A Yet Unassigned House

Ralf steps through the door and relaxes in one of the chairs, visibly tired from the journey. "I am Ralf Valgard," he begins. He has met Naoki before, and she shouldn't have to fall victim to his long-winded introduction, but the pride of the Varan should never be underestimated. "Son of Volrun Valgard, the Wolf of Gripclaw Pass, and Aesa Jojora, the One-Handed. Scion of the Valgard Clan, the White Wolf, Heir of Valland's Flooded Throne, Slayer of Marissa. Raider, Trader, Settler. Former Mercenary and Adventurer..."

Ralf's list goes on, no doubt to Naoki's annoyance. But she might be able to observe the Varan's age now. His voice wavers, he breathes deeper than before; strands of grey hair can be seen upon his head - and his beard is nearly completely grey, as are his once-blue eyes. When he finishes with his titles, he ends with "...and Joint-Chief of the Twin Cities." That title was something new. Had Ralf finally chosen to settle down after his years of traveling abroad? The name might indicate that. He was still a capable and talented warrior, no doubt, but it was time for Ralf to retire to a more sedentary career.

"We washed ashore not far from here. If the sun rises in the east and sets in the west as before, then we are due just northwest of here. Varan, Vessians, and others. And I think it would be best if we work together." Ralf let's Naoki think about the possibility of cooperation. The Varan expands on his proposition. "I don't know who else, or what else, has arrived in this new world. We should maintain contact, and encourage trade between our people. Of course, we will need to work on sustaining ourselves first. I have no doubt your people are working to achieve the necessities of survival: shelter, food, fire, and freshwater, as we are at the Twins. But I have further plans to construct a small merchant fleet, not unlike the trade ships my people used before.

"Would you and your people welcome Varan traders in the future? They might be interested in trading various resources, items, and foodstuffs from anything useful the Israns might have. What you don't have, we seek to supply; what we don't have, we hope to acquire from friends, like you."

Ralf was suggesting a basic, barebones trade agreement: permission for his people to trade amongst Naoki's people. "I have... bigger plans for the future," he continued. But it will take some time to set everything up. I can go into detail, if you'd like, or we can save that conversation for a later date."

"An absolutist then," Ralf grinned, somewhat intrigued by Naoki's ambition. Such grandeur piqued the imagination of fame-seeking warriors like the Varan. He dismisses Naoki's claim to the entire landmass because it would only hinder the potential to work together. In any case, no one was really in a position to enforce claims, except for those immediate areas they currently resided in. It would no doubt take time for absolutists like Naoki to project their power beyond the reaches of their inhabited domains. Ralf hoped that she would not hinder the development of trade routes in the future.

In any case, it was better to focus on the now. Ralf at least achieved some measure of success. "Very well," he agreed enthusiastically. I will inform my people that your docks are open to an extent."

Naoki seemed interested in Ralf's future plans. He appeared visibly excited to talk about it. "The Twin Cities... a bastion of trade, commerce, and industry. I aim to reach out to others, as I have reached out to you. My ultimate ambition is to acquire raw materials from across the landmass, to be transported to the Twin Cities and processed into a variety of goods. Necessities, luxuries, and everything in between. That which is not sold at the market will be transported abroad, and traded to our allies in exchange for more raw materials. And the cycle continues.

"Trade, my friend, is the lifeblood of a nation. My mission is to organize and facilitate trade, to bring to all who live among us anything and everything they need. I want you, Naoki, and the Israns to be a part of this endeavor. Whatever excess materials Isra is willing to sell, the Twin Cities will happily purchase. In return, our finished products will be sold in your markets."

Ralf was confident his plans to organize trade and provide necessities and luxuries to his allies would pique the interests and cooperation of individuals like Naoki. He was thus surprised to hear her response, raising an eyebrow in confusion during her dramatic tirade. His dream of friendship, cooperation, and trade was met with hostile accusation. He could not recall any time when he had called the Empress a mule, much less mention exploitation of labor, taxes, and tolls. Even if he had planned to do all of these things she accused him of, would others in his position - Naoki included - not have done the same thing? He would have tried to reason with her, but when she threatened to kill him and innocents of the Twin Cities for no reason he concluded there was no point.

"Hmm," was his response, as he reached up and gently stroked his beard. He didn't know how to respond to Naoki. "Well!" he would say, breaking the silence and standing up. "I think it would be best if I took my leave, Empress Naoki." He waited for a response, to see if she had anything more to add. If there was nothing else, he would bid the lady farewell and take his leave.

No," Ralf growled, interrupting Naoki when she insisted he sit down. He rebuked "the Varan do not sit where they are not welcome." A feral tone had replaced his otherwise friendly demeanor,. Ralf was not keen on letting his lycanthropy take over, but the White Wolf would do what it needed to in order to survive. He took a deep breath, as if to repress the urge of transformation. The primal thirst of the ancient curse itched the back of his throat, ready to reveal itself at a moment's notice if necessary. He doubted that the Israns were prepared to fight a random werewolf, much less the White Wolf.

Speaking now in a forced-relaxed tone, he continued. "I get it. You believe I want to exploit the straits; that I want to prevent your own merchants from accessing the Outer Sea.  Perhaps that is what you would do, or other rulers.  But you're wrong about me, Lady Naoki. I am Varan. I am a trader. It is what we do. I'm only here to express my desire for cooperation. Your people will have an excess of goods, materials, and wares that they will want to sell on the market." Ralf placed his hand on his chest, "and here's a customer. Unless you already have a customer-base ready and willing to trade with you."

Ralf let Naoki think about it for a few seconds. "You could try to arrest me, even kill me. But I think someone - no, something else has other plans. Is it not better that we work together, at least for now? You seem to only consider the disadvantages the Twin Cities will confer on you - taxes, tolls, and blockades - but these are baseless and I have no intention of imposing any restrictions on my friends, the Israns. We're only enemies if you make us so. Is that what you want? To make enemies in these difficult and trying times? Especially when we're here offering trade?

"There are no disadvantages for you, only benefits. Let me direct the Twin Cities virtuously as I plan to and reap the benefits. I'm more than willing to work with you on anything, once everything is up and running. You will simply lay out the terms and conditions that make you feel most comfortable, to benefit you as much as possible."

Ralf shrugged, "what have you got to lose?" He was silent now and waited for her response. Ralf had no intentions to mistreat or take advantage of the Israns. He simply wanted to trade with them, in effect filling Naoki's coffers. In return they would have access to the various goods and resources the Twin Cities procured from across the rest of the landmass, along with whatever they produced in Neue Ritterheim and Wulfgardt. And finally, when everything was ready, he wanted the Israns to take a leading role in the affairs of the Twin Cities. Working with Ralf seemed to be the most reasonable, peaceful, and wealthier option.

Ralf did seem somewhat cooperative on Naoki's suggestion. But not completely. "No," came a simple reply. "There are folks who have chose to settle there, and there they shall stay until forced to move. And I will not force them. Will you?" Ralf let the Empress think for a moment, then continued: "there's more to gain here, than to lose," he suggested. "It is a matter of talking it over. At a later date, of course."

Ralf was more than happy to discuss a favorable arrangement with Naoki, but only at a later time when his position was secured. He was not inclined to discuss such matters too early.

Lady Naoki had a choice to make. She could leave the Twin Cities to its own devices, with the possibility of a later prize. Or, she could make them an enemy. Ralf was more than ready to receive her reply, but hoped she would see reason, for he only wanted peace and prosperity for all who now called the Mistbourne Isles their home.