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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 23, 2011 1:11:14 GMT -5
I had made up my mind – going to Azzalle was a necessity, an urgency. Every moment that passed made me more tetchy, more unwilling to do anything other than saddle Strider and ride the day and night through, until I found her.
I needed to make arrangements, though – I hadn't found any of my old friends, save Avrielle, who had duties of her own. Besides, I had Raisa, and she was a godsend. She had plenty of goodwill, and a practical intelligence which made her the best candidate I knew for the job.
For this, though, I needed to make arrangements, and so it was that in the first hour, having already worked from home and prepared lists and letters, I made for the Bank Palatine. I had letters of credit from La Serenissima, and some of my own, which I intended to proffer if necessary.
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 23, 2011 15:49:03 GMT -5
Apparently I had an appointment with a Stregazza. I had always thought the family had something in common with the Shahrizai so maybe this wouldn’t be a complete bore, though I doubted it. I told my secretary to send him in once he arrived. After a short while both she and the man arrived and I stood and gave the man a polite bow and offered him a seat. “How can we be of assistance sir?” I asked, getting right to the point of the matter.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 23, 2011 16:54:25 GMT -5
That the man I was to meet was a member of the Shahrizai clan was interesting to me. I'd of course known the tale of his kinswoman and her nefarious deeds, of the grace their patriarch had found later, with the queen, but I'd never met one in the flesh. It was said that they could see fault lines running through a man's soul, and I wondered how much of my guilt he would see, and how much of it would shine through our exchange.
He was straight to the point and sour-looking, and I kept my handshake to myself, inclining my head politely in return. “I travel on the morrow and must make appropriate arrangements for my stewardess' needs,” I replied. “To that effect, here is a letter of credit from La Serenissima.”
I liked that he was to the point: the faster this was done, the faster I could leave, the faster, then, perhaps, hopefully, my torture would end.
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 23, 2011 17:02:13 GMT -5
I sat down and folded my hands in front of me on the. My eyes pierced into him as if seeing his soul, but really I was just thinking to myself how silly he must be for waiting to the very last minute.
I reached out and took the letter, opening it and taking a good look at it. "Well everything seems to be in order, your grace. How do you want payment to be given to your ... stewardess?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 23, 2011 18:03:11 GMT -5
“Weekly payments, if you please,” I replied as I seated myself, though he hadn't invited to do so. “There will be additional staff to be hired – Mademoiselle Valois will be coming with a letter, stating names and allowances and bearing my seal. Here,” I handed him a leaf, on which I'd settled the budget for the various possible expenses of the house's upkeep. “She is honest but little experienced, and will need assistance in this, my lord Shahrizai.”
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 23, 2011 23:07:00 GMT -5
I looked over the budget and it seemed reasonable. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t stray from the path, your grace. When should I be expecting this girl?” I questioned, stroking my chin idly. The man seemed to be putting a lot of faith in this woman … of course he had asked me to help as well. I just hoped that her questions would not take up too much time. Then again, it was not as though I had other things to be doing. I simply hoped she wasn’t the chatty sort.
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 24, 2011 12:02:45 GMT -5
“In the coming days,” I replied seriously. “I would be surprised if her dedication didn't take her to your office on the morrow, even. As for your honorarium, my lord?”
Of course, nothing came for free, in this world – I knew it well, and I expected the Kusheline lord to know it even better.
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 24, 2011 12:33:12 GMT -5
So she’s one of those hyper responsible types that will probably be in here every day or so with completely irrelevant questions. I made a mental note to have my secretary handle the more mundane things. “Regarding the matter of price, I believe a 4% interest off of the amount of money withdrawn over the amount of time you are gone should be sufficient.”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 24, 2011 15:01:30 GMT -5
I needed to know a capable manager could assist Raisa – a 4% cut was almost reasonable, but the merchant part of my heritage recoiled at accepting the deal without haggling a little.
“4% is above the customary interest rates,” I said idly. “Is it not?”
There was fine line between being insulting and showing negotiation skills – I tried to walk it to the best of my abilities.
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 24, 2011 18:49:01 GMT -5
I barely raised a brow. “4% is customary, your gace. I can offer 3.5, but nothing lower. It isn’t as though there’s a bank on every street corner,” I answered flatly, pulling out a contract. “Feel free to look over that.”
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 24, 2011 19:56:32 GMT -5
“3.5% is boon to La Serenissima,” I replied wryly. “Doubtless, the Doge's investments will be happily managed at Banque Palatine, my lord.”
Oh, I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed negotiating – but I was in a hurry, and his first offer was indeed very acceptable to me, so I'd take it and be on my way.
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 24, 2011 23:06:08 GMT -5
"They will," I said, smirking, "Or at least well managed. Is there anything else, Your Grace?"
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Post by Gillermo Stregazza on Jun 24, 2011 23:27:46 GMT -5
I was almost amused, and had to make an effort not to let my lips twitch and betray me.
“That will be all, Lord Shahrizai. Thank you for your time.” With that, I stood, and offered him a handshake.
I had staff to hire, and places to go to.
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Post by Auberon Shahrizai on Jun 25, 2011 1:59:23 GMT -5
I shook his hand and watched him leave, glancing over the paperwork one last time before putting it away and doodling trees on an expired statement.
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