this bargaining agreement.
"Well I hope my future wife is going to be happy with my proposal"
"She will be. Now hurry up lets get this party started" His father jokingly said as they walked down the hall following a servant to the negotiation room.
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Looking in the mirror Elspeth added the last touches to her make up hoping Janet didnt object to her choice of clothing. She wanted to be comfortable while negotiating not stuffy and hot.
The maid came to escort her to her parents negotiating room and knocked on the door.
"Elspeth dear come on in."
Her mothers tone showed she was forcing herself to smile seeing the casual garb she chose.
"We left you a wardrobe dear, did you not see it?"
"Oh no I saw it, I just decided today wasn't in need of me looking like a pimped out Barbie so I chose to be comfortable instead."
Levi choked on his laughter next to her father. "Its fine hun we are only signing papers this shouldnt take long"
"Why is Levi here though dad?"
"It is part of my studies Elle, negotiating a contract with another royal family. So I am here to over see your contract. Dont worry I will make sure they dont lowball offer for you" Levi grinned playfully
"Great I am just a hefer being auctioned. Glad I am wearing my clothes instead of yours then mother." Her father stifled a laugh just as a knock came from the door.
"Saved by the knock, ENTER!" My father shouted.
As the Bengalis came in and greeted everyone they seemed eager to get this over with. well at least were on the same page Elspeth thought to herself.
"Welcome! We have our son here learning our ways as part of his training. He will be the one to read the contract over and make sure all is in order for the engagement" Janet waved them to the table.
Ashton flashed a concerned glance at his father who shook his head.
"Welcome then Levi we look forward to working with you today" Seth replied.
Ashton passed the contract over to Levi hesitantly sending a prayer up to the gods that he wasnt able to understamd the legalities hidden in the clauses.
Levi hated the way his parent treated his sister. Changing her birthday, shunning her abilities. It was downright cruel how they treated her. When they accepted a the proposal of marriage he wanted to be sure Elspeth was being married to a good family. Hence why he insisted he needed to be a part of the contract process.
As he read through the contract it was very hard to not give away his delight at the intricate wording that would destroy his parents. They worked very hard to make sure this contract on the surface looked like Earth City was going to profit from canal trading better than Tiger clan. The fine print though, that was the genius. It taxed Earth city a percentage of the wealth and it wasnt a small tax either. The more his country used it the richer Tiger clan got.
"Well father it seems we will be getting the best possible deal from this union. I dont see anything wrong with it." Levi looked right at Ashton and made sure to point out the tariffs Earth City used in an effort to exploit other cities as he spoke. "Our tariffs will keep them from earning more than we do in all trades. Isnt that right Ashton?"
Ashton wasnt sure what game Levi was playing. It was apparent he saw the clause canceling those tariffs and taxing the city if they transported anything that could be used as a weapon against their clan."
"Yes sir, you are welcome to read it too sire"
The king glanced at the surface papers and nodded appreciativley
"Seems in order. Was there anything else?"
"It is traditon in our family to ensure that the betrothed is bringing her familys cultural traditions home with us. Anything that Elspeth is entitled to as a family heir must come home with her or the contract is void."
This time Janet intervened
"Well certain items must stay withing the Earth kingdom for the safety of our people, but I am certain we can make sure Elspeth is gifted with everything she deserves from our family"
"Unfortunatly we can not sign the contract unless she brings all her rightful inheritance with her to our home. We are sticjlers for tradition and this is something we cannot be swayed from"
The from on Janets face grew to anger she would not be bested by mere humans. She was a powerful witch.
Levi knowing this meant the heart of the coven knew he had to persuade his mother.
"We will make it happen, isnt that right mother?"
He nodded at her and smiled reassuringly "Yes we can"
He knew he had to make it seem like they were double crossing his little sister, but he would get just a drop of there covens heart to honor her if it was the last thing he did. It was the most powerful ancient relic they had and was hidden well so the community had no clue why we held our status so well.
"Well my son has made it clear we will honor your agreement. Let us sign this so we may feast tonight!"
"As amazing as that sounds we need to send our son home to prepare with our clan. So we will celebrate for him in his abscence. When all is set we can escort Elspeth back to our clan in preperation for the wedding."
"That sounds good to us right babe" Janet was lost in thought and just grunted an agreement.
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What was Levi thinking! How could he promise the covens heart to that abomination she was NOT welcome with the clan. It is why we changed her birthday. Her heathen powers couldnt taint the family tree. Janet barely noticed the Bengalis leaving the room.
"How dare you Levi!"
"Relax mother it will be alright wont it Elspeth?"
Somehow Elle just knew to agree with Levi at this moment.
"I have a plan mom."
Janets fury peaked her curiousity
"What plan?"
"We will make a replacement heart and put just our familys blood line in there so the power is still strong enough to any who check it for impurities"
Elspeth chimed in with her own suggestion perfectly "Exactly all you need is to swap out the real hear with the fake one with our family line after they do the impurity check. once that part is done nobody will think to recheck it once we arrive at Tiger Clan"
"True, only witches would tgink of that. It is strange they even knew about the heart. They are only human?"
"Human or not they did there research and now if tou want to fool them we will have to work together" Elspeth replied.
"You better not screw this up Elspeth."
"Levi I am making you take charge of this. dont you let her fool you into anything"
"Of course not mother. Come Elspeth lets get started!" Levi grinned mischieviously as he walked Elspeth out of the room to escoet her to her bedroom.
After shutting the door he turned and hugged Elspeth tightly. "Dont worry sister. I will take care of this. I am happy for you. The Bengalis are going to make you flourish and thrive."
"I thought you didnt care?"
"I was never allowed to, but of course I do. You are special Elle, you talk to the forest!"
"You believe that?"
"Of course I do. Mom was so afraid of your power she wanted to mute it. She did some horrible things to you and I couldnt protect you. I want you to be happy, so I am going to fix this for you."
"Thanks Levi, I dont know what to say?"
"Nothing, just let me visit sometimes. Ashton is a hell of a bargaining man" Levi smiled and for the first time Elspeth actually felt like she had a brother. It was a welcome change.
"I can do that."
"Great, Now for the fun part. I need your blood to make a fake heart. Gotta go all in if we are going to fake this for mother"
Levi was serious he was going to go through with this crazy plan in an effort to fool our mother.
"Lets do this then!" I replied as I grabbed a random bowl and my ceremony knife out of my jewlery box.
- Writer
