NOVEL NEXT 127: Deepwell Negotiations Conclusion 2
<18 September 2024, MOLBRAK CAVERN, A>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia worked with the others and the staff of the various warehouses that held the lumber, metal, and tools that Ordus and Kreldar had purchased to move it all into his dimensional storage. As they finished up, Harbek walked up and activated his skill.
>Local Message: Universal Translation Active
"Lord and Lady Sorrin, are you leaving tonight, or would you be willing to stay one more night?" Harbek asked. "My mother has something she would like to give you, but the earliest it will be ready is tomorrow morning."
Theo looked at Julia, who shrugged indifferently. Theo smiled, "Sure, Harbek, we can stay one more night."
Harbek nodded, "The council will arrange your rooms for one more night. Please enjoy your stay."
With that, Harbek ended his skill and walked quickly away.
>Local Message: Universal Translation Deactivated
Theo and Julia finished loading up, and then they all made their way back to the inn. When they got there, Joshua and Fred were waiting for them. "How was the rest of your day?"
"Good!" Julia said excitedly, taking one of the shorter-than-normal seats in the common room.
"That is good. Before you go to sleep, I would like to have dinner and discuss something with you." Joshua said. "I have talked to our host and she has agreed to show us somewhere to eat."
They turned and saw Eska smiling and bowing slightly. They all stood up and followed the woman to a small hole in the wall dining area, where they were ushered into a back room that was dug directly into the side of the massive cavern that housed the city.
They were each given a bowl of stew with thick rye-like bread, and then they were left to their own devices. They all ate, commenting on how delicious the stew was. Then they started their conversation.
"Firstly," Julia said, "I want to tell you that Theo and I appreciate you and the effort that you put in. I also wanted to let you know that we will be staying tonight at the request of Chairwoman Runevein, but if you wish to use the lantern to get back to your daughter tonight, please do."
Joshua smiled, "I appreciate the offer, but I can wait one more day. Besides letting Sarah get used to working with others and getting along without me is part of the job of a father. Now then, as to what I wanted to speak to you about. Ordus tells me that you have several more servant contracts. I would like you to form a contract with me."
"What brought this on?" Theo asked.
"We were approached by several prominent groups on our way back to the inn." Fred said, "Some were acting in good faith, but two in particular were not so subtly probing for a weakness they could exploit to force Joshua into a contract. It was all very shady."
"Interesting," Theo said, "did you catch who it was, or who they represented?"
"No, but as soon as it started, combined with how confused the council members were by some of the ideas I introduced at the meeting makes me think that having someone who is able to negotiate without any overt skill use is valuable enough to put me in danger." Joshua said, "so I would like to waylay that by forming a contract with you that makes it very hard for others to take advantage of me."
"And if you are willing to give one of those contracts to Joshua, I would ask that you let me form a contract with him", Fred said. "I know he isn't the president, but I was prepared to be in his service for the rest of my life, so I figure why not"?
"I have no issue with it. Theo?" Julia left the choice up to him.
"Before you make your final decision, here." Joshua pulled out two pieces of paper and passed them to Theo and Julia. "The one that Theo holds is the agreement that I would like to implement for myself, and the one that Julia has is what Fred wanted for himself."
They each read their respective papers, then Theo and Julia swapped papers and read the new page. Theo was impressed; the agreements were rather simple but incredibly polished. Joshua's read like what Theo imagined a political treaty would read like, focusing on his autonomy and the protection of Sarah.
Theo pulled two servant contracts and the Servants Log out of his pouch, then he took one of the Servant Contracts and held the contract that Joshua had written in his other hand, intending to enter it as it was when the Servants Log shimmered slightly and Theo was presented with a blue box.
| Contract Terms Detected | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Would you like to use a Servants contract to contract User Joshua Vern Armstrong as per the terms outlined in held document? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YES | NO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Theo selected yes, and Joshua was presented with a blue screen.
[Joshua Armstrong]
Joshua watched Theo pull the strange book and a shimmering scroll out of his pouch, and then picked up the paper that held the terms that Joshua wanted. He watched Theo's eyes gloss over slightly as did anyone who was interacting with the System, then suddenly he saw a blue box.
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| Servants Contract Terms | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offered by the Sorrin Family to User Joshua Vern Armstron | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Autonomy of Service: Joshua Armstrong enters into service with House Sorrin freely and without coercion. He shall serve in the role of Advisor and Negotiator, offering counsel, strategy, and representation where requested. In fulfilling this role, no command may be given that would strip him of personal autonomy, dignity, or moral agency.
2. Limits of Authority: Joshua Armstrong is not bound to military obedience nor compelled into combat beyond reasonable self-defense. He retains the right to withdraw from assignments that would directly endanger his daughter, Sarah Armstrong. 3. Reciprocal Obligation: House Sorrin agrees to recognize Joshua's service as valuable and binding. In return for his loyalty and counsel, House Sorrin shall extend protection, shelter, and fair treatment to both Joshua and Sarah. 4. Inheritance Clause: Should Joshua Armstrong perish or become permanently incapacitated, Sarah Armstrong shall be placed under the protection of House Sorrin. She will be raised, educated, and provided for as though she were blood-bound kin, with the option of formal adoption should she so choose upon reaching maturity. 5. Conditional Loyalty Clause: Joshua Armstrong shall remain loyal and in service to House Sorrin so long as House Sorrin does not act in betrayal or deliberate harm against him or Sarah. In the event of betrayal, this agreement shall be rendered void, and Joshua Armstrong shall be released from obligation. 6. Termination Clause: This agreement may be dissolved by mutual consent, but not without first ensuring Sarah's continued protection under House Sorrin or her independent establishment. |
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| ACCEPT | COUNTER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joshua read the terms and then re-read them to be sure before selecting Accept. Joshua, Theo, and Julia all saw the messages that followed.
>Private Message: Servant Contract Agreement Reached
>Private Message: Terms recorded with the System
>Private Message: Terms acceptable, and accepted by both parties
>Private Message: Ensuring minimum compatibility, please wait...
>Private Message: Minimum compatibility achieved
"It is done then?" Joshua asked.
Theo nodded, "As far as we know, yes."
Theo then handed the strange book and another shimmering rolled-up scroll to Joshua, along with the terms he and Fred had worked out. "Now hold the scroll and the terms for Fred's contract in your hands. The rest is pretty self-explanatory."
Joshua picked the items up and was presented with a blue box.
| Contract Terms Detected | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Would you like to use a Servants contract to contract User Fred Ursiyn as per the terms outlined in held document? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YES | NO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joshua selected yes.
[Fred Ursiyn]
Fred watched it all happen and felt the thrum of power before Joshua asked if it was done. Then Theo handed Joshua the book and a scroll from his pouch, and Joshua's eyes glazed slightly before Fred saw a blue box.
| Servants Contract Terms | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offered by User Joshua Vern Armstrong to User Fred Ursiyn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Purpose of Service: Fred Ursiyn pledges himself to the defense and service of Joshua Armstrong. His primary duty is the physical protection of Joshua and his immediate family, with discretion granted to Joshua in matters of daily tasking.
2. Authority of Command: Fred Ursiyn accepts Joshua Armstrong as his sole commanding authority. He shall act upon Joshua's instructions unless doing so would directly and irreparably endanger Joshua's life. 3. Scope of Protection: Fred Ursiyn will place Joshua Armstrong's safety above his own, intervening against threats both direct and indirect. This includes negotiations, travel, and unexpected dangers that may arise from Joshua's station. 4. Continuity of Service: In the event of Joshua Armstrong's death, Fred Ursiyn may transfer his bond to Sarah Armstrong at his sole discretion, continuing his service as guardian if she so accepts. Should Sarah decline, the bond dissolves without penalty. 5. Conditional Loyalty Clause: Fred Ursiyn shall remain loyal to Joshua Armstrong and, through him, to House Sorrin, so long as neither acts in betrayal or deliberate harm against him. In the event of betrayal, this bond shall be rendered void, and Fred Ursiyn released from obligation. 6. Termination Clause: This bond may be dissolved by mutual consent. Joshua Armstrong retains the right to release Fred Ursiyn at any time, provided that Fred's honor and reputation are not maligned. |
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| ACCEPT | COUNTER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fred accepted after reading the terms, and Theo, Julia, Joshua, and Fred all saw the messages.
>Private Message: Servant Contract Agreement Reached
>Private Message: Terms recorded with the System
>Private Message: Terms acceptable, and accepted by both parties
>Private Message: Ensuring minimum compatibility, please wait...
>Private Message: Minimum compatibility achieved
With that, Theo stood up, helping Julia to her feet. "Well then, gentlemen, I believe that it is bedtime. I will see you both in the morning."