The World Dragon's Heir

“That about concludes what I came here for. I will have Rill forward the proposal from the Merchant’s Guild. But you understand our position, and the situation now.

If you can talk to Earl Tarleigh, the Guild would appreciate it. However, I doubt that he will change his position, and even if he did, having him stop hosting the pirates would just cause more troubles for everyone else.”

“Everyone except Duke Saldock.” Ragnar chuckled.

The Duke was the Lord of the largest city in the kingdom of Bostoveria, and very nearly as powerful as their Royal family. He also controlled the largest port in the nation.

Like Earl Tarleigh, he was happy to turn a blind eye to the source of vessels, as long as they flew the right flags on the way in. The only difference was that Earl Tarleigh would openly let the pirates dock and party, even after they were identified as pirates elsewhere.

“That man is a menace to society. Far too much power, and too much arrogance to go with it.” Count Duntamers complained.

Dominic shrugged. “He didn’t see too bad to me. But I haven’t had to spend much time around him. I do know that he holds a bit of a grudge at the moment, due to the broken marriage alliance.”

“He’s never going to live that down, either. What a humiliating way to have your promised bride snatched from you. I wasn’t convinced that Thorvald had it in him, even after I heard the news,” Rill agreed.

Ragnar smiled. “I’m not certain that Thorvald isn’t regretting his choice. He got a lot more woman than he was bargaining for.”

Rill nodded. “The Duke is an expert in that field. Though I’m told that Her Highness Alexis has calmed some since Princess Katerina was born.”

That was just patently untrue.

But Dominic was not going to speak against his wife to anyone, much less strangers.

“Having a little one around helps focus the frustration. Now, I believe that we had more business than gossip about the trials and tribulations of living with a Paladin.”

Three of the four men stood. “We will catch up later, Your Grace. Our final companion has some private matters to discuss.”

The maids led them out and the door sealed behind them, leaving only two of Dominic’s Royal Guards in the room.

Shadow, the Assassin’s Guild Master, looked around the room carefully, then smiled.

“You’re an interesting person. Not only did you notice that my appearance is a disguise, you are also utterly unperturbed being in a room with me.”

Dominic laughed softly. “I have a Doppelgänger friend, I’m used to the subtle signs of an appearance shift. But the confidence is the knowledge that I can fill this space with dragon fire, even with a dagger through my heart.

Not many things survive having the room turned into an oven. But Dragons are one of them.”

Shadow nodded. “And I’ve seen dragonkin blow fire through their own lips if you try to force their mouth closed. That’s why the Guild charges extra to take care of them. Even more than the Ogre born Sorcerers, with their magic resistance.

However, we’re getting off track.

I have a few questions for you, but the first on the list is the question of what you’re planning to do now that you’ve stared wiping out crime syndicates for messing with your shipments.

Do you intend to continue along that route? With your orders, I don’t doubt that the monster blooded would enforce your will all over the nation.

You could take over their niche of protection fees and import markups, if you wanted.”

Dominic shook his head. “My goals involve fewer headaches for myself, not more.

I don’t want to make myself King of Wavemates again when I can be Governor. I don’t want to be a major national crime lord, or run a protection racket. However, I won’t accept them messing with my business.

If that makes sense?”

The Assassin nodded. “That makes sense. In a way, that’s almost the same as being a crime family leader more than a Noble. The Nobles cut losses, or mark up products to offset the distribution costs.

The Merchant’s Guild deals with each of them differently, usually with some sort of agreement not to interfere with each other.

I see that the Guild already has an agreement with you.”

“Indeed. We’ve got a good working agreement. No additional fees, no additional discounts, beyond bulk purchase rates. For Wistover, it works out wonderfully. We get a steady customer, they get reasonable prices.

The Merchant’s Guild has also been quite accommodating when we ask them to get goods to specific customers so that I don’t have to arrange caravan routes on my own.”

The Assassin known as Shadow simply sat there, perfectly still for a long moment before he decided on a response.

“Your goals seem hard to fathom at first, but I believe that I know how you think now.

You have what you want. Your home is yours again, you have your family, more wealth than you have any need for, enough to simply pay to make problems go away.

You’ve got titles, freedom to design and do as you please.

Yet, you feel none of the greed and ambition that drives leaders to the top. None of the self-centred urge to dominate and prove your worth.

It’s unnerving.”

Dominic laughed and shook his head. “Oh, there is plenty of self-serving greed in there, don’t get me wrong on that point. I’ve just realized that after a certain point, the reward is no longer worth what it costs you to get it.”

Shadow’s gaze went vacant for a short while, then he nodded.

“I understand what you mean. Perhaps better than anyone, given the nature of my existence, and yours. Alright, I will not push you to take on a greater role, and I applaud you for finding that balance.

I didn’t realize how much the cost would be until I was already at the top.

However, I do wish to maintain a cordial relationship between my Guild and your Duchy. So, I would like to assign a few of my people to your staff, much as the Merchant’s Guild has done.”

Dominic nodded. “They will fit right in. After all, we have a whole house full of veiled maids.”