Chapter 596: The Final Negotiation

Three days after King Edmund’s preliminary approval, Sage returned to the Royal Palace for what was expected to be the final negotiation concerning the Adventurer Guild’s Royal Charter.

The meeting took place inside Crown Prince Richard’s administrative study rather than the larger council chamber.

Only those directly responsible for completing the document had been invited, allowing the remaining legal questions to be examined without another lengthy debate between competing noble interests.

Richard sat at the head of the conference table, accompanied by Lord Chancellor Alistair Fenwick, Minister Aldous Pembroke, and Lord Thomas Ellery. Sage occupied the opposite side with Boren, Lucan, and Master Theobald Wycliffe.

A written list of King Edmund’s required amendments lay beside the latest Charter draft.

Richard examined the document before addressing the gathering.

"His Majesty has already accepted the principle of granting the Guild formal recognition," Richard began. "What remains is ensuring that the Charter’s protections don’t interfere with the Crown’s lawful responsibilities. If we can resolve these final provisions, the completed document can be submitted for the royal seal."

Sage nodded as he opened his copy. "Then I’d like us to settle the wording properly. We’ve spent enough time discussing what everyone thinks the Charter might mean."

Alistair adjusted his spectacles.

"A sensible approach, Guildmaster," the elderly Chancellor replied. "His Majesty has identified three areas requiring particular attention: lawful inspections, territorial jurisdiction, and the procedures governing enforcement and amendment."

Pembroke turned to the first marked section.

"The Guild has already agreed to submit financial declarations and cooperate with lawful audits," Pembroke stated. "However, His Majesty wants the Charter to identify which authorities may conduct those examinations and under what circumstances."

Boren opened the financial procedures prepared by Irene Valcrest.

"Our Finance Department can provide periodic declarations through the appropriate royal revenue offices," Boren explained. "We also propose that additional inspections require an identifiable legal basis, such as suspected financial misconduct or failure to meet established obligations."

Ellery considered the suggestion.

"Ordinary scheduled examinations shouldn’t require suspicion of wrongdoing," Ellery observed. "Certain records must be available for routine verification of taxes and other statutory obligations."

Sage nodded. "I don’t object to routine inspections, Lord Ellery. I object to officials demanding access to unrelated confidential contracts whenever they feel like it."

Alistair examined the existing provision.

"Then the Charter should distinguish routine statutory examinations from investigations requiring additional authority," Alistair suggested. "Officials conducting either type must remain within their lawful jurisdiction."

Pembroke approved the distinction.

"That would allow the Treasury to perform its responsibilities without granting unrestricted access to the Guild’s internal affairs," Pembroke agreed.

Boren recorded the amendment, noting that Irene would need to establish a standardized reporting schedule once the Charter entered into force.

The discussion then moved toward territorial administration.

Richard placed a regional map beside the document.

"The Guild intends to establish additional branches throughout Westmark," Richard stated. "His Majesty accepts that objective, but regional authorities must retain their lawful powers concerning property, construction, taxation, and public safety."

"That’s already our understanding," Sage replied. "We simply want applications handled according to clear procedures rather than personal preferences."

Ellery turned toward the relevant paragraph.

"The current wording requires territorial authorities to provide written reasons when rejecting an application," Ellery explained. "His Majesty wants clarification that an appeal doesn’t automatically suspend legitimate safety orders or grant temporary permission to operate."

Lucan examined the proposed amendment.

"That seems reasonable," Lucan replied. "A branch shouldn’t begin operating merely because we’ve challenged a refusal. However, the appeal must still receive an independent review rather than returning to the same official who issued the decision."

Alistair nodded.

"The appeal can proceed through the established administrative review process," Alistair suggested. "The reviewing authority would examine whether the original decision complied with the law, while any urgent safety measures would remain effective unless lawfully suspended."

Sage considered the language.

"Then I’m satisfied. We aren’t trying to avoid legitimate requirements. We want protection against arbitrary decisions."

Richard looked toward Pembroke.

"Include the revised wording."

The next section concerned the Crown’s authority to intervene when the Guild violated its obligations.

This was the provision Sage had examined most carefully.

Under an earlier proposal, sufficiently serious misconduct could have allowed royal officials to appoint temporary administrators to oversee Guild operations. That language had been removed during previous negotiations, but King Edmund wanted clearer procedures governing severe violations.

Alistair opened the revised enforcement provisions.

"His Majesty recognizes that the Guild must retain authority over its internal administration," Alistair explained. "However, the Crown requires effective remedies when an institution repeatedly refuses to comply with lawful orders."

Sage leaned forward.

"What remedies are being proposed?"

"Financial penalties where authorized by law, corrective orders, suspension of specific unlawful activities, and judicial proceedings," Alistair answered. "In extraordinary circumstances, the Crown may seek broader restrictions through the appropriate legal process."

Theobald examined the final paragraph.

"Provided such measures require established grounds and remain proportionate to the violation," Theobald remarked. "The Charter shouldn’t permit an entire organization to be suspended indefinitely because one branch commits an administrative offense."

Ellery nodded.

"That’s precisely why the revised wording distinguishes individual violations from institutional misconduct," Ellery replied. "An unlawful activity may be stopped without automatically invalidating every other operation."

Boren looked toward Sage.

"That would also protect our other branches from unnecessary disruption, Guildmaster."

Sage nodded.

"I can accept those provisions. If we break the law, there should be consequences. But those consequences should address the actual violation."

Richard appeared satisfied.

"Then we have agreement concerning enforcement."

Alistair turned to the final matter.

"The Charter’s continuity provisions must also be settled," the Chancellor announced. "His Majesty agrees that the Guild’s recognition shouldn’t expire automatically upon a change of monarch. However, no Charter can permanently prevent the Crown from exercising powers granted by Westmark’s laws."

Sage considered the statement.

"Then the document should remain valid unless amended or revoked through lawful procedures," Sage replied. "A new King shouldn’t be able to disregard it merely because he dislikes the Guild."

Alistair nodded.

"That is the intended arrangement. The Charter will remain a recognized royal instrument until lawfully altered. Any amendment or revocation must follow the applicable procedures and respect rights already established under valid agreements."

Lucan examined the provision carefully.

"Would existing dungeon contracts remain protected if the Charter were amended in the future?" Lucan asked.

"Subject to their terms and applicable law," Ellery answered. "An amendment wouldn’t automatically erase lawful contractual rights, although future legislation could affect how certain activities are regulated."

Theobald marked the final wording.

"That is a defensible distinction," Theobald concluded.

With the King’s required amendments addressed, Richard requested a complete review of the Charter’s principal provisions.

Boren began by confirming that the Guild would retain authority over its administrative appointments, departmental organization, membership qualifications, and disciplinary procedures.

Sage then reviewed the mission provisions, ensuring that the Guild would continue classifying assignments and posting them through its Mission Boards for qualified Adventurers to accept voluntarily.

The Crown’s representatives confirmed that commissioning authorities could establish lawful contractual requirements without gaining control over the Guild’s internal personnel decisions.

Lucan examined the commercial provisions, which recognized the Guild’s right to enter lawful partnerships, operate supporting businesses, and maintain contracts subject to Westmark’s ordinary commercial regulations.

The dungeon section received particular attention.

Theobald read through the revised language establishing that the Guild could operate dungeons under valid ownership or management arrangements, maintain its established Dungeon Pass system, and recognize Adventurers’ rights to lawfully recovered loot under the applicable access conditions.

Future agreements would require authorization from the relevant rights holders and compliance with territorial requirements.

No numerical limit had been incorporated into the Charter.

Richard examined the completed section.

"That resolves the principal legal objections without granting the Guild authority over property belonging to others," Richard observed.

Sage nodded.

"And it allows us to continue operating under agreements we’ve lawfully established."

The emergency provisions were also confirmed without further disagreement. The Guild would cooperate with authorized emergency responses, facilitate voluntary missions, and respect obligations imposed by Westmark’s general laws, while registration itself would not constitute military enlistment.

By late afternoon, the final document had been assembled.

Boren carefully checked the administrative references while Theobald and Ellery compared the completed text against the amendments requested by King Edmund.

Alistair reviewed the final page before placing his pen upon the table.

"The document is legally consistent with the framework approved in principle by His Majesty," Alistair announced. "There are no remaining drafting objections from my office."

Richard looked toward Sage.

"Then, Guildmaster, I believe we’ve reached our agreement."

Sage examined the completed Charter resting before him.

The negotiations had required numerous concessions, but the essential principles remained intact. The Guild would possess formal legal standing throughout Westmark while retaining authority over its own administration and lawful operations.

It would also accept clearly defined obligations rather than depending upon personal arrangements with individual nobles.

"Then I’m satisfied, Your Royal Highness," Sage replied. "This is something the Guild can actually operate under."

Richard smiled.

"And something the Crown can reasonably recognize."

The completed Charter was signed by the responsible legal officials as the final proposed text and prepared for submission to King Edmund.

That evening, the document reached the royal secretary’s office, where it was registered for presentation to His Majesty and the application of the royal seal.

However, news of its completion quickly reached the nobles who had opposed the Guild’s recognition.

Inside a private chamber elsewhere in the capital, Lord Geoffrey Lancaster examined a summary of the final provisions alongside Lord Percival Harcourt and Count Leopold von Rabenfeld.

"The numerical restriction has been excluded," Leopold remarked bitterly. "And the Guild retains its Dungeon Pass arrangements."

Harcourt examined the document.

"The supervisory council proposal was also rejected," Harcourt observed. "The final Charter grants the Guild considerably more administrative independence than we recommended."

Geoffrey remained silent for several moments.

Then he closed the report.

"His Majesty has approved the Charter in principle," Geoffrey stated. "But the royal seal hasn’t yet been applied."

Leopold looked toward him.

"Are you suggesting another objection?"

Geoffrey shook his head.

"Not another argument about commercial competition. That approach has already failed," Geoffrey replied. "If we intend to delay this matter, we need a procedural question that the King’s advisers cannot simply dismiss."

Harcourt considered the statement before opening another document.

"There may be one remaining possibility," Harcourt suggested. "The Charter establishes rights extending across all fifteen regions. We could request confirmation that the relevant territorial authorities have been properly consulted before the Crown grants recognition."

Geoffrey examined the proposed request.

"Prepare it," Geoffrey instructed. "We aren’t challenging His Majesty’s authority. We’re asking whether every necessary administrative requirement has been satisfied."

Before the evening ended, a formal petition requesting an additional procedural review had been dispatched to the royal secretary’s office.

The Adventurer Guild’s completed Charter was awaiting King Edmund’s seal.

But its opponents had made one final attempt to prevent that seal from being applied.