On the front open section of the breakfast house, Noah and Oliver combined two tables together to make enough seats for everyone.
With Ann, Raeden, Jade and Noah seated on one side and Elijah, Kalan, Ezra and Oliver on the other, the discussion began. But one hour into the talk, it abruptly came to an end due to Ann's disagreement with the terms of the deal.
The offer that Elijah had proposed was simple. The Nero mercenaries have to escort Kalan and his entourage safely across the borders of Velen and into Orion.
Half of the agreed money will be given when they start from Velven. And once they reach the destination in Napal, a port town in Orion, the rest of the money will be paid.
"Why?"
Elijah asked dumbfounded. With years of experience as a veteran merchant, it was impossible for anyone to outwit him in an argument. Yet there he was in a block unable to refute Ann's outburst.
"It's a good deal!"
"You won't be able to find another offer like this anywhere"
"If I say 'No'. Then it's a NO"
Ann went to the breakfast house leaving behind Elijah stupefied.
Elijah had hoped Ann to be the one to persuade Raeden into accepting the deal since she was a materialistic person. But to his surprise she had been out rightly rejecting the proposal from the very start.
Although Elijah had a basic understanding as to why Ann was reacting the way she was, he had no choice but to coerce the others into accepting.
"Raeden what do you think?"
Elijah knew that if it was Raeden, Ann would not go against him. But it will also be a problem if Raeden decides to leave Ann behind since she was reluctant.
And it was game over if Raeden rejects the offer too.
"The weather in Orion is perfect this time of the year. It will be like taking a vacation"
"It takes a month's travel to reach Orion. And you need an escort till Napal which adds two more weeks. But....'' Raeden contemplated.
Elijah gulped anxiously waiting for Raeden to finish his sentence. But before he could say anything Ann returned with two cups of coffee.
"Is that for me Ann? That is so considerate of you. I was feeling thirsty from talking for a long time" Elijah stood up and reached for the cup in her left hand.
"Eh? Why would I get coffee for you? Go and get your own"
Ann dodged Elijah's hand and sat next to Raeden.
"Here you go Raeden"
She passed a cup to Raeden and took a sip of her own.
"So we are still talking about this?"
"Why? Why are you so against this?" Elijah asked as he sat down sulking.
"That's my question as well. 'Why?'. Why are you being persistent on hiring us when you could get other mercenaries to do the same for a lesser pay?"
Ann turned to Kalan.
As the person hiring them on a long term, Kalan had been quiet since the beginning of the discussion. It naturally aroused suspicions to the ever cautious Ann.
"..."
Kalan's pupils reflected Ann and nothing else.
"What's the catch?" Ann asked, raising her brows in suspicion.
"The goods being transported are precious and cannot come in contact with anything.... undesirable" Kalan answered locking eyes with Ann,
"Are they relics or something along the likes?" Jade asked Kalan.
Relics were ancient artifacts with powerful magic created by mages with infinite affinity. A staggering number of relics have been uncovered across the continent in the past few years following the various archaeological excavations funded by the royal family.
Since then, Orion has become the hotspot for relics. Although relics with tremendous magic could help people in improving their living conditions, in the wrong hands it could lead to destruction.
Orion's monopolization on relics, led to illegal smuggling and auctions in the black market. There have also been incidents of relics going berserk and levelling buildings to dust.
"Yes. There is an Orian relic among other things" Kalan answered Jade and turned back to Ann.
"You could say that they are one of a kind. So we need people we could place our trust on"
"Six thousand gold coins and we'll stop two cities before Napal" Ann said and took another sip of her coffee.
"Six thousand gold coins and escort till Napal" Elijah changed the terms.
"Seven thousand and three cites before Napal"
"Seven thousand gold coins and escort till Napal"
"Eight thousand gold coins and we'll stop three cities before Napal" Ann put down her cup and smiled at Elijah.
"We can keep going like this till we reach the border"
"Wha... You are being unreasonable"
Elijah looked at Raeden for support. But Raeden ignored his pleading gaze and concentrated on the coffee in his hand.
"Don't look at him" Ann snapped her fingers in front of Elijah's face, making him flinch and look at her.
"If it's an ancient Orion relic. Then why is it in Velven? Or to be precise, why is it in your hands?"
"We can't go into details" Elijah cleared his throat, "We bought it in a black market auction in the capital"
"Really? Then how can we be sure that you're not the one illegally smuggling it?"
"I'm happy to see the trust you have on my poor soul Ann..." Elijah sulked, heartbroken by her distrust in him.
"Tsk.... Stop bullying him" Jade interrupted, fed up by the constant arguments.
"I know what you're doing"
Sparks started to fly between Jade and Ann.
"You're a party pooper" Ann stuck out her tongue towards an irritated Jade.
Although Ann's words made sense, Jade knew her too well to the point that he could understand her true intentions.
Ann and the twins were pissed at Elijah for bringing back Raeden two days earlier than scheduled and ruining their fun time. It was evident from the way Noah and Oliver were snickering while making eye contact with Ann.
"But what she's saying is right. Transporting illegal goods is a high offense"
"That won't be a problem"
Kalan placed a piece of paper on the table.
It was a certificate of authenticity issued by the royal family of Velven.
"A black market object has a certificate issued by the royal family?" Raeden asked Kalan.
"After the auction, the place was raided by the royal knights. I was able to acquire the object legally"
"Ahem. Now that all the doubts have been cleared. Let us sign the contract" Elijah pulled out a document from his robes and spread it on the table.
"This is a standard document from the guild. Just sign it here and I'll handle the rest"
"Not so fast, discount Aladdin. Wait till I read through every nook and cranny of this contract"
'There is no way I'm gonna sign anything without reading it'
Ann picked up the contract in her hands and started reading. Having suffered from negligence once, she had no intention to fall prey to it again.
Everyone focused on Ann as she continued to read through the pages, her eyes traced every line not leaving a single word present, while she occasionally asked Raeden some clarifications.
"The contract is ok. Just change the fee and the destination point. Then we're good to go" Ann smiled and pushed the papers towards Elijah.
"And the fee?" Elijah asked hesitantly.
"Hmmm.... It's as I said eight thousand gold coins. But since you are a friend I'll give you a special discount Mr.Kalan" Ann smiled brightly.
"It's seven thousand nine hundred and ninety nine gold coins only."
"Oh... we stop three cities before Napal. That would be Parthellam.... I guess. I'm not sure though" Ann closed her eyes and recalled Orion's overall territory map inside her head.
"But that's a complete ripoff" Elijah exclaimed.
"It's the price. Take it or leave it" Ann shrugged.
"We'll agree to your terms" Kalan said to Raeden and then nodded at Ann.
"Alright then, my job is done here. You can go ahead and discuss all the other boring stuff with Raeden" Ann stood up and extended her hand as a sign of goodwill.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr.Kalan"
"The pleasure is mine" Kalan followed suit and took her hand.
With that the contract between the Nero mercenaries and Kalan was signed.
One month later, Angelica regretted signing a contract for the second time in her life.