Terms

"Your men are not allowed to loot. They are open to the wealth of the duke's palace as an exception to this rule. I have set amount, for each rank in your army, of gold coins they will receive from the treasury. They can take the money or choose an item in the palace of equal value. I have had every item quietly appraised. The steward can help sort out who is entitle to what once you take over. If the men choose to take the money, they are welcome to use it at the local artisans at a 10% discount."

"Only 10%?" He finally interjects with an opinion.

"What do you feel would be fair?" I purposefully put it low, knowing that my max would need to be 40%. I need his number to haggle.

"25%" I want to agree, without hesitation but I feel as if it is a test. He stares for my reaction.

"15%" He smiles at my counteroffer.

"20%" Half of my max, better than we had prepared for in our council meetings.

"I can live with that."

"What are the suggested amounts." I flip through the treaty until I find the appropriate page. I pass it to him. He scans the figures, finally removing his eyes from me.

"You expect me to agree to this?" I raise my eyebrows. He should know how a negotiation works

"It is only a starting point." He pulls the quill and ink on the table closer, and marks on the paper.

"Your thoughts?" He passes the paper over. I look at the numbers he has written. They are only slightly above the proposed sums, and half of the maximum I had figured. I notice he has added much more to his share.

"I see you value your own work." I glance to him accusingly.

"I need pocket money." What a spoiled brat.

"Take yours down to 150 and I can agree." He smirks.

"Deal."

"Can I see the quill to note our changes." He scoots the inkwell between us. I note the changes to the discount and his 'pocket money'.

"There is a personal requirement here. I have allowed the orphans of the city to take up residence in the Duke's palace. I want them to remain there. There are several tutors that teach the children. They have been payed to remain for the next 5 years. You have no need to pay more. There is a fund set aside for their food and care." His lazy eyes shine as he listens. He returns his chin to his hand, observing my every move. I don't like how he studies me, but I know that he is analyzing his adversary. That is what he must see me as.

"Now for your gains. You will be able to tax the people, taking the money directly for Varzy. We need to agree on the rate though. The people will revolt if the already steep taxes are raised. To help with the transition I suggest lowering it."

"What is the ideal rate for you?" I pull out another paper with rates of various goods, and homes. He looks at it. "The taxes are higher than this?"

"Unfortunately, yes. If you weren't outside our gates, I believe there would be a revolt in the next 3 years over this. My father was too removed from the people to realize that his demands were unreasonable."

"They are acceptable to me." I give him a genuine smile. He is not demanding, but rather relaxed about this. His reputation of difficulty is undeserved. The only thing he has fought me on is the prize to his soldiers, and the demands weren't unreasonable.

"I have a trusted general in place to facilitate the surrender." I continue explaining the terms.

"How did you manage that in such a short time?" His gaze intensifies, if that is possible.

"I enraged the top general and use my man to hinder his attempt on my life. No one doubted my appointment of him after the trial." I keep my tone flat and professional.

"My dear, you are sly." There is a hint of something akin to admiration in his look.

"I had to be. Most of the soldiers are from the dukedom, and you can absorb them into your army. I ask that all those that are not from here return to their families. They only make up 15% of our force. They did not choose to be forced from their homes to come here."

"They pose a threat if they leave."

"There is a way that the barracks can be turned into a camp. You can hold the men there until you have reached you design for king Luis. Once you reach that point, you must let them go. While they are in your care, I need you to treat them with respect, and care. I don't want them to starve to death in a forgotten corner."

"I agree to the camp for the soldiers from other regions and absorbing any willing local soldier. Anyone that refuses will be put in the camp."

"Fair." I note the changes to the treaty.

"I will give them everything needed for survival and give them tasks and trades to occupy their hands and minds." I note his addition and am pleased with his initiative for caring for the men. I suppress my smile for his generosity.