Post

The Graveyard - V
Expansion

Nogliano, Nogliano

A platter of steaming fish landed at the center of the table, the iridescent scales and silver that supported them gleaming in the closing lights of the day flooding through the windows on three sides. Jacobo had a glint in his eyes to match, and his stomach rumbled for some quality food, provided at the Viceroys expense no less.

“Now Commander Donayre,” Jacobo broke his gaze at the mention of his name, “I’m told I have a thousand savages in my city now.” Agnolo Barbato commented almost offhand, “Surely they are...properly kept?”

“Of course, Viceroy.” Jacobo gave a firm, approving nod, first to Agnolo, then to the servant who was piling his own plate high with fish and some fresh greens.

“I supposed, but I did not want to do so unjustly. Of course, I am sure you can understand my concern that the local populace should grow apprehensive about this. Despite our best efforts, word of course trickles in of the...the barbaric atrocities being visited upon lands just off our border. A ways from here, mind you, but they involve these very people who are here now.”

“Incidentally, I am told.” Jacobo clarified, nesting a cloth in the collar of his shirt, in an effort to ensure his finest uniform was not besmirched by the meal he was about to devour - respectfully devour, of course. “These were ah, slaves to the Polarii. Freed, yes, but only briefly. I am assured they were docile for the duration of their march across the province.”

“Well I should hope! While General Poras’ efforts are welcomed, I would prefer the prisoners culled where they are caught rather than running amok in my province.” The Viceroy too was now looking to his food with considerable intent, raising a hand to stop the servant applying shaved lemon zest, before reaching for his glass of white wine. Jacobo followed suit. “Of course, I do understand you soldiers derive some portion of your pay from selling these individuals off. Do not misunderstand me. But...well...you should get my point. Proceed with caution, for I should hate to have to locate funds to placate locals if any of these prisoners should get out of hand.”

“An unfavorable situation for both parties I assure, and so one we shall endeavor not to find ourselves in. Once General Poras takes possession of a notable port city, we should be able to sell all the loot and slaves there, rather than marching them across your lands. It is a sorry look, such groups trekking across the beautiful and peaceful lands of the peninsula, and one I should not endeavor to foist upon you when I no longer must.”

“Excellent Commander, excellent. I dare say if such an understanding is adhered to, I may have words of praise to sing about yourself and General Poras to the Council. A most efficient operation you run indeed.”

“Such words would be welcome, Viceroy. I have taken a liking to your city - perhaps these words could sway the Generalship in giving me command of local forces here when this campaign is over. If your words are true, and not mere courtesy, I do believe we could work rather well together. Say, have you any indication - within the bounds of what you may tell me - as to what the Council plans to do with these lands?”

The Viceroy gave a friendly nod, though he did not speak for a moment as he bit into a hefty slice of fish, savoring it so.

“Why,” he padded his lips clean with a cloth, “They’ll be rolling it right up into my Viceroyalty. The formalities are nearly complete, in fact. A representative of the Council is supposed to arrive by year end with the final conditions. Then it will merely lie in General Poras’ hands to complete the acquisition.”

“My my,” Jacobo gave an approving nod, raising an eyebrow, “This would then surely be the largest province in the Empire then, no?”

Agnolo smiled, “I believe at this moment Haguessis is larger. Perhaps Alvelos too. But with the new lands, I would agree with your statement. Though of course, in many respects it is people that are power. I would by no means be the most powerful Viceroy in material terms, but I have been told that, given my position away from the mainland, I will inherit considerable leeway in my administration of these lands. More than the average Viceroy.”

“My felicitations.” Jacobo gave a polite bow of his head, raising his glass, “To the future of Nogliano!”

The Viceroy obliged, raising his as well, “And perhaps to a long and prosperous relationship between us two - I will certainly require a friend in the Generalship to keep the new half of these lands humming along.”

They both drank, before turning their attention to the food before them for a moment. It was a fresh catch from that morning, elegantly cooked by the Viceroy’s long-time chef, a local who was by all means an expert in his cuisine.

“Say,” Agnolo looked up after the two had eaten in silence for a few minutes, “I should state clearly to you my intentions for this province. You may have moral qualms, and in liking you and respecting you, I wish to give you some advanced notice before you make decisions about your future that leave you...restless. Now understand, this province will never find prosperity in attracting great artisans, or thinkers, or merchants. We are a stopover, as far as this city is concerned. But the land beyond the walls is richly endowed for agriculture. It is thus my fullest intention to leverage this, and in doing so I will require considerable quantities of labor. Cheap labor. Slave, labor. My new powers permit me to ignore existing laws regarding slavery, as the Council has interpreted them as pertaining only to the mainland and the Central Isles. Would this bother you? It would fall on your shoulders to put down any slave rebellion. Or preferably, to deter it on a regular basis.”

A half smile crept across Jacobo’s face, “Viceroy, I would not have a single qualm in the world. Provided the opportunity at some point in the future even, I think an estate of my own would be most…”

“Most assured.” Agnolo said firmly.

Jacobo’s smirk widened briefly - he understood the Vicreoy’s intentions, and as it would set him (and his family no doubt) up for life, he welcomed it entirely.

“If that is the case, perhaps I should begin selling you the slaves General Poras sends back. The Banco will slap a premium on them anyways, and likely sell you stock of reduced quality from abroad. But you and I - well, if an agreement can be reached, we can skip the middleman’s cut entirely and you will get slaves already well-adapted to the crops grown here.”

“A topic most worthy of further exploration.” Agnolo agreed, “Most worthy indeed. Permit me a short period to...cast a cursory glance into the markets. I would like a general feeling before I proceed with any agreement in full. Of course, I must also receive the Council’s representative first. But I’m sure he would look the other way if I began some acquisitions...prematurely. Perhaps we shall take dinner again next week?”

“Of course, Viceroy. I am at your beck-and-call insofar as dining company is concerned. After all,” he cast a quick glance out the windows to his right, “You can practically see my office from here.”

“That’s the spirit. Now what do you think of this wine?” the attention quickly turning to the meal, “A bit virgin, perhaps, but I find the acidity just melds so perfectly with the fish.”