A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

After dragging a tentative agreement out of Ankhur, they spent some time hashing out the details of their deal. Although, on the matter of autonomy they still had some things to figure out.

"I won't interfere in the way you govern your territory, Ankhur," Erik promised solemnly. "I will require some basic level of humanitarian rights, as well as no discrimination between vampires, shapeshifters, and humans, but I doubt I have to worry about that with you."

Ankhur nodded with stern agreement. Erik and Naeku had accused him of being prideful, and that was definitely a large factor in his initial refusal, but ensuring his people wouldn't suddenly have to endure a harsh ruler was no smaller a consideration.

"But…" Erik continued, frowning. "You may only make diplomatic agreements between other factions within my future empire, not outside of it. Furthermore, if I decide to go to war, you will be obligated to respond with as much manpower as you can muster without leaving your kingdom defenceless."
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Ankhur looked at him with a hint of scepticism. Although he couldn't deny Erik and Elora had a lot to offer, the idea they might create an empire still felt strange and unlikely to him. After all, Erik was both weaker and younger than him

But he quickly shook those thoughts off and focused back on the main issue. "I won't ask my people to march into wars they don't believe in," he said sombrely.

But Erik shrugged indifferently. "Then make them believe. It shouldn't be too difficult, I've seen the trust they put in you." His lips curled into a slight smirk as he grabbed Elora's hand and kissed the back of it. "But if you need any help, Elora here is a master manipulator."

Elora giggled mischievously, cruelty shining in her eyes. "Don't worry, Ankhur. With my help, they'll happily go anywhere you tell them to, filled with fervour and bloodlust."

Both Naeku and Ankhur crunched up their faces in disgust at hearing Elora's words. "I won't manipulate my people!" he growled furiously.

Unfortunately, Erik didn't care. "Then, you might have to force them to a war they don't believe in," he said in a harsh tone. "The armies in my future empire will march like one, without exception. Did you really think you wouldn't have to make any sacrifices for this deal? Or did you think I'd just be your Emperor in name?"

Next to him Elora squirmed a little in her seat, a small grin spreading on her lips. Seeing her husband like this turned her on. Soon, he'd finally be her conquering Emperor, and she'd be his Empress and right-hand-woman.

Ankhur breathed heavily, furious eyes locked on to Erik, who looked back calmly. Neither budged an inch.

Finally, it was Naeku who broke the silence. "Can you… at least promise us you won't force us into any inadvisable or even unwinnable wars?"

Erik raised an eyebrow and turned to Naeku. "I'm not an idiot, Naeku. I can promise you I won't start any stupid or pointless wars of aggression against a stronger opponent. However, if we are the defenders in such a war, I will expect you to defend the Empire, no matter what."

He then turned back to look at Ankhur to see if that made any difference. Fortunately, it seemed so. Naeku's father sighed. "Fine… if we put in a condition allowing for the rulers within your empire to vote against a war they consider wrong, pointless, or unwinnable… then I will agree."

Erik frowned and shook his head, a hard look in his eyes. "Pointless or unwinnable I can agree on, but I am the only one who decides if a war is just or not, no one else."

Before Ankhur could respond he continued sternly, "Furthermore, this voting system you proposed will naturally be monitored by a covenant, to ensure the only votes against come from those who truly believe what they say. No lobbying or politicking will be allowed in this vote."

Since Erik didn't believe he'd ever want to declare pointless or unwinnable wars anyway, he saw no problem with this. That said, he'd absolutely make sure this voting system wouldn't be used against him disingenuously.

They stared at each for another moment, but then Ankhur sighed helplessly once again and nodded. "Fine. So be it. Although social and tightly knit, my people are, in the end, a martial one. It won't be hard to motivate them for war."

"That's what I like to hear!" Erik finally lost his harsh stare to a wide grin. "Now, let's talk economy…"

They continued like this for a while, until they finally agreed on every topic.

"You are a tough negotiator, Ankhur," Erik smiled slightly, sipping his drink after a few hours of talking. "In the future, I believe I'll use the framework we've created here to sign more rulers into my empire."

Ankhur nodded at him. If he were honest with himself, Ankhur had to admit to having increased his opinion of Erik over these last few hours. Both as a person, and for his ability to lead.

"You're not so bad yourself," he answered, while also throwing a glance at Elora. He had no idea how much the fairy had been involved in these talks, but the fact she'd been entirely silent this whole time was more suspicious than anything to him.

Of course, he was right. Erik and Elora had essentially been in constant communication through their bond. In the end, Erik was a better fighter and leader than a negotiator, but that was why he had Elora… she just preferred to stay in the shadows.

With an agreement made, Elora suddenly produced a large piece of parchment and put it down on the table. On it was the entire agreement they'd just discussed, filling several novel pages worth of text.

"This is a blood covenant," she explained with a small, but confident smile. "It's basically a more powerful version of the regular covenant and can only be ended by destroying this parchment. It's most often used for the most important or complicated agreements"

Naturally, Erik had already known about this and knew what to do. Without delay, he bit his thumb, and pressed the bloody finger on a specific place, intended for the contract's owner.

The paper flashed, and afterwards, he pushed the contract over to Ankhur with an excited grin. At the bottom of the parchment were several empty spots for signatories, as Erik intended to use this parchment on future rulers as well. "Your turn now."

Knowing he was about to sign away some of his autonomy, Ankhur hesitated for moment… but remembering his duty to his people, he shook himself free and nodded. With no more delays, he resolutely bit his finger and pressed it down on the designated spot. Once again, the paper flashed, and Elora immediately stored it away again.

Erik immediately stood up, grinning widely, and extended a hand towards his newest subject. "Here's to a fruitful relationship going forward, my friend."

With a surprising lack of reluctance, Ankhur followed suit. Standing up, he grabbed Erik's arm with his one good hand and nodded. "Indeed… Assuming you can impress me when you've reached the third rank."

"Oh, I'm not worried," Erik chuckled confidently.