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With everything resolved, it didn't take long in the following days before we began the march back to Altdorf, since I had to return so that Joachim could be placed as Elector Count of the Bretonnian March, something that required the presence of all the Electors. There would be much debate over possible candidates, as many would try to push a noble that suited their interests to become the new Elector Count of the Bretonnian March.
So, with the matter of Kislev concluded, the Imperial general soon arrived, and I handed over to him command of the army I had left in Ostermark. I gave him around thirty-five thousand men to guard the province, and several thousand dawi would remain until the fortifications I had ordered were completed. In the future, Ostermark might well pay good gold to build new fortresses against the greenskins and necromancers who often roamed north in search of victims for their profane arts.
In addition to leaving hundreds of minor nobles as temporary governors —whose appointments could be revoked at any time in the Emperor's name— everything seemed set so that, in time, Ostermark's local economy would be stable and capable of defending itself. With that, at last, the lands of Ostermark would become fertile ground for agriculture and a recruiting pool of hardened soldiers for the Empire. I could say I had done my part: Ostermark now served the Empire absolutely.
All that was needed was to keep declaring that Ostermark remained in a state of emergency, to prevent the Elector Count of Talabecland from complaining too loudly about not regaining his lands now that the crisis was over. With that pretext, I could continue collecting taxes and recruiting men in the province without having to confront the nobility, who had been pushing their autonomy constantly.
I also marched away with a lucrative contract with the Imperial general to supply weapons, powder, and uniforms to the army every month. That would pay back the cost of financing the army myself within a few years, and afterwards it would be pure profit. It was an investment in the long term: I had secured as a client the largest buyer of all, who needed everything to maintain functionality, and the only supplier was me.
So, as we marched back to Altdorf, we wasted no time, for the year's end was near and, as usual, people dreaded the Witching. Everyone wanted to be within their homes when that day came, so without delay we returned to Altdorf. Only now I had the icy eyes of the Tzar's daughter on my back at all times, as well as those of her protectors and magic tutors.
Yet there was silence, total silence. She only ever wished to stare at me, speaking only to ask about when the train to Kislev would be ready, or when the weapons would be available, or if I could sell armor in exchange for cheap raw materials. That was all our conversations: short, practical, with no interest beyond her homeland. She was intent on opening the flow of trade with the Empire as quickly as possible, but for now, until my orders reached Marienburg, commerce remained completely closed, with strict orders to deny all dealings with Kislev.
We arrived in Altdorf just a few days before the Witching. The city was already preparing for the dreaded day, when everyone locked themselves indoors to avoid the horrors of the night when daemons were strongest in the mortal realm.
This time there was no grand celebration like after the victory over Bretonnia, but there was joy nonetheless among the parents of the soldiers who had been in the province, seeing their sons return alive. For them, it had been nothing more than harsh training, since they had barely fought the beastmen, with the real weight of battle carried by my veterans.
Once at my mansion in Altdorf we began to unpack, letting my griffon roam free of its chains as it settled into its bed of pelts from beasts I had hunted.
I immediately demanded an audience with the Emperor, for I had to claim my payment for being part of his political scheme. As soon as the Reiksguard guards recognized me at the gates of the Imperial Palace, they opened them and led me directly to the Emperor.
"So, I see you are prepared for any eventuality, aren't you?" I said, noticing that he had his personal champion at his side, something rare, as the man was usually with his son.
"It never hurts to take precautions, especially after you threatened to kill my ambassador," said the Emperor, smiling calmly and serenely.
"What in Sigmar's name possessed you to marry me to the Kislevites without even consulting me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"This benefits you greatly. I doubt you cared for the details at the time, but Kislev has many resources that will now belong to you when the current Tzar dies and you stand as the husband of the future Tzarina. And when that day comes, you will likely be the father of the next Tzar, wielding immense influence over that state, paving the way to place the Cult of Sigmar firmly within their lands and expand the Empire's influence. In time, to include them within the great Empire of Man, as Sigmar intended," said the Emperor.
"Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that you made the decision without consulting me," I said, holding his gaze.
"I know what I did, Albrecht, but it was necessary. Do you think I like the idea of you dying without an heir? If you fall in battle, the Empire would be left at the edge of civil war —the same as it would if word of our arrangement, or what I just did, ever spread. I must close these problems quickly, and your refusal to marry, even to consider marriage, had me on edge," the Emperor replied.
"Ah, and now what happens if I die and the Westerlands, which cost so much to reconquer, pass into the hands of Kislev? Would that be part of Sigmar's plan? That a part of the Empire becomes Kislevite territory thanks to a poorly crafted scheme?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It was negotiated, and I am certain you were told: you would not be heir to Katarin, and Katarin would not be your heir in case one of you died," replied the Emperor.
"And if we only have one child?" I asked, emphasizing the obvious.
"We will push for that child to be raised as a Sigmarite, and we will have a good Tzar we can trust, while providing all the necessary support to stabilize his rule, keeping the northern frontier secure," said the Emperor.
"Well, I suppose everything's settled then… Now, my payment. Because you know very well this thing you asked of me will not come cheap. And since we have all the Electors here, I can demand something very big," I said with a smile.
The Emperor's smile faded. "What is it you want…? I thought the benefits of this marriage would be enough to satisfy you, my loyal general," said the Emperor.
"I am loyal, but I am not a lapdog, Luitpold. Just because you command it doesn't mean I will obey blindly. Especially now that we have the Electors here —whom you bribed with my gold, did you not?" I said, staring at him.
"Indeed," replied the Emperor. "But I also used my ambassadors and my own resources to deliver the gifts and secure the election. It is joint work, for a common goal."
"Yes, but now it's time for the Emperor to help fill my coffers a little, isn't it?" I said seriously.
"What do you want, Albrecht? Gold? I could give you some, but the problem is that without a trustworthy lender, I cannot request loans from Marienburg… and you would hardly lend gold just to receive the same gold back, would you?" asked the Emperor.
"I want the possibility of establishing a state bank to be considered. One that will mint the Empire's coinage… and that I, or someone of my absolute trust, will help oversee," I answered, fixing my eyes on him.
"Pff… what you're asking for is very… difficult. That would certainly be an enormous step in controlling the Empire… but… damn it… not everyone will look kindly on us having so much power over who mints the gold," said the Emperor, sighing.
"I suppose that, with the bribes already distributed, we could persuade most of the Electors that this is a good decision for the Empire. A single coin, a single standard, instead of hundreds of provincial mintings. That would ease Imperial trade, offering a unified medium of exchange. And not only that: I have another idea to make commerce and the movement of wealth even easier —eliminating the tedious dependence on physical metal," I said calmly.
"And how does that benefit you?" asked the Emperor, narrowing his eyes, trying to find the trap.
"My good Emperor, I would keep the interest from the loans. If the Electors deposit their gold in the bank, I lend it out… and collect the profits. If all agree, the profits will surpass the indemnity I demanded from Kislev many times over. Lending the Empire's gold to merchants and craftsmen would be infinitely more lucrative than any one-time payment," I said with a broad smile.
"Difficult… difficult… I am not sure I can persuade the whole Empire before the assembly… but perhaps some Electors, yes. Wissenland, for example, I can bring to the table. Averland, maybe, if we offer help against the greenskins in your coming campaign. Middenland and Middenheim would probably demand you cleanse their forests. Talabheim will likely not pose much trouble. Talabecland… that will be an obstacle, after what we did with Ostermark. And Ostland… well, we will see. I will do what I can, but I promise you nothing," said the Emperor.
"You will have to promise me more, because soon I will meet with the Grand Theogonist… and I have something that will be very valuable both to you and to the Cult of Sigmar," I replied, leaning forward.
"And what is that?" asked the Emperor, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll tell you after the election of the Elector Count… and after my payment is placed on the negotiation table," I concluded with a calm smile.
"Very well… very well… we shall see what can be done. Now we must speak with the Grand Theogonist, to decide what to do about your new betrothed. We must meet him quickly, for I had conveyed your request to marry the Princess of Kislev, and he will be expecting this audience. His votes will be crucial for the election of the new Elector, and also for the matter of the bank. Keeping the Theogonist content will be essential," said the Emperor.
"Do not worry about that… Sigmar showed me in dreams what the correct answer would be," I replied calmly.
"Is this true… or are you making it up?" asked the Emperor, narrowing his eyes.
"Do you think I would jest about Sigmar? I truly had those dreams… and they were terrible. The Grand Theogonist will be very interested in what I have to say to him," I said, staring at him intently.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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