Warrior's Ransom (The First Argentines #2) - Jeff Wheeler Page 0,33
The younger Goff had no battle scars at all.
“Interesting,” said the king. “He does give us the duchy of Bayree, or the rights to control it through the duke’s niece and heir, Alix, through a marriage alliance.” He lowered the scroll a bit, his brow furrowing. “Where have I heard that name? No matter. She is the heiress, her uncle is dead, and thus we gain control of the duchy through her, along with the rights of wardship—a yearly increase of twelve thousand livres—” The king stopped abruptly. “You didn’t count that living as part of the treaty, did you? I said I wanted fifty thousand.”
“Read on, my lord,” said Ransom, having anticipated that very reaction.
“It’s there, Father,” Goff said, pointing to the scroll.
“I can read for myself, cub. My eyes are not failing. Ah, there it is. You negotiated seventy-five thousand? To be paid . . . let me see . . . annually over the span of two years beginning now and ending at the culmination of the truce. But I want it now.”
Ransom inhaled slowly. “You got more than what you asked for, my lord. I could have gotten close to fifty now, but by extending the term, I was able to press him for more.”
He had hoped that the king would be pleased by the terms. But it felt like the Elder King was never satisfied by anything. He had the notion that the king’s two sons, standing there with him, would agree with his assessment.
“I would have done better,” said the king with a smug look. “But you did well enough for your first negotiation. I think I’ll send you to Brugia soon so you can get them to heel next. I’d like to make it a practice to have all of my neighbors pay me to keep the peace. This is good work, Sir Ransom. How did King Estian the Black receive you? Did he try to bribe you?”
“He did.”
“Of course! And you showed him your measure, no doubt. Some men are not so easily bought.” He looked over at his two sons, his eyes narrowing. The message was clear—he may have allowed them back into the fold, but he had not forgotten their betrayal.
Benedict’s cheeks flushed with simmering rage.
“What did he offer you?” asked the king.
Ransom found himself at the center of too many eyes, and he felt his own cheeks begin to burn. “A duchy,” he said simply.
The king snorted. “Well, you can have one! I’ll give you Bayree myself.” He rolled up the scroll and handed it back to Ransom. “Be my vassal at the farthest reach of my domain. That will force Estian to keep his promise.”
“You’re giving him Bayree?” said Benedict incredulously.
The news came as no greater shock to Ransom himself. He stiffened.
“What about Jon-Landon?” spluttered Goff.
“He’s too young to manage it,” said the king, shaking his head. “You remember taming the Vexin, lad,” he said, looking at Benedict.
“I was his age when I did it,” he replied.
“But you’ve always been a lion, lad. That is not Jon-Landon’s way. If I give it to Ransom, then I know it will be tamed, just as I know it would be if you were to rule it.”
“Then why not give it to me?” Benedict demanded.
“Or to me!” Goff pressed in resentment. He glanced quickly between his brother and father.
“You have a wife and a duchy already,” said the king to Goff. “And a son. Benedict, there are many daughters of lords in your realm, yet you’ve ultimately balked at their youth. If they are all too young for you to be agreeable, would you give up the Vexin to your youngest brother? Hmmm? But you won’t give up what you’ve won. Even if I commanded it.”
Benedict glowered at his father. “I haven’t married because you’ve kept me running to and fro across the lands, leading your mercenaries and putting out campfires that could become wildfires if I didn’t smother them. Are you saying you’ve been expecting me to pick a wife all this time since I was loathe to marry one too young? You could have said as much.”
Here it was, the discord that was so rife among the Argentines. Queen Emiloh had been a restraining influence. But no longer.
“I’m trying to explain, Bennett, why I’m giving the duchy of Bayree to Ransom. To help you understand my thinking so that you may learn to—”
“Toy with other men, as you do?” interrupted the son hotly.