NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41: Terms of Contract
Daeranyx POV
Having provided Corlys with a comprehensive overview of the contract, including its terms and the consequences of breaching it, which would bind not only myself but our entire family, I paused to await his reaction. It was evident that he was carefully considering the information presented to him, weighing it thoughtfully.
"Although the contracts you've mentioned could be utilized in many ways to solve current problems, binding our families in such a manner might seem more like a business transaction than an alliance, Lord Drakonar," Corlys posed after much deliberation. I anticipated he would have this concern. Indeed, from his perspective, it may appear inappropriate, as we are forming an alliance through marriage, thereby merging our houses in a way that transcends a simple alliance built on words, friendship, and trade.
Thus, offering contracts here would be an affront to his house by mine.
"Yes, it appears so. However, I'm not suggesting you sign a contract merely as part of our alliance. I'm proposing a contract because it represents a long-term commitment, binding our houses together beyond my marriage to Laena. It would establish Velaryon and Drakonar as permanent allies, rather than an alliance that could be forgotten in a thousand years, or even less. We both understand, Lord Corlys, that alliances are often forgotten when later generations find more advantageous options. This contract would provide my house with future assurance, while yours would continue to profit as it has since our alliance began," I explained, downplaying the benefits to my house to persuade him to sign the contract. If Corlys were to sign, House Drakonar would secure powerful naval allies for millennia, and, should Velaryon remain loyal, an aerial ally as well. The only benefit I seek, aside from Laena's hand, is this assurance, as there is little else I desire from their house.
If possible, I would have used charms to persuade him to sign a contract, but several factors prevent me from doing so. Firstly, I would need a wand to cast a spell powerful enough to influence him, as it would have to be significantly stronger than my wandless spells. The balance is crucial; whether it's the world or ROB causing this, as I grow more powerful, the protective shields around the lords of the realm's minds also strengthen. For magical humans like the Valyrians and the First Men, who possessmost powerful shields I've seen so far, I need a wand to amplify my spells so I could place suggestions in their mind. Although Andal Lords do not have such fortified minds, but even than there is few Andal houses that has recent magical lineage. Bu there are many houses there is that could be swayed to serve my purposes. However, these houses are either too distant or lack sufficient influence to be worth the effort.
The second challenge is that if the magic binding us in the contract detects any influence of mind magic on Corlys's mind, then the contract will not be formed, and I could encounter difficulties from the world's magic. The contract must be signed entirely willingly, or by physically coercing the other parties, rather than using magic. For Corlys, there isn't much to lose in this situation since his house stands to profit more from this venture; all I require from them is loyalty. Their role is that whenever House Drakonar faces conflict with anything or anyone, House Velaryon must support them. By doing so, they will receive the protection of my house and the benefits that come with allying with a magical house such as mine.
"Very well, House Velaryon will sign this contract with House Drakonar. But what are the terms of our contract? You have mentioned rules or oaths that my house would be bound to. I need to read them before making my final decision," said Corlys with a sigh. I conjured a parchment with all the terms I had considered, written on it with my conjuration magic. I haven't made contracts yet because it need careful work of runes on the parchment, but I wanted Corlys to understand what he would be agreeing to, which is why I informed him of the contract's contents.
Corlys took the parchment from my hand, his face a mixture of fascination, awe, and curiosity. The terms written on the parchment were as follows:
1. Alliance of Blood:
The marriage of Laena Velaryon and the head of House Drakonar binds both houses in blood, creating an unbreakable familial bond. Any harm or betrayal of one house by the other will result in severe magical consequences for the offending party.
2. Protection and Aid:
House Drakonar will pledge military and magical support to House Velaryon in times of war or external threats, utilizing their dragons and magic. However, this support will be provided at Drakonar's discretion, allowing them to choose when and how they intervene. That will only apply when House Velaryon is up against any other allied house of Drakonar's. House Velaryon would also need to provide aid when House Drakonar is in conflict.
3. Exclusive Trade:
House Velaryon, as the wealthiest house in Westeros, will provide exclusive access to ships, trade routes, and naval resources to House Drakonar. In return, Drakonar will grant Velaryon access to magical resources and knowledge—but only what Drakonar deems appropriate.
4. Inheritance of Dragons:
Any dragons hatched or bred by House Drakonar will remain under the control of their bloodline. However, in the case of an exceptional bond formed between a Velaryon member and a dragon, House Drakonar will allow that Velaryon to claim the dragon. This term subtly favors House Drakonar by maintaining ultimate control over dragonkind.
5. Leadership and Counsel:
In any joint decision-making or military campaigns, House Drakonar will hold the deciding vote, acting as a senior counsel to House Velaryon, granting Drakonar more influence in strategic matters.
6. Secrecy of the Contract:
The terms of this magical contract are to remain secret, known only to the heads of both houses. Any breach of this secrecy by either party will result in the dissolution of the alliance, with magical penalties to the party responsible.
After reading all the terms, Crolys seemed somewhat relieved and deep in thought, making me wait a few minutes before he turned to me. The expression on his face was that of an experienced merchant, poised to maximize the benefits from the situation he found himself in. I braced myself to hear his thoughts.
"Although the terms are reasonable, don't you think there is too much subservience from House Velaryon to your House, Lord Drakonar?" asked Corlys, his voice deliberate and his eyes judgmental.
"Do you truly believe that, Lord Corlys? Let me be candid with you. Who do you think will benefit from this contract in the long term? Indeed, House Velaryon might contribute significantly at the outset, but another House could offer me the same. I believe you know which House I refer to. I have promised you, Lord Corlys, that House Velaryon will ascend to unprecedented heights through an alliance with my House, and I intend to oversee this personally. However, in exchange, I require one thing: your House's unwavering loyalty to mine. Not merely yours to me, but from every Velaryon head to the Drakonar head. And to give you a sense of the heights to which I would elevate your House, consider this: the ritual performed on Laena pales in comparison to what I have in mind. These rituals could achieve far more than merely strengthening a rider's bond with dragons." I pause to let my words take effect, then add, "For instance, bestowing upon a bloodline the eternal favors of the sea and wind. If you grasp my meaning." Ah, is it greed I see in the eyes of 'The Sea Snake'?
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