The Witch and the Governor

Lord Governor was brewing tea behind him. He could hear him move around, picking out some of herbs that were drying on his ceiling. The man probably wasn't going to poison them, right? Probably, right? He had some really nasty things in the kitchen, but they were going to be fine, right?

He jumped a little in his seat when the man started speaking again.

"My curiosity sometimes gets the better of me," he said. "But that is hardly an excuse. I shouldn't have pushed you."

Words, words, words. The man was a delight to talk to, especially since Teo could easily get him to talk for hours without needing to participate in the conversation. He loved listening to other people as much as he hated talking about himself. But that bloody tongue of his charmed Nita to the point where she was willing to risk the Cove for him. The man had a way of getting people to drop their guard around him, and not even Teo was immune. He just seemed like such a good man. The note of regret in every apology he gave him, the calm and fearless approach to everything people threw at him, that kind aura of his that invited trust... Every cell in his body was screaming not to listen to anything this man was saying, especially now that Cove was at risk.

He was terrified.

Nobles are not to be trusted. When he told Nita to rescue the man, he could not have foreseen this. She was supposed to know how dangerous he could be. And even if she didn't take his word for granted, as she promised she wouldn't, she was still following his plan. He didn't want this. He wished they had intimidated the man, or traded him off, or somehow ensured that the people who killed Nita before wouldn't reach them. But now they were heading straight into the eye of the storm, led by the man whose job is to hang them.

How in the world was he meant to wrangle that?

Lord Governor placed a cup next to him. He jumped again from how close the man got to him while he was lost in thought. "Are you alright?" he asked. Again with that sincerity and concern of his.

"Aye."

After a moment, Lord Governor moved away to return to his seat. Teodolit carefully sniffed the tea he brewed. Mentha. No other scents. He carefully tasted it. Alright, they were safe. He took a sip and thought about how to continue the conversation.

Fear paralyzes us, doesn't it? And this patient prick was just sitting there, waiting for him. What an annoying man.

"So, what are your goals, precisely?" Teo asked him.
"Hmm... Primarily, I wish to save my brother from Duchess Almukantarat. He is forced to marry her after my family falls from grace due to my death," he answered. Truly the way of nobility. "I'd prefer to avoid all of that and ensure he lives happily."
"And what do you want with us?"
"I was sent here to, among other things, manage the problem of pirates. In the other timeline, Duchess did it by negotiating a Royal Pardon with Captain Vervain. I thought the idea was a good start, but it requires expanding on. I suppose that there is a tacit agreement between me and your Queen - I will do all I can to assist you in legitimizing yourselves, and she will in turn assist me in my own efforts. Her telling me the future was certainly a great start. I felt as if my own contribution will have to be at the very least equal to that."

Hah. Deal with the pirates. This man was sent here to kill them all. People like this don't understand what brings people to Hannau, or to piracy. He grew up with a golden spoon in his mouth. He had no doubt this man would have led them all to the gallows if the circumstances were different. He could sense a certain amount of ruthlessness in Lord Governor, deep under the act of being nice towards him. What would it take for this man to turn on them? He didn't want to know; he didn't want to be in a position where it would matter if they found out either.

"You lose land if you turn us into a country, don't you?" Teo asked.
"Yes. I do."
"And you think your Queen would be happy with that?"
"It would certainly require some convincing. However, Her Highness is my problem to deal with, not yours. I am afraid I will need to ask for you to have faith in my abilities."
"What does she have to gain from this, then?"
"Peace, for one. Even if it is temporary. Bretonia does not have infinite resources. Managing the Cove situation without requiring more ships to be sent this way would certainly be enticing."
"But we are pirates. Other pirates will continue attacking the Bretonian merchants, and we will continue to welcome them to the Cove. Unless you mean to tell me Nita would sell out others like that."
"She would not. She is fully intent on welcoming pirates in the future."
"So if- nay, when we, the pirates, continue attacking Bretonian ships even with Cove as a real country, what will you do then?"
"That would be a diplomatic issue between two countries. You will have far more protection and respect by default. For example, my Queen would not be able to tell me to go and burn this city to the ground."

There we go. That was it. The freezing cold under his facade. Teo felt the hairs on his arms rising, but he did his best to keep a calm face.

"For this to work out, Adanita Vervain will need to stop committing acts of piracy and devote herself to running this country," Lord Governor continued. "The Cove will continue to exist as it is now. It is not unprecedented that countries shelter or allow criminals from other lands enter their territories freely. This city once existed as a trading hub. We would merely be bringing it back to that point - but with you and your people in charge. I will help you make allies in other lands. Some of your Captains may even turn themselves into legitimate merchants, or perhaps mercenaries. Some will not, and that will be something you will have to resolve in the future."
"I can't tell if you're an idealist, or just an idiot."
"I merely like to take my problems on one at a time," he replied.

What a piece of work this man was. He could sell an oven to the devils in hell. He pushed his hair out of his face, pondering tying it up.

"You are dragging us into your problems," finally he said. "You want us for your own personal gain. To save your family. Isn't that everything it comes down to?"
"I suppose it does," Lord Governor said. "However, I believe the two cooperating parties must always find a way for the cooperation to be profitable. Otherwise I'd merely be exploiting you. It wouldn't be right to do that after you have saved my life, would it?" He had such a nice smile...
Teo put his head on the table, exhausted. "I don't think I can argue with you."
"I had years of practice," he said. "I take it I have at least somewhat dispelled your concerns?"
"Hardly. I still disagree with this idea. But I trust that Nita will be able to wrangle you. If not, I'll kill you myself."
"Charming. Considering how my life has been turning out so far, I fear that you will need to get in line."

"Hah."

He seemed very pleased with that small smile from Teo. What a man indeed.

Teo sat up again. "What would you have done if none of this had happened?" he asked.
"I would have attempted to negotiate with you, and if that fails, then arrest you and give you a fair trial. Your guilt and sentence would be up to the judge."
"So, hanging."
"Possibly. Negotiations and trial first. There is a certain amount of value I place upon human life by default."
"Some more than others?"
"...Yes. I am afraid I am not perfect. The people I love must always come first to me. You said so yourself, you people are pirates. I am not unaware of the numerous crimes you have committed as a group. Reforming you will be a different form of judgement I am willing to pass on you, as the Governor. Redemption, in place of death."
And death if they fail to live up to his expectations, was that it? What a piece of work. "Is that value you place on humans the reason you're letting Zaum live?"
"Yes."
"Right. Do you place that value on all people, then? This chance of yours, you'd give it out to anybody?" he venomously asked.

"Yes."

Oh... No hesitation. Not a moment of it. He was completely calm and not the least bit shaken by these questions. Lord Governor was either the finest liar on the three continents, or he was genuinely telling the truth.

"What... do I look like?" Teo asked.
"Pardon?"
"I can't see magic. What do mages look like to you?"
"They look beautiful," Lord Governor said. "Each mage has a crown or a tiara. Enchanters and alchemists have precious stones embedded into them, and they shine in the light as if they truly were there. Yours is more simple, a diadem of white fabric. You have flowers and leaves braided into it. I believe it is pink and purple hibiscus, and several healing herbs. It reminds me of summer."

Teo leaned back, hiding his face in his hands. He could feel his ears were burning. Along with his face.

Gods damn him. How dare he be so charming and sweet. How dare he say all this with a straight face.

And no, he was NOT blushing.
Gods damn the man.

"Right. I think we're done here," Teo quickly declared, getting up. He could tell he was still red in the face. Was that bloody man unaware of how handsome he was? No, no. Judging by this smug little smile on his face, he was perfectly aware. "Out with you."
"Very well," Lord Governor said, also getting up. He looked quite pleased with himself, and he allowed Teo to escort him out through the garden.

"I am happy to see you feel better," he said. "I hope our conversation helped at least somewhat."
"Right it did. Now go away. You can tell Nita I'll get back to work tomorrow."
"Splendid! I am certain they would love to have you join their meetings. After all, you did such a great job running the city up until this point."
"Go away, I said! I will hex you! I swear!" But he couldn't really stop himself from laughing, while he pushed Lord Governor out on the street and closed the garden gate behind him.

Lord Governor bid him another farewell, and finally left.

He let out an exhausted sigh.

He almost felt bad for what was to follow. But then again, the man could talk his way out of coming along with a reaper. He was sure he will be fine. This would just be a final test that Teo was giving him before committing to serving him. He will either die, and that will be the end of it - he and Nita will find a way to keep their distance from that Duchess and Bretonia and live their lives as it comes and goes - or he will pass with flying colors. He could accept either outcome.

Once Lord Governor was far enough he waved to the spy following him to come over. Thankfully the child noticed him.

"There are a few friends of mine who wish to speak to Lord Governor," he said, giving her a gold coin. "You may follow them to their destination, but do not alert anyone, especially not Ekliptik, until they have reached it. Do you understand?"


After a moment of hesitation, the girl gave him a nod.