NOVEL NEXT 193. Double-Bound
Much to Justin's surprise, Whittings returned within the two-hour window with thirty minutes to spare. He removed his hat and placed it over his heart.
"Count Aurelian has agreed to all your terms except for one."
Justin arched an eyebrow. "And what term would that be?"
"He insists on using my skill, My Word is Golden. He doesn't trust it."
Justin had anticipated this resistance. "I'm sorry, but I could say the same about your skill, Mr. Whittings."
"I'm well aware," he replied dryly. "But there's nothing to prevent us from both using our skills. This is what's often called a double-bound contract, useful when neither side really trusts the other, or an unfamiliar skill is being used. That way, we're both satisfied."
Justin had never heard of such a thing, but he trusted in the power of his own skill, and Gentleman's Agreement wouldn't work if either of the parties was going to be duplicitous.
"That's very well and good," Justin said, "but there's one problem. You said your skill only allows two terms to be set. That's unacceptable because I have three terms."
"Then you'll simply have to discard one; otherwise, a deal can't be done. This is non-negotiable, Mr. Talemaker. You must decide which of your demands is least important to you."
Justin exhaled slowly, considering his options. Despite his charisma, he knew he couldn't escape this predicament. A high-level Diplomat would have natural resistance to social manipulation, and some obstacles simply couldn't be overcome through force of personality.
"All right," Justin said finally. "The most important terms are immunity from harm and the favor we discussed. As for the money..." He trailed off meaningfully. "We'll just say your employer is very lucky."
Whittings nodded. "Then without further ado—let us make a deal, Mr. Talemaker."
"There's one thing," Justin said, recalling his experience with Valdrik in the Vault of the Sapphire Star. "Any magical contract I make with you wouldn't be effective unless Count Aurelian himself is present. I've tried it before with intermediaries—the System won't allow binding agreements through proxies."
Whittings offered a faint smile. "Very astute, Mr. Talemaker."
He paused, and it took a moment for Justin to connect the dots. The man's posture had subtly shifted, his deferential manner replaced by something more commanding.
"Wait... you're not...?"
"I am," Count Aurelian said, his voice deepening with authority. The illusion fell away like a discarded cloak, revealing the same physical form but with an entirely different presence.
Justin felt a chill of realization. He'd been negotiating with one of the most powerful men in the kingdom while thinking him merely a messenger. The implications were staggering. Either Aurelian was extraordinarily confident, or Justin had been even more thoroughly outmaneuvered than he'd realized.
"Why the pretense?" Justin asked, working to keep his voice steady. "Are you really here all alone? That doesn't seem... wise. Unless you were trying to trick me into making a deal with a false representative instead of you."
"The Aether would not have allowed that deception to continue through the binding process," Aurelian replied matter-of-factly. "As for why I showed up in disguise, it was simply more efficient. I wanted to gauge your character personally before committing to any agreement. One learns far more about a person when they believe they're speaking to a subordinate."
"So you disappeared for almost two hours for... what, exactly?"
Aurelian's expression remained impassive. "I spent that time consulting with my advisors and ensuring that the terms you proposed wouldn't conflict with other arrangements I have in place. Due diligence, Mr. Talemaker. Something I imagine you'll understand the value of one day."
"I see," Justin said, though he suspected there were layers to this explanation he wasn't getting.
Something else was nagging at him. He doubted someone of Count Aurelian's standing would only be Level 20. Lord Corrin himself was Level 31, and a man of Aurelian's position and resources would certainly be placed similarly if not higher.
"I'm sorry, but... you're not actually Level 20, are you?"
"I'm not," Count Aurelian confirmed without hesitation. "I have an ability that allows me to present as whatever class and level I choose. Quite useful at times, as you might imagine. Like most prudent individuals, I keep my true capabilities private." His gray eyes fixed on Justin with calculating intensity. "That said... are you ready to make our deal, Mr. Talemaker?"
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The question hung in the air between them, weighted with all the implications of what Justin was about to agree to. He was making a binding magical contract with a man whose true power remained completely unknown, based on terms negotiated while that same man wore a mask of deception.
But the alternative—open war with House Aurelian while trying to launch a business and avoid Valdrik's attention—was even less appealing.
"Yes," Justin said. "Let's make our deal."
Count Aurelian shimmered with golden light, and Justin received a System prompt:
[Count Aurelian would like to make a deal with you using his skill "My Word is Golden." Make any ironclad, magically enforced agreement for up to two terms from either party.]
At the same time, Justin invoked his own skill.
[A Gentleman's Agreement has been proposed.]
Justin focused on crafting his magical contract:
GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT: TERMS OF PEACE
Party 1: Justin Talemaker and all current and future employees, associates, business partners, and anyone acting under his direction or protection.
Party 2: Count Aurelian and House Aurelian, including all current and future employees, associates, business partners, agents, and anyone acting under his direction or authority.
TERM 1: COMPLETE IMMUNITY: Count Aurelian and all agents of House Aurelian are prohibited from causing, commissioning, suggesting, facilitating, or allowing any harm, threat, intimidation, sabotage, or interference directed at Justin Talemaker or anyone associated with him as defined above. This includes, but is not limited to, physical violence, magical attacks, poisoning, social manipulation, legal harassment, or any other form of direct or indirect harm. This term excludes standard business competition practices common in Belmora, so long as they do not encompass any of the above.
TERM 2: THE FAVOR: Count Aurelian agrees to grant one major favor requested by Justin Talemaker at any time in the future. This favor must be within Count Aurelian's power to fulfill and cannot involve illegal activities; otherwise, there are no restrictions. The favor cannot be refused, delayed beyond reasonable timeframes, or fulfilled in a way that undermines its intent. Once the favor is completed, the obligation is satisfied. In return, Justin and his Party agree not to discuss, spread rumors about, or imply any attempts on his life that may have been instigated by House Aurelian or its affiliates. When questioned about this, they must deny it unequivocally.
MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING: Both parties agree to refrain from actively damaging each other's legitimate business interests, provided such interests do not involve activities covered under Term 1.
As the contract materialized between them, Count Aurelian studied it with the practiced eye of someone accustomed to complex negotiations.
"Amendments proposed," he said crisply. "First: Let the same immunity terms apply to Party 2 as they do to Party 1. I won't have you free to attack my interests while demanding protection for your own."
Justin nodded. That should have been produced by the contract, but maybe his skill was trying to give him whatever advantage it could.
"Second amendment: The favor must be utilized within ninety days, or it becomes void. I won't have an indefinite sword hanging over my head."
Justin didn't much like this one but allowed Count Aurelian to continue.
"Third amendment: This agreement dissolves after six months. No later than two weeks before dissolution, both parties will reconvene to decide by mutual agreement whether to extend the contract."
Justin considered each point carefully. The first amendment was fair—he couldn't expect immunity while reserving the right to strike at Aurelian's operations. This would prevent him from helping the Corrins with any direct action against Aurelian interests, but he hadn't promised such assistance anyway.
The third amendment was sensible. A time limit prevented the agreement from becoming an eternal constraint if circumstances changed dramatically.
But the second amendment felt too restrictive.
"I agree with the first and third amendments," Justin said. "However, ninety days is unreasonably short for the favor. I may not need your assistance several months down the road, and I shouldn't be forced to waste such a valuable resource to meet an arbitrary deadline."
Aurelian's expression remained impassive. "I won't accept an open-ended commitment. Ninety days."
"One hundred and eighty days."
"Absolutely not. One hundred twenty days."
"One hundred fifty days," Justin countered. "That gives me reasonable time to assess my needs while still providing you with a definitive endpoint."
Aurelian was quiet for a long moment, his gray eyes calculating. "One hundred and twenty. Final offer."
Justin weighed the options. Four months was still restrictive, but better than the original ninety. "Agreed."
"Then we have terms," Aurelian said. "I shall form the same agreement with my own skill, so we will be double-bound."
At that moment, another contract appeared before Justin, one that was exactly the same as his own. He felt a bit queasy about accepting it, but if Count Aurelian was to accept his own, then he didn't need to worry.
Once the amendments had been added, one final condition was added to both contracts: upon accepting one contract, the Aether would treat it as if both had been accepted.
Justin read the terms thrice before nodding. "Sounds like we have a deal. I accept."
Count Aurelian waited a long while, as if to drive up the tension on purpose. "As do I."
Both magical contracts flared with binding light, and Justin felt the familiar sensation of a System-enforced agreement settling into place. The Count nodded in satisfaction.
"Please submit your favor request in writing," he said, putting his top hat back on. "And I trust you'll find this arrangement... satisfactory."
Truthfully, Justin didn't, but he had his guaranteed peace, enforced by something much stronger than honor or even the threat of the Templars. It was one less thing to worry about.
As Count Aurelian departed, Justin rejoined Alistair and Lila, who had been watching the entire exchange from the doorway.
"Well?" Lila asked. "How do you feel about giving up two platinum shards?"
"I feel like we just gained something much more valuable," Justin replied. "Complete immunity and a favor from one of the most powerful men in the queendom. I'd say we came out ahead, as much as ahead can be in this situation."
"Maybe so," Alistair said. "Now let's see if we can turn this peace into profit."